Despite a 2-8 season in 2014, Hanceville coach Danny Miller had plenty of positives to draw on entering August.

Yes, his Bulldogs lost eight matchups — more than the last three years combined — struggled to maintain quality depth and scored 14 points or fewer in seven games (all losses) during the uncharacteristic campaign.

However, the Bulldogs finished in style with wins against Holly Pond and Good Hope and a one-point loss to Susan Moore, adding some much-needed momentum heading into the offseason.

The swing was easily noticed by Miller, too, especially during the team’s spring and summer workouts.

When his guys took to the practice fields for fall camp early this month, the eighth-year head man couldn’t help gain a little bit of confidence while soaking in the scene.

“We don’t want to be in the same position we were in last season,” he said. “It helped we won those games late. We should have won all three, really. We finished strong, and I think we were playing pretty darn good. We’ve got a lot of those guys back for us. They’ve been working hard to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

Hanceville returns a few key playmakers, including junior quarterback Branen Hurst, do-it-all athletes Jose Orozco and Isaac Weissend, and B.J. Smalls — the Dawgs’ speedster running back who missed all of 2014 for Miller with an ACL injury.

Hurst is entering his second season under center after an up-and-down sophomore campaign but feels he’s more acclimated to his surroundings and expects his teammates to all be “a little better.”

“I’m a lot more comfortable for sure,” he said. “I think everybody here really is buying into what the coaches are telling us. They’ve won plenty of games here, so our faith’s in them. The work ethic has changed here.

“Coach Miller still said I’m not going to be out there throwing it 40 times, though,” he jokingly added.

For an experienced senior like Orozco, there’s not a lot he hasn’t been a part of during his time in Purple and Gold.

His first two seasons on the varsity squad consisted of 16 victories and two playoff appearances. Last year was really his first taste of what life’s like outside of November football.

Orozco didn’t much care for the aftertaste.

“It wasn’t good,” he said. “But I’ve played with so many great leaders. They’ve taught me a lot. I think I can get these younger guys in the right mindset. Whether you win nine games or two games, you’ve got show a little heart and show up ready to play.

“We’ve got the heart.”

Defensively, All-State first-team selection Kaine Yates leads the way for Hanceville, along with seasoned standouts Orozco and Weissend. Austin Davis, Austin Jones and Blake Cooper all have the opportunity to take in playing time on the defensive line as well.

But the unit stops and starts with Yates, who secured 84 tackles and 10 sacks during a dynamite sophomore season.

The soft-spoken lineman might not have another year like that one, but he’s certainly going to try.

“Getting recognized in 2014 just makes me want to work harder to lead this defense,” he said. “We’ve come a long way. We’ve got a lot of pretty good experience back. There’s more of a “want to play” mentality.

“I know one thing — I’ve been looking forward to Fairview all summer.”

The Aggies are one of six local schools — Addison, Vinemont, Good Hope, Holly Pond and West Point account for the others — Hanceville will battle in 2015.

Winfield, Oakman, Winston County and Susan Moore round out a pretty tough slate for a team looking for make its way back to the playoffs.

“These guys know we can’t get in a hole like last year,” Miller said. “We need to be better. We’re looking forward to it, too. I think coming out of a spring like we had, the coaches knew who we could depend on. Now, we are taking those guys and working with them to make them better.”

For players like Yates and Orozco, their sights are set just as high.

After all, when the dust settles, wins are what matters.

Especially to kids with dreams of going all the way.

“We won two games last year,” Yates said. “We’re going to beat that a lot this year. No doubt about it.”

Added Orozco: “I’m pretty pumped to see what these guys can do. We are ready for the season to start. I feel confident going out there on those Friday nights. Practice after practice, we’ve stayed longer and worked as hard as possible. It’s flying by. I can’t wait.”

Aug. 21 at Corner (Jamboree)

Aug. 28 vs. Fairview

Sept. 4 at Winston County*

Sept. 11 vs. Vinemont*

Sept. 18 at Addison

Sept. 25 at West Point

Oct. 2 at Winfield*

Oct. 9 vs. Oakman*

Oct. 16 at Holly Pond*

Oct. 23 vs. Susan Moore*

Oct. 30 vs. Good Hope

* Class 3A, Region 5 game

‰ Who: Danny Miller

‰ Previous positions: N/A

‰ Years at Hanceville: Entering eighth

‰ Overall record: 37-31*

‰ Region record: 26-19*

‰ Last year: 2-8, 1-5

‰ Region titles: 2

‰ Playoff appearances: 3

‰ Playoff record: 0-3

‰ Advanced past first round: 0

‰ Best season: 10-1 in 2011

‰ Worst season: 2-8 in 2014

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