MYRTLE POINT — John Marquez is bringing a new look to Myrtle Point’s football program in his first season as head coach.

The Bobcats have completely new uniforms, including a metalic royal blue helmet with the school’s initials, MP, adorning the headgear.

But the change that could make the difference in whether the Bobcats reach the Class 3A playoffs is one that isn’t openly visible.

“The team unity is the best we’ve had,” said senior Scott Clark, one of the team’s leaders.

That goes directly back to Marquez, who has made the team’s attitude his top priority.

“That’s the whole thing this year — bringing back team unity and the family concept to Myrtle Point,” Marquez said.

One visible example of this came early in one of the first practices of the fall camp, when Marquez didn’t like how some of his players were acting during pre-practice warm-ups.

“Team is 100 percent when you get on the field,” he yelled with a booming voice.

Marquez is quick to remind the players of that, though he said the Bobcats have been doing great in that respect.

“What’s changed is the attitude and the commitment,” he said.

“Our motto is ‘no excuses’ — and to leave our own legacy here at Myrtle Point.”

The players sense the difference, and love it.

“The leadership has come a long way,” said junior quarterback Ryan Hamilton. “The teamwork is crazy. Everybody is getting along. We’ve come together quite a bit.”

Senior Sean Andy said Marquez’s positive attitude has made a huge difference.

“He has us so motivated,” Andy said. “I think we’re getting better every day. It’s nice to see this new environment.”

Last year, the Bobcats just missed the playoffs.

The players think they have the potential to get there this year.

Myrtle Point struggled at times last season with a new offense Marquez brought with him to the school, but should flourish this year in Hamilton’s second season as the starting quarterback — because of his experience and even more because of what should be the team’s best offensive line in recent memory.

“We will go as far as that O line takes us,” said Marquez, referring to senior Michael Leslie and juniors Kameron Henshaw, Thomas Kincheloe, Cody Reynolds and Justin Fry. “Right now, there’s not a weak spot on our line, other than that we’re not very big.”

Kincheloe, Fry and Leslie are returning starters. Clark, the team’s top running back, said they are much better this season.

“These guys have been working so hard in the weight room,” he said.

Clark said he set a goal of reaching 1,000 yards rushing — doing his part to help the team.

“At first, I didn’t think I could get it,” he said. “Now I think I can get more with this line.”

Hamilton added that the team’s passing game will benefit from the talented line.

“I feel a lot more safe this year,” he said. “I think we’ll do well (on offense) just because of the line.”

“We’re not very big, but we’ve probably worked the hardest,” said Kincheloe, adding that all the members of the line were dedicated in the weight room during the summer.

The team’s offense will rely on the running game, led by Clark and on the passing game, which could give defenses fits with the talent of Hamilton.

“I’m looking forward to him being able to read the defenses this year and showcase his arm,” Marquez said.

Hamilton showed potential last year and has the benefit of a full season of experience. The Bobcats lack that experience at the receiver positions after their top playmakers graduated.

But Willy Looney and James Brown both are good possession receivers ready to step in and fill the void, Marquez said.

“They’re new, but they’re going to be good receivers for us,” he said.

Meanwhile, Andy, a role player at fullback last year, could be a standout at tight end — he was named most valuable player among tight ends at the Western Oregon University camp this summer and has the speed to run past defenders trying to cover him.

“I think I can have a mismatch on the linebackers,” Andy said.

Hamilton and Clark are confident in the receiving corps.

“The receivers have stepped up,” Hamilton said.

“This year they’ve made huge bounds of improvement,” added Clark.

When the Bobcats line up in their offset-I formation, fullback Brandon Lloyd should help the line create opportunities for Clark and backup Daven Cagley.

“We have some power,” Marquez said.

Kyle Davis, Hamilton’s backup, also should fill a role in the offense somewhere after not playing last year. He threw five touchdown passes after Hamilton suffered a slight injury in the team’s opening win over Illinois Valley.

“You find places for your athletes,” Marquez said.

Meanwhile, Myrtle Point should again be strong when other teams have the ball after having one of the stingiest defenses in Class 3A last year.

“I’m excited about the defense,” said Andy, who will see time at several different spots — the line, linebacker and safety — because of his versatility.

Marquez said Andy is one budding star and Reynolds is another at linebacker — he was the MVP among juniors at the position at the Western Oregon camp.

The Bobcats will seek to confuse quarterbacks with different coverages and try to counter their lack of size with team speed.

“We’re going to win with quickness and scheme defensively,” Marquez said. “You put pressure on a high school quarterback, and he’s going to make a mistake.”

Kincheloe will anchor the defensive line from one end spot, while senior Tony Moran will line up on the opposite side. Fry, Leslie and senior Cody Schnur will be the primary defensive tackles.

Cagley, Hamilton, Nic Canaday and Brandon Lloyd all are capable linebackers joining Reynolds, while Brown and Looney will be the cornerbacks and Clark the safety in the defensive backfield.

The team has great potential, which Marquez hopes to groom into a playoff contender. He has spent years preparing for this time.

Marquez came to Myrtle Point as the team’s offensive coordinator last year, and moved into the head coaching role when Brad Henshaw decided to step down after three seasons. Henshaw stayed on the staff, returning to his previous role as line coach.

Marquez has a long career as an assistant coach at both high schools and colleges in California, and loves to win, but said his top priorities are in the other areas.

He recalls coaching top teams in California where he left championship seasons with a bad taste in his mouth, while he considers teams that were mediocre on the field to provide his favorite memories.

“Those are the kids I still talk to,” he said.

“I’m not here to win championships,” Marquez said, adding that his goals are to “get these kids to learn the game, to build character and integrity and to be sound academically.”

Marquez has adjusted the practice schedule to include a team study hall before hitting the field on Mondays during the school year.

“I’m not here to coach kids that give no effort in the classroom,” he said. “It should be a priviledge to play this game in high school.”