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The football standards for the Albemarle Bulldogs have always been high because of the team’s many successful seasons, from the Toby Webb years to the Jack Gaster era which led to three state titles under his tutelage and two more under assistants Baxter Morris and Danny Akins.

Until last season, the Bulldogs had not won a conference title since 2012, but after overcoming an 0-4 start to the season the Bulldogs won six of the team’s last seven games en route to winning the conference title with a 14-7 victory over rival North Stanly.

Albemarle’s defense improved last season in terms of points allowed, going from 282 to 197, while the team score more points in 2023 (285, compared to 257 in 2023).

Here are five questions for head coach Richard Davis (24-44) entering his eighth season as the Bulldogs’ head coach.

1) The six wins Albemarle had last season, along with the team’s first playoff win since 2019, showed the progress of your program. As you head into your eighth season, how much higher is the bar this year for yourself, your staff and the program?

Davis: As (Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin) always says, “The standard is the standard.” The goals for this season are the same as they are every year: win the Stanly Cup, win the conference, and contend for states. The biggest thing for us this year is getting off to a much better start than last year.

2) Several important players for you last season graduated. How have other players stepped up to take over their roles?

Davis: We lost a lot of production and leadership, but we return the conference’s offensive player of the year in Ja’Zyion Geiger. He, along with previous all conference selections, Dre’ Davis QB), Vince Gregory (LB), Kaine McLendon (RB) and Willie Browne (DE), have worked hard this summer and are poised to have even bigger seasons this year.

3) Who are the most promising newcomers to the team this season?

Davis: Other players who have shown promise over the summer and during fall camp are:

Malakhi Harrison (Jr., OL)
Nate Hyland (So, WR/DB)
Shoddy Pergee (So, ATH),
Braylon Hinson (Fr., OL)
Chris Hernandez (Fr., OL)
Kenny Harper (Fr., ATH)
AJ Butler (Fr., RB/DB)

Malakhi and Shoddy became starters last year, but we’re expecting more production from both this season.

4) With the addition of Lake Norman Charter to the conference, how has the landscape of the YVC changed and how do you feel Albemarle can do in conference play?

Davis: There’s never an easy week in the YVC, but I feel good about our chances to compete for another conference title.

5) What would you consider to be a successful season for the Bulldogs?

Davis: We simply need to build off the success of last season and accomplish the goals that we failed to accomplish last year.