With a new head coach, the Baldwin County Tigers are looking to claw their way back into the thick of the Class 6A Region 1 playoff picture by building on the energy created so far in the weight room.

Andrew Davis, a Daphne alum and former assistant coach at BCHS, took the reins in February but noted the largest visible step taken had been seen through the dog days of summer.

“Great job by the kids in the weight room, we’ve probably seen the biggest improvement in the weight room, not necessarily in speed but with adding good football weight as well as strength and functional movement and things like that,” Davis said at Gulf Coast Media Day. “And then this summer, things have really turned up a notch as far as mixing our weight room with what we’re doing on the field as well so that’s been a real pleasure to be around the kids, they’ve been consistent.”

Led by a mix of quiet and loud leaders like linebacker Keller Coston and defensive lineman Elisha Jones III, Davis said this year’s Tiger squad will look to its seniors to lead the way.

“Relentless effort. Keller is probably one of the fastest kids we have as well as probably pound-for-pound the strongest kid we have,” Davis said. “He’s a silent leader and to me, having a good team, you have a mix of silent leaders who just do what they do and they’re consistent every day and then guys that maybe talk a little bit more like this other one here (gestures toward Jones).”

Not only are they leaders off the field, but the head coach said the pair will also set the tone on the field for Baldwin County’s defensive unit.

“Both of them play their positions with a speed that’s not normal and they’re both violent,” Davis said. “And that’s what we need on defense, we’re going to be a violent defense that plays fast.”

Both Coston and Jones noted that Davis and the new coaching staff have similarly set a tone that it is a new era of Tiger football.

“It’s just different, the vibe is different and everything,” Coston said of the offseason’s feel. “Everyone is more determined to get better and more disciplined, everything’s better.”

“You’ve got to want it, have to be ready at all times,” Jones said of what he’s learned from the new staff so far. “Sometimes it’s going to be rough, but you have to push through.”

They also talked about some of their teammates that will help them pursue their goals, including guys from their position groups like linebackers Jeff Moorer and Malachi Stevens as well as defensive end Aiden Owens. Keshaun Washington and Ty French will be some of the defensive backs looked upon while Tre French and Ti Mims will be some of the pass catchers as wide receivers.

Davis mentioned the senior-laden offensive line that includes the likes of Devin Jones, Anthony Evans, Willie Walker and Martez Taylor. Luke England, listed at 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds, is just the icing on the cake.

Their work is cut out for them in one of the strongest regions in the state where five of nine teams have won a state championship game since 2010.

Davis said the barometer for a successful season at Baldwin County will look different as the year goes on but the real answer will come down the road.

“It will be on a week-to-week basis but looking back on it at the end, have we made an impact on these kids in how they deal with adversity,” Davis posed. “Our mission statement at our high school is about persevering and becoming solid members in life so can we have every kid graduate; can we get them enrolled in a four-year school or can we get them into a program where they’re learning a trade? That will be a big part of how we measure the year, but also we’d like to win a couple football games.”

Check out the Tigers' full interview as part of the third-annual Gulf Coast Media Day here.