SHALLOTTE, N.C. (WWAY) -- Reclassification means West Brunswick is officially the smallest school in the Carolina Coast Conference, but Trojan football doesn't care.

The only 6A school in our area, the rest of the league is either 7A or 8A.

Among West Brunswick's 15 seniors are their 14 returning starters, seven on each side of the ball. That is the most in the conference, which is a big deal for Head Coach Shane Handy.

"It's been a great offseason knowing that these guys have got to carry us, and they know they got to carry us," Handy said. "Had great senior leadership. Guys are excited about changing the dynamics here and building the culture we started and finishing the job. No matter who we play, we'll have a chance in every game."

The players understand they will have to play up in competition for most of the season, but the reality is it is the same schools they have been facing for years and are confident they will improve after a year they only won three games. That includes their last two during the 2024 season.

"It doesn't change anything," junior quarterback Josiah Borton said. "We still view everybody the same way. We can beat everybody in the conference if we just put our mind to it. The classification is just a label on a team. It doesn't show who they are. It doesn't change our mindset."

"It's been kind of rocky," senior defensive back Nickalas Brown said. "It had been like a couple people bought in. But this year, I feel like this year we have everyone come together. We're coming this season."

West Brunswick will be the only Carolina Coast school to play a game out of state this season. That will be in Week Three when they visit North Myrtle Beach in Little River.