After his first season with the Paulding County Patriots, head coach Scott Hamilton and his team will take the field with a lineup full of returning players.

Last season the Patriots only saw one win in region play, against Lithia Springs, 27-13.

Hamilton said key returners include OL Mitchell Brice, WR Chris Byrd, OL Blake Chasen, RB Thomas Cieh, DL Julio Cortez, OL Joanell Joanis, DL D’vante Moore, and RB Terry Turner.

For the 2011 season, DB Aaron Huff and RB Kwan Talley from South Paulding were named to the AAAA Region 5 South first team while three other players, Brice, Byrd and RB Carl Edouard, were named to the second team.

The Patriots have not had a winning season since 2003 when they went to the playoffs, finishing the season with a 8-3 overall record.

Hamilton said hard work and dedication will be the key factors to the Patriots’ success.

With the loss of Edouard and quarterback Trey Pittman, the Patriots seem to be light in the quarterback spot as Hamilton did not name one as a key returner.

In that case, Brice and Byrd will need to step up on the offensive side of the ball while Cortez and Moore will have to lead the defensive line and hold off opposing forces.

Head Coach: Scott Hamilton, seventh season as head coach (17-46-0), second season at Paulding County (2-8-0)

Region: 5-AAAAA

Key Returners: OL Mitchell Brice, WR Chris Byrd, OL Blake Chasen, RB Thomas Cieh, DL Julio Cortez, OL Joanell Joanis, DL D’vante Moore, RB Terry Turner

2011: 2-8 overall; sixth in south subregion of Region 5-AAAA.

2012 schedule:

Aug. 24 New Manchester

Aug. 31 at Hiram

Sept. 7 Allatoona

Sept. 14 at East Paulding

Sept. 21 at Villa Rica

Sept. 28 Lithia Springs

Oct. 5 at Rome

Oct. 12 Woodland

Oct. 26 North Paulding

Nov. 2 at South Paulding