There have been two big changes for Martinsville over the offseason. First, longtime coach

Taylor Edwards retired (though he announced that prior to last season) and has been replaced by former Chatham head coach

Matt Foutz.

Before Chatham, Foutz, who played football at Bridgewater College, was an

assistant at Amherst County High School and for the Hargrave Military Academy

post-graduate team.  Second, the Bulldogs will drop from division 4 to division 3 after the realignment affecting region IV. There are some key players returning, but a lot of the skill positions will see new faces taking over.

On offense, the Bulldogs must replace most of the contributors in the backfield including Tracy Hairston and Victor Hairston. That may benefit coach Foutz, as he works to include his own schemes and formations. Up front, senior lineman

John Fitzgibbons returns after earning region IV first team honors in 2006.

Defensively, Martinsville returns some key contributors from last season and will look to force turnovers for the youthful offense. Along the line, senior

J.D. Tyree [6-4, 205] is back after earning all-state honors in 2006 and will be joined by junior defensive tackle

Norman Pritchett [6-3, 253]. Linebacker Marquis Eggleston should also be a force for the Bulldog defense.

August 24: Carroll County @ Bassett – An important non-district contest early that could affect division 4 playoff chances down the road.

August 31: Martinsville @ Gretna – The Bulldogs open up with single A stalwart Gretna.

September 7: Floyd County @ Patrick County – A border battle along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Patrick County can ill afford to slip up in this game.

September 14: Tunstall @ Gretna – Two Pittsylvania County rivals get together for a Friday night fight.

September 21: Bassett @ Christiansburg – The Bengals get a taste of the new to region IV River Ridge District.

October 5: Bassett @ Patrick County – The district race gets underway with the favorites traveling to face upstart Patrick County.

October 6 (Saturday): Magna Vista @ William Fleming – The Warriors travel to Roanoke to face off against the now AAA Colonels.

October 12: Magna Vista @ Martinsville – These two normally are battling out for the top spot, but may be struggling to make the playoffs this season.

October 19: Magna Vista @ Tunstall – Both teams are going to be young, but at this point in the season, they'll have enough experience to put on a good show.

October 26: Bassett @ Jefferson Forest – No one can accuse the Bengals of taking the easy road with their non-district schedule.

November 2: Martinsville @ Bassett – These two could be battling it out for the district title at this point.

November 9: Martinsville @ Patrick County – The division 3 playoffs are the goal for both squads and this game could determine who stays home and who moves on.