Staff photo by Robin Rudd/ Copper Basin coach Chad Grabowski will have a new quarterback and a largely inexperienced offensive line entering the season.To read about more schools, click here.
COPPER BASIN COUGARS
Head coach: Chad Grabowski (15-16 here; 77-56 overall)
Returning starters: 4 offensive; 4 defensive
Last year’s record: 8-2, lost in 1A first round
Key players: Joe Boggs (6-2, 205) Sr. QB/LB, Addison Hook (6-2, 265) Jr. OL/DL, Cadan Williams (6-0, 180) Jr. WR/DB, Tucker Chroth (6-2, 280) Sr. OL/DL, Sebastian Dalilies (5-7, 200) Sr. RB/DB, Cade Vean (5-8, 160) Fr. WR/LB
Season outlook: The Cougars have graduated a combined 20 seniors the past two seasons, which can take a toll on a small program.
Boggs takes over at quarterback, giving the team a physical presence at the position, and Hook is a preseason all-state selection who will anchor an otherwise inexperienced group of linemen. The team will likely rely more on Dalilies and Vean to get many of the quality touches on offense.
“We’ve got to build around the guys who have been here with a lot of guys with not much experience,” Grabowski said. “We do have a good group of senior leaders who have experienced success and can set the tone for those younger guys.”