BY THE NUMBERS2 - Consecutive playoff appearances for the Bears after missing the previous nine seasons.6 - Coach Floyd's rank all-time in wins (31) in the program's 96-year history.63 - The percent of offense lost with the graduations of Rue Goldston, Justin Houston and James Stovall.SCHEDULEAug. 17 at Polk CountyAug. 24 at BaylorAug. 31 at Soddy-Daisy*Sept. 7 East HamiltonSept. 21 BlackmanSept. 28 Rhea County*Oct. 5 Ooltewah*Oct. 12 at Walker Valley*Oct. 19 Cleveland*Oct. 26 at McMinn County** District 5-AAA gameGames start at 7:30 p.m.
BRADLEY CENTRAL BEARS
Coach: Damon Floyd (seventh season, 31-32 here and overall)
Stadium: Bear Stadium
Address: 1000 South Lee Highway, Cleveland, TN 37311
RECENT HISTORY
The Bears trailed off late last year, losing their final two games yet still finishing with a 7-4 record. They advanced to the playoffs, where they were defeated in the first round. Here's a look at the regular-season win total over the last five years:
2011 -------(7)
2010 --------(8)
2009 -----(5)
2008 ----(4)
2007 --(2)
THREE STRENGTHS
1) Senior Bryce Copeland is a four-year starter that has won 21 games as a starting quarterback for the Bears.
2) University of Tennessee-bound offensive lineman Austin Sanders has the ability and strength to open holes for the offensive attack.
3) With the success of the past few seasons, the program has regained its pride and will be expected to compete for championships this year.
THREE CONCERNS
1) Who can step into a primary playmaker role this season?
2) Although Sanders is a big piece, he's the only returning starter on the line. Can the others step up to fill the void?
3) With only Alex Hopkins returning in the secondary, who makes plays in the defensive backfield?
THREE QUESTIONS WITH BRYCE COPELAND
(Senior quarterback)
Q: Being a four-year starter, how has Coach Floyd changed his approach toward you over the years?
A: He's a lot tougher now. When I was younger, he used to expect mistakes, but now he expects excellence and that's what I strive for. If I throw passes and they're either too high or too low, he's encouraging me to get it in the guy's chest.
Q: You lost your three main skill players from last season. How will this year's team look?
A: It's going to be a little different, especially not having as much speed. We're going to possess the ball. We don't have Rue [Goldston], Justin [Houston] and James [Stovall] this year. Last year I could just throw it to James and let him go. We don't be as explosive as we were last year, but we'll get there.
Q: You had those guys since you became quarterback at Bradley. How do you adjust to new personnel?
A: I look at it as a positive. Last year I focused a lot on getting the ball to James. Now we're going to be balanced. We have Cal [Pickel] and Caleb [Cain], but all of our receivers are pretty even and can make plays. I'm just going to spread it around and take what the defense gives us.
ROSTER
1 Logan Fetzner - Junior
2 Christian Hamilton - Sophomore
3 Caleb Cain - Senior
4 Cal Pickel - Junior
5 Daniel Clark - Sophomore
6 Jamey Billups - Freshman
7 Alex White - Sophomore
8 Rashad Marshal - Freshman
9 Trevon Ware - Freshman
10 Bryce Copeland - Senior
11 Deshawn McCleary - Senior
12 Tanner Cox - Sophomore
13 Dalton Deal - Sophomore
15 Dee Crisp - Junior
16 J.J. Haggott - Junior
17 Keith Wilson - Junior
18 Tyler Carpenter - Freshman
19 Logan Arron - Junior
20 Chandler Duggan - Junior
21 Derrick Murray - Sophomore
22 Ty Morgan - Sophomore
23 L.J. Goodridge - Senior
25 Zach Peak - Freshman
26 Nate Mills - Senior
28 Warren Crisp - Sophomore
29 Austin Foss - Junior
30 Michael Holder - Senior
31 D.J. Moyse - Sophomore
33 Aziz Mohammad - Sophomore
34 Alex Hopkins - Senior
35 Robert Bartolameolli - Senior
37 Jordan Sharp - Senior
38 Baylor Terrell - Junior
39 Logan Snyder - Sophomore
40 Edwardo Trevino - Junior
41 Clayton Steels - Junior
42 Jordan Timmons - Junior
43 Brandon McCurry - Junior
44 Drew Roark - Junior
46 Hagan Franklin - Sophomore
49 Shaquonne Jarrett - Senior
51 Seth Huey - Junior
52 Austin Sanders - Senior
53 Logan McCamis - Sophomore
54 James Peck - Junior
55 Jackie Black - Junior
56 Jack Edgeman - Sophomore
57 Lucas Parker - Sophomore
58 Dakota Burgess - Sophomore
59 Chase Slaughter - Sophomore
60 Colton Scott - Sophomore
61 Dylan Swafford - Sophomore
62 Devin Kersey - Senior
64 Brandon Morgan - Sophomore
65 Gabe Black - Senior
67 Zach McFarland - Junior
68 Austin Headrick - Sophomore
70 Brandon Bryant - Junior
72 Josh Phelps - Junior
73 Brandon Beavers - Senior
74 Todd Gray - Junior
75 D.J. Adams - Freshman
76 Will Robbins - Sophomore
77 D.J. King - Senior
78 Tyler Keller - Sophomore
79 Jacob Williams - Sophomore
80 Cedric Josey - Junior
81 Carlos Hamilton - Senior
82 Alec Norwood - Sophomore
83 Tanner Boring - Sophomore
88 Joey Ford - Sophomore
89 Victor Veloz - Junior