ELNORA — North Daviess football coach Scott Helms normally doesn’t like to flaunt.

It’s not his style.

And Helms hasn’t crossed that line just yet when it comes to this fall’s Cougars.

Yet, he has a feeling about his present group that just won’t go away.

“I feel really good about this football team when I go out on the field with the players,” Helms said. “There’s a real sense of unification. It’s something that I haven’t felt in a long time. There’s just a different kind of feel when you surround yourself with these kids. I don’t know if it will show in wins and losses, but we’re having a lot of fun.”

Wins are the normal measurement for fun in any sport. The Cougars finished with a 7-5 record and a sectional win before losing in the second round.

But last fall’s fun fell short with a flurry on injuries that affected North Daviess throughout the season.

North Daviess is loaded at the skill positions this time. Quarterback Brady Helms has a variety of runners and catchers who his coach, and father, is anxious to see in a real game.

“We’ve obviously got a good-sized backfield with good speed,” Helms, the father, said. “Brady knows the offense. He’s a leader on the field. He can keep a level head and has things together.”

The younger Helms has had health issues in his first two seasons. He suffered breaks to each arm in each of the first two seasons. Helms has worked during the off season, and dad believes he is faster, stronger and ready for the year.

At the same time, the Cougars have an experienced backfield that benefited with playing time due to last fall’s injuries.

Colton Lengacher (6-2, 218) gained 1,001 yards in 2011 despite not always being the featured back. Dakota Adams (6-3, 240) figures to be the fullback.

“The really neat thing about having Colton and Dakota in the backfield is that we had two touchdown runs in the scrimmage (last Friday against North Knox) from Logan Turpin.”

The point is that the Cougars have plenty of depth behind Lengacher and Adams.

Turpin (5-11, 150) gained 145 yards last season, and Doug Bays (6-0, 170) added 133. The cupboard is far from bare.

“Turpin will start as a flanker, but he can play as a running back as well,” Helms said. “Doug Bays is also an outstanding back. Lucas Bird (5-11, 155) will be a tight end and flanker, and we have a good class of freshmen coming in. We’ve tended to be deep in the line and a little thinner in the skill positions in the past. I think we’re just the opposite this year.”

There are familiar names for the Cougars in the line, but new names are also present.

Brody Lindy (6-2, 225) and Aaron Steffey (6-0, 220) are fighting for the center position. Alex Stowell (6-0, 275), Austin Hollis (6-0, 220) and Braydon Wesner (6-0, 230) should all see time.

Veterans Ezra Thompson (5-8, 185) and Evan Judy (6-3, 265) add stability while the line gains experience.

Freshman Shannon Chesterfield has also caught Helms’ eye. Chesterfield (6-4, 225) is expected to add an additional weapon for both passing and running for the Cougars.

“He (Chesterfield) has really surfaced as a strong-side tightend,” Helms said. “He is very athletic and has good hands.”

Tommy Newby (5-10, 175) was expected to see time on defense, but may miss Friday’s opener against Tecumseh due to injury. Maveryck VanHentenryck (5-8, 145), Nathan Gingerich (5-11, 155), Jacob Robling (5-9, 165) and Justin Markel (5-10, 185), are expected to join Adams, Steffey and Stowell as defensive front players.

Turpin, Bays, Jacob Reed (5-9, 160), Andrew Medcalf (5-10, 155) and Helms should form an improved secondary.

“Our guys are a year older and more experienced in the backfield,” Helms said while noting Reed is a freshman. “Coach Eric Bird has really connected with the backs. I feel like we have a better grasp and more experience.”

Helms believes his pass rush will improve this year, and that should also lead to improved secondary play.

Tecumseh should provide an early test in Friday’s 8 p.m. opener at Cougar Valley with returning quarterback Adam Grannan at the helm.

“We felt good after the scrimmage,” Helms said. “I thought we did a good job up front. The kids are understanding their roles and responsibilities. We have a lot of confidence.”