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2007 : 11-1

(lost regional finals)

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2008 : 7-4

(lost regional semifinals)

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2009 : 3-8

(lost regional first round)

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: The

Bengals ran their playoff streak to six consecutive seasons - barely - in 2009. 

A 3-7 regular season mark was enough to qualify them for the sixth seed in

region IV's expanded postseason, but there they lost to Christiansburg for the

second time 48-6.  Still, last season's team was a very young group that was

expected to have some growing pains, so the postseason may provide a chance for

those players to whet their appetite for 2010.

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Shaq Finney, sr, 5-9, 155, RB/DB*

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Patrick Blankenship, sr, 6-2, 195, LB

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Mason Maples, jr, 6-3, 205, QB/LB

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Dashaun Valentine, soph, 5-11, 205, QB/LB

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Antonio Penn, sr, 6-3, 175, WR/DB (pictured)

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Kevin Irvin, sr, 5-11, 205, RB/DT

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Logan Peters, jr, 6-4, 205, OL/DL

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Pictured provided by Ray

Reynolds Photography 

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Outlook : 

As mentioned above, Bassett has become a regular postseason participant and the

Bengals expect to be back there again this season.  Coach Gilbert can claim

seven straight trips since he took Fieldale-Collinsville to the playoffs in

2003, one season before the two schools merged and he took the reins at

Bassett.  This season, his Bengals return 17 starters and face a tough

non-district schedule.  Coach Gilbert believes that the ability of the team to

"gel during that tough schedule is a key to success in the latter part of the

season and playoffs."

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On

offense, the Bengals return nine starters including all-Piedmont first-teamer

Shaq Finney.  Finney led the Bengals in both rushing and receiving last fall and

is also a threatening kick returner.  Junior Mason Maples and sophomore Dashaun

Valentine both spent time at quarterback last season and coaches are expecting

both to improve this season.  Coach Gilbert wants the passing game to be more of

a threat in order to open up the Bengals' option attack.  Junior Logan Peters is

the top lineman returning and Bassett needs consistency there in order to have

success in 2010.

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With eight starters returning on the defensive side of the ball, the Bengals

should benefit from the experience of last fall.  Senior linebacker Patrick

Blankenship played well at linebacker and, along with Valentine and Ryan

Prillaman, should be a solid group.  The secondary should be quick with Finney

and Antonio Penn leading the way.  Up front, senior nose tackle Kevin Irvin was

second on the team in tackles for loss in 2009.

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The Bengals will have little time to figure out if they've improved from last

season as their non-district schedule features five teams that made the playoffs

last season, including region III champions Amherst County and region IV

champions Christiansburg.  The Piedmont District schedule sees them play host to

division 3 teams Patrick County and Martinsville, but the Bengals will likely

have their season finale road trip to Magna Vista circled on the calendar.