HANCEVILLE — There have been games over the past three seasons where Hanceville hasn’t exactly had to go full tilt to come out on top.

It’s made for a number of drama-free Friday nights and brought the Bulldogs back to a level of respectability once enjoyed in the mid-1980s and early ’90s — but it hasn’t helped their playoff prospects.

Well, those days are over.

Following three first-round exits in as many years despite a pair of region titles during the stretch, Danny Miller is shifting his strategy. Like his head coaching counterpart at Alabama, Nick Saban, the seventh-year Hanceville leader is determined to have his squad play to a standard for the rest of his days on campus.

“We’re trying to sell our kids on that you’ve got to play hard on every play, every game,” Miller said. “That’s going to help you down the road.

“If you get used to not playing very hard, it’s going to come back to bite you. That’s the thing about the playoffs — if you stay in it, sooner or later, you’re going to find somebody that’s pretty doggone good.”

The Bulldogs have been pretty doggone good themselves for awhile now and have the potential to be again this fall.

But it’s not likely to be as easy as before.

Sophomore Branen Hurst emerged from a four-man race as his big bro Caleb’s successor at quarterback, and there’s not a single running back on the roster from last year’s squad.

Ollie Johnson is the early favorite to take over Hanceville’s most prized position, while Christian James appears poised to step in at fullback. Fellow baseball converts Austin Coker, Isaac Weissend and Alex Armstrong also figure to be in the mix for carries.

“It’s going to be a work in progress,” Miller said. “It always is.”

Don’t count out totes from receiving playmakers Dant’e Reese or Jose Orozco, either. Miller said the two have truly shone in increased leadership roles over the spring and summer.

Running room for the aforementioned speedsters will be opened by returning linemen Isaac Hardin, Josh Mentzer and Tyler Rockwell. Heath Dean hasn’t budged from tight end.

Dean and Kaine Yates are both back for more at defensive end, as are Reese and Hardin at linebacker. Orozco will captain the secondary at cornerback.

Miller pointed to Tanner Waldrep as a relative newcomer who’s “really benefited from JV football.” He said the lineman will probably start on offense and pull double duty on defense.

Hanceville is transitioning to a Class 3A, Region 5 filled with Vinemont, Holly Pond, Winfield, Oakman, Winston County and Susan Moore. Miller admitted he’s happy Hamilton is finally off the schedule but still showed respect for his new slate of opponents.

Some aren’t even new, like Winfield, who the coach referred to as the region’s “cream of the crop.”

“I feel like we have a chance to be competitive in the region, and that’s what we’re here for,” Miller said. “We hope we can line up and compete with those people.”

The Bulldogs’ more-centralized location compared to Region 7 has them traveling an average of just less than 25 miles for their five road games.

One familiar foe isn’t so lucky.

“I know Winfield’s not happy about coming to Hanceville again,” Miller said of the Pirates, who also made the 80-mile trek in 2013. “But I told those guys, ‘At least you know the way.’”

Hanceville’s non-region schedule is chalked full of county opponents in higher classifications — 5A Fairview, 5A West Point and 4A Good Hope. And then there’s Addison, which is 2A but debuted at No. 7 in the preseason poll.

Miller playfully questioned whose idea it was to pencil in so many top-notch opponents.

Then he realized, it was him.

“I don’t know if that was a wise decision on my part,” the coach said with a chuckle. “But it is good for the fans.”

The Dawgs received a special visit from Shawn Anderton during fall camp.

The lineman is continuing to recover at a remarkable pace since fracturing two vertebrae in his neck during a freak accident while on spring break with his family. Anderton, once immobile, is now able to walk with the help of a walker and was in class for the start of his sophomore year.

He’ll serve as a student coach and keep working on his unwavering promise to walk again without assistance.

“His name’s on our roster,” Miller said. “He’s going to be here for picture day and everything. He’s on the team and part of the team.”

Aug. 22 at Corner (jamboree)

Aug. 29 at Fairview

Sept. 5 vs. Winston County*

Sept. 12 at Vinemont*

Sept. 19 vs. Addison

Sept. 26 vs. West Point

Oct. 3 vs. Winfield*

Oct. 10 at Oakman*

Oct. 17 vs. Holly Pond*

Oct. 24 at Susan Moore*

Oct. 31 at Good Hope

* Class 3A, Region 5 game

Who: Danny Miller

Previous positions: N/A

Years at Hanceville: Entering seventh

Overall record: 35-23*

Region record: 25-14*

Last year: 9-2, 6-1

Region titles: 2

Playoff appearances: 3

Playoff record: 0-3

Advanced past first round: 0

Best season: 10-1 in 2011

Worst season: 4-6 in 2009 and 2010

* Was Hanceville’s interim coach for final five games of 2008 season (1-4)