Coach: David Crutchfield (first year)

Last year’s record: 5-4, lost in Western C quarterfinals

Returning players: Seniors —Ben Holmes (QB/S), Byian Blackman (TB/CB), Caleb Hall (WB/CB), Jake Dowland (FB/LB), Chad Cormier (G/LB)  Juniors — Nelson Pepin (TE/DE), Spencer Trenoweth (SE/DE), Zack White (T/DT), Justin Jasper (slot/CB), Thomas Barnett (G/LB), Cliff Boynton (T/DT).

Key losses: CSpencer Ross (HB/S), Mike Smith (WR/LB), Arik Fenstermacher (T/LB).

Promising newcomers: Juniors — Nick Young (RB/CB), Justin Dowland (RB/LB), Reilly Lombardi (SE/CB)).

Overview: With a new coach and lights installed at Harlow Park, moving the home games to Friday nights, it’s a new era at Dirigo. Crutchfield takes over for Doug Gilbert after spending the last five years as an assistant coach. four as the defensive coordinator. Holmes is more comfortable as the signal-caller with one year of varsity experience under his belt. Blackman missed last season with an Achilles tendon tear and joins with Dowland to give the Cougars a formidable 1-2 punch in the running game.

Coach’s comment: “As long as we jell at the right time, we’ll be alright.” — Coach Dave Crutchfield