Copper Basin

Head coach: Chad Grabowski (17-23 here; 79-63 overall)

Returning starters: 5 offensive; 5 defensive

Last year’s record: 2-7 overall, lost in Class 1A first round

Key players: Addison Hook (6-3, 255) Sr. OL/DL, Cadan Williams (6-1, 170) Sr. WR/OLB, Cade Dean (5-11, 170) So. QB/CB, Krus Soto (5-11, 220) Sr. OL/DL, Isaac Deal (5-11, 160) Sr. WR/ OLB

Season outlook: The good news is almost half of last year’s starters return. Beyond that, though, there is very little game experience and this could be one of the thinnest rosters (22 players) the program has had in some time.

“We are young and inexperienced on both sides of the ball,” Grabowski said. “Staying healthy is always the key for us, but that’s

especially true this year.”

The Cougars have reached the playoffs each of the past three seasons since Grabowski took over but have not advanced past the first round since 2014.

Three starters are back on the offensive line, and Grabowski believes the defensive front will be solid. Dean was moved from receiver and gives the Cougars a dual threat, while Williams and Deal form a good receiving tandem. “Cade is a smart kid who played quite a bit at receiver last year because we just wanted to have his athleticism on the field,” Grabowski said. “He’ll make mistakes just because of his inexperience at the position, but we know he’ll get better with every snap.

“We’re working to keep our playoff streak going and want to finally get past the first round. We just have to keep working to get better each game.”