Hanceville's Brandon Griggs goes through drills on Wednesday.

HANCEVILLE — Year 2 of the Craig Flanigan era is officially underway.

The Bulldogs hit the practice field this week during fall camp with only one goal in mind ahead of the 2017 season.

Making the playoffs.

Hanceville lost a couple of studs off last year’s squad — B.J. Smalls and Kaine Yates — but return more than enough to make some noise in Class 3A, Region 6 and potentially snare one of those four postseason bids that’s eluded the program since 2013.

Only time will tell.

Need that quick fix? Sneak a peek at this year’s Bulldogs below and check back for a full story, roster and team pictures in The Times’ annual football preview section on Wednesday, Aug. 23.

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2017 Hanceville At-A-Glance

Head Coach: Craig Flanigan (Second Year)

Last Year’s Record: 3-7

Key Departures: B.J. Smalls (RB/LB); Tre Martin (WR/DB); Kaine Yates (DL/TE); Luke Duffie (OL/DL); Matthew Campbell (OL/DL)

Key Returners: R.J. Evans (RB/LB); Brendan Flanigan (WR/DB); Fred Ellis (WR/DB); Romael Simmons (RB/LB); Alex Campbell (QB/DB); Owen Harper (WR/LB); Tristin Cornelius (OL/DL); Will Akin (OL/DL)

Key Newcomers: N/A

Odds and Ends: Josh Davis (defensive backs and wide receivers) and Tyler Calvert (quarterbacks and defensive backs) have joined the coaching staff … The Bulldogs open the season with a home game versus Cold Springs. Head coach Craig Flanigan garnered his first-career win — a 20-8 road victory — against the Eagles in last year’s opener. 

Coach Speak: “It’s been a little easier this year. Guys know a little more from last year, so we aren’t having to throw in a whole playbook in three weeks. The guys are a year stronger and a year more in the program. We’re excited about the personnel we’ve got.” — Craig Flanigan

Player Speak: “We’ve worked way harder this year. The mindset is different. Everybody wants to get better.” — R.J. Evans

“We’re going to get way more yards and score way more touchdowns this year I think. We’ve been working.” — Romael Simmons

“The biggest change over the summer is that we improved on our teamwork and chemistry as a team. We also have the plays down, because we’ve practiced them a lot. Where we’ve struggled before, we’ve improved on that in practice.” — Tristin Cornelius

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2017 Schedule

% Aug. 25 vs. Cold Springs^

% Sept. 1 at Addison

% Sept. 8 vs. Fultondale*

% Sept. 15 at Vinemont*^

% Sept. 22 at J.B. Pennington*

% Sept. 29 at Clements

% Oct. 6 vs. Susan Moore*

% Oct. 13 vs. Holly Pond*^

% Oct. 20 at Locust Fork*

% Oct. 27 BYE

% Nov. 3 vs. Good Hope^

*Class 3A, Region 6 Game

^Cullman County Game