​Aug. 19—Lay of the landDanville will be in Class 3A, Region 5 with Curry, East Lawrence, Fayette County, Haleyville, Hatton, Oakman and Winfield.—Head coachBlake Beam is entering his first season.—Last seasonDanville (2-8, 1-7) finished eighth in Class 4A, Region 7.—Words to grow onWhile Beam inherits a young and inexperienced team, the numbers have improved from last year, which he says is something to build on.”We’ve had over 10 guys join just over the course of the summer and most of those that came out are going to be contributors,” Beam said. “We’re finding ways to use the kids and, every time we get someone new, we’re adding depth.”—QuarterbackDanville will turn to senior Landon Grandstaff to be the team’s starting signal caller.”He’s been a mainstay in this program for a while but has never really taken any meaningful snaps at quarterback,” Beam said. “He’s had a good summer and provides important leadership for us.”—OffenseThe starting running back for the Hawks this year will be senior Jahkylen Orr with sophomore Brayden Bass expected to get plenty of carries as well.Receiver is the youngest and most inexperienced position on offense with several new faces that didn’t play last year.Senior Edward O’campo, junior Noah Vanacor, junior Camden Riggs, junior Wyatt Whisman and sophomore Christian Howard are expected to play there, as is Bass who will split time at running back and receiver.At offensive line, senior Mason Asherbranner at left tackle, junior Devin Smith at guard and junior Kade Dempsey at center all return as starters. Freshman Brayden Asherbranner will play at guard and junior Bradley Lewis will play at right tackle. Senior Jordan Fetner, who started at guard last year, is expected to play mostly defense this year but remains an option if needed.Beam said with the inexperience at quarterback and receiver, the Hawks will have to lean on their strength at offensive line and running back.”We’re going to have to run the ball because it’s going to be tough to throw it around with how many new faces we have at those positions,” Beam said. “We’re going to have to rely on a fundamentally-sound run scheme, physicality up front and toughness running the ball.”—DefenseDanville will rotate multiple guys along the defensive line, but Smith is expected to start at nose guard, while Asherbranner and sophomore Jacob Hanserd will start at defensive end.At linebacker, the Hawks will use three linebackers in a 3-3-5 system. Orr, Fetner and Dempsey will start in addition to their roles on offense.In the secondary, Bass and Wyatt Oliver will play at strong safety. The free safety could be either Howard or Riggs. O’campo will start at cornerback.—Final wordIn his first season, Beam hopes to instill a new culture for the years going forward.”There’s a certain way winners carry themselves. That teams that compete, whether they win or lose, carry themselves,” Beam said. “That’s what we’ve been preaching this offseason and that’s what we