The California Pintos football team looks to rebound after finishing last season with a 1-8 record.
Head coach Mikel Gragg said the team has been working on getting stronger over the summer.
"We had a heck of an off-season this summer, and even last spring heading into this summer. The kids really worked hard and we have turned things around, especially in the weight room," Gragg said. "We are a lot stronger than we were (last season)."
The team is also at a better conditioning level, than they were at last season, Gragg said.
He said this season the team wants to focus on finishing games.
"Last year, we felt like we had some let downs in some games, especially in the second half," Gragg said. "This year, we want to focus on finishing games."
The team's offense will look a bit different this year, as Gragg said they are focusing on the power run game.
There are a few players on both offense and defense, who can have break out seasons for the Pintos this year.
"Alex Currens definitely can break out this year. He has been playing a little quarterback, a little tailback; he is definitely a kid to watch. He is going to have a bright future for us," Gragg said. "Alex Meisenheimer, if he can stay healthy, at our receiver spot can definitely be a break out player.
"Trystan Hees at tight end is another one, offensively, (who) can be really good. Defensively, we are still trying to work some things out. But, Clayton Winkler is looking really good at safety and could have a strong season for us.
"We've definitely got some defensive line men, who are battling for positions, (who) can have some break out spots for us."
Experience was a problem for the Pintos last season. Now, Gragg said the team has a lot of players with experience starting games. But injuries to players in key positions could hurt the team again this season. The team is also going to be very young this season.
"I think we've got 48 players on our roster, but we are also very young. We don't have a lot of seniors playing," Gragg said. "I think we've got six or seven seniors and we have got another seven or eight juniors and the rest of our roster are all underclassmen.
"We are kind of in a situation where, if any of our upperclassmen go down, we are going to be really young again."