The start of a new sports season always bring in fresh faces anxious to make first impressions. It was more so than usual this year for the Hamline football team. 30 freshmen and a transfer joined 28 returnees who hit the field for the first practice three weeks ago.

Head coach Chip Taylor gets a first hand look at how far his youngish team has come when he starts his fourth season at the helm with tonight's season opener against Buena Vista at Klas Field. Game time is 6:00 p.m.

"We need recruiting classes like the one we have this year to get back to where we want to be," Taylor said.  Eight first year players are listed as starters for tonight's game.

On offense, the changeovers start at quarterback. Justice Spriggs, who graduated last May, rewrote quite a bit of the school record book in his four years as the signal caller. Manny Moton, who saw action in four games last year, is the lone returnee at that position with a pair of freshmen and a transfer also competing for playing time. Moton and Connor Leavens, the junior transfer, are listed 1-2 for tonight's game. Three of last year's top four rushers are back. Zander Payne led the HU ground game in yardage last year. Brandon Miller was second and Triston Thomas (pictured), who had an electrifying 93 yard run against Macalester, was fourth. 

Whoever is under center will have six players -- Tanner Lunceford, Thomas, Payne, Miller, Matt Miller (no relation to Brandon) and Ryder Hutton -- who registered double digit receptions last season -- to throw to. 

On the other side of the ball, Adrian Cracolici (50 tackles, team leading six pass breakups), Monty Stenroos (26 tackles, 3.5 for loss) and Zach Reed (25 fumble return for TD) lead the returnees. 

Tonight's game is the first of two non-conference games on the 2019 slate. On Saturday, September 14, it's the annual battle for the The Paint Bucket when the Pipers head to Macalester for a 7:00 p.m.game.