While every high school team possesses preseason optimism, Hephzibah oozes it.

The Rebels have many reasons to be excited. They open their new stadium Friday against Butler; they're entering a new region this season; and they have 14 starters returning from last year's 4-6 squad.

"We have that mind-set that we're better this year," senior quarterback Connell Reddick said. "We need to put it all together and have that winning season."

Hephzibah is seeking its first winning season under fourth-year head coach John Bowen. The Rebels won only three games his first two seasons before last year.

Bowen pointed out that the Rebels were close to winning six to seven games last year, dropping close contests to Cross Creek and Liberty County. The most disappointing loss, he said, came against Thomson.

Hephzibah held the Bulldogs scoreless in the first half and opened the second half with a touchdown. But Thomson dominated the final quarter-and-a-half for a 27-6 win.

"We've got to play every game all out," senior linebacker Demetrious Washington said, "so we don't have those situations any more."

"It teaches us," senior lineman Michael Thomas said, "we ain't won it till the clock ends."

With seven returning starters each on offense and defense, Hephzibah is seeking its second postseason berth in school history (the last came in 2001).

The Rebels will be able to gauge how good a team they have when they play host to Lincoln County in Week 3.

"We feel like it'll be a good measuring stick to see where we're at," Bowen said.

The improvement of the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Reddick will be key. Last season, he passed for more than 1,500 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions.

"He used to be a little (Michael) Vick out there," Thomas said. "Now, he's like Peyton Manning with speed."

Reddick has a pair of playmakers in junior wide receiver Gary Robinson and senior receiver Blake Bush. Robinson is a speedster, while Bush has solid hands (15 touchdown receptions the past two seasons).

The team is excited about the backfield, which includes junior running back Antoine Nabors who rushed for more than 500 yards (with a 7.0-yard per carry average) in half the 2007 season.

Hephzibah is also solid at running back with senior Tony Miller and at fullback with Washington and junior Bobby Liggins.

The offense is a focal point, but the Rebels will have to improve its defense if they want to make the playoffs. Hephzibah allowed almost 21 points per game last season.