Terry Cox has made a name for himself by coming up with offenses that confound opponents. The Golden Sierra High coach may just have another one up his sleeve this fall.

The Grizzlies will line up in the “Cox box double-wing spread” formation Friday night when they open the season against Amador in Garden Valley.

“It’s been giving a lot of teams fits,” Cox said of the twist on the Cox Box formation that he brought to the area nearly 20 years ago. “We always have a wide receiver and two wingbacks. We’re finally able to throw the ball the way we want to and take advantage of everything we’ve got.”

In terms of numbers, Golden Sierra does not have a lot. The Grizzlies, who finished 4-6 last season, have just 20 players out this season and just four returning starters.

Quarterback Nick Highberger returns after an up and down sophomore season with the varsity squad. He is joined by center Dan Johnson, who was an all-Golden Empire League performer last year. Senior Jack Hannah starts at wide receiver and safety. Kirby Siemens is a talented wingback and linebacker.

Cox is excited about the new talent in the Grizzlies’ program. He said sophomore Jim Hansen is a Division I-caliber prospect. At 6-3, 185 pounds, Hansen will play safety and wingback.

“He pretty much ran over other teams at the jamboree we played in,” Cox said.

Sophomore defensive end Kyle Cernigilia also shows great promise.

The junior class is ripe with talent as well. Matt McCain will play cornerback and wingback. Connor Keenan is a great athlete at linebacker and tight end. Jason Piparo is solid at tackle and defensive end. Jordan Winje is a hard-hitting middle linebacker and fullback. Jeremy Estrada shines at wingback and cornerback and Phil Soden gives the Grizzlies size up front at 6-3, 245.

Cox is confident his squad can compete with the bigger squads in the GEL despite their low numbers.

“Every team will be bigger and more physical,” Cox said. “But every coach that’s seen us says we don’t have many kids, but they come to play.”

While Golden Sierra’s enrollment has dropped to under 600 students, Cox said his numbers might be down because of the team’s workload.

“They have a great attitude and it’s a hard-working group. I think that’s why we have a small group, but that’s what it takes to compete,” Cox said. “I think, barring injuries, we’ll have a shot at the league title.”