The 2004 Carroll College football season is officially underway with the beginning of preseason practice. The Saints enter camp following last year's undefeated national championship season.

The Saints look forward to 41 new faces on a roster of more than 110 players.

Frontier Conference coaches voted the Saints No. 1 in the preseason coaches poll with four first-place votes.

Montana-Western was second with 16 points and one first-place vote. Montana Tech (14), Montana State-Northern (11) and Rocky Mountain (nine) rounded out the poll.

Despite losing four starters, several starting offensive players return this season, including quarterback Tyler Emmert and offensive lineman Paul Barnett.

The defense will look to find its top players after losing seven starters. Carroll will also need to find a starting kicker to replace Rhett Crites. First-year players Zach Thiry of Meridian, Idaho, and Marcus Miller of Spokane, Wash., are both potential replacements.

"Our goal right now is to win our first ball game," coach Mike Van Diest said. "We will focus on our players and on what we can do, we can't worry about down the road, we can worry about being our best on Aug. 28 (home vs. Central Washington)."

The Saints have already begun practicing, two-a-days will begin today from 8:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. and again from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. and will continue until classes begin in two weeks.