Daily Home High School Football Preview

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THE DAILY HOME

2010PREP FOOTBALL

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Victory Christian • MunfordFayetteville • TCCHS • Pell City

Ragland• Central Coosa • ASDBB Comer • Winterboro • Sylacauga

TalladegaChildersburgCVALincoln

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2 – Prep Football Preview – 2010

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ContentsAlabama School for the Deaf.........................................6B.B. Comer.................................................................10Central-Coosa........................................................16Childersburg......................................................22Coosa Valley Academy...................................28Fayetteville..................................................34Lincoln......................................................38Munford.................................................42Pell City...............................................50Ragland............................................56Sylacauga.......................................60Talladega......................................66Talladega County Central........70Victory Christian....................76Winterboro.............................80

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Silent Warriors seeking championship in 2010


Story by Heather Baggett Photos by Bob Crisp

The Silent Warriors of Alabama School for the Deaf will be known as road warriors this fall.

ASD opens the 2010 football season with three straight road games before hosting Florida School for the Deaf on Sept. 18 for Homecoming.

“I know it’s going to be tough when we’re having many away games,” ASD Head Coach Paul Kulick said.

The Silent Warriors will have some new faces in place this year after losing five players from the 2009 team. Quarterback Jonathan Henderson, running back Josh Snow, tight end Jerrod Cunningham, as well as linemen Jacob Adams and Allen Parker graduated in the spring. Kulick is confident the younger players will step up and fill those spots this season.

“I am excited about this year’s football team,” Kulick said. “We have several key players coming back from last year’s 6-3 season and while we may be young and inexperienced at several posi-tions, the boys have been in the system long enough to know what to do on both offense and defense.”

Snow wasn’t the only ball carrier for ASD last season. The school that has become known as a factory for speed won’t be any different in 2010. Several running backs return this season and Kulick expects big things from all of them. The Silent Warriors have five backs that will see playing time this fall.

Continued on pg. 9

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Alabama School for the DeafASD Roster

Name Grade Ht WtShaquille Barefield 9 5’4 190Jabar Brice 10 5’8 255Lorenzo Burrow 11 5’8 162Khiry Cummings 12 6’1 155Cecil Dunn 11 5’6 184Joshua Eatmon 11 5’8 134Xavier Fayson 9 5’3 93Darious Golthy 12 5’8 119Raheem Grace 12 5’10 150Tyrone Green 12 6’1 125Rashard Sherbert 8 5’6 191William Johnson 11 5’9 155Charles Jones-Lett 11 5’9 181Anthony Robinson 11 6’0 166Kim Juntilla 10 5’3 101Quintrell Little 8 5’7 113Terrance McCree 11 5’5 120Tyler Perry 12 5’7 165Kadarius Slaughter 11 5’7 136Demetric Snider 11 5’10 155Kenneth Talley 11 5’9 147Xavius Turner 8 5’1 189A’korie Uduma 12 5’8 184Rydrea Walker 9 5’6 117

10 Minutes with…Name: Tyler PerryGrade: SeniorPosition: Tailback/Free safety

Story by Heather BaggettPhoto by Brian Schoenhals

When Alabama School for the Deaf’s ath-letic teams are mentioned one word immedi-ately comes to mind.

Speed. The school is a “factory for speed” accord-

ing to head football coach Paul Kulick. Tyler Perry is one such speedster who will line up at tailback for the Silent Warriors this fall.

The Thomasville native was one of several

running backs to carry the load for ASD as they ran over opponents on the way to a 6-3 record last season.

“When I joined ASD when I was in seventh grade I saw there was a football team on the field,” Perry said. “Then I decided to join the football team and suddenly I love it.”

In addition to playing football Perry also plays on the Silent Warriors basketball team and runs track.

“Football is my favorite sport because I love to be rushing,” Perry said.

Perry said his step-father has influenced him the most in football.

“He encouraged me a lot when I played football,” Perry said. “I love playing football today. It’s hard to believe that this year will be my last year.”

While the tailback is fast, he said he’d like to be faster.

“I ran a 4.8 (seconds in the 40-yard dash), but I got a 4.6 (in the summer),” he said. “That’s an area where I want to improve, my speed, and get ready for football season to begin. I hope I can become one of the greatest running backs in ASD history.”


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Key FactsHeAD CoACH: Paul KulickKey LoSSeS: Joshua Snow, Jerrod Cunningham, Jonathan Henderson, Jacob Adams, Allen Parker IIIKey RetuRNeRS: Tyler Perry, Kadarius Slaughter, Demetric Snider, Anthony Robinson-JonesBASe offeNSe: Double wingBASe DefeNSe: 5-22009 iN RevieWReCoRD: 6-3PoiNtS SCoReD PoiNtS ALLoWeD 322 166

August 27 at Jacksonville Chr.September3 at Decatur Heritage11 at Indiana Sch.f/t Deaf18 vs. Florida Sch. f/t Deaf

24 vs. Fayettevilleoctober1 vs. Akron 8 at Rocky Bayou (Fla.) 16 at Model Secondary Sch. f/t Deaf22 vs. Decatur Heritage29 at Tharptown

SCHeDuLe

Tyler Perry, Kadarius Slaughter, Terrence McCree, Demetric Snider and Anthony Robinson-Jones are all look-ing to carry the load for ASD. Snider and Perry were as explosive as Snow a season ago with both players racking up yards each and every week. Snider rushed for 159 yards against Coffeeville while Perry put up 94 yards against Model Secondary School for the Deaf.

After finishing the 2009 season with a record of 6-3, Kulick wanted his team to improve on defense against spread teams.

“We wanted to improve our defense when we’re fac-ing (a team with) a spread

offense like Victory Christian and Coosa Christian,” Kulick said.

“Herminio Gonzalez, who is our defensive coordina-tor, did an outstanding job adjusting the defense system for when we’re faced with a spread offense again.”

The Silent Warriors want to compete for the National Championship, which is awarded to a deaf school each season.

“We want to be the best deaf football team in the nation and be very competitive against hear-ing schools on our schedule,” Kulick said. “I truly believe we can achieve those goals if our boys continue to work hard.”

ASD kicks off the season at Jacksonville Christian Academy on Aug. 27.

Continued from pg. 6

‘We want to be the best deaf football team in the nation and be very competitive against hearing schools on our schedule.’

— ASD Head Coach Paul Kulick


10 1110 11

B.B. ComerTigers enter new-look region with new coachStory by Heather BaggettPhotos by Brian Schoenhals

There was one head coaching job Anthony Jacks wanted more than any other.

And he got it when he was hired as the new football coach at B.B. Comer in the spring. One of his first tasks as the head man was to find a way to replace a large majority of the Tigers’ offense. Three seniors carried the load for the Tigers in 2009. Charlie Coleman, Michael Hale and Kelsey Bates each rushed for more than 1,000 yards last sea-son. With all of those players gone, Jacks said the running back position will be good, but young.

“We don’t have a lot of experience coming back in the backfield,” Jacks said. “We’re talented. I like our talent level there. But we’ll be relying on some 10th-graders there to carry the load.

“Our offensive line is expe-rienced. We’ve got two seniors at tackle and three juniors in the middle. We’re going to be relying on the offensive line to open up the holes for those young guys. I think the offensive line is the strength for us right now.”

Jacks, who served as the defensive coor-dinator at Winterboro last season, is chang-ing the defense at Comer and adding a little more passing to the offense this season.

“I think we’ve got the personnel to run it (the defense),” he said. “I like what I’m see-ing. Once we get it down I think we’ll be pretty good at it. We want to limit the big plays. If we do that then we’ll have a good chance to be successful on defense. Personnel wise I think we’re going to be OK.

“We’re going to be multiple on offense. We’re going to base out of the I, but we’re also going to get in the shotgun and be able to spread it.”

The Tigers will have a new quarterback this fall, but Corey Bradford, who served as the signal caller a year ago, has proven to be a player to watch at receiver according to Jacks.

“Corey is on a different level out there at receiver,” Jacks said. “As of right now he’s probably one of the best receivers I’ve ever coached. We went up to Lincoln for a 7 on 7 and he was the best player on the field, I thought, out of all five teams that were there. I’m going to be counting on him a lot.”

Going into fall practice, Jacks said Cedarius Swain was the leading candidate for the starting quarterback position.

“The problem I’m facing with the quarterback spot here is it’s been at least three years since they’ve thrown the ball at all,” Jacks said. “We’re really having to start from scratch with the quarter-

backs as far as going through progressions and reading coverages and stuff like that. We’re trying to find a little bit more competi-

tion right now. “I’ve got Cedarius and Joey Treadwell has been working

the last few weeks at quarterback and he’s done a really nice job, but he’s never really played quarterback before. Another

quarterback who is going to be a freshman is Dillon McClure but he’s an All-Star baseball player and they won the state, won the region, so he hasn’t been here the whole time.

“Cedarius is a good athlete and he can run; he throws the ball pretty well. He can read the coverages; he just kind of has trouble right now

remembering the progressions. We’re still kind of up in the air at quarterback. I think Cedarius is

ahead of the game, but we’re not ready to name a starter right now.”

The Tigers saw their region change a lot with the realignment in the offseason. Comer will face Leeds, Handley and Clay County as part of their region schedule this season. Jacks said the team isn’t shying away from the tough competition. And he’s not entering those games thinking they will lose.

“We’ve got Handley Week 2,” Jacks said. “Our schedule’s tough. We’re going to try to win all of

them. I think we’ve got a chance to win every game we play. Those teams are going to be good, but I think we’re going to be good.”

The Tigers open the season against Childersburg on Aug. 26. The game is one Jacks remembers from his time as a student at Comer, but he said the results were differ-

ent when he was there. “It’s a big game for us; it’s a rivalry game,”

Jacks said. “These kids are hungry; they want that game. We haven’t beat them since 2000 I think.

To me it’s hard to imagine because when I was here we didn’t lose to Childersburg. “When I was a senior we lost to Childersburg and that’s the first time I ever remember losing to

Childersburg. The tables have kind of turned now to where Childersburg expects to beat us every year.

“I think if we could beat Childersburg that would go a long way towards legitimizing us in the

community.”

‘Our schedule’s tough. We’re going to try to win all of them. I think we’ve got a chance to win every game we play. Those teams are going to be good, but I think we’re going to be good.’

—Head Coach Anthony Jacks


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BB Comer RosterNo. Name Pos yr Ht Wt1 Cameron Borden WR, DB Sr. 5-5 1452 Demarcus Samuels HB, LB So. 6-1 2053 Aron Floyd WR, SS Sr. 5-9 1654 Corey Bradford WR, CB Jr. 6-3 1706 Khari Kelly TB, FS So. 5-8 18510 Jordan Butler WR, FS Fr. 6-0 16511 Owen Wallace WR, S Jr. 6-4 18012 Dylan Mcclure QB, CB Fr. 5-9 15514 Jamie Sims WB, CB Jr. 5-8 16517 Cedarius Swain QB, FS So. 6-3 17520 Joey Treadwell QB, CB So. 5-9 15521 Eric Williamson FB, LB Jr. 5-10 17522 Jordan Hamlet TE, LB Sr. 5-10 19024 Daniel Caldwell HB, LB 8th 5-9 16525 Tray Ragland TE, DE So. 6-3 20530 Quartez Walker HB, DB 8th 5-5 12532 Dimarius Kirkland WR, CB Sr. 5-10 16534 Cody Lindsey TE, DE Sr. 5-7 15536 Brody McCoy FB, LB Sr. 5-9 22542 Jalen Holinquest WR, DB Fr. 5-9 14544 Tim Austin HB, FS Sr. 5-9 17046 Caleb Duffee FB, LB So. 5-10 17550 Austin Nicholson G, LB 8th 5-7 17552 Wesley Thrash T, DE Sr. 6-0 21553 Billy Gallops G, NG Jr. 5-7 16054 Isaiah Caldwell G, NG Jr. 5-9 23555 Chance Maddox C, DE Jr. 5-10 18063 Brant Davidson G Sr. 5-7 13564 Blake Liner T, G So. 6-1 22066 William Holmes G, DE Fr. 5-10 21067 Jake Hosey G, T So. 6-1 20572 Noah Peterson T, DE Fr. 5-10 17575 Mason Bassett C, DE Jr. 5-10 22576 Rolly Leerskov T, NG Jr. 5-11 31077 Zach Allen T, DE Sr. 5-10 25578 Rodney Funderburg G, DE Jr. 5-10 215


14 1514 15

10 minutes with…Name: Timothy Austin

Grade: Senior

Position: Running back


Three B.B. Comer running backs left some big shoes to fill when they graduated in the spring.

Timothy Austin, one of the play-ers who will see time at the posi-tion, knows that all too well. And he should since two of those players who graduated are his cousins.

“Kelsey Bates and Charlie Coleman, they really gave me an edge,” Austin said.

“They tell me ‘it’s your senior year, you’ve got to do whatever’s best for the team.’”

Austin, who’s played football for five years, learned all about the game from his father.

“My dad always talked about it,” Austin said. “When I told him it was what I wanted to do, he was the first person to put the football in my hand. My dad he taught me everything I know about football.”

Austin has seen a difference in the team since Anthony Jacks took over as head coach in the spring.

“He’s pretty good,” Austin said. “He’s really focused on our grades more than anything.

“He really wants for us to be a student-athlete and not just a plain athlete. I like that more.

“The attitude is better. We want to learn more and we’re trying to do everything.

“We’ve got a new coach and he makes everything fun and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”

Austin said he’s excited about the challenge of facing tough region teams like Clay County, Leeds and Handley.

“It might be hard,” he said. “But I was always told if you want to be the best you’ve got to play the best.”


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Central-Coosa

Cougars enter 2010 season with confidenceStory by Lavonte young Photos by Jim Smothers

The Cougars of Central-Coosa are final-ly going to have some kind of consistency.

Richard Cahalane is going into his sec-ond season at the helm and he is pleased with the way the program is beginning to develop.

“Last year in our summer program we averaged five or six kids and this year we averaged 25,” Cahalane said. “We had kids like Jamal (Burns) that never missed a workout the entire summer. We had a kid that missed a week because of their family vacation.”

The Cougars come into the fall with the motto of “No Excuses.” After hav-ing what Cahalane called a promising spring, he believes there is no excuse for Central-Coosa to produce some victories this season.

“We just want to build off the spring,”

Cahalane said. “We played two tough foot-ball teams in the spring in Maplesville and Jemison. We go into a new region, and we dropped down a classification. We feel like our schedule is more conducive to winning some games.

“We will be real upset if we are not win-ning. Going into this fall our motto is going to be no excuses. No excuse, let’s perform and produce. I feel pretty good; our kids have done well and I am excited to get this thing started.”

Cahalane is back for his second season and that is something that has not been too common in Hanover in the past. Over the last five years the Cougars have had four coaches. The players began to buy in to what Cahalane is doing since they know that he was going to be back for his second season.

“We have a young football team; we don’t have many seniors that will be play-ing,” Cahalane said. “They bought into

what we are doing. They had some res-ervations because they kind of have been discarded year after year. They never knew who the coach was going to be.

“I think it shocked them when I said I was going to be here for a second year. They bought in and we have done well.”

This season the Cougars moved down in classification to 3A. Moving down may have made things tougher for Central-Coosa as they are in a region with cham-pionship contenders Clay County, Leeds and Handley.

“Our region is not weak,” Cahalane said.

“We are in there with Leeds, Handley, Clay County and Walter Wellborn. It is going to be tough. We have Beulah, B.B Comer, Marbury coming in; those are good football teams.

“Our non-region games are going to be with Isabella, LaFayette and Montevallo, so that is good for us. Our region is going


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249231to be tough. We have the 2A runner up, then the year before the 3A champion, so it is going to real tough.”

There is some excitement around the Cougars’ new signal caller Jalan Thomas. Cahalane said he has never seen a quarterback that can shift gears like Thomas.

“Jalan Thomas came on in the spring,” Cahalane said. “He did an excellent job for us. Jalan is our quarterback right now. He has great athletic skills and he has great athletic ability. We are going to do some things to get him out on the edge to move the pocket around.

“Jalan is one of the few people that I have coached in 25 years that only runs as fast as he needs to run. I have seen it before, he just changes gears. We are excited about that.”

Last season the Cougars struggled to get any kind of produc-tion from their offense as they only averaged nine points per game. This season getting the ball to their skill players is something the Cougars plan to do in a variety of ways.

“We need to spread the ball around to our playmakers,” Cahalane said. ”We have Jamal Burns who is a playmaker. We need to get the ball into his hands. We need to get the ball to DeMarcus Ferguson, we need to get the ball into the hands of Quan Benson, and we need to get the ball into the hands of A.J. Longmile.

“We need to give the ball to these guys in space and allow them to make plays. These are things that we are going to have to do if we are going to create any offense.”

Key fACtSHeAD CoACH: Rick Cahalane Key LoSSeS: QB Marcus Judkins, David Harvell, Travis WardKey RetuRNeRS: WR/DB Jamal Burns, FB Chris Smoot, TE Chartaveous Keith, DL Quintavious Norris, DL Travious NorrisBASe offeNSe: Pro I, West Coast BASe DefeNSe: 4-4, 4-3


August27 at IsabellaSeptember3 vs. Wellborn10 at Marbury17 vs. B.B. Comer

24 vs. LaFayetteoctober 1 at Leeds8 vs. Handley15 vs. Beulah22 at Clay County29 at Montevallo

SCHeDuLe

‘We have to get the ball into the hands of our playmakers and take some time off the clock. That will give us a chance to be in the game and play defense.’

—Head Coach Rick Cahalane


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Defensively, the Cougars allowed the most points in their region last season. Cahalane is confident that the defense is much improved this season.

“Defensively we feel like we are going to be better,” Cahalane said. “We will only probably start three seniors on defense. The rest of them will be sopho-mores and juniors. Chris Smoot, Quin Norris, and Justin Strode may be the only three seniors that start on defense. We feel pretty good about that. We are going to have to line up and get after some folks.”

He also feels that their best defense has to be their offense. Putting together lengthy drives will also be a key for the Cougars defense.

“We have to get the ball into the hands of our playmakers and take some time off the clock,” Cahalane said. “That will give us a chance to be in the game and play defense.”

Central-Coosa also has the advan-tage of having a strong kicking game, which could be vital to their success this season.

“Chuck Bradley is with us this year,” Cahalane said. “He has a tremendous leg. He is going to handle all of our kick-ing duties. We feel that is going to be a real asset for us. If we can force teams to take the ball on their 20-yard line and force them to drive the length, that gives us of an advantage.”

10 minutes with…Name: Jamal BurnsGrade: SeniorPosition: Wide receiver

Story by Lavonte young Photo by Jim Smothers

There are high expectations at Central-Coosa this season.

Senior Jamal Burns hopes the Cougars will put together a good season and make a run at winning the state title.

“We expect to go to the playoffs and win the championship,” Burns said.

The Cougars moved down to 3A this season and Burn believes it is a good move for them.

“It is a good move for us,” Burns said. “I think these teams are on our level of competition. I believe that we can win

all of our games and go deep into the playoffs.”

Central-Coosa head coach Richard Cahalane described Burns as a hard worker earlier in the off season. Burns said he would like see the rest of team-mates be hard workers.

“I wish my team would have done the same,” Burns said. “So we can build our team and set an example for the younger kids coming up.”

Taking the role as a leader is some-thing that Burns embraces.

“You have to be vocal and lead them in the right direction,” Burns said.

One of Burns’ most memorable moments of his career came last season in the Cougars’ last game of the season against Elmore County.

“He threw the ball up in the air and it was like five or six guys around me and I came down with the ball,” Burns said. “It was for a 40-yard gain.”

One of the players that Burns admires is Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Burns said he likes Jackson because he they have similar styles of play.

“DeSean Jackson,” Burns said. “He is about my size and he can run fast.”


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Central-Coosa RosterName Gr Ht WtAaron Burns 12 5’9” 150Adam Harris 10 0’0” 0Andrew Whetstone 10 5’5” 120Arthur Longmile 11 5’11” 171Austin Jones 10 5’9” 133Brenden Martin 10 5’11” 183Cameron Bearden 10 5’8” 180Cameron Taylor 10 5’8” 138Chartaveous Keith 12 6’3” 240Christopher Crumbley 12 5’3” 120Christopher Ezekiel 12 5’9” 149Christopher Smoot 12 5’6” 130Demarcus Ferguson 12 5’9” 161Endaegaw Whetstone 10 5’9” 158Jakendall Whetstone 11 5’10” 185Jalan Thomas 11 5’10” 150Javaris Whetstone 10 5’7” 133Jeremy Gallops 11 5’8” 131Justin Fuller 10 5’8” 146Justin Stroud 12 5’6” 150LaDarrius Graham 10 4’11” 105Matthew Carlisle 11 5’2” 98Melvin Ervin 10 0’0” 0Michael Williams 11 5’9” 160Orentheal Blackman 12 5’8” 158Quantavious Benson 10 5’6” 149Quintavious Norris 12 6’0” 152Shane Payton 11 5’6” 168Travious Norris 11 5’8” 180


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Childersburg

Tigers to feature strong running game in 2010Story by Lavonte young Photos by Bob Crisp

Matt Brooks enters his second season at the helm of the Childersburg Tigers feeling a little bit better about his team.

Over the off season Brooks had the chance to work with his players and build relationships, which is something he didn’t have a chance to do his first year.

“We hope the kids know a little bit of what we want from them and what we expect of them,” Brooks said. ”We know the kids better a little bit. We have had a full year with them.

“When you first come in and take a job you don’t have a lot of time with those seniors when you first get them. You have a quick spring practice, then you are in your summer work. You don’t have a January, February, March and April where you build relationships with them in the weight room.”

The Tigers ended their season with a victory over Talladega County Central last season, which ended a six game los-ing streak. Brook feels like they let too many winnable games slip away and that hurt their chances of reaching their goal of making the postseason.

“We wanted to win the first year with those seniors and send them out mak-ing the playoffs with a winning record,” Brooks said. “We were disappointed that we weren’t able to do that. We thought there were two games there that we had the opportunity to win and we just weren’t able to get over the hump and win that close game against Lincoln or Munford or Cleburne County to get us over the hump to get us to 5-5 instead of 3-7.”

Childersburg went most of the season without workhorse running back Fabian Garrett, who was plagued with injuries. Coming into fall camp Garrett was


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Childersburg

Tigers to feature strong running game in 2010Story by Lavonte young Photos by Bob Crisp

Matt Brooks enters his second season at the helm of the Childersburg Tigers feeling a little bit better about his team.

Over the off season Brooks had the chance to work with his players and build relationships, which is something he didn’t have a chance to do his first year.

“We hope the kids know a little bit of what we want from them and what we expect of them,” Brooks said. ”We know the kids better a little bit. We have had a full year with them.

“When you first come in and take a job you don’t have a lot of time with those seniors when you first get them. You have a quick spring practice, then you are in your summer work. You don’t have a January, February, March and April where you build relationships with them in the weight room.”

The Tigers ended their season with a victory over Talladega County Central last season, which ended a six game los-ing streak. Brook feels like they let too many winnable games slip away and that hurt their chances of reaching their goal of making the postseason.

“We wanted to win the first year with those seniors and send them out mak-ing the playoffs with a winning record,” Brooks said. “We were disappointed that we weren’t able to do that. We thought there were two games there that we had the opportunity to win and we just weren’t able to get over the hump and win that close game against Lincoln or Munford or Cleburne County to get us over the hump to get us to 5-5 instead of 3-7.”

Childersburg went most of the season without workhorse running back Fabian Garrett, who was plagued with injuries. Coming into fall camp Garrett was

22 – Prep Football Preview – 2010 2010 – Prep Football Preview – 23

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completely healthy and looking to make a huge impact.

“He wasn’t able to play that much last year due to some injuries,” Brooks said. “Hopefully this year he can stay injury free.”

Brooks is excited about the players he has lining up on the defensive side of the ball. He was pleased with the work that his two seniors Cleve Martin and Joe Phillips put in during the off season.

“Cleve Martin is another guy that played on both sides of the ball and has been a solid guy for us,” Brooks said. “Up front we are looking for Joe Phillips to step in. He has had a great off season. He is one of the hardest working kids that I have been around in my 14 years of coaching.

“He is going to have to play on the offensive and the defensive line. Terrance Garrett, Lamar Datcher and Joey Butts are the guys that we are going to depend to do the dirty work for us. Santavious Oden is a kid that came out and didn’t play for us last year and he has been a real surprise for us, also Victor Harris.

“Sam Adams is a 10th-grader that is probably going to play linebacker and some offensively. We think he chance to be a good football player over the years.”

One position the Tigers are unsure about is quarterback. Cole Limbaugh, who was the starting quarterback the previous two seasons, verbally committed to play base-ball for Samford and decided to not to play football this season.

“We going to have a competition at quarterback,” Brooks said. “We are try-ing to find out who can play quarterback for us. We do have a few kids that came through this spring that’s competing there. Santavious Oden, Courtney Reynolds is going to be a 10th-grader, Ladarious

Bradley is a kid that moved back in and he is going to be a 10th-grader. Those three guys are competing for the quarterback position.”

Depth will be an issue for the Tigers as they will be a small 4A team. Brooks believes last year’s struggles played a part in the decrease in numbers.

“To be honest with you our numbers aren’t as good as they were last year when I came in,” Brooks said. “I knew coming last year the numbers were going to go up just because it is a new coach and there is a new start for everybody. In the season the numbers were lower, some by choice and some not by choice.

“Our numbers aren’t exactly what we want it to be, but I think with success num-bers come. I knew the numbers were going to drop initially once I had a year with them and they saw what we were going to do. The guys that we’ve got, we are very proud of them because they have been able to go through an entire year with us.”

With a young quarterback under center,

running the football will be key for the Tigers this season. Brooks believes hav-ing a veteran running back will take the pressure off of their inexperienced quar-terback.

“I say a strength of ours is going to

Continued on Page 26


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Key fACtSHeAD CoACH: Matt BrooksKey LoSSeS: RB Cordal Turner, WR Corey Reynolds, WR Jamison Cook, OL Darell Wells, DL Kiefer Sheppard, DB Taurian PhillipsKey RetuRNeRS: RB/ LB Fabian Garrett, WR/DB Cleve Martin, Joseph PhillipsBASe offeNSe: SpreadBASe DefeNSe: 5-2


August26 at B.B. ComerSeptember 3 at Dadeville10 vs. Beauregard17 vs. Holtville24 vs. Sylacauga

october1 at Elmore County8 vs. Munford14 at Lincoln22 at Calera29 vs. St. Clair County

SCHeDuLe


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10 minutes with…Name: Cleveland Martin

Grade: Senior

Position: Receiver/Defensive back

Story by Lavonte young Photo by Brian Schoenhals

Cleveland Martin is looking to forward to doing some big things in his senior season.

The receiver/defensive back looks to lead the Tigers to a place they haven’t been in eight years, the playoffs.

“I’m going into my senior season with high expectations,” Martin said. ”Hopefully we will win five games and go deep into the playoffs. Personally, I want to have a good senior year and I want to go out there and have some fun.”

Martin and the Tigers’ seniors will be looked upon to lead this season. The senior has a lot of experience as he has played on the varsity team since the eighth grade.

“I’m going to have to go out there and be a leader,” Martin said. “I am going to have to go out there and keep everybody’s head up when we get down.

“The seniors are going to have to tote the load. We are going to have to go into the ballgame and do whatever we have to do to get the job done.”

The new season also brings a new role for Martin. Last season Martin spent time as a running back, but this season he will be lining up at the slot receiver position.

“Playing wide receiver is better than coming out of the backfield to me,” Martin said. “Playing the slot receiver posi-tion you get a lot of motion and pitches. I would rather run routes than come out of the backfield.”

The 2010 senior group has played a lot of varsity ballgames together. Even though they have lost a couple of guys through-out the year Martin believes the Tigers will be pretty good.

“We have been playing together since the eighth grade,” Martin said. “We have lost a couple of guys, but we are still going to be good.”

This is Martin and the Tigers’ second season with Matt Brooks at the helm. Martin believes that the team is more comfortable with Brooks this season.

“We are used to him now and we know what to expect,” Martin said. “We know what to expect with the workouts and running the 110’s. We have gotten used to working out every day.”

Childersburg ended the season on a high note as they defeated Talladega County Central. According to Martin that win gave the Tigers some much-needed confidence going into the off season.

“We ended the season with a win,” Martin said. “Even though they are a 1A school, it made us look at the bright side of football. We ended on a good note.”

When Martin leaves Childersburg he wants to be remembered as laying the foundation.

“I want to be remembered by going deep into the playoffs,” Martin said. “I want us to be remembered as the team that went out on top.”

Childersburg RosterName Gr. Ht. Wt.Brandon Glenn 11 5’7” 150Caleb Hughes 11 5’9” 155Christian Garrett 10 0’0” 0Cleve Martin 12 5’9” 165Cody Jackson 11 5’10” 170Davarius Harris 11 5’7” 150Derrick Jones 10 0’0” 0Dexter Marbury 10 0’0” 0Emmett Jackson 10 0’0” 0Fabian Garrett 12 6’0” 200Jacob Dark 11 0’0” 0Javos Brown 12 5’9” 150Jeremy Butts 11 5’8” 155Justin Hamilton 11 6’1” 160Lafrederick Kirkland 12 0’0” 0Lagaryius Bradley 10 0’0” 0Lamar Datcher 12 6’2” 230Laterrance Garrett 12 5’10” 205Meagal Bates 12 5’7” 145Sam Adams 10 0’0” 0Victor Harris 12 5’6” 140Zack Mcbrier 11 5’10” 180

have to be running the football with Fabian (Garrett),” Brooks said. “We are going to have to attack people a little bit different. We are not going to be as big up front this year like we were last year.

“This year we have a group of guys that are not as big, so we are going to have to

cater to that scheme up front. We are prob-ably going to run a little bit more option this year. That way we can read the defensive lineman and not have to block them.

“Our passing game is going to have to work off that with play action and throwing quick stuff in our quick game. Our passing game is going to have to come on. Right now that is not a strength for us.”

Continued from Page 24


‘I’d say a strength of ours is going to be running the football...’

—Head Coach Matt Brooks

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Rebels reaping the rewards of hard work


Coosa Valley AcademyStory by Heather BaggettPhotos by Bob Crisp

Entering his second season as the head coach of the Coosa Valley Academy Rebels, Vince DiLorenzo finds himself in a new situation.

In the past four years he’s been at the school, DiLorenzo has never had the lux-ury of having an abundance of players. Or even enough players to hold a scrimmage.

That’s all changed. Entering the 2010 season CVA’s roster

features more than 30 players, a far cry from the 19 that played a year ago.

“We’re able to have a real practice,” DiLorenzo said. “We’re able to scrimmage. We have competition. There’s nothing that makes a player work harder than knowing if he doesn’t work hard the guy behind him is going to take his spot. And we have that in virtually every position on the team this year. That is the way it ought to be.”

A year removed from going 8-4 and being one game away from the champion-ship game, the Rebels are excited about the new season. In order to make another strong run in the playoffs, a lot of new players will have to step in to fill the roles

of a strong senior class that graduated in the spring.

“All of our seniors were key losses for us last year,” DiLorenzo said. “It starts at quarterback. Phil Neal did a great job for us last year at quarterback. I’ve come to understand that is a key position. Trying to replace him at quarterback is going to be tough.

“Ricky Ellison at fullback and defen-sive tackle had probably one of the best seasons of any kid I’ve ever been around, defensively and offensively. He played a much bigger role on offense than I thought he was going to play and on defense he was an all-star.

“Bud Bliss was a three-year or four-year starter for us. We’re breaking in a new center. All of the seniors…I had them as ninth graders. They understood what I was trying to do. We ended up being 8-4 and came close to playing for a state champi-onship.”

A new group will try to build on the momentum generated last season. Three players have emerged as possible quarter-backs for the Rebels this year. John Bullen, who played wide receiver for CVA a sea-son ago, is one of the guys who will see time as the signal caller.

“John Bullen can play it and we’ll have a package for John,” DiLorenzo said. “We’re trying to narrow down what that package is so he doesn’t have to learn the whole offense.”

Two other players were competing for the role of starting quarterback during fall practice.

“There still is ongoing competition for that,” DiLorenzo said. “Daniel Kennedy and Hunter Roe are the two guys that are competing for what really amounts to our starting quarterback position. That compe-tition is still on going.”

DiLorenzo said several of the play-ers returning from last year’s team have a chance to be big contributors in 2010. Tanner Wood, Sam Bullard, Hunter Winslett and Daniel Kennedy are just a few of the players to watch this season.

“Sam Bullard has had a great summer,” DiLorenzo said. “I’m depending on him to be a leader for us. Hunter Winslett had one of those stealthy years last year. You don’t realize how much he did until you’re look-ing back at the end of the season and see-ing just how much he did offensively and defensively. Daniel Kennedy is a kid that’s competing for the quarterback job and is also a receiver. He’s had a really good

28 2928 29

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Coosa Valley AcademyStory by Heather BaggettPhotos by Bob Crisp

Entering his second season as the head coach of the Coosa Valley Academy Rebels, Vince DiLorenzo finds himself in a new situation.

In the past four years he’s been at the school, DiLorenzo has never had the lux-ury of having an abundance of players. Or even enough players to hold a scrimmage.

That’s all changed. Entering the 2010 season CVA’s roster

features more than 30 players, a far cry from the 19 that played a year ago.

“We’re able to have a real practice,” DiLorenzo said. “We’re able to scrimmage. We have competition. There’s nothing that makes a player work harder than knowing if he doesn’t work hard the guy behind him is going to take his spot. And we have that in virtually every position on the team this year. That is the way it ought to be.”

A year removed from going 8-4 and being one game away from the champion-ship game, the Rebels are excited about the new season. In order to make another strong run in the playoffs, a lot of new players will have to step in to fill the roles

of a strong senior class that graduated in the spring.

“All of our seniors were key losses for us last year,” DiLorenzo said. “It starts at quarterback. Phil Neal did a great job for us last year at quarterback. I’ve come to understand that is a key position. Trying to replace him at quarterback is going to be tough.

“Ricky Ellison at fullback and defen-sive tackle had probably one of the best seasons of any kid I’ve ever been around, defensively and offensively. He played a much bigger role on offense than I thought he was going to play and on defense he was an all-star.

“Bud Bliss was a three-year or four-year starter for us. We’re breaking in a new center. All of the seniors…I had them as ninth graders. They understood what I was trying to do. We ended up being 8-4 and came close to playing for a state champi-onship.”

A new group will try to build on the momentum generated last season. Three players have emerged as possible quarter-backs for the Rebels this year. John Bullen, who played wide receiver for CVA a sea-son ago, is one of the guys who will see time as the signal caller.

“John Bullen can play it and we’ll have a package for John,” DiLorenzo said. “We’re trying to narrow down what that package is so he doesn’t have to learn the whole offense.”

Two other players were competing for the role of starting quarterback during fall practice.

“There still is ongoing competition for that,” DiLorenzo said. “Daniel Kennedy and Hunter Roe are the two guys that are competing for what really amounts to our starting quarterback position. That compe-tition is still on going.”

DiLorenzo said several of the play-ers returning from last year’s team have a chance to be big contributors in 2010. Tanner Wood, Sam Bullard, Hunter Winslett and Daniel Kennedy are just a few of the players to watch this season.

“Sam Bullard has had a great summer,” DiLorenzo said. “I’m depending on him to be a leader for us. Hunter Winslett had one of those stealthy years last year. You don’t realize how much he did until you’re look-ing back at the end of the season and see-ing just how much he did offensively and defensively. Daniel Kennedy is a kid that’s competing for the quarterback job and is also a receiver. He’s had a really good


30 3130 31

couple of weeks on defense for us. Corey Burton comes back at guard and defensive end.

“John Bullen was an all-star last year. He has come back … with a much better attitude, recognition of his role as a leader on this team. I’ve been really pleased with the way that he’s carrying himself and his approach to the game.”

In addition to having play-ers returning this season, DiLorenzo said he is especially happy to have his coaching staff back for another season. The veteran coach said the staff deserved a lot of credit for last season’s success.

“Our success last year was

as much a part of the coaching staff that I had helping me as it was the talent of the players,” he said.

“Bobby Hughes, Wade Holly, Jeff Bullen, J.B. Ripley, David McLain and Whit Lovelady – those guys did a fantastic job with our play-ers. All of those guys chose to come back this year. I couldn’t be more blessed to have the staff that I have.”

CVA will face several differ-ent opponents from years past. The Rebels have five different teams on the schedule including the season opener at Autauga. CVA’s first home game is Sept. 10 against Cornerstone.

Key FaCtSHead CoaCH: Vince DiLorenzo

Key LoSSeS: Phillip Neal, Ricky Ellison, Bud Bliss, Zaid Kayyali, Jonathan WebberKey RetuRneRS: Tanner Wood, Daniel Kennedy, Sam Bullard, Hunter Winslett, Corey Burton, Preston Parker, John BullenBaSe oFFenSe: SpreadBaSe deFenSe: 4-3

2009 in ReviewReCoRd: 8-4PointS SCoRed PointS aLLowed 239 170

august27 at Autauga September3 at Kingwood10 vs. Cornerstone17 vs. Chambers

24 at Jacksonoctober1 vs. Meadowview8 at Sparta15 vs. Sumter22 at Dixie29 vs. Crenshaw

SCHeduLe


‘We have competition. There’s nothing that makes a player work harder than knowing if he doesn’t work hard the guy behind him is going to take his spot.’

—Head Coach Vince DiLorenzo

30 3130 31

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10 minutes with…name: Tanner Wood

Grade: Senior

Position: Wide Receiver

Story by Heather BaggettPhoto by Bob Crisp

As a junior Tanner Wood was part of one of the most successful football teams in Coosa Valley Academy’s history.

The Rebels finished the 2009 season with a record of 8-4 and a trip to the semifinal round of the Alabama Independent Schools Association’s Class A Playoffs.

Entering his last season for

the Rebels, Wood wants to not only make it to the championship game, but also to bring home the state title.

“I think we are going to go all the way,” Wood said. “My goal is to win the state championship and for this team to come out as winners.”

The Rebels lost a lot of players from last year’s team, but Wood said the 2010 version of the squad is closer as a team and talented as well.

“I think the team has a lot of talent and I like how all of us are close together,” Wood said. “I think if we continue to work we’ll be successful.

“It’s going to be hard to replace some of our defensive line-men like Bud (Bliss) and Ricky (Ellison).

“I think if we replace them I think we can be the same or even better than last year’s team.”

Wood can hardly remember a time when he didn’t play foot-ball.

“I’ve played since I was 5 years old,” Wood said.

Coosa valley academy RosterNo Name Grade Ht Wt Pos2 Sam Bullard 12 6’2 170 WR/CB4 Preston Parker 11 5’11 170 WR/LB5 Tanner Wood 12 5’11 165 WR/CB7 John Bullen 12 5’9 150 QB/WR/S8 Bryce Cook 12 5’7 165 RB/LB10 Hunter Roe 12 5’11 195 QB/LB11 Grant Lovelady 9 5’8 135 QB/CB12 Dusty Sims 10 5’10 170 WR/CB14 Hunter Winslett 11 5’11 160 WR/LB/S15 Alex Stewart 9 5’4 120 WR/CB18 Daniel Kennedy 12 6’2 170 QB/OLB21 Saxxon Grimes 12 6’1 190 WR/LB22 Adam McGranie 10 6’0 160 WR/CB24 Joe Miller 10 5’7 130 WR/CB25 Casey Frederick 12 5’6 140 WR/CB32 Cody Garrett 11 5’9 135 WR/CB/K35 Ryan Batson 12 5’10 180 RB/LB50 Travis Clinkscales 10 5’11 200 C/DL52 Clay Goss 12 6’0 185 OL/DL53 Chase Darty 8 5’6 150 OL/DL54 Jordan Green 12 6’4 230 OL/DL57 Myles Varner 11 6’0 270 C/DL60 Kyle Batson 10 5’8 170 OL/DL61 Zac Mayo 9 5’8 180 OL/DL64 Reece Donahoo 12 OL/DL65 Colton Cain 7 5’7 155 OL/DL66 Anthony Eads 8 5’9 165 OL/DL68 Dustin Herman 10 5’9 250 OL/DL71 Corey Burton 12 5’10 190 OL/DL72 T.J. Miller 7 5’10 245 OL/DL75 Alex Puckett 12 5’10 185 OL/DL76 Andrew McLain 11 6’2 250 OL/DL77 Logan Guy 8 5’11 185 OL/DL79 Matt Zettle 11 5’8 175 OL/DL80 Nick Bates 12 6’4 190 OL/DL


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Wolves introduce new offense in Sherbert’s second season


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FayettevilleStory by Heather BaggettPhotos by Brian Schoenhals

Chris Sherbert likes to read. Entering his second season as the head coach of the Fayetteville

Wolves, Sherbert spent a lot of time during the off season reading about different practice schedules, different offenses and football philosophies. After all of his reading, Sherbert revamped his team’s offensive scheme and practice schedule and now hopes all that reading pays off with wins on the gridiron this fall.

During his first year as head coach, Sherbert tried a few differ-ent things with the offense but still wasn’t satisfied with the results, so the Wolves will have a different look this fall. The Wolves look to be more balanced on offense this year after depending heavily on the running game and star Kelvin Traylor last season.

“We’re going to run our version of the spread,” Sherbert said. “We do plan on trying to throw the football a little bit more than we did last year.”

Sherbert said Fayetteville fans will see something close to a two-quarterback system on Friday nights this fall.

“This year the quarterback role is going to be expanded tre-mendously,” he said. “We’re looking at two guys filling that role. One of them is Jared Williamson and the other one being Zack McGrady. They both have their own strengths and weaknesses. I want to try to utilize both of their strengths. We probably won’t be a two-quarterback system, but we’ll probably be pretty close to one.

“Both of them are even right now to me. They’re the exact opposite. I’m also teaching them the receiver position as well. So they’ll be in the ballgame. One can throw the ball well and has got better feet, and the other makes better decisions and is probably a better on the field leader.”

The Wolves will be depending on their offensive line a lot to give those quarterbacks adequate time to throw the football this season.

“I expect our line to be our strength this year,” Sherbert said. “That’s something that’s got to be a strength for us.”

Defensively the Wolves started clicking as a team at the end of last season. Sherbert wants the defense to not give up the big plays this year.

“Coach Mark Reed is my defensive coordinator,” Sherbert said. “He came in halfway through the season last year and he was a godsend. I was very impressed with our pass coverage during the spring game.

“We still have to work on sealing the edge. We’re letting too many big plays happen outside. I put that on my shoulders. I’ve taken the defensive ends. Defensively we’ve got to make sure we keep everybody inside.”

Sherbert is convinced changing the things that aren’t working is the only way for a team to get better. He hopes the changes made during the off season pay off for the Wolves during the season.

“If we keep doing the same things we’re always going to get the same results,” Sherbert said. “So we’ve changed how we’re going to do practice, we’re changing our offensive philosophy, we’re changing our defensive philosophy, we’re changing our personnel philosophy. We’re looking at getting as many kids on the field that we can.

“We’re looking at doing some things differently. We’re work-ing hard and asking our kids to be committed to the program, not just be someone who wants to wear the jersey. The ones that we’ve got, I feel good about. Until you start winning you’re always going to have holdouts. It all boils down to winning.”

The Wolves first test of the new philosophy begins Aug. 27 against Ragland.

10 minutes with…name: Brett Caldwell

Grade: Senior

Position: Offensive guard/defensive end


With all the changes going on at Fayetteville, one player said the team is responding well to the different offense.

Senior lineman Brett Caldwell said the team is looking better than they did a year ago. He enters his final season of high school football looking for a winning season.

“It’s looking a lot better than it did last season to me,” Caldwell said. “The rest of the team is liking it better. The coaches are doing better. They’re doing good.”

In addition to winning games in 2010, Caldwell would like to see more camaraderie with teammates.

“Our goal is to get a winning season going this season,” he said. “Come together as a football team and win more games. We have a lot of people stepping up this season. We’re expecting a lot out of them.”

When he’s not on the gridiron, Caldwell will likely be found on the basketball court or baseball field this year. He’s trying out for both sports in his final year at the school. While he likes all three, Caldwell said football is his favorite sport.

“Every game’s a rivalry to me,” Caldwell said. “Win or lose, it’s football; I love it.”


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Fayetteville Rostername Gr Ht wtAaron Parrett 11 5’10” 138Andrew Brown 12 0’0” 0Andrew Wesson 12 5’11” 250Austin Cribbs 10 5’7” 129Blake Autrey 9 5’6” 184Brent Caldwell 12 5’8” 177Brett Autrey 12 5’7” 150Brett Holman 10 5’6” 118Cameron Owsley 9 0’0” 0Charles Oden 11 5’7” 195Christopher Vick 12 5’8” 147Cody Connell 12 Cole Hayes 10 5’8” 134Dakota Graben 9 5’11” 172Damian Harry 10 5’8” 140Daniel Whitlock 10 5’6” 135Hunter Garner 10 5’6” 135Jacob Mcdaniel 12 0’0” 0Jared Williamson 11 5’10” 159Johntavis Townsend 11 6’0” 145Jonathan Boatright 12 5’7” 140Justin Lawson 10 6’1” 179Justin Nixon 11 6’1” 240Marcus Tinney 12 5’10” 205Morrell Mckinney 12 6’4” 150Robert Fulmer 11 6’2” 146Robert Ricks 10 5’8” 120Sawyer Mcgrady 11 6’4” 219William Dennis 9 5’10” 125Zachary Mcgrady 10 6’1” 139Zachary Robinson 11 5’7” 189Zachery Stephenson 12 5’6” 136

Key FaCtSHead CoaCH: Chris SherbertKey LoSSeS: Kelvin Traylor, Mikal Harry, Hunter Scott, Brant VickersKey RetuRneRS: Brett Autrey, Brett Caldwell, Jared Williamson, Zack McGrady, Andrew Wesson, Zack RobinsonBaSe oFFenSe: SpreadBaSe deFenSe: 4-3


august27 vs. RaglandSeptember3 vs. Winterboro10 at Wadley17 vs. Notasulga24 at ASD

october1 at Verbena8 at Loachapoka15 vs. TC Central22 at St. Jude29 at Jefferson Christian

SCHeduLe


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‘We’re looking at doing some things differently. We’re working hard and asking our kids to be committed to the program, not just be someone who wants to wear the jersey. The ones that we’ve got, I feel good about. Until you start winning you’re always going to have holdouts. It all boils down to winning.’

—Head Coach Chris Sherbert


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LincolnStory by Heather BaggettPhotos by Brian Schoenhals

The Lincoln Golden Bears enter the 2010 season with a lot of unknowns.

After losing a strong senior class in 2009, Lincoln head coach Chad Martin is left with players who haven’t had a lot of playing time. While he likes what he’s seeing on the prac-tice field, Martin said it’s hard to say how good they’ll be until they get in live game situations.

“As far as the work, it’s probably been one of the best off seasons I’ve ever been around since I’ve been coaching,” Martin said. “Our kids met and exceeded every expectation we’ve had of them. We’re excited about that. It’s just the unknown of not seeing them in live game action right now.”

Martin has been faced with the task of replacing running back D.J. Howard, who is now on scholarship at Clemson. Rakeem Truss is likely to be one of the players to take over that role. He saw playing time in 2009. Martin is also replacing Branton Hall, Tanner McBurnett, Reed Cooper and Dillon Vickers on offense. On defense the Bears lost Martel Montgomery, Jermaine Butler, Courtney Groce and Damian Collins, to name a few.

“We graduated 20 guys last year and those 20 guys took up 18 spots starting offensively and defensively,” Martin said. “So we’ve really only got four starters coming back.”

One of those returning starters is quarterback Sharrod Cochran. He impressed many in his first year as the Bears’ signal caller in

2009. “Sharrod Cochran is a great leader for us,” Martin said. “He

started for us last year as a sophomore and had a great off season. Rakeem Truss is coming back in the backfield for us. He’s a great scat back for us. We’ve got Nigel Mosley who played limited for us last year. He plays receiver and some defensive back for us.

“We’ve got Desmond Wills and Demarco Willis back at linebacker. That’s probably going to be the

strength of our defense this year, our linebacker play, because they are really the two starters we have coming back defensively.”

With so many new starters playing this year, Martin said it would be important that his

team competes each and every play of the ballgame.

“I think on Friday nights if your guys compete then you’ll have a chance,” he said. “To me that’s been key. “We’ve got to compete every

play. If you compete every play then at the end of the game you have a chance.”

Lincoln’s region changed a lot with the realignment. The Bears are one of just three teams that remain in

the region while plenty of new teams came in. Martin said the new opponents aren’t any easier than the

past region opponents, but the type of football they play is different.

“We leave a power region…now we’re going to more spread teams,” he said. “As far as the quality of teams, I don’t think we really traded off because there’s a lot of qual-ity teams. There’s not a Handley who runs the wishbone and is going to run right at you in this new region we’re in. But there’s some good

teams out there. “I think the region’s just as tough; it’s just a

different type of region. It’s going to be a transition for them into that type of ballgame.”

In addition to the region schedule, the Golden Bears have a strong non-region sched-ule to help them prepare for postseason play. Lincoln opens the season against 5A Etowah before facing Anniston in Week 5 and Alexandria to close out the regular

season. “It’s a brutal non-region,” Martin said. “All those teams are very

well coached. They all have tradition behind them. All of

them are former state champions at some point in time. Our non-region is bru-tal to go with our region schedule. It’s going to be rough, but we’re excited about the

‘As far as work, it’s probably been one of the best off seasons I’ve ever been around since I’ve been coaching. Our kids met and exceeded every expectation we’ve had of them. It’s just the unknown of not seeing them in live game action right now.’

—Head Coach Chad Martin


challenge.”Martin lauded the work of his coaching staff

Martin hopes good off season results in success in 2010

38 3938 39

Key FaCtSHead CoaCH: Chad MartinKey LoSSeS: D.J. Howard, Branton Hall, Tanner McBurnett, Dillon Vickers, Denzel Orr, Denver Orr, Martel Montgomery, Courtney GroceKey RetuRneRS: Sharrod Cochran, Rakeem Truss, Nigel Mosley, Desmond Wills, Demarco Willis, Adam HoltmanBaSe oFFenSe: IBaSe deFenSe: 4-3


august26 at EtowahSeptember3 vs. Elmore County10 at Holtville17 at Beauregard

24 vs. Annistonoctober1 vs. Dadeville8 at Calera14 vs. Childersburg22 vs. Munford29 at Alexandria

SCHeduLe

challeng.”Martin lauded the work of his coaching staff throughout the offseason. The Golden Bears added a new quarterbacks coach this season and Martin is glad to have him as well as the rest of the staff back for 2010.

Our assistant coaches, we wouldn’t be where we are with-

out those guys,” he said. “I have a great staff that I would put against anybody’s.

“We hired Jaime Harper. He’s going to be coaching our quarterbacks. That was a great fit for us.

“Jamie brings a good knowl-edge of the game. We’re excited to have him.”


40 4140 41

10 minutes with…name: Adam Holtman

Grade: Senior

Position: Defensive end/right tackle


The Lincoln Golden Bears have had several years of suc-cessful senior classes.

For the past few years the Bears have sent players on to play college football. The Class of 2010 hopes to continue that tradition. Lincoln advanced to the first round of the play-offs in 2009 and despite losing a good group of seniors off that team, defensive end Adam Holtman said the 2010 team could be good.

“This year’s team is definitely a lot closer than we were last year,” Holtman said. “I think that’s going to help us out a lot in the long run.”

Holtman is one of the experienced players on the team. He’s played football since he was 5 years old. As a veteran on the squad, Holtman said he’s watched this team develop a closeness that was not present a year ago. He said Lincoln’s success in 2010 will likely come from the effort of all the players instead of having one or two standout athletes.

“Our whole team has stepped up this year,” Holtman said. “Everybody came together kind of like a family. Everybody’s cool with each other.”

With the good team chemistry this year, Holtman has high hopes for the Golden Bears.

“I just want to be the best player that I can be for my team and hopefully win state,” he said.

1. Timerick Truss2. Rod Green 3. Savion Green 4. Kendell Collins5. Matt Butler 6. Desmond Wills 7. Darrius Truss8. Ty Hill9. Logan Brown10. Sharrod Cochran 11. Deylon Pearson 12. Nigel Mosely 14. Terrance Montgomery 15. Alex Jemison 16. Chance Byrd 17. Demario Fletcher 18. Eric Shelley 19. Jay Collins 20. Chris Gooden 21. Rakeem Truss 22. Derrick Stockdale 23. Logan Sims 24. Hunter Webster 25. Jalen Turner 26. Darrius Taylor 27. JaMichael Matthews 28. Tredarian Gamble 29. Martin Campbell 30. Patrick Lovell31. Kaleb Combs32. Devonta Peeler33. Jacob Harris34. Demassio Truss36. Colton Pate 40. Nick McColley41. Kenneth Jackson

42. Brody Decker 43. Brandon Howard 44. Corey Sexton 45. Seth Sillmon 56. Josh Berens 50. Lewis Truss 51. James Carlisle 52. Adam Holtman 53. Johnathan Higginbothom60. Lamarcus Sitterly61. Matthew Challender62. Michael Bunt63. Austin Chappell64. Jonah Williams65. Juantaviouis Johnson66. Demarco Willis67. Justin Green68. Jaquavious Green69. Clayton Moore70. Jeffery Roberts72. Jamison Isenhower74. Danny Truss75. Josh Berens76. Dontavious Cosper 77. Austin Blanton78. Patrick Weed79. Eddy Smith80. Tad Griffin81. Xavier McCluney82. Will Curry83. Kerry Primm84. Nathan Johnson85. Zach Quinn94. Wesley Hurst99. Devin Morris

Lincoln roster


40 4140 41

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MunfordLions excited about new coach, season

Story by Heather BaggettPhotos by Bob Crisp

With a new coach and more than 60 players out for football, there is an excitement surrounding the Munford Lions in 2010.

New head coach Will Wagnon is left with the task of teaching his system to the players, which means both players and coaches are putting in a lot of work entering the 2010 season.

“To the new guys that’s never played football it’s real new,” Wagnon said. “But even to the guys that played last year, the things that I do, my system is different than what they’ve done in the past. Everything is new to every-body. Techniques are new. What you call things are new. It’s been tough for the new guys, but it’s been tough for the old guys. The thing that you can see in foot-ball players is that the old guys can catch on quicker than the new guys.”

The Lions have several players return-ing from last year’s squad as well as a lot of new players, including a new quarter-back in Deonte Allen and running back in Jonathan Parker. Wagnon has changed the defensive scheme and hopes having more players means most players will not have to play both ways.

“I feel our strongest point on the foot-ball team is our defensive front seven,” Wagnon said. “In the 3-4 scheme our defensive front seven may be the best part of our football team right now. A lot of the situation last year was guys were going both ways.

“This year we’re going to try to


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have a separate group on defense and a separate group on offense. That way you can’t take a break on a play because you won’t need a break because all you’re playing is defense. We’re going to have some guys who are going to have to go both ways, but we’re trying to limit going both ways in order to have both guys knowing exactly what to do and give maximum effort.”

The Lions are also learning a new offense as well.

“We’re going to try to throw it and run it about the same,” Wagnon said. “This is something that’s new to the guys. They’ve picked it up well. They’re not exactly where they need to be, but we’re getting there.

“Right now we’re pretty solid at quar-terback. We’ve got who we want at quar-terback. It’s just a matter of getting him to where he needs to be in the season. He is a newcomer.”

Entering his first year as head coach, Wagnon said he and his team won’t be satisfied just calling this season a rebuilding year.

“A lot of people in their first season they want to get their system in place and really not worry about wins and losses,” he said. “Maybe we shouldn’t worry so much about wins and losses, but the problem I have is this senior class has been working so hard for me since I’ve been here. We’re trying to win football games this year. We’re not trying to just get better every week. We’re going to try to win ballgames.

“I had a meeting with the seniors right after spring training and our one major goal this season is to make the playoffs. Whatever the record has to be to make the playoffs, that’s what we want to do. They’ve worked for it.

“We’re going to try to win every ball-game we can. We’re going to try to get better each week.

“But at the same time we’re not just going to just scrap this season because it’s the first year because these guys have worked too hard. So we’re out to win as many as we can.”

Wagnon said the excitement surround-ing the team this year has resulted in a lot of hard work put in by the players and coaches.

“They’re real excited,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons we’re going out to win every ballgame this season. They’re working hard. They’re trying to do everything we ask them to do.”

While the excitement is there, the expectation to win every game hasn’t reached Munford yet. Wagnon, who came to Munford from Cherokee County, wants to change that.

“When you get used to something you expect it,” Wagnon said. “When you

expect something it kind of makes it a little easier. I’m talking about winning. At Cherokee County we won 30 out of our last 31 ballgames when I was there. When you do that it makes it easier.

“The situation here, it’s not like they went 0-10 every year. They’ve won some ballgames.

“It’s expecting to win every game no matter who the opponent is.

“At Cherokee County you could bring

the Dallas Cowboys out there and they would expect to win. These guys will eventually expect to win, but I think it’s a situation of expecting to win every football game.

“Once you get to that level it makes winning a little bit easier. It’s still tough. If you can believe you can do something usually you can do it.”

The Lions open the season at home against Sylacauga on Aug. 27.

‘Maybe we shouldn’t worry about wins and losses, but the problem I have is this senior class has been working so hard for me since I’ve been here. We’re trying to win foot-ball games this year. We’re not trying to just get better every week. We’re going to try to win ballgames.’

—Head Coach Will Wagnon


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10 minutes with…name: John Tisdale

Grade: Senior

Position: Defensive EndStory by Heather BaggettPhoto by Bob Crisp

A new coach has brought excitement to the football program at Munford and the players seem to be buying into the new system.

Defensive end John Tisdale has high hopes for his senior season and he’s confident Munford has the players and coaches to get the job done in 2010.

“It’s changed a lot,” Tisdale said of the difference in the team from a year ago. “Everybody’s got more confidence. Practice is more up-tempo. It’s just a lot better having more players. Coach (Will) Wagnon, he’s going to do a good job this year.”

Tisdale has been playing football since he was “probably 6 or 7 years old.”

“My dad first brought it up to me when I was real little because he used to be real big on it,” Tisdale said. “I just fell in love with it.”

Tisdale said he and his fellow seniors have made making the playoffs their main goal this season. The senior hopes having a lot of new players will help them achieve that goal.

“A lot of new guys are stepping up and getting the job done,” Tisdale said.

With rival Lincoln remaining as a region opponent, it wouldn’t hurt Tisdale’s feelings if they beat the Golden Bears on the way to achieving their goal of making the postseason.

“It’d mean a lot because during my whole time playing on the varsity, we haven’t beat them yet,” he said.

Munford Rosterno. name Pos Gr Ht wt0 Caleb Smith 11 5’5” 1401 Tavon Lawson WR 9 5’11” 1552 Deonta Allen QB 12 6’0” 1603 Quanderious Richardson DB 10 5’5” 1404 Darius Kidd TE 12 5’10” 2205 Koari Champion LB 11 5’8” 1556 Donterrious Mcghee RB 9 5’6” 1356 Kendrick Handley WR 11 5’9” 1507 Jeffrey (Wayne) Parnell DB 11 5’11” 1608 Eric Baird LB 10 5’9” 17010 Monteo Garrett QB 9 5’11” 15011 Patrick Vinson DB 12 5’8” 15512 Michael Boldin WR 12 6’0” 14514 Corey Dean S 11 5’6” 15015 Ben Trickett WR 11 5’9” 16517 Quendarius Taylor RB 9 5’8” 14518 Jacob Steever RB 10 5’8” 14018 Jessie Kirksey WR 10 5’7” 14020 Darice Allen LB 10 6’0” 17521 Jonathon Parker RB 12 6’0” 16022 Alexander Champion RB 10 5’7” 14024 Bradley Heard RB 12 5’10” 17527 Demarcus Mckinney DL 11 5’9” 17528 Gunnar Whaley DB 10 5’8” 14030 Blake Haynie LB 10 5’10” 17032 Damian Curry LB 11 6’0” 17034 Jeremy Maxwell DL 12 6’3” 22036 Aaron Reed DB 10 6’2” 14037 Kyle Franklin CB 10 5’9” 15538 Bobby Moore DB 10 5’8” 14542 Jesse Lackey LB 12 6’1” 19545 Colton Gregory LB 9 5’7” 14047 Patrick Hubbard LB 9 5’5” 14048 Corey Smith LB 9 5’7” 14050 Heath Steffey OL 10 5’10” 17552 Daniel Putt OL 10 5’11” 21554 Justin Evans OL 10 5’8” 26055 Robert (Sean) Wadsworth OL 9 5’10” 17056 Drew Goodwin OL 11 5’10” 18058 Aaron Haynes OL 12 5’11” 22060 Bobby Robinson OL 9 6’1” 25561 Silas (Brady) Jones OL 10 6’0” 17064 Lucas Langely OL 9 5’5” 27065 Dustin Haynes LB 10 5’8” 17066 Deion Young DL 11 5’9” 36567 Dacoda Steffey OL 9 5’6” 16068 Christopher (C.J.) Thrower OL 11 6’0” 18569 Michael James OL 10 5’9” 21570 Anthony Tisdale DL 12 6’3” 23071 Hugh (Ty) Parnell OL 12 5’9” 15572 Tyler Clark OL 9 6’0” 24074 Jartavious Mcneal OL 9 5’7” 16075 Judd Watts DL 12 6’2” 26077 Demario Russell DL 12 5’10” 19078 Mark Strickland OL 9 5’8” 15080 Ja’tavious Scales WR 9 5’11” 15082 Earl Moss TE 9 6’1” 23585 James (Andrew) Waddell DB 9 5’7” 14087 Terrious Williams WR 9 5’8” 14088 Trevor Howell DB 9 5’6” 140


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Key FaCtSHead CoaCH: Will WagnonKey LoSSeS: Jaren Dorman, Michael Long, Marcellus Curry, Tyler Haynes, Dominique Allen, Shannon LandersKey RetuRneRS: Bradley Heard, Kendrick Handley, Darius Kidd, Ty Parnell, Jeremy Maxwell, Anthony Tisdale, Jesse Lackey, Koari ChampionBaSe oFFenSe: Pro SpreadBaSe deFenSe: 3-4


august27 vs. SylacaugaSeptember3 vs. Holtville10 at Elmore County17 at Dadeville24 at Jacksonville

october1 vs. Beauregard8 at Childersburg15 vs. Calera22 at Lincoln28 vs. Cleburne County

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Pell CityPanthers ‘hungry for success’ in 2010Story by Lavonte young Photos by Brian Schoenhals

For the first time in Jay Brown’s eight seasons of coaching at Pell City he had a losing season in 2009.

Last season the Panthers struggled as they went 1-9. Brown believes that last season has motivated everyone in the pro-gram.

“Last season of course was a tough season for us and I am sure that it has motivated all of us,” Brown said. “It took us eight years for us to have a losing season. We are definitely not used to it and we don’t like it. I think we are trying to take care of every detail. I think that everybody is hungry for success.

“When you go an entire season without having much suc-cess it makes you hungry. I think it is one of the things that is motivating us.”

Brown said this has been one of the best summers that he has had since coming to Pell City in 2002.

“This was the best summer that we ever had,” Brown said. “We had incredible attendance during our summer workouts by the whole team. That’s 80 guys working out at every workout unless they are out of town. Numbers wise this is the best sum-mer that we ever had, which in turn really that makes us really love this group. They are a really dedicated group. We have been excited ever since spring.”

The Panthers are still a fairly young team. Pell City only has 15 seniors, but Brown believes they are great leaders.

“We’ve got a big junior class,” Brown said. “We only have 15 seniors, but we have some good leadership. We are not even going to try to look into the future. We are just going to take it one game at a time. Really and truly we want to get to that first game.

“I think everybody will be excited about the kind of team that we put on the field. We are going to be one of those teams that is going to be in a lot of close games. I think that we have a lot of heart and a lot of character on this team. This is just a good bunch.”

Development is something that Brown is ready to see. Last season the Panthers played a lot of sophomores and he is ready to see how they look on the field.

“A lot of them played as sophomores,” Brown said. “We played a lot of sophomores and they got game experience. It is going to be interesting to see how it works out. This will be my ninth team here and it has been the best spring and summer that we’ve ever had. Hopefully it will carry over into the fall.”

Region realignment really didn’t affect the Panthers this season as they only lost one team from their region. Pinson Valley moved down to 5A and Austin High School in Decatur was added.

Brown believes the Panthers have a chance of really being competitive in their region.

“The region this year is new by one school,” Brown said. “Pinson Valley is out of it and Austin High School of Decatur is in the region. Our region is very tough. The last six years there has been a lot of playoff spots that have been determined by overtime games and games won right there at the end.

“We have been in both sides of those. Our region is always the same. It is tough from the top to the bottom. Anybody can

10 minutes with…name: Austin Powell

Grade: Senior

Position: Tight end/Defensive line

Story by Lavonte young Photo by Brian Schoenhals

For Austin Powell all he has been thinking about this season is winning.

Last season the Panthers had their worst season since Jay Brown has taken the helm.

“I am excited and ready to get the season started,” Powell said. “I believe that we are going to win this season. I just want to win this year.”

This summer winning is the main topic of conversation among the seniors.

“Yeah, all the seniors want to win this year,” Powell said. “This is our last year and we want to win.”

This season Powell will be playing two new positions for the Panthers. After starting for three seasons on the offensive line Powell now will line up on the defensive side of the ball.

“I just have to learn the technique,” Powell said. “I always wanted to play defense. I like hitting people.”

He will also get a chance to play tight end for the Panthers. Powell doesn’t know what he will do if he scores a touch-down this season.

“I am excited,” Powell said. “I don’t know what I am going to do when I make a touchdown. I might go crazy.”

When football season ends in December Powell would like be the last team standing.

“I’d like to see my senior season end with us being unde-feated and for us to win state,” Powell said.

beat anybody; it happens every year. Austin being someone new, we haven’t played them. Traditionally you have Oxford, Gadsden City, Clay-Chalkville, Shades Valley, Huffman, Hewitt-Trussville, right on down the line. It is just tough. All seven region games are really tough.”

One of the big differences on the Pell City schedule is

Continued on pg. 54


52 5352 53

Key FaCtSHead CoaCH: Jay BrownKey LoSSeS: SS Dameon Walker, DB Clint Smith, WR Rontavious Oden, DL Mike FombyKey RetuRneRS: RB Tarez Elston, DL/TE Austin Powell, DB Tyrone Oden, OL Addison Lee, WR Marquez BarrBaSe oFFenSe: Multiple BaSe deFenSe: Multiple


august27 at Shelby CountySeptember3 vs. Shades Valley10 at Huffman16 vs. Hewitt-Trussville

24 vs. Moodyoctober1 at Oxford8 vs. Clay-Chalkville15 at Gadsden City22 at Austin29 vs. Etowah

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52 5352 53

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54 5554 55

No. Name Pos Gr Ht Wt2 Justin Morgan QB 11 5’10” 1553 Demaurian Wills RB 9 5’10” 1924 Henry Fomby RB 10 5’5” 1515 Bryson Nicholson WR 11 6’1” 1656 Tyrone Oden DB 11 5’9” 1607 Tarez Elston RB 12 5’7” 1808 Cameron Turner RB 12 5’8” 2039 Jonathan Grimes QB 11 5’11” 16010 Sam Grimes WR 11 5’8” 15111 Ira Burch RB 9 5’8” 15112 Myles Parker DB 11 6’1” 16813 Wes Fortson K 11 5’7” 13914 Jackson Williamson QB 9 5’9” 14215 Austin Martin QB 10 5’11” 16516 Jeremy Hamby DB 11 5’6” 12417 Casey Bishop QB/K 9 6’2” 17118 Blake Fuller WR 12 6’2” 16219 Marquez Barr WR 12 6’3” 18020 Chris Stano LB 10 5’3” 13021 Tevin Bush RB 10 5’10” 14122 Kyle Ford LB 11 5’10” 16323 Christian Collins DB 12 5’8” 14224 Austin Williams LB 10 5’8” 15225 Logan Dobbs DB 10 5’9” 14826 Andrew Beardslee LB 11 5’10” 16227 Kevin Bush DB 10 5’10” 14328 Shane Allen WR 12 5’7” 14031 Alex Ennis DB 10 5’10” 16232 Russell Peters LB 11 5’11” 20333 Chase Nobles LB 10 5’7” 17134 Brandon McKinney RB 10 5’9” 16335 Justin Calhoun DL 11 5’8” 20536 Corey Mitchell LB 11 5’10” 18037 Johnny Clardy WR 10 5’9” 14540 Tyler Murray DB 10 5’10” 15841 Benjamin Oliver LB 12 5’9” 17042 Conner Griffith LB 10 6’0” 15944 Matt Whitten LB 10 5’10” 16345 Dylan Armstrong DB 10 5’7” 14247 Chris Deranger LB 12 5’10” 163

49 Jarius Booker LB 11 5’10” 18550 Manuel Diaz DL 10 5’10” 17651 Jamarcus Swain DL 10 5’7” 20652 Brandon Bassett C 10 6’0” 20154 Jacob Vernon DL 10 5’8” 17655 Dallas Martin LB 11 5’11” 18156 Michael Finn OL 11 5’11” 23557 Addison Koy Lee OL 12 6’0” 25658 Jarrod Chatman DL 11 5’9” 24159 Brady Isbell OL 11 5’11” 25260 Taylor Gurley OL 10 5’8” 15662 Mason Smith OL 10 5’9” 19864 Kristopher Leong OL 12 5’11” 22865 Christian Mathis OL 10 5’9” 24066 Christopher McCormick OL 10 5’8” 15167 Robert Brown OL 9 5’9” 19368 Jeremy Swindeall OL 12 6’1” 22569 Morgan Goin DL 10 6’0” 17170 Wesley Brown OL 12 5’11” 22271 Robert Highfield DL 11 5’9” 18772 Joseph Sipes OL 10 5’9” 19573 Ethan Fisher OL 11 6’1” 27074 Joshua Johnson OL 12 6’0” 26175 Bronson Tucker OL 10 6’1” 22376 John Floyd OL 11 6’0” 24577 Neal Embrey OL 10 5’6” 23578 Ben Payne OL 10 5’9” 18579 James Meadows OL 11 6’6” 34981 Ryan Simpson WR 10 5’7” 14182 Tyler Funderburg WR 11 5’10” 16083 Jacob Cross WR 11 5’8” 14584 Stephen Pickren DL 11 6’3” 20585 Justin Grier WR/K 11 6’1” 16886 Christian Harper WR 11 5’10” 16387 Alex Hopson WR 11 5’11” 18890 Skylar Smith DL 11 6’0” 22291 Roderick Beavers DL 12 5’11” 22092 Josh Brown DL 10 5’8” 18293 Austin Powell DL 12 5’11” 25994 Dervaris Bush DL 11 6’1” 238

Pell City Roster the addition of county foe Moody. The Blue Devils took the place of the Talladega game, which has been a neighborhood rivalry for 29 consecutive years.

“Our non-region sched-ule features three tough opponents: Shelby County, Moody and Etowah,” Brown said. “It is a tough sched-ule, but it is one that we built traditional games with everybody in the region. It is a tough one, but I hope that we can be competitive in all the games.”

Tarez Elston is returning for the Panthers this sea-son. Elston is the Panthers’ all-time receiving leader. Brown is expecting a huge year from his senior tail-back.

“Tarez Elston, who is a four-year starter, he has over 100 career catches,” Brown said. “He is approaching 3,000 yards this year. I call him captain because he is just a guy that has been here for four years. He is just a heck of a player for us. He is a good leader.”

The Panthers will have a new quarterback under center this season. Justin Morgan is a transfer from Oxford. Brown is really excited about what Morgan brings to the team.

“We are excited to have quarterback Justin Morgan here,” Brown said. “He has had a great spring and a great summer.”

One of the person-nel changes may make a huge difference on both sides of the football for the Panthers. Brown moved senior Austin Powell from the offensive line to the defensive line. The 5-foot-11, 259-pound senior will also be a big target at tight end for the Panthers.

“Austin Powell is going to play defense end and tight end for us this sea-son,” Brown said. “He is going to be a big factor and he is a three-year starter. He started on the offensive line for three years.”

Cont. from pg 51


54 5554 55


5656 57

Ragland10 Minutes with…

name: Colton Echols

Grade: Senior

Position: Fullback/Linebacker

Photo and story by Gary Hanner

Colton Echols is a 17-year-old senior football player at Ragland. This is his third year to play at the varsity level but he will not start the season after breaking his leg recently playing basketball. Echols is hopeful the doctor will clear him soon so he can get back on the field.

Although Ragland advanced to the first round of the state playoffs last year, they finished 4-7, losing the final four games of the season.

“It was sort of disappointing,” Echols said. “We expected to be a lot better.”

Echols also expects this year to be a winning season and for the Purple Devils to make it past the first round of the state playoffs.

Echols decided not to play football his sophomore season and now regrets it.

“I wish I had of played,” Echols said. “With me being a senior, I realize now how much I love the game.”

Last year, Echols played free safety on defense and wing-back on offense.

Echols said head coach Brian Mintz believes Ragland can have a very good year and is trying to pump the team up.

“He has been a big help in the weight room this off sea-son,” Echols said. “There are a lot more of us in the weight room and that’s a good thing. The team is coming together and with me being a senior and having experience, I want to lead the younger guys by example.”

After high school, Echols plans to attend the University of Alabama and major in physical therapy.


Story and photos by Gary Hanner

Over the past three years, the Ragland Purple Devils have gradu-ated 40 players. Head coach Brian Mintz said last year they were just young and inexperienced.

Now he is hoping that some of these young players who have game day experience will show some maturity and leadership for the 2010 season.

“The senior class from the year before, we had 20 players to graduate,” Mintz said. “In that three-year period, we have replaced every position on the football team. Last year, it showed and there’s no way around that.”

The Purple Devils failed to score in the season-opener and lost to Westbrook Christian 28-0.

History was made in week two as the Victory Christian Lions defeated Ragland for the first-time ever in eight tries. The final score was 34-20.

Ragland picked up its first win of the season in week three as they defeated Jefferson Christian Academy 40-0.

Ragland improved to 2-2 with a 25-0 shutout over Parkway Christian. They then lost to Hokes Bluff 35-14 to fall to 2-3 halfway through the season.

The Purple Devils rebounded with a 41-6 victory over St. Bernard and a 30-10 victory over Jacksonville Christian.

The next week, Ragland lost to Coosa Christian 14-0, then lost to Appalachian 39-13. And then lost to West End 26-7 to end the regular

season on a three-game losing streak.The losing streak reached four as the Purple Devils lost to Gaston

in the opening round of the playoffs 32-6 and they ended the season 4-7.

Mintz has spent two different stints at Ragland. The first was from 1988-1990. It was Mintz who led Ragland to its first-ever state play-off berth in 1988. The Purple Devils were 6-5 that season. The next season, Ragland was 8-4 and in Mintz’s third season at Ragland, the Purple Devils were 1-9.

Mintz moved on to Glencoe where he was head coach for six years and compiled a record of 36-33. He then coached at Southside

Purple Devils look to make another playoff run in 2010

5656 57

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Key FactsHead coacH: Brian MintzKey Losses: Landon Bice, Anthony Jones, Rashun Roberson, Timothy Richardson, Shawn Craven, Caleb CrewsKey RetuRneRs: Devin Wilson, Colton Echols, John Arnold, Jacob Hollingsworth, Cole Bearden, Keshawn KillingsBase oFFense: MultipleBase deFense: Multiple

2009 in ReviewRecoRd: 4-7Points scoRed Points aLLowed 192 224

august27 at Fayettevilleseptember3 at Donoho10 vs. Jefferson Chr.17 at Parkway Chr.24 vs. Gaylesville

october1 at St. Bernard8 vs. Jacksonville Christian15 at Coosa Chr.22 vs. Appalachian29 vs. Collinsville

scHeduLe

for four years and had a record of 13-27 before finding his way back to Purple Devil country.

Six years ago, the Purple Devils were 9-3 and they slipped to 6-5 five years ago. Four years ago, the Purple Devils enjoyed its finest season ever as they were within one win of playing for a state cham-pionship. They went 9-5. The Purple Devils went 8-3 three years ago and 7-4 two years ago. Last year, Ragland was 4-7.

Mintz’ nine-year record at Ragland is 58-45. His 19-year overall record is 107-105.

Mintz said keys to a successful season include experience and maturity.

“We did not have that last year,” Mintz said. “But, with that being said, it was a very fun year in terms of the kids’ attitude. They were young and eager and just a very good group of kids. It was probably one of the more fun and better years we’ve had in the past four to five years.”

Mintz called last year a rebuilding year where kids were learn-ing and going through the process of receiving an education every week.

“With the exception of a few injuries, I think the kids improved from week to week,” Mintz said. “That’s really all you can ask. When you’re playing two ninth-graders on the line of scrimmage and an eighth-grader having to fill in at quarterback, you can predict how that is going to end. Those kids did a good job for us, but again, it all went back to experience and maturity.”

Mintz said there were only two players on offense last year with any playing experience and the defense was basically the same thing.

There were eight senior players to graduate from last year’s team, of which four were starters.

Mintz said they still have a lot of young kids but at least they have a little experience under their belts.

Key players returning include seniors Devin Wilson, Colton Echols and John Arnold, Jacob Hollingsworth, Cole Bearden, along with freshman Keshawn Killings.

“The junior class has several key players in it as does the senior


58 59

Ragland Rostername Gr. Ht. wt.Andrew Ensley 8 0’0” 0Austin Thornton 11 5’7” 160Bradley Barber 12 5’4” 165Brandon Hicks 12 6’2” 210Chandler Caywood 10 0’0” 0Colton Echols 12 5’9” 165Dakota Campbell 10 5’10” 0Jacob Hollingsworth 12 5’9” 160Jeffery Smith 11 5’7” 140Jimmy Brock 10 6’0” 165John Arnold 12 5’10” 165John Brewster 10 5’9” 165John Nelson 10 0’0” 0JohnMark Mintz 11 6’2” 215Jonathon Gibson 12 5’10” 175Joseph Wilson 12 5’9” 180Keyshawn Killings 9 5’6” 150KiJana Bothwell 9 5’11” 160Lester Pilkington 11 0’0” 0Matthew Hicks 9 5’7” 160Michael Snow 12 5’9” 160Mitchell Wellborn 10 5’9” 180Nathan Turbville 10 5’8” 145Nicholas Daniels 11 5’5” 155Sawyer Merritt 10 5’9” 170Shane Phillips 11 5’5” 140Shelton Carter 11 5’9” 175Sidney Bearden 11 5’10” 220Sondre Torp 11 6’4” 170William Crump 12 0’0” 0


class,” Mintz said. “But the biggest part of our team will come from the sophomore class and several of them are bringing in a year’s experience. We’re still going to be young but these young guys do have some talent.”

Mintz said he is excited and believes the kids are excited.

“They feel like they have an opportunity to do really well,” he said.

Mintz said they have done pretty well the past several years and reached a point where they had reached the semi-finals (2006).

“The last time we were making schedules, it was really hard to schedule Class 1A oppo-nents,” Mintz said. “As a result of that, we ended up with some teams that realistically did not need to be on our schedule. But at the

same time, it could not be avoided.”Mintz is talking about Class 4A Hokes

Bluff and Class 2A West End. Every team Ragland plays this year is

Class 1A.Ragland remains in Class 1A, Region 6

along with Appalachian, Coosa Christian, Donoho, Jacksonville Christian, Jefferson Christian, Parkway Christian and Saint Bernard.

Mintz said Appalachian is the team to beat in the region.

“Coosa Christian has shown great improvement every year so I think they will be something to reckon with,” Mintz said.

“I think those two teams will be at the forefront.”

58 59

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60 61

SylacaugaAggies gunning for playoffs after falling short in 2009

story by Lavonte young Photos by Bob crisp

The Sylacauga Aggies go into the 2010 football season with a chip on their shoulder.

Last season the Aggies went 7-3, but missed the postseason. That is something that Matt Griffith wants to change going into his sixth season.

“We go in with the same expectations every year,” Griffith said. “We fully expect to have a winning season and make the playoffs. We tell our kids that when you make the playoffs, when that happens you take it one game at a time to take it to the next level.

“Our kids are hungry. They had a good year last year; they had a really good year the year before. They are disappointed about not making the playoffs last year even though they had a good year. They think that they have something to prove about going into the playoffs.”

The Aggies this season are replacing most of their linemen and their entire backfield. Griffith is more than confident in the players that he has this season.

“The whole thing about losing those kids is that they were three-year start-ers,” Griffith said. “I thought that we had a great spring. To go to Thompson and beat Thompson in the spring game really proved to our kids that we can win with-

out those kids. That was a big confidence booster. I won’t say that we are young as much as we’ve got some guys in some different positions.

“We’ve got some guys that have played, but we have moved them to dif-ferent positions. Matt Collier has been the starting free safety for two years. He will take over the quarterback duties. De’Morris Bledsoe will be a senior; he played behind Josh Crowe last year and he filled in and did a great job. He will step in as running back.

“Brantley Carr was a starter at receiv-er last year; he will start at safety and receiver this year. We are confident we have some kids in the right places. The


60 61

SylacaugaAggies gunning for playoffs after falling short in 2009

story by Lavonte young Photos by Bob crisp

The Sylacauga Aggies go into the 2010 football season with a chip on their shoulder.

Last season the Aggies went 7-3, but missed the postseason. That is something that Matt Griffith wants to change going into his sixth season.

“We go in with the same expectations every year,” Griffith said. “We fully expect to have a winning season and make the playoffs. We tell our kids that when you make the playoffs, when that happens you take it one game at a time to take it to the next level.

“Our kids are hungry. They had a good year last year; they had a really good year the year before. They are disappointed about not making the playoffs last year even though they had a good year. They think that they have something to prove about going into the playoffs.”

The Aggies this season are replacing most of their linemen and their entire backfield. Griffith is more than confident in the players that he has this season.

“The whole thing about losing those kids is that they were three-year start-ers,” Griffith said. “I thought that we had a great spring. To go to Thompson and beat Thompson in the spring game really proved to our kids that we can win with-

out those kids. That was a big confidence booster. I won’t say that we are young as much as we’ve got some guys in some different positions.

“We’ve got some guys that have played, but we have moved them to dif-ferent positions. Matt Collier has been the starting free safety for two years. He will take over the quarterback duties. De’Morris Bledsoe will be a senior; he played behind Josh Crowe last year and he filled in and did a great job. He will step in as running back.

“Brantley Carr was a starter at receiv-er last year; he will start at safety and receiver this year. We are confident we have some kids in the right places. The


key is we have to stay healthy; we are really shallow depth wise up front and we have smaller kids up front that has us a little bit concerned. Skill wise we feel pretty good as long as we don’t get banged up early.”

Griffith believes that the attitude and overall speed of the linemen will help make up for their lack of size.

“There is no doubt that we survive off pound-to-pound strength, quickness and speed,” Griffith said. “We survive off those things. We play with a little bit smaller kids here, but our kids play extremely hard on Friday night. Our strengths have to be our speed and our atti-tudes. If those things stay the same then we will be OK.”

Class 5A Region 5 got a lit-tle bit tougher for Sylacauga. The new additions to the region concern Griffith.

“Yeah it is a little bit (dif-ferent),” Griffith said. “They moved John Carroll out and they bumped Pinson Valley down from 6A, which con-cerns us. You take anybody moving down from 6A com-petition and you put them in

5A, you expect them to do well.

“It is a different level; I don’t care what anyone says. I have been on the 5A, 6A level my whole career and I know it is a big difference sometimes. I expect Pinson to be pretty tough competition. Erwin moves in and they are scary. They are always so fast and you have to deal with the Briarwood, Shelby County and Chelsea is going to be much improved.

“It is going to be a tough and competitive region. We are looking forward to play-ing the new teams and some of those teams that we’ve been playing have become rivalries. Our kids love to play Shelby County, which has become a big rivalry for us. Even Chelsea I think that we are 2-2 against them in four years. They have an out-standing staff; you have to line up and play every Friday night.”

Griffith was impressed with the way the Aggies looked in their passing camps this sum-mer. He was also elated about his secondary and how his linebackers have matured

10 minutes with…name: Matt Collier

Grade: Senior

Position: Quarterback

story by Lavonte young Photo by Bob crisp

After being in the background for the past three seasons, Matt Collier will finally have his chance to make his mark with the Sylacauga Aggies.

The senior quarterback has been working toward this oppor-tunity since he was freshman and he plans on taking advantage of it.

“Kelsey (Pope) has been doing it for three years now and I have been waiting,” Collier said. “I got to play every once in a while when he got hurt. I know all the plays and I have been working hard at it. We have been working hard all summer, so I believe that we are ready.”

Collier said he learned a lot from practicing with Pope the last three seasons.

“Yeah, Kelsey showed me a lot,” Collier said. “He is really the person that taught me how to read the veer and how to run it. He was a big influence on me.”

In limited action last season Collier showed flashes of what he can bring to the Aggies offense. Collier isn’t as much of a threat to run the ball like Pope was, but he has the ability to make big plays with his arm.

“That’s the difference between me and Kelsey,” Collier said. “Kelsey is more of a runner, but I am more of a passer. We are still going to run the veer a lot, but now we have the opportunity to throw more this year.”

The Aggies had a lot of holes to fill from last season’s team. On offense the Aggies are replacing nearly their entire offense and they are replacing everybody on defense except their secondary.

“We have a pretty new (offensive) line, but they have been working hard,” Collier said. “We have a new backfield, but we have the same receivers. On defense we have new linebackers, new defensive ends. We have been working pretty hard.”

With so many new faces on the offense, Collier will be looked at to lead. The senior, who is not really a vocal leader, plans to lead with his actions on the field.

“I’m not really a verbal guy,” Collier said. “I like to show with my actions on the field. We have a lot of verbal leaders on the team already.”

Collier and the Aggies were impressive in their passing camps this summer. The Aggies went 14-5 in the passing camps.

“Our first one, we struggled in Oxford,” Collier said. “I think we lost three of the games there. I think that we only lost one or two in our other games at Briarwood’s passing camp.

“At the other passing camp we won all of our games. We have new players and it just took us a while to get used to it, but once we got it we were good.”

The Aggies enter the season with one thing in mind, which is hosting a playoff game. Sylacauga hasn’t hosted a playoff game since 2001.

“All summer we have been here three days a week working out in the sun,” Collier said. “We are trying to host a playoff game this year and see how far we can go from there.”


62 63

no. name Grade Pos2 Cheston Wesson 11 Z/DB3 Marcus Gamble 12 Z/DB4 Cade Conville 11 X/DB5 Jeremy Murphy 12 Z/DB6 De’Morris Bledsoe 12 B/LB7 Hakeem Turner 12 A/DB8 Spencer Dennis 10 X/DB9 Austin Drummonds 12 Y/LB10 T.J. Green 10 X/DB11 Jamal Hatton 10 QB/Z/DB12 Matt Holland 12 Y/LB13 Chase Landers 10 Y/DE14 Colton Richardson 11 X/DB15 Kowan Burke 11 LB16 Matt Collier 12 QB/DB19 Emeritus Oden 11 LB21 Shelby McElrath 12 A/Lb22 Mason Donahoo 11 Z/DB23 Keith Roberts 10 A/DB24 T.J. Smith 10 A/DB26 Blair Mayfield 11 X/LB27 Isaac Jennings 11 Z/DB28 Adonis Averette 11 A/DB30 Seth Blocker 11 Y/LB31 Greg Moon 11 B/LB35 Peyton Heath 10 B/LB40 Cameron Looney 10 DE

44 Zack Duffee 11 B/DE45 Charles Caesar 12 Y/LB50 Devin O’Neal 10 T/DE51 Wes Duke 11 T/C52 Shaq Pope 12 T53 Matt Barnett 10 C/LB58 Hunter Shingleton 12 T61 Chance Hamilton 11 G/DE62 Jesse Moore 10 G63 Lane Wallis 10 G66 Ray Kelow 10 T67 Brett Medford 10 T70 Nick Meeks 12 T72 Laxmastro Hall 12 G74 Drew Jones 11 T76 Dylan Fuller 10 T77 Daniel Smoot 12 G78 Dannell Smoot 12 T79 Matt Andrews 12 T80 Justin Hickman 10 X/DB81 Brantley Carr 12 X/DB82 Stefan Gooden 12 X/DB83 Ryan Whaley 12 P84 Sedrick Cottingham 12 DE85 Tristan Woods 11 DE86 Jonathan Board 11 X/DB88 Austin Masters 10 Y/LB90 Jackson Laye 9 K

sylacauga Roster

since the spring.“All of them,” Griffith said. “I can’t

remember the last time we went 14-5 in passing camps. That is a far cry (from where we were in the past). Usually we have been an option football team, but we like to break even. Our kids have thrown the ball so much better this year than we have in the past. Defensively we had all of our secondary guys back, so we are very impressed with our linebackers and how they have matured over the summer. We just hope to carry that from the summer into fall.”

‘Our kids are hungry. They had a good year last year; they had a really good year the year before. They are disappointed about not making the playoffs last year even though they had a good year. They think that they have something to prove about going into the playoffs.’

—Head Coach Matt Griffith


62 63

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Key FactsHead coacH: Matt GriffithKey Losses: QB Kelsey Pope, RB Josh Crowe Key RetuRneRs: DB Jeremy Murphy, DB Hakim Turner, Safety Brantley Carr, DE Charles Cezar, OT Shaq Pope Base oFFense: Multiple Base deFense:


august27 at Munfordseptember3 vs. Chelsea10 at Talladega17 vs. Moody24 at Childersburg

october1 vs. Erwin8 at Shelby County14 vs. Pinson Valley22 at Briarwood Christian29 vs. B.B. Comer

scHeduLe


64 65


64 65

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Talladega

Mahand has set high goals for second season at Talladegastory By Lavonte young Photos By Brian schoenhals

Building a foundation for a program starts in the summer and that is what the Talladega Tigers were looking to do this off season.

Second year head coach Chris Mahand is impressed with the way the team worked this summer and he is looking forward to what the season may have in store for the Tigers.

“I have been real pleased and impressed with the work that the kids have put in this summer,” Mahand said. “They put in the work to be successful. We definitely had a great turnout as far as weight training, so we are ready to get the season started. I am excited about the season and I am very enthusiastic about

what the future may hold for Talladega football.”

This season the Tigers have high goals as they look to do something a Talladega team hasn’t done in 15 years.

“Our basic goal is just to play good Talladega football,” Mahand said. “We also want to make the playoffs for the first time since 1995.”

Chemistry is going to be more appar-ent on the field when you see the 2010 Tigers football team. This summer the Tigers underwent a grueling training pro-gram, which brought the guys closer.

“One thing that I am going to enjoy about this team is that they are going to enjoy playing with each other,” Mahand said. “They have worked so hard this summer together. Anybody that could not make their weight training will not

be allowed to play. “That is something that I put in when

we first started. It wouldn’t be fair to the boys that worked so hard this summer to allow someone to come in that hasn’t paid their dues to be part of this team. That’s going to build some chemistry with the boys.

“They know who they have with them in the trenches, who is going to be there for them because he was there all sum-mer with him. That is just something that we instilled in the boys, just hard work, and I think it is going to pay off.”

Mahand believes there will be a noticeable difference in the product the Tigers put on the field this season. He believes a difference in their work ethic and strength may calculate into wins.

“I see the excitement of the boys,”


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Talladega

Mahand has set high goals for second season at Talladegastory By Lavonte young Photos By Brian schoenhals

Building a foundation for a program starts in the summer and that is what the Talladega Tigers were looking to do this off season.

Second year head coach Chris Mahand is impressed with the way the team worked this summer and he is looking forward to what the season may have in store for the Tigers.

“I have been real pleased and impressed with the work that the kids have put in this summer,” Mahand said. “They put in the work to be successful. We definitely had a great turnout as far as weight training, so we are ready to get the season started. I am excited about the season and I am very enthusiastic about

what the future may hold for Talladega football.”

This season the Tigers have high goals as they look to do something a Talladega team hasn’t done in 15 years.

“Our basic goal is just to play good Talladega football,” Mahand said. “We also want to make the playoffs for the first time since 1995.”

Chemistry is going to be more appar-ent on the field when you see the 2010 Tigers football team. This summer the Tigers underwent a grueling training pro-gram, which brought the guys closer.

“One thing that I am going to enjoy about this team is that they are going to enjoy playing with each other,” Mahand said. “They have worked so hard this summer together. Anybody that could not make their weight training will not

be allowed to play. “That is something that I put in when

we first started. It wouldn’t be fair to the boys that worked so hard this summer to allow someone to come in that hasn’t paid their dues to be part of this team. That’s going to build some chemistry with the boys.

“They know who they have with them in the trenches, who is going to be there for them because he was there all sum-mer with him. That is just something that we instilled in the boys, just hard work, and I think it is going to pay off.”

Mahand believes there will be a noticeable difference in the product the Tigers put on the field this season. He believes a difference in their work ethic and strength may calculate into wins.

“I see the excitement of the boys,”


Key FactsHead coacH: Christopher MahandKey Losses: DB Rashawn Greene, DT Quentori Carter Key RetuRneRs: QB Semaj Richardson, P/QB Will Bailey, WR Corey Tucker, OLB Nathan Webb, FS Maurice ButlerBase oFFense: MultipleBase deFense: Multiple


august27 vs. Winterboroseptember3 at Pinson Valley10 vs. Sylacauga17 at Shelby County24 at Woodlawn

october1 vs. Briarwood8 vs. Moody15 at Chelsea22 at Erwin29 vs. G.W. Carver (Birmingham)

scHeduLe

Mahand said. “I see a difference in their strength level. I see a difference in their work ethic. I don’t know how many wins that is going to calculate to, but like I said before, it is going to be a different Talladega football player you see on the field this year.

“They are going to play together; they are going to look more organized and they are going to look like they know they are doing a whole lot better this year.”

At some points during the 2009 season the Tigers offense looked dismal to say the least as they only averaged 7.9 points per game. This year the Tigers’ offense will turn to dual-threat quarterback Semaj Richardson to orchestrate their offense.

“He definitely can be a game changer for us,” Mahand said. “It is a big help for me to have Semaj up under center. We lost him the second play of the second ballgame (last year) and that really hurt us in offensive productivity. If we can keep him healthy he can be a game breaker for us. He can turn a five-yard gain into a touchdown or turn a broken pass route into a 20-yard gain.”

Mahand believes that having a year in the offense is going to make his team more consistent.

“The boys have more of an idea of what we are trying to do offensively,” Mahand said. “The more that you rep it they will feel more comfortable doing it. That’s going to make a big dif-ference in our offense this year. The boys are going to have the luxury of running it for a year, blocking wise and scheme wise. I think that is going to help us out a lot.”

The defense also struggled last season as they allowed their opponents to score 40 or more points six times in 2009. One of the things that the Tigers are going to do to stop teams is by having everybody swarming around the football on every play.

“Defensively we are going to be stronger,” Mahand said.


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talladega RosterNo. Name Gr. Ht. Wt.0 Justin Pickett 9 0’0” 00 Kendarius Smith 8 0’0” 02 Jakevia Barclay 12 5’7” 04 Devante Groce 12 5’10” 1606 Justin Kelly 10 5’7” 07 Semaj Roberson 12 5’10” 1608 Zack Spratlin 9 5’7” 09 Maurice Butler 12 6’0” 16510 LaCorey Tucker 12 5’11” 16012 Quintravious Boone 11 5’9” 021 Corey Robinson 12 0’0” 022 LaDerrick Stamps 9 5’5” 023 Chamarcus Lynch 11 5’11” 15024 Chris Williams 10 5’7” 13525 Wade Lett 9 5’5” 027 Ivory Hamilton 10 5’9” 15031 Kharee Barclay 10 5’6” 032 Ahmad Gooden 9 6’2” 033 Carlos Turner 10 5’8” 14534 Nathan Webb 12 6’2” 18035 Waylon Lett 10 0’0” 036 Fabian Zinnerman 11 5’8” 15043 Jesse Marbury 12 5’9” 15055 Devante Patton 12 6’0” 27557 Arrin Graham 11 0’0” 063 Bryan Sewell 12 5’5” 17065 Cody Mcewen 10 5’8” 18569 Kurtilyn Barclay 11 6’0” 20571 Justin Jordan 12 6’0” 27573 Javion Mccoy 11 6’0” 23576 Martavius Wallace 11 5’11” 077 Taj Seals 12 6’3” 27078 Andrekious Evans 9 0’0” 080 Rodarus Buchanan 11 0’0” 082 Kedrick Carmichael 9 0’0” 084 Carlos Taylor 10 5’9” 085 Joseph Bath 9 0’0” 086 Anthony Mckinney 12 0’0” 099 Kentavious Turner 10 5’10” 190

“We are going to fly to the ball. That is the biggest thing that I am going to concentrate on. It is hard to make a mistake on defense when you have 11 people flying to the football.

“That is the biggest thing that I am going to work on. I want 11 people around the football, not 10, not nine, but 11. That is going to counter a lot of mistakes that we might make.”

Mahand said that he is extremely proud of the way his team has been committed this offseason and in fall

practice.“I am just excited about the whole

team and what they have done in this extreme heat,” Mahand said.

“The boys have been here in numbers. I can’t single out one player that I have been impressed or surprised by because all of them have worked very hard this summer.

“Ever since we have started practice the numbers have been real consistent, so I am proud of all of them.”

‘We are going to fly to the ball. That is the biggest thing that I am going to concentrate on. It is hard to make a mistake on defense when you have 11 people flying to the football. ...I want 11 people around the football; not 10, not nine, but 11.’

—Head Coach Chris Mahand


68 69

10 minutes with…name: Semaj Richardson

Grade: Senior

Position: Quarterback

story by Lavonte young Photo by Brian schoenhals

The weight of a team’s success partially sits on the shoul-ders of Talladega’s Semaj Richardson.

Last season the quarterback was injured on the second play of the second ballgame, but now he is healthy and ready to make a huge impact.

The mentalities of the players have changed since Christopher Mahand has taken the helm. The Tigers players go into the season expecting to win this season and that is something that weren’t expecting to do in the past.

“Everybody’s expectation going into the year is to win,” Richardson said. “Our expectation is to always win. We have to play as one team. ‘Nobody fall apart and stick together’ is the main talk. Everybody is working together to make each other better. We are working to get what we want; nothing is going to be easy.”

Having Mahand in his corner has made a difference in Richardson’s life. He said that his coach is there for him in everything that he needs.

“I feel like he is helping me find my way,” Richardson said. “He is not leaving me stranded; he is helping make whatever I need to make. If I need help I go to Coach Mahand. The good thing about him is if I need to go to a camp, I’ll go to coach Mahand and ask him what he thinks about it. He will tell me that it’s not good for me and to find something else, find some-

thing local. He wants me to be where I am comfortable. He treats us like we want to be treated.”

Leadership is something that the Tigers will be looking for the senior quarterback to provide. He believes the team attitude reflects his attitude on the field.

“However I am on the field it affects them,” Richardson said. “I know that and I am here to pick them up. If they do wrong, I don’t turn my back on them. My teammates always have my back and I always have their back. I keep the love going; I like everything to be settled.”

In the Talladega County Central passing camp earlier this summer the Tigers lined up Richardson in different positions to provide a spark. Richardson said that he will play whatever position the coaching staff needs him to play.

“I don’t know what it is going to be really,” Richardson said. “I try to stress to coach wherever you need me that is where I want to be. I will do whatever to help my team win. I don’t have to have a primary position. I play where he feels I am best at and wherever that is, that is where I am going to be.”

The Tigers were gym rats this summer as they came to workout and get time on the field twice a day. Richardson believes that created chemistry and it gives the players a better idea of how their teammates like to play.

“We have put in a lot of hard work over the summer,” Richardson said. “It has been work, running, work, running and more work the entire summer.

“We have been spreading the love. Everybody has hung together. We make sure that we don’t lose touch with anybody, so when we come back we will know each other’s game. During the morning time we would come in and work. In the evening time we would come back and get that chemistry time.

“We would get to know each other, socialize, go in there and workout some or come out on the field and throw it around. It was also time for us to run around and make sure that we are in shape.”

Insecurity is what keeps Richardson working on his craft. He feels like there is always a flaw in his game that he has to work on.

“It is never enough,” Richardson said. “I work like it is never enough. I work as much as I need to work because there is always a weak spot. Every opponent has a weakness, so we just work to get where we need to be. We have to be victorious. It has to be in your heart to be victorious.”


70 71


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Talladega County CentralFighting Tigers depending on seniors to lead young squadstory by Lavonte young Photos by Brian schoenhals

DeShon Burney really doesn’t know what to expect from the 2010 Talladega County Central football. Burney, who enters his second season as the head coach at at TC Central, has a team filled with talent and inexperience.

“It is still a little bit of a mystery,” Burney said. “With the new faces in we just want to make sure they’re comfortable in what they are doing. We are not going to try to overwhelm them with a lot of stuff and make sure they are in the right position.

“The potential of this team is very good, but you are dealing with inexperience and dealing with youth. You really don’t know what you are going to get from them game to game, let alone from practice to practice. That’s the things that we have been talking about: first and foremost being accountable, controlling the things that you can control and that starts with being on time, giving good effort, and having a good attitude.”

Entering his second season, Burney feels

like his players know what to expect from him now. This summer his seniors worked extremely hard and went the extra mile, which made Burney proud.

“They understand what we are look-ing for in the drills and you have seniors that are leading by example,” Burney said. “That’s what you need; you don’t need the rah-rah guys, you need guys that are going to stay after and run. The younger guys are going to see that and they are going to join in. They are doing this on their own because they are seniors and they want us to be suc-cessful.”

The Fighting Tigers have a talented core of seniors, which is led by All-State offen-sive lineman Terrell Garrett. Garrett is one of the many Fighting Tigers that could play on Saturdays according to Burney.

“He has only gained 20 pounds since football season and has gotten a lot stron-ger in the weight room,” Burney said. “Whoever gets this kid in college is getting a steal. Right now he is under the radar. He is 6-foot-4, 286 pounds and he is a great kid.

talladega county central Roster

name Gr Ht. wtAlby Morris 12 5’5” 135Antonio Gary 8Avery Burr 9 5’8” 130Cordaryl Garrett 12 5’7” 132Corey Morris 9 5’11” 187Durrel Embry 12 5’8” 175Frank Morris 12 5’6” 145Jeremy Allen 9 5’4” 126Kavious Swain 10Kendarious Swain 11 6’2” 200Maurice Duncan 12 6’1” 264Nicholas Embry 10 5’3” 150Ramone Russell 10 5’1” 130Rory Jackson 12 5’11” 164Terrell Garrett 12 6’1” 265Tevin Garrett 11 6’0” 210Tevin Swain 12 5’8” 195Tyler Cross 8 Tyree Garrett 11 5’9” 170Tyrell Meadows 12 5’6” 149Wilbert Wells 10 6’2” 260Xavier Calhoun 11 5’7” 214


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10 minutes with…name: Maurice Duncan

Grade: Senior

Position: Defensive line

story by Lavonte youngPhoto by Brian schoenhals

There is one player that most head coaches mention when they talk about Talladega County Central. Maurice Duncan knows that he is one of the players that opposing teams game plan around, but he believes people should be concerned about the entire team.

“I am going to try to step up,” Duncan said. “It’s not mainly about me; it is about the team. We have to put that extra work in. It seem like some of these players don’t want to step up, but they are going to have to.”

For Duncan this year is very important. The senior defensive tackle looking to perform at high level so he can play on the next level.

“This is my senior season and I have to try to perform to my excellence so I can make it to college,” Duncan said. “I want to go out on top and make it on the next level.”

Duncan has handful of college teams interested in his ser-vices.

“So far I have UAB, Troy, JSU, LSU and some more small colleges,” Duncan said. “I get a lot of calls and a lot of hits on my recruiting page.”

Duncan is a handful on the defensive line for the Fighting Tigers. The 5-foot-11, 264-pound Duncan loves to create havoc on opposing offenses.

“I am a defensive tackle,” Duncan said. “What else can I say, I am a big man. I am always trying to declare a double team. That is all I am looking forward to is a double team. I want to blow up the line and put a couple players on their backs and make the tackle.”

He said the best part of his job is seeing the fear in opposing linemen’s eyes.

“The best part of being a defensive tackle is when you come off the ball and you look at the other player and you know that he is scared of you,” Duncan said. “You do what you do after that and bust them up.”

It was fear in the eyes of Duncan when he first went out for the football team. After he got over his fear, Duncan fell in love with football.

“My seventh-grade year they were looking at me, but I was kind of scared,” Duncan said. “I ran out there my seventh-grade year scared. I tried to get my homeboys to go out there with me. I came out my eighth-grade year and we went to the Super 6. Then I began getting in the weight room and getting bigger. I began working on my speed and I got better on the field. Then football became my life.”

Duncan feels like he has to improve on his leadership skills this season.

“I have to step that up too,” Duncan said. “Right now I am not really a good leader. I am good, I am at the top, but I have to really step that up. I am not saying that I am the most perfect man in the world; I just get out there and do what I have to do.”

“Right now a couple of teams are looking at him, a couple of D-I schools are looking at him. I think if he was able to go to some more camps this summer he would truly be big time. We have a couple of kids that we are hoping will sign scholar-ships in February. Not just Terrell, but Maurice (Duncan), Rory (Jackson), Cortez (Morris), and Tyrell Meadows.”

The Fighting Tigers’ quest for their 12th region champion-ship got a little bit tougher with the addition of St. Jude to the region.

“Donoho was going to be improved anyway, but they moved from 1A South to 1A North,” Burney said. “The people down in Montgomery saw fit to bring in a team that played in the 2A state playoffs and put them down in our region.”

One of the Fighting Tigers’ strengths this season may be their passing game. The Fighting Tigers looked impressive against Talladega, as they moved the ball with ease.

“This is the second time that we have thrown the ball this summer,” Burney said after the passing camp. “We haven’t had any passing camps to really go to. Reason being, we have kids that play three sports. They come out and play summer league basketball and then we have football in July. We have to be smart how we schedule it, so we won’t run them into the ground.”

The work ethic that the Fighting Tigers seniors displayed this summer has pleased the head coach.

“My seniors Terrell Garrett, Rory Jackson,” Burney said. “I don’t think they have missed two practices between them. They have been here; they have been dedicated and they have done what we have asked them to do. I couldn’t be happier to have them.

“These are the kids that are staying and running after prac-tice on their own because they want to be better. Big Maurice Duncan is still nursing that ankle injury. He has been hopping around. We want to make sure he is ready to go in the first game and we will be OK. We just have to put the pieces of the puzzle together with the numbers being down like they are.

“Enrollment is down at the school; we just have to figure out when and how we are going to rest these guys in the game. We are going to get them in the best shape so they can play both sides, but I know having done that myself, they are going to have to rest sometimes.”


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story by Lavonte young Photos by Brian schoenhals

The Victory Christian Lions are about to get a real-ity check.

A year after defeating their opponents with ease in 1A, the Lions now move to a tough 2A region.

Victory Christian head coach Scotty Smith is looking forward to the challenge of playing 2A football.

“Being in 2A is more of a challenge,” Smith said. “We are excited about the chal-lenge rather than what we have experienced in the past in 1A.”

The Lions lost most of their skill players off of last year’s record-setting team. Moving up in classification made Victory Christian the smallest school in 2A. Smith believes they have a chance to compete in the new division.

“We lost all of our skill

people,” Smith said. “A cou-ple of our lineman that started for us last year that were com-ing back decided not to play. We have a lot of inexperience and a lot of new players.

“We have a lot of players that used to play defense play-ing offense. We are moving up to 2A; we were in 1A the past two years. Moving up to 2A we are going to be the smallest 2A school in the state of Alabama by about 50 kids. It is going to be a challenge

to play well and compete. We have a core of good players and they play hard. Hopefully we have a good year.”

This year Victory Christian’s team has high hopes of making some history in 2A. In their previous two seasons in 2A in 2006-2007 the Lions went 0-14. Smith hopes that his team this year will break those streaks and continue the one they had the past two seasons, which is making the playoffs.

Victory ChristianLions look to compete in new classification


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story by Lavonte young Photos by Brian schoenhals

The Victory Christian Lions are about to get a real-ity check.

A year after defeating their opponents with ease in 1A, the Lions now move to a tough 2A region.

Victory Christian head coach Scotty Smith is looking forward to the challenge of playing 2A football.

“Being in 2A is more of a challenge,” Smith said. “We are excited about the chal-lenge rather than what we have experienced in the past in 1A.”

The Lions lost most of their skill players off of last year’s record-setting team. Moving up in classification made Victory Christian the smallest school in 2A. Smith believes they have a chance to compete in the new division.

“We lost all of our skill

people,” Smith said. “A cou-ple of our lineman that started for us last year that were com-ing back decided not to play. We have a lot of inexperience and a lot of new players.

“We have a lot of players that used to play defense play-ing offense. We are moving up to 2A; we were in 1A the past two years. Moving up to 2A we are going to be the smallest 2A school in the state of Alabama by about 50 kids. It is going to be a challenge

to play well and compete. We have a core of good players and they play hard. Hopefully we have a good year.”

This year Victory Christian’s team has high hopes of making some history in 2A. In their previous two seasons in 2A in 2006-2007 the Lions went 0-14. Smith hopes that his team this year will break those streaks and continue the one they had the past two seasons, which is making the playoffs.

Victory ChristianLions look to compete in new classification


Key FactsHead coacH: Scotty Smith Key Losses: QB Michael Kirby, Alex Jernigan, Jordan Grimmer, Zach Johnston, Josh FrenchKey RetuRneRs: Jared Hubbard, Chase McGinnis, Nate Machen, Woody Westerfield, Dakota Duck Base oFFense: Multiple Base deFense: 4-3


august27 vs. Sectionseptember3 at Ohatchee10 vs. Fyffe17 at Pleasant Valley

24 vs. Ideroctober1 at Sand Rock8 vs. Westbrook Chr.15 at N. Sand Mtn.22 vs. Fultondale

scHeduLe

“Victory Christian has never won a 2A region game,” Smith said. “We have never beat a 2A team in the regular season. Our plans are to get into the playoffs.”

Last season the Lions’ high power offense outscored their opponents 370-142, but after losing all of their skill players, Smith’s squad looks to use a different approach in 2010.

“We have a 10th grade quarterback named Alex Nelson,” Smith said. “We have an 11th grader that moved in from Chattanooga and we are working him at quarterback. We have running backs Chase McGinnis, Nate Machen, and Jared Hubbard have mainly been defensive players in the past, but now they are going to have to play both ways. We are going to play a different style; we are going to have young inexperi-enced quarterbacks.

“We are probably going to run the ball more. We have two great kickers Jonathan Hennessey and Blaine York. We have the guy that started at Talladega two years ago (York) and we have the kicker (Hennessey) that we had here. They are both good; they are both seniors and they are our two best receivers.

“Defensively, we should be better than we have been in the past,” Smith said. “We are a little undersized on defense. We have to shoot gaps, move people around, don’t be a sitting duck. We won’t be able to manhandle people on defense; we are going to have to depend on the big play.”

During the summer the Lions attended a few seven on seven camps to see where they were in their passing game.

“We have played at Leeds and at Ashville,” Smith said. “We did good against Ashville. Leeds, they are so good that you can’t compete with those guys because they have some many athletes. We went to Birmingham Southern and we won a few over there. It has been pretty good; we had some guys to go to the South Lineman camp, which is a really good camp.

“Our attitudes are good. We have good kids and we don’t have any trouble with them. We are going to have a good


78 79

victory christian Rosterno. name year Ht wt1 Houston Tumlin 12 5’8 1452 Tyler Dyer 12 5’9 1303 Nate Machen 12 5’8 1404 Jonathan Hennessey 12 5’6 1605 Seth Green 11 5’10 1406 Blaine York 12 6’1 1707 Taylor Dyer 12 5’9 1358 Hunter Bailes 10 6’0 1709 Opie Elliott 12 6’1 15510 Bradley Carrol 9 5’7 13012 Colby Wheeler 9 5’9 13014 Niko Teofilo 9 5’3 11515 Jared Hubbard 12 6’1 17016 Joe Brackett 11 6’1 18517 Austin Gauldin 10 5’8 16518 Hayden Fullwood 10 20 Garrett Smith 11 6’0 15521 Chase McGinnis 12 5’8 18023 Jordan Church25 Ethan Leland 9 5’8 13028 Will Elliott 10 5’10 15033 Alex Nelson 10 5’8 16050 David Brackett 9 5’3 16551 Matthew Ferrell 11 5’10 19052 Carlin Youngblood 11 6’1 14053 Dakota Duck 12 5’11 16554 Drew Popham 11 5’11 19555 Stephen Smith 11 57 Larry Wayne Tidwell 12 5’9 17061 Kenneth Westerfield 11 6’1 21562 Dawson Hopkins 10 5’8 16065 Brooks Evans 10 5’11 19067 Cooper Etheredge 11 6’0 15574 Jackson Miller 10 6’1 17572 Charles Wilson 9 6’0 23087 Corey Self 9 5’11 170

10 minutes with…name: Jared Hubbard

Grade: Senior

Position: Fullback/Defensive line

story by Lavonte young Photo by Brian schoenhals

Victory Christian senior Jared Hubbard is looking forward to the challenge that he and his teammates are facing this season in their new classification.

“It’s going to be a lot tougher in 2A,” Hubbard said. “Every team is going to be a lot bigger, better and tougher. We are going to have to work harder. We are going to have a lot players playing on both sides of the ball, so it is going to be a lot harder.”

Last season the Lions won most of their game with ease. Hubbard believes the tougher competition this season will make the games more fun.

“It won’t be as boring,” Hubbard said. “It will be a lot tougher and more fun. A lot of games last season we would beat teams 40-0 and I’d be on the sideline for most of the game.

“That is boring to me. I would rather be in a tough game than an easy game.”The move to 2A has motivated the Lions to work harder this off season.“The move motivated us to work harder,” Hubbard said. “It motivated us to

lift weights more. There was a disappointment a little bit, but not much about us moving up.”

Hubbard believes his experience the last three seasons will help him in playing 2A football.

“I started out and I didn’t know as much as I know now,” Hubbard said. “I have learned a lot. This year I am going to have to step it up a lot with the move up to 2A. I think all the experience will help me.”

Being a leader is something Hubbard is looking forward to. He believes that it is better to uplift his teammates instead of getting on them when they make a mistake.

“We are going to have to help everyone out the best that we can,” Hubbard said. “We have to lift them up and help them instead of jumping on their back when they make a mistake.”

The Lions’ goal this season is to make it past the first round of the playoffs for the first time.

“We would at least like to make the playoffs,” Hubbard said. “Maybe we can make it past the first round since we didn’t last year.”

play hard and see what happens.”Smith believes the group he has is

similar to first team he had a Victory Christian in 2007. He believes this group has a handful of mentally tough football players.

“It is really similar, because we have a 10th-grade quarterback, just like the year I got here with Michael Kirby,” Smith said. ”We have a big, tall receiver, who really doesn’t start for us right now. We have a linebacker that’s injured now – one of the best defensive players we have tore his ACL in the spring game.

“We have five or six 10th-graders that are going to play a lot. They are

skill people most of them; our 11th-graders are linemen.

“We have two running backs that didn’t play last year and they should do a good job. We have a lot of running backs, so we’re going to run the ball, control the clock and take some shots (down field).

“We have seniors that have expe-rience on the defensive end that we moved to the offensive side and they are going to have to play both ways.

“These are guys that have been in it before. We have seven or eight mentally tough ballplayers, good kids that are hard nosed.”

Going to the postseason the past two seasons is something that Smith believes will help his team make the transition to 2A.

“They are used to winning,” Smith said.

“It makes a difference when you are used to winning games. If you are used to winning, you tend to win.

“When you are used to losing, the attitudes aren’t real good. We are going to have to be in really good shape.

“That’s what we have really stressed because we have five or six kids that may not come off the field for three plays all night long.”

‘It makes a difference when you are used to winning games. ...If you are used to winning, you tend to win. ...When you are used to losing the attitudes aren’t real good.’

—Head Coach Scotty Smith


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Winterboro

Bulldogs enter 2010 season with mix of youth, experiencestory by Heather BaggettPhotos by Brian schoenhals

The Winterboro Bulldogs have improved each season since Adam Fossett took the head coaching duties in 2008.

Fossett and the Bulldogs hope to continue that trend in 2010 by making a run for the Class 1A state championship. Winterboro advanced to the

second round in 2009 and fell one point short against Linden. A lot of players are back from that playoff team, but Fossett is having to replace some key players from last year’s squad.

Courtney Evans, Troy Garrett and Jay Vincent all racked up yards on offense last season.

“They all put up quite a few numbers for us scoring wise,” Fossett said. “We lost Kenneth

Estell, who played well for us on both sides of the ball. Replacing those guys is not going to be easy.”

Winterboro will return three offensive linemen as well as junior quarterback Josh Taylor.

“It definitely helps to have somebody that is experienced,” Fossett said of having Taylor back. “The key is going to be keeping him healthy as well as trying to have opportunities to

get some younger guys some experience so there’s not a drop off when he graduates.

“He knows the system. In what we do he rushed for 700 plus yards and threw for 700 plus yards last year. I think he can put up big numbers again this year, but he also knows there are 10 other guys out there that have to help him do it.”

A big unknown for the


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Winterboro

Bulldogs enter 2010 season with mix of youth, experiencestory by Heather BaggettPhotos by Brian schoenhals

The Winterboro Bulldogs have improved each season since Adam Fossett took the head coaching duties in 2008.

Fossett and the Bulldogs hope to continue that trend in 2010 by making a run for the Class 1A state championship. Winterboro advanced to the

second round in 2009 and fell one point short against Linden. A lot of players are back from that playoff team, but Fossett is having to replace some key players from last year’s squad.

Courtney Evans, Troy Garrett and Jay Vincent all racked up yards on offense last season.

“They all put up quite a few numbers for us scoring wise,” Fossett said. “We lost Kenneth

Estell, who played well for us on both sides of the ball. Replacing those guys is not going to be easy.”

Winterboro will return three offensive linemen as well as junior quarterback Josh Taylor.

“It definitely helps to have somebody that is experienced,” Fossett said of having Taylor back. “The key is going to be keeping him healthy as well as trying to have opportunities to

get some younger guys some experience so there’s not a drop off when he graduates.

“He knows the system. In what we do he rushed for 700 plus yards and threw for 700 plus yards last year. I think he can put up big numbers again this year, but he also knows there are 10 other guys out there that have to help him do it.”

A big unknown for the

80 – Prep Football Preview – 2010 2010 – Prep Football Preview – 81

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Key FactsHead coacH: Adam FossettKey Losses: Courtney Evans, Troy Garrett, Jay Vincent, Kenneth EstellKey RetuRneRs: Josh Taylor, Luransa Hardy, Maurice MillsBase oFFense: Veer OptionBase deFense: Multiple


august27 at Talladegaseptember3 at Fayetteville10 vs. TC Central17 at St. Jude

24 at B.B. Comeroctober1 vs. Loachapoka8 vs. Wadley15 at Notasulga22 vs. Verbena28 vs. Vincent

scHeduLe

Bulldogs will be star athlete Bacardy McClendon’s status for the season. The senior who has played four sports for most of his time in high school was involved in a car accident over the summer and as of the press deadline doctors had not said whether he could play football this season.

“Bacardy McClendon is a big question mark because of an auto accident,” Fossett said. “Whatever happens will happen with that. The things he has done for this program to this point have changed this program for the better, all of athletics.”

The Bulldogs return a large part of their defense from a year ago with Maurice Mills and Luransa Hardy leading the way.

“Colby Maddox has really shown a lot of leadership,” Fossett said. “He’s our field chief on defense at the safety. He was correct-ing the defense (at practice) before we could as coaches.

“Luransa Hardy, he’s been known to play an entire game, offense, defense and special teams. That says a lot about the stamina of the kid. He’s making great strides in getting to where he needs to be.”

The defense proved to be a big part of Winterboro’s success in 2009. The Bulldogs allowed 12.2 points per game and had three shutouts during the season. Defensive coordinator Anthony Jacks then left Winterboro to take a head coaching job at his alma mater once the season was over. Fossett said Josh Cantrell would serve as the defensive coordinator this season, but all of the coaching staff is helping to coach the defense and all decisions ultimately go through the head coach.

“It’ll be more of the same,” Fossett said of the defense. “We’ve instilled the physical part of it. Coach Jacks was a big part of help-ing with that. The kids have adapted well to the changes that have been made. We have coaches in place that can pick up where he left off and get the job done. It helps so much when they buy in. They’ve bought into what we’re doing and we’ve had success.”


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winterboro Roster

no. name Gr. Ht. wt.0 Anthony Ashley 110 Jonathon Harris 90 Michael Brewer 102 Cardri Duncan 9 6’0” 1603 Colby Maddox 12 5’10” 1604 Taylor Garrett 10 5’9” 1456 Jacob Mccoy 10 5’10” 1657 Branon Wilson 10 5’7” 1308 Ta’’quarius Hester 11 5’7” 1409 Jalen Whetstone 11 5’10” 18011 Bacardy Mcclendon 12 6’1” 19514 Joshua Taylor 11 6’0” 17020 Cedric Mckenzie 9 5’8” 14021 Nicholas Pernell 10 5’9” 16522 Maurice Mills 12 5’8” 15530 Kendall Porch 12 5’6” 14040 Curtavius Gray 11 6’2” 23551 Anthony Rhodes 10 5’5” 13554 Robert Rogers 12 6’1” 18055 Marcus Jones 12 6’4” 21056 Luransa Hardy 12 5’9” 17458 Justin Mcmeans 11 6’0” 15061 Blake Chandler 10 5’8” 18062 Jake Chandler 10 5’9” 18064 David Turner 12 6’1” 23072 Cody Strickland 12 5’9” 16573 Christopher Harris 10 6’0” 20075 Anthony Keahey 10 6’1” 24577 Davon Taylor 10 5’8” 21578 Michael Fluker 10 5’11” 315

10 minutes with…name: Josh Taylor

Grade: Junior

Position: Quarterbackstory by Heather BaggettPhoto by Brian schoenhals

Competitors rarely concentrate on the wins in their sport. It’s the losses that really bother them. It’s the losses that keep them up at night.

It’s the losses that have them waking up early for extra time in the weight room and staying late after practice to get a few more minutes of work in.

The Winterboro Bulldogs know all about those losses that stick with a team. They experienced one in November of 2009 that they remember like it happened yesterday. Junior quarterback Josh Taylor said that 7-6 loss to Linden in the second round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Class 1A state playoffs is the main motivator for the team in 2010.

The Bulldogs lost that game in the final two minutes when Taylor’s pass was intercepted and the Patriots later scored to give them the victory.

“The coaches are doing a great job of working with us and making us understand that nothing is going to be given to us just because the second-ranked team beat us by one point,” Taylor said. “No one is going to respect us. So you have to earn it.

“We’re thriving on respect because the polls came out a couple of weeks ago and we had 32 votes, basically we’re ranked number 11. We’ve still got a lot of work to do. There’s still 10 other teams up there. We still have a lot of work to do.”

While it would be easy to feel disrespected by the preseason poll, Taylor said the team knows whether they lose by one point or 50, a loss is a loss in the eyes of the poll voters.

“We understand that one point is still a win,” Taylor said. “We can’t go and say ‘hey guys, we only lost by one point; that’s OK.’ It’s not, because you still lost. We’ve got to go a little bit harder this year.”

That one-point loss is something the players bring up at practice and it serves as a reminder of what they are working for.

“We’re very fired up because there’s not a day goes by at practice that we don’t say something about the Linden game,” he said. “All you’ve got to say is 7-6. The heat of the moment spreads like wildfire.”

Now that Taylor and his teammates know what the agony of defeat feels like, they’re more determined than ever to not feel it again.

“That just put more fire in our hearts because we don’t want that to happen anymore whether we’re in the first round, the second round or playing for the blue map,” Taylor said. “That puts more fire in our heart.”

Taylor said the team is aware their ultimate goal of going undefeated and win-ning the state championship will require a lot of hard work.

“Hopefully God will bless us to where we will be able to come out on top this year,” he said. “Not just for 10 games, but for hopefully 15 games. We know that it is going to take hard work to get there, but I think we can do it.”

Winterboro’s region changed a little from last year with Donoho moving out and St. Jude coming down from Class 2A. Fossett said the region got tougher with the change and added it would be important for the Bulldogs to pick up region wins early in the season.

“I think it got a lot tougher than a lot of people realize,” Fossett said. “St. Jude was a second round playoff team in 2A last year. I think the region schedule got a lot tougher. We’re going to have about five, possibly six teams fighting for four spots.

“It may be a situation where there may be a better team sitting at home because they didn’t perform on a Friday night. Each game is going to be very decisive. We play (Talladega County Central) and St. Jude before Week 5. Those are two big games. We have to take care of business. Going into Week 5 we need to have a clean region record to set us up for a good playoff picture.”

In addition to a challenging region record the Bulldogs don’t get a break in non-region opponents. Winterboro opens the season against Talladega and will play B.B. Comer in Week 5 before closing the regular season against Vincent.

“We’re not going to shy away from teams,” Fossett said addressing the issue of playing a 5A opponent in the first week. “We don’t think we’re big and bad or anything like that. It’s good to be confident.

“Overall we have nothing to lose because we’re a 1A school. I have confidence in what we do and I think we can have some success up there.”

‘We’re not going to shy away from teams. We don’t think we’re big and bad or anything like that. It’s good to be confident. ...I have confidence in what we do and I think we can have some success up there.’

—Head Coach Adam Fossett


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