Coach: Dave Crutchfield (third year)

Class: Western D

Last year’s record: 8-3, lost in Western C final

Returning letter-winners: Seniors — Jack Brown (T/DT), Joey Hebert (C/DT), Heath Hersom (TB/LB), Zach Demars (DB), Julian Baldinelli (G); Junior — Tyler Frost (FB/LB), Joe Casey (RB/LB).

Key losses: Brett Whittemore (QB), Spencer Trenoweth (TB/LB), Nelson Pepin (TE/DE), Reilley Lombardi (RB/LB), Thomas Barnett (FB/LB), Zach White (T/DE), Nick Young (WR/CB), Cliff Boynton (T/DT), Austin Bernard (G), Justin Jasper (RB/DB). 

Promising newcomers: Senior — Brett Beauchesne(TB/CB), Jesse Hutchinson (G); Junior — Kaine Hutchins (TE/OLB); Sophomores — Riley Robinson (QB/CB), Mike Casey (S).

Season outlook: A dozen seniors have moved on from last year’s Western C runner-up, and most of the losses will be felt this year on offense, where three starters return. Frost is the only holdover in the backfield. He’s a downhill runner with a surprising burst for a big back. But he won’t have to be a workhorse like Trenoweth was last year because there are other options, including Beauchesne, a talented transfer from Mountain Valley. Robinson takes over at QB with limited varsity experience, but Crutchfield thinks the Cougars can be very balanced with Brown and Hebert anchoring the line. Frost and Brown lead a physical defense that could be bolstered by a promising freshman class.