Beaufort High School: At a Glance

Stadium name: Eagle Stadium

Region: 8-AAAA

Coach: Mark Clifford (fifth year as head coach)

Coach’s record: 40-14

2007 record: 12-3 (4-1 in Region 8-AAAA); Class AAAA Division II state runners-up

Coaching staff: Jerry Hatcher, David Fess, Bryan Merrick, Brook Dixon, Ron Walker, Darrell Sterling, Terrance Bennett, Johnnie Millen, Corey White, Joe Tokar, JJ Walker, Kenny Williams, Terry Thomas

Notable personnel losses from 2007: Brandon Mattis, LB; Devin Taylor, DE/TE; Adrene Byas, RB; Seth Konoza, OL; Frank Gounder, DT; Jusdon McKee, WR.

Returning starters: 11 starters (5 offense, 6 defense)

Top returning starters: Blake Gruel, QB; Michael Ginn, WR; Shane Dwyer, OL; Duane Chisolm, DL; Sam Venning, LB; Jimmy Legree, DB/WR/PR; Justin Parker, LB.

Coach’s prognosis for 2008: We must rebuild an offensive line and establish a ‘go-to’ man in the backfield. Our passing game also must continue to improve to open up the field. Our defense must not only stop the run but also slown down the passing game. If this team proves to be unselfish as the 2007 squad that made it to the Class AAAA Division II state title game, we should have a competitive team this year.

PROBABLE STARTERS

OFFENSE

QB 12 Blake Gruel Threw for 12 TDs and 1,499 yards in his first year as a starter

RB 1 Brad Gonzales Will split time with Josh McPherson

FB 27 Arthur Smith Versatile player mixes size with speed

WR 11 Michael Ginn Led Eagles with 37 catches for 618 yards last season

WR 3 Brian Simmons Will split time with Antwan Smalls

TE 57 Alex Amaya Will give extra size to young offensive line

LT 55 Karl Lyttle Youngest and smallest on line

LG 69 Shane Dwyer Only returning starter on line

C 79 Deon Fuller Biggest starter at 5-10, 245 pounds

RG 72 Zach Trent Will split time with Michael Boles

RT 60 Patrick Dennis Must fill big shoes left by Seth Konoza

DEFENSE

DL 2 Duane Chisolm Had a team-high 15 sacks in ‘07

DL 78 Derrell Garry Will split time with Dalvin Broussard

DL 99 Maurice Jacques One of two new starters on line

DL 34 Alex Wierzbicki Earned starting job midway through ‘07

LB 8 Justin Parker Intercepted 6 passes last season

LB 50 Sam Venning Recorded 107 tackles as a junior

LB 7 Trey Nichols Provides quickness on outside

LB 33 Antonio Coaxum Emerged as force late in ‘07 season

DB 5 Jimmy Legree Tied for team lead with six interceptions

DB 27 Arthur Smith Two-way starter

S 4 Bryan Jenkins Started at cornerback last season

SPECIAL TEAMS

K 14 Owen Plair Led Eagles with 44 extra points and five field goals in 2007

P 81 Tim Britton Will also compete for kicker job