What: Nonconference season opener
When: 7 p.m.
Last season's records: Superior 0-9; Merrill 8-3
Outlook: The Spartans seek to end an 11-game losing streak dating to 2009. An inexperienced squad scored more than 16 points only twice last season. Coach Bob DeMeyer expects improvement, led by returning seniors OLB Nolan Holcolmbe, WR/DB Colton Lorenz, LBs Jack Bergum and Morgan Sannes and OL Garrett Franik. Junior Spencer Urban returns at QB, where he completed 23 of 74 passes for 432 yards and three TDs in 2010. ... The Division 2 Bluejays lost to Superior's conference rival Menomonie in the second round of the playoffs last year and are trying to replenish a roster gutted by graduation losses. Among them was Sam Arneson, the team's leading passer and rusher, who is trying to make the Wisconsin Badgers' roster at tight end this fall. RB Austin Voigt (292 yards rushing) is among the returnees.
Quote: "We had some off-season issues (in 2010) and it was a snowball effect, but we've already put it behind us. We learned a ton from it and are moving forward. I love the progress we're making, and the players have a tremendous work ethic and attitude. For a number of reasons, we're light years ahead of where we were last season." -- DeMeyer.
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