Cullman’s Holden Atchison participates in a tackling drill during fall camp earlier this week.

The Matt Plunkett era is officially underway at Cullman.

The Bearcats kicked off fall camp this week under a new regime ready to tackle the upcoming season with a brand-new attitude and an unmatched determination.

Cullman, which has secure a spot in the playoffs 17 times in the past 20 years, is looking to pick up its first region championship since 2009.

In order to accomplish their goals, the Bearcats will have to navigate a treacherous Region 7, which includes other Class 6A programs in Athens, Columbia, Decatur, Hartselle and Muscle Shoals.

Need a quick football fix? Then sneak a peek at this year’s Bearcats below and check back for a full story, roster and pictures in the 2018 Football Preview Magazine, which is due out Wednesday, Aug. 22.

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2018 Cullman At-A-Glance

% Head Coach: Matt Plunkett

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% Last Year’s Record: 7-4

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% Key Departures: Fletcher Jennings, Josh Skinner, Carson Freeman, Tyler Nunnelley, Zak Stewart, Carson Jones, Dale Justice, Shane Cecil

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% Key Returners: Jayden Sullins, Ezra Burks, Riley Bradford, Seth Gable, Peyton Colvard, Carter Borden, Jordan Ray, Dylon Wallace

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% Fun Fact: The Bearcats brought in David Hannah to be their new offensive line coach. Hannah played at Alabama in the 1970s, where he was a Freshman All-American. His brother, John, was a two-time All-American at Alabama and went on to play 13 seasons with the New England Patriots.

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% Coach Speak: “Fall camp has been a learning experience for our team thus far. We are building leaders and learning how to practice correctly so we can become the best team possible. I’m proud of our players and coaches. We are working hard. We are working to establish our team’s purpose in 2018. Being unified and having one heartbeat is very important for this team to have success and reach our maximum potential.” — Matt Plunkett

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% Player Speak:  “It’s great. It couldn’t be any better out here with coach Plunkett. I’m really looking forward to that first game. I just want everybody to get serious about it and buy in, because that’s all it’s going to take. I feel like we’re pretty close. We’ve got a good month to get ready.” — Ezra Burks

“The attitude is to use every day as a stepping stone. Starting with Jasper and building to a championship. It’s just really exciting. We’re ready to continue our rivalry with Jasper and start off on a good note this year.” — Carter Borden

“In my opinion, the mentality here has been everybody is thinking we’ve got a new coach and 11 seniors, so we aren’t going to be that good. Our mindset is that we’re going to shock the nation, we’re going to go all the way, we’re going to win a lot of games this year. That’s what’s been pushing us the whole way through in the weight room getting stronger and out here with our

conditioning. It’s keeping us going … how we’re going to prove all those people wrong this season.” — Jordan Ray