New Noxon coach ready to play

New helmets and decals aren’t the only thing that’s different about this year’s Red Devil’s football team.

Football coach/special education teacher Greg Misner said this will be his first season coaching varsity. He’s just one of a whole new line-up of coaches.

Before coming to Noxon, Misner spent two years as assistant coach at Trout Creek. Before that, he lived in Michigan. He’s had four years experience as a varsity assistant coach.

When he isn’t coaching or teaching, Misner enjoys bow hunting. He and his wife, Noxon’s cheerleading coach, are professional archers who represent bow manufacturers.

Misner said his philosophy is based on the good things he remembers from his own coaches and from his son’s football coaches. So far, he’s trying to bring “a new attitude” to the team — one that doesn’t involve focussing on last year’s record, when the Red Devils went 0-8.

“We’re trying not to look at where we were last year, but where we’re going,” he explained.

The fresh coach is working with a lot of fresh faces.

“We’re still quite young and we’ve got a lot of potential,” Misner said, adding that his team is mostly sophomores.

Not all team members are inexperienced. Noxon lost three seniors but is returning eight players from last year’s line-up.

Misner said one of the stand-outs is quarterback Jason Allen, who relies on speed to get the job done.

“He’s been a really good leader and all the kids look up to him,” Misner added.

Noxon also has a deeper line this year, with 19 players compared with last year’s 14. Misner he said that more people will definitely be an advantage.

Noxon’s first game is September 5 at Lincoln.