| We had a good spring," Patriots coach Steve LaPrad said. "The good thing about being able to make more contact is you can better see where your deficiencies are." The Patriots finished 9-4 last season and won a Class AAAA Division I playoff game in 2007. But they have to replace the entire secondary, two linebackers and two defensive linemen, including North Carolina signee Robert Quinn. "You can't replace people like Robert and (2006 graduate) Carlos Dunlap," LaPrad said. He also said lacking star power may not be such a bad thing, meaning players may be less tempted to wait for the top recruit to make a play. "Me and the coaches talked about that," LaPrad said. "We may not be as talented this year but we could be a better team." The Patriots do return linebacker Geno Porter, a rising junior who led the team last season with 127 total tackles, and linebacker Adrian Stewart, who finished third on the team with 86 total tackles. Defensive lineman Antonio Guy will be another anchor type on defense for the Patriots. On offense, the Patriots look like a potent bunch. They bring back slippery quarterback Galen Bennett, who passed for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and rushed for 990 yards and 18 touchdowns. Also, playmaker Dante Ravenel is back. The speedster (4.42 40 time at a Nike Combine) will return kicks and could line up at running back or wide receiver. In 2007, behind 1,200-yard rusher Dwayne Scales, Ravenel rushed for 653 yards and six scores. He also hauled in 11 passes for 120 yards. Receiver Jamal Hall also had a good spring. He was more of a role player last spring. He was particularly impressive at a South Carolina camp. "I thought they were going to offer him on the spot," LaPrad said. T'Rel Hamilton and DoRon Jefferson are also back on the perimeter. Hamilton had six catches and a touchdown last season and also returned kicks and punts. The offensive line is returning intact aside from one starter. Plus the JV line was very good last season. "We've got a lot of depth up front," LaPrad said. "It's the strongest we've been up there in a while." Returning starters are Brandon Furse, Bradley Jefferson, Greg Harris and tight end Greg Ellington. Thomas Wood, Phillip Davis, Greg Koehler, Cody Mutter and Darius Rivers all got experience in the trenches last season. The Patriots are set to open the season Saturday, Aug. 30 at home against Greenville. | 
