With only three returning starters, it’s no wonder Cullman coach Mark Britton couldn’t quite recall all the names of players he expects to make defensive contributions this fall.

Justin Patterson and Ethan McMinn? Gone.

No more Brady Wix, Zach Glenn, Dalton Yerby, Logan Shugarts, Wil Blaylock, Chase Landrum or Justin Butts, either.

“That’s a lot of ballgames graduated right there,” said Britton, who’s entering his 16th season with the Bearcats. “It’s difficult, but it opens some doors for a lot of kids.”

The Black and Gold will rebuild the unit around returners Garrett Cornelius, Tyler Taunton and Caleb Lipsey. Cornelius is a third-year starter who’ll lead a linebacking corps that includes Lipsey, Riley Bradford and Trent Hulsey. Taunton will roam the secondary alongside Owen Lovell and Kasey Murphree, and Dale Justice, Will Reid, Zak Stewart and Carter Borden will be among those stepping in on the line.

Lovell brings his big body and big-hitting mentality back to the gridiron after a year away from the sport. The 6-4, 225-pound senior safety is an Alabama baseball commit and the state’s reigning Mr. Baseball.

“He’s just a good-lookin’ figure out there,” Britton said.

While McMinn and Patterson were the obvious centerpieces of last year’s D, Britton is letting nature take its course on choosing successors. He said Cullman doesn’t really have “that one guy” yet but feels Cornelius is ahead of the game when it comes to experience.

“We’re just a lot quieter on the defensive side right now,” Britton said. “Not that that’s good or bad. We’re just quieter. We’re just different. You had those seniors that played so long together and so many ballgames that you just almost thought they would always be there.”

Added Cornelius: “It’s crazy not to be lined up beside Ethan and Pa-Paw (Patterson) and all that, but we’ve got a lot of good guys that are going to start. They’re good athletes, and they know what they’re doing.”

The other side of the ball should look a lot more familiar for the Bearcats. Ross Crocker and Fletcher Jennings are back behind center (more on them later), Ezra Burks is ready for Year 2 at running back, and Dawson Drake and Caden Winn head up a receiving corps that also consists of Dylon McSwain, Carson Freeman, Dylan Wallace and others.

Seeing as Lovell led the team in receiving touchdowns the last time he played, it makes sense Britton is open to occasionally lining him up on offense as well.

Drake and incoming freshman Jayden Sullins give the Black and Gold options in the run game. Britton called Drake his “wild card guy” and an “ace up the sleeve” because of the senior’s willingness to pitch in however possible.

“I think we’ll have an explosive offense, just looking for big plays all year long,” Drake said. “We should score a lot of points, a lot of yards.”

Cullman’s offensive line looks to be a strength, with Alabama commit Hunter Brannon anchoring a unit almost exclusively made of seniors. The only one who’s younger? Tyler Nunnelley, and he’s been starting since his freshman campaign. Kolton Oden returns at right guard, and Jake Ratliff and Trevor Crider are the “new kids on the block” at center and right tackle, respectively.

Brannon (tackle) and Nunnelley (guard) will take care of business on the left side.

“I feel good about the offensive line,” Ratliff said. “We’re huge. I think we’re going to dominate. We’re going to be big and strong and be moving them down the field.”

Britton is going with a two-quarterback system to start the season, and he’s confident in both signal-callers. He lauded Crocker for his leadership and experience and gave kudos to Jennings for his performance as starter in last year’s first-round playoff game against Clay-Chalkville.

When Crocker is at quarterback, Jennings will line up at receiver, and vice versa. Britton said his third-string quarterback, Bailey Quick, is “way too good to stand on the sideline” and is being worked in on defense as well.

“To try to get our best players on the field at any one time, we’re going to have to be a little imaginative in some regards throughout the year,” Britton said.

Drake isn’t particularly concerned with who is leading the offense on any given down.

“Whatever’s going to help the team,” he said. “If Fletcher’s doing better that day, then let Fletcher play. And if Ross is doing better that day, then let Ross play. They’re both very, very good quarterbacks.”

Transfer Tristin Skinner gives the ‘Cats a definite leg up in the special teams department. Skinner will likely take over as kicker and punter, though Isaac Rodriguez is no slouch at backup after bringing his beautiful boot from the soccer pitch to the gridiron last year.

Cullman is finally out of the region of doom with perennial contenders like Muscle Shoals, Florence and Hartselle, and into a much less-imposing league with Oxford, Southside-Gadsden, Fort Payne, Albertville, Pell City and Brewer.

Britton considers Oxford, which was ranked sixth in the state’s preseason poll, the front-runner.

Drake disagrees.

“I think we should be in the top of our region this year for sure,” he said. “Probably that top spot I’m going to say.”

A region championship would be the program’s first since 2009. A postseason berth would be its second in a row and 14th in 16 seasons under Britton.

Cullman hasn’t won a playoff game in two years after winning at least one in eight straight seasons.

“I think it’s a pretty challenging schedule,” the coach said. “In this region, you can be a playoff contender with a 6-4 record probably. Hopefully we’ll, when all the dust settles, be able to get in the playoffs once again and see what we can do.”

Though no longer in the same region, Cullman will still open with Hartselle. Friday’s road matchup will serve as the 95th meeting between the rivals.

Cornelius can’t wait.

“It’s Hartselle time right now,” he said. “We’re going to come out of there with a W.”

➤ Aug. 19 at Hartselle

➤ Aug. 26 vs. North Jackson

➤ Sept. 2 at Albertville*

➤ Sept. 9 vs. Oxford*

➤ Sept. 16 at Fort Payne*

➤ Sept. 23 at Fayette County

➤ Sept. 30 vs. Pell City*

➤ Oct. 7 BYE

➤ Oct. 14 vs. Southside-Gadsden*

➤ Oct. 21 at Brewer*

➤ Oct. 28 vs. Chelsea

* Class 6A, Region 7 game

➤ Coach: Mark Britton (16th year)

➤ Record at school: 124-55

➤ Overall record: 141-70

➤ Last year: 6-5, 3-3 (Class 6A, Region 8)

➤ Key departure(s): Justin Patterson, Ethan McMinn, Brady Wix, Zach Glenn

➤ Key returners: Hunter Brannon, Dawson Drake, Garrett Cornelius

➤ Last playoff berth: 2015

➤ Last playoff win: 2013 (20-14 Moody)

➤ Stadium: Oliver Woodard Stadium