Beulah Football is gearing up for the first week of regular season play, where they’ll be heading down to Henry County, Alabama to play the Abbeville Yellowjackets.

Beulah also opened up their season last year versus Abbeville, but instead at home. The Yellow Jackets beat the Bobcats by a score of 26 to 0.

The thing that hurt Beulah most in the game versus Abbeville last year was the penalties they had. Just in the first quarter, the Bobcats had had four fumbles and even completed with seven turnovers on the game. On one of the plays in the first, an Abbeville player returned the fumble for a 70 yard run.

Beulah finished that game with 85 rushing, and 95 passing yards.

If the Bobcats want to successfully come out on top this time, staying out of penalty trouble could be crucial, especially when you have a very physical defensive team like Abbeville has. The Bobcats have to hold on to the ball and avoid fumbling it.

When this time of the year comes around, fans all over the state of Alabama are excited about football. This community in Beulah seems really excited this year. The team has shown in their pre season jamboree vs. Woodland to be a completely different team. They have “flipped the switch”, Head Coach Matthew Johnson says.

In a thrilling 58 minute first quarter in the pre season jamboree, the Bobcats had a total of 327 yards offensively. They finished the first quarter leading the 1A Bobcats from Woodland by a score of 35-0. Beulah ended up winning the game by a score of 55-16.

As Coach Matthew Johnson tells FOX Sports The Game with DMark, the 14 man senior class will be important as far as the leadership for the team goes. “In the past we’ve had very small senior classes— I mean we typically range from 30-40 players and a majority of those are juniors and seniors, so we’ve got some great leaders.” In comparable to the past few seasons, the Bobcats have only had as many as three or four in a senior class. “We’re led by them.” Johnson says.

Johnson also said in a Thursday morning interview that quarterback DeMarion Forman is going to be a great asset to the program playing quarterback this year. “He’s a very level headed guy, calm, good legs and strong arms — I have faith in him and with our senior leadership and with him leading us we’re going to surprise some people.” “With the offense we’re running, he just fits. He doesn’t get flustered, doesn’t let it get to his head, that’s what we need.” He says the players deserve all of the praise for all the work they’ve put in this year.

Johnson also noted that the depth is great this season. “We have some of the best linebackers in the area.” He noted Bronson DuBose will be great on the line for the Bobcats this season. He also mentioned Hunter Brown and Khamoni Lindsey. He said Hunter Brown, sophmore who is 6”1 and 190lbs. Johnson said in just a short few years, recruits will be “knocking down the doors of Beulah High trying to recruit him.” Johnson stated that there’s no doubt he’ll get some offers when the time comes. He added that Khamoni Lindsey is one of the best football players on the team and will be the pedal for the Bobcats.

The kicking game for the Bobcats is great, Johnson says. “Reed Maloof, plays soccer also, really strong leg – last year all he did was kick but this year we’ve also got him at reciever. This year he’s gonna be a weapon for us. We’ve been working with him on taking it easy since he’s not just coming off the sideline, but coming from playing receiver and then going to kick. Reed has been essential for us.”

The Bobcats will take on the Abbeville Yellow Jackets Friday August 25th. Admission is $7 and can be bought on GoFan or there will also be a money box at the gate. Abbeville also informs us there will be an additional $3 parking fee. Their field is located behind the Henry County Board of Education at 300 N. Trawick Street in Abbeville. Abbeville High School requests that fans park in the fan parking zone at 213 West College.