Under the Lights 2026

2026 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

BRIARWOOD • CHELSEA • CLAY-CHALKVILLE • HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE • HOMEWOOD • HOOVER JOHN CARROLL • MOUNTAIN BROOK • OAK MOUNTAIN • SPAIN PARK • VESTAVIA HILLS

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UNDER THE LIGHTS

AUGUST 2026

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STARNES MEDIA

UNDER THE LIGHTS

3

CONTENTS

STARNESMEDIA.COM / 205-313-1780 PO BOX 530341, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35253 PUBLISHER Dan Starnes

6

UNDER THE LIGHTS SCHEDULE: Catch the full slate of games this season

8

BRIARWOOD: Lions lean on loaded senior class in new classification

12

CHELSEA: Niblett builds new identity from the ground up

16

CLAY-CHALKVILLE: Defending state champion Cougars return experienced roster

21

HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE: Huskies leaning on young talent

26

HOMEWOOD: Patriots lean on program culture as new faces fill key roles

30

HOOVER: Bucs pushing for consistent excellence in new season

34

JOHN CARROLL: Cavaliers step into new facilities and new classification

38

MOUNTAIN BROOK: Spartans lean on experienced defense while offense reloads

43

OAK MOUNTAIN: Kervin builds culture as Eagles chase elusive playoff berth

47

SPAIN PARK: Jaguars lean on culture and new pieces as they return to largest classification

52

VESTAVIA HILLS: Rebels return experience on both sides

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UNDER THE LIGHTS

MANAGING EDITOR Kyle Parmley NEWS EDITOR Jon Anderson PHOTOGRAPHERS Shawn Bowles Richard Force Lindsay Handey Michael Jackson David Leong Todd Lester Alex Millender James Nicholas Barry Stephenson PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Jenn Moon OPERATIONS SPECIALIST Sarah Villar CLIENT SUCCESS SPECIALIST Warren Caldwell BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXEC Don Harris LEGALS: Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in this annual publication without prior permission is prohibited. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of Starnes Media. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at 205-313-1780 or kparmley@starnesmedia.com.

ON THE COVER: Noah Boylan (Vestavia Hills), John Colvin (Mountain Brook), Kaleb Freeman (Hoover), Connor Greb (Spain Park), Major Moorer (Homewood), Nasir Ray (Clay-Chalkville), Truman Vines (John Carroll), Sam Canale (Briarwood), D’ante Seals (Hewitt-Trussville), Charlie Vacarella (Oak Mountain), Wyatt Wright (Chelsea)

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UNDER THE LIGHTS

5

UNDER THE LIGHTS SCHEDULE AUG. 21

AUG. 28

SEPT. 4

SEPT. 11

SEPT. 18

SEPT. 25

OCT. 2

Briarwood

@ Moody

Homewood

Westminster Christian

@ Lee-Scott

Madison Academy*

Montgomery Catholic

@ St. John Paul II*

Chelsea

@ Southside-Gadsden

Gardendale

@ Calera

Ramsay

Pelham

Clay-Chalkville

@ Creekside (GA)

@ Thompson

@ Springville

@ Southside-Gadsden

Oxford

OPEN Helena

OPEN Pell City

OPEN Hewitt-Trussville

@ Auburn

Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa

Hoover

@ Tuscaloosa County

Prattville

Homewood

@ John Carroll

@ Briarwood

Mountain Brook

@ Pelham

@ Helena

Hoover

Muscle Shoals

@ Opelika*

@ Hewitt-Trussville

Prattville

@ Oak Mountain

@ Oak Mountain

OPEN Calera

Knoxville Catholic (TN)

Thompson

OPEN John Carroll

Homewood

@ Talladega

American Christian

@ St. John Paul II

Lee-Scott

Mountain Brook

@ Hueytown

@ UMS-Wright

@ Homewood

Helena*

@ Chilton County

@ Westminster Christian

Oxford

Ramsay

OPEN Oak Mountain

Pelham

Buckhorn

@ Spain Park

@ Vestavia Hills

Hoover

Spain Park

@ Sparkman

Bessemer City

Oak Mountain

Thompson

@ Vestavia Hills

Hewitt-Trussville

OPEN @ Prattville

OPEN Vestavia Hills

6

Parker*

@ Benjamin Russell

UNDER THE LIGHTS

@ Thompson

Oak Mountain

Spain Park

@ Tuscaloosa County

AUGUST 2026

LEGEND: THURSDAY GAME*

OCT. 9

OCT. 16

OCT. 23

OCT. 30

OPEN John Carroll

Randolph

@ American Christian

@ Homewood*

@ Mountain Brook

Pinson Valley

@ St. Clair County

Chilton County

@ Bessemer City

Thompson

@ Vestavia Hills

Spain Park

@ Pike Road*

Chelsea*

@ Chilton County

Ramsay

Oak Mountain

OPEN Central-Phenix City

OPEN @ Vestavia Hills

Spain Park

@ Tuscaloosa County

@ Briarwood

Madison Academy

@ Randolph

@ Calera

Chelsea

Pelham*

@ Prattville

@ Tuscaloosa County

Thompson

@ Homewood

Tuscaloosa County*

@ Hoover

@ Hewitt-Trussville

James Clemens*

Leeds

OPEN

OPEN Hoover

Hewitt-Trussville

STARNES MEDIA

EDITOR’S NOTE Mountain Brook High School head coach Chris Yeager was asked before the season which position matters most on a football field. He wouldn’t pick one. “[Former Alabama coach] Bill Curry said it best. He said, ‘Football is the ultimate team sport because every player must depend on every teammate, on every play just to survive,’” Yeager said.

Kyle Parmley That’s as good a description as any of what these Friday nights are about. A left tackle nobody notices springs the run that wins the region. A backup linebacker fills a gap and saves the season. Every player on every roster in this magazine is depending on the player next to him, and vice versa. That’s the part of high school football that never gets old for me, no matter how many years I’ve done this.

This is my 11th season covering high school football at Starnes Media and with Under the Lights, and I still feel it walking up to a stadium on a Friday night. There’s nothing else quite like it — the way a town shows up under those lights for a group of guys who are about to find out what they’re made of.

If you’re holding this magazine, you’re likely familiar with one or more of our publications: 280 Living, Hoover Sun, Homewood Star, Village Living, Vestavia Voice and Cahaba Sun. Together, they bring you coverage of Briarwood, Chelsea, Clay-Chalkville, Hewitt-Trussville, Homewood, Hoover, John Carroll, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Spain Park and Vestavia Hills — 11 programs and hundreds of players who all deserve a place in a magazine like this one.

We’ll be at the games all fall, bringing you the previews in these pages plus recaps, features and Game of the Week coverage online and on social media all season long. Give us a follow so you don’t miss any of it, and let us know who you think deserves Player of the Week honors along the way.

Records will pile up over the next few months. Some teams will exceed expectations, others will fall short of them, and a handful of players who aren’t mentioned in these pages yet will end up being the ones we’re writing about come November. That unpredictability is half the fun of putting this magazine together every summer.

Thanks for reading and for caring as much about these people as we do. Here’s to another season under the lights.

@ Prattville

UNDER THE LIGHTS

7

BRIARWOOD

Lions lean on loaded senior class in new classification

By Kyle Parmley Familiarity has never been much of a problem for the Briarwood Christian School football program. This fall, that changes.

The Lions have landed in a reshaped region that stretches across the state, part of the tradeoff for being moved into a new classification under the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s decision to split public and private schools.

Head coach Matthew Forester’s team will spend the next two years facing programs it has rarely, if ever, seen, as part of the Private-AA division.

“We’re used to being the smallest school in our classification,” Forester said. “Now we’re the second largest school in our classification, and we’ve got 140 kids in our grade, and we’re playing against schools that have 70 in their grade. It’s a big difference.”

The unfamiliar slate arrives as Briarwood breaks in one of its largest senior classes in recent memory, 29 strong, a jump from last year’s group of just 15.

Those underclassmen soaked up heavy varsity reps a year ago, helping push the Lions to the state quarterfinals before injuries thinned the roster down the stretch.

“We’ve had a great time playing Flor-

ence and Saraland and Spanish Fort and everybody in between over the years,” Forester said. “We’ve never played this kind of schedule before, but we’re just focused on these seniors being the best they can be.”

Briarwood has also opened the last two seasons slowly, a trend Forester wants to reverse. The Lions begin this fall against Moody, now coached by former Briarwood assistant Kyle Tatum, before hosting Homewood in Week 2.

“We’re always going to start the season off with a bang,” Forester said. “You’ve got to figure out who you are and what you need to work on.”

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UNDER THE LIGHTS

AUGUST 2026

BRIARWOOD

GAGE NASWORTHY (16)

JAMISON BARNES (3)

After those first two contests, the Lions start region play Sept. 4 against Westminster Christian. The Lions travel to Lee-Scott and St. John Paul II and host Madison Academy, John Carroll and Randolph within the region, with a road trip to ACA closing out region play. Briarwood also hosts Montgomery Catholic in a non-region matchup Sept. 25 and has a bye Oct. 30.

OFFENSE Briarwood’s offense will take shape around a new starting quarterback, with junior Jamison Barnes and senior Max Beaumont competing for the job throughout the summer. Forester wants whoever wins the role to protect the football, get the ball to the Lions’ playmakers and be a threat with his legs when the offense needs it.

“When the quarterback can run, we can limit turnovers,” Forester said. “That’s been the key to our success.”

Senior Jackson Reyer takes over at running back after waiting his turn the last two seasons. Forester praised his ability to read blocks and understand the offense, with juniors Ben Reynolds and Sebastian Locy pushing for carries behind him.

The receiving corps might be the deepest, most senior-laden group on the roster. Sam Canale, an Air Force Academy commit, and John Campbell, who Forester called perhaps the fastest player in program history before a hamstring injury

STARNES MEDIA

JACKSON REYER (8) slowed him last fall, headline the group on the outside. Will Butler, Copeland Holley and Zac King add experience as well, while sophomore JH Caldwell brings speed with room to grow.

At tight end, the Lions have size to work with in Charlie Allen and Rowdy Leonard, who will also play defense, along with Ethan Van Asselt and Luke Irons.

Up front, Briarwood returns three starters in Austin Johnson, Adrian Derico and Hudson Parker, with Wynn Falkner

and Morgan Luster stepping into open roles. John Burke Henderson, Payne Harrison and Will Berryman provide depth behind them.

“I’ve got some good backups that would start on a lot of teams,” Forester said.

DEFENSE Briarwood’s defensive line, long a program strength, took a significant hit last season when all-state lineman Garrett Witherington tore his ACL in Week 5, an

UNDER THE LIGHTS

9

BRIARWOOD

COACHES HEAD COACH Matthew Forester Overall record: 51-31 At Briarwood: 51-31 Tenure: 8th season

ASSISTANT COACHES

» Offensive coordinator: » Defensive coordinator: » Wide receivers: » Linebackers: » Defensive line: » Offensive line: » Quarterbacks: » Tight ends: » Defensive backs: » Video coordinator: » Statistician:

Bobby

Kerley

JOHN CAMPBELL (13)

Lance

Coggins

Mike Bautista

2026 SCHEDULE

2025 RESULTS

Aug. 21: @ Moody

7-6 overall, reached Class 5A quar-

Aug. 28: vs. Homewood

terfinals

Sept. 4: vs. Westminster Christian*

Oak Mountain: L 14-3

Sept. 11: @ Lee-Scott*

Homewood: L 27-0

Sept. 17: vs. Madison Academy*

Ramsay: W 14-13

Sept. 25: vs. Montgomery Catholic

Carver-Birmingham: W 36-22

Oct. 1: @ St. John Paul II*

Wenonah: W 40-22

Oct. 9: vs. John Carroll*

Leeds: L 29-28

Oct. 16: vs. Randolph*

Corner: L 42-27

Oct. 23: @ American Christian*

John Carroll: W 23-7

Oct. 30: OPEN

Hayden: W 49-7

*Region game

McAdory: L 56-13 PLAYOFFS

injury that forced Forester to scrap the defensive scheme midseason. The Lions adjusted on the fly amid adversity and still made the playoffs.

The line returns five seniors this fall in Grant Skinner, Brooks Robertson, Tucker McGough, Ken Azar and Nathan Fox, with juniors Noah Cox and Rowdy Leonard and sophomore Callum Williamson adding depth.

Gage Nasworthy returns at middle linebacker off an all-state season, and Forester expects the natural senior-year

10

UNDER THE LIGHTS

Leeds: W 28-3 Russellville: W 42-7 Moody: L 51-27

Daniel Forester Shane Harmon

Tony Johnson

Jay Mathews

Jay Wise

Derek Irons Bob Blake

Greg Corbin

for the first time in years, with seniors Brandt Aho and Cooper Johnson back at cornerback and Camden Schroeter at safety. Coleson Gooch and Alex Marshall are candidates for the other safety spot, with junior Tucker Miller and sophomore Will Morris waiting behind them.

“This is the way it should be,” Forester said of his group’s returning experience.

SPECIAL TEAMS jump that position tends to produce. Mark Mataya moves down from safety to Sam linebacker, continuing a pattern Forester said has repeated for years, while Radford Andrews shifts over from the line to Will linebacker. Jacob Turner and sophomore Isaac Kerley round out the group.

The secondary returns three starters

Kicker Harrison Hebert and holder Max Beaumont both return, giving Briarwood some stability at specialist. Austin Johnson, Max Watson and McGough, who handled long snapping duties a year ago, are all competing for the job this year, and junior Evan Ballenger will push for time as well.

AUGUST 2026

BRIARWOOD TEAM ROSTER NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

0 Isaac Kerley

LB

10

40 Zac King

WR

12

72 John Burke Henderson

OL

11

1

Alex Marshall

DB

12

41 Brooks Robertson

DL

12

75 Will Berryman

OL

10

1

Reeves Rohloff

WR

11

44 Brady Donovan

LB

10

76 Adrian Derico

OL

11

2

Coleson Gooch

DB

12

45 Corbitt Palmer

LB

10

79 Frank Falkner

DL

10

2

Sebastian Locy

RB

11

47 Hudson Smith

LB

10

81 JH Caldwell

WR

10

3

Tucker McGough

DL

12

49 Harrison Hebert

K

12

85 Noah Cox

DL

11

3

John Campbell

WR

12

50 Hudson Parker

OL

12

87 Ethan Van Asselt

TE

12

4

Grant Skinner

DL

12

52 William Dedmon

DL

12

91 Evan Ballenger

K

11

4

Luke Irons

TE

11

55 Wynn Falkner

OL

12

92 Nathan Fox

DL

12

5

Charlie Allen

TE

11

56 Morgan Luster

OL

11

95 Ticer Young

DL

10

5

Mark Mataya

DB

12

57 Payne Harrison

OL

11

97 Callum Williamson

DL

10

6

Parker Coker

QB

10

61 Knox Allred

OL

10

99 Brayden Walta

DL

10

6

Camden Schroeter

DB

12

67 Austin Johnson

OL

12

MGR

12

7

Brandt Aho

DB

12

71 Paul Kearse

OL

11

8 Jackson Reyer

RB

12

8 Cooper Johnson

DB

12

9

Peyton Justice

DL

12

9

Will Butler

WR

12

10 Radford Andrews

LB

12

11

Copeland Holley

WR

12

12 Jamison Barnes

QB

11

13 Cole Gresham

WR

11

14 Nash Starbuck

DB

10

15 Rowdy Leonard

DL

11

16 Gage Nasworthy

LB

12

17 Griff Schmidt

WR

11

18 Max Beaumont

QB

12

18 Davis Heilbron

DB

10

20 Jack Eubanks

DB

10

21 Ben Reynolds

RB

11

22 Anderson Mathews

WR

10

23 Ken Azar

DL

12

23 Blake Whitson

WR

10

25 Preston Howard

DB

10

26 Sam Canale

WR

12

27 Jacob Turner

LB

12

28 Tucker Miller

DB

11

32 Grayson Ralston

LB

10

33 Angelos Petelos

RB

10

33 Whit Walker

DB

10

34 Max Watson

LB

11

35 Will Morris

DB

10

36 Collin Boatwright

DB

10

STARNES MEDIA

Turner Henderson

SAM CANALE (26)

UNDER THE LIGHTS

11

CHELSEA

Niblett builds new identity from the ground up

By Kyle Parmley Chelsea High School spent the offseason answering a question every new coaching staff has to answer first: who are we? First-year head coach Tad Niblett has spent his first months on the job trying to establish the identity of his new program.

Niblett is entering his 34th year of coaching. He played quarterback at Harding University before getting his coaching start at Shelby Academy, teaching math and coaching multiple sports and both sides of the ball at

the small-school level. Niblett said that grinding, do-everything start is where he really learned football.

“You don’t realize how much you don’t know until you start coaching,” Niblett said. “You come out after playing college thinking you know everything, and you find out real quick you don’t know anything.”

Niblett arrived with a staff mix of four holdover assistants and five new hires, including defensive coordinator Jacob Guillory, who came over from Hueytown.

Roughly 65% of the roster is made up of freshmen and sophomores, and Chelsea’s senior class is thin. Niblett has spent the

summer sorting out not just scheme, but who on the roster is ready to play meaningful snaps this fall.

“There’s a difference between 11 best and your best 11,” Niblett said. “That’s what we’re working on right now.”

The youth on the roster means Chelsea will lean on a small group of experienced upperclassmen to set the tone while a larger group of underclassmen develops behind them. Niblett has used fall camp to sort the roster into tiers, players ready now, players who need a year, and everyone in between.

“Not everybody’s capable of being a starter right now, but everybody has a

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UNDER THE LIGHTS

AUGUST 2026

CHELSEA 2026 SCHEDULE Aug. 21: @ Southside-Gadsden Aug. 28: vs. Gardendale Sept. 4: @ Calera* Sept. 11: vs. Ramsay* Sept. 18: vs. Pelham* Sept. 25: OPEN Oct. 2: vs. Helena* Oct. 8: @ Homewood* Oct. 16: @ Mountain Brook* Oct. 23: vs. Chilton County* Oct. 30: @ Bessemer City *Region game

WYATT WRIGHT (29) role,” Niblett said.

Niblett has been coaching for more than three decades and said he’s learned that sustained success starts with dependable first steps rather than promises of overnight results. He also wants his team focused on its own preparation rather than getting caught up in each week’s opponent, a lesson he said he learned the hard way earlier in his career.

“I think you’ve got to start somewhere,” Niblett said. “We want to compete for championships, we want this program to be relevant, and you can’t reach what you can’t see.”

Chelsea opens the season on the road against Southside-Gadsden on Aug. 21, then hosts Gardendale the following week before region play begins Sept. 4 at Calera. The Hornets host Ramsay, Pelham, Helena and Chilton County within the region and travel to Homewood and Mountain Brook. Chelsea has an open date Sept. 25 and closes the regular season on the road at Bessemer City.

OFFENSE Chelsea’s offense runs through senior quarterback Logan Strunk, who Niblett said picked up the new terminology quickly and had a strong spring. Niblett wants a quarterback who protects the football and plays within the system, and he called Strunk an intelligent player who picks things up easily.

“He wants to be coached,” Niblett said.

STARNES MEDIA

Senior Wyatt Wright takes over at running back after a strong spring of his own. At tight end, Chelsea returns two experienced players in Cohen Jones and Hudson Picklesimer, both of whom Niblett said can line up in the box or split out into space.

The receiving corps is Chelsea’s youngest group by experience, but Niblett said he has seen real improvement from that unit through the offseason and expects it to keep growing. Sophomore Cole Carroll and junior Brock Russell are still developing, while senior Luke Hairston brings the most experience after playing extensively a year ago.

COACHES HEAD COACH Tad Niblett Overall record: 53-75 At Chelsea: 0-0 Tenure: 1st season

ASSISTANT COACHES

2025 RESULTS 5-5 overall, missed playoffs Charles Henderson: W 51-27 Wetumpka: W 40-30 Pelham: L 19-7 Calera: W 42-25 Paul Bryant: W 37-7 Chilton County: W 30-0 Spain Park: L 44-7 Helena: L 21-9

» Defensive coordinator: » Tight ends/fullbacks: » Offensive line: » Wide receiver: » Defensive backs: » Defensive line: » Linebackers: » Wefense coordinator/strength Jacob

Guillory

Jamie

Scruggs

Stuart Morrison

Shaw Niblett

Colby Harris

Douglas Laister

Cole Corkren

and conditioning coordinator: Alex Valdez

Benjamin Russell: L 42-21 Oak Mountain: L 26-0

UNDER THE LIGHTS

13

CHELSEA

KEVIN MADRID (54) Up front, Kevin Madrid is the unit’s most experienced returner despite being undersized, and Niblett praised his technique and understanding of the scheme.

Cash Piotrowski, Luke Roper at center, Chance Dunnavant at tackle and Chase Morrow round out a line Niblett said is still developing but working hard. Niblett wants seven or eight linemen ready to play by the fall, whether that depth is needed because of injury or simply to keep the offense from losing anything when reserves are in the game.

“It has to start up front,” Niblett said.

“The better offensive line you’ve got, the better opportunity you have to throw it and run it when you want to.”

Niblett said an offensive line room tends to be the most cohesive group on any team he’s coached, made up of players who have to communicate and work together more than any other position.

14

UNDER THE LIGHTS

DEFENSE Niblett said he was initially concerned about depth on the defensive line, but that group has come along as camp has progressed. Cristian Madrid, Kevin’s brother, brings experience up front alongside Lane Cox. Linebacker is Chelsea’s deepest position defensively. Seniors River Hill, Austin Kirkland and Brandon Bousman provide leadership, with junior Noah Miller also in the mix.

The secondary returns two senior starters in Carter Johnson and Andrew Long, with underclassmen Ben Christian and Jackson Allison developing behind them at cornerback.

SPECIAL TEAMS Brycen Miller will handle Chelsea’s kicking duties this fall. He and Strunk are competing for the punting job as well.

LOGAN STRUNK (8)

AUGUST 2026

CHELSEA TEAM ROSTER NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

0 Cohen Jones

TE

12

45 Coleman Rupertus

LB

9

70 Max Watkins

DL

9

1

Ben Christian

DB

10

47 Austin Kirkland

LB

12

71 Jackson Parr

OL

10

2

Wyatt Wright

RB

12

48 Thomas Haywood

DB

9

72 Nolan Hall

DL

10

3

Grayson Lyons

QB

9

49 Brycen Miller

K

11

73 Clayton Schwoebel

DL

10

3

Dallas Morgan

DB

12

50 Chance Dunnavant

OL

11

74 Noah Jung

OL

11

4

Brandon Bousman

LB

12

52 Cristian Madrid

DL

12

78 Luke Allison

OL

9

5

Brock Russell

WR

11

53 Brady Hartley

OL

10

79 Lane Picklesimer

DL

10

6

Noah Miller

LB

11

54 Kevin Madrid

OL

12

80 Ryan Kirkland

WR

9

7

John Lewis

QB

9

55 Chase Morrow

OL

11

81 Trent Spearman

WR

9

8 Logan Strunk

QB

12

56 Dawson Hayes

OL

9

82 Harrison Rayburn

TE

10

8 River Hill

LB

12

57 Lane Cox

DL

12

83 Darren Browne

WR

11

9

Nolan Lambert

WR

11

58 Wyatt Stacy

OL

11

84 Rhys Morgan

TE

9

10 Kaylor Crumpton

QB

10

59 Knox King

OL

10

85 Wyatt McCray

DL

10

11

Luke Hairston

WR

12

60 Mason Carson

OL

9

86 Earl Pate

WR

9

12 Carter Johnson

DB

12

61 Aidon Esco

OL

10

87 Brock Epperson

WR

10

12 Garrett Harvey

WR

9

62 Luke Roper

OL

11

89 Antwan Miller

DL

9

13 Cole Carroll

WR

10

63 Cash Piotrowski

OL

12

90 Mwalimu Clark

LB

11

14 Hudson Picklesimer

TE

11

64 Ridge Sisk

DL

11

91 Jayden Sheffield

DL

10

15 Jackson Allison

LB

10

66 Will Clark

DL

11

92 Lee Adams

DL

10

16 Tripp Guarinieri

LB

12

67 Waylon Piotrowski

OL

10

93 Ethan Swain

DL

10

17 Hampton Sign

WR

10

68 Gray Creekbaum

OL

11

94 Kelsey Lacey

LB

10

18 Brayden Wilson

QB

9

69 Jackson Watkins

OL

10

95 Shane Fenton

DL

12

19 Daniel Fortenberry

WR

10

20 Andrew Long

DB

12

21 Connor Cochran

DB

11

22 Connor Grandberry

DB

11

24 Maddox Moore

DB

9

26 King Banks

RB

9

27 Rylee Burnham

DB

10

29 Josh Turner

DB

9

31 Reid Horton

WR

9

32 Kensley Toney

TE

10

33 Eli Youngblood

LB

11

36 Mason Cauley

RB

12

37 Massimo Santillo

RB

9

38 Brody Woods

DB

9

39 Mason Rudd

DB

9

40 Elion Reed

WR

10

41 Makari Walker

LB

10

43 Ashton Smith

DB

11

44 Corbin Burton

LB

9

UNDER THE LIGHTS

15

STARNES MEDIA

LUKE HAIRSTON (11)

CLAY-CHALKVILLE

Defending state champion Cougars return experienced roster

By Kyle Parmley Clay-Chalkville High School enters the season coming off a 15-0 run to the program’s fifth state championship, a Class 6A title win over Saraland, and head coach Stuart Floyd said the roster returning eight or nine starters on both sides of the ball gives the Cougars a chance to make another run.

“You get your O-line, D-line back, your linebackers in the box, usually you’re pretty good,” Floyd said.

Floyd said the offense has significant production to replace at quarterback, running back and receiver, but he’s confident in the players stepping into those roles. He pointed to a summer trip to Atlanta, complete with mini golf and a team hotel stay, as the moment last year’s group started to come together, and said building that same chemistry is now the focus for this team.

Looking back on last season, Floyd pointed to the state championship game and a wild comeback against Thompson as signature moments, along with a road

CJ ELDRIDGE (14)

16

UNDER THE LIGHTS

COLTON MCINTYRE (5) win over Muscle Shoals in the semifinals that avenged a playoff loss to the same team the year before.

“It was just kind of a magical season,” Floyd said.

The coaching staff featured a little churn this offseason. Zach Wilson was elevated to coach tight ends and Justin Whisenhunt took over outside linebackers. Eddie Wall was hired as defensive coordinator after Clay-Chalkville’s previous coordinator, Jake Helveston, was hired as the Oneonta head coach, and Mac Jones joined the staff to coach receivers.

Clay-Chalkville also shifts into a new region this fall, with Mountain Brook moving out and several former Class 5A programs, including St. Clair County, Springville and Southside-Gadsden, moving up.

Clay-Chalkville opens the season on

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STARNES MEDIA

UNDER THE LIGHTS

17

CLAY-CHALKVILLE the road against Creekside out of Georgia on Aug. 21, then travels to Thompson the following week before region play begins Sept. 4 at Springville. The Cougars host Southside-Gadsden, Oxford, Pell City and Pinson Valley within the region and travel to St. Clair County to close out region play. Clay-Chalkville has open dates Sept. 25 and Oct. 23, and closes the regular season at home against Central Phenix City.

OFFENSE Clay-Chalkville returns four of five starters on the offensive line, headlined by tackles Christian Bennett and Tavaris Powell, both of whom Floyd called Division I-caliber players. Guards Shamar Smith and James Felder return as well, with Peyton Kimbrough stepping into the fifth spot at center.

At quarterback, junior CJ Eldridge takes over after two years of practicing behind standout Aaron Frye. Floyd said Eldridge has already shown growth and may be slightly ahead of where his pre-

CHRISTIAN BENNETT (77) decessor was at the same stage.

“He’s got big shoes to fill, but he’s also practiced for two years against one of

the better defenses,” Floyd said.

The running back room has grown from almost no depth to a crowded group, led

AARON ROBINSON (21)

18

UNDER THE LIGHTS

AUGUST 2026

CLAY-CHALKVILLE 2026 SCHEDULE

2025 RESULTS

Aug. 21: @ Creekside (GA)

15-0 overall, won Class 6A state

Aug. 28: @ Thompson

championship

Sept. 4: @ Springville*

Hueytown: W 42-15

Sept. 11: @ Southside-Gadsden*

Ramsay: W 64-0

Sept. 18: vs. Oxford*

Pell City: W 52-9

Sept. 25: OPEN

Shades Valley: W 50-0

Oct. 2: vs. Pell City*

Brandon (MS): W 47-15

Oct. 9: vs. Pinson Valley*

Thompson: W 28-24

Oct. 16: @ St. Clair County*

Mountain Brook: W 49-0

Oct. 23: OPEN

Huffman: W 56-6

Oct. 30: vs. Central-Phenix City

Oxford: W 40-16

*Region game

Pinson Valley: W 52-14 PLAYOFFS Jackson-Olin: W 49-26

by seniors Cayden McGhee and Aaron Robinson.

At receiver and tight end, seniors Nasir Ray and Caden Farris both played significant snaps a year ago, while senior Cartier Barnes and junior Kaleb Amerson round out the perimeter. Senior Carlos Pope, primarily a defensive lineman, will also see time at tight end given his versatility.

“He would probably start on 99 percent of the high school teams out there,” Floyd said of Pope. “We’re going to try to use him as many ways as possible.”

Floyd said the tight end position remains one of his favorite pieces to build an offense around because of the flexibility it creates.

“Formationally, you can be whatever personnel you need to be,” Floyd said. “It makes people line up in ways they don’t really want to line up in.”

Gadsden City: W 44-7 Homewood: W 35-17 Muscle Shoals: W 30-13 Saraland: W 38-21

STARNES MEDIA

HEAD COACH Stuart Floyd Overall record: 26-11 At Clay-Chalkville: 24-3 Tenure: 3rd season

ASSISTANT COACHES

» Offensive coordinator/offensive line: » Running backs/pass game coordinator: » Wide receivers: » Inside linebackers: » Defensive coordinator/strength and conditioning: » Defensive line: » Safeties: » Quarterbacks: » Tight ends: » Cornerbacks/special teams: » Outside linebackers: Preston Hatcher

Kyle Dickerson

Mac Jones

Gene Rich-

ardson

Eddie Wall

Darius McCall,

Josh Cheek

Jake Hibbs

Brooks Garrett

Zach Wilson

Gavin Wilson

Justin

Whisenhunt

DEFENSE Clay-Chalkville’s defense returns nine players with significant experience, anchored up front by senior Colton McIntyre, senior Keith Richmond and Pope.

DJ Williams, an offseason addition, joins Richmond at the edge spots.

At linebacker, senior Isaiah Brown and senior Quinton Lowe return in the box, while Leland Johnson shifts from the Jack position to Star this year. Jamario Yadao moves from Star to strong safety, replacing graduated starter Xavier Starks.

The secondary also returns senior Ja-

COACHES

len Melton and senior Josh Ivy at safety, while cornerback will feature Anton Whitt, Keith Scott and Braxton Burt.

“It’s getting better, and that’s the one area where we lost a couple of big pieces,” Floyd said of the defensive back group. “But there’s a lot of experience coming back.”

SPECIAL TEAMS

NASIR RAY (17)

Mario Cabachuela takes over kicking duties for Clay-Chalkville this season, one of the new faces the Cougars will lean on as they replace key special teams pieces from last year’s championship run.

UNDER THE LIGHTS

19

CLAY-CHALKVILLE TEAM ROSTER NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

0 Jamario Yadao

OLB

12

43 Kameron Taylor

CB

11

73 Davie Fisher

OL

9

1

CJ Eldridge

QB

11

44 Keyon Mattis

OLB

10

74 Tavaris Powell

OL

12

2

Cartier Barnes

WR

12

45 G'Kobi Robertson

TE

10

75 Victor Rodgers

OL

9

3

Caden Farris

WR

12

46 Daileon Williams

TE

12

76 Sterling Scott

OL

9

4

Josh Ivy

S

12

47 Jeremiah Calhoun

CB

10

77 Christian Bennett

OL

11

5

Colton McIntyre

DL

12

48 Kyler Ingram

S

10

78 Isaiah Moss

OL

11

6

Aaron Robinson

RB

12

50 Zion Averitte

OLB

11

79 Jayden Rutledge

OL

11

7

Nasir Ray

TE

12

51 Jayden Meadows

OLB

11

80 Christian Cooper

WR

10

8 Braxton Burt

CB

12

52 Willie Williams

ILB

9

81 Kemareo Heath

WR

11

9

DJ Williams

OLB

12

53 Armond Harris

ILB

9

82 Eric Craig

WR

11

10 Quinton Lowe

ILB

12

54 Clyde Richardson

OLB

11

83 Macareous Kindell

WR

12

11

TE

10

55 Elijah Allen

DL

11

84 Markise Taylor

WR

12

12 Leland Johnson

OLB

12

56 Jimmarus Cooks

ILB

10

85 Patrick King

TE

12

13 Keith Richmond

DL

12

57 Christan Ryan

OLB

9

86 Carmello Sturdivant

WR

10

14 Anton Whitt

CB

11

58 Marvin Smoot

ILB

10

87 Corderra Campbell

TE

10

15 Isaiah Brown

ILB

12

59 Amari Walls

DL

9

88 Derious Staples

WR

12

16 General Wilcher

QB

10

60 Jayden Jones

OL

9

89 Caden Thomas

TE

10

17 Keston Beck

WR

10

61 Reco Brown

OL

10

90 Evan Flores

DL

10

18 Kaleb Amerson

WR

11

62 Caleb Adams

OL

9

91 Selin Ventura

K

10

19 Harrison Richburg

QB

9

63 James Felder

OL

12

92 Dorien Shipman

DL

9

20 EJ Penn

DL

12

64 Makhi Carter

OL

10

93 Kameron Porter

DL

10

21 Torrance McCormick

S

11

65 Peyton Kimbrough

OL

11

94 Adden Bragg

DL

12

22 Jalen Melton

S

12

66 Cristobal Nunez

OL

10

95 Jacorey Williams

DL

10

23 Keith Scott

CB

12

67 Kaleb Howard

OL

10

96 Josiah Green

DL

11

24 Frankie Jefferson

CB

12

68 Xavier Jones

OL

9

97 Keyjuan Kelley

DL

11

25 Aaron Washington

TE

11

69 Shamar Smith

OL

12

98 Omari Polnett

TE

10

26 Carlos Pope

DL

12

71 Eugene Henry

OL

9

99 Mario Cabachuela

K

11

27 Noah Hampton

RB

10

72 Landyn Johnson

OL

9

28 Navy Allen

S

10

29 Cayden McGhee

RB

12

30 Zion Johnson

WR

10

31 Jakorey Barber

RB

11

32 Jalon Frazier

TE

9

33 Trey Kennedy

ILB

11

34 Jaharvis Austin

CB

11

35 Kam Kelley

ILB

9

36 Javarius Silmon

RB

10

37 Juandre Elliot

RB

10

38 Dekaleb Scott

S

10

39 Kameron Nail

RB

11

40 J'Sean Epting-Dew

S

11

41 Eli Allen

DL

11

42 OJ Hill

RB

9

Fred Flowers Jr.

20

UNDER THE LIGHTS

HEAD COACH STUART FLOYD

AUGUST 2026

HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE

Huskies leaning on young talent

By Kyle Parmley Hewitt-Trussville High School enters the season younger than it has in years, but head coach Josh Floyd said the program is excited about the talent stepping into bigger roles.

“We’ve got some seniors that are really good players, they just haven’t had to be the guy yet,” Floyd said. “Now’s their chance.”

Last season ended 8-3 with a heartbreaking playoff loss after Hewitt-Trussville climbed to No. 1 in the Alabama Sports Writers Association poll for the

first time since 1991.

The Huskies did it despite a rash of injuries. Freshman quarterback Jack Floyd stepped in and led the team through a three-game gauntlet against Vestavia Hills, Hoover and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, all ranked top-10 teams, winning all three before an injury of his own.

“I don’t think it was our most talented team we’ve ever had, but I think they showed a ton of grit and fight,” Josh Floyd said.

Floyd pointed to a road win at Hoover as last year’s signature moment, a game the Huskies won despite what he called

far from their cleanest performance.

Hewitt-Trussville trailed most of the night before taking the lead late in the fourth quarter and getting defensive stops to close it out.

“It’s hard to go over there and win,” Floyd said. “Our guys just found a way.”

The coaching staff returns unchanged for another season. The region looks similar to a year ago, with Hillcrest departing and Spain Park entering, though Floyd said this year’s full schedule, including a non-region slate with Auburn, Hillcrest and Pike Road, is among the toughest he’s faced.

Hewitt-Trussville opens the season

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Any athlete with a suspected concussion should immediately be removed from play and activity, evaluated right away by a doctor or healthcare professional, monitored and not left alone and not drive a motor vehicle. To make an appointment, please call 205-638-6921.

ChildrensAL.org/Concussion COA_Concussion_Football-Under_The_Lights-7.25x4.5.indd 1

STARNES MEDIA

7/21/26 9:56 AM

UNDER THE LIGHTS

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HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE

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UNDER THE LIGHTS

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AUGUST 2026

HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE

JACK FLOYD (7)

NATHAN FRITZ (2)

on the road against Auburn on Aug. 21, then hosts Hillcrest the following week before region play begins Sept. 4 against Hoover. The Huskies travel to Tuscaloosa County, Oak Mountain and Vestavia Hills and host Prattville, Thompson and Spain Park within the region. Hewitt-Trussville has an open date Sept. 25 and closes the regular season on the road at Pike Road.

OFFENSE Jack Floyd enters the year as the fulltime starting quarterback after going 4-1 as a freshman starter, and his coach and dad said he’s added significant size and strength since last season. Junior Harris Tuggle has also improved and pushes for reps, while sophomore Judah Weber can play quarterback in a pinch but will primarily help the team on defense.

“I think what helped win the team over was just his competitiveness, to be able to go in there in that kind of environment and compete,” Josh Floyd said of Jack.

At running back, sophomore Daniel Williams brings explosiveness and vision, while senior Harrison Malone, primarily a linebacker, will also see carries after two strong seasons on defense. Nathan Mohr is also in the mix there.

The offensive line returns seniors Micah Fantroy and Calvyn Speigner as starters, with sophomore Searcy Ellis and junior Odin Woodley, both thrown into starting roles last year, also back.

STARNES MEDIA

JACKSON MARTIN (20) Sophomores Anders Hardy, Hunter Jordan and John Carson Koehler add size and depth to a group Floyd said is bigger than in years past.

At tight end, senior Jackson Martin returns as a three-year starter with multiple FBS offers, and Floyd said he’s noticeably more explosive after playing through injury a year ago. Junior Will Baker and senior Will Miller, who is still working back

into football shape after a spring on the baseball diamond, round out the group.

Hewitt-Trussville’s receiving corps replaces several key contributors, led by junior Dylan Price, senior Riley O’Neill, senior Lucian Nelson, senior DJ Hall, junior Tyron Allen and junior Henry Farrell, who also handles some kicking duties. Sophomore Reid Langley adds size to the group as well.

UNDER THE LIGHTS

23

HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE

COACHES HEAD COACH Josh Floyd Overall record: 197-70-1 At Hewitt-Trussville: 98-41 Tenure: 13th season

ASSISTANT COACHES D’ANTE SEALS (6)

2026 SCHEDULE Aug. 21: @ Auburn Aug. 28: vs. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa Sept. 4: vs. Hoover* Sept. 11: @ Tuscaloosa County* Sept. 18: vs. Prattville* Sept. 25: OPEN Oct. 2: @ Oak Mountain* Oct. 9: vs. Thompson* Oct. 16: @ Vestavia Hills* Oct. 23: vs. Spain Park* Oct. 29: @ Pike Road *Region game

DEFENSE Only three players return who saw significant snaps a year ago, led by senior D’ante Seals, a three-year starter and Troy commit who can line up on the interior or the edge.

“He’s a guy that’s been in the battles,” Floyd said of Seals.

Malone returns at outside linebacker after an all-region season, and senior Simeon Watson anchors the secondary at cornerback after starting there since his sophomore year.

24

UNDER THE LIGHTS

» Offensive coordinator/running backs: » Offensive line: » Pass game coordinator/wide receivers: » Defensive coordinator/safeties: » Linebackers/special teams: » Cornerbacks: » Defensive line: » Other assistants: Ethan Carroll

2025 RESULTS 8-3 overall, reached 1st round of Class 7A playoffs JAG: W 54-0 Gadsden City: W 56-7 Vestavia Hills: W 28-14 Hoover: W 17-14 Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa: W 24-0 Pinson Valley: W 42-6 Thompson: L 34-12 Prattville: L 24-21

Brad Boyette

Jean Cherizol

Sean Talsma

Dylan Haraway

Ben Ramer

Danny Ward,

Shaq Jones

Alex Deal,

Bryan Hinds, Trae Stowe, Tyrece Mickens, Dedrick Carr

Oak Mountain: W 36-21 Tuscaloosa County: W 49-7 PLAYOFFS Opelika: L 27-21

Up front alongside Seals, senior Eli Abney provides edge presence, with junior Michael Ross, junior Sam Starkey and junior Luke Vandenberghe, a converted offensive lineman, adding depth.

At linebacker, senior Jayden Berry and junior Ryker Dummitt anchor the middle, with sophomores Hunter Futrell and Joseph Deibert, and transfer Cody Parker also in the mix.

The secondary features junior Zion Westry and junior Kahlil Braswell at cornerback alongside Watson, while junior

Parker Neigoot returns after missing last season, joined by junior Caleb Scott and junior Sam Dick at safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS Seniors Nathan Fritz, Banks Loyd and Tony Hrbacek all return to handle placekicking, kickoffs and punting, respectively. Henry Farrell adds a second kicking option after hitting a 45-yard field goal against Thompson last season, and sophomore Rivers Harbison is expected to compete for a role in the return game.

AUGUST 2026

HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE TEAM ROSTER NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

0 Jayden Berry

LB

12

35 Ryker Dummitt

LB

11

79 Isaac Solomon

DL

11

1

Saxton Jones

DB

10

36 Brandon Robinson

S

12

80 Rivers Harbison

K

10

2

Daniel Williams

RB

10

37 Geordin Hatcher

RB

10

81 Henry Farrell

WR

11

2

Nathan Fritz

K

12

37 Ethan Dabney

S

12

84 Cedric Coleman

WR

10

3

Dylan Price

WR

11

38 Jake Gonzales

RB

12

86 Liam Armstrong

WR

11

4

Tyron Allen

WR

11

38 Warrick Pettus

LB

11

88 Will Baker

WR

11

4

Jace Stripling

DB

10

39 Banks Vessels

WR

10

90 Jacob Malone

DE

11

5

Hunter Futrell

LB

10

39 Banks Lowery

DB

10

91 Waylon Johnson

DE

11

6

D'ante Seals

DE

12

40 Carter Jones

LB

11

92 Landon Donner

DE

9

6

Nathan Mohr

RB

12

41 Onree Pruitt

DB

10

93 Zac Parks

DE

10

7

Jack Floyd

QB

10

42 Taariq Adams

LB

11

94 Tate Jones

DL

12

7

Eli Abney

DE

12

44 Will Miller

TE

12

96 Sham Chamblee

DE

10

8 Lucian Nelson

WR

12

45 Ethan Gee

DB

11

97 Cooper Sudec

DE

11

9

Simeon Watson

DB

12

46 Wyatt Fleming

OLB

10

9

Bowman Dahlke

WR

10

47 Tony Hrbacek

K

12

10 Harris Tuggle

QB

11

48 Zeke Hess

RB

10

10 Zion Westry

DB

11

49 Camden Culver

DB

10

11

10

UNDER THE LIGHTS

25

LB

12

50 Izaah Gray

DL

12 DJ Hall

Cody Parker

WR

12

51 Gavin Page

OL

11

13 Kahlil Braswell

DB

11

52 Ben Sharit

OL

10

14 Moses Morrison

QB

10

53 Reese Davis

DL

10

15 Banks Loyd

K

12

54 Levi McGlaghn

OL

10

16 Harrison Malone

OLB

12

55 Drew Brisco

OLB

11

17 Jamari Green

DL

10

56 Stuart Hrbacek

ILB

12

18 Riley O'Neill

WR

12

57 Sam Reeser

OL

10

19 Jaylen Wright

DB

10

58 Owen Leggett

OL

10

20 Jackson Martin

TE

12

59 Odin Woodley

OL

11

21 Caleb Jarvis

FS

10

60 Luke Vandenberghe

OL

11

22 Reid Langley

WR

10

61 Luke Perez

DL

10

23 Braylon Townes

OLB

12

62 Marcus Hill

OL

10

24 Judah Weber

RV

10

63 Anders Hardy

OL

10

25 Joseph Deibert

OLB

10

64 Sam Starkey

DE

11

26 Bryant Wisdom

DB

10

65 Calvyn Speigner

OL

12

27 Parker Neigoot

FS

11

67 Hunter Jordan

OL

10

28 Caleb Scott

S

11

68 John Carson Koehler

OL

10

29 Christian Carrington

WR

11

70 Micah Fantroy

OL

12

30 Lucas Brown

LB

10

72 Michael Ross

DL

11

31 Chase Davis

DB

11

73 Reid Tidmore

OL

10

32 Mathis Leslie

LB

11

75 Searcy Ellis

OL

10

32 Liam Chesser

WR

10

76 Henry Hrbacek

OL

11

33 Sam Dick

FS

11

77 Braylon Andrews

DL

10

34 Preston Armstrong

OLB

11

78 Jack Andrews

OL

11

STARNES MEDIA

HOMEWOOD

Patriots lean on program culture as new faces fill key roles

By Kyle Parmley Homewood High School returns just four starters on offense and three on defense this season, but head coach Ben Berguson said the program’s culture and the repetitions many players picked up during last year’s deep playoff run give the Patriots a jolt heading into the fall.

“Our football culture is so good here that it creates a lot of confidence,” Berguson said. “Even though we’re replacing a lot, our kids will be very confident going into the season.”

Berguson called last season a great one, one he believes could have extend-

RODREGUS LAMBERT (21)

26

UNDER THE LIGHTS

ed further had the Patriots not run into eventual state champion Clay-Chalkville.

He pointed to a wild loss at rival Mountain Brook, a game that landed Homewood on SportsCenter, as the most memorable moment in a memorable season.

“It was just one of those special games between two great communities,” Berguson said.

The staff added several new pieces this offseason. Shawn Bostick joins to coach tight ends. Boo Smith, previously an offensive coordinator at Hueytown, takes over the receivers. Jaiquan Crook comes on to coach outside linebackers, and Jake Collins, a Homewood alum who spent time on staff at Mountain Brook,

returns to coach cornerbacks. Sam Warren will coach running backs.

Homewood opens the season on the road against John Carroll on Aug. 21, then travels to Briarwood the following week, a pair of non-region rivalries Berguson said he intentionally kept on the schedule through the classification shakeup.

Region play begins Sept. 4 at home against Mountain Brook and continues on the road at Pelham and Helena.

Homewood has an open date Sept. 25, then hosts Calera and Chelsea and travels to Chilton County within the region before closing the regular season at home against Ramsay and a non-region matchup with Oak Mountain.

MICHAEL LUCKIANOW (23)

AUGUST 2026

HOMEWOOD OFFENSE A quarterback battle between senior Jack Myers and junior Timothy Roshell will carry into the season. Berguson said Myers, who has an extra year in the system, throws an accurate ball, while Roshell brings more of a dual-threat skill set.

“It’s a good problem to have,” Berguson said.

At running back, senior Chappy Chapleau returns after leading the position group in touchdowns a year ago, with junior Tyler Betts and freshman Cyn’Mauree Debruce, pulled up to varsity this spring, also in the rotation. Junior Reid Goldstein, listed simply as an athlete, will get touches at both running back and receiver after running track this spring.

The offensive line returns three of Homewood’s four starters, led by senior Gray Keown at left tackle and senior Asher Ketcham, who moves inside after starting at right tackle a year ago. Senior Edwin McBride and junior Walker Bostick round out the returning group, while the

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STARNES MEDIA

UNDER THE LIGHTS

27

HOMEWOOD 2026 SCHEDULE Aug. 21: @ John Carroll Aug. 28: @ Briarwood Sept. 4: vs. Mountain Brook* Sept. 11: @ Pelham* Sept. 18: @ Helena*

COACHES

Sept. 25: OPEN Oct. 2: vs. Calera* Oct. 8: vs. Chelsea* Oct. 16: @ Chilton County* Oct. 23: vs. Ramsay* Oct. 30: vs. Oak Mountain *Region game

28

UNDER THE LIGHTS

Tenure: 13th season

» Assistant head coach/defensive 2025 RESULTS 11-2 overall, reached Class 6A quarterfinals John Carroll: W 51-7 Briarwood: W 27-0 Mortimer Jordan: W 49-7 Woodlawn: W 52-8 Jackson-Olin: W 49-0 Mountain Brook: L 25-24 (OT) Gardendale: W 42-9 Parker: W 35-28 Minor: W 31-14 James Clemens: W 38-28

coordinator/inside linebackers: Freddy Lawrence

» Offensive coordinator: » Wide receivers: » Running backs: » Tight ends: » Offensive line: » Safeties: » Cornerbacks: » Outside linebackers: » Defensive line: » Athletic trainers:

Heath

Brunner

Boo Smith

Sam Warren

Shawn Bostick Jackson Hall

Jason Haithcock Jake Collins Jaiquan

Crook

Myron Powe Ed Harris,

Logan Marquis

PLAYOFFS Pell City: W 28-14 Hartselle: W 31-24 Clay-Chalkville: L 35-17

DEFENSE Senior Major Moorer anchors the defensive front and has already drawn college interest, alongside sophomore Jakari Haynes and senior Dennis White at the other end spots. Junior Canon Tutor, senior Colton Gibbs and sophomore Ian Anderson provide depth up front.

At outside linebacker, senior Rodregus Lambert moves over from the defensive line to cover the field side, bringing rare athleticism for the position. Senior Luke Serotsky mans the boundary side, with

Ben Berguson Overall record: 102-54 At Homewood: 96-48

ASSISTANT COACHES

CHAPPY CHAPLEAU (0) left guard spot remains open, with junior Yael Hernandez, senior Antonio Williams, juniors Christian Rivas, Mario Hernandez, Edwin Petrey and Drew Berguson, and freshman J.W. Giardina all positioning for playing time along the line.

At receiver, junior Kamryn Foster returns from a hip injury, and junior Beckham Newell has emerged as a vertical threat after adding size in the offseason.

Junior Preston Hill, senior Davis Litton and sophomore Mason Wearren round out the group.

At tight end, junior Marcus McGee returns to football after two years focused solely on basketball, and junior Bennett Smith, who also handles long snapping duties, gives Homewood another flexible target. Senior Landon Pettus, working back from shoulder surgery, will also see snaps at tight end.

HEAD COACH

juniors Cameron Clifton and Tyrek Mosley in the rotation behind them.

Inside, seniors Ty Ford and Pate Lee and junior Liam Stack will rotate at the position.

The secondary returns junior Quincy McGhee and junior Michael Luckianow at cornerback, with junior Ben Baguley, senior Bryon Long, who moved down from safety, and junior Christian Dorsey adding depth. At safety, junior Tate Bur-

deshaw returns after a breakout sophomore season, joined by senior Ollie Whitten, who is back after a concussion cut short his year, and junior Judah Pettus, who moves over from receiver.

SPECIAL TEAMS Junior Gabriel Carlson returns as Homewood’s punter and is expected to handle placekicking duties as well, with sophomore Jozy Hicks also competing for kicks. Bennett Smith takes over at long snapper.

AUGUST 2026

HOMEWOOD TEAM ROSTER NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

0 Chappy Chapleau

RB

12

23 Jaydon Gilliam

S

10

53 J.W. Giardina

OL

9

0 Tyrek Mosley

OLB

11

24 Marcus McGee

TE

11

54 Edwin Petrey

OL

11

1

Timothy Roshell

QB

11

24 Bryon Long

CB

12

55 Gray Keown

OL

12

1

Quincy McGhee

CB

11

25 Jozy Hicks

K

10

56 Asher Ketcham

OL

12

2

Kamryn Foster

WR

11

26 Sam Gardner

WR

12

57 Ian Anderson

DL

10

2

Judah Pettus

S

11

27 Jaden Andrews

DB

12

58 Christian Rivas

OL

11

3

Davis Litton

WR

12

28 Cameron Clifton

OLB

11

59 Mario Hernandez

OL

11

3

Michael Luckianow

CB

11

29 Miles McElheny

WR

11

60 Elias Bleecker

OL

11

4

Reid Goldstein

WR

11

30 Leandro Martinez

DL

12

64 Yael Hernandez

OL

11

4

Ty Ford

ILB

12

31 Jeremiah Williams

DB

10

67 Antonio Williams

OL

12

5

Preston Hill

WR

11

32 Ty Thomas

DL

11

68 Sam Holley

OL

10

5

Pate Lee

ILB

12

33 Liam Stack

ILB

11

70 Connor Brown

OL

10

6

Landon Pettus

WR

12

34 Mac Abernathy

ILB

10

72 Edwin McBride

OL

12

6

Christian Dorsey

CB

11

38 Jackson McGarrah

DB

11

76 Jacoby Johnson

OL

9

7

Jack Myers

QB

12

39 Hilton Patterson

WR

12

80 Noah Gary

WR

9

7

Travis Tebeau

TE

10

41 Jakari Haynes

DL

10

82 Conner Stephenson

TE

9

8 Micah Jones

RB

11

42 Mason Morton

OLB

10

87 Dayvion Carson

WR

10

8 Ollie Whitten

S

12

44 Luke Serotsky

OLB

12

88 Jayden Powell

WR

9

9

Andrew Knight

QB

10

45 Colton Gibbs

DL

12

89 Canon Tutor

DL

11

9

Ben Baguley

DB

11

47 Gabriel Carlson

K

11

90 Landan Wilkins

DL

11

10 Cyn'Mauree Debruce

RB

9

50 Drew Berguson

OL

11

91 Dennis White

DL

12

10 Sean Stanton

S

11

51 Walker Bostick

OL

11

95 Major Moorer

DL

12

11

Mason Wearren

WR

10

52 Zach Johnson

OL

10

11

Graham Jackson

OLB

10

12 Tyler Betts

RB

11

12 Lyle Edmiston

S

10

13 Beckham Newell

WR

11

13 Jamie Potts

K

10

14 DeMartez Jones

QB

9

14 Sam Herr

DB

10

15 Caaleb Thomas

DB

10

15 Beni Walden

TE

10

16 Charlie Smithey

QB

10

16 Thomas Wagner

ILB

10

17 Jack Williams

WR

10

17 Tate Burdeshaw

S

11

18 Ben Goldstein

WR

10

18 Manning Yost

DL

11

19 Bennett Smith

TE

11

19 Oliver Barrow

ILB

10

20 Parker Schaeperklaus

CB

10

21 Rodregus Lambert

OLB

12

UNDER THE LIGHTS

29

STARNES MEDIA

QUINCY MCGHEE (5)

HOOVER

Bucs pushing for consistent excellence in new season

By Kyle Parmley Hoover High School enters Chip English’s third season as head coach replacing a talented senior class with a group he said is stocked with players who simply haven’t had their turn yet.

“We’re going to have some talent, we’re going to have some guys that can play,” English said. “It’s just going to take a little bit of time to figure that out.”

English called last season a season of inconsistency, one where the Buccaneers played well one week and poorly the next before an early playoff exit. He said the coaching staff self-scouted extensively over the offseason to find ways to turn close losses into wins.

“Guys are tough, guys are gritty,” English said. “Somebody told me it looks like the old Hoover, and what they meant is these are guys that work really, really hard.”

English pointed to a stretch last season when Hoover started 1-3 before winning five straight games as a turning point for the program, along with a strong first half against Parker and a gutsy win over Thompson decided by a late field goal.

“Seeing that turnaround, seeing the confidence, seeing the playmaking progress was really exciting,” English said.

The staff added experience this offseason. A couple of new hires were made, and William Eads was elevated to offensive coordinator to give the Bucs a familiar face leading the offensive room.

Hoover’s region looks similar to a year ago, with Spain Park entering and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa exiting. English said the change in classification title from Class 7A to 6A doesn’t affect how difficult the region will be.

“It’s going to be a gauntlet again,” English said. “Week in and week out, we’re going to have to play our best.”

Hoover opens the season at home against Muscle Shoals on Aug. 21, then

30

UNDER THE LIGHTS

KALEB FREEMAN (7)

JOVON PULLIAM (7)

AUGUST 2026

HOOVER travels to Opelika the following week before region play begins Sept. 4 at Hewitt-Trussville. The Buccaneers host Prattville, Thompson and Spain Park and travel to Oak Mountain, Vestavia Hills and Tuscaloosa County within the region.

Hoover also hosts Knoxville Catholic of Tennessee in a non-region matchup Sept.

25 and has an open date Oct. 30.

OFFENSE Senior Kaleb Freeman returns at quarterback after a full season of starting experience and a recent commitment to Charleston Southern. English said Freeman will need to take on a bigger role as a playmaker after receivers carried more of that load a year ago, including using his legs more in the run game.

“He’s going to have to take that on a little bit more this year, and we have no doubt that he can,” English said.

Junior Oliver Crowell, who spent time in Indiana before returning to Hoover, will back up Freeman.

At running back, junior Malik Boggan and junior Paxton Weatherly give Hoover two contrasting styles, one a speed threat and the other more of a shifty runner, and both are expected to split time carrying the pigskin.

Hoover’s receiving corps is almost entirely new to starting roles. Senior Anderson Clark returns at tight end after a strong offseason, while junior Jordon Ward, senior Jamyreion Dickerson and senior Blake Clark are among the receivers expected to step into larger roles.

Up front, Hoover returns both starting tackles in senior Rocco Rossi at right tackle and junior Zachari Moore at left tackle. Sophomore Braylen Cariveau is working back from a knee injury and gives the Bucs flexibility at guard or center.

“I feel like we probably have eight guys that can step out there on a Friday night and do some really good things,” English said of the offensive line.

DEFENSE Hoover’s secondary returns significant experience, anchored by seniors D.J. Waluyn, Jordan Williams and Anquan Allen. Junior Aidan Callins adds depth to the group.

At linebacker, senior Nathan Johnson steps into a starting role for the first time despite his experience in the program, alongside junior Uriah Crawford and ju-

STARNES MEDIA

2026 SCHEDULE Aug. 21: vs. Muscle Shoals Aug. 27: @ Opelika Sept. 4: @ Hewitt-Trussville* Sept. 11: vs. Prattville* Sept. 18: @ Oak Mountain* Sept. 25: vs. Knoxville Catholic (TN) Oct. 2: vs. Thompson* Oct. 9: @ Vestavia Hills* Oct. 16: vs. Spain Park* Oct. 23: @ Tuscaloosa County* Oct. 30: OPEN *Region game

COACHES HEAD COACH Chip English Overall record: 55-67 At Hoover: 16-8 Tenure: 3rd season

ASSISTANT COACHES

» Defensive coordinator/defensive 2025 RESULTS 6-5 overall, reached 1st round of Class 7A playoffs IMG Academy (FL): L 34-13 Spain Park: W 21-10 Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa: L 34-26 Hewitt-Trussville: L 17-14 Prattville: W 48-23 Parker: W 45-42 Oak Mountain: W 48-21 Tuscaloosa County: W 51-7 Thompson: W 33-30 Vestavia Hills: L 39-30 PLAYOFFS Central-Phenix City: L 34-10

line/associate head coach: Josh Reeves

» Offensive coordinator/wide receivers: » Special teams coordinator: » Safeties/co-special teams coordinator: » Cornerbacks: » Defensive ends/edge rushers: » Star linebackers: » Defensive line: » Wide receivers: » Running backs: » Tight ends: » Offensive line/assistant head coach: » Director of Sports Performance: » Director of Football Operations: William Eads

Aus-

tin Harrell

Zach Franks

Devin Patterson

Levi Estes

Dustin Edgar

Jerry Fuqua

Russ Pilkington

Richard Floyd

Jacob Phillips

Brad Pounds

nior Khonor Latham.

Up front, senior Jovon Pulliam returns off an all-state season at defensive end and is expected to anchor the line. Senior Jordan Williams and sophomore Jaymon Knight, who played significant snaps as a freshman, add experience and depth, while senior Christian Harris steps into a starting role for the first time as well.

“Jovon Pulliam was able to really change the game on what he was able to do,” English said. “When you have guys up front that can do that, it allows those secondary guys to play a little more risky.”

Gavin Hallford

David Crabtree

SPECIAL TEAMS Senior Grant Morrison returns at punter after averaging close to 40 yards per kick a year ago, and senior Steele Witschy takes over placekicking duties. Hoover will also need to replace graduated long snapper Lincoln Anderson, who held the job for three seasons.

UNDER THE LIGHTS

31

HOOVER TEAM ROSTER NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

0 Paxton Weatherly

RB

11

23 Christian August

DB

11

71 Braylen Cariveau

OL

10

1

Malik Boggan

RB

11

24 Jamal Jones

DB

11

72 Zachari Moore

OL

11

1

DJ Waluyn

S

12

25 Khonor Latham

LB

11

73 Donovan Miller

OL

10

2

Jordan Williams

CB

12

26 Kali Boatman

S

11

74 Houston Fulton

OL

12

3

Blake Clark

WR

12

28 Joey O'Donnell

CB

12

75 Rocco Rossi

OL

12

3

Anquan Allen

S

12

30 Connor Seymour

CB

12

77 Micheal McCain

OL

12

4 Andrew Renfroe

WR

12

31 Trent Felder

RB

12

78 Caleb Richard

OL

11

4 Aidan Callins

S

11

31 Christian Harris

DE

12

79 Kemori White

OL

11

5

Jordon Ward

WR

11

32 Mikhail Pitts

DB

12

80 Nathan Joiner

TE

10

6

Uriah Crawford

LB

11

33 King Sims

RB

10

81 Xavier Lawson

TE

11

6

Jamyreion Dickerson

WR

12

36 Javon Wairimu

DB

12

82 Hanley Barron

WR

11

7

Kaleb Freeman

QB

12

37 Grant Morrison

K

12

84 Christian Watters

WR

12

7

Jovon Pulliam

DE

12

39 Steele Witschy

K

12

86 Xavier Dowdell

WR

11

9

Jordan Williams

DT

12

40 Harrison Descher

DB

11

87 Isaiah Smith

WR

12

10 Anderson Clark

TE

12

42 Max Vessey

DB

11

88 Kaleb Greene

WR

11

11

Oliver Crowell

QB

11

44 Xavier Spearman

DT

12

89 Jamari Hairston

WR

11

11

Nathan Johnson

LB

12

45 Mason Cobia

DL

11

90 Isiah Martin

DT

10

12 Kenneth Walker

WR

8

52 Jayden Evans

LB

11

91 Kevin Flores

K

11

13 Micah Square

TE

10

58 Dominic Anderson

OL

11

93 Zach Morrell

DT

12

14 Noah Crawford

WR

10

60 Walker Weed

OL

12

94 Mario Gibbs

DT

11

15 KJ Wright

DE

12

61 Caiden Cowan

OL

12

95 Kebba Drammeh

DT

11

16 Ashtyn King

WR

12

62 Chase Hollingshead

OL

11

96 Tucker Crabtree

K

11

17 Faris Salameh

QB

12

63 Abel Turner

OL

11

97 Fabian Manzo

DT

12

20 Lake Hendricks

DB

10

64 Shiv Patel

OL

12

98 Matthew Threatt

DE

12

21 Myles Bunkley

DE

11

66 Henry Wright

OL

12

99 Jaymon Knight

DT

10

22 Hunter Wetherholt

DB

11

70 Hayden Sain

OL

11

DJ WALUYN (1)

32

UNDER THE LIGHTS

JORDAN WILLIAMS (2)

AUGUST 2026

KEEP COMPETING.

HOOVER

LESS PAIN. MORE LIVING.

CONNECT WITH US!

Call 205.985.4111 Hoover 4517 Southlake Parkway Birmingham-Grandview 3686 Grandview Parkway Ste 430

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UNDER THE LIGHTS

33

JOHN CARROLL

Cavaliers step into new facilities and new classification

By Kyle Parmley John Carroll Catholic High School enters Will Mara’s seventh season as head coach with a new home to go with a new region. The Cavaliers move from Class 5A into Private-AA, Region 2 this fall, after the AHSAA split public and private schools.

The Cavs will do all this in new facilities the current senior class watched rise from construction over the past two years.

“This senior group, it’s a great group of leaders, and they’ve kind of taken the reins on it within the transition,” Mara said. “They’ve embraced all that and decided that they were going to work through all of it.”

The Cavaliers graduated 20 seniors off last year’s roster and return 18 this fall.

Mara said the group has taken ownership of the new building, down to drafting responsibility for different rooms inside it, from the hallways to the new weight room, which opened for the team for the first time this summer.

“Seeing them take responsibility and pride in it has been a fun part,” Mara said.

The renovation project has proceeded from turf and a new video scoreboard at the football stadium last fall, to the completion of an overhauled facility. The locker rooms, coaches’ offices and weight rooms are new, and the building has plenty of features that can be used beyond simply the football program as well.

“That facility, everything was done with all students in mind,” Mara said.

Mara pointed to the regular season finale as last year’s signature moment, a comeback from a 17-0 halftime deficit against West Blocton that included an onside kick, a safety, a tying score and a walk-off touchdown in overtime.

“It was a great way to end the season, a great way to build momentum into the offseason,” Mara said.

Mara said the move to a new classification and region has added some logistical wrinkles, including chartering buses for

34

UNDER THE LIGHTS

TRUMAN VINES (6) road trips the Cavaliers haven’t taken before. But the games are the same.

“The preparation hasn’t changed,” Mara said. “We understood there’s a little bit more of a learning curve.”

John Carroll opens the season at home against Homewood on Aug. 21 in the Battle of Lakeshore, then travels to Talladega the following week before region play begins Sept. 4 against American Christian. The Cavaliers travel to St. John Paul II, Westminster Christian, Briarwood and Randolph and host Lee-Scott Academy and Madison Academy within the region.

John Carroll has an open date Sept. 25 and closes the regular season at home against Leeds.

OFFENSE A quarterback battle is underway between junior Harry White, who started last season, and senior Carson Lewis, a transfer from Oak Mountain.

“Both of them are working hard, and I’m excited about both of them and their development,” Mara said.

At running back, junior Aubrey Coker returns as a two-year starter, with sophomore Jeremiah Hubbard, a transfer from Hoover, also in the mix. At receiver, senior Kannon Hammock returns as a three-year starter and has added speed in the offseason, while senior Tucker Rice also returns. Senior Cam Graham is back after tearing his rotator cuff two seasons ago and will play a hybrid role, capable of lining up at receiver or in the backfield.

Senior Truman Vines returns at tight end and has emerged as one of the team’s clear leaders, alongside senior Hugh Tighe, who anchors the offensive line at left tackle. TJ Richardson will also help out at tight end and receiver this season. Senior Kyle Heberlein, senior Colton Redmond and sophomore Luke Pilato and senior Kaden Bellew round out a line Mara said may see some flipping of positions as fall camp continues.

“That whole unit has to be together,” Mara said of the offensive line. “If one of those guys doesn’t do their job correctly, it messes up the whole play.”

AUGUST 2026

JOHN CARROLL

COLTON REDMOND (55)

AUBREY COKER (25)

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UNDER THE LIGHTS

35

JOHN CARROLL

COACHES HEAD COACH Will Mara Overall record: 28-34 At John Carroll: 28-34 Tenure: 7th season

ASSISTANT COACHES

» Defensive coordinator/linebackers: » Quarterbacks: » Running backs: » Offensive line: » Wide receivers: » Defensive backs: » Defensive line: Dennis Therell

Stan White

Trent Richardson

Rob Crawford

Jharod Johnson Tony Honeycutt

Scott Spencer

DEFENSE John Carroll loses significant senior leadership on defense and will lean on a group that spent last season absorbing the system on JV. Up front, Connor Mitchell, sophomore Connie Tripp, juniors Alex Maenza and Nick Garrido anchor the line.

At linebacker, sophomore Aven McCall, sophomore Broden Elkins and sophomore Ethan Duffy will rotate, with Liam Gill and Judah Metcalf, who both saw spot duty a year ago, at the star position.

Jacob Varner is also in the mix at linebacker.

The secondary features junior Skyler Carmichael, senior Kieran Ford and senior Lucas Rankin at corner, with junior Manley Fleming, senior Aiden Van Matre and Chris Collins at safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS Senior Ryan Swetz returns at punter, and senior Max Sullivan returns at kicker. Hubbard and Graham are expected to handle kick return duties, with Collins also in the mix on both kicks and punts.

36

UNDER THE LIGHTS

HUGH TIGHE (77)

2026 SCHEDULE

2025 RESULTS

Aug. 21: vs. Homewood

3-7 overall, missed playoffs

Aug. 28: @ Talladega

Homewood: L 51-7

Sept. 4: vs. American Christian*

St. Michael: L 49-28

Sept. 11: @ St. John Paul II*

Carver-Birmingham: L 32-16

Sept. 18: vs. Lee-Scott*

Hayden: W 36-26

Sept. 25: OPEN

Ramsay: L 40-7

Oct. 2: @ Westminster Christian*

Montevallo: W 47-7

Oct. 9: @ Briarwood*

Wenonah: L 33-14

Oct. 16: vs. Madison Academy*

Briarwood: L 23-7

Oct. 23: @ Randolph*

Corner: L 42-7

Oct. 30: vs. Leeds

West Blocton: W 24-23 (OT)

*Region game

AUGUST 2026

JOHN CARROLL TEAM ROSTER NO. NAME

POS.

GRADE 12

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

0 Judah Metcalf

DB

48 Tommy Theilen

WR

10

74 Luke Pilato

OL

10

1

Truman Vines

TE/DB 12

51 Connie Tripp

DL

10

77 Hugh Tighe

OL

12

2

Cameron Graham

WR/LB 12

53 John Stiles

OL

9

80 Joshua Davis

DE

9

3

Aiden Van Matre

DB/WR 12

54 Kaden Bellew

OL/DL 12

84 Levi Elliott

WR

9

4 Aubrey Coker

RB

55 Colton Redmond

OL

87 Miller Shafer

TE

10

5

Tucker Rice

WR/DB 12

56 Nick Garrido

DL/OL 11

89 James Chandler

WR

10

6

Lucas Rankin

DB

66 Kyle Heberlein

OL

95 Connor Mitchell

DL

11

7

Kieran Ford

WR/DB 12

67 Elam Gibson

OL/DL 10

UNDER THE LIGHTS

37

11 12

8 Kannon Hammock

WR/DB 12

9

Skyler Carmichael

DB/WR 11

11

Harry White

QB

12

11

12 TJ Richardson

WR/LB 8

13 Trevin McCall

DB/WR 12

13 Jeremiah Hubbard

RB

10

14 Joseph Hounkpe

DB

12

15 Carson Lewis

QB

12

16 Noah Phillips

WR/DB 12

17 DJ Fortune

QB

10

18 Max Sullivan

K

12

19 Liam Gill

LB

11

20 Brayden Meacham

DB

10

21 Chris Collins

DB/WR 10

22 Purpose Henderson

DB

23 Manley Fleming

DB/WR 11

24 CJ Mitchell

LB/TE 11

25 Grayson Snider

WR

10

26 Diesel Ephraim

RB

10

27 Liam Veasey

WR

9

28 William Vines

WR

9

29 Liam Rice

WR

9

31 Paxton Spadoni

DE

12

32 Jacob Varner

LB

11

33 Aven McCall

LB

10

34 David Faulkner

LB/RB 9

35 Marques McConico

WR/DB 9

36 Asher Pinette

WR/DB 9

37 Ryan Swetz

P

38 James Speers

WR/DB 9

40 Luke Wilson

TE

9

42 Broden Elkins

LB

10

44 Ethan Duffy

LB

10

45 Alex Maenza

DL

11

46 Ronan Nelan

WR/DB 9

STARNES MEDIA

12

9

12

KANNON HAMMOCK (8)

MOUNTAIN BROOK

Spartans lean on experienced defense while offense reloads

By Kyle Parmley Mountain Brook High School enters Chris Yeager’s 21st season as head coach with a roster that’s short on returning starters but long on players who’ve grown up in the program together.

“There’s not a day that’s gone by that I haven’t walked away thinking we got some things done today,” Yeager said of coaching a young team. “You can see improvement from day to day to day.”

The Spartans also shift into a new region as part of the state’s latest classi-

fication cycle, one that puts Mountain Brook with a mix of familiar and new opponents.

“You get to see new teams, new coaches, different coaching philosophies, different schemes,” Yeager said. “We’ll be traveling to some places we haven’t traveled to before.”

Mountain Brook opens the season on the road against Hueytown on Aug. 21, then travels to Mobile to face UMSWright the following week. Region play begins Sept. 4 at Homewood, a familiar opponent from the previous area. The

Spartans host Helena and Ramsay and travel to Chilton County and Calera within the region, with Chelsea and Pelham both visiting later in the year. Mountain Brook also hosts Oxford in a non-region game Sept. 25 and closes the regular season with an open date Oct. 30.

OFFENSE Offensive coordinator Brad Easley, entering his fifth year at Mountain Brook, said this year’s offense is inexperienced across the board but eager to learn. A quarterback battle between senior Pruet

JOHN COLVIN (20)

38

UNDER THE LIGHTS

AUGUST 2026

MOUNTAIN BROOK James and junior Caden Bryant will continue into fall camp.

“They both have physical ability, they can throw the ball, they can both run,” Yeager said. “But that position is supposed to elevate the people around them.”

The offensive line returns the fewest experienced pieces of any group, but Easley praised its effort and selflessness.

Senior John Bradford returns at center, with seniors Henry Slaughter, Bradley Bales and Robert Moore, junior Bain Thorstad, junior D.Y. Menendez and sophomore Mac Russell rounding out a line still finding its identity.

At tight end, seniors Bennett Jordan and Wallace Hunter give the Spartans size and experience, both capable of blocking and catching while helping mentor the newer faces around them.

Mountain Brook’s receiving corps is led by seniors John Colvin and Archie Andrews, both entering their third year as starters, a rarity at the position in this program. Colvin will also see snaps at running back. Junior Brock Wilkinson and junior Robinson Peer provide depth behind them.

At running back, sophomore Beau Payne has emerged as the primary ball

BENNETT JORDAN (81) carrier, with Easley praising his effort on every snap over any single skill.

“He knows no other gear but full speed,” Easley said.

DEFENSE

GRAHAM SMITH (43)

STARNES MEDIA

Mountain Brook’s defense returns just one full-season starter from a year ago in senior Will Ellis, but defensive coordinator Shane Stearns, entering his fifth year running the defense, said the group has already built the kind of depth on the defensive line that was missing a few seasons ago.

“It’s not what we do, it’s how we do it,” Stearns said of the program’s defensive identity. “The amount of precision and depth we can get into our fronts is what makes us different.”

Up front, senior Henry Walton has played all three line spots and takes pride in his versatility. He’s joined by Ellis, senior Mason Baynes and senior Payne Pennebaker, who moved down from linebacker to add speed to the front. Senior Skip Stuermann and junior Alex Long, a converted safety, man the Rover po-

UNDER THE LIGHTS

39

MOUNTAIN BROOK

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UNDER THE LIGHTS

AUGUST 2026

391 Rele Street, Mountain Brook, AL 35223

MOUNTAIN BROOK

COACHES HEAD COACH Chris Yeager Overall record: 195-93 At Mountain Brook: 170-73 Tenure: 21st season

ASSISTANT COACHES

PEARSON TRAMMELL (36)

» Defensive coordinator: » Offensive coordinator: » Safeties: » Linebackers: » Defensive line: » Cornerbacks/special teams coordinator: » Tight ends/receivers: » Offensive line: » Running backs: » Wide receivers: » Strength and conditioning: Shane

2026 SCHEDULE

2025 RESULTS

Stearns

Brad

Easley

Aug. 21: @ Hueytown

9-4 overall, reached Class 6A quar-

Aug. 28: @ UMS-Wright

terfinals

Sept. 4: @ Homewood*

Demopolis: W 44-7

Sept. 10: vs. Helena*

Parker: L 27-11

Sept. 18: @ Chilton County*

Hueytown: W 30-27 (OT)

Sept. 25: vs. Oxford

Pell CIty: L 10-3

Oct. 2: vs. Ramsay*

Oxford: W 42-14

Oct. 9: @ Calera*

Homewood: W 25-24 (OT)

Oct. 16: vs. Chelsea*

Clay-Chalkville: L 49-0

Oct. 22: vs. Pelham

Pinson Valley: W 39-35

Oct. 30: OPEN

Huffman: W 43-0

*Region game

Shades Valley: W 34-7 PLAYOFFS Mortimer Jordan: W 38-0

sition, a hybrid end spot in Mountain Brook’s scheme.

At linebacker, senior Graham Smith returns as a full-time starter, with junior Josh Holloway, who started the final four or five games of last season due to injury, also back. Junior Gray Anderson and junior Miller Teague both saw varsity reps a year ago and are pushing for time, with senior Rowland Nichols also in the mix.

Stearns said the staff is still looking for another linebacker to step forward.

The secondary is anchored by senior Pearson Trammell at safety, alongside junior Wyatt Sleeper, a converted receiver. Junior Luke Carroll returns at

STARNES MEDIA

Fort Payne: W 35-14

Richard Kelly

Buddy Pell

Chris Metcalf,

Charlie Vines

Gabe Rodriguez

Geoff

Walters

Ricky Palao,

Keith Maple

David Powell,

Jalen Henderson

Cortez Hall

Kyle

Speer

Muscle Shoals: L 24-7

cornerback, and sophomore Sam Young has emerged as the other starting corner after a strong summer, with senior Jack Bright providing depth on the back end.

Stearns said the staff has shifted its evaluation of the defense away from raw yardage totals and toward what he calls havoc points, a metric that tracks tackles for loss, forced fumbles, recoveries and interceptions. He said the correlation has been clear on tape.

“Every drive where we got some kind of havoc point, we got off the field. Every drive when we didn’t, we did not get off the field,” Stearns said.

SPECIAL TEAMS Senior Patrick Crye returns as long snapper, a role he said he fell into by accident before falling in love with it. Senior William Russ handles placekicking duties.

“I love it. I don’t want to be noticed, I want to be perfect every time,” Crye said.

UNDER THE LIGHTS

41

MOUNTAIN BROOK TEAM ROSTER NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

10 Pruet James

QB

12

40 Yates Yarbrough

K

11

68 JB Hall

OL

10

10 Graham Smith

LB

12

40 Miller Teague

LB

11

69 Henry Slaughter

OL

12

11

Robinson Peer

WR

11

43 Davis Hunt

K

10

70 Luke Stracener

OL

10

11

Will Trotter

DB

10

44 Rowland Nichols

LB

12

71 Patrick Crye

OL

12

12 JD Morris

LB

10

45 Hayes Miller

LB

10

72 Jude Moore

OL

10

12 Caden Bryant

QB

11

46 Henry Meadows

DB

10

75 Charlie Shea

OL

10

13 Patton Thornton

DB

10

48 Payne Pennebaker

DL

12

76 John Beck

DL

11

14 Brock Wilkinson

WR

11

50 William Walter

OL

10

77 Bain Thorstad

OL

11

15 Alex Long

DL

11

52 Potter Mouron

LB

10

78 Morgan Nelson

OL

10

15 Collin Baugh

TE/WR 10

52 Hans Montgomery

DL

10

79 Hunt Hill

OL

10

16 Paul Juliano

QB/WR 10

54 John Bradford

OL

12

81 Bennett Jordan

TE

12

16 Jackson Schneider

DB

11

55 Mason Davis

OL

11

87 Spencer Weathers

WR

12

17 Luke Carroll

DB

11

56 Mac Russell

OL

10

88 Wallace Hunter

TE

12

17 Jack Newell

WR

10

56 William Gerth

LB

10

90 Wake Rushin

DL

10

18 Pearson Trammell

DB

12

58 Henry Dukes

SN

10

91 Bo Giordano

DL

10

19 Maxwell Brown

DB

10

59 D.Y. Menendez

OL

11

92 Braylon Cooley

DL

10

19 Archie Andrews

WR

12

60 Coleman Wallace

OL

10

94 Jackson McMakin

DL

9

20 Trent Griffin

LB

10

61 Bradley Bales

OL

12

95 John Michael Straughn

DL

11

20 John Colvin

WR/RB 12

63 Robert Moore

OL

12

96 Slade Wood

DL

10

21 Sam Young

DB

10

65 Charlie Silsbee

OL

12

97 Henry Walton

DL

12

21 Beau Payne

RB

10

66 Mac White

OL

10

98 Aston Falasca

DL

12

22 Whit Anderson

LB

10

67 James Reed Lawrence

OL

10

99 Mason Baynes

DL

12

22 Perry James

WR

10

23 Wyatt Sleeper

DB

11

24 Pryor Roberts

DB

10

25 Glenn Drennan

LB

10

25 William Russ

DB/K

12

26 Butler Teague

RB

10

26 Thomas Menendez

DB

10

27 James Balanis

LB

10

28 Graham Welden

DB

10

29 Skip Stuermann

LB

12

30 Charlie Ashford

DB

10

31 Cole Miles

DB

10

32 Jack Bright

DB

12

33 Brody Speer

DL

12

34 Josh Holloway

LB

11

35 Lassiter Silsbee

DB

10

35 Bo Finch

WR

12

37 Jack DeMedicis

DL

11

38 Carter McNeil

LB

11

39 Will Ellis

DL

12

42

UNDER THE LIGHTS

HENRY SLAUGHTER (69)

AUGUST 2026

OAK MOUNTAIN

Kervin builds culture as Eagles chase elusive playoff berth

By Kyle Parmley Oak Mountain High School enters a new era this fall under first-year head coach Jason Kervin, and the rebuild has started with the small tasks. The attention to detail has been present from day one.

“We don’t have custodians vacuum our locker rooms anymore. We’ve got our own vacuums, we vacuum our own locker rooms,” Kervin said. “It takes time for kids to embrace those things and understand that it’s not punishment.”

Kervin said the offseason program ran well from January through spring, though his full defensive staff, including

coordinator Michael Brown, wasn’t yet in place. Since that group arrived, Kervin said the coaches have worked daily to reinforce the same language and expectations across the board.

“Everybody seemed to be locked in, they’re eager to learn,” Kervin said. “It’s not just offenses and defenses we’re teaching, it’s culture, how we act, how we behave, how we celebrate, how early we get here, when we leave.”

The program’s goal is straightforward: reach the playoffs for the first time since 2021, something that has been just out of reach for Oak Mountain in recent years.

“First of all, our goal is to get to the playoffs,” Kervin said. “I think the biggest

thing is to play in a way that is clean and physical.”

Oak Mountain opens the season at home against Pelham on Aug. 21, then hosts Buckhorn the following week before region play begins Sept. 4 at Spain Park. The Eagles travel to Vestavia Hills, Prattville and Tuscaloosa County and host Hoover, Hewitt-Trussville and Thompson within the region. Oak Mountain has an open date Sept. 25 and closes the regular season on the road at Homewood.

OFFENSE Kervin’s offense runs through junior quarterback Charlie Vacarella, who started as a sophomore a year ago. Kervin

PLAYING FROM YOUR LIBRARY

Fall 2026

Countdown to Kickoo Shelby County Schools

0:00

STARNES MEDIA

08:20

UNDER THE LIGHTS

43

OAK MOUNTAIN coached Vacarella’s cousin, Christopher, at Hoover and said Charlie’s experience last season gave him confidence in what he was getting.

“Anytime you’ve got a quarterback that has experience as a sophomore, that level is going to pay dividends as a junior,” Kervin said.

The offensive line was an early point of emphasis, and Kervin said the addition of line coach Austin Stidham has made a difference after a spring and offseason together. Senior Luke Kelly returns at center as the group’s vocal leader, flanked by seniors John Bay Whatley at right guard and Jackson Ingle at left guard. Junior Sam Oswalt has emerged at right tackle, and junior Eli Ervin, Kervin’s most highly regarded lineman behind Kelly, returns at left tackle. Charles Larkin is also in the mix up front.

At running back, Oak Mountain returns senior Judson Sachs and senior Kentrell Tolbert, a pairing Kervin called a legitimate one-two punch.

“Kentrell is as talented a running back as I’ve ever coached,” Kervin said.

Kervin wants to build around two tight

JUDSON SACHS (26)

WILLIAM YODER (10)

44

UNDER THE LIGHTS

AUGUST 2026

OAK MOUNTAIN 2026 SCHEDULE Aug. 21: vs. Pelham Aug. 28: vs. Buckhorn Sept. 4: @ Spain Park* Sept. 11: @ Vestavia Hills* Sept. 18: vs. Hoover* Sept. 25: OPEN Oct. 2: vs. Hewitt-Trussville* Oct. 9: @ Prattville* Oct. 16: @ Tuscaloosa County* Oct. 23: vs. Thompson* Oct. 30: @ Homewood *Region game

DEFENSE Oak Mountain’s defensive line will be undersized for the region, but Kervin said the group plays with more toughness than its size suggests.

Senior Peyton Gamble is the unit’s leader, a hybrid edge player who Kervin said had three sacks in the spring game. Junior Zander Pender and senior James McCallister, a wrestler, round out a line Kervin wants to keep moving and disguising.

At linebacker, senior William Yoder led the region in tackles a year ago and anchors the middle of the defense.

“He’s a tackling machine,” Kervin said.

“He’s going to be able to master Coach Brown’s defense and get everybody lined up.”

Senior Nolan Lawson and sophomore Aiden Molette are competing at Will linebacker, with junior Keenan Wolf playing a hybrid role at Spur.

STARNES MEDIA

HEAD COACH Jason Kervin Overall record: 21-33 At Oak Mountain: 0-0 Tenure: 1st season

ASSISTANT COACHES

CHARLIE VACARELLA (11) ends and a fullback, a group he said didn’t previously exist in the program. Junior Tucker Kelly, a converted lineman and Luke Kelly’s cousin, headlines that group along with junior Brody Hughes, junior Labree Ham and sophomore Silas Allday.

At receiver, senior Okoye Walker brings track speed and physicality on the outside, while senior Jacob Gibbs, a transfer from Pelham, adds another proven target. Senior Blaise Hayes works out of the slot, and junior Isaac Booth, who caught a long touchdown against Hoover as a sophomore, rounds out the group.

COACHES

2025 RESULTS 4-6 overall, missed playoffs Briarwood: W 14-3 Pelham: W 30-29 Prattville: L 27-6 Thompson: L 41-0 Tuscaloosa County: W 43-7 Hoover: L 48-21 Vestavia Hills: L 41-0 Hewitt-Trussville: L 36-21 Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa: L 25-23 Chelsea: W 26-0

» Assistant head coach/wide receivers: » Associate head coach/defensive Ryan Brewer

coordinator/special teams coordi-

nator/linebackers: Michael Brown

» Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks: » Run game coordinator/offensive line: » Assistant strength and conditioning/safeties: » Strength and conditioning/cornerbacks: » Defensive line: » Outside linebackers/defensive line: » Tight ends/fullbacks: » Offensive line: » Defensive analyst: Jerad Holder

Austin Stidham

Jacori Goodwin

Marquis Dobbs

Hunter Reese

Spencer White

Dylan

The secondary returns only one starter from a year ago in senior Clay Mills, who Kervin called the leader of the back end. Junior Deacon Brewer and junior Cooper Campbell round out the safety group. Junior Josiah Sachs, younger brother of running back Judson Sachs, starts at one cornerback spot, with senior Matthew Beard, a converted receiver, and senior Paxton Haley providing depth on the other side.

Maxwell

Harley Madison

Joshua Taylor

SPECIAL TEAMS Senior Josh Renfro returns as both placekicker and punter. Sophomore Joe Junkin will push for kickoff and field goal duties and also serves as holder, while sophomore George Ball returns at long snapper.

PEYTON GAMBLE (15)

UNDER THE LIGHTS

45

OAK MOUNTAIN TEAM ROSTER NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

0 Okoye Walker

WR

12

19 Matthew Mumper Jr.

QB

10

53 Hunter Misso

LB

9

1

Kentrell Tolbert

RB

12

20 Sawyer Pruitt

RB

11

54 Carter Steen

DE

10

1

Amari Pritchett

DB

9

20 Tyler Mosely

DB

9

54 Joseph Burton

OL

9

2

Josiah Sachs

DB

11

21 Darion Parker

WR

11

55 Parker Countryman

DL

10

2

Charlie Vacarella

QB

11

21 Cadyn Lindsey

DB

10

55 Hamp Fields

DE

10

3

Blaise Hayes

WR

12

22 Labree Ham

WR

11

56 Zane White

DE

9

3

Deacon Brewer

DB

11

22 Mason Alexander

DE

9

57 RJ Elwell

OL

11

3

Cordiea Williams

DB

9

22 Cole Praytor

DB

10

58 Titus Taylor

LB

9

4

Peyton Gamble

DE

12

23 Rhys Watkin

RB

12

60 Will Dunham

OL

9

4

Hudson Brewer

ATH

9

23 Tate Strickland

DB

10

61 Walt Simpson

OL

9

5

Clay Mills

DB

12

24 Brody Hughes

FB

11

62 Robert Boyd

OL

10

5

Isaac Booth

WR

11

25 Joshua Renfro

K

12

63 Barrett Feldman

OL

9

5

Marcus Tartt

DB

9

26 Eli Byars

RB

10

64 John Bay Whatley

OL

12

6

Jacob Gibbs

WR

12

27 Judson Hopkins

DB

12

69 Luke Kelly

OL

12

6

Keenan Wolf

LB

11

27 Brody Hall

DB

9

71 Caden Sewell

OL

9

7

Judson Sachs

RB

12

28 Nixan Eady

WR

10

72 Hudson Lee

OL

10

7

Zander Pender

DE

11

29 Cooper Campbell

DB

11

74 Charles Larkin

OL

11

7

Tripp Smith

WR

9

30 Carter Hopkins

DB

11

74 Everett Meadows

DL

9

8 Nolan Lawson

LB

12

30 Robert McKinnon

DB

9

75 Sam Oswalt

OL

11

8 Parker Kervin

DB

9

31 Joseph Junkin

DB

10

76 Noah Horn

OL

10

9

Collin Graham

WR

11

32 Luke Cannon

DL

9

78 Eli Ervin

OL

11

9

Max Coby

DL

10

33 Tucker Kelly

TE

11

80 Wyatt Turner

WR

11

9

Hayes Wylie

K

9

34 Kaiden Johnson

LB

11

81 Luke Marriner

WR

10

10 William Yoder

LB

12

35 Joshua Smith

DB

10

82 Luker Cannon

WR

10

10 Brooks Denard

QB

10

36 Elijah Armstrong

RB

10

82 Tyler Clark

WR

9

11

Aiden Molette

LB

10

36 William Milton

LB

9

83 AJ Yonfa

WR

10

11

Grayson Haley

WR

9

37 James Zellander

DB

10

84 Henry Harrison

WR

11

12 Eli Eason

LB

10

40 Bennett Williamon

FB

9

85 Turner Uhrig

WR

10

12 Bryson Ball

DE

9

41 Zivai Mtyora

DE

11

89 Yates Crawford

WR

9

12 Chase Romanowski

DB

9

42 Max Byrd

DE

9

92 Levi Ross

DE

9

12 Scott Warren

DB

9

43 Silas Allday

TE

10

93 Aaden Stallworth

DL

10

13 Warren Blackburn

DB

10

44 Carter Clayton

TE

9

93 Carter Miller

DL

9

13 William Hodgson

DB

9

45 Clayton Wolf

DB

9

94 Jacob Stone

K

10

14 Paxton Haley

DB

12

46 Shepherd Devane

DB

10

97 Carson Brown

DL

11

15 Colt Sewell

LB

11

47 Murphy Logan

DB

10

98 Kyle Williams

DL

10

15 Jacob Ingle

QB

9

48 James McCallister

DT

12

99 Matthew Millar

DL

9

16 Brooks Branch

WR

9

49 John Baker

DL

9

16 Caleb McCandless

DB

10

50 Jackson Ingle

OL

12

17 Matthew Beard

DB

12

51 Matthew Townley

OL

10

17 Cason Sciascia

WR

9

52 Mason Jacobik

OL

10

18 James Isbell

WR

11

52 Rhett Hartsfield

DL

9

18 John David Nichols

DB

9

53 George Ball

LS

10

46

UNDER THE LIGHTS

AUGUST 2026

SPAIN PARK

Jaguars lean on culture and new pieces as they return to largest classification

By Kyle Parmley Spain Park High School enters 2026 with a small senior class, just 23 players, but what head coach Tim Vakakes describes as a program culture that’s been fully embraced by a group that has watched it be built by the classes before them.

“I think our kids understand our culture going into year five,” Vakakes said.

“This group loves each other. It’s a close group.”

The Jaguars move back up into the state’s largest classification and region this fall, a jump Vakakes said his players are ready for given the atmosphere those bigger Friday nights bring. Class 6A, Region 3 will have many familiar foes

that will test the Jags on a weekly basis.

“I think that’s going to be the difference from last year to this year, just the atmospheres,” Vakakes said. “I think our coaches will have our kids prepared, and they’re excited about every Friday night.”

Vakakes called last season rewarding despite a disappointing finish, a 35-31 defeat at eventual state runner-up Saraland in the second round of the playoffs. He said that senior class set a standard he expects to carry into this season without the current team feeling like it has to live up to specific individual comparisons.

“Those kids have won 21 games the last two years,” Vakakes said. “I think that shows this group they can do it, too.”

Spain Park opens the season on the road against Sparkman on Aug. 21, then hosts Bessemer City the following week

before region play begins Sept. 4 against Oak Mountain. The Jaguars host Thompson and Tuscaloosa County and travel to Vestavia Hills, Prattville, Hoover and Hewitt-Trussville within the region. Spain Park has an open date Sept. 25 and closes the regular season at home against James Clemens.

OFFENSE Junior Nash Davis takes over at quarterback after serving as the backup a season ago. Vakakes said Davis has the talent to be a major college recruit but is coming off arm surgery and should be cleared to practice a few weeks before the season opens.

At running back, CJ Davis transfers in from Hewitt-Trussville, and senior Hudson Hibbard, last year’s backup quarter-

NASH DAVIS (13)

STARNES MEDIA

UNDER THE LIGHTS

47

SPAIN PARK

BARRETT PRICE (7)

JAYLEN MOSLEY (1)

back, moves into the backfield as well.

The receiving corps is led by junior Barrett Price, who Vakakes said has already earned multiple offers this offseason through his work ethic at camps. Senior tight ends Connor Greb and Landrick Hallman and junior Sawyer Scott give Spain Park size in an offense that uses multiple tight ends, while senior Brody Smith, the son of an assistant coach, is expected to step into a leadership role at receiver.

Up front, senior Sammy Camargo returns at center, and junior Sawyer Pearson, who arrived last year from Florida, has grown into a 285-pound lineman.

Junior Isaac Harris returns as a starter, and Eli Berry, a transfer from Helena, and Deonta Pickett, a transfer from Hewitt-Trussville, add depth to the group.

DEFENSE Spain Park’s secondary returns significant experience in seniors Tristan Hill and Jaylen Mosley, with junior Dwight Beckford also back after playing extensively as a sophomore.

At linebacker, Tyler Wilson and Jonathan Roberto anchor the group, with Roberto in his third season as a produc-

48

UNDER THE LIGHTS

TRISTAN HILL (12)

AUGUST 2026

SPAIN PARK

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STARNES MEDIA

UNDER THE LIGHTS

49

SPAIN PARK

COACHES HEAD COACH Tim Vakakes Overall record: 80-59 At Spain Park: 31-14 Tenure: 5th season

ASSISTANT COACHES

» Special teams coordinator: » Defensive coordinator: » Wide receivers: » Fullbacks/tight ends: » Quarterbacks: » Offensive line: » Defensive backs: » Defensive line: » Outside linebackers: » Kickers: » Operations:

Matt

Thompson

David

Bush

TJ Simmons Daron

NIC HENDRIX (64)

Arrington

Jordan Pannell

2026 SCHEDULE Aug. 21: @ Sparkman

2025 RESULTS 9-3 overall, reached 2nd round of

Aug. 28: vs. Bessemer City

Class 6A playoffs

Sept. 4: vs. Oak Mountain*

Sparkman: W 48-21

Carey Moorer,

Lincoln Clark

Danny Kimble,

Barry Ward

Adrian Abrams,

Daris Robinson

Sept. 11: vs. Thompson*

Hoover: L 21-10

Sept. 18: @ Vestavia Hills*

Helena: W 38-14

Sept. 25: OPEN

Benjamin Russell: L 35-34

Oct. 2: @ Prattville*

James Clemens: W 28-7

Oct. 8: vs. Tuscaloosa County*

Pelham: W 42-7

Oct. 16: @ Hoover*

Chelsea: W 44-7

Oct. 23: @ Hewitt-Trussville*

Calera: W 42-13

Oct. 29: vs. James Clemens

Chilton County: W 49-0

a strength,” Vakakes said. “It’s got some

*Region game

Gardendale: W 45-17

speed, it’s got some length, and they’re

PLAYOFFS

tough.”

tive player at the position. Junior Israel Anders, junior Hudson Dees, senior Kam Lewis and Malakai Pitts round out the group.

Vakakes said the defensive line has a chance to be the team’s strength, led by MJ Evans, a heavily recruited lineman who recently committed to Auburn. Senior Jaylen Bates and his younger broth-

50

UNDER THE LIGHTS

Taylor

Diamond

Matt Hall

Bryan Tull

“That D-line group has a chance to be

McAdory: W 24-13 Saraland: L 35-31

SPECIAL TEAMS Senior Garrett Hoffman and sopho-

er, sophomore Jakobie Bates, add size, and junior Wyatt Baty and junior James Jones round out the front. Senior Nic Hendrix moved over from the offensive line this spring to add strength inside.

more Aiden Holliman will compete at kicker, while Zach Jones-Van Pelt returns as punter. Senior Elijah Blair and junior Asher McBride are among the candidates competing for the long snapper job.

AUGUST 2026

SPAIN PARK TEAM ROSTER NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

0 Tristan Hill

DB

12

24 Jack Henson

DL

12

80 Asher Grizzle

WR

10

1

Landrick Hallman

TE

12

25 Nolan Walker

DB

10

81 Lawton Clark

WR

10

1

Jaylen Bates

DL

12

26 Jakobie Bates

DL

10

82 Weston Dye

WR

10

2

Dekati El

WR

11

27 Joshua Tenney

RB

12

83 Tristen Goodyear

WR

11

2

Jaylen Mosley

DB

12

28 Kason Goodman

DB

11

84 Marquarius King

WR

10

3

Connor Greb

TE

12

29 Madden Tubb

WR

10

85 Zion Agee

WR

10

3

Kristian Carter

DL

12

30 Kamren Dozier

RB

12

86 Ford Tate

TE

11

4 Tyler Wilson

DB

11

31 Mac Beverly

FB

12

87 Kaleb Martin

TE

10

5

Brody Smith

WR

12

32 Israel Anders

LB

11

88 Ayden Henderson

DL

10

5

Wyatt Baty

DL

11

33 Lyndon Tatum

RB

10

90 Abdul Awwad

DL

10

6

Sawyer Scott

TE

11

34 Cole Bailey

DL

10

92 Aiden Whitley

DL

10

6

Jonathan Roberto

LB

12

35 Brooks Brand

DB

10

95 Crawford Portera

DL

10

7

Barrett Price

WR

11

36 Elijah Blair

SN

12

97 Nate Hendrix

DL

10

7

Malakai Pitts

LB

10

37 Matthew Iwanski

FB

11

99 Bryan Truong

DL

10

8 Hudson Hibbard

RB

12

38 Garrett Kline

DB

11

8 Dwight Beckford

DB

11

39 Caleb Matherson

DB

10

9

Taylor Jones

WR

11

41 Isaac Southerland

LB

11

9

James Jones

UNDER THE LIGHTS

51

LB

11

42 Zach Jones-Van Pelt

P

11

10 Nash Davis

QB

11

43 Peter Abawi

SN

11

11

RB

11

44 Beau Broderick

LB

11

12 Kaiden Stevenson

DB

11

45 Christian Forman

TE

11

13 Benton Tate

QB

9

46 Thomas Burnett

DB

10

13 Ryan Harvey

DL

11

47 Aiden Holliman

K

10

14 Tye Price

WR

9

48 Joshua Knutsen

DB

11

14 Micah Hale

LB

11

49 Hudson Mavity

DB

10

15 Luke Kramer

QB

10

50 Garrett Hoffman

K

12

15 Donald Lukima

DL

11

50 Jackson Wollitz

LB

10

16 Jordan Feagins

QB

10

51 Connor Lutenbacher

LB

10

16 Brennan Charles

LB

11

51 Sawyer Pearson

OL

11

17 Everett Thorson

QB

12

52 Deonta Pickett

OL

11

17 Marquis Evans

DL

12

53 Wade Russell

LB

10

18 Dexter Brunson

QB

10

55 Colton Spencer

OL

10

19 Arnav Kumar

QB

11

56 Aden Newell

OL

11

19 Anderson Walker

DB

11

58 Isaac Harris

OL

11

20 John Malouf

FB

12

59 Keidryn Smith

OL

10

20 Jakobe Gibbs

DB

11

63 Sammy Camargo

OL

12

21 Asher McBride

WR

11

64 Nic Hendrix

OL

12

21 Caiden Terrell

DB

10

66 Eli Berry

OL

12

22 Kam Lewis

LB

12

69 Mason Palmer

OL

10

23 Jameer Hudson

RB

10

72 Cash Nicholson

OL

10

23 Hudson Dees

DB

11

75 Eli Motes

OL

10

24 Malakhi Davison

RB

10

79 Jay West

OL

11

CJ Davis

STARNES MEDIA

VESTAVIA HILLS

Rebels return experience on both sides

By Kyle Parmley Vestavia Hills High School enters Robert Evans’ fifth season as head coach coming off a program-record run, including a top-100 national ranking and a No. 2 finish in the Class 7A state rankings.

“We have a lot of program highlights now,” Evans said. “We’ve made the playoffs for the fourth year in a row after not making it for six years in a row.”

The Rebels are now in Class 6A, Region 3, after the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s split of public and private schools, and the state’s largest classification now has a realigned play-

off format, with the top six teams in each of the four regions qualifying for the playoffs. Evans said that should make for a more competitive bracket across the classification. Vestavia Hills hasn’t hosted a home playoff game in 13 years, and Evans said finishing in the top four of the region to secure one is a stated goal for this season.

“Our margins are razor thin, we have to stay healthy, have good fortune and play well,” Evans said.

Evans said the coaching staff has stayed largely intact on both sides of the ball, a rarity he doesn’t take for granted, though the defense has made some

schematic changes over the offseason after studying programs with different approaches.

“You get tape and you really dive into it,” Evans said. “The stuff you’re not good at, you probably need to adjust.”

Evans pointed to a plus-eight turnover margin last season, after three straight years in the negative, as a key factor behind the team’s success. He said the staff has also built its offense around a specific scoring target each week.

“We’re always going to try to be the aggressor and play a different style of football,” Evans said.

Evans called a trick play late in last

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We deliver with smaller trucks that can place your load as close as possible to where you need it.

3209 Cahaba Heights Rd Vestavia Hills, AL 35243 205-967-0710

52

UNDER THE LIGHTS

cahabaheightshardware.com

AUGUST 2026

VESTAVIA HILLS

CHARLIE TAAFFE (11)

NICK WILLIAMS (5)

year’s win over Hoover his favorite moment of the season, a reverse-field pass off a punt return that Vestavia Hills had practiced all week and executed for a touchdown in a game that carried direct playoff implications.

“It rarely works out the way you draw it up in critical, leverage moments,” Evans said. “That’ll probably be a top 10 or 15 play in the history of our school.”

Vestavia Hills opens the season at home against Parker on Aug. 20, then travels to Benjamin Russell the following week before region play begins Sept. 4 at Thompson. The Rebels host Oak Mountain, Spain Park, Hoover and Hewitt-Trussville and travel to Tuscaloosa County and Prattville within the region.

Vestavia Hills has open dates Sept. 25 and Oct. 30.

OFFENSE Senior Charlie Taaffe returns at quarterback after four years in the program, and Evans didn’t hold back on his admiration for the position group’s leader.

“I wouldn’t trade him for any other quarterback in our region, and that includes kids signed in the SEC,” Evans said. “He’s a leader, he’s a winner, and our offense will run through him.”

Senior Price LaMaster, who would slide back to quarterback in an emergency, is moving to safety this year, while junior Hudson Mote and sophomore Noland

STARNES MEDIA

NOAH BOYLAN (2) Williamson will compete for the backup quarterback job.

At receiver, senior Luke Stubbs and junior Davis Kopwe are among several contributors, with senior Grayson Harper

working the H spot after a big year cut short by injury and junior Braxton Hunt at the Y. Junior Powell Curry adds versatility after seeing time at both receiver and tight end.

UNDER THE LIGHTS

53

VESTAVIA HILLS

COACHES HEAD COACH Robert Evans Overall record: 30-17 At Vestavia Hills: 30-17 Tenure: 5th season

ASSISTANT COACHES PAXTON USSERY (50)

2026 SCHEDULE

» Defensive coordinator/linebackers: » Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks: » Strength and conditioning/defensive line: » Recruiting coordinator/tight ends: » Special teams coordinator/defensive ends: » Wide receivers: » Director of operations/safeties: » Running backs: » Offensive line: » Cornerbacks: Chad Merrill

2025 RESULTS

Josh Franklin

Chris Cournoyer

Aug. 20: vs. Parker

8-3 overall, reached 1st round of

Aug. 28: @ Benjamin Russell

Class 7A playoffs

Sept. 4: @ Thompson*

Westside (SC): W 49-7

Sept. 11: vs. Oak Mountain*

Auburn: W 42-14

Sept. 18: vs. Spain Park*

Hewitt-Trussville: L 28-14

Sept. 25: OPEN

Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa: W 42-24

Oct. 2: @ Tuscaloosa County*

Thompson: L 35-3

Oct. 9: vs. Hoover*

Prattville: W 54-28

Oct. 16: vs. Hewitt-Trussville*

Oak Mountain: W 41-0

Oct. 23: @ Prattville*

Tuscaloosa County: W 56-10

Oct. 30: OPEN

Hoover: W 39-30

*Region game

Montgomery Catholic: W 40-13 PLAYOFFS

Senior Noah Boylan returns at running back after starting a year ago, though Evans said the Rebels need to find more depth behind him at the position.

Up front, senior Copeland Styles, who has committed to East Mississippi Community College, and Cord Pigg, a transfer from Mars Hill who has committed to Troy, headline a line that also returns Jackson Deal and Will Gwathney as starters. Senior William Hurt will also start on the line this season.

“If we play well and get good breaks, we’re going to be hard to defend,” Evans said of the offense.

54

UNDER THE LIGHTS

Auburn: L 52-41

DEFENSE Senior Nick Williams returns at middle linebacker after starting the last two seasons, giving Vestavia Hills experience at the position. Senior Daniel Richardson returns as the Rebels’ leading tackler at the Spur position, and LaMaster’s move to safety adds size and athleticism to the secondary.

Senior Haines Bridges returns on the defensive line alongside senior Morgan Butler, while senior Paxton Ussery, who

Jake James

Brent Welborn

Sammy Queen

Jared Walker

Greg Smith

David Lundberg

Ryan Dobbs

committed to Jacksonville State, is working back from a significant injury suffered against Hoover.

“We need to find six to eight defensive linemen that can deal with the offensive lines we’re going to be playing against,” Evans said.

SPECIAL TEAMS Senior Gray Prier returns as a traditional punter, while junior Sloan Morgan, who handled all three kicking jobs a year ago, is expected to focus on kickoffs, placekicking and as a rugby-style punter.

Evans said the Rebels are still working to identify return specialists.

AUGUST 2026

VESTAVIA HILLS TEAM ROSTER NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

NO. NAME

POS. GRADE

0 Lawson Manown

DL

11

23 Caleb Brunson

TE

57 Jackson Deal

OL

12

0 Carter Stagner

RB

12

24 Harris Jeffers

Safety 12

58 Ben Collins

DL

10

1

Preston Deal

DL

11

24 Carter Williams

WR

10

59 Olen Gann

DL

10

1

Riley Dodd

RB

10

25 Baylor Hudlow

RB

11

60 William Hurt

OL

12

2

Noah Boylan

RB

12

25 Carson Creel

Safety 12

61 Copeland Styles

OL

12

2

Griffin Stewart

LB

12

26 Parker Martinez

CB

10

62 Lawson Cearlock

OL

11

3

Powell Curry

WR

11

26 Reese Walker

WR

10

63 Dylan Danneman

OL

11

3

11

12

Graham Liles

LB

11

27 Robert Lawton

LB

10

64 Bryce Romeo

OL

4 Crawford Mann

RB

12

28 Liam Lochamy

WR

10

66 Finley Williams

OL

11

5

Davis Kopwe

WR

11

28 Hudson Cearlock

CB

10

67 John Cannon

DL

10

5

Nick Williams

LB

12

29 Maddox Vickers

LB

12

68 Forrest Kreps

OL

11

6

Nolan Blackenburg

QB

11

29 Lucas Fikes

WR

10

70 Michael Battle

OL

10

6

Micah Joel Washington

CB

12

30 Jaden Kopwe

DL

12

71 Burk Smith

DL

11

7

Rob Friloux

WR

11

31 Wales Jenkins

LB

10

72 Luke Merrill

OL

12

7

Baker Huntley

WR

12

32 Alex Vakakes

Safety 10

73 Mason Stephens

OL

10

8 Karter Floyd

LB

10

32 Lenny Lopez

RB

10

74 Luke Larisey

OL

12

8 Grayson Harper

H/Y

12

33 Caleb Hahn

RB

10

75 Will Gwathney

OL

12

9

Will Bochnak

CB

12

33 Goodloe Lees

CB

10

76 Brooks Mason

OL

10

9

Noland Williamson

QB

10

34 Reed Harper

LB

10

79 George Gwathney

OL

9

10 Price LaMaster

Safety 12

35 JB Smith

TE

12

80 Ward Rooks

WR

10

11

Charlie Taaffe

QB

35 Drew Terakedis

LB

10

82 Rogers Howell

TE

10

11

Clayton Floyd

Safety 10

36 Archer Carmichael

WR

10

83 Scott Cain

H

10

12 Cohen Walker

Safety 12

36 Matthew Campbell

Safety 10

84 Porter Duncan

TE

11

12 Isaiah Pittman

RB

12

37 Evans Skaggs

S

10

86 Wyatt Lee

WR

10

13 Warren Martin

LB

11

38 Gray Prier

K

12

90 Cooper Falls

DL

10

13 Foxx Neely

RB

12

38 Jay Emory

WR

10

91 Eli Garlington

DL

12

14 Luke Stubbs

WR

12

39 Tyler Johnson

CB

10

93 Jay Connelly

DL

10

14 Luke Harper

Safety 12

40 Parker Williams

P

11

94 Daniel Holmes

DL

11

15 Ben Ponder

Safety 12

41 Ryder Faust

LB

12

95 Sean Esguerra

DL

10

15 Landon Burgess

TE

10

42 Sam Webb

LB

11

97 Morgan Butler

DL

12

16 Cooper Moore

Safety 12

43 Isaac Plant

LS

11

99 Yonata Fekadu

DL

11

16 Nick Wood

WR

12

44 Watson Kennedy

Safety 10

Will Vakakes

MGR

12

17 Hudson Mote

QB

11

45 Owen Cournoyer

LB

11

Jake Hunter

MGR

12

17 Wyatt Senn

Safety 10

46 Blake Harper

S

10

18 Daniel Richardson

LB

12

47 Kevin Meza

K

10

19 Wheeler Moss

CB

11

48 Hoke Lindsey

H

12

19 Jud Turner

WR

10

49 Beau Dillon

DL

11

20 Sloan Morgan

K

11

50 Paxton Ussery

DL

12

20 Nick Smith

LB

11

51 Evans Riley

OL

10

21 Clayton Cox

CB

11

52 Calvin Staten

DL

10

22 Major Goforth

DL

11

53 Hardy Livingston

OL

11

22 Braxton Hunt

H

11

55 Cord Pigg

OL

12

23 Jack Cowan

DL

11

56 Haines Bridges

DL

12

STARNES MEDIA

12

UNDER THE LIGHTS

55

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