Coach: Steve LaPointe (first year)

Conference: West Class: C

Last year: 1-7

Returning players: Seniors — Ian Austin (QB/MLB), Josh Mason (FB/OLB), Dalton Milledge (G/MLB), Coyote Freeman (T), Zach Gonzalez (C), Caleb Gauvin (TE/DE), Brandon Gill (SE); Juniors — Logan Wilhoite (slot/S), Alan Carrier (T); Sophomores — Kyle Farrar (RB/CB), Nick Newman (SE/QB/CB)

Key losses: Anthony Boucher (C), Brandon Roberts (T/DT), Tom Thibeau (T/DE), Zack Gross (G/LB), Austin Varnum (TE/DE), Mike Eversen (RB).

Promising newcomers: Senior — Jordan Parent (RB/OLB), Anthony Todd (FB), Jordan Pilgrim (TE); Junior — Alex Ridley (CB); Freshmen — Ian Brennick (G), Curtis Gauvin (T/DT).

Season outlook: A new offense and some old faces have revitalized Mountain Valley camp on the heels of the first back-to-back losing seasons in the program’s proud history. After becoming only the Falcons’ second coach ever, LaPointe appointed alumni Pat Mooney, Devin Roberts and Ryan Laubauskas as assistants. All three were part of a championship legacy (17 regional title game appearances in a 23-year span). To mark the new era, the Falcons have installed a spread attack. They hope to get Farrar, Mason, Wilhoite and other playmakers into open space, where they should be dangerous. The line will be bigger and stronger this season, and defense should be improved. LaPointe said that four wins in a rugged conference would be “a huge step back toward respectability.”

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