Coach: Bill County (13th year)

Last year’s record: 5-4

Returning players: Seniors — Steven Patrie (TE/DE), Brian Wigant (G/DT) Zach Phelan (G/LB), Nick Perreault (TB/S), Colton Bernier (TB), Tom Hird (DE/K/P); Juniors — Gabe Johnson (FB/MLB), Ben Howell (WR/CB).

Key losses: Jeff Turcotte (HB/LB/DE), Joe McKinnon (FB/CB), Matt Therrien (HB/CB), Chris Madden (QB), Caleb Johnson (WR/FS), Rudy Pandora (T/DT), David Demers (T), Leo Gaghan (G/DT), Mike Nazaroff (G/LB), Nick Ross (NG), Matt Bowen (C/LB), Steven Hinkley (WR/DB), Kevin St. Pierre (LB).

Promising newcomers: Juniors — Ryan Allen (QB), Eddie Emerson (QB), Nate Freve (C/G/DT); Sophomores — Sheon James (TB/DB), Quintarian Brown (TB), Ace Curry (WR/CB).

Outlook: This is Lewiston’s youngest team in years, but the talent level is electrifying. County said that his two-fisted tailback combo of Brown and James were “lethal” as freshmen and that Brown has “Jared Turcotte potential,” a reference to the former Blue Devil who won the Fitzpatrick Trophy and starred at the University of Maine. Curry, the younger brother of former Lewiston QB Ronnie Turner, transfers from EL and adds blistering speed. Patrie is a three-year starter on both sides of the ball. Uncertain areas include the offensive line, where Phelan moves from fullback to fill one void, and quarterback, where Allen and Emerson are in a derby for the starting job. The Devils might be a year away from contending for the PTC title, but they’ll be entertaining to watch in the here-and-now.

Coach’s comment: “They are talented, but a lot of them have never been here before. When we got off the bus in Bangor (for the first scrimmage), I saw some wide-eyed kids.” — Coach Bill County