Patrick Bedgood has used the offseason to bulk up. The senior running back has gained 20 pounds of muscle, yet has lost none of his speed, boasting a 4.5 40-yard dash time, Bedgood said.

That’s a good thing because the Tigers are going to need Bedgood to be durable in the fall, especially after losing two-year starter Cordez Peagler to graduation.

“I’ve just been trying to work on my strength and speed and trying to help get the team back to where we were last year,” said Bedgood. “Hopefully, the players that left, we can replace them and win a state championship. I’m going to try to put the team on my back and help lead them.”

A key player for the Tigers last season on both offense and defense, Bedgood almost never played football. He credits teammate Michael Watts, (“we’re like brothers,” said Bedgood), for getting him to play.

“We’ve always been cool, ever since the fourth grade,” said Bedgood. “He really talked me into playing football because I wasn’t the football type…it’s worked out very well. Now we’re together and hopefully we can go to college together.”

Bedgood said he hopes the 15 other juniors (seniors this fall) in his class work hard to carry-over last year’s success into 2010. – Kevin Pearcey