As the 2010 Guntersville Wildcats prepare for the upcoming season, first year head coach Lance Reese is faced with the usual challenges of a young team.

Little depth and experience.

The wildcats return a total of 5 starters from last year’s team, 3 on offense and 2 on defense.

"We have several of our skills guys going both ways, but we try to keep our lineman limited to one way, "Reese said.

"What we are trying to do is focus on our self, and with so many first time starters, we are concentrating on getting better each week.

"We try to stress individual accountability; Do your job every play, trust your teammates to do theirs and good things are going to happen," Reese said of this year’s approach.

Reese said the Wildcats will continue to run a similar offense compared to years past.

"We are still going to run a spread offense," Reese stated. "We are still going to be physical and run the football."

"Overall we are looking to take advantage of what the defense gives us," Reese said of the overall offensive strategy.

Reese is confident in 3rd year starting quarterback Chris Daniel leading the offense and feels there are several play makers on the offense that can make big things happen, but he cautions that the offense relies heavily on the play of the O line.

"If those guys don’t get it going, you just cannot be success-full," Reese said. "The offensive line is the most important part of our offense."

Chris Daniel will lead the offense at quarterback. He will be backed up by his brother Clayton Daniel, a freshman.

Reese mentioned Tyrek Minson, Chris Gunther, Hamilton Burden, & Trevor Hampton as likely candidates to run the ball.

Malcom Moore, Nick McAnally, Hunter Kennamer, and Tyler Parsons are a few names expected to line up at wide receiver.

Andrew Norwood, Sam Cox, Ben Cox, Ben Lang, and Victor Olvera will be anchoring the offensive line.

As for the defense, Reese said the team will continue to do as they have always done: Try to eliminate the big plays with great pursuit to the football.

Although the defensive line has more size than years past, the Wildcats will continue to run a three man front. The versatility of some players will allow the defense to shift into a four-man front without major personnel swaps.

Trey Avery, Michael Foutch, Jake Lawson, and the Cox Brothers will man the defensive line.

Spencer Gore, Chad Helton, Michael Dahlke, Mont Kennamer, Gunther, and Minson are expected to play at the linebacker spots.

Alex Baker, Clayton Daniel, Malcom Moore, and McAnally will round out the side in the defensive backfield.

Schedule

The Wildcats 2010 schedule is tough in both the county and region.

Reese figures the county to be steep competition this year.

"Boaz is always hardnosed," Reese said. "Arab is returning a lot of starters and are big and physical. Albertville has several skill players returning and is very athletic. DAR and Douglas always play tough old school football."

The Region doesn’t get easier.

"Cherokee County is the defending 4A State Champion, "Reese said. "North Jackson is always a tough regional opponent and Fairview is always dangerous due to their big play offense. Butler is coming into our region after dropping down from 5A and Crossville is moving up to 4A from 4A."

The coaches assisting Reese this year include Chris Canady (Offensive Coordinator/QB’s/DB’s), Vaughn Maceina – (Offensive Line), Jason Jones (DB’s/RB’s), Brent Greer (OLB’s/Inside Receivers), Brandon Shelton (DB’s/Receivers), Rodney Beard (defensive Line), Richard Smith (Field Operations Coordinator), Jesse Swords (Volunteer Assistant) and Ray Looney.