Coach Winfred Beale's Floyd County Buffaloes are in preparation for what they hope will be another trip to the playoffs with one difference. This year's team, which returns seven starters on offense and six on defense, enter the season with hopes of advancing past year's first round exit.

Coach Beale, in his thiry fourth year at the school and his twenty eighth year as head mentor, comes into this season with an experienced offensive line and quarterback. He stated tha on of the definite strenghts of the team will be that front wall on the offensive side with four out of five returning to lead the team in 2008.

All teams rely heavily on their quarterback. The Buffaloes have one of the most versatile athletes in Single A football in Luke Harris. Harris will lead an offense that has an equal distribution of run and pass.

Last year's squad finished with a 7-4 record. One of Coach Beale's major concerns will be to finish the season as strong as they began last year. The veteran coach emphasized the balance of the New River District and although he believes he will have a more than competitive squad, every district game will hard fought and is certain the district will be as strong as ever.

Floyd County is well known for its "smash-mouth" football and has players who have the blue collar attitude. Look for good things from a team and a coach that would like to play three more games than last year.

The Buffaloes begin their regular season by hosting Rural Retreat on August 29th. All of the games can be heard live on www.nrvsports.com and re-broadcast on Citizens Communications cable system in Floyd.