QUICK FACTS

Coach: Phil Marino, fourth year, 6-24 (6-24 overall)

Assistant coaches: Larry Ferrell, Bob Peters, Joe Cherrone, Namu Keys, Chris Church

Homefield: Kinnett Stadium/A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium

2011 record: 2-8

Region: GHSA 5-AAAA

2012 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 at Brookstone 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 7 Hardaway (K) 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 21 Northside (K) 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Carrollton 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 LaGrange (K) 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Fayette Co. 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18 at Troup 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 Shaw (K) 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 2 at Alexander 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 9 at Sandy Creek 7:30 p.m.

2011 Results

Aug. 25 Manchester L, 34-23

Sept. 2 Jordan W, 39-22

Sept. 9 Kendrick W, 7-0, 2OT

Sept. 15 Northside L, 48-7

Sept. 22 Troup L, 42-0

Sept. 30 at Central-Carrollton L, 42-17

Oct. 7 Shaw L, 33-0

Oct. 14 at Haralson County L, 35-7

Oct. 21 at Carrollton L, 56-14

Oct. 27 at LaGrange L, 42-28

BREAKING DOWN THE Blue Devils

The Good: A shutout, double-overtime win over Kendrick and a 17-point win over Jordan got Columbus off to a 2-1 start in 2011. Winning in double-overtime, like it did against Kendrick, showed great mettle for an improving team. The Blue Devils open this season with three straight games against in-town rivals Brookstone, Hardaway and Northside. The strength of the team will be the offensive line, where all five starters return from last season.

The Bad: After the back-to-back wins, Columbus lost seven straight, including six in a row in which it didn't score more than 17 points. Quarterback Wyatt Peterson left the Blue Devils to transfer to Pacelli. Freshman Derrick James will get the call to replace Peterson.

Our take: Sometimes, it's all about learning what it feels like to win. Columbus will face a few early tests in the season this year and, if it can win a couple, might be able to exceed the two-win ceiling of the past three seasons. The Blue Devils moved up to Class AAAA this season, but most of the tough Region 6-AAA moved up with it, so 5-AAAA wins will be tough to come by.

-- David Mitchell

ROSTER

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl.

1 Tony Alexander WR/DB 5'10" 160 12

42 Will Peters LB 5'10" 170 11

2 Corderral Williams WR 6'1" 178 12

44 Trey Taff FB/LB 6'0" 200 12

3 Ja'Quan Mason RB/SS 6'0" 180 9

53 Christian Crapo LB 5'10" 160 11

4 Newman Jefferson DB/S 5'9" 145 11

55 River Goff OL/Dl 6'0" 170 9

5 Robert Dingle NG 5'9" 193 12

56 Jacob Sholtis OL/DL 5'11" 175 9

6 Derrick James QB 6'1" 175 9

57 Logan Weidner OL/DL 5'8" 191 10

7 Jailyn Trice ATH 5'11" 212 11

60 Gavin Bonner OL/DL 5'11" 170 12

8 Ladi Dada LB 5'11" 175 10

61 Gabe Pudichery OL/DL 5'11" 170 12

9 Cory Aycock LB 5'9" 160 10

64 Michael Toole OL/DL 5'10" 176 10

10 Blake Konans S 6'1" 159 10

65 Eduardo Cubero OL/DL 6'0" 280 11

11 Brandon Mapel QB 5'10" 135 9

66 Brandon Fuller OL/DL 5'11" 227 11

12 Andrew Snodgrass TE/DL 6'2" 190 10

67 Mario Parra OL/DL 5'11" 227 11

13 Raymond Cochran ATH 5'8" 155 10

70 Tedric Palmer OL/DL 6'2" 280 12

14 Justin Geter LB 5'11" 190 10

74 Dillon Turner OL/DL 5'10" 180 10

15 Mason Clausell WR 6'1" 175 12

75 Brock Shinault OL/DL 6'1" 260 11

16 Trey Alexander QB 6'O" 156 10

79 Thomas Harris OL/DL 6'7" 280 12

18 Brian Spikes RB/FS 5'7" 145 11

80 Will Lowery WR 6'1" 155 10

20 Essang Bassey RB/DB 5'7" 145 9

85 Christian Meyers TE/LB 5'11" 180 10

21 Dale Williams RB/DB 5'9" 179 10

88 James Traylor WR/DE 6'2" 198 11

23 Will Screws LB 5'11" 185 10

24 Tucker Abbott TE/LB 6'1" 180 12

25 Garrison Bone DB 5'9" 145 12

26 Clinton Dofredo-Wyatt DB 5'7" 150 12

27 Cam Genung WR/DB 5'11" 150 10

28 Ivan Rome RB/DB 5'6" 155 10

29 Brandon Palmer FB/LB 5'10" 198 9

33 Nate Jacobson WR 5'10" 160 12

34 Chauncey Redd FB/LB 5'10" 210 10

35 Justin Bowles LB 5'7" 170 10

39 Ryan Anderson K/DB 5'8" 165 9