LOXLEY, Ala. — Bayside Academy coach Phil Lazenby said his team may be looking at “a first,” this season for the 10-year-old varsity program: a platoon system.

“Because we’ve had such a good turout, it looks like we will be able to field 11 starters on offense and 11 on defense with very few, I mean very, very few going both ways. That’s never happened before,” he said. “That will mean a lot down the road, late in the season.”

Lazenby said in spite of getting “waxed” in the third round by a larger, “superior” Leeds team, the Admirals went deeper than ever into the state playoffs and just got hungry for more.

“We know we have a lot of work to do. We have no excuses. We have been there and we know what to do.”

Bayside begins the season at Millry on Aug. 26.

Fairhope returns players on both sides of the ball

Fairhope High coach David Faulkner has high hopes and should with a talented group that has a number of college prospects on both sides of the ball.

“Experience is always a plus.” Faulkner said. “I think we’ll score points and move the football, but at the end of the day we have to play championship defense. We talk a lot about effort and execution. You can have all the effort in the world, but you still have to execute to accomplish the kind of goals we have set for ourselves and challenge ourselves to play up to the standards we expect as well.”

Golden Bears return nine on offense

The Robertsdale Golden Bears return nine offensive starters from last year’s squad that finished 4-6 in Class 6A.

Head coach Scott Phelps, who said his team is a “spread football team that wants to run the ball,” is excited about the offensive players he has back this season.

“We have the most skilled players returning since probably the 2004 team,” he said.

Quarterback Hunter Vaughn, who started several games last season, will have experienced wide receiver Matt Maddox and running back Sammy Tolbert to help out on offense.

“I’m excited to start the season fresh,” Vaughn said. “Last season I came in halfway. This year it is my turn to start. Can’t wait to start the season with a battle against Gulf Shores.”

Phelps said his team’s offense should be able to score points and that the keys to the Bears’ success will be on defense and in the turnover game.

The Bears host Gulf Shores on Aug. 25 to start the season.

Bayside coach speaks highly off Gulf Shores wide receiver

Bayside Academy head coach Phil Lazenby had some kind things to say about Gulf Shores wide receiver Chris Tilley at media day last week.

Lazenby was talking about his team’s size disadvantage against larger teams in Class 3A and pointed to Tilley as an example of what good players can do regardless of size.

“I think (he) is one of the premiere receivers in the state,” Lazenby said. “Tilley is an example of what hard work and dedication can do for you.”

Tilley, who is listed as 5-foot-9, 151-pounds on the Gulf Shores football web site, had 81 catches for 942 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.