It takes time to create great things, or as the adage says, "Rome wasn't built in a day." For Averett football coach Cleive Adams, he knows there's still a ways to go. But he's much closer to returning the Cougars back to the top of the USA South Conference entering Year 2 of his tenure than he was a season ago.

In Adams' first season, Averett opened with a win over Washington and Lee University. Then, after two consecutive losses to solid teams, the Cougars had two back-to-back gut-wrenching defeats where they lost the lead in the final minutes. Instead of being 3-2 midway through the season, Averett was 1-4. The Cougars finished with a disappointing 2-8 record. Yet, Averett's 2014 shouldn't be judged by wins and losses. There was a culture change, and Adams' players have bought into his vision. Adams believes that will pay dividends entering 2015.

Averett returns a plethora of talent on both sides of the ball. If the Cougars can execute to the level of their potential, they'll finish much higher than sixth place, where they were picked in the USA South preseason coaches poll.

OFFENSE
Averett returns senior quarterback Drew Evans, who partially started last season while playing in eight games. He completed 112 of his 163 passes for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns, and he also ran for two scores. As the lone returning quarterback who has seen extensive action on Saturdays, Adams said there is a comfort level with Evans running the offense. However, a couple of spring transfers in Kelly Hall and Joshua Long have given the coaching staff some options to think about.
"It is coming down to the final stretch," Adams said of the quarterback race.

The Cougars also have senior Garrett DuBose, who is coming off a solid spring practice, as well as a number of freshmen who are being groomed for the future.

The running back position is also quite the logjam — which isn't such a bad thing for Adams and his coaching staff. Sophomore Travis Jones and senior Ray Brown give Averett talent and experience. Had he not gotten injured midway through conference play, Jones could have made a bid for the USA South Conference's Offensive Rookie of the Year. He rushed 80 times for 375 yards and three touchdowns. He was the USA South Offensive Rookie of the Week twice and earned other accolades as a return specialist. Brown, meanwhile, showed flashes of brilliance while rushing 64 times for 285 yards and four touchdowns. In a start at N.C. Wesleyan College, Brown ran 29 times for 195 yards and two touchdowns.

"At the running back position we're excited to have Travis Jones and Ray Brown returning," Adams said. "They both had unbelievable offseasons, and we're just excited about their ability to change a football game and the potential productivity that they will provide."

Add in senior Jarvis Sheppard, a former linebacker who has turned up his play in recent weeks, and sophomore Caleb Williams, a former quarterback who has power and speed, and the Cougars have some options in the backfield. Sophomore Cody Brown brings some power, and Adams also likes what he's seen from freshmen Sean Bowman and Paul Wiles.
 "When they get the ball, it's fun to watch," Adams said of Bowman and Wiles.

Wide receiver may be Averett's deepest position on the roster. The Cougars return three key seniors in Terrance Owen II, Bryan Finney and Brenden Hughes. Owens led the team with 565 yards receiving and five touchdowns, while Finney caught 47 passes for 460 yards. Hughes is coming off a great spring and has had a great preseason camp. Sophomore Brandon Couden was a solid possession receiver with 24 catches for 306 yards and two touchdowns before an injury ended his season. Junior Michael Barbour Jr. also developed into a solid option, making 13 receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Adams also likes what he's seen from sophomore Myles Bennett and freshmen D'Monte Bailey and Bradley Jefferson, among others.

Senior Davey Holmes and junior Taylor Booze have had good preseasons at tight end. Averett also added sophomore transfer Drew Davidson and freshman Jeremiah Smith into the fix this fall.

When it comes to the offensive line, Adams is extremely pleased with the development of that group during camp. Junior Jake Comer provides leadership and experience along with sophomore Wilson Gregory. Junior Devin Hutchison and sophomore Tyler Gray are looking strong coming back from injuries, and the team also returns senior Van Whitmer, junior P.J. Best and sophomores Rashid Hurst and Malcolm Cannady. Adams also likes his group of freshmen, who have a great group of upperclassmen to learn from as they adjust to the college game.

Defense
On the defensive side of the ball, Adams feels good about the returners he has on the defensive line. Senior Thomas Lucas and junior Darren Maracin are the key guys at inside tackle, and sophomore Nicholas Brown and sophomore transfer Shareef Boddie add depth. Adams also likes some freshmen there who have size but need more grooming. On the ends, Adams really likes sophomores Don Warren, Victor Miller, Tymondre Isaac and Kenneth Covington, who all gained experience last season at times. Miller led the group with 15 tackles off the edge.

"I really like those four defensive ends," Adams said. "They love to run and they're a joy to coach."

At linebacker, junior Jake Salisbury and sophomore Hunter Shepherd lead the way at the inside linebacker spots. Junior James Langham, senior Brandon Petty, sophomore Garry Jones and second-year freshman Anthony Jordan-Christman add depth at inside linebacker, and Adams also likes newcomers Tyrek Roberts, Antwone Harper, Seth Brendle and junior transfer Robert Lovelace. At outside linebacker, senior Michael Reives leads the rovers. He tied for the team lead with 71 tackles last season. Adams also expects big things from sophomore Joshua McNair and believes freshmen Trey Smith and Dion Martin have potential.

At weak safety, senior Nathan Driver, a converted running back who has been a playmaker on special teams, will likely see extensive time along with sophomores Nathaniel Lake and Elijah Harris.

"It's a logjam, but all three are playing well and all of them are hard workers," Adams said.

Senior Tavaras Johnson is the veteran of the safeties and will be in line to start at free safety. Freshman Octavius Ross, who missed last season, and sophomore Jamerio Virges will back Johnson up. Adams said Virges is one of the most improved players from last season.

The Cougars bring back both starting cornerbacks in seniors Dontae Gilbert and Jamal Forney. Gilbert, a USA South All-Conference Second Team performer last season, tied for the team lead with 71 tackles in 2014. He started all 10 games, with Forney starting all 10 games on the opposite side. Averett also has sophomore Kevin Norcott, who is returning from injury, along with junior Daniel Davis, a converted wide receiver who Adams believes has been one of the surprises this preseason. Averett also brought in Desmond Springs and A.J. Cheeks, a pair of promising freshmen who have the ability to make an impact.

Special Teams
Senior punter and kicker Hobie Proctor is back after earning USA South All-Conference Second Team honors as a punter last season. His long snapper, senior Andrew Coleman, also returns to boost the special teams.

Although Averett lost one of its top kick returners to graduation, the Cougars return Travis Jones, who became the first player in program history to return a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the same game, and he earned national special teams weekly recognition in the process. Senior Dontae Gilbert also will continue to serve in a return specialist capacity.