Cullman’s Fletcher Jennings looks in a snap during the Black and Gold’s practice Monday morning.

Early morning rain couldn’t dampen the excitement coursing through Cullman’s football program.

Not even a little.

The Bearcats opened fall camp bright and early on Monday, taking part in various drills with nothing on their minds but an unrelenting desire to improve each and every day before their Aug. 25 opener against Hartselle.

Cullman enters the 2017 season hoping to better last year’s third-place finish in Class 6A, Region 7.

For the Black and Gold to accomplish that goal, they’ll need to rely on several familiar faces and a few new bodies to traverse through a particularly difficult schedule, which includes seven teams that made the postseason last November.

Need that quick fix? Sneak a peek at this year’s Bearcats 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 Cullman Bearcats At-A-Glance

Head Coach: Mark Britton (17th Year)

Last Year’s Record: 6-5

Key Departures: Owen Lovell (S); Caden Winn (WR); Trent Hulsey (LB); Caleb Lipsey (LB); Tyler Taunton (DB); Ross Crocker (QB/WR); Tristin Skinner (K/P); Dawson Drake (WR/RB); Garrett Cornelius (LB); Hunter Brannon (OL); Trevor Crider (OL); Jake Ratliff (OL); Kolton Oden (OL); Austin Elrod (DL)

Key Returners: Fletcher Jennings (QB); Ezra Burks (RB); Jayden Sullins (RB); Carson Freeman (WR); Tyler Nunnelley (OL); Carter Borden (OL); Jordan Ray (OL); Josh Skinner (LB); Jacob White (LB); Tucker Heaton (LB); Zak Stewart (DL); Collier Hulsey (DL); Dale Justice (DL); Seth Gable (LB); Peyton Colvard (DB); Jaron Potter (DB); Dylon McSwain (WR); Dylon Wallace (DB); Kasey Murphree (DB); Reese Harbison (WR); Isaac Rodriguez (K)

Key Newcomers: Hayden Henderson (WR); Dylan Finch (WR); Brannon Calvert (WR/CB); Miguel Tizapa (K); Carson Jones (LB); Luke Andrews (K)

Odds and Ends: Hayden Henderson (baseball), Dylan Finch (basketball), Miguel Tizapa (soccer) and Luke Andrews (soccer) could all play significant roles for the Bearcats this season. The former pair will take the field as wide receivers, while the latter tandem will help in the kicking game … Mark Stephens and Austin Mansell have joined the coaching staff as defensive assistants … Mark Britton is just three wins shy of 150 for his coaching career.

Coach Speak: “Everybody’s excited to get started. We had a little bit of a delay with the weather, but sometimes it rains on Christmas Day. You still get a bicycle, though, and we’re glad fall is here. All the kids showed up, and we’re ready to go.” — Mark Britton

Player Speak: “It’s great to be out here again with my buddies. We’re going full speed. Our first game can’t get here fast enough for me. Our attitudes are great. Everybody wants to be out here and get better. I feel good about our team.” — Tyler Nunnelley

“Our first game against Hartselle is very important to us. We’re fired up about it. We want to have a good game in front of everybody. We’ve just got to go out there and make it happen.” — Fletcher Jennings

“It’s been a long summer, but we’ve been working hard. We’re going to see how good we really are in two weeks.” — Zak Stewart

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2017 Schedule

% Aug. 25 vs. Hartselle

% Sept. 1 at North Jackson

% Sept. 8 vs. Albertville*

% Sept. 15 at Oxford*

% Sept. 22 vs. Fort Payne*

% Sept. 29 vs. Fayette County

% Oct. 6 at Pell City*

% Oct. 13 BYE

% Oct. 20 at Southside-Gadsden*

% Oct. 27 vs. Brewer*

% Nov. 3 at Chelsea

*Class 6A, Region 7 Game