Over four years, Dana Strong has helped establish North Gem as a contender in Idaho's 1A DII classification.

But even he isn't sure how his team will come together this year.

Strong enters his fifth season at North Gem with an intriguing mixture of youth and experience. He said his varsity roster will break down nearly evenly between the senior, junior and sophomore classes, and a strong sophomore contingent will likely bump some 11th-graders down to the junior varsity team.

This year's Cowboys must replace six all-conference players, including co-offensive player of the year Bronx Holbrook and defensive player of the year Chance Williams.

In 2018, all six of North Gem's seniors made the all-conference squad, and two of them — Williams at defensive back and Jayce Bagley at kicker — were second-team all-state selections.

“They had been a bedrock in our program for a long time,” Strong said of that class.

Luckily for Strong and the Cowboys, a few acclaimed players return.

Senior Michael Barfuss takes over at quarterback, replacing departed senior Jacob Neese. Barfuss earned first-team all-conference honors at DB last season, and Strong expects Barfuss to be one of North Gem's top tacklers in 2019.

“He's been in the program and he's one of the big team leaders,” Strong said of Barfuss.

Some new names join Barfuss as North Gem's offensive catalysts, and Strong said the focus will shift to running the ball in 2019. He foresees sophomore Bridger Hatch leading a committee of ballcarriers.

Departed seniors James Rindlisbaker, Bennett Cooper, Holbrook and Williams were the team's primary playmakers last season, with Holbrook the star as a 6-foot-3 wideout who hauled in 10 touchdowns.

“He's got a chance to be a really special player for us,” Strong said of Hatch.

Hatch and the others can be assured they'll have holes to run through. Senior Bryson Hatch is among the returners on an offensive line that brings back all its starters. The reigning first-team all-league pick is joined by sophomore Ransom Cooper at center. Cooper earned a second-team all-conference nod last year as a freshman.

“He's a pretty special player,” Strong said of Cooper. “He's not your average lineman.”

Strong also said North Gem returns its starting interior defensive linemen, led by first-team all-conference senior Date Yost.

On paper, the talent is there for the Cowboys. But a formidable schedule and a heavy reliance on underclassmen leaves Strong scratching his head charging into the season.

“It's one of those years where we could go either way,” he said.