Matt Combs enters his third season at Alexander with a set of new region opponents for his Cougars.

The team’s new region places the Cougars into contention with Fayette County, Carrollton and Sandy Creek in a northern subregion, and Columbus, LaGrange, Shaw and Troup in a southern subregion of Region 5-AAAA.

He said the offensive line needs to lead if Alexander is to have a successful season.

“We expect to surprise a lot of people,” Combs said.

He added that he did not want to spotlight any key returners, saying it was a “group effort” this year. However, senior Evan Wood was second team all-region as a defensive lineman in 2011. Wood returns and will alternate with senior Brian Dansereau at quarterback to begin the season.

Even though the Cougars did not have a winning season in 2011, they did get some players onto the region team, including QB Dempsey Abernathy, WR Dominic Axel and DB Alex Hulsey. Four other players were named to the AAAA Region 5 South second team.

Head Coach: Matt Combs, third season as head coach, all at Alexander (6-14-0).

Region: 5B-AAAA

Key Returners: Evan Wood was second team all-region as a defensive lineman in 2011. Wood returns and will alternate with senior Brian Dansereau at quarterback to begin the season.

2011: 4-6 overall; fourth in the south subregion of Region 5-AAAA

Aug. 31 Bremen (at University of West Georgia)

Sept. 7 at McIntosh

Sept. 14 Carver

Sept. 28 Troup Co.

Oct. 5 at Shaw

Oct. 12 at LaGrange

Oct. 19 Sandy Creek

Oct. 26 at Carrollton

Nov. 2 Columbus

Nov. 9 at Fayette Co.