DAPHNE, Ala. — Defending 6A champion or not, Daphne coach Glenn Vickery said his team plans to win the old fashioned way: One game at a time.

“We expect to go 10-0 because we expect to win every time we play,” he said. “Whenever I hear a coach say they might go 8-2, I wonder, well which two do you plan to lose?”

The Trojans took hits to several key positions, especially on the championship defense that held opponents to just over six points per game last year.

Vickery said several starters would be replaced with less experienced, but not inexperienced players.

“These are good players and they have been challenged to be great players,” he said. “They have got to step it up.”

Daphne also brought in Mark Hurt as defensive coordinator to replace Bart Sessions. Hurt is expected to use the same style of defense as Sessions who accepted the McGill-Toolen head coaching position.

Both the passing attack and secondary defense look strong as the Trojans won a national 7-on-7 passing tournament this summer.

“We’re looking forward to a great year,” Vickery said.

Leading the way on the offensive side will be Auburn commitment T.J Yeldon at running back and T.J. Fleeton, a versatile, mobile junior at quarterback.

Up front, seniors Matt Mabry, Jeremy Sparks and Nick Morgan along with juniors Robert Alexander and Ashton McQuitery will lead the way. Outside, junior Jonathan McGaster returns with the most varsity receiving experience while juniors Horace Johnson and Chris Sain have a lot of talent to bring to the position.

Defensively, senior linebacker and Alabama commitment Ryan Anderson returns with senior outside linebacker Leo Battiste to stop a lot of traffic. Behind them in the secondary will be senior Torren McGaster and juniors Trey Jenkins and Trey Rembert.

Anchoring the defensive line will be seniors Eric Lee and Willie White with junior Duquan Able.

Place kicker and punter Brandon Roberts also returns for his senior year to give the Trojans a lot of experience in the kicking game.

Daphne opens the season at home against Alma Bryant at 7 p.m. Friday in hopes of extending its 15-game win streak. The Trojans remain home for their first region battle as Baldwin County High visits Jubilee Stadium Sept. 3. The Trojans travel to Fairhope in week eight for what is one of the biggest rivalries in 6A.

The Jubilee Cup game will be featured in the Rivalry.com Series this year.