ADDISON — Addison won’t have to wait long to find out just how good of a football team it will be this fall.

First up is none other than Pickens County, last year’s Class 1A winner and the very team that bounced the Bulldogs in the second round. The next four games won’t get any easier, with 3A Vinemont, back-to-back 2A state champion Tanner, heated-rival Falkville and 3A Hanceville serving as potential land mines leading into a much-deserved bye week.

And let’s not even talk about the second half.

Put it all together, and Addison has the fourth-toughest 2A schedule, according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society. Its opponents were 66-43 in 2013, which shakes out to a stout winning percentage only a shade less than 61.

There’d be plenty of people and programs who would run scared from merely the thought of such a stressful slate, but that’s not the way David Smothers and the Bulldogs operate. In fact, the third-year coach is excited, especially after being approached by a couple people who confessed they didn’t attend a few games against weaker region opponents last season because “it was just too boring” and “over at halftime.”

“It won’t be that way this year,” Smothers said. “We’re going to have to play till the final whistle in every game. I think that’s going to do nothing but help us.”

The Blue and Gold have done nothing but progress in Smothers’ relatively short time on campus. A playoff appearance the coach’s first fall was replaced with the program’s first playoff victory since 2010 his second time around.

But now, Addison and its football-crazed fanbase want more, specifically the small school’s first region title since 2006 and first state title — and fourth overall — since 2005.

“That’s part of the thing that makes this a special job,” Smothers said. “Yeah, expectations are high, but you can set expectations that way when you’ve got kids that believe. And these kids believe they’ve got a chance to win every game. That’s just the way it is.”

Added senior Hunter Ray, who contributes at several positions: “It’s never any different. It’s always state or bust.”

John Everett is returning for his second full season at quarterback. Technically, he’s been around for the better part of three considering all the snaps the then-sophomore took when starter Jed Cross was plagued by injuries.

Smothers said he’s seen a lot of improvement from Everett on the offensive side of the ball.

Lineman Ryan Walker agreed, citing the signal-caller’s stocky build and hard-nosed approach.

“He’s coming together as a leader of the team,” Walker said. “He’s developing as a passer. It’s the same with him as the backs — just open a hole and he’ll take off.”

Speaking of backs, Kyle Denson and Kolby Kirk will spearhead a stable of speedsters that includes Dillon Jarrett, Devin Marlin, Zeb Mayes, Brody Bailey and Ben Robinson. They’ll search for blocks behind trusty center Ronnie Willette, as well as Walker and Levi Hammack on the left side. Matthew Mann, Ryan Harris and Jakeb Romine are among the contenders for the two spots on the right.

Ray is a lock at “Z” receiver, while Austin Reed and Logan Denson, once an O-lineman, are expected to split snaps at “X.”

Franky Melson’s loss to graduation leaves Denson as Addison’s new quarterback on defense. Other starters with experience include Kirk and Ray in the secondary and Walker and Hammack on the line.

Everett, Romine, Mayes and Luke Bolinger figure to factor into the Bulldogs’ plans, which heavily involve Denson, at linebacker.

During fall camp, it was down to Mayes and Willette for placekicker. The former connected on a 37-yard field goal, while the latter was good for a 30-yarder in a 6-3 spring jamboree victory over 6A Cullman.

Ray will do most of Addison’s punting. Judd Baldwin and Kirk also have capable legs.

The Dawgs were the only team in The Times’ coverage area to crack their respective top 10 in the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s preseason poll.

But Smothers doesn’t put much stock into their No. 7 ranking. He doesn’t get caught up in hype surrounding strength of schedule, either.

All the coach knows is that Addison’s is far better than it was the last two years.

“And we’re excited about that,” Smothers said.

Aug. 22 at Pickens County

Aug. 29 vs. Vinemont

Sept. 5 vs. Tanner*

Sept. 12 at Falkville*

Sept. 19 at Hanceville

Sept. 26 BYE

Oct. 3 vs. Cold Springs*

Oct. 10 at Sumiton Christian*

Oct. 17 vs. Tarrant*

Oct. 24 at Southeastern*

Oct. 31 vs. Winston County

* Class 2A, Region 6 game

Who: David Smothers

Previous positions: N/A

Years at Addison: Entering third

Overall record: 16-5

Region record: 12-2

Last year: 9-2, 6-1

Region titles: 0

Playoff appearances: 2

Playoff record: 1-2

Advanced past first round: 1

Best season: 9-2 in 2013

Worst season: 7-3 in 201