New coach.

New conference.

New attitude.

That's the atmosphere surrounding the Stoney Creek Cougars football team in 2012, as former Pontiac sideline general Brad Zube takes control of the headphones and the program makes the move up to the rough-and-rugged OAA Red.

Following back-to-back seasons, where the Cougars have won a combined three games, Zube and his new staff – including former Pontiac Central and Oklahoma State star Louis Adams – have instilled a sense of hope in a squad that has been malingered in the apathy the past couple of years.

The core of the Cougars on the gridiron this season will be a super strong junior class, ready fuel a successful two-year run. Zube expects 17 of his juniors to make big contributions.

Junior field general Sean Scullen and Justin Allor are currently fighting it out for the team's starting quarterback duties and both are certifiable gamers. Scullen started at the end of his sophomore year last season and Allor is a physical specimen of a youngster slated to start in the backfield if he doesn't wrangle the job away from incumbent Scullen.

Speaking of the backfield, Zube has a pair of elusive burners ready to team to give opponents headaches. Joe Cox and Noah Beck, both juniors, have breakaway ability and will keep teams honest in the pass rush.

Alex Schnuer and Jory Kingsley will be the team's primary targets in the passing attack. Schnuer is a three-year starter and will be one of the most reliable kickers in the OAA as well. 

Senior Jack Stabelin will head the Cougars defensive front, flanked admirably by David Kerr and Stu Gadigan, as the squad's rush ends. Sam Clayman and Jack Van Allman are set to lead the Stoney Creek linebacker corps and seniors Jacquis Jamison and Dane Hathaway will pace the Cougars in the secondary.

Stoney Creek hasn't made the playoffs since 2007.

Zube took Pontiac into the playoffs in 2011, ending the regular season on a four-game winning streak.