Brian Risch looked up from the weight lifting bench, several pounds of metal weights in his hands.

“I’ve been waiting for this for what seems like a long time,” Risch said, referring to his upcoming senior year at Noxon High School and his last year of Red Devils football. “It’s hard to believe my senior year is here...I’ve been waiting”. 

With that he turned his attention back to the curls he was working on last week as part of an effort to maintain and enhance strength and conditioning for the rapidly approaching six-player football season. 

Noxon in general has been quietly anticipating the approach of the season with a positive feeling fueled by a talented senior class that has shown promise since they were freshmen. 

Risch, is expected to lead the Red Devils as their quarterback again this year and has some talented classmates who have been regulars at the all-volunteer summer weightlifting and conditioning program. 

Head coach Lucas MacArthur is also quietly optimistic. 

“This is a year we’ve been waiting for,” MacArthur said. “There’s a feeling this is our time”. 

A key factor in MacArthur’s optimism is the off-season dedication he has already seen among those who plan on turning out for football when official practices begin in mid-August. 

“What I want out of this team is drive,” he said. “This could be a good year for us.  We want to do things together, as a team”. 

The Red Devils play in the Western Division 6-player conference, which includes Sanders County rival Hot Springs.  Both are expected to be in the running for successful seasons that could lead to post-season playoff games. 

Last year the Red Devils opened with a lopsided  57-2 win over Alberton, then followed that with a 38-6 win versus Twin Bridges and a 67-0 rout of Lima.  They then ran into West Yellowstone and Lincoln, dropping their record to 3-2.  However, the Red Devils won their next three games to up their season mark to 5-2.  A schedule season final versus eventual conference champion Hot Springs was cancelled due to a player death in Hot Springs. 

They are staying in shape prior to August 16 when fall practices officially begin. 

They are also anticipating the return to form of wide out Ricky Williams, who has been hobbled for nearly a year with a leg injury but is expected to be able to play this year. 

“I like the drive this team is showing,” said senior Chancellor McDaid. “Keeping together all summer and seeing how hard guys are working in the weight room is a good thing”. 

Several members of the team have attended football camps this year, adding to the quiet confidence this will be a Red Devil year. 

“I like the way the team has come together and worked hard,” said Ian Brown as he took a brief break from the school’s leg press machine. “I also like the way I feel after lifting”. 

Noxon opens the season with a home game versus Power/Brady/Dutton, which was 7-3 last year.

    Noxon student Ian Brown works on leg strength on a machine in the Noxon High weight room this past week in preparation for the upcoming 6-player football season. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
  

    Noxon football coach Lucas MacArthur supervises voluntary weight lifting activities in the school's workout room last week. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)