ROBERTSDALE, Ala. – The Foley Lions are used to high expectations.

The Lions have reached the playoffs for eight consecutive years and averaged more than eight wins per season over the same period under the direction of head coach Todd Watson. Foley finished with an 8-4 record and fell to Spain Park in the second round of the 6A playoffs last season.

“The expectations are always the same and our job is to be the best we can be,” Watson said. “8-4 is pretty good but we want to be better than that. We can win by being good players, a good team and good people. We have that streak of being in the playoffs and that’s what our expectations are. To get there and then to make a run once we get there.”

Consistency is something Watson hopes to get more of from his players this season.

“There were times last season when we didn’t play all four quarters,” Watson said. “The matter of consistency is something that we need to get a handle on. That comes from work ethic and being able to stay focused throughout a full season.”

Senior defensive lineman Shawn Sanks echoed Watson’s sentiment.

“We could have been more consistent in finishing games last season,” Sanks said. “Our common goal this year has to be that every game should be played like it is a championship game.”

Foley will start either sophomore newcomer Brax Garrett or last season’s JV starter Tyler Cameron at quarterback. Watson said Cameron had gotten most of the reps this summer while Garrett was away playing summer baseball in the East Cobb (Ga.) league.

Whether Foley’s quarterback is Cameron or Garrett the Lions have a pair of dangerous pass catchers in Demarcus Bingham and Valontai Adams to help the first-year starter.

“We want to play hard every game,” Bingham said. “We’ve been training hard and hitting the weight room hard to get ready.”

The Lions will host Gulf Shores in a preseason jamboree on Aug. 23 and visit Alma Bryant to open the regular season on Aug. 30.