Nowhere, perhaps, is there more intrigue to open a football season than there is at Plains High School.

Last year the team, which played without the benefit of any seniors and the leadership they tend to bring, struggled for sure, but also showed some signs of hope for good things to come.

Starting with head coach Ryan Hart, who had never coached a high school game, the Horsemen were a rebuilding team if ever there was one.

Now, with core of four seniors and a solid nucleus of 12 juniors, there is a buzz going about Plains football, as evident by the large turnout of players this Fall.

“I look forward to Plains football competing again,” said coach Hart, who enters his second season at the helm. “We have young men who came out for football this year who didn’t come out last year. That is a good sign”.

With a year under their belts, coach Hart and crew are counting on young talent and depth to help steer the Horsemen to winning times.

Hart said returning players like Mason Elliot, Levi Blood, Nic Hill, Drew Carey, Pepper Lulack and Brandt Snead have been looking good in pre-season practices after playing well last year. And he noted an influx of new players whose families have relocated to the Plains area from places like Texas, Oregon and California give reason to believe the Horsemen are ready to run again.

“I anticipate our depth, overall speed and more physical play on both sides of the ball will be some of our strong points,” Hart added. Among those new to the program are Zeph Dinas, Joe Pullen, Anaya Loberg, Aden West and Gabe Rasmussen, all who are expected to play a significant role in getting the team on the winning track.

“All of these guys, along with Allen Peters, Austin Hansen, Brenden Vanderwall, Caleb Lakko and Jacob Thurston have looked good in practice and will compete for playing time,” Hart said.

Another key to improved play will be how this year’s team appears to have come together an a unit.

“Cohesiveness and timing and developing game speed are things we have been working on,” Hart added.

The Horsemen will face an early test this Friday when they travel to St. Ignatius to take on the Mission Bulldogs. They open their home season Thursday, September 1 when they host league foe Superior at 7 p.m.

Hart said he anticipates Mission, Charlo, Superior and Valley Christian to be the top opponents on the Horsemen’s schedule.