2024 might be the year of the dragon but in Baldwin County, it’s also the year of the experienced returner as nearly all 13 local football teams return multiple athletes who have already played meaningful varsity football.

Whether it’s rising sophomore quarterbacks, like Gunner Rivers at St. Michael or Judson Harris at Gulf Shores, or established veterans in the middle like linebackers Billy Neill from Bayside Academy and Corbitt Williams from Elberta, it won’t be hard for any fan to watch experienced varsity players on Friday nights.

With the countdown to kickoff ticking down, Gulf Coast Media compiled the top storylines and players to watch from across Baldwin County.

From defending state champions to the teams itching to erase their playoff droughts, Gulf Coast Media has fans covered from Bay Minette to the beach all season long. Follow @GCMSportsAL on social media for immediate updates from the sidelines and visit gulfcoastmedia.com/sports for full coverage.

Starting in the northern end, the Baldwin County Tigers will look to new head coach Andrew Davis to get back into the thick of the Class 6A Region 1 shuffle with offensive weapons the likes of Ti Mims. Davis is one of three new local head coaches but he previously served as an assistant in Bay Minette and played his high school ball at Daphne High School.

Over to the Eastern Shore, the Spanish Fort Toros are also members of the Southern Region of Death in Class 6A Region 1. This year, head coach Chase Smith will look to a group of seniors, including Sawyer Wilson, who have lived the Toro Way through and through.

Down the road in Daphne, head coach Kenny King, a former defensive lineman, said the Trojans will have the tone set in the trenches as a similarly experienced group highlighted by Marquaes Lambert will look to lead the way on a new turf field. They’ll be searching for a second-straight playoff berth.

It’s back down to Class 3A for the Bayside Academy Admirals but that won’t do much to slow down the offense led by head coach and former Auburn quarterback Barrett Trotter. A veteran bunch of defenders, including Billy Neill, will look to complement the offensive attack.

Ready to get back to their winning ways, the Fairhope Pirates have installed a new offense to try and light up the scoreboard once again with Jackson Robertson calling the signals at quarterback. They’ll be looking for a seventh trip to the playoffs in the last eight years under head coach Tim Carter.

Baldwin County’s newest varsity football team, Bayshore Christian, will be playing its first full season this year under Hall of Fame head coach Phil Lazenby. Seniors like Cyrus Dorsey understand they only get one shot at a first impression and want to make it worth their while.

Riding high off the program’s first playoff berth in its seventh varsity season, head coach Philip Rivers and the St. Michael Cardinals only added to the good vibes with a nearly unbeaten summer 7-on-7 circuit. Weapons the likes of Brody Jones are only getting warmed up for another breakout season.

Another new head coaching position was filled in Robertsdale where Cris Bell has been tasked with changing the attitude about football. Golden Bear seniors like Spencer DeAngelo are beginning to turn the tide and have raised expectations for this season.

Elberta head coach Nathan McDaniel said his squad is closing the gap to match the upgraded facilities made around Cobb Stadium. Proven leaders, including Corbitt Williams, have helped the team through an up-and-down summer and are ready to strap on the pads for real.

Only one season removed from the playoffs, the Snook Christian Eagles and head coach Keith Smith are heading up to Class 2A in the AISA but will look to leaders in the trenches like Kile Votaw to establish the nastiness and finish every block

Also looking to get back to its physical roots, Foley head coach Deric Scott thinks this group might be the one reminiscent of the old Lion squads from back in the day. Behind the blocking of Seth Hartleroad, Foley will look to be in the mix of Class 7A Region 1 by leaning on its discipline.

Gulf Shores’ reward for claiming a Class 5A state title was a step up to Class 6A to join a Region of Death where five of nine teams have won a championship in the last 10 years. But head coach Mark Hudspeth and the Dolphins will still have Kolin Wilson, a Mississippi State commit, to consistently tote the rock once again offensively.

The last stop on the trip is also the third and final new head coach to Baldwin County as Wade Waldrop has taken the reins in paradise. However, Orange Beach defensive end Austin Beck said it best when he said, “I’m just ready to hit people.”