Gather around the Evans Knights and hear them talk about last year's splendid season.

Actually, don't waste your time. They're not going to say much. Certainly not that the school finished second in the region, won a playoff game for the first time since 2000, and earned its highest win total in a dozen years.

"We lost three times," said senior Reuben Faloughi, stone-faced. "We weren't focused."

Evans, a program that has averaged barely four wins a season during this decade, can afford to talk like this, because the Knights seem to think they can only do better this time around. They may be right, considering Evans is the largest school in the new Region 3-AAAA, is scheduled to face just one 2007 playoff team (Cross Creek), and returns nearly two-thirds of its starters.

"But we are not underestimating this region," said coach Marty Jackson, whose team will play seven Richmond County schools in addition to its three Columbia County rivals. "A lot of people, fans, think it's going to be easier. Well, I've seen the speed in this region, and the speed is excellent."

If Jackson has any fears, they rest primarily in the passing game. Kevin Millward, a three-year starter, graduated. So did three receivers who totaled more than 1,400 yards between them.

Troy Griffith, who moved to Evans from San Antonio a year ago, will start at quarterback. Griffith played on the junior varsity and ran the scout team last season, gaining some experience against the Knights' first-string defense.

Junior Jonathan Finch, who ran for 246 yards in his final three games for a strong 2007 finish, will be working behind a line that returns four starters.

Jackson likes his secondary and pass-rushing defensive linemen. Ends Nigel Charles (6-2, 240) and Faloughi (6-4, 220) are capable of charging into the backfield or dropping into coverage.

Brandon McCladdie and Perron Jones return in the secondary, which should be able to run with most of the teams Jackson is worried about.

What he won't have to worry about against this schedule is patience-testing road trips. Evans' longest trip for a game is about a 20-mile jaunt to the other side of Augusta to play Cross Creek.

Sure beats last year. One time, Jackson got home from a game in the Brunswick area at 5 a.m.