Grace Academy

Head coach: Bob Ateca (49-67 here and overall)

Returning starters: 2 offensive; 2 defensive

Last year’s record: 11-1 overall, won TSIAA eightman state title

Key players: Bo Swanson (6-1, 225) Sr. OL/DL, Wesley Thompson (5-8, 160) Jr. QB, Austin Nelson (5-11, 255) So. OL/DL, Jacob Mock (5-10, 150) Jr. RB, Bradley Majors (5-7, 145) Fr. WR/DB, Carson Knecht (5-8, 160) So. DB, Andrew Huggins (6-0, 165) Fr. TE/LB, Brock Passons (5-8, 145) Jr. DB

Season outlook: Things could not have gone better for the Golden Eagles last season, their first playing eight-man football. The team won its first 11 games while averaging more than 50 points and won the independent league state title before falling in a national tournament.

But after almost the entire roster graduated, they must start over. Swanson returns as a starting lineman and Passons started every game in the secondary, but beyond that Grace will rely on younger players who saw action in the second half of lopsided wins. That includes Thompson, who moves from center to quarterback.

“At least we know what to expect after a year in our new surroundings,” Ateca said. “Our overall numbers are better than last year with 29 out (up from 17). A lot of that is because kids want to be a part of a winning program, and they saw what we did last year.

“We’re excited about what these young guys can do, and then we’ll evaluate where we are after the season, but there’s a good chance we’ll move back up to 11-man after this season.”