GROTON - The Action Sports football camp tour heads north to Cortland County where expectations are sky high this season for the Groton Indians.
The Indians are the preseason Class "D" favorites in section four's new alignment.
Groton's only loss in 2008 came in the sectional title game against perennial power Walton, a game the Indians only trailed by six in the third quarter.
Groton does have to replace quarterback Peter Jackson but does return much of its lineup, including bruising two-way star Kyle Reed.
The Indians say last year's performance against Walton shows them they belong among Class D's elite teams.
"Walton's a great program and to go down there and play, stand toe-to-toe and play with them, and I thought we did play with them, was a real shot in the arm for us and it really made the kids believe in our program," says head coach Jeff Lewis.
"The Walton game was a big upset," adds senior fullback/linebacker Kyle Reed. "They're a good team. We wanted to win, but they play at a different level than other schools and I think that we took a lot from that game and you'll see it this season."
Reed adds that this year it's state championship or bust.
Groton opens the season at home against Chenango Forks.
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