Coach: Mike Hathaway (12th year)

Class: Western C

Last year’s record: 7-2, lost in Eastern B quarterfinals

Returning letter-winners: Seniors — Tyler Chicoine (QB), Conor O’Malley (TB/DE), Nate Coombs (slot/DB), Sam Green (SE), Matt Powell (T/DT), Levi Morin (C/LB), Matt Child (T/DT), Clay Rowland (SE/DB), Scott Sleeper (TE/LB), Seth Adams (DB), Nate Rousseau (TB/DB); Juniors — Mitchel Davis (TE/DE), Will Parkin (G/NT), Adam Poulin (slot/DB).

Key losses: Brian Bedard (slot/DB), Josh Bunker (TE/LB), Brandon Collins (DE), Tom Langelier (T/NT), Devin McMahan (G/DT).

Promising newcomers: Senior — Nick Nason (G/DE); Sophomores — Billy Bedard (RB/slot), Max Green (SE).

Season outlook: The Hornets move into the new Western C division with a team that would be capable of a playoff run in A or B. Chicoine directs a loaded offense that saw O’Malley emerge at the end of last season as both a breakaway threat and a guy who can grind out tough yards up the middle. Coombs and Green are dangerous in the open field, while Davis is dual threat as a receiver and blocker. And it all happens behind a line led by Powell and Davis, both of whom have drawn attention from Division I colleges. Leavitt is so talent-rich defensively that Hathaway may rotate in as many as seven different defensive tackles. Geographic rivals Mountain Valley and Spruce Mountain bring new intensity to the schedule, and Wells is another team with high aspirations, but Leavitt looks like a team that could make its fourth state title game appearance in five years.

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