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"We have an awful lot of experience coming back for us this year,"Coach Hebden said. "15 returning seniors will be leading our varsity team, and they're hungry for a playoff spot and of course, that Ski-Valley championship."

Last season was looking up for the Eagles as they started the season off 3 and 1, beating a state-ranked Brethren team at home. But close losses to Onaway, Jo'Burg-Lewiston, Central Lake, and Gaylord St. Mary's left the Eagles at 4 and 4 going in to the final week of the regular season against Mancelona. Mancelona proved to be too much for the Eagles as they took the game 26-6 stopping Bellaire's playoff hopes right in their tracks.

Bellaire will once again be running the Wing-T offense. This season, however, the Eagles may have a few tricks up their sleeves. "We've modified our offense a little bit,"Coach Hebden explained. "We're going to be utilizing our speed more than we have in the past. This season we're really going to have to elevate our game in order to be successful. We don't have as much size as we've had in the past so we're going to need to play at a higher level and really use our speed on offense and defense."

With Ski-Valley powerhouses like Central Lake and Gaylord St. Mary's losing many key players to graduation, the conference title race should be a tight one, as Bellaire needs to stay competitive to have a shot at the title. "These guys have set a lot of goals this season and a Ski-Valley championship is definitely at the top of the list. These guys have been working hard in the off-season at camps and scrimmages as well as in the weight room."

Area 7-on-7 scrimmages gave Coach Hebden a feel for how his skill positions will look in the upcoming season. "I think we have a few all-state caliber athletes on this team,"Hebden said. "We were very successful at the 7-on-7 scrimmages, and I'm hoping to see that same success on the field this year as far as our rushing and receiving."

Returning to the Eagle backfield to lead the rushing attack this season will be junior Sean Payne and seniors Chris Bueby and Jared Rames, with seniors Dakota Jones and Ian Holt at full back. Coach Hebden's nephew Ryan Hebden will return as quarterback with seniors Brad Guy and Chris Dewey leading the receiving core.

"I really think we're going to be successful,"Hebden stated. "There's going to be a lot of good games in the Ski-Valley this year, and we just need to take one week at a time. We can't look past anyone this season, there's going to be a lot of competition this year from everyone in the conference. I'm looking forward to good, competitive, successful season."