MIDDLEBURG - On one field, there's a new face leading the troops; on the other field is a field of familiar faces looking hungry to return to state championship prowess in a final senior season.
For Middleburg High baseball and softball, the newest face is Bronco baseball coach Jordan Cochuyt, who took the job at Middleburg High to join his wife, a teacher at the high school.
"I was at Eagle's View and University Christian the past few years," said Cochuyt, 30. "I saw the opportunity to join the family and decided to take a shot at it."
Cochuyt, who has long time baseball coach Alan Burnsed in the dugout with him, commented that the Bronco baseball brand was something that made him interested in the job.
"I love the Bronco brand so far, they are tough, scrappy kids," said Cochuyt. "They have a history of strong play in the district tournament and we want to get back to that with the goal of a district championship. The important thing is getting there, getting into the big show."
Cochuyt noted a big senior class with only two graduated from last year.
"We'll have eight juniors, eight seniors, eight sophomores," said Cochuyt, who played at Bishop Snyder then had an injury end a college trip. "For the most part, the talent is here and my job will be to make them fundamentally sound; the nitty gritty details."
Middleburg opens with a preseason double with Buchholz then Fleming Island at the Keystone Heights preseason tournament on Tuesday, February 4 and 6.
Over on the softball field, coach Ashley Houston had her cadre of returning marquis players; KK Hagan, Kerra Clarida, Caylee Johnson, base speedster Mika Wesley and sophomore infielder Isabel Pifer who came on strong in the batter's box in the second half of last year's 22-4 season that was abruptly halted by a freshman pitcher at Gainesville High who dethrottled the vaunted Bronco batting lineup with wins of 4-0 in the district championships and 6-0 in the region playoffs.
"We have a strong core of key returners who bring a lot of experience and leadership," said Houston. "The mix of veteran leadership and young talent gives us a great balance."
On the mound, Houston will have senior Lily Bennett who was an outstanding number two behind Bowling Green's Morgan Beckham.
Middleburg baseball plays Tuesday February 4 at Keystone Heights in preseason against Buchholz at 4 p.m., then Fleming Island on Thursday, February 6 at 4 p.m.
Middleburg softball opens preseason with Fletcher at 4 p.m. at the Fort Family Regional Park in Jacksonville. Games continue on February 10-14 with championship games on Friday, February 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Middleburg baseball
District 3-5A
Middleburg, Columbia, Fleming Island, Ridgeview

Middleburg softball
District 3-5A
Middleburg, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Ridgeview