"If we can't beat the teams in our own county and compete there, we aren't going to be able to compete on a statewide level."Malone said. "So those county games are real important."

Make the playoffs.

And Malone said that because of the positive foundation that former head coach Ken Adams laid in his one-year tenure with the Tigers, he thinks the team's goals this year are realistic ones.

"I don't feel like making the playoffs is a stretch," Malone said. "Coach Adams left a good foundation for us to build on."

It's a foundation of 17 returning starters, and Malone said he couldn't have hoped for a better group to start with in his first year.

"We've definitely got some experience," he said. "These guys have been through some tough times, but it's some guys with a lot of team unity."

One of the Tigers' hardest workers, according to Malone and his players, is junior fullback/linebacker Landon Curtis.

Curtis was a starter last season and one of the Tigers headline players. And despite disappointing results last season, he said this year's attitude is positive.

"From last year, our lineman have gotten much stronger," Curtis said. "Everybody has gotten bigger, stronger, faster."

Senior Duron Robinson is a wide receiver/safety who has shined in the program since he was a freshman. Also back are junior running back/safety Derrek Green and senior two-way lineman J.J. Jones.

Barnes said it looks like the Tigers are on track to make a splash this season.

"Coach Malone is always pushing us harder. We never take a step backwards, always moving forward," Barnes said.

The players say Malone has Ardmore working hard and moving forward.

"After last season, not winning, I didn't really know what to expect coming back," Curtis said. "But after this summer, I have no doubt we can make the playoffs."

Ardmore schedule, 2005 results

Sept. 1 Elkmont

Sept. 8 at East Lawrence*

Sept. 15 North Jackson*

Sept. 21 at Columbia*

Sept. 29 at West Limestone

Oct. 6 Madison County

Oct. 13 at E. Limestone*

Oct. 20 Priceville*

Oct. 27 DAR*

Nov. 3 at Clements

*-Class 4A, Region 7

at Elkmont L, 28-21

at Douglas L, 37-34

vs. Guntersville L, 38-0

at West Point L, 34-17

vs. W. Limestone L, 28-7

at Fairview L, 27-21

vs.East Limestone L, 35-12

at North Jackson L, 56-22

vs. MadisonCo. L, 31-14

vs. Clements L, 35-33

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