For most teams, losing seven all-state players and reinventing an offense would beckon a total rebuild and a throwaway season.

Not for Highland.

Mass turnover and departed elite personnel aren't new for the Rams. They've long established themselves as preeminent fixtures in Idaho football, and the school on the hill is the closest thing east Idaho has to a prep football factory.

So don't bother asking head coach Gino Mariani whether his expectations are any different this season. Though Highland largely starts over with nine new starters on offense and seven newcomers on defense, the program's 11 state championships (13 if you count the two that predate the Idaho High School Activities Association) are emblems of Highland's prolonged excellence.

“Our expectations don't change,” said Mariani, who enters his 19th season as Highland's head coach. “We want to win the district championship, we want to be home throughout the playoffs as long as we can, and we want to get to a state title.

“Those types of expectations will never change when you walk into Highland High School.”

The most notable loss among Highland's seven all-state players is two-year starting quarterback Kobe Tracy. The Dixie State University freshman set Highland's single-season completion record last season (248) and led the Rams to a pair of state championship games.

He's replaced by junior Easton Durham. The 6-foot dual threat possesses a different skill set than the 6-foot-4 Tracy, so Mariani will build his offense as such.

“Kobe was more of a pure pocket passer,” Mariani said. “He read defenses quickly, he got rid of the ball quickly, he was phenomenal … Easton is more a of a runner, more of a spread-type quarterback. We're going to change our offense to his strengths.”

Fans got a glimpse of Durham last season, when he spelled Tracy in wildcat packages. He was heavily featured during the Rams' first two playoff games, combining to rush 18 times for 75 yards and four touchdowns.

He'll be protected by an offensive line that returns two starters in senior guard Blake Williamson and junior tackle Easton Colvin. Williamson earned second-team all-conference honors last season.

Highland's playmakers feature seniors Cooper Duffin and Braxton Wilhelm at wide receiver, juniors Kaleb Demuzio and Mason Mickelson at tight end, and a host of running backs including seniors Josh Potter and Dalton Jones.

The Rams were loaded at the aforementioned positions last season, when running back Landon Demuzio and wide receiver Andrew VanSickle were each first-team all-state.

But they're gone, meaning new athletes will lead Highland's offense.

“It's just become a cohesive group,” Mariani said. “We've had our ups and downs during camp. Some days are really good and some days I don't know if we've listened at all. We're getting there.”

Highland returns a bit more experience on the other side of the ball, and Mariani expects the offense to ride the defense's coat tails.

Leading the group are returning first-team all-state seniors Kamiah Olsen and Jayden Bell at defensive end and safety, respectively. There's also senior Dylan Jester at middle linebacker and junior Luke Togiai at defensive tackle, rounding out the Rams' returning starters on defense.

Defensive coordinator Nick Sorrell is high on his unit this season, and Mariani is sharing the Kool-Aid.

“They're fast. It's crazy how they get to the ball and they're all big hitters,” Mariani said. “It's just fun to watch. You have to be on your game to get by them. … I'm really, truly believing that this defense can get things done.”

Though not as acclaimed as his teammates, Togiai is the name to catch eyeballs. His older brothers, TJ and Tommy, combined to win three state titles at Highland and are both currently on Division I rosters.

Luke was listed at 6-foot-1, 238 pounds last season, but checks in at 6-foot-2, 250 pounds as a junior.

“Luke's shown a lot of maturity thus far in camp,” Mariani said. “This spring, I was a little nervous about some things and he had a really good summer, he really focused on football and getting stronger, and he came back in pretty good shape. … I'm excited to see what he can do.”

The Rams' schedule features plenty of headliner games, including their season opener Aug. 31 against Salt Lake City's East High School, and Coeur d'Alene on Sept. 27 in a rematch of the 2017 state championship.

And once November rolls around, Mariani believes Highland will be right back where it usually is.

“At the end, we're going to be one of the teams to beat,” he said. “That's all I know.”