GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO)-- The Fruita Monument Wildcats will have a lot of fresh faces on defense.

The Wildcats lost eight of their defensive starters due to graduation last spring. That leaves a lot of roster spots open to players who haven't yet seen varsity playing-time.

"It's more responsibility, I'd have to say," said senior safety Zac Griggs. "But it's just football."

And second-year coach Sean Mulvey is like-minded. "I think this team is going to be mentally tough," he commented during Monday's practice.

"We'll let the other parts work themselves out, but we're ready to play."

The Wildcats begin the season at Stocker Stadium on Saturday morning versus Adams City.

Fruita was 4-6 overall in 2011 and 2-2 in the SWL.