Coach: Walter Polky (first year)

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

Returning players: Seniors — Kyle Souther (T/MLB), Josh Wilcox (T/DL), Brent Buote (RB), Brandon Hodges (RB/LB); Junior — Alwayne Uter (RB/LB).

Key losses: Zach Bonnevie (QB/DB), Bill Calden (RB), Jake Bessey (WR), Nate Shink (WR/DB).

Promising newcomers: Senior — Nate Hamblin (QB); Sophomores — Peter Theriault (QB/DB), Matt Vigue (WR/DB).

Outlook: A new look and healthy competition are themes in the Spruce Mountain camp. Polky, the onetime Winthrop star who played Division II college football and was an assistant at Husson and Bates, takes over a team with a roster of 57 that is dominated by sophomores and freshmen. He has installed an option attack that often will run without a huddle. The Phoenix hope to take advantage of their speed with Uter and Vigue. Theriault, who is battling with Hamblin for the starting quarterback role, also is an outstanding runner. Veteran linebackers Hodges and Souther lead the defense. Spruce again encounters a brutal schedule. After exhibitions with Class B title contenders Mt. Blue and Leavitt, the Phoenix play Greely, Falmouth, Mountain Valley and Wells in the first month.

Coach’s comment: “We’re a young team and I’m a first-year varsity coach. At any one time we could have eight or nine sophomores and two seniors on the field.” — Coach Walter Polky