This season, the Wildcats will again have spots to fill. But, the coaching staff has worked hard in the off-season to bring in a crop of impact players. It will be a tough start to the 2009 season with the Wildcats' first four games on the road and against two highly ranked opponents. The Wildcats will log close to 5,500 miles on the road for their six away games. Bethel will be tested right away in 2009 with a first ever meeting with #17 Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Ill. The Cougars finished 7-4 last season missing out of the playoffs for the first time in three years. The second game of the season will be another long road trip to Wisconsin - Eau Claire who is receiving votes in the NCAA D-III poll. Bethel fell to WEC 11-6 last season. After a week off, Bethel travels to Williamsburg, Ky. to face #6 The University of the Cumberlands. The Patriots qualified for the NAIA playoffs last year after winning the Mid-South Conference Eastern Division. Last season the Patriots came away with a hard fought 22-20 win over the ‘Cats in McKenzie. Bethel will continue the road journey to their fourth state in four games to open conference divisional play against Belhaven College in Jackson, Miss. After five weeks of play, the Wildcats come home for the first time as they host #RV Cumberland University (Tenn.) in another divisional match-up. Last season, Bethel came up on the short end of a 44-16 defeat by the Bulldogs. The following week, the ‘Cats will welcome Pikeville College (Ky.). Last year the Wildcats defeated the Bears 44-10 at Pikeville. Back to the road as Bethel plays a cross-divisional game against West Virginia Tech in Montgomery, W.V. The Wildcats defeated the Golden Bears 56-19 last year at home. Then #14 Lambuth University will visit McKenzie, Tenn. for Bethel's 2009 Homecoming. The Eagles took the rivalry game last season 46-38. The Wildcats will entertain first year conference member Kentucky Christian University in their ninth game of the season. Bethel's final home game of the season will be against Faulkner University. Last year the Wildcats defeated the Eagles on the road 38-6. The ‘Cats will close out the season in Rome, Ga. against the #11 Shorter College Hawks. Shorter qualified for the NAIA playoffs last season with a 7-0 victory over the Wildcats.

Offense

The coaching staff knows that the Wildcats are very young on the offensive side of the ball but are very optimistic of their abilities. Bethel should have more playmaking ability as the young players gain comfort with the offensive plan.

Offensive Line

Senior Hunter Flippo, 6-4, 344 (Florence, Ala.) will lead a group of very talented Red-Shirt Freshmen to lead a potent rushing attack; Patrick Nolan, 6-6, 310 (Albertville, Ala.), D.J.Delk, 5-11, 282 (Brownsville, Tenn.), Lucas Dill, 6-3, 280 (Huntingdon, Tenn.) and Caleb Cox, 6-4, 320 (Humboldt, Tenn.).

Quarterbacks

Red Shirt Sophomore Cory Millikan, 6-3, 200 (Bedford, Ind.) will take over as the signal caller this season. Battles were ongoing for the backup position with five looking to make their impression during fall practice.

Running Backs

Junior, Josh Boyd, 5-8, 208 (Camden, Tenn.) who is 5th all-time in the state of Tennessee, rushing returns healthy and will lead the backfield. Cordarious Mann, 5-5, 159 (Jackson, Tenn./Jackson Northside) is an explosive back and will see plenty of touches. Josh Pirtle, 6-1, 225 (Bolivar, Tenn.) is a big power back. Demario Carter, 5-8, 180 (Memphis, Tenn.) is a game changer and should see some action. Jacob Maynard, 5-10, 180 (Lebanon, Tenn.) along with Vincent Way (Miami, Fla.) will also see some play time.

Alex Matlock, 6-4, 271 (Bruceton, Tenn.) a former Mr. Football winner in the state of Tennessee, will be the leader at fullback. Jacob Fussell, 5-10, 217 (McKenzie, Tenn.) will see plenty of action with Bradley Gordon, 5-11, 219 (Lexington, Tenn.) and Nathan Funk, 5-11, 208 (Millport, Ala.). University of West Georgia transfer Nick Popiel, 6-2, 215 (Peachtree City, Ga.) will add some much needed experience to the backfield.

Wide Receivers

John Graham, 5-8, 173 (Union City, Tenn.) and Byron Boyd, 5-9, 178 (Camden, Tenn.) will be the leaders of a talented receiving corps. Justin Rogers, 6-0, 160, (McKenzie, Tenn.) a transfer from Murray State University, is a very good route runner with speed and playmaking ability. Jahron Reynolds, 5-7, 136 (Chattanooga, Tenn.) is very fast and should have an impact also returning punts. Lavednor Jeffreys, 6-0, 178 (Hillsboro, Tenn.) looks to break into the starting lineup and has big play potential after making the most of a red shirt season.

Defense

Defensive Line

The interior of the defensive line should benefit with a good rotation of talented big men. The combination of juniors Jonathan Hathaway, 6-1, 320 (Nashville, Tenn.) and Michael Jasper, 6-5, 400 (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) should be one of the best tandems in the nation. The incoming freshman show promise and appear to be ready to start making immediate contributions. Stacye Whipple, 6-1, 192 (Fort Campbell, Ky.) is one freshman that has excelled in the fall practices.

Linebackers

The Inside Linebacker core returns a trio of backers with starting experience. The group is led by Wade Vandergriff, 6-0, 213 (Ripley, Tenn.), a 2008 Mid-South Conference All-Conference Selection and 20 plus game starter. Chris Sipes, 6-2, 213 (Jackson, Tenn.) and Alex Hayes, 5-11, 218 (Jackson, Tenn.), both with starting experience will also help lead the group. Depth could be provided by three red shirt freshmen, Chase Horton, 5-10, 218 (Camden, Tenn.), Tyler Reeder, 6-0, 205 (McKenzie, Tenn.), and Dominic Harris, 5-9, 226 (Nashville, Tenn.), but true freshman Sam Cage, 5-11, 207 (Memphis, Tenn.) is also using fall camp as his way to make a push to get on the field early. The group is a great mix of returners and newcomers but expect everyone listed to try to make a contribution to the Wildcats in 2009.

The Outside Linebacker's are anchored by three seniors; James Barham, 6-4, 230 (Milan, Tenn.), Sean McCormick, 6-3, 256 (Parsons, Tenn.) and Desmond Zollicoffer, 6-2, 245 (Camden, Tenn.). Other key contributors will be Markese Osborne, 6-0, 231 (Nashville, Tenn.), Matt Scott, 6-3, 230 (Henry, Tenn.) and Marvin Hughes, 5-11, 231, (Nashville, Tenn.).

Secondary

The strength of the secondary lies in its depth. The starting corners will be B.J. Banks, 6-2, 210 (Social Circle, Ga.) and Steve Small, 6-0, 207 (Franklin, La.). Backing them up will be Phillip Collier, 5-8, 160 (Baton Rouge, La.), Dominique Davis, 6-0, 204 (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Chris Springer, 5-11, 176 (Memphis, Tenn.). Starting Strong Safety is Chancey DePriest, 6-0, 183 (Trezevant, Tenn.) with Chris Hatch, 5-8, 203 (Jackson, Tenn.) and Aaron West, 5-2, 190 (Memphis, Tenn.) providing depth. Antonio Wardlow, 6-0, 183 (Winston-Salem, NC) will be the starting Free Safety with Randall Williams, 6-1, 213 (Dresden, Tenn.) and Phillip Collier backing up. The secondary has four seniors that will be asked to provide leadership this season.