Head coach: Chad Grabowski (1-9 in one year here; 63-49 overall)
Returning starters: 9 offensive; 10 defensive
Key players: RB-SS Chance Bailey (5-10, 190); RB-FS Chase Mickens (5-9, 165); QB-LB Bryson Grabowski (6-2, 180); RB-LB Joe Boggs (6-1, 185); OL-DL Joseph Johnson (6-1, 225); WR-OLB Timothy Fair (6-1, 180); OL-DL Chance Rollins (6-3, 280); OL-DL Isaac Leslie (6-0, 180); WR-OLB Cody Montgomery (6-3, 175); OLB Larry Dye (5-10, 170); DL Hunter Perry (5-11, 250); MLB Tyler Adams (5-11, 205); WR Timothy Jabaley (6-1, 180); WR A.J. Miles (6-5, 200).
Team strengths: The Cougars lost only four seniors from last year’s team, and having 19 total starters back, with a year of adjustment to the new offensive and defensive systems, should pay off on the field. Grabowski also was able to coax more athletes from the hallways – some from the basketball team – which should improve depth and overall athletic ability.
Team concerns: There remains a lot of youth and inexperience behind the starters.