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ERIC BRADY | The Roanoke Times

Staunton River's Mike Williams (left) and Al Dillon get ready to hit. The Golden Eagles open the season Aug. 22 against Jefferson Forest.

ERIC BRADY | The Roanoke Times

First-year Staunton River head football coach Rick Witt leads the Golden Eagles in drills during Thursday's practice.

MONETA -- If the old saying goes that things are always darkest before the dawn, those involved with the Staunton River football program must believe sunrise is near.

Last year's 0-10 campaign dropped the Golden Eagles' overall record to 13-67 since the start of the 2000 season.

But the team goes into 2008 with a fresh perspective -- provided by new head coach Rick Witt.

After spending 13 seasons as an assistant coach at William Byrd, Witt is back at his alma mater -- he graduated from Staunton River in 1991 -- with an initial goal of initiating much-needed changes.

A change in the program's culture.

A change in the program's overall attitude.

And right now, all Witt wants to do is look ahead and forget about last year.

"We never address it at all," Witt said. "No one wants to talk about 0-10 seasons like that. I think the big thing we're focusing on is things we can control.

"We live in the now. We can't worry about yesterday and we can't do a whole lot about tomorrow either."

Even before preseason practices got under way, Witt initiated aesthetic changes.

The football team sports a new logo. They prepare for practice in a field house that has been repainted. And so far, the changes have been well-received

"The energy is exciting," said Witt. "The kids have bought into the new system, the new attitude."

There will be more changes coming. After this season, the Golden Eagles will be leaving the Seminole District -- of the league's current seven-team makeup, Staunton River is the only one never to win a Group AA football title -- and will join the Blue Ridge District.

And by that time, Witt hopes to be leading a football program that is notably different than what he inherited last winter.

"If we, as humans, would focus on the things we can control, I think a lot of things would be taken care of," he said.

Witt said one aspect that his players completely control is how they conduct themselves away from football. That message has already been conveyed.

"I think you play the way you live," Witt said. "I think you practice the way you live. If you go to chemistry class and you don't do what you're supposed to do how am I going to trust you on Friday night on third and 5 to get me a first down?"

The Golden Eagles have some players Witt has identified to help with the early steps of his plan.

Seniors Scott Fike, Al Dillon and Mike Williams are expected to play critical roles this fall.

And so far, they like what they see.

"We're out here, ready to learn," said Dillon, who plays tight end and linebacker. "Everyone wants to do something. There's a bunch of new faces, and they don't really know what they're doing yet, but we're going to teach them."

Said Fike, who plays fullback and linebacker: "People are just ready for a change this year."

Williams -- Staunton River's center and defensive end -- has noticed big changes in the team's attitude after just a few practices.

"The goofing off is gone," he said. "And it's making a big impact. Everybody's just serious and ready to go."

Leading the way for Staunton River will be sophomore quarterback Cody Jones, who was third-team all-district as a freshman. And while his accomplishments were noticed by his rivals, the local accolades were missing.

"Before, the community [looked] down at you," Jones said. [They'd say:] 'You play for the football team? That's awful.'"

"[So now,] we're out here busting our tail every day so that we can win some football games."

Considering that the community has not seen Staunton River reach postseason play since 1996 (the school's lone playoff appearance), a little success wouldn't hurt.

"We just ask them to be supportive of the kids," Witt said. "If you support my kids and show them you care for them, that will go a long way for this program."