SPANISH FORT, Ala. — A lot has changed for the Spanish Fort Toros football team in the last few months, but one thing has remained constant the last few years: 5A Region 1 has been the toughest playoff filter in the state.

Three of the last five state champions in Class 5A have come out of Mobile or Baldwin County, including Spanish Fort, Vigor and St. Paul’s. And two have runner-up trophies as well in the same time-frame.

Spanish Fort High head coach Mark Freeman now has to herd the graduation-attritioned defending state champions back through that always challenging gauntlet that is Region 1. SFHS lost 19 starters to graduation, mostly on offense.

“We know what’s in front of us,” Freeman said. “It’s a tough region year in year out. We have some big shoes to fill but we have a lot of guys ready to step up and take on that challenge. These guys have heart and they believe in themselves and each other. You got to like that.”

The new Toros head coach moved north to SF in February from 5A Region 1 member Gulf Shores High to replace Bryant Vincent, now at South Alabama, so he is familiar with the region’s powerhouses that include LeFlore, Citronelle and Faith.

The move has gone smoothly, Freeman said.

“The transition is going great,” he said. “Fantastic. I know everybody has worked hard and they are ready to go out and step up into their new roles. We are coming off a great year, a great spring and summer. I couldn’t be happier with the transition.”

Some of the players Freeman will be counting on will be quarterback Joel Poe, who started four games last year, and veteran Otis Smith in the backfield.

“Joel’s experience will be a factor for us on offense and Otis is a solid back who can catch the ball and knows what to do with it,” Freeman said. “He goes all out to get a first down and knows how to protect the ball at all times.”

The Toros also have a new defensive coordinator this year in Shawn Defoor.

Some of his key and more experienced starters include defensive end DeMarco Montgomery along with punishing defensive backs like Shane English and Johnny Cook and linebacker Matt Hall behind the DL. Freeman said after a hard, hot summer of conditioning and 7-on-7 tournaments, his players are ready.

“As far as defending the title,” he added. “We know we have a target, a bullseye, on our backs but we like it.”

The Toros open the regular season on the road at Fairhope Friday and follow with their first region game at home against Gulf Shores.