The Warden Cougars have their sights set on making a return trip to postseason play in 2012.

The team finished second in the 2B North Central Washington Conference last year with an 8-3 record and qualified for the state tournament, but was bounced out in the first round by Colfax.

"Our goal this year is to make it back to the playoff again," coach Erik Skone said. "We have some very athletic kids who are working hard to put us in a position to contend."

Warden has been to the 2B state playoffs nine times since 1973. They suffered back-to-back first round losses to Colfax in 2010 and 2011. The Cougars have only made it past the initial round twice, losing to Mossyrock in the quarterfinals in 1982 and to Zillah in 2003 in the 1A quarter final round.

A return trip to the postseason this year could be a difficult task as Warden has moved up a classification and will now be playing ball in the 1A South Central Athletic Conference against the likes of the Royal Knights and Connell Eagles who have played in the state championship game nine times in the past 10 years.

Connell captured the state title in 2009 and 2010, and were runner-up in 2006, 2007 and 2010. Royal won it all in 2004, 2005 and 2007, and was runner-up in 2002.

If the Cougars are going to achieve their goal they will have to do it without the services of eight individuals who graduated this summer who helped lead the team to a second place finish in the league in last year.

The biggest hole to fill for Warden will be at the quarterback position vacated by Trent Bates, who threw for 2,345 yards and 30 TDs

"That's a big loss for us," Skone said. "But we have three talented kids ... Jerry Reyes, Zach Shuler and Garritt Marks battling it out for the starting job."

Warden also lost its top two wide receivers as well in Victor Flores who hauled in 30 catches for 487 yards and Conrad Ruge who had 33 catches for 760 yards.

The Cougars do have their top running back Adam Hansen returning to lead Warden's rushing attack. Hansen carried the rock 102 times for 901 yards, had 34 receptions for 745 yards and finished with 23 TDs for the 2011 season.

He was named First Team All-Conference, and the league's Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Conference at the linebacker position.

Also expected to make a big contribution to the team goal of making the playoffs are returners

Osvaldo Alba, who was named First Team All-Conference defensive back and Second-Team kicker, Second-Team All-Conference linebacker Nate Cole, Honorable Mention offensive lineman Drew Wixom and Honorable Mention defensive back Luciano (Loiue) Reyes.

The strength of this year's squad Skone said lies at the skill positions. The Cougars weakness he said is depth on the offensive line.

Team captains for the Cougars this season are Adam Hansen, Drew Wixom, and Osvaldo Alba.

Warden kicked off the 2012 season with a nonleague 25-14 road loss against the Okanogan Bulldogs.

The Cougars host a nonleague game against 2B Lind-Ritzville in their home opener Friday at 7 p.m. Warden opens league play at home against Royal Sept. 14.