Cullman Bearcats

Cullman is locked and loaded for another season on the gridiron.

The expectations are high, the roster is experienced, and the potential is endless.

Though the Bearcats have made the playoffs 14 times and won 16 postseason outings in head coach Mark Britton’s 16-year tenure, they’ve got their sights set on something much greater, especially with 31 seniors suiting up for one final campaign.

Sure, the Black and Gold lost such stars as Owen Lovell, Caden Winn, Ross Crocker, Tyler Taunton, Dawson Drake, Tristin Skinner, Hunter Brannon, Garrett Cornelius, Trevor Crider, Jake Ratliff and Kolton Oden from last year’s squad.

However, they return numerous standouts who boast a wealth of playing time and are expected to be big-time contributors this season.

Like the coach himself and ribeye steak, these Bearcats are properly seasoned.

“We’re definitely a veteran squad,” Britton said. “We’ve got some lofty goals. They know that, and they’ve been working hard. We have a lot of parts that we feel can come together as pieces of the puzzle. We expect to make the playoffs and do all these things. I like our chemistry, and I like our work ethic. This team has potential to be a really good one. A playoff contender, no doubt. We don’t have many superstars on the roster, but we have a lot of energy and a lot of super guys. Our No. 1 objective is getting more wins.”

Cullman had no trouble lighting up the scoreboard last season, recording 346 points — its most since 2012.

Fletcher Jennings (quarterback), Ezra Burks (running back) and Jayden Sullins (running back) comprise one of the best backfields in Class 6A, Region 7 for a second straight fall.

Add in Carson Freeman, Reese Harbison, Hayden Henderson, Dylan Finch and Brannon Calvert at wide receiver, and it’s easy to see how Jennings heads into Friday’s opener against Hartselle with all the confidence in the world.

“It’s pretty exciting,” the senior said. “We’ve got a lot of weapons coming back, and we’ve been working all summer to be even better. We’ll have the talent, but it’s up to us to be how good we want to be. We’re our only enemy.”

Britton likes what he see as well.

“We definitely want to get the ball into the hands of those guys,” he said. “We’ve got some speed on the perimeter, too. Having the veteran quarterback we do provides stability for us. I really hope it turns into some wins.”

While the Black and Gold have no shortage of skill players, they will need to replace a handful of starters on the offensive line.

Senior Tyler Nunnelley, who committed to Eastern Kentucky during the summer, is the lone returning starter to perhaps the most important unit on the field. Carter Borden, Jordan Ray, Garrett Crider, Rutland Turner, Jonathan Peyton and Ben Turner are a few athletes who could also get looks at certain positions inside the trenches.

Though short on in-game experience, Britton is confident the work put in during the offseason will pay dividends on Friday night.

“We did a lot over the summer,” he said. “Blocking assignments, especially. We feel like they know all of those now. We don’t feel like they are newcomers. It was really important for us to get those things done.”

By any measurement, last season was a disappointment defensively for Cullman.

The Bearcats surrendered the most points under Britton (346) and allowed 24 or more points in seven games.

While leading tacklers Lovell (All-State) and Cornelius will surely be missed, defensive lineman Zak Stewart isn’t conceding another tough go-round on that side of the ball.

No way, no how.

“That’s all we’ve done since the season ended,” Stewart said. “We’ve just thought about people talking about the defense. We’ve heard of everything. But our defensive line has gotten better, and we’re going to prove ourselves as a team. We’re going to be all right.”

Collier Hulsey and Dale Justice will join Stewart up front, while Tucker Heaton, Jacob White, Seth Gable, Josh Skinner, Peyton Colvard and Carson Jones can all deliver quality snaps at linebacker. Dylon Wallace, Kasey Murphree, Jaron Potter and Shane Cecil are a few kids who could shine in the secondary.

At the end of the day, Britton is hoping for a more cohesive unit.

“For us, we only had two really good tacklers last season in Owen and Garrett,” he said. “The difference this year is that more people will be involved with that. We put some guys in some bad spots last year. I think you’ll see some better tackling and hopefully fewer points after our games are over.”

The first test for Cullman comes against rival Hartselle inside Oliver Woodard Stadium.

The Bearcats have lost the last three in the longstanding series but are looking to buck that trend with a dominant performance on the gridiron.

“That’s the biggest game we will play all year,” Stewart said. “It’s what we play for. We’re going to get it. As far as the season goes, I think we’ll be able to go as far as we want to. The chemistry is the best I’ve been a part of in four seasons. We’re clicking on all cylinders, and I believe the sky is the limit.”