ABOVE: (No ID provided roster in alphabetical order)Andre Ashing, Austin Boucher, Barret Scholl, Barry Newell, Berent Kosbab, Billy Arnold, Bradyn Thate, Brenan Ringnell, Brock Jagodzinske, Bryce Scholl, Cameron Kascht, Cameron Meyer, Cedric Johnson, Dakota Reisdorfer, Eli Owens, Hank Olson, Ian Matejka, Isaak Engstrom, Jackson Wilmes, Jacob Wilmes, James Park, Josh Roben, Kaedin Lange, Kale Larson, Kane Sharp, Kayden Glidden, Landen Winter, Liam Pytletski, Lixon Forsberg, Lucas Larson, Maddex Faber, Malaki Runkle, Matt Johnson, Michael McCorkell, Noah Meixell, Pierce Rohman, Preston Cepress, Talon Ebeling ,Tanner Anderson, Torrey Paplow and Tyler Pankow. Submitted photo.

SHERBURN – The Martin County West Mavericks are looking to get over the hump this year coming off a season where the team finished 3-6.

This year the Mavericks are aiming to try out a new offensive look this season in the South District, West Subdistrict, capitalizing on flashes of strong play witnessed last season.

“Offensively, we’re trying to transition into more of a spread, you know, give multiple

looks,” Martin County West football head coach Tom Elliot said. “I’ve always been a ball control coach. … We’ve got some personnel that we think can do some things with the ball in their hands, kind of on the edges.”

Heading into the season, consistency is a primary focus for the squad. According to Elliot, that had a factor in how the team performed last year and caused difficulty trying to dig out of an 0-3 start.

“I expect to hit the ground running a little bit more, a little bit more quickly than we were able to last year, just because of the learning curve. We need to figure out things up front,” Elliot said. “From last year, we graduated four out of five starting offensive linemen. So, those are going to be some big holes to fill, but we’ve got some kids that are stepping into those roles and trying to take that on, which is awesome to see.”

The team is making adjustments from last year, moving their starting quarterback to receiver. Maddex Faber will be moving up from junior varsity to take over command of the offense this season for Lucas Larson.

“Now [Faber is] transitioning to the varsity,” Elliot said. “So, it’ll be a little bit more 50-50, which I’m hoping will keep teams a little bit more off balance, maybe lighten the box a little bit, which is something that we’re not really used to at Martin County West based on the previous

offense that we used to run a couple years ago.”

Injuries were also a factor for the team last year that shouldn’t be as much of an issue this year with the return of a healthy Bear Kosbab.

“He was one of the kids that was banged up early last season,” Elliot said. “When he was able to come back, it kind of just gave us a new fold, too, that defenses just, they weren’t expecting, they weren’t aware because he wasn’t on film, you know, so we were able to give him a lot of touches when he was able to come back.”

The Mavericks are set to open their season against Canby High School at 7 p.m. Friday at Martin County West Football Field.