Buda — Three months ago, the Hays football team entered its spring meetings with bright hopes. With what would be five starters returning to offense and defense, the Rebels looked poised to improve on a 6-4 campaign last season.

Slowly, things didn’t start going Hays’ way. Nick DeSantiago, (who rushed for 755 yards), the Rebels’ starting fullback last season, decided he wouldn’t return to the team to focus on baseball. A few weeks later, Brandon Lawrence, another offensive weapon, tore his lateral meniscus during a summer 7-on-7 game.

Popular belief would think Hays is ready to fold the season — wrong.

“Everybody else is here and ready to go and they all look good,” Rebel head coach Bob Shelton said. “I really haven’t worried about (losing DeSantiago). I’m more worried about who we have than who we don’t have.”

Hays does return four offensive starters, as well as five on defense. One of the biggest changes for the Rebels, other than the loss of DeSantiago, will be at the quarterback position.

Last season, Clayton Rogers led the team from under center, but he graduated. His departure left a void in the backfield, but former wide receiver Trey Berry will assume the role of quarterback.

“I’m just excited for this year, no matter who we have,” Berry said. “Even though it’s hot out here, you don’t even think about the heat since you’re so excited for football season. We just can’t wait to get those pads on.”

Hays, which practiced in helmets and shorts for the first four days of two-a-days, will finally throw on the pads beginning today. It gives the team an opportunity to see how good its line will hold up against the defense and how well each player can take a hit.

The Rebels practice in the mornings to try to beat the heat, but by halfway through practice, the sun bakes down on the practice fields. So far, Shelton has worked with the team on offense and defense, as well as conditioning.

“Everybody’s here working hard and I think the attitude’s good,” Shelton said. “We feel good about where we are right now.”

Offensively, not much changes for Hays, even with the absence of DeSantiago. The Rebels are still running the spread offense with an occasional bunch look. Berry is a presence at quarterback, standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 180 pounds, so he won’t be shy about running down field.

Realignment moved Hays to a new district, where it will face Lehman, Lockhart, Elgin, Del Valle and Manor. Dave Campbell’s 2008 Texas Football Magazine predicted the Rebels to finish first in 17-4A.

“I want district bad,” Berry said. “Right now, playoffs aren’t a big goal on our list because we want district and we’ll go from there. But honestly, I can’t wait to walk down that alley way and hear everyone screaming. It’s a rush like nobody knows. I get goosebumps right now thinking about it.”