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The Brenham Christian Eagles have tried to put last year behind them, not attempting to wipe the 1-8 record from their memories but use it to feed their fire going into this season.
With a few key transfers and several returning players, Brenham Christian coach Dan Headley hopes the Eagles will be more like the 2005 team that finished 10-1.
"The kids brought a lot of intensity back from last year," Headley said. "It hurt to go 1-8, but I think we learned and grew from that. With the intensity, passion and togetherness from the summer, it's really propelled us into two-a-days.
"We were a young team last year. We have some experience coming back. We have a couple of kids coming back who were with us a couple of years ago. We are looking a lot stronger than we were last year."
The Eagles expect a boost from brothers Ben and Roy Dawson, who returned to the private school's 6-man football program after spending last year at Brenham High School. Their older brother Doug played quarterback for Brenham Christian in 2005 and will help coach the team this season.
Ben Dawson, a senior, will play running back on offense and linebacker on defense. Roy Dawson, a sophomore, could line up at tight end, receiver, quarterback, cornerback or linebacker.
"Ben adds a ton of speed and quickness to our team, as well as knowledge of the game," Headley said.
Brenham Christian's returning starters include junior quarterback Travis Cole.
"Travis Cole continues to grow into the quarterback position," Headley said. "He has a good arm. We're working on the shorter passes, but he's still got the arm to go vertically."
Another veteran is junior Lonnie Armstrong, a strong pass rusher on defense who will play tight end on offense. Vitaly Clee's primary role will be at cornerback, and the 5-foot-4 junior also will play some at center in the spread formation.
"Vitaly is a good little player," Headley said. "We have him patrolling the outside corner and blitzing in, and he does a good job. At center he kind of gets lost, and we can look like we're running and throw it to him."
Headley lists experience and overall numbers as team strengths. Brenham Christian had about 18 players two weeks into preseason workouts.
"We've got numbers," Headley said. "That's good in 6-man, because we can go 6-on-6 [in practice]. It's totally different practicing against somebody live instead of practicing against air."
Brenham Christian will start the season at Houston Emery Weiner on Aug. 30. The Eagles' home opener will be against Round Rock Christian on Sept. 12.
