STAUNTON, Va. --2011 marked the end of R.E. Lee's string of four straight Southern Valley district titles. Back in the new, but old Valley district, a young team of Leemen finished fourth out of seven schools, but did make the playoffs. That's something head coach David Tibbs says is important to continue the winning tradition of the program.

In 2012, those young players are now a year older and more experienced. Lee will be led by a strong group of juniors and seniors, with seven starters back on both sides of the ball. A key loss for Lee will be senior quarterback Dylan Horne. Horne is coming off Tommy John surgery and will likely miss the entire season, but has not ruled out a return late in the year to play defense.

Offensively the Leemen will stick to the spread, occasionally running a hurry-up no-huddle system. Defensively look for Lee to use mostly five man fronts. R.E. Lee has won at least 7 games each of the past eight seasons.

Here's R.E. Lee's 2012 schedule:

8/24 – OPEN
8/31 – WILSON MEMORIAL
9/7 – CHARLOTTESVILLE
9/14 – @ROCKBRIDGE CO.
9/21 – @FORT DEFIANCE
9/28 – HARRISONBURG
10/5 – @WAYNESBORO
10/12 – BROADWAY
10/19 – @TURNER ASHBY
10/26 – SPOTSWOOD
11/2 – @MONTICELLO