COQUILLE — Last fall, opponents of Coquille’s football team knew to expect the unexpected.

The Red Devils used a variety of trick plays on their march to the Class 3A playoffs, with strong-armed quarterback Heston Altenbach and 2006 quarterback Buddy Parlier — lining up as a running back — taking turns throwing the ball to speedy receiver Justin Lessley for at least one touchdown in every game.

Both Altenbach and Parlier are back this fall, and both are expected to throw the ball a lot. Again, defenses will need to adjust to a variety of looks from the Red Devils, both from trick plays and from the variety of challenges posed by Coquille’s new offense.

The Red Devils have joined the movement by high schools across the country to the spread offense. College teams at Oregon, West Virginia, Missouri and Hawaii used varieties of the offense to reach the top 10 at various times last year, while smaller schools Appalachian State and Portland State rolled up the points with their versions of the spread.

Coquille coach John Breuer said the Red Devils will continue to use their base offense from last year, but the players are excited to also use the spread, which includes a shotgun formation on every play and generally just one running back lining up near the quarterback.

Altenbach said the offense has the potential to produce massive points.

“If everything works, you get big yardage,” he said.

Parlier loves the new look.

“It’s more exciting,” he said. “Everything is unexpected (for the defense).”

Defenses will have to keep their eyes on Coquille’s skill players. Though Altenbach will usually line up at quarterback, he also will spend time as a receiver. Parlier could be at several positions, and will be a running threat when he lines up at quarterback because of his speed and powerful running style.

“He likes to lower his head and hit,” Breuer said.

Parlier also is an experienced passer, and, like Altenbach, throws the ball well.

“Buddy’s a great quarterback,” Altenbach said. “He knows the instincts.”

Breuer loves the qualities of both quarterbacks.

“Heston’s a natural leader,” he said.

Altenbach was the first player truly groomed as a quarterback during Breuer’s tenure. Now five different players are being trained for the position, between the varsity and junior varsity teams.

Parlier is one of those, but will line up at several different positions.

“He can throw the ball, play receiver and play running back,” Breuer said. “He knows the offense better than anyone.”

Breuer said Parlier fits his goal for many of the players.

“We want the kids to learn more than one position,” he said.

While Parlier and Altenbach may get a lot of attention because of their roles leading the team, several other talented players will contribute.

Zac Smith returns at running back after being one of the team’s top ball carriers last year.

“He’s a good running back, but he’s also got good hands,” Breuer said.

In the spread offense, having many talented receivers is important, since each play includes several options designed to spread defenses out and keep them off-balance.

The best of those for Coquille probably is sophomore Joe Harris, who opened eyes with his athleticism as a freshman last year.

“Joe’s going to be special,” Breuer said.

Running back Nathan Thurman also will be a key player in the offense.

Breuer’s biggest concern is a lack of experience behind the returners.

“We’ve got some good skill kids; we don’t have a lot of depth,” he said. “If we lose anyone, we’re going to be in trouble.”

One thing that should help Coquille’s attack is a veteran line, led by senior Joseph Savala, a returning all-league player in the Sunset Conference.

Alex Dingus, Jon Binford and center Trevor Waldien also were starters on the line last year for the Red Devils.

“That’s one nice thing,” Breuer said.

“That’s where the experience is at,” said Parlier. “It’s very important. How your team’s going to do all depends on the line.”

Savala knows first-hand how good he and his teammates up front can be.

“We have a good potential,” said Savala. “We have a really athletic group.”

They also fit the style for a spread offense.

“We need fast and good linemen,” Savala said.

The line is a place where Coquille has some depth.

Senior Michael Hall returns after not playing the past two years and will be an impact player on the line, along with sophomore Chris Cooper.

While Coquille has great potential on offense, its defense should be strong, Breuer said.

“Our defense is really solid,” he said. “We’re going to have a lot more talent on defense.”

Still, the team will need players to fill gaps in the defense caused by graduation last spring.

“We lost a lot of players,” Parlier said. “We’re going to have to have some players step up.”

The team has good speed, and the same group of experienced linemen playing on both sides of the ball.

Savala and Dingus are standouts at defensive end.

“Dingus is like a little tiger — quick and strong,” Breuer said.

But outside of the line, the players with the most experience on defense are Parlier, a returning starter at linebacker, and Altenbach, who saw some time in the secondary last fall.

“I think we’re going to have some quick defensive backs and quick guys on the line — explosive guys,” Altenbach said.

Harris will take a spot in the defensive backfield along with speedy junior Josh Duke, while both Thurman and Richard Veneable, another player back after missing last season, will contribute at linebacker.

The defense isn’t going through as many changes as the offense, but faces similar challenges based on the team’s relative youth — Coquille has just seven seniors — and inexperience.

“We’re really young,” Breuer said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do before we get to league.”

Parlier sees the team heading in the right direction.

“I’m excited about how everybody is working hard,” he said. “Everybody wants to get better. We have a young team. Everybody’s going to have to develop.”

The players hope that by the first of seven league games, the third week of school, the team will be ready to start a run back to the playoffs.

“It was good for the kids who were there,” said Savala. “We were involved in the experience. It makes us want to go even more. Everyone wants to do it again.”

“It helps to know what you have to do to get there,” added Altenbach. “And then you come to practice and help get everyone to that level.”