High School Football Alabama The Magazine 2023

Central Clay County the 3 Cs of suCCess The Ogles of Jacksonville

A Father/Son Coaching Dream Come True

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JON HOLDER'S TOP 10 AND SUPER 7 PICKS FOR EVERY CLASS

PREVIEWS OF 40 TEAMS IN EAST ALABAMA

Jon’s TOP TEN

CLASS 2A

CLASS 1A

CLASS 3A

CLASS 4A

SUPER 7 Millry vs Coosa Christian

SUPER 7 St. James vs Gordo

SUPER 7

B.B. Comer vs Fyffe

SUPER 7 Handley vs Cherokee County

and Super 7 Picks

CLASS 5A

CLASS 6A

CLASS 7A

SUPER 7 Saraland vs Clay-Chalkville

Steve Smith Heads West (brook Christian) in 2023

Throughout American history there has been a fascination with the American West. Most of the early decades, if not a century and a half, of this country saw folks in the East journey westward to find new opportunities, adventure, and discovery. Even as late as the 20th century, Americans flocked to the Western states for a new, fresh start. There has always just been something about heading west. In the realm of high school football in East Alabama there was a short, but major move west in the off-season. Not a move of thousands of miles, but just a relatively short 30 miles or so geographically. That move involves a legendary coach doing as so many have done over time and moving west to kickstart a new challenge.

No prep football fan in this state needs an introduction to Steve Smith. Entering his 29th year as a head coach, Smith’s teams have won 78% of their games with a record of 283-81, 5 state titles, 16 area/region titles, have garnered 27 state playoff berths, and posted 20 seasons with 10 wins or more. The accolades and awards go on and on. Suffice it to say he is one of the most successful coaches in state history and will one day be in at least 3 Halls of Fame, maybe more. This story though is not about the past success at Cedar Bluff and Piedmont. This is about the aforementioned move west, to Westbrook Christian School in fact.

Friday, January 13th will be remembered by local football fans for years to come. That is the day Coach Smith announced his retirement from Piedmont High School and his move to become the new Head Football Coach at Westbrook Christian in Rainbow City. Though a surprise to many, Smith saw many positives in coming westward to WCS. “I thought for a longtime that Westbrook Christian was a gold mine, that it had great potential. There is great support from the administration, great kids and staff, the W Club is bought in. There is unlimited potential. I was

never looking to move to Mobile, Tuscaloosa, or anywhere across the state. I felt like Piedmont was the best job in the state and it had to be a perfect situation to leave. I feel like Piedmont is the best public school system in the state and that Westbrook is the best private school in the state,” says Smith.

The recently built, current, and future facilities are a big drawing card to Westbrook. Turf was installed last year at Jack Osborn Stadium, and a video screen scoreboard is in the works for the future. This season the Warriors will move into a new football facility that will be second to none in the state. In a recent tour of the construction, Smith pointed out the amenities to High School Football Alabama. The new 11,400 square foot building will feature a 4,000 square foot weight room with 20 new racks, a state-of-the art training room, a nutrition room with grab and go snacks, warm and cold food, and recovery drinks for the players after practice. The facility will also have a dressing room with lockers that each

“

“

I felt like Piedmont was the best job in the state and it had to be a perfect situation to leave. I feel like Piedmont is the best public school system in the state and that Westbrook is the best private school in the state.

– Westbrook Christian Head Coach Steve Smith.

have personal combination storage spaces and charging stations for personal devices. There will be meeting rooms for the offense and defense, spacious coaches’ offices, and a 95-seat film room with chairback theatre seating. The campus also has a new junior high/visitor locker room, a new multi-purpose addition that can be used for football practice during inclement weather, and more paved parking around the stadium.

When asked about the transition to a new school and program for the first time in 17 years Coach Smith replied, “The transition has been good. The summer was outstanding. Everybody has bought in and the cupboard is not bare. Coach Noles (Drew, previous WCS Head Coach) did a great job and is a great man. I am excited for the season. We have some talent. The continuity is not there yet, so that is the biggest adjustmentstarting at square one and getting everybody together on the same page.”

There are some goals that Smith likes to have in place that he believes are important in building

a program, and make no mistake Steve Smith believes in building a program. “I am not a team builder, but a program builder. To do that you have to get all athletes in workouts, strength and speed training, get everybody in school and summer training programs. We have to get everybody bought in on the strength and conditioning program.”

Another major component of a Steve Smith program is the youth. Smith states, “We have to get involved in the youth teams-the elementary and middle school kids. We have to get them to where they all want to be Westbrook Warriors. 75% of our players at Piedmont had been managers for me.” Smith also believes continuity and consistency are big keys to success of the program, “Consistency has been a word we have used all summer. That is what we will be looking for in the next year. It has been a pleasant surprise just how invested the people here are in the school. It has a real community, family type feel to it. We expect to be successful. I won’t make any predictions on when it might happen, but I feel like this can be a marquee program.”

For this story, only one question was asked of Coach Smith concerning Piedmont. That was about October 6th when Westbrook plays Piedmont at the Field of Champions and Smith returns to the stadium where he created so many treasured moments and victories. Smith answered, “There will be a series of emotions that day because of how Piedmont has been so special to me and my family. We were blessed to

Coach Smith and HSFA's Jon Holder look over the new lockers in the Westbrook football building. The lockers will feature a personal combination storage area and charging station.

be there for 17 years. There are very strong emotions to that school and those folks. I am thankful for how the Piedmont people treated me. I am indebted to the players, coaches, administrators, and boosters at Piedmont, but on that night I will be 100% committed to the guys in black and red.”

Many of the folks who headed west in America’s history did so in search of gold. Steve Smith believes his shorter destination to Rainbow City, Alabama and Westbrook Christian School could yield a similar, but different type of gold mine. Just as many trips west are exciting and adventurous, this ride to the West (brook) promises to be just as fun! ►

Coach Smith shows his family the new theatre style film room in the new football building at WCS.

REGION ALIGNMENTS FOR AREA TEAMS

Class 1A, Region 6

• Donoho

• Ragland

• Spring Garden

• Talladega County Central

• Victory Christian

• Wadley

• Winterboro

3A, Region 4

• Beulah

• Childersburg

• Dadeville

• Randolph County

• Pleasant Valley

• Saks

• Walter Wellborn

• Weaver

• Beauregard

• Central-Clay County

• Elmore County

• Sylacauga

• Tallassee

• Valley

5A, Region 4 Class 1A, Region 7

3A, Region 6

• Appalachian

• Cedar Bluff

• Coosa Christian

• Decatur Heritage

• Gaylesville

• Valley Head

• Woodville

• Geraldine

• Glencoe

• Hokes Bluff

• Ohatchee

• Piedmont

• Plainview

• Sylvania

• Westbrook Christian

• Alexandria

• Leeds

• Lincoln

• Moody

• St. Clair County

• Southside

• Springville

5A, Region 6 Class 2A, Region 4

4A, Region 4

• B.B. Comer

• Central-Coosa

• Fayetteville

• Isabella

• Ranburne

• Thorsby

• Vincent

• Woodland

• Anniston

• Cleburne County

• Handley

• Jacksonville

• Munford

• Talladega

• White Plains

4A, Region 6

• Cleveland

• Gaston

• Holly Pond

• Locust Fork

• Pleasant Valley

• Southeastern

• West End

• Ashville

• Cherokee County

• Etowah

• Fultondale

• Good Hope

• Hanceville

• Oneonta

• Center Point

• Clay-Chalkville

• Huffman

• Oxford

• Pell City

• Pinson Valley

• Shades Valley

6A, Region 8

6A, Region 6 Class 2A, Region 6

• Buckhorn

• Fort Payne

• Gadsden City

• Hazel Green

• R.E. Lee-Huntsville

• Mae Jemison

C's of Success

May 2, 2012, was just an ordinary day in 66 of the 67 counties in Alabama. However, in Clay County, it was the start of something great. It was the start of spring practice for the first Central High School of Clay County Volunteers. Clay County High School and Lineville High School would consolidate in the fall and the preparations were underway to combine the two tradition-rich programs into a high school football power house.

The first joint football practice was intentionally not met with much fanfare and media attention. “We decided to practice at Horn-White Stadium (Clay County High). We knew that we could lock the gates and have more privacy,” said the Volunteers’ initial Head Coach Steve Giddens. “We loaded the buses in Lineville and rode

over. By the time the coaches walked out of the dressing room to go on the field, we had over 100 players shaking hands, talking, and laughing. That’s the moment I knew that this was going to work!”

Horn-White Stadium was the same field where many incredible battles had taken place since the 1920’s. One of the classics had occurred just a few months earlier on September 23, 2011, as the Clay County Panthers posted a hard-fought, 7-6 victory over the Lineville Aggies in the final “Clay Bowl.” Following the game, coaches Steve Giddens (Lineville) and Kris Herron (Clay County) combined the two teams together for an emotional post-game meeting. Their message was to encourage both teams throughout the remainder of the season,

Photos courtesy of Ray Stansell.

C'S OF SUCCESS

and to realize from that night on, they were unified as one.

The Clay Bowl was ranked as the most bitter rivalry in the state and was recognized as one of the best in America. While being compared to the Auburn-Alabama rivalry, it was much bigger than that for the people of Clay County. “Everything that you hear about the Clay Bowl is true. It was what we say it was,” said Giddens. Businesses in both towns would decorate their windows for the week. On game days, fans would arrive before daylight to get in line just to get their seats for the annual battle. It was a standing room only crowd, and from kickoff until the final horn, it was war.

Many outsiders were convinced that the two bitter rivals would never coexist and never see the success that both schools had enjoyed. The first edition of Volunteers would take the field at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery to kickoff the annual Champions Challenge. The stands were packed with Volunteer fans that had traded in their red/black and navy/white apparel for a new set of red, navy, and white goods with the name “Volunteers.” Garey Reynolds, then-Clay County Schools Superintendent, was touched by the view from the press box. “I saw Lineville folks wearing blue and Ashland people wearing red. Some of those definitely surprised me. I knew at that point that we were going to be fine,” said Reynolds.

Since the schools merged in the fall of 2012, Central High School of Clay County has been one of the most successful consolidation stories in Alabama. The Volunteers have posted a 10534 record, good for a 76% winning percentage. The Vols have claimed 5 region titles and have

made the playoffs in each year of existence. The Volunteers also claimed back-to-back Class 5A State Championships in 2018 and 2019. Why has consolidation worked so well in Clay County? First of all, it is the Competitiveness that is instilled in the people of Clay County. “When we were separate schools, Lineville forced Clay County to be better, and Clay County pushed Lineville to be better. Both sides knew that the other was working hard, and you definitely knew that you had to keep up. Now, we’re seeing those kids’ sons playing, and they have that same competitiveness to succeed,” said Reynolds, who attended and coached at Clay County High School.

That competitiveness was a huge part of that first spring together back in 2012. Anthony Wood, Director of Sports Performance for Adapted Athletics at The University of Alabama was a member of that first team. “That spring and summer were the hardest workouts that I had ever been through in my life. I wanted to play, so I had to go hard every day. You couldn’t take it easy because there were guys ready to take your position. It was just in the culture of both schools. By pushing each other to work hard, we knew that our team would win our share,” Wood said. Herron agreed, “We had some battles in practice. When you have best on best with that talent, the defense would win one day. Then, the next practice, the offense might win. When we got in some of the games, they were actually easier than our practices.”

Continuity has also played a major role in the success of the Volunteers. Steve Giddens was named the Head Coach for the 2012 season. Giddens, a Clay County High School graduate, had been an assistant and head coach at

Lineville since 1995. He had posted a 128-45 record in leading the Aggies to the playoffs every year and two appearances in the state championship. “Steve was the perfect choice to be the Central Head Coach,” said Herron. “He had seen both sides of the rivalry. He knew what each side was giving up.”

Away from the rivalry, the coaches from both schools were actually friends. Most of the coaches that have been a part of the Central staff grew up and graduated from one of the high schools in Clay County. The rest have married someone from the county and are fully invested in the success of the program. “The people are able to trust the coaches because we know everyone in this county. That is huge. The parents know that we’re going to take care of their sons and treat them right,” said Giddens.

In 2018, Hall of Fame Coach Danny Horn returned to Clay County to lead the Volunteers. Having spent 20 seasons at Clay County High, Horn had won 6 state titles and 225 games including a state-record 55 straight from 199497. Many players on the Volunteer roster are the sons of those players who had achieved success under Horn. The “buy in” is not so difficult when the fathers know the system, have made it through those tough practices, and have the utmost respect for the Volunteer Coaching Staff.

The Community has led to the success of the Volunteers. The Volunteer Athletic Boosters and Vol Moms began meeting in early January to prepare for the upcoming merger. Giddens’ impact reached past the field. “He was an outstanding resource for our Athletic Club. He knew the guys on both sides. He knew the

things that had worked and really bridged the gap. It set the foundation for what we have today,” said Robert Fetner, Current Volunteer Athletic Booster Club President.

Clay County is a very rural county. With a population of just over 13,000 people, and only 4500 inside the city limits of Ashland and Lineville. It is a place where many of the people have grown up and have never lived elsewhere. It’s a closeknit community, and the support for the young people in Clay County is tremendous. When the schools consolidated, that support grew. “It was a total buy-in from everyone. We knew we all had to be 100% committed, and that is exactly what happened,” said Fetner.

“People in Clay County want to be successful in everything they do. They give it their all and do things the right way. I’m so thankful for the experiences that I had during the consolidation. I built some relationships that may have never happened if we had not become the Volunteers,” said Wood.

“Clay County is a great place to call home, and we are proud of what we have. The people here gave up some of the traditions of the Lineville-Clay County rivalry. For some, that was tough. We’ve always made things work. As a whole, people were willing to sacrifice their own interests for the greater good. Now, we have built something new that has an amazing foundation and an incredible future,” said Giddens. ►

2023 team schedules

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

*Region Games

*Region Games

1941 - 2023

Locations in Piedmont, Oxford, Jacksonville, Centre, Southside, Gadsden, Alexandria, Auburn and Opelika

*Region

1941 - 2023

Locations in Piedmont, Oxford, Jacksonville, Centre, Southside, Gadsden, Alexandria, Auburn and Opelika

A (Fri)Day in the Life of a Coach's Wife

Every week, you see her in the same place, at the same time. She looks like everyone else. She wears the school colors, taps along to the beat of the bass drum as the band files into the stadium, and makes conversation as the giant numbers on the scoreboard countdown to kickoff. In reality, however, she’s not like everyone else. Almost all of her clothes are the school colors. It’s hard for her to distinguish between the band’s bass drum and the sound of her own heartbeat on a football Friday night. Her conversation is surface-level and comes a little faster than usual as the clock counts down because this is what her family has prepared for all week. While her husband sits in the “driver’s seat” of the football program, it would be a mistake to think that her entire family hasn’t prepared for 7:00 pm on Friday nights. They have. And, she has been responsible for drawing up just the right plays, week-by-week, to make it to the Friday night finish line.

The coach’s wife. How did she get here? There are as many different answers as the women who hold the title.

Kecia Burns, wife of Cleburne County Head Football Coach, Joby Burns, has been a coach’s wife for 30 years. That’s a lot of football as a coach’s wife, and now, she’s also a coach’s mom. Her son, J.T., currently coaches alongside his dad at Cleburne County. “Watching them on the sidelines is a unique experience for me.

They both coach with everything they have and it is easy to see when you watch them. To say that I am proud would be an understatement,” says Kecia. However, not much has changed by adding “coach’s mom” to her list of titles. She says that Friday nights are always game nights. “In 30 years,” Kecia recalls, “I’ve probably only missed about 5 games.”

The same rings true for Erika Sullivan, wife of Boaz Head Coach, Jeremy Sullivan. “Game attendance has always been a ‘must’ for me, just because I don’t want to miss anything!” Erika says Coach Sullivan is most certainly going to talk about the games at home, and she wants to have seen first-hand what he’s talking about. “It’s even more important now since our son, Ty, plays. It brings a new feeling of excitement to each game when they’re both on the field,” Erika says.

Coaching is a family affair for the Burns’ in Cleburne County.

Excitement comes in all shapes and sizes, though. Sometimes, the excitement of the week can be so much that mom has to call an audible, according to Morgan Easley, wife of Munford Head Coach Michael Easley. “Michael truly loves to see them at the game, mostly because it’s one of the only times he gets to see them that day. However, we always make the decision about the game based on what is best for our well-being,” says Morgan. She says that, while she and her daughters Whitleigh Jo (4) and Lyla Gray (2) try to make all the home games a priority, if it’s an away game and it’s been a tough week, they will sometimes stay home to get take out and enjoy a movie night. Morgan also says that decision also often makes it easier on Coach Easley, if the game is a long way away. “He doesn’t like me on the road late by myself with the girls. I think when he’s worried about our well-being, that’s more of a distraction for him than us not being there when he knows we are safe at home and can focus on the game.”

For all three coaches’ wives, game day actually starts on Thursday nights, whether it’s packing a game-day bag, loading a car for an away game, or enjoying a meal with the team. Morgan takes time each Thursday night to make treat bags for the players with short messages of encouragement—a job she completes with the help of her oldest daughter. “We weren’t given biological boys,” Morgan says with a laugh, “but I say it’s because God gave us 50+ boys to love.”

In Boaz, Friday morning for Erika begins with breakfast with the team before school. “We usually have Jack’s biscuits. I am there first thing with a few other moms to serve and pour drinks,” she says. Service seems to be a way to channel the inevitable nervous energy that

he knows I will be.” Pep rally attendance is something all three wives enjoy and since they are all employed in the same school system as their husbands, it’s one more opportunity to support the team and their coaches—a theme that runs deep through the course of conversation with them.

Erika and Ty Sullivan

Cleburne County coaches wives

When the school bell rings, Morgan stops by pre-game meal in the lunchroom. “Michael and I quickly catch up with each other before I need to leave to pick up our girls from preschool. Once I pick up the girls, we head home to get ready.”

Friday night meals look vastly different for each of the coaches’ wives. Morgan and her girls typically enjoy a meal at home, although traveling to an away game often calls for Jacks or Chick-fil-A. Erika prepares something for tailgating with the football player parents—after all, she is one. And Kecia, well, she sits that one out. “I do not eat dinner on game days,” she says, adding that she is just too nervous to eat before a game.

Finally, it’s game time. “I always like to get to the game by 6:00 pm, whether it is at home or away,” Kecia says. Like most coaches’ wives, she has a particular place she likes to sit, too. “Always around the 50-yard line. You have to make sure you don’t sit next to people that talk about the coaching. I don’t do well with that,” she adds, with a smile. Kecia says that the best part of being in the stands is being with the coaches’ wives and her family every game. “These coaches’ wives are truly like family. Everyone has the same vested interest on the field and are truly concerned for each other.”

Erika is in the bleachers, too—all alone. Her daughter, Aly, serves as a water girl for the football team while her son plays linebacker and tight end for her husband and his Boaz Pirates. The first year that both kids were on the field, Erika spent so much time pacing in the endzone that she was given her own set of bleachers in that very spot at the home games. “That is my seat! No matter where I sit, though, I am usually alone. People say I am too loud and crazy for them,” she says. Not that it bothers her in the least. Her noise makers, megaphone and cowbells keep her company. Although she adds, with a laugh, “Some very brave coaches’ wives do like my company at times.”

Solitude is not a problem that Morgan faces. “The girls love being at the game, and they especially love the cheerleaders,” she says. “They haven't quite mastered when not to cheer and typically cheer for the other team’s touchdowns, too.” As one can imagine with two children under the age of 5, sitting rarely happens at all during the game, but when it does, it’s on the track or…any place away from the bleachers.

Insulating themselves from negative fan noise is another thing that all three wives have in common. Erika recalls that in her younger days,

Left: Coach Sullivan and his son exchange a quick word as Ty exits the field. Center: Some of the "brave" women and children keeping Erika company on a Friday night. Right: Whitleigh Jo & Lyla Gray Easley

she was a bit “reactive” and sensitive to the negative comments. “As I have gotten older, I intentionally sit away from ‘triggers’ so that I can enjoy the game.” Dozens of miles may separate their schools, but Kecia confirms that Erika’s experience isn’t unique to the schools at which her husband has coached. “The worst part is when you have those fans that always seem to know what plays would have worked better,” says Kecia, adding, “I sit with the other coaches’ wives. If we all sit together, we know we aren’t sitting around people that may complain about the coaches.” Morgan’s solution is to skip the bleachers altogether. “Honestly, I don’t sit in the bleachers. Michael’s first and second season at Munford didn’t have the greatest results and fans were just downright ugly in the stands. The third season, I started sitting on the track at home games. My girls get to play and I don’t worry about them falling in the bleachers,” Morgan says. However she also admits that, in spite of the rough start, Friday night is now like a reward. “We’ve gone all week without seeing much of Michael and the game is a time we get to be a part of his work. It’s important to me that the memory my girls have of Friday night lights isn’t consumed by negative fans and tense bleacher moments, but rather fun.”

A victory line visit here and there. Clapping along with the band. Cheering for the successes. Holding their breath in the failed attempts. 48 “official” minutes later, it’s over. A tiny speck of time in the week that has, for these ladies, revolved around the game. Erika makes her way on to the field. She realizes this is a unique and fleeting time—a time when three of her greatest blessings in life spend a

couple of hours every Friday night with one singular goal in mind—a win for the Boaz Pirates. Ty is a Junior and these days of watching her husband coach him will soon be just a sweet memory.

“They have talked about being together like this for such a long time,” Erika says, with a smile that could easily give way to a tear. “I find myself full of feelings when I think how fast that end is approaching.”

In the last four years at Cleburne County, post-game traditions have become one of Kecia’s favorite parts. After every home game, all the coaches and their families meet at one of the coaches’ houses to eat and fellowship. Kids play. Wives talk. Coaches break down plays. It’s like one big family, and for Kecia, a coach’s wife and a coach’s mom—that’s exactly what it is. “To be able to watch my husband and son coach together is rare and special. And I realize that,” she says. “And there is nowhere else I would rather be.”

Morgan and Coach Easley find each other after the games, too, and make their way to the car. Not to leave together, mind you, (there’s game film to watch) but rather to change two little girls into their pajamas before leaving for the night. Little ones get sleepy after a big night, and Friday nights are always big nights. But “big” doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.

“Life as a coach’s wife/family looks different for everybody. There is no right or wrong way,” says Morgan, as she considers the rhythm of her family during football season. “I think there is a lot of pressure, if you're on social media, for being a coach’s wife to look a certain way. But, that’s just not the case. It’s an individual journey and should be enjoyed without pressure.” ►

TACKLE

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ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PROGRAMS!

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2023 TEAM REVIEWS PREVIEWS

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Alexandria Valley Cubs

CLASS, REGION: Class 5A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Todd Ginn

2022 RECORD: 5-5

Stadium: Lou Scales Stadium

Colors: Orange & Black

2022 REWIND

Alexandria dropped their first two games, but then won 5 of the next 7 to again finish with a winning regular season record and advance to the Class 5A state playoffs. The Cubs lost in the first round of the playoffs on the road to Pleasant Grove. All of the Alexandria losses came to teams that advanced to at least the second round of the state playoffs.

KEY LOSSES

The Cubs’ biggest loss was First Team All-State athlete Antonio Ross who is now on the roster at Alabama. In total Alexandria lost 13 seniors, including 6 starters on both offense and defense.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Valley Cubs return Senior quarterback/strong safety Ty Barker, Senior defensive end/tight end Damarkus Williams, talented, hard-nosed linebacker/running back Ty Brown, and linebacker Brodie Slaton. Upfront the offensive line will be led by Luke Curvin. Another player to watch is Junior running back Elijah Hunter. Perhaps the biggest weapon for Alexandria in 2023 is Junior Class 5A First Team All-State placekicker Clete Forrest. Forrest has emerged as one of the top kickers in Alabama in any class.

2023 SEASON

The numbers, as always, are good in The Valley. Alexandria has 64 players on the all roster and return 5 starters on both offense and defense. There are 12 seniors on the 2023 Valley Cub squad. Head Coach Todd Ginn says that he really likes this group and that “they have worked their tails off” this Summer and off-season. The Cubs lost some talented players from 2022, but there is a good nucleus of athletes and Alexandria is a bit of mystery team heading into 2023. Ginn looks to Leeds, Moody, and Southside as the top contenders in Class 5A, Region 6 play. Look for Alexandria to again be in that mix and contend for region and playoff honors.

Valley Cub linebacker/running back Ty Brown, Head Coach Todd Ginn, and tight end/defensive end DaMarkus Williams.

Anniston Bulldogs

CLASS, REGION: Class 4A, Region 4

HEAD COACH: Rico Jackson

2022 RECORD: 11-1

Stadium: Lott/Mosby Memorial Stadium

Colors: Cardinal, White, Black & Gray

2022 REWIND

Anniston rolled through the regular season undefeated and claimed the Class 4A, Region 4 championship. The Bulldogs fell to Andalusia in the 3rd round of the playoffs 35-28.

KEY LOSSES

Massive offensive lineman Ryqueze McElderry graduated from AHS last December. He participated in spring practice at Alabama and is expected to have a great career for the Crimson Tide. QB Kam Sandlin will also be playing in the SEC. He has taken his talents to South Carolina and will suit up for the Gamecocks this fall.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The offense will be led by QB Gavin Doss who transferred in from Saks. “He’s a very solid and stable quarterback. He

never seems to get too high or too low. He really understands the game and is so intelligent. He’s an outstanding student with a 3.9 GPA and already has an offer from the Naval Academy,” said first-year Head Coach Rico Jackson. He’ll get protection from a “gritty” offensive line led by 6’3” 260-pound Collin Wansart. The line will be a point of emphasis for the Bulldogs but Jackson says “these guys will play hard on every single snap.” The addition of Doss at quarterback allows Jayden Lewis to be featured more offensively. Lewis has the athleticism to change a game. According to Jackson, opponents will be forced to find him as the Auburn-commit will line up at various spots on the field.

2023 SEASON

Repeating as the Class 4A, Region 4 champions will not be easy in this very tough region. “I’ve coached at various places around the state,” said Jackson, “I can tell you that this region is as competitive as I’ve seen. We have to focus on Anniston and just go 1-0 every week.”

Bulldog defensive and offensive lineman Collin Wansart and defensive back/wide receiver Jayden Lewis.

Ashville Bulldogs

CLASS, REGION: Class 4A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Kirakias Shepard

2022 RECORD: 2-8

Stadium: Kin Logan Stadium

Colors: Green & White

2022 REWIND

Ashville posted a 2-8 record in 2022. Five of the eight losses came to 2022 state playoff teams. In fact, the Bulldogs’ last four games came against Class 4A playoff qualifiers.

KEY LOSSES

There will be a new leader patrolling the sidelines of Kin Logan Stadium. Kirakias Shepard comes to Ashville in his first head coaching role and is the first African-American Head Coach in Ashville history. Shepard had been an assistant at Pell City from 2011-2019. He moved to St. Clair County in 2020 and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2021. Last season, Shepard returned to Pell City as defensive coordinator under legendary coach Steve Mask.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

A strong sophomore class bodes well for the future of Bulldog football. Many of those players dot the starting lineup, meaning that Shepard’s first squad will feature a lot of youth. Senior QB Ryan Harris has developed into a strong leader for the Bulldogs and will lead the offense. Shepard, who has only been on the job for a month, said that his offense will rely heavily on the play of the athletic Jaden Harris and offensive lineman Mike Tindall. Defensively, sophomore linebacker Parker Smith will be a key performer. Safety J.B. Pollard, also a sophomore, is also expected to quarterback the defense from the back end.

2023 SEASON

Ashville will take the field for a 3-team jamboree on August 18 as the Bulldogs host Boaz and Weaver. The following Thursday (8/24), the Bulldogs will board the buses and make the trek to Odenville to face county foe St. Clair County. Class 4A, Region 6 is “one of the tougher regions in 4A”, according to Shepard. “Cherokee County played for a state championship last season and Oneonta is always Oneonta. Etowah has tons of talent. We have to play hard every week in this region,” concluded Shepard.

Athlete Jaden Harris, Head Coach Kirakias Shepard, athlete Tyler Harris, and quarterback Ryan Harris

Cedar Bluff Tigers

CLASS, REGION: Class 1A, Region 7

HEAD COACH: Garrett Crane

2022 RECORD: 4-7

Stadium: Bruce Field

Colors: Red & White

2022 REWIND

Cedar Bluff won 3 of the first 4 last season, hit a mid-season slump, then had a huge must win to close out the regular season at Donoho. That win propelled the Tigers into the Class 1A playoffs for the 9th straight season.

KEY LOSSES

The Tigers lost 8 Seniors from 2022, including 2nd Team Class 1A All-State lineman

Dylan Kinard, quarterback

Bucky Leek, and receiver Cade Browning. Cedar Bluff also lost Head Coach Alan Beckett who left for Faulkner University in the off-season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

There are lots of returnees to this Cedar Bluff team in 2023. Players to watch include linebacker/right tackle/kicker Carter Dillingham, center/ defensive tackle Jacob Chambers, and outside linebacker Alex Baty. Senior Wide receiver Eli McFry will ne an impact player to the Tigers, and look for big things from Junior tailback Hunter Jenkins (5’11, 175). Kaden Pack and Hunter Stallings will battle for the quarterback job.

Tiger outside linebacker/fullback Alex Baty, kicker/linebacker/right tackle Carter Dillingham, center/defensive tackle Jacob Chambers, quarterback/ safety Kaden Pack, Head Coach Garrett Crane

2023 SEASON

The Tigers return 7 starters on offense and 7 on defense with 30-35 total players on the roster. There are lots of juniors and seniors on this Tiger team, but also a great junior high team, so the present and future both look bright. New Head Coach Garrett Crane says the Tigers will run a little bit different offense with some new wrinkles in 2023.

Crane looks to Valley Head and Coosa Christian as the top competition in Class 1A, Region 7.

Central Clay County Volunteers

CLASS, REGION: Class 5A, Region 4

HEAD COACH: Danny Horn

2022 RECORD: 9-3

Stadium: Volunteer Stadium

Colors: Scarlet, Navy & White

2022 REWIND

Central-Clay posted a 9-3 record in 2022. The Volunteers claimed the Class 5A Region 4 championship, before falling to Gulf Shores in the 2nd round of the post-season.

KEY LOSSES

RB Terry Heflin accounted for over 2,200 yards and averaged over 20 carries per game in 2022. Coach Danny Horn called Heflin “the best running back I’ve ever coached.” The offensive line saw 3 starters and All-State Tight End Bryant Hamlet graduate in the spring. Defensively, the secondary is the primary focus after losing 3 starters from last fall.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Central-Clay teams are always built around defense and the same should be true in 2023. Leading tackler Koby Johnson returns to his middle linebacker

spot. He’ll lead a strong linebacking corps that also returns Aiden Stewart, Demauri Whetsone, and Denzel McNeil. Leroy Cheek and Xzavion Hale will anchor the defensive front. J.T. Wilkerson will head up the secondary that will also feature Mason Smith and Kevin Cherry. Offensively, it all starts with returning QB Darren Harris. “We expect a lot out of Darren. He really needs to have a good year for us,” said Horn. Ladamian Boyd is expected to get the start at running back after playing the past two seasons at safety. “I really like our receivers. They’ve worked hard since last season and have gotten better. Tyler Boyd and Deshaun “Soap” Gibbons can catch and make things happen after the catch,” said Horn. The offensive line had a very productive spring led by Nathan Pybus (6’2” 260 lbs.) and Zaylon Stroud (6’1”

270 lbs.). Newcomers Dewey Brown and Noah Peterson are being counted on down in the trenches.

2023 SEASON

The schedule may be one of the toughest in the area. Region foes Beauregard, Tallassee, and Elmore County all posted firstround wins in the 2022 playoffs and bring back several starters. Valley improved throughout last fall and is a very talented team. Sylacauga is rejuvenated with Coach Chris Smelley and according to Horn “returns everybody.” The non-region opponents offer no relief with 6A state contender Benjamin Russell, athletic Russell County, and an experienced Wetumpka squad. Add in Class 4A championship contender Handley and a trip to Alexandria and the Vols will face challenges every Friday night.

Cherokee County Warriors

CLASS, REGION: Class 4A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Jacob Kelley

2022 RECORD: 12-3

Colors: Black & Gold

2022 REWIND

Cherokee County rolled to an 8-2 regular season record and the Class 4A, Region 6 championship last season. The Warriors then won 4 playoff games, claimed the North Alabama 4A championship, and advanced to the 4A Championship Game in Auburn falling to Andalusia in the state title game to finish 12-3.

KEY LOSSES

The Warriors graduated 10 seniors including key players such as safety/receiver Jack Amos, safety/receiver Malachi Whorton, and quarterback Cade Hopper.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tons of talent returns to Centre for the 2023 campaign. All State players offensive lineman Landon Ransum (6’5, 295 Junior), defensive lineman Tae Diamond (5’10, 230 Junior), running back Jacob Cornejo (5’11, 210 Senior), linebacker Tristan Brown (5’11, 190 Junior), and offensive lineman Zach Gaylor (6’2, 255 Senior) all are back for 2023. The replacement for Hopper will be a battle between Junior Carson Tittle and speedy Carson Chestnut.

2023 SEASON

This is a CCHS team hungry to get back to the Super 7 in 2023. Fifth year Head Coach Jacob Kelly reports that the team showed up on the Monday after the Super 7 on Friday to start the off-season program. The 13 seniors on this year’s team represent the biggest Senior class in Kelley’s tenure. There is also a strong freshman class on the way. Overall, the Warriors return 9 starters on both offense and defense and will be the favorite in 4A North to return to the Super 7 again.

Stadium: Warriors Stadium/Johnson Field

Warrior leaders Haden Wheeler, Alex Lloyd, Zach Gaylor, Head Coach Jacob Kelly, running back Jacob Cornejo, and receiver Alex Johnson

Cleburne County Tigers

CLASS, REGION: Class 4A, Region 4

HEAD COACH:

Joby Burns

2022 RECORD: 2-8

Stadium: L.E. Bell Field

Colors: Red & White

2022 REWIND

Cleburne County finished with a 2-8 record in 2022. Both victories came in tough 4A, Region 4 play against Talladega and White Plains. 7 of the 8 losses came to teams that earned playoff berths.

KEY LOSSES

Two of the big losses from last season include Beau Clay who was the team’s leading receiver and also a key defender in the secondary. Rico Huguley also graduated in May. Huguley was a tough runner and also doubled on the defensive front.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

QB Hunter Gore will take over the reins of the Tiger offense and has shown huge improvement during the off-season. He’ll line up behind Dylan Mize, a 3-year starter at center. Brandon Beam is also a key on the offensive line and tight end Kendall Miller has

shown great potential heading into the season. 6’3” Grey Freeman provides a huge target at wide receiver. Defensively, MLB Jake Dingler is a hardhitting playmaker in the middle of the Tiger defense. Nate Adams is making the move inside after starting at outside linebacker in 2022. Jake Littleton will also play a major role for the defense from his strong safety spot.

2023 SEASON

Head Coach Joby Burns says that Class 4A, Region 4 is “the best region in the state top to bottom.” He won’t get much of an argument from most folks that keep up with high school football. Frontrunners Anniston and Handley combined to go 22-3 in 2022. “Jacksonville returns one of the top quarterbacks in the state. Munford is always tough. Coach

Smith at Talladega has had a year to get his system in place. White Plains plays us tough every year. They have a lot of excitement with a new coach,” Burns said. “This has been one of the best off-seasons in my career. These guys work extremely hard. They care about and support each other. They’re tough and they do things the right way,” Burns added. The Tigers have new coordinators on both sides of the football. Justin Taylor takes over as offensive coordinator while Manny Fennell will run the defense allowing last year’s defensive coordinator Jake Mayfield to work with both units.

The Tigers will play a preseason jamboree at Central-Clay before traveling to Northside of Samantha in Tuscaloosa County for the season opener.

Tigers Grey Freeman, Head Coach Joby Burns, and Jake Littleton at the Tri-County Media Day

Coosa Christian

Conquerors

CLASS, REGION: Class 1A, Region 7

HEAD COACH: Mark O’ Bryant

2022 RECORD: 9-5

Stadium: Phillip Ellen Stadium

Colors: Carolina Blue & Vegas Gold

Conqueror free safety/wide receiver

Drake Dupree, kicker/wide receiver

Jaden Burns, Head Coach Mark

O’Bryant, quarterback John David Justus, tight end/middle linebacker

Eli Motes

2022 REWIND

The Conquerors began 2022 0-2, but then won 6 of the next 8 to finish 6-4 and runner-up in Class 1A, Region 7. Coosa then turned into one of the top stories in the AHSAA playoffs as they swept all the way to the state semi-finals before losing 44-40 at Pickens County on a Hail Mary touchdown pass on the last play of the game. Coosa Christian’s final record was 9-5, their best season ever since joining the AHSAA.

KEY LOSSES

The bulk of the 2022 squad returns as the Coosa only graduated 6 seniors. The Conquerors lost just 4 starters on each side of the ball, including All-State players

RB Jy Mostella and defensive lineman Drake Albury. CoHead Coach Rush Propst was hired in the off-season to work alongside Mark O’Bryant, before leaving to accept the Head Coach position at Pell City.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Conquerors return talent everywhere, but especially at linebacker. All-Stater Clete O-Bryant, Cade Mickler (6’2, 205), D.J. Mackey (6’3, 195), and transfer Joel Hester (6’1, 205) lead what could be the best linebacker corps in 1A. Elsewhere, defensive back Kylen Johnson, offensive lineman Zayden Franklin, and running back Josh Hester are also expected to make big contributions this season.

2023 SEASON

Head Coach Mark O’Bryant was the 1A Coach of the Year in Alabama last season and points out that at one point 3 years ago Coosa did not have enough players to field a team. Now the school was one play away from being in the state championship game last year. The Conquerors are loaded with 7 starters returning on both offense and defense, with 45 total players. O’Bryant believes this is the best team with the best team speed he has had at Coosa. The future is bright also with just 10 seniors, a very large junior class, and a strong group of 8th and 9th graders.

Donoho Falcons

CLASS, REGION: Class 1A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Jeremy Satcher

2022 RECORD: 4-6

Colors: Maroon & Gray

2022 REWIND

Weaver posted a 4-6 record and finished 4th in Class 4A Region 6 in 2022. The Falcons fell 42-0 to Lynn in round one of the playoffs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Entering his 2nd season at the helm, Jeremy Satcher likes the way his Falcons have worked during the offseason. “They have a great attitude. This group spends a lot of time together and they hold each other accountable,” said Satcher. As with most teams in Class 1A, Donoho will have many players going both ways in addition to performing on special teams. Richard Goad is expected to be a key for the Falcons in his senior campaign. Goad will see action at both wide receiver

and linebacker. Junior Hayes Farrell will see double-duty at tight end and in the defensive backfield. Kai Cleckler will head up the offense from his quarterback post. He’ll operate behind an offensive front that will be led by Braden “Beef” Johnson and Cash Worley. Wide receiver and defensive back James Benkwith will also play a huge role for the Falcons.

2023 SEASON

Donoho will be one of the more experienced teams in the area. The Falcons will return 8 starters on both sides of the ball in 2023. Donoho will play host to a couple of Calhoun County rivals to open the season. Weaver will visit Lentz Field on August 25 before the Falcons welcome Pleasant Valley to the home turf the

following Friday. The Class 1A Region 6 race will once again be a weekly battle. In addition to Winterboro, the Falcons will get Spring Garden and Wadley, both playoff teams in 2022, at home this fall. Satcher will take his squad to Ragland, Victory Christian and Talladega County Central. “Class 1A, Region 6 is the toughest in Alabama,” said Satcher. “Top to bottom we are in for a battle every week.”

Stadium: Lentz Field

Falcon tight end/defensive back Hayes Farrell, Head Coach Jeremy Satcher, wide receiver/linebacker Richard Goad

Etowah

Blue Devils

CLASS, REGION: Class 4A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Matt Glover

2022 RECORD: 8-4

Stadium: Jim Glover Field

Colors: Royal Blue & White

2022 REWIND

The Blue Devils recorded their 13th consecutive winning season and their 13th straight playoff berth in 2022. Etowah won 6 of their first 7, secured the runner-up spot in Class 4A, Region 6, and advanced to the second round of the playoffs before a tough 36-35 road loss at Deshler of Tuscumbia.

KEY LOSSES

Etowah lost 8 starters on both sides of the ball, including honorable mention All-State quarterback Trace Thompson, safety Andrew Pierce, and star receiver “Fat” Finch. In total the Blue Devils lost 21 seniors.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Some top players to watch for Etowah in 2023 include massive Senior noseguard Braylin Mostella (6’0, 300), Senior offensive lineman Nick Barron (6’1, 250), Senior linebacker Corey Duncan (5’10, 185), and Senior cornerback Trent Bothwell (6’0, 170). New quarterback Jamison Scissum (6’3, 190 Junior) is one of the most talented athletes in this part of the state and big things are expected from him in 2023.

2023 SEASON

Etowah returns just 3 starters each on both offense and defense, but the overall numbers are excellent with 66 varsity players, 13 Seniors, and a big group of freshmen and sophomores. Head Coach Matt Glover points to Cherokee County, Oneonta, and Fultondale as top teams in Class 4A, Region 6. The Blue Devil program is strong and there is enough talent in place for Etowah to contend for their 14th straight winning season and playoff berth.

Blue Devil Head Coach Matt Glover

Gadsden City Titans

CLASS, REGION: Class 6A, Region 8

HEAD COACH: Ali Smith

2022 RECORD: 7-5

Stadium: Titan Stadium

Colors: Black, Cardinal & Silver

2022 REWIND

Despite a rough 0-2 start, the Titans never lost belief in their ability to have a strong season. Gadsden City went a perfect 5-0 on the way to the Class 6A, Region 8 title and advanced to the second round of the playoffs where they fell to eventual 6A state runner-up Mountain Brook. The defense was outstanding in region play. The unit gave up just 14 total points in region games and posted three shutouts. The team outscored the squads in Region 8 by 180 points.

KEY LOSSES

The Titans were led by a large and talented group of seniors. The graduating class of 2023 saw several players take their talents to the collegiate level. First team all-state OL Aaron Wood signed with Middle Tennessee. Record-setting WR/ TE Clyde Curry is at Arkansas State. Defensive back Stephen

Jones, Jr. signed with Georgia Tech. DL Elijah Taylor took his talents to East Tennessee State. The team will also miss DT Jackson Veasy and kicker Jake Malone. Unfortunately, the Titans also lost first team all-state punter Gabriel Brito (senior) to a season-ending injury.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Titans only have six total returning starters (four on defense and two on offense), but there are several players who made contributions last season that will return to the mix in 2023. Safety Dre Kirkpatrick, Jr. is a Titan legacy player. The senior is the son of former GCHS star Dre Kirkpatrick - who went on to shine at Alabama and was a first round NFL draft pick. The team also returns a pair of productive quarterbacks. Senior Luke Waldrop enjoyed a great season before suffering an injury. Junior Matthew Sparks stepped

in and played well to finish the season. Meanwhile running back TJ Worthy is expected to be one of the top playmakers in the region. Seniors Jerrell Brasher (DE) and Kevin Brooks (LB) anchor another tough Titan defense.

2023 SEASON

The Titans have seen steady growth in each of the last four seasons under head coach Ali Smith. When the current senior class entered HS as freshmen, the team was coming off a 1-9 record. Many of the 14 seniors had to play early and their commitment has paid off on the field. After snapping a fiveyear playoff drought, the team is looking to take this season to another level. The Titans will be young overall, but very talented. Coach Smith says they have embraced the process and the hard work it requires to reach their goals.

Titan defensive end Jerrell Brasher, quarterback Luke Waldrop, Head Coach Ali Smith, outside linebacker Kevin Brooks, quarterback/wide receiver Mathew Sparks

Gaston Bulldogs

CLASS, REGION: Class 2A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Alan Beckett

2022 RECORD: 3-7

Stadium:

Colors: Red & White

2022 REWIND

Gaston won games at the beginning, middle, and end of the season to finish 3-7. The 3-7 record marked the best Gaston season since 2016. The 3 wins matched the combined total number of wins over the last 5 seasons.

KEY LOSSES

The Bulldogs lost quite a few players due to transfer and attrition in the off-season. Gaston also lost Head Coach Matt Harris who resigned in mid-July.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New Head Coach Alan Beckett did not take over the head coaching position until August, so he is still learning players. Early impressions by Beckett point to players like Kodie Bogle, Keller Skaggs, Trustin Granger, Leiland Hollen, Kyle

Fitts, and Easton Albert and more that have put out great effort so far.

2023 SEASON

Coach Beckett began his job duties literally as school and fall practice began, so it is almost impossible to get an early read. Over the summer, the numbers had fallen at Gaston and depth will be an issue. Coach Beckett explains, “Now the question is how will the players handle adversity. We are working hard on the mental side of things, conditioning and being very simple. We didn't come in this late to change much for this season. Coach Harris put in a great foundation and did a lot of really good things. He had the program 100% going in the right direction."

Beckett’s take on Gaston and

where things stand going into the season, “I have taken over several programs that were struggling. I embrace the challenge. Doesn't guarantee that will happen this time. Just means we've been there before. The people have been nothing but nice. That's administration, parents, players and alumni. It's a wonderful school."

Captain Bill Boyd Field

Gaylesville Trojans

CLASS, REGION: Class 1A, Region 7

HEAD COACH: Brian Knapp

2022 RECORD: 3-6

Stadium: Trojan Field

Colors: Purple & White

2022 REWIND

The second half of the 2022 season was good to the Gaylesville Trojans. Sitting at 0-5 at he mid-point of the season, Gaylesville won 3 of the last 4 and finished strong to build momentum heading into 2023.

KEY LOSSES

Gaylesville lost 6 starters on offense and 5 on defense including All-State athlete Keylon Higgins and defensive lineman Briley Mitchell.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Senior quarterback/safety

Kyler Bradley has All-State potential. Bradley does it all for the Trojans, including returning kicks and is the holder for placement kicks. Bradley’s

brother Cooper will be his top target at receiver. Senior lineman Braden Sharpe (6’1, 220) does not come off the field and is the leader of an offensive line that returns 3 of 5 starters. Junior defensive end/ fullback Karson Ray (6’2, 200) plays all over the field and has started since 8th grade. Head Coach Brian Knapp reports that freshman Jack Sentell is going to be a good player at running back and cornerback.

2023 SEASON

Coach Knapp returns 5 starters on offense and 6 on defense, with a total of 26 players on the team. Gaylesville is one of the smallest football-playing schools in the state with only 7 boys in the Senior class-3

of them play football. Knapp says there are 12 players that basically are on the field at all times and will receive the bulk of the playing time. He says the Trojans will run the ball a lot with a lot of misdirection and play action passing.

Knapp tabs Coosa Christian, Valley Head, and Appalachian as the top teams in Class 1A, Region 7. He is excited about the prospects for 2023. “People used to overlook Gaylesville. I don’t think it is that way anymore.”

Trojan quarterback/safety Kyler Bradley, Head Coach Brian Knapp, offensive/ defensive lineman Braden Sharpe

Glencoe Yellow Jackets

CLASS, REGION: Class 3A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Scott Martin

2022 RECORD: 2-8

Colors:

2021 RECAP

In his first season at the helm, Head Coach Scott Martin had to hit the ground running very quickly. Martin was hired in the summer of 2022 and moved fast to establish the culture within the program. The group of seniors bought in to what had been a successful recipe in Martin’s previous stops. The results on the weekly scoreboard were not the ultimate barometer to the team’s gradual improvement through the season. The Yellow Jackets won the opener against Weaver and put up 54 points in their second victory against Holly Pond. However, the team left a good foundation to build on for their bright future.

KEY LOSSES

The Yellow Jackets had a small, but strong group of seniors lost to graduation from the 2022 team. Quarterback Nolan

Fairley, who was charged with learning the new offense (“the ugly eagle”), is the most notable departure. Fairley racked up more than 1,000 total yards of offense last season. The Jackets will also look to replace productive playmaker Garrett Gaskin. Meanwhile, the special teams was led by senior Gavin Bray.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The offensive line will be led by guards Jordan Haney and Lucas Huff who will stabilize the interior. The seniors will also anchor the Jackets’ defensive line. The backfield features RB Aaron Mann. In just six games last season, Mann accounted for more than 600 yards. RB Jake Boggs will also help carry the load. The quarterbacks are also a big component of the Jackets’ running game. The Jackets have three players that are likely to see action-seniors

Brady Kitchens and Braylen Smith as well as freshman Hayden Watson.

2023 SEASON

Any physical running game is led by the offensive line. Glencoe will be no different as they return a strong group of players in the trenches. As a whole, the line will have a player at every position that played a significant number of snaps last season. The defense picked up some offseason inspiration from the Glencoe basketball team, who play a very fast-paced style. Above all, Martin says the mentality has shifted and the players have an expectation of winning each week. The team is also larger in numbers as players from other sports decided to hit the gridiron. After an offseason in the weight room and a full year with Martin, expect the Jackets to take another step forward in 2023.

Stadium: Wilson-Darnell Field

Black & Gold

Yellow Jacket offensive/defensive linemen Jordan Haney and Lucas Huff.

Hokes Bluff Eagles

CLASS, REGION: Class 3A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Mike Robertson

2022 RECORD: 4-6

Stadium:

Colors: Green & White

2022 REWIND

Hokes Bluff won 3 straight games at mid-season, but lost the last 4 to finish 4-6 and narrowly missed the Class 3A playoffs. 5 of the 6 losses came to playoff teams.

KEY LOSSES

The Eagles lost six starters on both offense and defense from the 2022 team and 16 seniors including standouts such as linebacker Jaylen Simmons and tailback Noah Sprayberry.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Standout players for Hokes Bluff in 2022 include center Harrison Cummings, strong safety Dylan Lancaster, receiver/defensive back Anderson Morgan, offensive lineman Daylon Reeves, defensive lineman Brayson Hayes, and linebacker Coleman McGinnis. Bryce Whittaker is expected to be the Eagle quarterback in 2023.

2023 SEASON

Hokes Bluff returns 5 starters on both offense and defense with 9 experienced seniors among the 61-man roster. Head Coach Mike

Robertson notes that the Eagles are young with only 10 juniors and will be mostly a sophomore and freshman team. There are 12 juniors, including a number of 3-year starters. The rest of the roster includes 17 sophomores and 24 freshmen. Newly inducted AHSAA Hall of Fame Head Coach Mike Robertson says, “We have a good work ethic and good Senior leadership. We have had a good spring and we have had a good summer.” He lists Sylvania, Piedmont, Westbrook Christian, and Geraldine as some of the top teams in the rugged Class 3A, Region 6.

Mike Robertson Stadium

Eagle center Harrison Cummings, Head Coach Mike Robertson, strong safety Dylan Lancaster

Jacksonville Golden Eagles

CLASS, REGION: Class 4A, Region 4

HEAD COACH: Clint Smith

2022 RECORD: 8-4

Colors: Blue & Gold

2022 REWIND

Jacksonville posted an 8-4 record and finished 3rd in Class 4A, Region 4 in 2022. The Golden Eagles fell 44-27 to Catholic Montgomery at home in round two of the playoffs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

All eyes will be on senior Jim Ogle, who committed to Troy over the summer. In 2022, the 6’3” Ogle was AllState honorable mention after passing for more than 2,500 yards and 28 touchdowns. He is expected to eclipse the 6000-yard mark for his career. “Troy is getting one of the best quarterbacks in the state of Alabama,” Jacksonville Head Coach Clint Smith said. “There is no doubt he will go down there and make an impact.”

Plenty of skill players surround the quarterback. Wide

receivers Monte Sinclair and 4-year starter Ky’dric Fisher will provide big play targets. Zay English will see action at running back and receiver and is also being counted on to generate some offense. The key to the Golden Eagles in 2023 can be found in the trenches. All 5 starters from a year ago graduated in May. Smith expects guard Braden Ball and center Ben Pridgen to lead the offensive line this fall. Defensively, Ryan Mitchell returns for his 3rd year at middle linebacker. Fisher will also see action in the secondary alongside Tyshawn Cameron and T.J. Wilson.

2023 SEASON

The Class 4A, Region 4 race will once again be one to watch. “It’s extremely tough,” said Smith. “When you talk about the tradition and talent

at Handley and Anniston, you know those two will be good every year. Munford and Cleburne County will always be physical and play us tough. I also expect Talladega and White Plains will be improved as well. There are no easy wins on our schedule.” The Golden Eagles open up at Boaz on August 25th. “We have competed very well this summer. Jacksonville football means a lot to this senior class. They have grown up in our program and want to leave it better than they found it,” Smith added.

Golden Eagle Stadium has gotten a new look heading into the 2023 season. New synthetic turf has been put down. An 8-lane competitive track and additional visitor seating has also been added.

Stadium: Golden Eagle Stadium

Golden Eagle receiver Kydric Fisher and Head Coach Clint Smith

Jacksonville Christian Thunder

CLASS, REGION: Christian Football Association (8 man)

HEAD COACH: Tommy Miller

2022 RECORD: 8-2

Colors: Red, Black & White

2022 REWIND

JCA only lost two contests in 2023-both to the same team. Russell Christian, MS beat the Thunder in Jacksonville and won again 3 weeks later in the CFA Championship Game in Tuscaloosa. Other than that, Jax Christian was perfect with a sparkling 8-2 record.

KEY LOSSES

Playing 8-man football the Thunder graduated 6 seniors and all were two- way starters. JCA will miss the talents of fullback/linebacker Braxton Brown, lineman Cameron Moses, receiver Ethan Fair, and tailback Tyler Doggrell.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Quarterback Noah Lee is only a sophomore, but already a college prospect. He is the grandson of JCA Head Coach Tommy Miller. Senior 305-pound center/noseguard Deon Dupree, sophomore Ethan Compton, and junior Nick Brodeur, Leland Potts, and Preston Strawder are the leading linemen. Caleb Stallings will be the fullback and Junior Jesse Gannaway will be the top target at receiver. Senior Travis Barnhill is a valuable, experienced player who will be all over the field playing all over the field including at linebacker, receiver and running back. Look for freshman Bryson Dowdy to make an impact at receiver and defensive back.

2023 SEASON

Two starters return on both offense and defense and there are only two seniors as well on the 2023 edition of the Thunder. There are just 17 players on the squad, but Coach Miller believes there is enough talent for Jacksonville Christian to have a chance to return to the Christian Football Association Championship game at the end of the season.

Stadium: Tommy Miller Field

Thunder offensive/defensive lineman Preston Strawder, Head Coach Tommy Miller, offensive/defensive lineman Leland Potts

Lincoln

Golden Bears

CLASS, REGION: Class 5A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Matt Zedaker

2022 RECORD: 4-6

Stadium:

Colors: Black & Old Gold

2022 RECAP

The Golden Bears got off to a quick start with wins over Talladega and Ashville to begin 2-0. Lincoln finished as the fifth seed and just one game short of the playoffs in the very tough Class 5A, Region 6. The Bears scored wins over Springville and St. Clair County in region play.

KEY LOSSES

Lincoln lost 19 seniors that were key contributors last season. Several players represented the Bears on AllCounty teams. LB Gavin Hobbs was the leader of the defense that featured a lot of talented players. OL/DL Khalil Smith and DL Mike Parker were also key figures in the trenches. Lincoln will also miss the talents of DL Braxton Harmon. RB Jaylon George and OL Kam Collins also played major roles.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

All-county performers return to the Lincoln locker room in 2023. Starting quarterback Monty Weed is back again under center. Weed will also line up defensively as a strong safety. Brandon Estell is the true definition of “athlete”. Estell will be used at RB, WR, Safety, CB, LB and can return kicks. Jalen Turner is a threeyear starter and one of the most experienced players on the team. Lincoln has a strong history with kickers and it continues this year as Mason Hill takes over the duties on special teams.

2023 SEASON

Head Coach Matt Zedaker enters his seventh season at the helm. The team has worked hard this offseason to climb back into the playoff picture and make some noise.

One of the key words for this year’s team is “balance”. The Golden Bears return five starters on offense and five on defense. Lincoln has 13 seniors, meaning they will rely on a balance of upperclassmen and underclassmen to fill key roles. Coach Zedaker also added a nice blend of assistant coaches that come to the program as both veteran and young, budding coaches. The key for Lincoln is to get off to a great start in region play. The task will not be easy with Southside, Alexandria and Moody to start the season (all playoff qualifiers in 2022). With some experienced playmakers returning, expect Lincoln to field another strong team.

Keith Howard Memorial Stadium

Munford Lions

CLASS, REGION: Class 4A, Region 4

HEAD COACH: Michael Easley

2022 RECORD: 6-5

Colors: Red, White & Gray

2022 REWIND

The Lions started the season on a strong note going 3-1 in their first four games. Munford weathered the weekly gauntlet in Class 4A, Region 4 posting a 3-3 region record. The Lions finished as the fourth seed in the standings. Their region losses came only to the top three seeds (Anniston, Handley & Jacksonville). The Lions played tough against Region 3 champion American Christian in the first round of the playoffs and lost by just three points (1613).

KEY LOSSES

The most glaring loss in the Munford locker room is 4-star recruit and all-state performer Sylvester Smith. The Auburn signee played quarterback and defensive back last season and led the team both on and off

the field. Smith was a dynamic playmaker with his arm and legs and had the ability to make a game-breaking play on any snap. RB/CB Riley Brown also played a key role last year on both sides of the ball. LB Javion White was one of the top performers on defense.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

It all starts on the line for the Lions this season. The team returns the entire offensive line led by three-year starter Warren Smith. Logan Smith is back at center and Manny Strickland returns at guard. RT Kaydeen Mosley started every game as a freshman and has a lot of upside as he heads into his sophomore season. Running back Tank Edmondson has bounced back after battling multiple injuries last year. On defense, Alex Petty enjoyed a very productive season and he will see time at Edge and

LB. Jaylen Williams (CB) and AJ Denson (Safety) patrol the secondary. Defensive linemen Tucker Thrash (End), Devin Elder (End) & Seth Strickland (Nose) are the key figures in the trenches. Meanwhile, kicker Dakota Frank is a big weapon on special teams.

2023 SEASON

There are a lot of reasons for optimism at Munford this season. The play at the line of scrimmage is the strength on both sides of the ball. The team not only returns solid athletes in that area, but players with a lot of Friday night reps. The quarterback competition will be between Alex Petty, BJ Anderson, and Tank Edmondson. All three players will have key roles this season. Head coach Michael Easley has established a strong foundation as he enters his fifth season with the Lions.

Stadium: Munford Stadium

Ohatchee Indians

CLASS, REGION: Class 3A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Chris Findley

2022 RECORD: 3-8

Stadium:

Colors: Red & White

2022 REWIND

Ohatchee had one of the more astounding turnarounds of the 2022 season. Ohatchee lost their first seven games of the year, but won the final three in dominating fashion (all region games) and earned a berth in the Class 3A state playoffs.

KEY LOSSES

The Indians lost 10 seniors from last season, including 4 starters on offense and 5 on defense. Key players lost include running back Devin Howell, quarterback Bryce Noah, linebacker Tyler Waters, and lineman Elijah Engle.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Athlete Jesse Baswell can play a number of positions for the Indians, and transfer Will Folsom is a versatile

athlete as well. Other key players to watch include a large group of Juniors. Safety Jake Roberson, tailback Nate Jones, lineman Tristan Kiker, receiver/cornerback Colby Hester, and offensive lineman Ayden McNair will all be key contributors for the Tribe.

2023 SEASON

The momentum from the end of the 2022 season is poised to carry over to 2023 with 7 starters returning on offense and 6 on defense. This is still a relatively young Indian squad with only 3 seniors out of the total of 40 players on the roster. The Junior class features 19 players and Coach Chris Findley says that group is the strength of the team. If the Indians can avoid the large

number of injuries from last year, they should be a playoff contender again a strong Class 3A, Region 6. Findley notes that he expects Sylvania and Geraldine to be strong in the region with lots of returnees.

Roy C. Owens Field

Indian athlete Will Folsom, Head Coach Chris Findley, athlete Jesse Baswell

Oxford Yellow Jackets

CLASS, REGION: Class 6A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Sam Adams

2022 RECORD: 5-6

Stadium:

Colors: Black & Old Gold

2022 REWIND

The Yellow Jackets ripped off three wins in the first four games to open the season, averaging 42 points per game in the wins. Oxford played tough in the verycompetitive Class 6A, Region 6 and went toe-to-toe with eventual champion Clay-Chalkville (falling 25-20). The young team picked up wins over rival Pell City and 4A power Jacksonville. Oxford finished fourth in the region and qualified for the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

KEY LOSSES

The Jackets will miss the talents of a few key contributors from the 2022 season. Defensively, Oxford will miss ILB Mike Battle, DL Josiah Kimbrough and DB E’mari Carroll. Meanwhile the offensive line will lose a pair of stars in OG Jaden Rawls and OT Jackson Bunn. The senior class was small in number, but very productive.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Yellow Jackets return the majority of starters on both sides of the ball in 2023. Oxford will have six back on defense: LB Keenan Britt, LB Hudson Gilman, DL Caleb Tinner, DL James Tapley, CB Cristian Gibson and CB Cedric Twyman. The Jacket’s offense will be loaded once again with eight starters returning: QB Mason Mims, RB Jaydon Thomas, RB/WR D.K. Wilson, WR Nick Richardson (2022 leading receiver), WR/TE Jaden Lewis, WR/DB Judd Syer, OL Rashaad Cunningham, and OL Kevin Wheat. Several players have two and three seasons of experience on Friday nights, which should pay huge dividends this season.

2023 SEASON

There is a lot of noticeable positive momentum in Oxford going into this season - and it is justified. As Head Coach Sam Adams enters his second season, the pieces are coming into place

both on and off the field. On the turf, more than a dozen players who were thrust into action very early (unusual for 6A) programs have matured and this season will be a culmination of their efforts. Off the field, the physical development has been off the charts as the team has packed on muscle in the offseason. The team average weight is up 13 pounds, which will help them weather the tough grind in Region 6. Additionally, the Jackets will unveil their state-of-the-art indoor facility which will be unmatched by arguably any program in the state (amenities include turf field, new weight room, locker room, meeting rooms and office space). LB Keenan Britt and QB Mason Mims will not only serve as leaders of their side of the ball, but the duo is also garnering attention and offers from Power 5 colleges. Expect the Yellow Jackets to take another big step forward in 2023.

Yellow Jacket wide receiver Judd Syer, Head Coach Sam Adams, running back Jaydon Thomas

Lamar Field

Pell City Panthers

CLASS, REGION: Class 6A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Rush Propst

2022 RECORD: 1-9

Stadium: Pete Rich-Alumni Stadium

Colors: Black & Gold

2022 REWIND

The Panthers struggled out of the gate and never truly found their footing until midway through the season. Although things were stagnant in the winloss column, the team continued to show small improvements as the season progressed. The Panthers ended the year on a high note scoring a program-high 70 points in their lone win over Springville.

KEY LOSSES

The Panthers will miss a few key playmakers on the field and leaders off the gridiron. LB Drew Sisson was one of the most productive players on the Panthers defense. Pell City will also miss the talents of WR/CB Colin Smith and OL/DL Wyatt Stepp.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Panthers have worked hard to build depth at every position in the offseason. The defense

will be led by a pair of college prospects. CB L.J. Berry is a UNA commit with a lot of upside. DE Hunter Otwell is also drawing interest from several colleges. ILB Donovan Verges joins CB Ethan Isbell, S Justyce Ammons, CB Jaydyn Love as a few of the key playmakers. The offense will be led by junior QB Nikita Getmanshchuk. Caleb Groce is a talent that can play some QB and WR. Running backs Landen Strong, Markise Bedford, and Jon Creel will command the backfield. The offensive line will be one of the largest in the region including C Mike Snow (6’4”, 278 lbs), RT William Molan (6’4”, 285 lbs), OG Lance Sanderson (6’3”, 295 lbs), OG Caden Aldridge (6’1”, 340 lbs) and LT Malik Watts (6’5”, 260 lbs). Receivers Zach Duncan, Ethan Everett, and John David Propst join TE Dalton Fink as weapons in

the passing game. Kicker Jake Blackstone will take charge of the special teams.

2023 SEASON

The Panthers made a big splash this offseason hiring Rush Propst as Head Coach. After a two-year hiatus, Propst returns to the high school sidelines where he became one of the most iconic figures in the country. Propst brings instant credibility ith seven career state championships (five in AL at Hoover and two in GA). He has successfully rebuilt several programs, and says it begins with “resetting the mindset”. Propst said the players have responded well to the change in culture and the challenges he and the staff have placed on the team. With a resurgence in the community, a bought-in team and a fresh outlook, Pell City will be a team on the rise in 2023.

Panther athlete Caleb Groce, Head Coach Rush Propst, athlete Hunter Otwell

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Piedmont Bulldogs

CLASS, REGION: Class 3A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Jonathan Miller

2022 RECORD: 12-3

Stadium: Field of Champions

Colors: Blue & Gold

2022 REWIND

The Bulldogs lost two games in non-region games, but went undefeated in Class 3A, Region 6 play to claim yet another region championship. Piedmont then cruised through the state playoffs again and played for the Class 3A state title at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, falling to St. James of Montgomery in the championship game to finish 12-3.

KEY LOSSES

Graduation hit the Bulldogs hard with the loss of 22 seniors including one of the greatest quarterbacks in state history Jack Hayes. Other losses include receiver Parker Thornton, linebacker Brody Epps, receiver Max Hanson, lineman Trent Young, and defensive back Cody Holloway.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Most of the personnel losses for the Bulldogs came on the offensive side. The defense returns players such as defensive end Chance Murphy, defensive back Trevor Pike, linebacker Luke Rhinehart, and defensive lineman Fisher Adams. The offense will be led by new quarterback Cole Wilson. New Head Coach

Jonathan Miller says that Wilson excels at throwing the ball and can make every throw. Wilson will have great targets to throw to as sophomore Rollie Pinto (5’11, 160), Junior Ish Bethal (6’3, 160), and Senior McClain Mohon all return.

2023 SEASON

Jonathan Miller makes the move from a very successful tenure at Saks to take over perhaps the top program in

Class 3A. He will inherit a team that returns just 2 starters on offense, but 6 on defense. On the defensive side, there will be lots of new faces in the secondary. The numbers are always good at Piedmont and 2023 is no different. There are 16 Seniors and 55 total players in the Bulldog program. Miller says this is a good team, “We have some new guys that will have an opportunity to step up and play and make plays. We have a chance to surprise some people.” Coach Miller wants to continue the success of contending for and winning state championships, “The Head Coach as changed, but the expectations have not.”

Bulldog defensive back Trevor Pike, Head Coach Jonathan Miller, defensive end Chance Murphy

Pleasant Valley Raiders

CLASS, REGION: Class 2A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Jonathan Nix

2022 RECORD: 4-6

Colors: Red, White & Blue

2022 REWIND

The Raiders started hot out of the gate going 2-1 in their first three games averaging 34 points per contest. Unfortunately, the injury bug hit the team as PV got into the thick of region play. The Raiders lost key playmakers and young players were forced to step in ahead of schedule. Though they lost five straight in the middle of the year, the Raiders never quit. Pleasant Valley closed the season with two straight victories, providing a big momentum boost heading into 2023.

KEY LOSSES

The Raiders lost both playmakers on the field and leaders off the field from last year’s senior class. As previously mentioned, the Raiders lost key players midseason including both Zeke

Curvin (RB/LB who only played three games) and Luke Cramer (RB/LB who played just four games). Pleasant Valley will also miss the services of RB Dalton Haynes, OL Austin English and DB Dason Vick.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Raiders are well-stocked in the trenches. The team returns four starters on the offensive line: Gray Knight, Jeremiah Jones, Jackson Rose and Will Walker. Defensively, a trio of players are back in Knight, Connor Crump and Josh Buse. MLB Samuel Duncan led the team in tackles last season and he will again be the key figure in the middle of the Raider defense. QB Braxton Salster is back under center after accounting for more than 1,000 total yards last season. Likewise, RB Jaden Sparks returns after recording more

than 1,000 all-purpose yards. WR Holt Bentley is one of the team leaders that is capable of making a big play anytime.

2023 SEASON

Pleasant Valley has a lot to build on from last season. Head Coach Jonathan Nix enters his eighth season at the helm. Nix says the defensive backfield showed the most improvement last season from start to finish. That unit could help fortify a very strong defense with several experienced players back in the fold. The Raiders have the ability to run the ball effectively with a strong line and solid playmakers in the backfield. The Raiders will field another young team with only six seniors, but the group is expected to lead a strong charge into the 2023 season.

Raider linebacker Samuel Duncan, Head Coach Jonathan Nix, running back/wider receiver Holt Bentley

Stadium: Raider Stadium

Ragland

Purple Devils

CLASS, REGION: Class 1A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Wes Tidwell

2022 RECORD: 6-5

Colors: Purple & Old Gold

2022 REWIND

Ragland posted a 6-5 mark in 2022 and fell to Marion County in round one of the Class1A playoffs. The Purple Devils lost their first two and the last two, but won 7 of 8 games in between.

COACHING NOTES

Head Coach Wes Tidwell enters his 3rd season at Ragland. Tidwell, who had previously coached at Winston County, has posted a 15-8 mark during his first two campaigns at Ragland, making playoff appearances in the first two campaigns.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LB Ethan Courtney is a tackling machine for the Purple Devil defense. After making All-State as a sophomore, Courtney followed that up with 136

tackles in 2022 and was named honorable mention All-State. He returns to anchor the defense where 7 starters return. Defensive lineman Skyler Barber is also expected to have a strong senior season. Tidwell has a couple of quarterbacks that are expected to play huge roles in 2023. Drake Kay and Antwan Byers bring different skillsets but both can effectively lead the Purple Devil offense. Big things are also expected from sophomore RB A’ron Lee. All of it starts upfront with Barber and Tacorian Soles, who is entering his 3rd season as a starter.

2023 SEASON

The 2023 season opens with a visit from the Vincent Yellow Jackets. In fact, Ragland will play host the first four weeks of the season. The Class 1A,

Region 6 race will once again be tough. “Spring Garden is a good team every year. Winterboro was young last year and they will be muchimproved. Wadley is talented again. We’ll need to be ready to play every week if we want to make the playoffs,” Tidwell said.

Purple Devil athlete Ethan Courtney, Head Coach Wes Tidwell, and lineman Skyler Barber

Stadium: Joan Ford Stadium

Ranburne Bulldogs

CLASS, REGION: Class 2A, Region 4

HEAD COACH: Stephen Bailey

2022 RECORD: 5-5

Stadium: Harlan Robinson Field

Colors: Purple & Gray

2022 REWIND

Ranburne finished with a 5-5 record in 2022, just missing the Class 2A playoffs. 4 of the 5 losses came to playoff teams.

KEY LOSSES

The graduation of Carson Hall leaves a huge void in the Bulldog program. The 6’3” 290 pounder was a force on both sides of the football for RHS and was a 4-time All-State selection. “Carson has been a part of this program since he was the water boy in fourth grade. We’ll miss his leadership and competitiveness for sure,” said Ranburne Head Coach Stephen Bailey. Hall signed with the Air Force Academy and is expected to play on the offensive front for the Falcons. Bo Young was also a multi-year starter for the Bulldogs on both sides of the line. Bailey is also looking to fill the running back spot after the graduation of Caleb Benefield.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

QB Kaide Garrett returns for his second season after turning in a stellar junior campaign. Rhett Williamson will provide a solid target from his tight end spot and is also a solid defender at linebacker. Big things are also expected from Trey Ertzberger who will be manning the trenches on both sides of the ball. “I really like this team because of their character and work ethic. They are a close-knit group and really push each other to get better every day,” said Bailey.

2023 SEASON

The Bulldogs will once again compete in Class 2A, Region 4. “It all starts with B.B. Comer. They finished as the Class 2A runners-up last season and they still have tons of talent,” said Bailey. “Then, you look at Vincent. Their only regular season loss was to Comer. They’ll be right up there again.

Isabella was a good team last year and they’ll probably be even better,” Bailey said. Bulldog fans will get their first look of the 2023 Dogs on August 18th as they’ll play in a big 6 team jamboree at Ohatchee. Ranburne will then host White Plains on August 25th to kickoff the 2023 campaign.

Bulldog Head Coach Stephen Bailey and Ranburne players at the Cleburne, Clay, Randolph Media Day event

Randolph County Tigers

CLASS, REGION: Class 3A, Region 4

HEAD COACH: Pat Prestridge

2022 RECORD: 8-3

Colors:

2022 REWIND

Last season, Randolph County began the season with an eightgame winning streak before ultimately tripping up in the 3A Region 4 championship game against Dadeville. The loss would begin a domino effect that resulted in three straight losses to end the season, including a 63-30 loss to Alabama Christian in the AHSAA playoffs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

RCHS Head Coach Pat Prestridge will be the first one to tell you that it will take a group effort from his entire team to reach their 2023 goals. In fact, he hopes that he can look back at this season and say that his entire roster is filled with “impact players.” There is one however that he will count on to lead his offense, and that is four-year starting quarterback Avion Willis. Willis is the first Tiger quarterback to start all four years of his varsity career since Drew Benefield did

so in the late 2000s. Prestridge joked that there is a rumor that Willis almost quit during his 9th-grade season due to hard coaching. Whether it is true or not, Willis has progressed every season in both the physical and mental aspects of the game. “He brings a different atmosphere to the team, and for our opponents. That gives us a bigger threat,” Prestridge said of Willis. “From his 9th-grade year to his 11thgrade year… (he has matured) just the mental aspect of the game, how much he has grown as far as knowing the game and reading the defense. That has probably helped him over the years. Experience is key to any position. The longer you stay and the longer you get experience, the better you are and the more of an impact player you are.”

2023 SEASON

Pat Prestridge enters his 18th season as head coach of his alma mater, and he hopes to make it

one of his best yet. This season the Tigers look to climb to the top of Region 4, but Prestridge understands that the journey will not be an easy one. Dadeville hopes to reclaim the title, but there are several others who are hoping to make a run. “I think last year, at the beginning, I think Wellborn and Saks were picked to be No. 1 and No. 2 in the region a season ago. We had a good rebound from the previous year,” Prestridge said. “I know Saks has a new coach. Weaver has a new head coach, so that is going to bring some energy to those teams also. It is hard to say who will be No. 1 and No. 2. We definitely want to be a contender for it. We should be a contender for it.” The Tigers will begin their quest for a state championship on Friday, Aug. 26 at Woodland. Before that date with their intercounty rival, Randolph County will host Fayetteville for a preseason scrimmage on Aug. 18 at Ron Watters Field.

Stadium: Hulond Humphries Stadium

Navy, White & Old Gold

Tiger Head Coach Pat Prestridge and RCHS players at the Ischool Sports Network Media Day

Saks Wildcats

CLASS, REGION: Class 3A, Region 4

HEAD COACH: Alphonso Freeney

2022 RECORD: 7-4

Colors: Red & White

2022 REWIND

In what many felt was a rebuilding year in Wildcat country, Saks still managed to win 7 games and made a return appearance to the Class 3A state playoffs, bowing out in the first round on the road at Trinity Presbyterian in Montgomery.

KEY LOSSES

Not many losses at all for the Wildcats, just losing 4 starters on offense and 5 on defense. The Wildcats did lose quarterback Gavin Doss who transferred to Anniston, and Head Coach Jonathan Miller who moved to Piedmont in the off-season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The replacement for Doss at quarterback looks to be Freshman Jamorris Young, a transfer from Ohatchee. There

is lots of talent at receiver with Lajuan Curry, who runs a 4.3 40, Nick Mixon, Christian Smith, and Jacory Avery. Offensive and defensive line leaders include Mason Stevens, Jaquay Judkins, and noseguard Joseph Buggs. The linebacker corps is led by Mykeese Gaffney.

2023 SEASON

New Head Coach Alphonso Freeney is a former Jax State player and is returning to the area from Pasco, Florida. The Wildcats return 7 starters on offense and 6 on defense, including the entire offensive and defensive lines. There are only 5 Seniors, but Coach Freeney notes that the leadership on the team is growing. Despite the lack of Seniors, the numbers are good with upper 40s to low 50s as far as the number of players

Gaffney, Head Coach Alphonso

Freeney, wide receiver/defensive back Christian Smith

in fall drills. Freeney says that there are new players out that will help the team, and they he expects this to be a really good defensive team. Freeney has put together a large staff of 12 coaches, including former Cleburne County, college, and arena football star Rocky Hayes.

Stadium: Jack Stewart Field

Wildcat linebacker Mykeese

Sand Rock Wildcats

CLASS, REGION: Class 2A, Region 7

HEAD COACH: Alan Heath

2022 RECORD: 4-6

Stadium: Russell Jacoway Stadium

Colors: Maroon & White

2022 REWIND

The Wildcats started the season with a pair of wins in their first four games over Cedar Bluff and Section. A couple of injuries derailed the team’s momentum and the extremely tough region proved to be another gauntlet. The Wildcats lost four consecutive games from mid-September into early October, but they stayed the course. Their perseverance paid off and Sand Rock ended the season with two convincing victories including a shutout over Whitesburg Christian in the season finale.

KEY LOSSES

Not only did the Wildcats lose a few players to graduation, the team lost a couple of their talents in the middle of the year. 2021 All-Region performer Trace Haygood (RB/WR) went down

early. Meanwhile starting QB Ace Ashley (2021 All-County and All-Region player) spent much of the season recovering from a torn ACL. Ashley threw for more than 2,000 yards in only six games. The lone game the duo played together was the team’s best win over Whitesburg Christian (33-0) to close the year. Sand Rock will also miss the play of WR/OLB Brian Giles and OL/DL Bradley Jackson, who finished the year as an AllCounty and All-Region player.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Wildcats will hand the offense to talented freshman QB Alec Ashley (Ace’s younger brother), who has shown tremendous upside in the offseason. Gatlin Cox returns after leading the team in receiving last year. Cox will play a “hybrid” role as a WR and

RB. It is worth noting Cox is the grandson of former legendary Sand Rock Head Coach and Hall of Famer Russell Jacoway.

2023 SEASON

Head Coach Alan Heath enters his fourth season at Sand Rock. The Wildcats will be young, but the team has a lot of promise going into the season. Sand Rock has just three seniors on the roster mixed in with eight juniors, five sophomores, and a deep class of freshmen (16). Despite the overall youth, the Wildcats will be experienced upfront. All five projected starters on the offensive line picked up significant playing time last year. If the Wildcats can remain healthy this season, young players will get valuable experience as the upperclassmen look to lead the team back to the postseason.

Wildcat Head Coach Alan Heath, wide receiver/cornerback Jimmy Cochran, offensive/defensive lineman Seth Holland, tight end/ defensive end Cam Gifford, guard/ linebacker Kane Robison

Southside Panthers

CLASS, REGION: Class 5A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Miles Holcomb

2022 RECORD: 5-6

Stadium: Barney Hood Stadium

Colors: Black & Cardinal

2022 REWIND

Southside won 5 of the first 6 to begin the 2022 season, before losing the last 4 to finish the regular season 5-5. The Panthers lost on the road to eventual state champion Ramsay in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.

KEY LOSSES

Southside lost 10 seniors from the 2022 team, but only 3 starters on offense and 3 on defense. Key leaders lost to graduation included receiver Cody Roberts, offensive lineman Mark Fuller, and kicker Abdullah Alabbasi.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

It all begins with multi-year starting quarterback Gage Nesmith. The senior signal caller is one of the most prolific QBs in Southside history. The ground game will be strong to with the return of running back Mason Teague. The 5’10, 190 Senior rushed for 1,500 yards last year. Left tackle Jamin Brown (6’5, 295) is only a junior and already has an offer from Kentucky. Center Jake Stewart also returns along the line.All three wide receivers return including Caden McMichael, Jordan Bryan, and Scotty Moates. The defense is led by the leadership of linebacker Tyton Rich and safety Koal Garrett.

2023 SEASON

The Panthers return 8 starters on offense and 9 on defense, and is an experienced, mature squad with 17 seniors. There are 91 players in the Southside program in grades 9-12. Head Coach Miles Holcomb says this is the most talented team he has had as a Head Coach and that he has a very good Senior group. Holcomb states, “We have a good opportunity this year to have a good season. I feel really good about this group.”

Panther quarterback Gage Nesmith, linebacker Tyton Rich, Head Coach Miles Holcomb, wide receiver Caden McMichael, center Jake Stewart

Spring Garden Panthers

CLASS, REGION: Class 1A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Barrett Ragsdale

2022 RECORD: 10-2

Stadium: Panther Stadium

Colors: Maroon & Gold

2022 REWIND

Spring Garden won another region title with a sparkling 9-1 regular season record. The Panthers won their firstround playoff game at home against South Lamar, but Coosa Christian came to the Garden and avenged a regular season loss to SG to end the Panther season at 10-2.

KEY LOSSES

The Panthers only lost 6 seniors and just 4 starters on offense and 2 on defense. Two of the key losses were defensive back/H-back Cam Welsh and First Team Class 1A All-State offensive lineman Mathias Williams. Spring Garden also lost the winningest coach in school history as long-time Head Coach Jason Howard left in the summer for a job at Coosa, GA.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Spring Garden returns lots of talent from one of the top teams in 1A in 2022. Chapel Pope developed into one of the best quarterbacks in 1A and running back Connor Bates had a breakout year last season. Running back/wide receiver combos include Junior Noah Barber, sophomore Clayton Sadler, and Junior Johnny Baker. John Welsh and Jacob Welsh will be bookend defensive ends. John will also start at wingback and Jacob will be the tight end. The line is led by the only Senior lineman Jacob Dempsey (6’1, 240), center Zac Scroggin (5’10, 230), Tanner Ruark, Hayes Garmon, and Mason Woods.

2023 SEASON

The Garden returns 7 offensive starters and 9 defensive starters,

Panther defensive end/tight end Jacob Welsh, wingback/defensive end John Welsh, Head Coach Barrett Ragsdale, offensive lineman Tanner Ruark, offensive lineman Jacob Dempsey

with only two Seniors, 11 Juniors, and a big sophomore class. The Panthers will play 9-10 players both ways. New Head Coach Barrett Ragsdale is a longtime SG assistant and moves up from being Defensive Coordinator. He still plans to call the defense. Ragsdale plans to use pretty much the same scheme and continue to have old school practices and to develop tough kids. Ragsdale says, “This if one of the best years ever for us in the weight room. We are much bigger and stronger.”

Talladega Tigers

CLASS, REGION: Class 4A, Region 4

HEAD COACH: Bill Smith

2022 RECORD: 0-10

Colors: Red & White

2022 REWIND

Talladega an 0-10 record in 2022. Talladega Head Coach Bill Smith said that a winless 2022 was not what he expected in his first year with the Tigers. “Our players realized that there are no shortcuts to building a successful program. We needed plenty of work in the weight room to get stronger. It goes further than that though. We want to build a winning culture in the hallways, on the practice field, and when no one is watching. We have some great character kids,” said Smith.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Tigers will once again field a young squad with only 4 seniors on the roster. Senior Jayden Dates missed the 2022 campaign after dislocating both knee caps in fall practice. “It

was tough not being out there. Several people said they would understand if I didn’t play again. I love football and there was no question that I was going to finish,” said Dates. Jackson Burel is expected to be the starter at quarterback when the Tigers open the season. He’s also an outstanding talent as both punter and kicker. On the line, Austin Coleman has provided great leadership throughout the off-season.

2023 SEASON

Coach Bill Smith says that the 2023 Tigers will be muchimproved compared to 2022. “How that translates to the win column remains to be seen,” Smith said. He calls the Tigers’ schedule the “toughest schedule in the state.” High school fans in the area would

tend to agree. Class 4A, Region 4 will once again be loaded with great teams. “Rico Jackson is a great friend of mine and he’s taking over at Anniston. I know that he’ll have them ready. Coach Strain at Handley has been turning out great teams for a long time. They’ll be physical and talented. Jacksonville has a great team coming back. Top to bottom this region will be a war every week. There are no nights off,” said Smith. The non-region schedule will not provide any breaks. The Tigers will open up the 2023 season against county rival Lincoln on August 25th. Wellborn will visit the Tigers in mid-season. Talladega will wrap up the regular season with trips to Alexandria and Saks.

Stadium: Mary Dumas Stadium

Talladega County Central Fighting Tigers

CLASS, REGION: Class 1A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Acardia Garrett

2022 RECORD: 0-10

Stadium: Alumni Field

Colors: Royal Blue & Gold

2022 REWIND

Talladega County Central posted an 0-10 record in 2022. The Tigers have not left the field victorious since 2018.

KEY LOSSES

The Tigers will be full of experience this fall after losing just one player to graduation. “We just need to see some success on the field. Some of these guys have not won a game in their career. We have a strong core group and they have worked extremely hard this summer. They have pushed and pulled each other because these guys are ready to change the mentality of TCC football,” Garrett said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Tigers will be an experienced team this fall but still young. Only 2 seniors dot the roster in 2023. QB Jhovy Cole returns in 2023 after suffering a season-ending knee injury last fall. Running backs Javari McKenzie and Patrick Dosius look to get the majority of opportunities in the rushing attack. Defense has been the focus during the off-season for the Tigers’ staff after the Tigers gave up over 40 points a game last season. “We need guys that want to tackle and want to play on that side of the football. We have to be more physical this fall,” added Garrett.

2023 SEASON

TCC is one of the smallest football-playing schools in the state. The current AHSAA classification shows the school with 60 high school students compared to the largest 1A school with more than double that number (148). Acardia Garrett is entering his second season as head coach and knows the importance of the roster numbers. “We are looking at the possibility of 25 players this fall. That would be a huge number for us. In 1A football, one injury to a key player and that’s 3-4 spots you need to fill. We have to focus so much on conditioning because some of my guys rarely come off the field,” said Garrett.

Victory Christian Lions

CLASS, REGION: Class 1A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Terry Etheredge

2022 RECORD: 4-6

2022 REWIND

Victory Christian posted a 4-6 record in 2022 and were one win away from making the playoffs for the first time since 2019. The Lions opened 2-0, but lost 6 of the last 8.

KEY LOSSES

The Lions will be looking to fill some big shoes on the offensive line. Connor Denson graduated in May and has taken his talents to Faulkner. Drew Niblett was also a big contributor in the trenches for the Lions last season. Defensively, linebacker Cameron Cheatwood will be missed in the heart of the defense.

COACH SPEAK

Head Coach Terry Etheredge, the brother of Auburn and former Oxford Head Coach Keith Etheredge, enters his first

season at Victory Christian and has been impressed with the leadership and work ethic that he has found. “We have guys that are not going to quit. They are led by a Godly coaching staff that lead in the right way. We feel like we are headed in the right direction. Our theme is “Why Not Us?”, said Etheredge.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

RB Kaden Dixon will be counted on to lead the Lions’ rushing attack in his senior season. He’ll be joined in the backfield by junior Shepard Sargent, who returns at quarterback and brings plenty of speed to the offense. H-back Cayden Brunson provides a great blocker and tough runner.

Braden Holiday and Asa Warren lead the receiving corp. At 6’5” 285 lbs., Senior William WilsonHueter will provide the size

to be a force in the trenches. Defensively, OLB Jaden Hicks is expected to make big plays. The secondary features CB Isaac Baker and Safety Alex Hoggard.

2023 SEASON

RB Kaden Dixon will be counted on to lead the Lions’ rushing attack in his senior season. He’ll be joined in the backfield by junior Shepard Sargent, who returns at quarterback and brings plenty of speed to the offense. H-back Cayden Brunson provides a great blocker and tough runner. Braden Holiday and Asa Warren lead the receiving corp. At 6’5” 285 lbs., Senior William WilsonHueter will provide the size to be a force in the trenches. Defensively, OLB Jaden Hicks is expected to make big plays. The secondary features CB Isaac Baker and Safety Alex Hoggard.

Stadium: Richard Adams Stadium

Colors: Blue & Orange

Lion athlete Reed Martin, Head Coach Terry Etheredge, athlete Kaden Dixon

Walter Wellborn Panthers

CLASS, REGION: Class 3A, Region 4

HEAD COACH: Jeff Smith

2022 RECORD: 6-5

Stadium: Wellborn Stadium

Colors: Black & White

2022 REWIND

Wellborn posted a 6-5 record and finished 4th in Class 3A Region 4 in 2022. The Panthers fell 54-7 to eventual Class 3A State Champion St. James in Montgomery in round one of the playoffs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Wellborn roster features 11 seniors including quarterback Noah Screws. The name “Screws” has a long-standing tradition in Wellborn football and the latest doesn’t shy from his surname. “I have a lot of my family that has played at Wellborn. It’s a sense of pride and I want to do my part to keep the tradition going,” said Screws. “I’ve been watching him play since he was in midget

football. He has not missed a workout in two years. Noah has the full respect of our team,” said Head Coach Jeff Smith. Screws will be joined in the backfield by Jabarri Williams, C.J. Hubbard, Brennen Talley, and the versatile Caleb McCurry. Kyle Bright will also see action in the backfield as well as wide receiver. 6’3” Andrew Salter, who was a ball boy for the Panthers in elementary school, is a key leader on the offensive front. Look for Kentavious Truss, Will Phillips, and Dozer Hayes to play key spots in the trenches. “We have an experienced offensive front. We should have a little more size and our technique has improved this off-season. I really think they

could be the strength of our team,” said Smith. Defensively, Ethan Carroll and Zakaryia Montgomery will lead the Panthers this fall.

2023 SEASON

Wellborn will once again compete in Class 3A, Region 4, as Head Coach Jeff Smith begins his 15th season at Wellborn. Coach Smith refers to the region as a “gauntlet.” The Panthers will visit Dadeville, Randolph County, and Weaver this fall. Beulah, Childersburg and Weaver will all get to experience “The Hill” in 2023. Wellborn kicks off the season with the much-anticipated showdown at Anniston on August 25th.

Panther quarterback Noah Screws, Head Coach Jeff Smith, offensive/ defensive tackle Andrew Salter

Weaver Bearcats

CLASS, REGION: Class 3A, Region 4

HEAD COACH: Ken Cofer

2022 RECORD: 2-8

Colors: Red, Black & Gray

2022 REWIND

Weaver posted a 2-8 record in 2022. The Bearcats have seen only three wins in the past four seasons. Head Coach Gary Atchley left in the off-season for a job at Jacksonville. New Head Coach Ken Cofer becomes the 3rd head coach at Weaver in the last 5 years.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Gooden’s return at quarterback is a huge key for the 2023 Bearcats. With a Marshall University offer in hand, Gooden is expected to lead the offense with his elusiveness and explosive plays. “He’s also a great leader for not just the offense, but the entire team,” Cofer said. Keyshawn Allen will also play a huge role in the offense from his wide receiver position, but could see action at

several different spots this fall. Richard Knowlton and Brandon Jolliff will lead the offensive front and also spend time on the defensive side. Cofer is expecting big seasons from defensive lineman Christian Marturello and linebacker Gabe King. “Our guys will compete. I can promise you that. Our practices are designed to be tough. I want the games to be fun so we have to put the work in every week in practice,” Cofer said.

2023 SEASON

After finding plenty of success as a head coach in Georgia, Cofer has spent the past two seasons as offensive coordinator at Cleburne County. According to Cofer, “The leadership bug kind of bit me a little bit. I just really wanted to

lead my own program again.” Cofer inherits a program that has seen some hard times recently. Cofer has been in similar situations in his career and has taken off-season workouts to a new level. Bearcat quarterback Kaden Gooden called Cofer “very intense but a coach that really cares about us.” Weaver will open the 2023 season with a trio of road trips. After the season opener at Donoho, the Bearcats head to Glencoe and Region 4 foe Dadeville. The region schedule also features road trips to Randolph County and Wellborn. Childersburg, Saks and Beulah will make visits to Bill Bryan Stadium.

Stadium: Bill Bryan Stadium

Bearcat offensive lineman/linebacker Richard Knowlton, Head Coach Ken Cofer, quarterback/defensive back Kaden Gooden

West End Patriots

CLASS, REGION: Class 2A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Derrick Sewell

2022 RECORD: 7-4

Stadium: Patriot Stadium

Colors: Red, White & Blue

2022 REWIND

After five straight losing seasons and a five-year playoff drought, West End had a breakout season in 2022. The Patriots began 3-0 and propelled that success into a 7-4 season that ended with a first round Class 2A playoff loss at Aliceville.

KEY LOSSES

West End graduated 13 seniors, including five starters each on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The Patriots lost quarterback Tyler Jones and receiver Thad Pierce, tight end Eli Golden, and 3 starting offensive linemen.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Names to watch in Walnut Grove this season include Sophomore quarterback Jaxon Hamby (6’0, 185), who was

a Second Team 2A All-State player at safety as a freshman, Junior offensive lineman Jayden Dumas (5’7, 190), who is the heart of the line, Junior noseguard Jackson Price (6’4, 275), receiver/cornerback Tristan Chaney, receiver/outside linebacker Kane Lawson, and running back/outside linebacker Rocko Sainsbury.

2023 SEASON

The Patriots will break in a new quarterback and return only two offensive linemen in 2023. The Pats will also have a new kicker and kick returner. Overall, West End returns 6 starters each on both offense and defense, with 8 seniors on the team. Head Coach Derrick Sewell believes his team should be able to have separate offensive and defensive lines, which is huge

Patriot running back/outside linebacker Rocko Sainsbury, wide receiver/cornerback Tristan Chaney, wide receiver/outside linebacker

Kane Lawson

in Class 2A football. Sewell says the success of last year is paying off with this year’s team, “They see the results of hard work has led to the success we had last season. Now our young guys have to be ready to elevate their game to replace 13 Seniors.”

Coach Sewell believes that West End is one of 5-6 teams that could compete for the title in Class 2A, Region 6 with Locust Fork the favorite with the most returnees.

Westbrook Warriors

CLASS, REGION: Class 3A, Region 6

HEAD COACH: Steve Smith

2022 RECORD: 5-5

Colors: Red & White

2022 REWIND

Westbrook won their first three games in 2022, lost 5 of the next 6, and closed the season with a big win over White Plains to finish 5-5. 3 of the 5 losses came by 3 points each in Class 3A, Region 6 play.

KEY LOSSES

The Warriors lost 13 seniors, including 8 starters on offense and 7 on defense. The graduated Seniors included QB Mason Coley, the all-time leading rusher in school history RB Carmichael Catling, FB C.J. Townsel, and WR Hugh Wendell. WCS also saw the retirement of Head Coach Drew Noles, who is now if ministry work.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Players to watch in 2023 for Westbrook include offensive lineman Aiden Brown, linebacker Nolan Terrell, linebacker Hazmah Alabassi, cornerback Nolan Wright, receiver Cooper Greer, receiver Hunter Arnold, and defensive back Ethan Daffron. The quarterback spot will come down to Greyson Carroll and Bo Kilgo.

2023 SEASON

Westbrook returns just 3 starters on offense and 4 on defense from last year’s team. WCS will return 15 Seniors and they have 51 players in the program in grades 9-12. New Head Coach Steve Smith comes to Rainbow

City from an ultra- successful at Piedmont and Cedar Bluff. Smith has put together a top notch and veteran coaching staff, and will also have some of the best facilities in the state at his disposal. The Warriors were just a few points away from 8 wins in 2022, so it will not be a shock if the Warriors surprise some folks in 2023.

Stadium: Jack Osborn Stadium

White Plains Wildcats

CLASS, REGION: Class 4A, Region 4

HEAD COACH: Blake Jennings

2022 RECORD: 2-8

Colors: Royal Blue & White

2022 REWIND

White Plains posted a 2-8 record in 2022. The Wildcats have not had a non-losing season since 2013. The last winning season was in 2003, and the last state playoff berth came in 1994.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Wildcat roster is juniorheavy and only features two seniors. One of those in the Class of 2025 is quarterback Dylan Barksdale. The QB will be relied on heavily this fall to provide plenty of leadership and big plays. New Head Coach Blake Jennings also expects big things from Dalton Luker who will see action on the offensive line as well as linebacker. Junior Ty Roberts should also be a force in the

trenches this season. Jennings also said that sophomore Rodney Perry has had an impressive off-season and is expected to contribute on both sides of the ball. “I really like these guys. They are so coachable and have done everything that has been asked of them. They work hard every single day,” said Jennings.

2023 SEASON

Blake Jennings takes over the Wildcat program after serving as Defensive Coordinator at Ohatchee. This will be Jennings’ first season in a head coaching role. “When you get in this business, get in this profession, this is about building relationships with kids. At the end of the day, kids are kids, and being a leader

and leading them in the right direction, it isn’t a title or any of that stuff. It’s being around them and doing things the right way”, said Jennings.

White Plains fans will have to wait until mid-September to see the home uniforms. The Wildcats open up the season with road trips to Ranburne and Oak Grove before an open date on September 8. The Handley Tigers will visit Robertson Field on September 15 to kick off the Class 4A region 4 schedule. “This region is extremely tough every year. This is the by far the toughest region in Class 4A, if not in any class,” Jennings said.

Stadium: Robertson Field

Wildcat offensive lineman/linebacker Dalton Luker, Head Coach Blake Jennings, quarterback/free safety Dylan Barksdale

Woodland Bobcats

CLASS, REGION: Class 2A, Region 4

HEAD COACH: Joel Schrenk

2022 RECORD: 1-9

Stadium: Sewell Field

Colors: Orange & Navy

2022 REWIND

The first season at Woodland for head coach Joel Schrenk was taxing, as he had just over two months to install his system and ideas. The late start would translate into a 1-9 regular season finish and a 1-6 record in Class 2A, Region 4.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Bobcats are expected to be an improved bunch this season. Last year’s team only graduated two seniors, and Schrenk has had one full year to work with the team. Several key players such as Colt Burge, Noah Waites, Brody Collins, David Noles, and Christopher Butler return, but Schrenk has been excited to watch the growth in confidence and maturity in second-year quarterback Callen Gay. As is customary in 2A football, the before-mentioned players

will also be impact players on defense.

2023 SEASON

Year two of the Schrenk era will see new schemes on the field, but it is the off-field additions that will bring out the most in the Bobcats. One of which features an evaluation program that combines ten key attributes which include performance in the classroom, weight room, and speed of each player. Each player has been given a “Madden score” based on their output in those areas. The second addition is a leadership program titled “The Captain’s Council,” which is a similar model to the NFL Players Association. Bobcat players voted for leaders of the council, and those players will have a say in the day-today decisions that need to be made within the program.

On the field, the Bobcats will go through the gauntlet of 2A, Region 4, which features Thorsby, Vincent, Isabella, and 2A state runner-up B.B. Comer. The region was tough last year, and you can expect more of the same in 2023. Overall, Woodland fans can expect to see an improved team in all aspects this season from strength to the mental side of the game. “I think we will definitely be more improved and more competitive. The mental side of that is important, which is why I pour into that. That will also help the physical side,” Schrenk said. “We are going to be bigger, faster, and stronger. We are not where we need to be or where we want to be, but we are bigger, faster, and stronger.”

The OGLES of Jacksonville

A Father/Son Coaching Dream Come True

When one envisions places where dreams come true, thoughts often turn to some exotic foreign land or maybe a place like New York, Los Angeles, Hawaii, or even Disney. In the wonderful and sometimes strange world of football, dreams can come true in the unlikeliest of places, say maybe a place like Jacksonville, Alabama. This is the story of a football family that is enjoying a lifelong dream unfolding right now in East Alabama.

Jimmy Ogle was Knoxville, Tennessee to the core. Born and raised in the home of the Tennessee Volunteers, Ogle graduated from Bearden High School in 1991 where he was a linebacker, tight end, and long snapper. He took his snapping skills across town to walk

on for the Tennessee Vols from 1991-93, and became a student assistant and stayed on staff for Head Coach Phil Fulmer and Offensive Coordinator David Cutcliffe from 94-97 working with quarterbacks and tight ends. He stayed in Knoxville and coached at Central High School of Knoxville in ’98-99. “In college I knew I wanted to be a coach. I was at Tennessee with great players like Peyton Manning and Todd Helton. I coached under Phil Fulmer, David Cutcliffe, and Randy Sanders. They made me the coach I am today,” said Ogle. As a new century dawned, an opportunity to coach college football again presented itself at Jacksonville State University. “I 100% did not know anything about JSU or Jacksonville, Alabama. Coach Fulmer and Coach

Cutcliffe talked to Coach (Jack) Crowe at JSU and I came down to Jax State to coach tight ends.” Ogle would stay on staff at JSU for 21 years, meet and marry wife Kaci in 2004, see daughter Abbie graduate from Jacksonville High School in 2017, and will see son Jim graduate in 2024. Ogle served as tight ends and running backs coach, until moving up to Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator in 2014.

When then JSU Head Coach John Grass moved over to Clemson in 2021, Coach Ogle landed at Jacksonville High School as Offensive Line Coach. The same high school where Jim was a rising junior quarterback for the 2022 season. Coach Ogle states, “I always dreamed of coaching Jim. I was secretly hoping to get a chance to coach him in college. I never dreamed I would get the chance in high school. It is truly a blessing to have this time with him. I am thankful to Coach Smith (JHS Head Coach Clint) and Coach Edwards (JHS OC Jamison) for bringing me into their family and giving me the opportunity. We are just grateful we did not have to move and could stay in Jacksonville. This time has brought us all closer together as a family.”

The younger Ogle, like most coaches’ sons has known nothing but football his entire life. Jim was born on a Tuesday and was at a JSU game (sleeping) on that Thursday night. He began playing football as early as 4. He started off in youth league play as a defensive end, but after practice one day the coach wanted to try him at quarterback. “I have always dreamed of playing on Saturdays. I had been around college players, big crowds, games on television. By my freshman year, I really wanted to play at the next level,” says Jim. His dad says, “He always wanted to play football. He did not play video games or with toys, it was always all ball-baseball, football, basketball. When he was smaller it was whatever sport was next, but football took over as he got older. When he was 9, 10, 11 years old he went on road trips with us, watched film, went to walk-throughs with the JSU team. Since he was 6, he has always played quarterback. He would spend hours in the yard throwing the ball with anybody that would throw with him.” All of that work, time, and effort has paid off. Jim has thrown for just two yards short of 6,000 yards and 65 touchdowns with his Senior year still to come.

He is committed to play FBS football for Troy, who finished in the Top 25 in 2022.

So now that Jim and Jimmy are on the same team, what does that relationship look like on a daily basis at practice and games? Coach Ogle says, “I told Coach Smith I did not want to coach QBs. Coach Edwards is the OC and calls the plays. I do my best to let Coach Edwards handle Jim, I just try to be there to help. Edwards and Jim have a great relationship and had been together for 3 years before I came. Coach Edwards and I are good friends and work well together.” In games it can get crazy sometimes. Coach Ogle said, “There are times I know I go crazy when Jim does something good. When something bad happens, I try to give both of us a chance to calm down and fix the problem. It is a fine line between being a coach and being a dad. You can cross that line quickly.” Quarterback Ogle says, “If he sees something in a game, he will make a suggestion. Both Coach Edwards and my dad work well together and both have helped me and our offense. The best part is when I do something I shouldn’t I know he will get on me, but also give me a hug after the game regardless of the outcome. That hug is from a dad, not a coach.”

The best memory so far of father coaching son was the Alexandria game at Lou Scales Stadium in Death Valley to open the ’22 season. Coach Edwards became sick the day of the game and was forced to stay at home and miss the game with the Golden Eagles’ arch-rivals. That meant Coach Ogle had to step up and call the plays. Jim had a great night and Jacksonville won the game 24-10, avenging a 42-6 loss just a year before. Coach says, “I hate that Coach Edwards

was sick, but you could have given us a million dollars and we would not have been happier on that night.” Jim agreed, “Dad called me to the office the day of the game and told me Coach Edwards was sick and that he would have to call plays that night. He teared up and it was just a memorable moment. After the game he gave me a big hug and the entire team surrounded us and cheered us on.”

With Jim’s Senior season looming, it is not lost on either Ogle how special this time in life is. Coach Ogle summarizes, “I 100% never thought I would have the chance to coach him. No matter how this year turns out, we will have made our name proud. I am going to be sad when it is over. A lot of people work 9 to 5 and come home and never get to spend time together with family. Having my family there on Friday nights is special. It has been real fun and I hope this will be a special year for him and I know it will be for me. It is my hope that Jim knows now, and will always know, that this was the best time of my life”

Jim shares the same sentiments, “I thought it would be cool to maybe play for him in college, but never dreamed I would play for him in high school. It took me off guard. It truly is a blessing. We prayed about it, but I cannot describe it. It does not seem real. It has been a blessing for me, him, and our family. At Picture Day we stayed and talked afterwards. Time truly does fly by. Nothing will ever compare to having fun and playing with your friends, and my dad coaching me-this is the year that I will remember forever.”

Who knew that Jacksonville, Alabama was a place where dreams come true….? ►

week by week schedules

Thursday, August 24th

• Ashville at St. Clair County

• Cedar Bluff at Winterboro

• Etowah at Springville

• Sylacauga at Wenonah

• Saks at Ohatchee

• Coosa Christian at Geraldine

Friday, August 25th

• Alexandria at Cherokee County

• Walter Wellborn at Anniston

• Childersburg at Munford

• Dadeville at B.B. Comer

• Weaver at Donoho

• Gadsden City at G.W. CarverMontgomery

• Gaston at Asbury

• Gaylesville at West End

• Jacksonville at Boaz

• Tuscaloosa Christian at Jacksonville Christian

• Lincoln at Talladega

• Oxford at McAdory

• Pell City at Moody

• Vincent at Ragland

• White Plains at Ranburne

• Spring Garden at Sand Rock

• Southside at Guntersville

• Tarrant at Talladega County Central

• Victory Christian at Woodland

• Pope St. John II Catholic at Westbrook Christian

Thursday, August 31st

• Hokes Bluff at Southside

Friday, September 1st

• Alexandria at Jacksonville

• Anniston at Andalusia

• Ashville at Lincoln

• Cedar Bluff at Sand Rock

• Central-Clay County at Benjamin Russell

• Cherokee County at Piedmont

• B.B. Comer at Childersburg

• Cleburne County at Northside

• Coosa Christian at Spring Garden

• Pleasant Valley at Donoho

• Fort Payne at Etowah

• Verbena at Fayetteville

• Hewitt-Trussville at Gadsden City

• Appalachian at Gaston

• Collinsville at Gaylesville

• Weaver at Glencoe

• Jacksonville Christian at Tabernacle

• Ohatchee at Walter Wellborn

• Huntsville at Oxford

• Leeds at Pell City

• Southeastern at Ragland

• Ranburne at Wadley

• Woodland at Randolph County

• Sylvania at Saks

• Moody at Sylacauga

• Talladega County Central at Central-Coosa

• Whitesburg Christian at Victory Christian

• White Plains at Oak Grove

• Winterboro at Vincent

Thursday, September 7th

• Elmore County at Sylacauga

Friday, September 8th

• Moody at Alexandria

• Munford at Anniston

• Etowah at Ashville

• Cedar Bluff at Woodville

• Tallassee at Central-Clay County

• Cherokee County at Good Hope

• Randolph County at Childersburg

• Cleburne County at Talladega

• Woodland at B.B. Comer

• Coosa Christian at Gaylesville

• Donoho at Ragland

• Fayetteville at Ranburne

• Gadsden City at Buckhorn

• Gaston at Southeastern

• Glencoe at Hokes Bluff

• Jacksonville at Handley

• Southside at Lincoln

• Westbrook Christian at Ohatchee

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• Oxford at Shades Valley

• Clay-Chalkville at Pell City

• Piedmont at Sylvania

• West End at Pleasant Valley

• Saks at Beulah

• Sand Rock at Pisgah

• Spring Garden at Wadley

• Talladega County Central at Victory Christian

• Weaver at Dadeville

Friday, September 15th

• Lincoln at Alexandria

• Anniston at Jacksonville

• Ashville at Hanceville

• Boaz at Cleburne County

• Gaylesville at Cedar Bluff

• Central-Clay County at Elmore County

• Oneonta at Cherokee County

• Childersburg at Weaver

• B.B. Comer at Ranburne

• Decatur Heritage at Coosa Christian

• Wadley at Donoho

• Fultondale at Etowah

• Vincent at Fayetteville

• Fort Payne at Gadsden City

• Glencoe at Westbrook Christian

• Hokes Bluff at Geraldine

• Victory Christian, MS at Jacksonville Christian

• Talladega at Munford

• Sylvania at Ohatchee

• Huffman at Oxford

• Center Point at Pell City

• Piedmont at Plainview

• Pleasant Valley at Holly Pond

• Randolph County at Ragland

• Dadeville at Saks

• Section at Sand Rock

• Springville at Southside

• Victory Christian at Spring Garden

• Sylacauga at Valley

• Winterboro at Talladega County Central

• Beulah at Walter Wellborn

• Handley at White Plains

• Woodland at Thorsby

Thursday, September 21st

• Vincent at B.B. Comer

Friday, September 22nd

• Alexandria at Springville

• White Plains at Anniston

• Cedar Bluff at Decatur Heritage

• Handley at Central-Clay County

• Hanceville at Cherokee County

• Saks at Childersburg

• Munford at Cleburne County

• Coosa Christian at Valley Head

• Donoho at Victory Christian

• Etowah at Good Hope

• Isabella at Fayetteville

week by week schedules

• Gadsden City at Hartselle

• West End at Gaston

• Appalachian at Gaylesville

• Plainview at Glencoe

• Jacksonville at Talladega

• Jacksonville Christian at Russell Christian, MS

• Lincoln at Moody

• Ohatchee at Piedmont

• Oxford at Pinson Valley

• Cleveland at Pleasant Valley

• Ragland at Wadley

• Ranburne at Woodland

• Weaver at Randolph County

• Collinsville at Sand Rock

• Southside at St. Clair County

• Spring Garden at Winterboro

• Trinity Presbyterian at Sylacauga

• Walter Wellborn at Dadeville

Thursday, September 28th

• Anniston at Piedmont

• Cherokee County at Munford

Friday, September 29th

• Central-Clay County at Alexandria

• Hayden at Ashville

• Cedar Bluff at Spring Garden

• Childersburg at Vincent

• Reeltown at Cleburne County

• Saks at B.B. Comer

• Heritage Academy, MS at Coosa Christian

• Fayetteville at Horseshoe Bend

• Gadsden City at HillcrestTuscaloosa

• Gaston at Collinsville

• Victory Christian at Gaylesville

• Glencoe at Holly Pond

• Hokes Bluff at White Plains

• Jacksonville at Ohatchee

• Oxford at Hartselle

• Pell City at Eufaula

• Ragland at Pleasant Valley

• Wadley at Randolph County

• Sand Rock at West End

• Boaz at Southside

• Sylacauga at Leeds

• Walter Wellborn at Talladega

• Sumiton Christian at Talladega County Central

• Asbury at Weaver

• Section at Westbrook Christian

• Winterboro at Oakman

Thursday, October 5th

• Winterboro at Donoho

Friday, October 6th

• St. Clair County at Alexandria

• Anniston at Handley

• Ashville at Fultondale

• Valley Head at Cedar Bluff

• Valley at Central-Clay County

• Childersburg at Walter Wellborn

• Cleburne County at Jacksonville

• B.B. Comer at Isabella

• Oneonta at Etowah

• Hazel Green at Gadsden City

• Gaston at Holly Pond

• Gaylesville at Woodville

• Sylvania at Glencoe

• Hokes Bluff at Plainview

• Success Unlimited at Jacksonville Christian

• Munford at Lincoln

• Geraldine at Ohatchee

• Pell City at Oxford

• Westbrook Christian at Piedmont

• Pleasant Valley at Locust Fork

• Victory Christian at Ragland

• Ranburne at Vincent

• Randolph County at Saks

• Sand Rock at North Sand Mountain

• Leeds at Southside

• Spring Garden at Talladega County Central

• Beauregard at Sylacauga

• Talladega at White Plains

• Central-Coosa at Woodland

Friday, October 13th

• Alexandria at Leeds

• Ashville at Good Hope

• Cedar Bluff at Coosa Christian

• Sylacauga at Central-Clay County

• Fultondale at Cherokee County

• Beulah at Childersburg

• White Plains at Cleburne County

• Thorsby at B.B. Comer

• Donoho at Talladega County Central

• Etowah at Hanceville

• Central-Coosa at Fayetteville

• Mae Jemison at Gadsden City

• Cleveland at Gaston

• Glencoe at Piedmont

• Ohatchee at Hokes Bluff

• Jacksonville at Munford

• Cornerstone at Jacksonville Christian

• Springville at Lincoln

• Shades Valley at Pell City

• Pleasant Valley at Spring Garden

• Ragland at Winterboro

• Ranburne at Isabella

• Walter Wellborn at Randolph County

• Saks at Weaver

• Sand Rock at Fyffe

• Handley at Talladega

• Wadley at Victory Christian

• Geraldine at Westbrook Christian

• Woodland at Vincent

Thursday, October 19th

• Woodland at Fayetteville

Friday, October 20th

• Alexandria at Southside

• Talladega at Anniston

• Oneonta at Ashville

• Central-Clay County at Beauregard

• Cherokee County at Etowah

• Childersburg at Dadeville

• Cleburne County at Handley

• B.B Comer at Central-Coosa

• Coosa Christian at Appalachian

• Spring Garden at Donoho

• Gadsden City at R.E. LeeHuntsville

• Locust Fork at Gaston

• Gaylesville at Decatur Heritage

• Glencoe at Ohatchee

• Sylvania at Hokes Bluff

• Jacksonville Christian at New Life Christian

• Lincoln at St. Clair County

• Munford at White Plains

• Clay-Chalkville at Oxford

• Huffman at Pell City

• Piedmont at Geraldine

• Pleasant Valley at Southeastern

• Talladega County Central at Ragland

• Thorsby at Ranburne

• Randolph County at Beulah

• Ider at Sand Rock

• Tallassee at Sylacauga

• Weaver at Walter Wellborn

• Westbrook Christian at Plainview

• Winterboro at Wadley

Thursday, October 26th

• Victory Christian at Winterboro

Friday, October 27th

• Talladega at Alexandria

• Anniston at Cleburne County

• Cherokee County at Ashville

• Appalachian at Cedar Bluff

• Russell County at Central-Clay County

• Fayetteville at B.B. Comer

• Woodville at Coosa Christian

• Etowah at Cullman

• Calera at Gadsden City

• Gaston at Pleasant Valley

• Gaylesville at Valley Head

• Geraldine at Glencoe

• Hokes Bluff at Piedmont

• White Plains at Jacksonville

• Leeds at Lincoln

• Handley at Munford

• Ohatchee at Plainview

• Center Point at Oxford

• Pell City at Pinson Valley

• Ragland at Spring Garden

• Ranburne at Central-Coosa

• Dadeville at Randolph County

• Walter Wellborn at Saks

• Sand Rock at Whitesburg

Christian

• Southside at Moody

• Wadley at Talladega County Central

• Beulah at Weaver

• Sylvania at Westbrook Christian

• Isabella at Woodland

Thursday, November 2nd

• Talladega County Central at Gaylesville

• Weaver at Pleasant Valley

Friday, November 3rd

• Munford at Ashville

• Donoho at Cedar Bluff

• Central-Clay County at Wetumpka

• Fort Payne at Cherokee County

• Childersburg at Winterboro

• Cleburne County at Walter Wellborn

• Coosa Christian at Victory Christian

• Southside at Etowah

• Holy Spirit Catholic at Fayetteville

• Brindlee Mountain at Gaston

• West End at Glencoe

• Sardis at Hokes Bluff

• Oxford at Jacksonville

• Lincoln at Beauregard

• Pell City at Springville

• Sylacauga at Piedmont

• Randolph County at Ranburne

• Talladega at Saks

• Westbrook Christian at White Plains

• Wadley at Woodland

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