Coach: Steve LaPointe (second year)

Conference: South Class: C

Last year’s record: 2-7, lost in Class C West quarterfinals

Returning players: Seniors — Alan Carrier (T/DT), Alex Ridley (QB/CB), Ryley Flynn (CB/LB), Mike Provencher (RB/S), J.T. Greene (LB), Kevin Cogley (DT); Juniors — Kyle Farrar (RB/CB), Peter Cogley (G), Zach Duguay (C); Sophomores — Ian Brennick (G/MLB), Curtis Gauvin (FB/MLB).

Key losses: Ian Austin (QB/MLB), Josh Mason (FB/OLB), Dalton Milledge (G/MLB), Coyote Freeman (FB/T), Zach Gonzalez (C), Caleb Gauvin (TE/DE), Brandon Gill (SE), Jordan Parent (RB/LB), Jordan Pilgrim (TE), Nick Newman (SE/QB/CB), Logan Wilhoite (RB/S).

Promising newcomers: Seniors — Holden Blauvelt (TE), Troy Cochran (FS); Sophomore — Cameron Payne (WR/CB).

Season outlook: The Falcons flaunt one of the best athletes in the state, Farrar, who rushed for more than 700 yards in five games before he was dismissed from the team a year ago. In addition to learning from that painful experience, Farrar has added more than 15 pounds of muscle and won the Class B long jump state championship in the interim. He runs behind a 300-pound tackle in Carrier, a 230-pound guard in Brennick and a 230-pound fullback in Gauvin. Ridley takes over at quarterback. Mountain Valley returns eight starters on defense, led by Gauvin and Brennick at middle linebacker. The Falcons haven’t enjoyed a winning season since 2011, which represented their 17th trip to a regional title game in 23 years. Many opposing coaches expect MV to end that dubious streak and revive its dormant tradition this fall.