In sports, success is often measured first by wins and losses. By that measurement Scott Phelps came into Robertsdale High School as a successful coach having won a state title with the 2A Leroy Bears in 2004 and finishing as state runners-up in 2005.

But after inheriting a squad that went 0-10 in 2005, Phelps’s teams at RHS have won just five games in his three seasons at the Golden Bear helm, and as a team, Robertsdale has not won a Regional game since 2004.

Phelps hopes that will change in 2009.

“We have a group of 27 seniors that have come up through my program,” Phelps said. “I believe we have instilled the necessary qualities in these kids and feel this is the year we should be successful.”

And while finishing last season with a 2-8 record, Phelps said his squad was very close to winning several more in 2008.

“We could have been 5-5 if just a single play had gone differently,” he said. “That’s what we’ve been trying to tell our team this season, that often times one play can make the difference between winning and losing. If we can make plays and not turn the ball over, then I think we will have an opportunity to be successful.”

Success offensively for the Golden Bears starts with experience in the backfield and in the trenches, Phelps said.

“We have several senior starters on offense,” he said, “along with several other players with playing experience that will give us the opportunity to win some football games.”

The Golden Bear offense will be primarily a rushing attack led by senior tailback Queinton Evans, who started six games for RHS at quarterback last season, rushing for over 600 yards.

“He will be our go-to guy,” said Phelps. “He can do a lot of things for us and brings a lot of experience to the position.”

Evans will be running behind an experienced offensive line packed with seniors, including center Scott Foreman, guards Blaze Barnett and Randy Black, and tackles Ethan Vinson and Steven Collins.

“Up front we have a number of kids that started a lot of games,” Phelps said, “and we have a lot of depth at every position. I feel like that will be our strength.”

Also seeing time up front will be sophomore center Jacob Lee, sophomore Austin McRae and junior Adam White at the guard positions, Daniel Allison and sophomores Kevin Cooper and Cody Pardue at the tackles.

And with an experienced quarterback, junior Caleb Sumrall, along with talented receivers including senior Brandon Ellis and junior Chris Wilks, Phelps hopes to provide a balanced attack offensively.

“Caleb Sumrall started our last four games at quarterback and we’re expecting good things from him this season,” Phelps said. “He’s shown the ability to make good decisions and he will be able to throw the ball enough to provide better balance overall offensively.”

Backing up Sumrall at quarterback will be sophomore Hunter Vaughn, while sophomores Bryce Conner and Aubrey Smithart will see playing time at tailback. A pair of juniors will be vying for playing time at fullback, Tyler Vaughn and Jeffrey Ryan. Juniors Chris Venice and Jarrod Mack, sophomore Forrest Hammond and freshman Sammy Tolbert will see playing time as receivers, while seniors Zach Feller and Moe Mitchell and junior Calvin Dade are working out at the tight end position for the Golden Bears.

Defensively, Robertsdale will be looking to experienced linebackers and defensive backs to provide leadership in 2009.

“We have a lot of experience at these positions,” Phelps said, “and we are looking for them to make plays during the game.”

The linebacking corps will be led by senior middle linebacker Kyle Woolley, junior outside linebacker David Orr and sophomore outside linebacker Ryan Morgan, along with senior Larry Forney, sophomore Austin Vivar, Tyler Powell and junior Lantz Carson.

In addition to his receiver duties on offense, Brandon Ellis will also provide leadership in the defensive backfield, along with senior cornerback Chet Baker, senior Dylan Welch at one safety position and junior Colby Norman at the other.

Sophomore Chase Hadley and junior Anthony Smith will see playing time at the cornerback positions, while junior Brandon Hinote and sophomore Braxton Hill will contribute at safety.

Up front defensively, the Golden Bears will be led by a bevy of seniors, including defensive ends Sid Odom and James Long and tackles Eric Laymon. Senior Eric Williams, juniors Cordero Dade and Dylan Hutto, along with sophomore Eli Davis will also see playing time at the defensive end position, while at tackle, junior Nikiel Curry and senior Travis Shambo will also contribute.

“Defensively, we have a pretty good first 11,” Phelps said, “but we can’t afford a lot of injuries. We’re going to have to have some young kids step up and fill holes when needed in order to be successful.”

A number of players will also see action on special teams, Phelps said, with Colby Norman handling both kicking and punting duties, along with backup kicker Jarrod Mack.

“Special teams will definitely provide a key to our success this season,” Phelps said. “This is an area we have definitely tried to emphasize to our players as a way to score points without actually having to run a play either offensively or defensively and we will continue to work to improve in these areas.”

With a total of 85 players suited up in the first week of fall practice, one key for the Bears is that not a lot of players will see action on both sides of the ball this season.

“Brandon Ellis and probably Queinton Evans are two players that will probably see action both ways, simply because they are both versatile players that can fill many positions when needed,” Phelps said. “But hopefully we won’t see a lot of players playing on both sides of the ball.”

Robertsdale will travel to Spanish Fort for a preseason contest on Friday before hosting Gulf Shores Friday, Aug. 28 to kickoff the 2009 campaign at J.D. Sellars Stadium in Robertsdale.

All kickoffs are set for 7 p.m.

“There’s certainly going to be a lot of excitement on both sides,” Phelps said, “and I’m looking forward for the opportunity to get the season off to a good start.”

The Golden Bears will waste no time testing the 6A Region 2 waters, hosting the Satsuma Gators in week two on Sept. 4.

“We should be pretty evenly matched with Satsuma,” Phelps said, “and our kids are excited about the opportunity for early success, especially to get our first Region win.”