2015 Cullman Bearcats

Cullman’s football players heard the criticism during a down year for a proud program that’s accustomed to making the playoffs.

From the community. From their classmates. Even from within their own locker room.

Now the Bearcats are looking to turn the tune back around.

Senior Justin Patterson believes they already have with a spring, summer and fall that’s “about as hard as the collegiate level.”

According to junior Dawson Drake, the work has paid off.

“We’re not going to do that again,” the latter said of going 5-5 and missing the postseason for the first time since 2004. “We let a year slip. We had a bunch of young players coming into 6A first year. It was tough. But I think we’ll get it together this year.

“It’s not going to be any easier, but I think we’ve prepared a lot better.”

Drake does have a point. Another fall in the week-in, week-out grind that is Class 6A, Region 8 won’t be any easier.

Florence and Muscle Shoals are ranked sixth and seventh in the state, respectively, and Hartselle, Austin and Decatur all earned votes. That only leaves Athens, which, like Cullman, doesn’t generally stay out of the playoff picture very long.

The ‘Cats jumped up three touchdowns on Athens before the Golden Eagles even took an offensive snap in their 2014 clash. Head coach Mark Britton, in his 15th year atop the Black and Gold, pinned such successes — and failures, too — on the team’s youth.

“When you get a few breaks and the young guys got momentum, it seemed like they couldn’t make a mistake,” he said. “But then when things got down, we never could find a way as a unit to turn things around and rally.

“Our kids are more veteran. We feel like when we face adversity, we’re going to have a different approach to it this year. That’s kind of been our focus in the offseason. Hopefully it’ll reflect in some more wins this year.”

Ross Crocker enters the season with the advantage at quarterback after starting almost every game his sophomore year. Fletcher Jennings, who’s a bit taller and also has some experience, could see snaps at the position as well.

The rest of the backfield will be completely new, with Ezra Burks and Josh Skinner set to be the Bearcats’ latest runners.

Only a freshman, Burks is already drawing comparisons to a recent Cullman back known for his power and grit between the tackles.

“He’s not quite yet Garrett Crider, but I think he could be on his way,” Drake said. “He’s just young right now. He needs to learn.”

Drake and Caden Winn are returners in the receiving corps, which now includes Reese Harbison. The latter had 900 yards and six touchdowns last season at Good Hope.

Senior Chance Wisener is moving over to center following the departure of three-year starter Daniel Hunter. Tyler Nunnelley and Justin Butts are go-tos at guard. Hunter Brannon has shifted from the defensive side to play left tackle. Andy Robinson, Trevor Crider and Kolton Oden are in the mix on the other side.

The Black and Gold’s biggest offseason switch was converting Patterson from defensive end to middle linebacker. The All-State first-teamer and All-6A Team selection in this year’s Friday Night Football Alabama magazine said the transition took some getting used to but still provides ample opportunity to wreak havoc and deliver hard hits.

“A lot more actually,” said Patterson, who had 14 sacks, 95 tackles and three forced fumbles as a junior. “Defensive end, I had to go inside a lot, and I’m not much of an inside guy. At middle linebacker, I can pretty much line up wherever I want and go.”

The secondary is where Cullman is most seasoned thanks to leaders like Ethan McMinn, Zach Glenn, Dalton Yerby and Logan Shugarts. Garret Cornelius is an old name at linebacker. A new one is Caleb Lipsey, who Britton has high expectations for after a solid JV season and backup role on varsity. The coach said Cort Chandler is versatile enough to play either linebacker or defensive end.

Brady Wix is a sight for sore eyes on the defense line following a broken hip early in the first game of 2014 that shelved him for the rest of the season. He and Wil Blaylock will dig in at nose guard with help from Gavin Ferguson.

Patterson’s swap leaves a question mark at defensive end. New Hope transfer Chase Landrum and Dale Justice — and don’t forget Chandler — appear to be the answers.

Yerby will resume punting duties. Sophomore soccer standout Isaac Rodriguez will bring a big leg to the kicking game.

Don’t get too used to the season-opening depth chart. Britton made it clear that “everything’s subject to change.”

“We don’t want ‘em too comfortable, because then we’re not getting better,” he said. “We want everybody pushing. We feel like we can do that at a lot more positions this year than we could last year.”

Before jumping into its region schedule, Cullman will seek revenge against Arab Friday at home. The Bearcats came up short 21-14 on the road in the 2014 tilt.

“I can’t wait to play them,” Drake said. “We’re going to bring it. Pack the house out, and we’ll stomp ‘em.”

Aug. 21 vs. Arab

Aug. 28 vs. Etowah

Sept. 4 OPEN

Sept. 11 at Florence*

Sept. 18 vs. Austin*

Sept. 25 vs. Fayette County

Oct. 2 at Athens*

Oct. 9 vs. Hartselle*

Oct. 16 at Decatur*

Oct. 23 vs. Muscle Shoals*

Oct. 30 at Russellville

* Class 6A, Region 8 game

‰ Who: Mark Britton

‰ Previous positions: Head coach, Fairview, 1998-2000

‰ Years at Cullman: Entering 15th

‰ Overall record: 135-65; 118-50 at Cullman

‰ Region record: 78-33; 71-27 at Cullman

‰ Last year: 5-5, 2-4

‰ Region titles: 4; 3 at Cullman

‰ Playoff appearances: 14; 12 at Cullman

‰ Playoff record: 16-14; 16-12 at Cullman

‰ Advanced past first round: 10

‰ Best season: 13-1 in 2007

‰ Worst season: 4-6 in 2000