Coach: Dave Crutchfield (second year)

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

Returning players: Seniors — Nelson Pepin (TE/DE), Reilly Lombardi (RB/CB), Justin Jasper (RB/S), Thomas Barnett (FB/LB), Zach White (T/DE), Spencer Trenoweth (RB/LB), Nick Young (RB/CB), Cliff Boynton (OL/DL), Brett Whittemore (QB/CB), Austin Bernard (OL/DL); Juniors — Jack Brown (OL/LB), Heath Hersom (RB/LB); Sophomore — Tyler Frost (FB/LB).

Key losses: Ben Holmes (QB/S), Bryan Blackman (TB/CB), Jake Dowland (FB/LB), Caleb Hall (WB/CB), Chad Cormier (G/LB).

Promising newcomers: Juniors —  Zach Demars (CB), Joey Hebert (C), Jesse Hutchinson (OL/LB); Sophomore — Kaine Hutchins (end/LB).

Outlook: The Cougars find themselves butting heads with the bigger schools in the reconstructed Campbell Conference, meaning they’ll have to go through most of the league’s top teams to reach the playoffs. The backfield is untested but versatile. The line in front of them remains mostly intact from last year, with Barnett moving from guard to fullback. Crutchfield is asking for more toughness from his defense, which finished in the middle of the pack in points surrendered last year.

Coach’s comment: “We’re young in the backfield and we plan on sharing the ball a bunch back there.” — Coach Dave Crutchfield