WOODVILLE — There’s a sense of newness surrounding this year’s Wilkinson County Christian Academy football team.

A new head coach, a new defensive coordinator and a new MAIS classification are several factors that will help shape the Rams’ season this fall.

Ray McDaniel, who served as defensive coordinator under then-head coach Billy Caston last season, takes over the reigns as head coach of WCCA. And he wasted no time filling the defensive coordinator slot with someone that had plenty of accolades, he said.

“We brought in Albert Lewis from Centreville Academy, who has valuable experience,” McDaniel said. “He’s a 16-year NFL veteran, and he’s helped these kids a lot. We’re miles ahead of where we were this time last year. There’s a lot more confidence (in the players).”

The Rams were just 2-8 last season, but McDaniel said he has high hopes for this year’s group of players.

“We have a lot of returning players that gained a lot of experience,” McDaniel said. “That will help us a lot. We’ve had good turnout for summer workouts, and the kids have really bought into what we’re trying to do. We’re looking for good things this season.”

One thing that looks to work in WCCA’s favor is realignment, which moved the Rams down one classification from Class AA to Class A. McDaniel said the move was a welcomed one by the team.

“We’re excited (to be in Class A). Last year with 17 kids, it got kind of tough going up against teams with 30,” McDaniel said. “We feel Class A is more on our level. Of the Single-A teams we played last season, we beat two and competed with one, so we think this level will be good for us.”

McDaniel said he wants his teams to be know for their physical play, and that’s a mindset he’s trying to instill in his players.

“We’re going to try and have a ball-control offense, and on defense, we want to put as many kids out there as possible that want to run the football,” he said.

Several games stand out to McDaniel when he looks at his schedule, including a matchup with cross-town rival Centreville.

“Our third game of the year is against Glenbrook Academy, which always has a good team,” McDaniel said. “It’s our first district game, and it’s always important to get a good start on district.

“Then, our fourth game is against Centreville and our fifth game is against Riverfield Academy. Those are three tough games, and if we can come out of those injury-free and win a couple, I think we’re going to be fine.”

WCCA returns seven seniors this season, and McDaniel said two of them, Trammel McKinsey and Trenton Hall, have stepped up as leaders for the Rams this summer.

“It’s been a rough couple of years, and they made the choice that they weren’t going to settle for where they think they shouldn’t be,” McDaniel said. “They’ve been great for us so far.”

WCCA opens the season at home against Ben’s Ford Christian School.