That's the question posed to Matt Koch as he enters his first year as head coach of the West Michigan Mayhem, two-time defending champions of the National Women's Football Association's Northwest Division.

``I feel like we can utilize the talent on the team better and make use of some very talented rookies,'' said Koch, who served as the Mayhem's running backs coach during the 2006 season. ``We're going to use our team speed. When we take the field this year, it's going to look completely different than anyone who's been watching this team for the last seven years will have seen.''

The Mayhem, who finished last season 7-3, have been known for a power running game and stout defense. While effective, it's made them one-dimensional at times.

``One thing we're not going to be is predictable,'' Koch said. ``We're going to throw on first down. We're going to throw on fourth down. We've got tremendous misdirection and will take advantage of a ton of speed.''

Last year's starting quarterback, Jan Johnson, has work obligations and will not be available for Saturday's season opener at Fort Wayne. Third-year vet Jody Markwart will slide over from the fullback/linebacker role she played last year to take the snaps.

According to Koch, Markwart has looked very comfortable behind center. That's essential, as Koch said he's looking to throw the ball 30 times a game.

Johnson, who played the second half of the Mayhem's 34-6 playoff loss to eventual champion Pittsburgh with a hyper-extended knee, should be ready for the home opener May 3.

``I couldn't tell you who is going to be starting in week two,'' said Koch. ``I would say that we have a very spirited competition.''

The position switch for Markwart is a challenge she has grown to relish.

``It's a total mental shift, because you're used to hitting people and mashing heads,'' Markwart said. ``It's been a lot of repetitions (in practice) and a lot of work on the coaches' part to make sure I'm technically right.''

Running back Catherine Converse, the linchpin of the Mayhem's offense, ran for 917 yards last season (6.7 yards per carry), but Koch wants to take a lot of the load off of her shoulders.

``We will spread the ball every night. Her 30 carries will go to 11 or 12, but she should still get her 100 yards.''

That proved to be the case in a scrimmage at Ann Arbor earlier this month. Converse carried the pigskin just 11 times, but gained 142 yards.

Converse will be backed up by rookie Danielle Daughtry, a Parchment grad who played shortstop for the Western Michigan University softball team. Koch also points to a bevy of receivers he's counting on to make an impact, including Jodi Howe, Lisa Luedtke, Yvette Carrier, Donelle Block, and Chantal Robinson.

Robinson, another former WMU athlete in her days as a striker for the Broncos soccer team, is another weapon that Koch is excited about. He calls the rookie ``the best kicker in all of women's football,'' citing her range for field goals and powerful kickoffs as an advantage that most teams can't match.

Koch, whose father Jack served as head coach at Parchment and Kalamazoo Christian, says, ``I'm old school. My dad coached for 35 years and all I remember is grabbing face masks and yelling and stomping and screaming.

``This is the game of football. I don't care if it's men or women. I think the game deserves a certain amount of respect.''

As one would expect, Koch is bringing a more disciplined approach. He describes practices as ``my time.'' There's no lollygagging allowed. Players are provided with detailed scouting reports of their opponents and his 120-play playbook is chock-full of trickery.

Seven-year veteran Sarah ``Bunny'' Claxton, for one, appreciates it.

``We're going to have a hell of a team,'' said Claxton, who recently decided that she will play this season despite three blown discs in her neck. ``I like (the current situation) a lot better. It's not so much being friends with the coach.

``You've got to be on your `A' game.''

For players like Claxton, who've paid a physical toll for the game they love, this season looms large. Their coach recognizes that.

``We're gearing up for a very serious run at this championship,'' said Koch. ``We've got a handful of players on this team who know it's their last year and will be retiring. It's very important to them.''