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SCHENECTADY -- From 1960 through 2007, the Bishop Gibbons varsity football team registered a grand total of just three six-win seasons. In 2008, the Golden Knights snapped a 24-year streak of losing seasons with a 6-3 record.

Last fall, Bishop Gibbons once again registered a 6-3 campaign and added the school's first playoff victory.

"We know 6-3 doesn't happen without the right preparation, some excellent athletes, hard work and a little bit of luck," Bishop Gibbons coach Tom Pallas said. "I think the kids now expect to perform well."

Several key members from those back-to-back winning squads have graduated -- most notably quarterback Derrick Pitts, a first team all-state Class D selection.

Rensselaer has won two consecutive Section II Class D titles and perennial small-school power Cambridge returns to this classification, so where will the Golden Knights fit in?

One player who figures to have a great deal to do with how Bishop Gibbons fares this fall is junior quarterback Johnny Villanueva.

Last fall, Villanueva handled a number of different positions on varsity and also played quarterback for half the season at the JV level.

"I think with Johnny, the big question is the mental aspect," Pallas said. "Last year, we was a running back and receiver. He got the ball and found the hole, or he ran his route and got the ball. Now, he has to make the decisions. He has to look down the field and make the right decisions. Physically, he can do it. He is one of the best athletes on the team. He has to step up and fill Derrick's shoes. That's no easy job."

"I'm trying to keep up with what Derrick did," Villanueva said. "I definitely want to make the plays."

Villanueva, who competed on the varsity in basketball and track and field as a sophomore, is an admirer of New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees. He also happens to be a cut-up, telling jokes the moment he arrives on the field.

"I like to have fun," Villanueva said.

"Johnny is a character. He is a loosey goosey kind of kid. He jokes around and keeps the team loose, but he gets serious when he needs to," Pallas said.

One thing Villanueva isn't fooling around about is winning football games. The junior believes some in Class D think the Golden Knights won't be as formidable without Pitts.

"I feel our team can still do it. We just have to execute our plays," Villanueva said. "I'm ready."