Coach: Shawn Austin (first year)

Last year’s record: 1-8

Returning letter winners: Seniors — Taylor Valente (FB/LB), Trevor McCutcheon (TB), James Stilphen (C/NT), Tyler Snow (G/DL), Koukou Noulilo (T/DT), Zeth Horr (G), Nate Rowe (WR/DB); Junior — Heath Martell (QB)

Key losses: Nick Audet (FB/DE), Lenny Sherwood (G/LB), Cory Rucker (T/DT), Ben Randall (G/LB).

Promising newcomers: Seniors — Nate Parker (OL/DL), Ryan Blenk (S); Junior — Alex Hayden (CB); Sophomore — Josh Bagdon (TE).

Outlook: The Patriots’ 14 seniors are getting to know their third different coach in four years. The good news for 15 freshmen is that this one intends to stay around for a while. Austin, who celebrated 20 wins and multiple playoff appearances in four years at Greely, says he’s always been attracted to the potential of the upstart G-NG program. And there is nowhere to go but up after back-to-back one-win seasons. The Patriots also have employed a variety of offenses in recent years, going from the double-wing to the spread and now to the Wing-T. Martell, Valente and McCutcheon provide the gallop to get it done on the ground. G-NG should see more close contests this season and has the experience to win those games in the fourth quarter.

Coach’s comment:

“These seniors are the group that really started the program at the varsity level. They want to go out on a winning note.” — Shawn Austin

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