ROBERTSDALE, Ala. – The Gulf Shores Dolphins hope to turn the bad feelings from last year’s 4-6 campaign into a successful 2013 season.

Half of the Dolphins’ six losses were by a touchdown or less, and all of them came against 5A, Region 1 opponents. Losses against Williamson (16-9), LeFlore (34-31) and Faith Academy (42-38) kept the Dolphins out of the playoffs.

“I think the hardest part of those losses was the bus ride home,” senior defensive lineman Lenzy Reese said Monday at Baldwin high school football media day. “It’s hard to take when you have to ride home and think about how close you were to the playoffs. That’s what drives us this year.”

Gulf Shores head coach Ben Blackmon will have eight returning starters on defense and six on offense, including senior center Lee Michael McVay.

“Lee Michael is the brains of our offensive line,” Blackmon said. “He makes all the calls for us and can play just about anywhere along the line. He started at center last year and tackle the year before.”

“We have so many more seniors this year that saw what it was like to lose so many close games,” McVay said of last year’s losses. “This year we have experience in knowing how to close those games out. “

McVay is one of four seniors on the Gulf Shores offensive line this season.

“We have a lot of experience,” McVay said. “It is probably the smallest group I’ve been around here, but it is also the smartest, fastest and most disciplined one.”

Senior strong safety Parker Mason, who played quarterback and safety last season, returns for the Dolphins.

“Parker is a special athlete,” Blackmon said. “He is a kid who every coach would want on their team. He can play any skill position, he can play anywhere. We are going to utilize him as much as we can to get him involved in the game.”

Mason doesn’t care where he plays as long as he is on the field.

“I will play whatever position (Blackmon) needs me to play,” Mason said. “I like playing safety, also like quarterback. I just like to be around the ball.

“I’ve been part of this team for four years and this year we’ve been closer than we have before. We’ve become a real team. Younger guys are stepping up. I think with some senior help we can get them all ready to close out games.”

Gulf Shores will visit Foley for a pre-season jamboree Aug. 23 and opens on the road at Satsuma on Aug. 30.