For Issaquah players and coaches, the start of the 2012 season cannot arrive fast enough.

After reaching the 4A state playoffs for three straight years, the Eagles were bounced in the round of 32 last season, ending their season prematurely and leaving an unpleasant taste that lingered throughout the offseason.

But with a 1,000 yard rusher returning in Jack Gellatly and host of wide receivers including Reed Peterson, coach Chris Bennett’s squad looks primed for redemption in 2012.

“It definitely left a sour taste for a lot of us,” Peterson said. “The seniors this year want to get the program back.”

If the Eagles hope to regain their place in the top tier of the Crest, it will likely start with defense.

In three losses last year, the Eagles allowed 41 points to Skyline, 44 to Eastlake and 47 to state runner-up Skyview in the play-in round. Senior linebacker and all-league performer Eric Rauch said discipline has been a major point of emphasis throughout spring ball, summer workouts and fall camp and that principle has the ability to pay dividends on the field.

“It’s completely different from last year,” Rauch said. “I’ve seen a difference even during the summer.”

The key for Bennett and the Eagles now is translating those details onto the field in the notoriously difficult Crest, which means games against the defending state champions from Skyline and Nevada-commit Isaac Dotson at Newport.

Bennett said maintaining composure against top-level foes is another important step this team will need to take in order to return to the state tournament.

“They are going to make their plays and you just try to limit it where you can,” Bennett said. “We feel like if we do things right on our end, we will have a chance against anyone.”

Offensively, the Eagles must replace Ethan Kalin at quarterback but have the luxury of surrounding him with a bevy of experienced skill players who saw extensive action in 2011.

The hard-nosed Gellatly leads that group after breaking out in 2011 for more than 1,000 yards rushing while wide receiver Reed Peterson provides an explosive option on the edge.

“We have a lot of threats in our receiving corps,” Gellatly said. “I’m going to do everything I can in the run game so we can have that balanced attack.”

Issaquah will open the season with three 3A opponents, including last year’s state runner-up from O’Dea, before opening conference play at Newport in week four.

A manageable middle portion of the schedule that includes three consecutive games against perennial bottom-feeders from Roosevelt, Garfield and Ballard should provide all the seasoning necessary for the regular-season finale against the Spartans.