It’s a totally new look at Cinco Ranch.

There are new faces all around the varsity squad, with starting positions up for grabs and it has shown with the intensity level over the first week of practice for the Cougars.

The entire team has been flying around, determined to go out and prove themselves and battle for those spots. It’s made for an exciting time for the Cinco coaching staff. they are taking advantage of working with a new, young group and taking the opportunity to mold them.

“As coaches it’s an exciting time because we get to work so much with these kids,” said Cinco Ranch head coach Chris Dudley. “It can be challenging because there’s some unknowns there, but we feel good about a number of these guys stepping up. There’s a good mix of returners off a really good team last year and then guys who have had a lot of success on the JV level who know how to win. It’s just exciting to get a fresh set of names in here and see what they can do.”

The team has grinded through the entire offseason, continuing to up the standard set by the classes before them. They have continued to improve and find ways to get better day after day.

“We all know what the expectation is and we’re striving to make another run,” said Cinco Ranch senior cornerback Taytum Johnson. “We’ve gotten beat in the third round each of the past two years and for us it’s about getting past that point. We can’t have any let up and we have to work every single day if we want to make that happen.”

On offense the Cougars have a quarterback battle brewing. Both Connor Brock and Charlie Adamoli have split snaps with a the first team and the two juniors each have shown good promise and embraced the competition against each other.

“They do very well together, and they understand it’s a competition but they’re also teammates. “Connor and Charlie encourage each other, they help each other on the field and the coaching staff has done a phenomenal job in helping them see the whole picture in terms of the game. It’s a friendly rivalry and they continue to make each other better. That’s why competition is great no matter what the position.”

Now, the key for the Cougars is to continue to get better every day as they inch towards scrimmages and the regular season. The team is confident, but know how important it is to keep improving.

“Every day we have to come to work and be serious about it,” said senior offensive lineman Alan Ramirez. “It’s all about not taking a day off and making sure that we continue to get better and help all of our teammates get better as well.”