Coach: Mark Renna (second year)
Conference: South Class: C
Last year’s record: 0-8
Returning players: Seniors — Zack Haskell (RB/CB), Tristan Herod (TE/CB), Jake Zeisler (RB/DE), Austin Chase (RB/LB), Brandon Ruminski (OL/DL), Connor Deschenes (OL/DL), Dylan Elie (OL/DL), Jacob Baggs (OL/DL); Juniors — Elijah Simmons (RB/CB), Brandon Laflamme (OL/DL).
Key losses: Adam Dumas (FB/LB), Carson Hodsdon (QB/DB), Nate Hennemann (C).
Promising newcomer: Senior — Justice Bowie (QB/DB).
Season outlook: Twelve seniors make up roughly half the Gray-New Gloucester roster, so there’s a sense of urgency to end a two-year winless streak. The Patriots seem to enjoy their coach, and after years of turnover, the continuity of knowing Renna’s system coming into the season should help. Haskell was a standout a year ago, and the entire starting offensive line returns to block for him. Bowie returns to football for the first time since eighth grade to take over at quarterback. The Patriots have lost 49 of the past 51 games, but they aren’t focusing on that. Gray-NG should be competitive with most of the teams on its schedule. Winning two or three would be enough to reward the seniors’ perseverance with a playoff berth.
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