How do you follow up an undefeated state championship season?

If you’re the Bell County Bobcats you go out and try to do it again.

Coach Dudley Hilton is rightfully proud of the tradition he’s built on Log Mountain and he says the Bobcats can feed off that as they set out defend their Class 4A state title.

“We started out trying to win a district championship, now look at how many we’ve won. We set out to win the region, now look at how many of those we’ve won. We set a goal to win a state championship, we’ve got two of them and now we’re trying to win a third,” Hilton said. “That’s Bell County football — we want to win them all.”

Bell lost 13 seniors from last year’s team and returns just four starters on offense and six on defense.

“I’m excited about having a new team. I don’t like to think that we just reload,” Hilton said. “It’s a testament to how hard we work in the off-season (getting younger players ready to contribute) and they’re trying to live up to that tradition here.

“We’ve been upbeat in practice and we ought to be after losing just one game in two years. But we’re starting off 0-0 in 2009 and these kids have got a lot of big shoes to fill.”

One reason for optimism is that several returning players have proven themselves with clutch performances in the playoffs.

Senior Matt Raines put the Bobcats in front of Knox Central in the regional championship game with a 75-yard touchdown catch and run and then sealed the 19-14 win with a late interception.

In the state semifinal junior Cody Davenport made a huge stop on a two-point conversion attempt to preserve a 17-15 win over Boyle County.

And in the state championship game it was junior John Dudley Hilton hauling in a short touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for what proved to be the winning points in a 15-13 victory over Bullitt East.

Raines and Hilton are moving from wide receiver and tight end, respectively, to running back for 2009 where they share time with sophomore Cory Davenport. Davenport missed most of last season with a broken arm.

“We lost everybody that scored touchdowns last year and we’ve got all new faces back there,” Hilton said of the backfield.

Junior Taylor Mills is slated to be the starting fullback with Josh Brown backing him up.

At quarterback junior Ben Madon takes over for the graduated Shawnta Zachery. Raines has also been taking some snaps as the back-up QB and freshman Corey Oslonian led the Bell Middle to the state championship game last season provides more depth.

“Shawnta Zachery took Kyle Nelson’s place, Nelson took so and so’s place — our kids learn to take each other’s places I guess.,” Hilton said. “Losing (Spencer) Greer, (Matt) Simpson, (Tyler) Harbin and those running backs — You know somebody had to take Shawn Robbins’ place a few years ago. We like to think that Cory Davenport, John Dudley and Matt Raines can take the running backs’ place.”

Madon has been the quarterback on the JV and freshman teams the past two seasons and Hilton has been impressed with how he’s progressed this summer.

“I’ve been surprised with Ben Madon at quarterback and where he’s at right now,” the coach said. “Now he hasn’t proven anything yet, but as far as in practice he’s making all the plays we need him to.”

Cory Davenport is the new starter at split end after seeing quite a bit of playing time out wide as a sophomore last year. He caught 10 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns in 2008.

Junior Bryan Thacker has shown some impressive speed in pre-season drills and is another option at wideout. Raines, who led all returning Bobcats with 13 catches for 305 yards and six TDs could see time wide receiver in certain packages.

Scotty Henderson and Joey Broughton are among those providing depth at receiver.

With Hilton moving from tight end to the backfield, senior Keith Lowe is making the switch from split end to tight end. Junior Justin Patterson is also pushing for playing time at the position.

With so many changes in the backfield, an offensive line that returns three starters will be a stabilizing unit for the Bell offense.

“Last year we had a lot of experience at the skill positions,” Hilton said. “This year our experience in on the offensive line.”

Senior Cody Marcum (6-2,, 261) anchors the line as a three-year starter at center. Senior Joe Collett (6-3, 234) returns at one tackle with big senior Mike Howard (6-4, 312) moving from guard to the other tackle.

Sophomore Brent Marsee (5-10, 262) and juniors Lonnie Miracle (5-7, 201) and Brandon Couch (6-1, 249) are competing for the two guard spots.

If the line can come together there’s plenty of talent among the new playmakers for the Bell offense to thrive.

“Raines has got outstanding speed and he made a lot of big plays for us last year. He’s shown a lot of leadership,:” Hilton said. “Cory Davenport got out and did some things this summer in camps and he’s put himself out there as one of the top sophomores, not just in Kentucky but anywhere.

“We’ve got a little more speed than maybe we’ve had in the past — I don’t know, maybe I don’t know how to coach speed,” Hilton joked.

He said the Bobcats aren’t planning any major changes to their scheme with all the new starters.

“We may put in a few wrinkles here and there, but with such an inexperienced team we’re not going to experiment much.,” said Hilton. “We’re going to do all the basics until we learn them and go on from there.”

On the defensive side Bell returns both starters at defensive end in Lowe and Mills.

“Taylor Mills is going on his third year starting, Keith Lowe is going his second year,” Hilton said. “Those are two pretty good bookends at defensive end.”

Inside the only returner along the line is senior Bill Lawson (6-0, 235).

“We’re going to have to depend on him to anchor things up front. He’s a special player for us,” said Hilton. “Defensive line is one position where we lost a lot from last year.”

Among those vying to replace the graduated Tyler Harbin and Robbie Slusher are Joe Collett, Cody Marcum, Justin Patterson, and Brent Marsee.

The size and power are there for this unit to become a strength for the defense.

“Marcum has been there three or four years at center and he’s also going to be a big part of our defensive line this year,” Hilton said. “He’s put in a lot of hard work this summer.”

Returning at one linebacker is John Dudley Hilton who emerged as the team’s leading tackler down the stretch last year.

Josh Brown should take the other starting spot after backing up Matt Simpson in 2008.

“Josh Brown played some there and had the big state championship game. He has definitely shown potential that he’s going to be able to fill the linebacker spot,” Hilton said. “We’re having a hard time finding a backup linebacker. (Sophomore) Eric Miller has had a heck of a pre-season so hopefully we’ll have a little bit of depth there.”

Cody Davenport and Matt Raines return as the starters at corner. and Madon saw time behind Zachery at safety last year so the secondary should be strong.

“Bryan Thacker has looked good back there, too and Oslonian could find himself playing some at safety,” said Hilton.

Bell must also replace the top kicker in school history in Monte Merrick.

Madon will handle kickoffs and punting with Cory Davenport also a possibility to punt. Hilton will take care of the field goals and extra points.

“They’re all working hard trying to fill those spots,” Hilton said.