With 18 of 27 lettermen back from last year’s 8-3 squad, including the bulk of their skill production on both sides of the ball, the Stamford Bulldogs were going to be an intriguing team in 2023 regardless of who was leading them.

Add in the return of coach Wayne Hutchinson, who guided SHS to back-to-back state championships in 2012 and 2013, and the excitement surrounding that program may be as high as anywhere in the Big Country.

Sharing District 4-2A Division I with defending state champion Hawley, the Bulldogs will have their share of obstacles to clear this fall. But the optimism in Stamford is very real and would appear to be well justified.