2010 record:  0-10.

Last week’s jamboree:  The Lions defeated 41-13.  “The kids were real excited,” said head coach Scotty Smith, beginning his fifth season at Victory.  “Anytime you’re successful at something, it gives you a lot of confidence.  You have to believe you can win, or you’e certainly not going to do it.”

Friday night:  Victory visits Section for a region game.  The Lion’s first eight games are region contests.

How much bearing will Victory’s status as a 2A school have on this season?:  “We’re still the smallest school in 2A by about 50 kids, but only 11 at a time play.  Barring any injuries, we should be competitive.”

This year’s senior class:  Seven players.  “You can tell that our leadership and overall attitude seems to be better,” Smith said. “Traditionally, we field 35 to 38 players. You kind of live and learn, and one thing we’ve learned is that you’ve got to have the ones who really want to play out there on the field.  So this summer, we made it difficult enough to determine who’s tough enough to play and who really wants it.  We have fewer players now, but I think you’ll see a difference.”

What fans can expect:  “We’ll be more of a ball-control offense this year.  We’ve made some changes, and we’ll be running the option.”

Players to watch:  Quarterback Alex Nelson, running back Andrew Nelson, offensive linemen Matt Ferrell and Woody Westerfield, and junior middle linebacker Hayden Ellwood, who was the team’s second-leading tackler as a freshman before injuring his knee early last season.

Coaching staff:  Smith, head coach; Rodney Keith, receivers/secondary; Jeff Daboin, running backs/linebackers; Kinsman Barber, junior high team; Tommy Laird, junior high assistant.”

VCS Lions Schedule:

Friday         Section                         Away

Sept. 2        Ohatchee                     Home

Sept. 9        Fyffe                             Away

Sept. 16      Pleasant Valley            Home

Sept. 23      Ider                               Away

Sept. 30      Sand Rock                   Home

Oct. 7          Westbrook Christian    Away

Oct. 14        North Sand Mountain  Home

Oct. 22        Fultondale                    Away