Class 1A, Region 3

Coach Kevin LeSueur (5-6 in one season at Billingsley)

Last year 5-5 regular season, 4-3 region, lost to Millry in first-round playoffs

Key losses DB Chris Kent, WR Ken Hopson, OL Deontay Owens, OL Keith Bogard,

Schedule

8/29 at Maplesville*

9/5 at Sunshine*

9/12 John Essex*

9/19 Autaugaville*

9/26 at Linden*

10/3 Akron*

10/10 at A.L. Johnson*

10/17 Holy Spirit*

10/24 at Parrish

10/31 Dallas Co.

* region game

Key game at Maplesville. The Bears haven’t beaten their inter-county rivals since 2003. Billingsley needs to start the season on the right foot because the schedule is brutal.

Roster

1-Jay Tyus-Sr.

2-Jamar Hopson-Sr.

3-Drew Chaffin-So.

4-Reggie Browder-Fr.

5-Robert Speer-Sr.

6-Bryant Reese-Sr.

7-Tim Simon-Sr.

8-Perry Brown-Jr.

9-Matt Paulene-Sr.

10-Mario Reese-Jr.

15-Jeffrey Odom-Jr.

21-Andrew Davis-Sr.

22-Donte Vinson-Sr.

24-Raphael Brooks-Jr.

28-Lemitress Sheppard-Jr.

33-Brett Stewart-Jr.

38-Robbie Fulton-Jr.

44-Carlos Caver-Fr.

50-Webster Davis-Jr.

51-Andrew Rawlinson-Jr.

53-Drexler Laister-Sr.

55-Josh Langley-Sr.

56-Eric Smitherman-Sr.

59-Brittan Stange-So.

61-Justin Blankenship-So.

62-Brett Billingsly-Sr.

65-Jason Brookshire-Fr.

70-Terrance Edwards-Fr.

71-Preston Walton-Jr.

75-Octavis Harris-Fr.

75-Norman Laister-So.

Key player Matt Paulene, linebacker and tight end. Paulene led the defense emotionally and physically last year, and he will do so again. Now, he’ll also try his hand at tight end. If he can catch passes consistently, the Billingsley offense should really hum along because the running game is a given.

Billingsley will make the transition from a spread offense to a Wing T attack this fall.

Second-year coach Kevin LeSueur’s Bears didn’t necessarily struggle in a pass-oriented offense in 2007, scoring 19 or more points in six out of 10 games, but LeSueur said he thinks his team is better suited to place a priority on running the football.

“We were throwing to be able to set up the run, and I just don’t know if that’s us,” he said. “We’re getting better. Our kicking game is getting better; we’re getting better in the weight room. You can’t measure some of the improvement.”

Two new assistants, Jeremy Carter and Todd Reece, will try to help Billingsley take the step from playoff team to a team that is a threat in the playoffs.

Reece comes to Billingsley from Chilton County High, while Carter is somewhat of a legacy at the school. A 1998 graduate, Carter played on the state champion 1997 team and is a nephew of legendary Billingsley coach James Carter.

“It’s helpful because coach Carter played with some of these kids’ cousins or uncles,” LeSueur said. “The kids have really taken to him.”

Quarterbacks

Most of the offense’s problems last year could be attributed to inconsistency at this position. Mario Reese began the year as the starter but was injured in the third quarter of the first game and didn’t play again until Week 8. Reese, a junior, should thrive with regular playing time and an offense that takes much of the pressure off him.

“I think the communication has been much better,” LeSueur said. “It’s just a matter of letting [Reese] mature a little bit and finding his niche.

Running backs

Billingsley already had two good running backs, seniors Jamar Hopson and Tim Simon,

and now there are three. The emergence of junior Lemitress Sheppard will take some of the load off the other two backs, which also

play crucial roles on defense. Hopson and Simon last year combined for more than 1,700 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Receivers

Reese will have a couple of impressive targets in 6-foot, 3-inch junior Raphael Brooks and 6-foot, 2-inch senior Jay Tyus. Both played basketball

for the Bears, and Tyus also excelled in track and field. Tyus did not play football last year, butLeSueur said he is ready to contribute. Matt Paulene, a defensive star, will be a featured weapon from the tight end position.

Offensive line

LeSueur said this unit, a question mark a year ago, has

a chance this season to become a team strength. Sophomore center Britt Stange is an important first-

time starter, while senior Drexler Laister could be the best of the group.

“I think we’re going to be much improved there,” he said. “That’s the one position I can say we’re better than we were last year.”

LeSueur said the line’s improvement will allow the coaching staff to implement more man blocking schemes. The Bears used almost all zone blocking techniques last year.

“It’s always better to do both,” LeSueur said.

Defensive line

Though starters haven’t been determined, LeSueur said this unit will have more depth than last year. That should allow the Bears to be more effective against the run. Freshman Octavis Harris will be counted on to make an impact.

Linebackers

Billingsley’s linebacking corps will feature a mix of youth and experience. Senior Paulene, who led the team in tackles one year ago with 85, represents one extreme. The youth is evidenced in freshman Carlos Caver, who LeSueur

will depend on to provide support for Paulene.

Secondary

Senior cornerbacks Andrew

Davis and Donte Vinson lead the defensive backfield.

“They played as well as anybody defensively going down the stretch,” LeSueur said.

Special teams

Preston Walton will likely be the Bears’ placekicker again this year. Jamar Hopson was Billingsley’s primary punter. He also averaged 19 yards per punt return and 20 yards per kick return.