MARATHON – The Marathon football team has a different look this season that goes beyond the players sporting slightly different headgear.

The Raiders, who have gone from white to black helmets, graduated three unanimous all-Marawood Conference selections from a team that finished with an 8-4 record overall and have a new coach to lead the program for the first time in 17 seasons.

Ryan Winkler took over the program after Todd Stoffel stepped down at the end of last season, which ended with the Raiders' run to the third round of the WIAA state playoffs for the first time since 1994. Stoffel stepped down to spend more time with his family and opened the opportunity for Winkler, who has previous experience coaching middle school football at Marathon.

The new coach has quickly made an impression at the varsity level.

“He pushes us,” Marathon senior Hunter Seubert said of Winkler during a Raiders practice last week. “He knows the system and what we are capable of. He knows we are willing to work hard.”

Marathon opens the season Friday with a nonconference game at Mosinee. The Raiders open their home schedule the following week against Iola-Scandinavia, a team which reached the Division 6 state championship game last season. The Thunderbirds beat Marathon twice last season, including a 32-12 win over the Raiders in a Level 3 playoff game.