BAY MINETTE – When Andrew Davis looks back at the 2025 season for the Baldwin County Tigers, he doesn’t see missed opportunities, but there were a few in a 2-8 season.

“When we played Foley, we had a three-point lead until about a minute left in the game and lost the lead,” Davis said. “Theodore, we came back and made it a one-score game in the third quarter. McGill last year, we made a one-score game with three minutes left. On the verge of truly competing, but just couldn't get over the hump.”

What he does see is continuous progress on a plan he started when he took over the program in 2024 trying to revamp the Tigers, change attitudes and put in quality work.

“This place hasn't consistently won in a long time and there’s like a sense of not belonging when we step on the field against other people,” Davis said. “And what we have preached over and over again.”

Davis believes with two years of molding a new program behind him – Baldwin County was 1-9 in his first year – this could be the year his Tigers step up and win some of those games.

“What I thought about today is we have the talent and the coaching, in my opinion, to do whatever we want to do,” Davis said. “It's about making a decision to not wait for things to happen, but believe in ourselves and go make them happen.”

During those two years, Davis and staff put some young players into the fire early to start building experience heading into the 2026 season.

“This place has always had athleticism,” Davis said. “We're stronger than we've ever been in the weight room, and our football IQ is higher than it's ever been, and we're just trying to increase that.”

Davis will return seven players on offense and eight on defense, and a lot of those athletes were given experience as youngsters moving up in his system.

“Offensively, we return four offensive linemen, two starting receivers and a tight end,” Davis said. “Defensively, we return three starters up front on the defensive line, two linebackers, and then we return three DBs. We also have several players who have seen significant playing time but weren’t necessarily starters.”

On the offense, those returning at wide receiver include 6-4, 205-pound senior Ashton Cox, whom Davis says is poised for a big year.

“He’s one of the best receivers in the state, in my opinion,” Davis said. “People that play against us will know who he is. He's had a great summer, and I think he's gotten better.”

His resume shows he caught 45 balls for 800 yards last fall, and in 2026 and Davis is looking to increase his touchdown numbers.

“That's something that we've worked on with him and I think he's built a ton of confidence,” Davis said.

Fellow receiver Dallas Wells and tight end Bryson Brown round out the receiving crew.

Offensive linemen returning are B.W. Slay, right guard Lakeitheon Palmer, left tackle Dennis Dylan and center John Burt. Among those, Burt is the only junior.

Davis brings back a potentially dynamic quarterback who saw playing time in critical moments last year in junior Rayvon Johnson, whom he considers a “dual-threat guy” with a good passing arm and quick feet.

Up front defensively, Davis returns junior lineman Kam Tipton, senior nose guard Traylon Washam and end Brayden Hood. Backing the line are juniors Brayden Tindle and Eric Walker. In the secondary, seniors Noah Bowers and Romerian Mims return along with junior cornerback Jaderian Andrews.

Davis believes the work and attitude changes by these leaders have improved the team’s overall confidence and work ethic.

“It takes time to get all that in place, and it's in place now so you can truly double down and focus on the things that schematically and physically will help you win football games,” Davis said. “But I think until you get your mind right, it doesn't really matter what you do schematically and physically. So, we’re trying to get all the non-football stuff taken care of, so now you can concentrate on the football part.”

The Tigers open the season at home against B.C. Rain on Aug. 21.