It was a remarkable year for the Central Kitsap football team in 2008.

The Cougars took the playoffs by storm, upending Olympia and Rogers of Puyallup in the first round and quarterfinals, respectively, to advance to the Class 4A state semifinals at the Tacoma Dome for the first time in school history. A 31-13 loss to Issaquah ended CK’s season one game shy of the state title game.

“You always want to do better than you did the previous season, so that’s definitely in everyone’s mind,” said coach Mark Keel, who enters his 10th season. “We have to really forget about last year. We can take some good things and we can build from where we left off … The guys really have a good understanding of what it takes to reach the point we did last year.”

But the centerpiece to last year’s team, running back Howie McDonald, who rushed for 1,864 yards and 22 touchdowns, is now playing at Eastern Oregon University. The team also lost its three starting linebackers — McDonald, Richie Meier and Cole Adams — as well as quarterback Jason Simonis, who threw for nearly 2,000 yards to go with 18 touchdowns.

But Keel has confidence in the replacements, beginning with junior Brett McDonald, Howie’s younger brother who replaces Simonis at quarterback.

Brett McDonald intercepted seven passes as a defensive back last season and saw a few snaps on the offensive side of the ball as well. Keel revamped the offense, which for the past two seasons was run-heavy and relied on the feet of Howie, to a shotgun spread that will give Brett space to run and air the ball out.

The shift, Keel hopes, will suit Brett’s playing style and create space and play-making opportunities for the Cougars’ talented receivers, particularly 6-foot-4-inch Christian Wesley, who is receiving attention from college recruits.

“I think it fits (Brett’s) skills, but just like anything else or anybody else it’s going to take a few games for him to get feeling comfortable and us feeling comfortable and knowing what plays to call and all that,” Keel said.

Preston Nelson and Maurice Brown join Wesley at wide receiver and should see increased roles. Exactly how much the Cougars will pass, however, has yet to be established and much of it will depend on how Brett McDonald adapts to the new offense.

“I think they are excited because they understand we don’t have a guy like Howie in the backfield who we can rely on,” Keel said of the receivers. “Their role has become bigger.”

On defense, Brett McDonald will anchor the secondary, although Keel hopes “some guys can catch on and give him some rest,” and Devon Lewis, Cody Meadows and Shaquille Blair will start at linebacker.

Whereas last year’s team depended on the linebacking corps — Howie McDonald, Meier and Cole combined for seven years of starting varsity experience — the 2009 squad must establish a defensive identity.

“We lost three really good linebackers — very smart guys,” Keel said. “But we feel comfortable at that position as well.”

CK, which finished 9-4 overall and 6-2 in Narrows League play in 2008, kicked off the season last night against Kentwood, but results from that game were unavailable at press time.

The home-opener against Bellarmine Prep is at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Silverdale Stadium.

“I think we’re in a tough league,” Keel said. “I love competition and our guys really invite that, so it’ll be good for us.”