The saying around Vidalia High has always been that the Viking football team doesn’t rebuild, it just regroups. That will not be the case in 2000 as Vidalia High head football coach Dee Faircloth is returning only five starters from both sides of the ball.

&uot;It’s going to be unique,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;I’ve never lost this many. It’s going to be a challenge.&uot;

But it’s a challenge Faircloth admits has him very excited.

&uot;My father (Dalton Faircloth) always said the only thing tougher than climbing the mountain is staying on top,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;We’re doing the climbing again now. And I’m excited about the challenge of getting back up there.&uot;

Faircloth returns only Travis McElwee on the offensive line and quarterback Jarrett Hoffpauir.

Gone is Class 2A&160;Player of the Year Dariel Mays, who had more than 2,500 yard in total offense.

Faircloth went without a spring training.

&uot;We know basically where to put these guys, we just need them to step it up,&uot; he said

Faircloth said Viking coaches will be rebuilding the offensive line, starting a new defensive backfield and tight end.

&uot;Last year we had 20 seniors who had been with us 20 years and we knew they could play,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;Nothing is locked in this year. There are a lot of positions open for anyone who wants to go after them. Everybody is going to have a shot. They know they can get a starting position if they step it up.&uot;

Replacing Mays may be the toughest part.

&uot;I think we’ll be all right there,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;We’ve got T.J. Banks, who was timed at 4.4 in the 40 in the spring, and Roderick Randall, who was timed at 4.7.&uot;