Members of the back-to-back South-West Conference champion Newtown High School football team have three-peat on their radar, but they’re also hoping for even more playoff success this fall. A state title has been on the minds of the coaches and players, and they believe that with the right work ethic, winning both championships is well within reach.

“There’s never a year I start the season where I don’t think that,” Coach Steve George said. “I expect to win.”

That said, the coach really won’t look past the upcoming week’s game and the opponent, and that approach rubs off on his players.

“Everyone on the team wants a state title but I think we also have to focus on one week at a time. You can’t get there without winning every game before that,” said senior captain Troy Frangione, a receiver/kick returner/safety.

While Newtown might actually be able to afford sustaining one or two losses and still make a serious state playoff run, an undefeated mark gives teams a shot at presumably better matchups in the postseason. Then again, Newtown was unbeaten and the top seed but fell 35-33 to No. 8 Ridgefield in the Class LL state quarterfinals last fall. Of course, the less losses a team has the better its hopes if qualifying for the postseason. There’s no telling what the competition will do.

Newtown has made noise in the state playoffs several times in recent years, falling to eventual champion Glastonbury in the semifinals in 2008, losing to eventual runner-up Staples of Westport in the semifinals in 2011, and coming up just short in the state bracket opener last year.

“It’s like we’re right there,” George said.

The Nighthawks hope to be right back in the state playoff mix this December, and get to the big game.

“I think we’re ready for it,” DeVellis said.

Newtown has some significant holes to fill from last year’s lineup — 11 players graduated — including those left by starting quarterback Drew Tarantino and running back Cooper Gold.

This year’s senior captains, in addition to Frangione, are safety/receiver/punter Julian Dunn; running back/linebacker Jaret DeVellis; and guard Marcus Elken.

Getting back to the SWC title game would mean a fifth straight appearance in the pinnacle battle.

“We’ve got a big target on out back,” Dunn said. “We’ve just got to go out every game and prove that we’re still number one.”

Defense is a strength, with all of the linebackers, two of three defensive linemen, and two of four secondary players back on the field. The offensive line should be strong, with three of five line members back. All four starting receivers are also back in place, which should make first-year varsity quarterback Jacob Burden’s transition into the starting role a little easier than it might otherwise be.

Burden earned the role of taking snaps in the offseason, George said.

“We have an inexperienced quarterback but he’s been in the system,” said George, alluding to Burden’s exposure to Nighthawk football, including through the junior varsity team. “He knows the offense; he’s very smart.”

With so much returning experience on offense, “we have a lot of different things we’re going to do offensively,” the coach said.

Players whom George will look to for success this fall include middle linebacker/fullback Ben Mason, middle linebacker Tim Krapf, and outside linebacker Nick Rubino. Frangione and Dunn are joined by receivers Jared Pearson and Ethan Carpenter. The offensive line’s returnees are Pater Manfredonia, Kevin Conte, and Elken. Cornerback Nick Lotrecciano is among the other top players back in the fold.

The season begins Friday, September 12, with a visit to New Milford in a game that George notes is very important. Both teams will be trying to shake off whatever offseason rust is in place.

“Week one can go a lot of different ways and really sets the tone for the season,” George said.

After visiting Bunnell of Stratford on September 19, the Nighthawks have their home opener on September 26 when Pomperaug of Southbury visits for a 7 pm kickoff.

Brookfield, which met Newtown in the SWC title game last year, and Masuk of Monroe, which is always among the top teams in the conference, should provide tough tests for Newtown. Other than that, George isn’t too sure what to expect from the opposition. Bethel and Joel Barlow of Redding graduated a lot of players, and Bunnell had a tough season but returns a fair amount of experienced players.

Newtown will have what should be a tough nonconference test on October 17 when Ansonia comes to town. Ansonia has won three straight state titles and hasn’t lost a game since November of 2010. “That should be a tough game for us,” George anticipates.

The annual Thanksgiving Eve clash with Masuk will unfold at Blue & Gold Stadium this year in a November 26 game. All contests, home and away, are scheduled for 7 pm.

The Hawks have been working hard pretty much since last year’s playoffs ended. Workouts began in January and the team members have been lifting weights, running, or practicing almost every week since then.

“Offseason is so long. These kids have been working so hard for so long,” George said. “It’s a lot of pain, a lot of heartache, a lot of training, a lot of commitment these guys put in to play 11 games.”

“We couldn’t be any more excited to tell you the truth. We’re ready to go,” Elken said.