Photos by Tommy Woo/Special to The Herald The 2006 St. Andrew's Episcopal School football coaching staff (from, left) includes Dan Roach, head coach David Bradberry and Joe Ray. ST. ANDREW'S SCHEDULE 8/25 at Yazoo County 9/1 at St. Aloysius 9/8 McLaurin 9/15 Taylorsville 9/22 at Pelahatchie 9/29 Hinds AHS* 10/6 at Loyd Star* 10/13 Wesson* 10/20 Amite County* 10/27 at St. Joseph* *District games

Thanks to a rash of key injuries and a lack of defensive consistency, the Saints struggled to a 5-6 mark and a quick exit out of the Class 2A state playoffs.

Led by a host of seniors who were key contributors as sophomores during that undefeated regular season, head coach David Bradberry says he thinks his team is ready to learn from last year and make a serious run at the state championship.

"I'm not sure we were as prepared last year as we should have been - all of us," explained Bradberry. "Hopefully, we're going to do a better job this year of getting everybody focused.

"I think the whole team has refocused a lot better."

For the Saints' opponents, their focus will certainly be on running back Bradford Blackmon. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound senior enters his final year with 76 career touchdowns, and he has an outside chance at breaking the state record of 118 career touchdowns (currently held by Dicenzo Miller, of Weir).

The 2006 St. Andrew's football team roster includes John Spann, Jerrod Myers, William Mayfield, Nash Randolph, Elliott Varney, Lee Smith, Conway Craig, Greg McMillin, Fulton Cannon, Connor Buechler, Bradford Blackmon, Lee Morrison, Robbie Leis, Galen Reeves-Darby, David Marsh, Alexander McRae, Jake Brannan, Andrew Roach, Cameron McRae, Daniel Hosler, Whit Musick, Martin Powell, William Patrick, Graham Smith, Corbett Senter, Nick Powell, Chuck Peel, Bennie Jefferson, Ryan Moon, Nathan Payne, Oliver Galicki, Davis Woodall, Jeff Lowery, John Sullivan, Michael Tauchar, Charles Woods, Trevor Hanlon and Kyle Craft.

"I want the ball; I want it in my hands," Blackmon said. "I like having the pressure on my back. But, if they key on me, we're going to hurt them many different ways."

"He knows he's got a bull's-eye on him, but it's one of those things that every Friday night if I'm an opposing coach," said Bradberry, "without a doubt I'm going to know where he is and what we've got to do to stop him."

"That's where those other people have to step up and be counted."

One of those people who Bradberry is counting on heavily is senior quarterback Conway Craig, the second-leading passer in 2A for two consecutive seasons. Craig's arm strength and athleticism are a perfect match for offensive coordinator Joe Ray's attack that features a mix of spread formations from the shotgun and an I-backfield option running game.

"We've got a real experienced offensive line that gives me time to throw," Craig said. "We've got a whole lot of wide receivers this year that can make plays. It's not just up to Bradford."

PLAYERS TO WATCH Bradford Blackmon Senior TB Blackmon has scored 76 touchdowns and more than 7,000 all-purpose yards in three years with the Saints. William Mayfield Junior WR Mayfield had eight catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns before an injury ended his season last September. Jake Brannan Senior OL "He was just an iron man for us last year playing both ways. He's very motivated and ready to go." -- St. Andrew's coach David Bradberry Conway Craig Senior QB A three-year starter at quarterback, Craig threw for 1,523 yards (95 of 181) and 15 touchdowns last year.

That talented receiving corps includes super-quick junior wide receiver William Mayfield, who was well on his way to an all-district season before a season-ending injury sidelined him last September.

The passing game also should be bolstered by the return of senior Lee Smith and junior Greg McMillan as well as two versatile junior tight ends in Trevor Hanlon and Kyle Craft.

With certainly enough offensive firepower to light up the scoreboard, the key to the Saints' season might be coordinator Dan Roach's defense, a unit that must improve from a 2005 season that saw them allow an average of more than 31 points per game.

"The team realizes that we struggled at defense last year," senior defensive end Jake Brannan said. "We've got a lot of juniors and seniors coming back who want to show people that we want to have a strong defense this year."

In addition to the return of Mayfield from injury to the defensive secondary, the Saints should also be bolstered by William Patrick, who has recovered from a nearly career-ending kidney ailment.

The senior will now be a two-way starter, playing a key role on the defensive line in addition to his duties as a center on offense.

"At first, I didn't think I was going to be able to play," Patrick said. "It means a lot. I've been working hard this off season, and I'm ready to play on both offense and defense."

The Saints open the season Friday on the road against Yazoo County.