Every new year brings new challenges for Noxon Head Football Coach Josh Patterson. New players and the loss of seasoned veterans continuously brings a fresh dynamic to the team. Patterson said the trick is learning how to utilize new talent and mesh that with old talent.

“Every year we try to match new talents with a new philosophy,” said Patterson. “Every year is different.”

This year will test the coaching staff as well as the players. Noxon is facing the loss of a majority of their starting offensive squad. Patterson said the team lost some key players in some key positions.

“We lost nearly 90 percent of our offense,” said Patterson. “We lost our top receiver, quarterback and running back. But almost all of our defensive and offensive line is returning.”

The team graduated four seniors: Brandon Piazzola, Casey Chenoweth, Taylor Tasker and Austin Tucker.

Patterson said the coaching staff will be hard at work identifying players that have the potential to step up into recently vacated positions. He said one bright spot for the team was the return of the team’s top returner, tight end and defensive end, Oliver Grupenhoff. Grupenhoff was first team all conference and state last year. This year as a senior, Grupenhoff is expected to have another good year.

At practice, the Red Devils work on their agility and strength conditioning. While running through drills, the boys worked together to bring the best out of each other.

Even in a downpour that attempted to interrupt Noxon’s football practice, the team remained hard at work, practicing throwing and receiving, hitting, and footwork.

The team’s first game is against Granite on their home turf on Saturday, Aug. 31. The first away game will be played against Charlo on September 6.