Goochland head football coach Joe Fowler is approaching the upcoming season with a single-minded goal that varies little from his preparation in years past.

  “We begin every season with the same thing in mind, to win the district and get to the playoffs,” Fowler said as his Bulldogs prepared for their second run at a Jefferson District title.

  It will be the Bulldogs’ last chance at a Group AA title, as the team moves back to the Group A James River District next year. But Fowler said there is still unfinished business in the Jefferson.

  Last year, in their first shot to make waves at the AA level, the team fell short in the state quarterfinals, losing to John Handley. “We’d love to get another shot at them, this time at our place,” Fowler said.

  The veteran coach will have to replace several key players to meet those expectations, including quarterback where Ryan Crouch and Cody Johnson are dueling for the starting role. “They’ve both looked good and so far, it’s up for grabs,” Fowler said.

  B.J. Clarke is also gone. He and the team parted ways and the senior transferred to Hermitage, where he is expected to start for the Panthers.

  But plugging the holes may not be as difficult as it appears at first glance. Fowler’s no nonsense approach and a philosophy emphasizing the basics in a wing-T style offense requires attention to detail, but not necessarily a wealth of experience.

  “We’re trying to work on what we do, and concentrate on doing what we do well,” Fowler said. “We’re looking for some players to step up and fill the gaps for us.”

  Running back David McKenna appears to be this year’s lead back, with Dustin Plummer out for most of the season due to a back injury. “It’s a big loss for us, but we have a bunch of guys who look good, so we it may be running back by committee this year,” Fowler said.

  Not unusual for early season practice, the defense is in better shape for the Bulldogs. Coach Dan Summitt has some key returning players including linemen J.D. Frith, Jerome Robinson, John Nash and Devontea McLaughlin. Linebackers Jess McLaughlin, Patrick Clore return and sophomore Nathan Adams and junior Vincent Stratton are the new additions at outside linebacker. David McKenna will also start at linebacker for the Bulldogs.

  Ryan Coles will supply the experience at defensive back while Zakell Johnson and Sammy Smith will occupy the other cornerback and safety positions.

  “The challenge for this year’s defense is plugging some new kids in, but we have a lot of returners,” Summit said. He’s especially appreciative of his big defensive line, all returning starters.

  “We have all of our big guys up front returning, so that gives us a good start, but we’ll miss J.D. Epps at noseguard,” Summitt said. “Overall, I think we’ll be all right.”

  On the other side of the ball Fowler is busy shaping an offense that is debuting quite a few new faces. “I think the potential is there for us to be pretty solid,” he said. “We’re a little rough around the edges right now, but that’s to be expected.”

  The veteran coach will depend on a flurry of new blood to maintain his classic offensive style. “Considering what we had to replace, I think we’re in good shape,” he said. “Some kids have stepped up to fill new positions, and we’re still waiting for some others to come around.”

  Fowler’s first job will be replacing Plummer in the backfield. “We’re looking for David McKenna to do some good things for us. He had a solid year last season and is a real work horse,” Fowler said.

  Regarding the Johnson-Crouch battle for the QB position, Fowler said the jury is still out. “Both of them had excellent sophomore seasons, and it’s close right now,” he said. “I feel confident that either one, on any given night, can get the job done.”

  The offensive line returns only two including Lee McLaughlin and Trevor Jenkins.

  Nathan Adams and Vince Stratton will fill vacated wide receiver positions. “They’re both big kids who bring a physical aspect to the position,” Fowler said.

  One area that needs little tinkering is the Bulldogs kicking game. Junior punter Thomas Meadows is rated one of the nation’s best punters, and Colby Cooke returns after a stellar sophomore season as the place-kicker.

  “We have two kids who I believe will both end up in Division I programs,” Fowler said. “They’re both amazing. I know it’s rare for kickers to receive scholarships out of high school, but both of them have a good shot at it.”

  Fowler’s team opens against their traditional first game foe, Benedictine, this Friday at home. It’s a neighborhood contest that has turned into a rivalry between the two campuses.

  “It’s always a big game for us, and they’re always a quality program,” Fowler said. “They are a class act and they have a great coaching staff, and it’s a great way to begin our season.”

  This is the last year for the series between the Bulldogs and the Richmond-based Cadets who play their home games at The Abbey in Goochland County.