By John Goolsby For the Tribune
CLAY – Redemption. That is the theme of the 2023 ClayChalkville Cougars. The 2022 season came to a premature end with a 7-6 upset loss to Parker in the first round of the playoffs.
The Cougars, 8-1 and ranked number two in 6A at the time, were looking for back-to-back state championships after claiming the 2021 title.
Clay-Chalkville enters this season loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Six of the top 41 players in the state will be on the field for the Cougars this fall.
Clay will be led by fivestar and Alabama commit Jaylen Mbakwe. The 5-foot11, 171-pound Mbakwe, the number two player in the state, will be extremely busy on Friday nights playing quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back, and returning kicks. Mbakwe has elite speed, 10.56 in the 100-meter dash, and won state championships last year in the 60m, 100m, 200m, and 4X100m relay.
Four-star JacQawn McRoy, a 6-foot-8, 365-pound tackle, will anchor the offensive line. McRoy, an Oregon commit, is ranked number eleven in the state.
Four-star Mario Craver will be a significant part of the offense. Craver, like Mbakwe, has blazing speed, 10.8 in the 100-meter dash. He finished fifth in 6A in the 100m and second in the long jump with a 23-1.5. Carver is the 17thranked player in Alabama and has narrowed his choices to Florida, Auburn and Ole Miss.
Three-star and Auburn commitment D’angelo “DJ” Barber will anchor the defense. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker led the Cougars with 145 tackles last year. Barber is ranked 29th in the state.
Kamari McClelland re-
turns at quarterback for the Cougars. The three-star signal caller, ranked 37th in the state, holds offers from Auburn, Missouri, and Georgia Tech. Parker transfer Tevis Metcalf is one of the top defensive backs in the state. The three-star has committed to Arkansas and will join his older brother in Fayetteville. Metcalf is ranked number 41 in the state.
Junior Aaron Osley will be returning as running back after a big sophomore season.
Senior defensive back Deion Gunn has been a rock in the Cougar secondary since 2021. He currently holds offers from Marshall, Southeastern Missouri, Austin Peay, Alabama A&M, UTC, UT Martin, and Alcorn State.
The Cougar coaching staff suspected that this senior class would make an impact. “We’ve known since seventh grade that this was going to be a really special group,” said Clay head coach Drew Gilmer.
“The leadership and the experience that this group brings is something that you don’t normally see at the high school level,” he said.
In the trenches, the Cougars return four starting offensive linemen and one starting defensive lineman.
Junior offensive lineman AJ Williams has received offers from Marshall, UNA, and Austin Peay.
Transfers will strengthen the Cougars. Seniors Rod and Carlos Ivy, Pinson transfers,
will provide immediate help at the linebacker position.
Rod Ivy holds offers from Austin Peay, UTC, Alcorn State, and Southeastern Missouri.
The Cougars will face defending 7A state champion Thompson on September 28 in a nationally televised game on ESPN. Thompson has won the 7A title four years in a row.
The Cougars narrowly lost to the Warriors 17-14 last year.
The Cougars will be road warriors this season as they
will only play two home games. Gilmer and his staff continue to build on to one of the top programs in the state. “We try to show up every day and give these kids the best opportunity to win,” he said. “We want to do whatever we can to give these kids the best possible high school football experience.”
Clay opens the season on August 25th with a trip to Lions Pride Stadium to take on Briarwood Christian.
By Zack Steele For the Tribune
TRUSSVILLE – In year 9 of the Josh Floyd era at Hewitt Trussville, the Huskies are hungry for something more. In Floyd’s tenure, Hewitt has made the playoffs in 8 of those nine years. Since 2014, Floyd has molded Hewitt into one of the best programs in the state, with teams that regularly ranked in the top 5 in 7A every season.
Unfortunately, in those 9 years Hewitt has never made it past the quarterfinal round. In 7A, the road to the state championship usually goes through Hoover, and more recently, Thompson High of Alabaster. Those two teams are normally one and two in the state. Both schools happen to fall in Hewitt’s region year in and year out.
Add those two schools with the likes of Vestavia and Spain Park, and you get the toughest region in Alabama high school sports.
Still, Coach Floyd likes what he has with his 2023 squad, especially considering the returning players on offense.
Reigning All State quarterback Peyton Floyd leads an experienced backfield, including senior running back Jaqson Melton. Tight End/H back Donovan Price gives Floyd a big target for possession downs. Price was voted second team all state as a junior. Hewitt also returns several experienced receivers with 25 or more career receptions. The passing game should be potent.
“We have high expectations every year for our offense, but especially this season since we have so many returners. Our offensive line improved throughout last season and had a really good off season.”
Hewitt’s offensive line is anchored by 4 year starter
Kade Martin, who can play multiple positions on the line. The focus of the offensive line is getting bigger and playing more physical.
“They have definitely gotten stronger over the last few months and we should have some pretty good size up front.” said Floyd Defensively, the Huskies have a few more questions to answer. Along with replacing an entire linebacker corps, the Huskies also must replace all state defensive back Ricky
Gibson and defensive lineman Hunter Osborne. Despite this, Coach Floyd is still bullish on the Husky defense.
“We lost 2 SEC players that will be hard to replace but we believe we have guys that can step into those spots. We are fortunate to return 5-6 starters on the defense that was ranked 4th in 7A last season. Tyrell Averhart was an all state d-lineman last season and he led our team in sacks and tackles for loss the last two season.”
Riggs Dunn and Michael Igbinoginene bring substantial experience to the defensive secondary. “Riggs will be a 3-year starter in the secondary so it’s great to have that experience on the back end. Michael Igbinoghinee returns at corner and we expect him to take his game to the next level.” said Floyd. The schedule will be a challenge with several of the most competitive teams in 7A residing in Hewitt’s region.
Aside from Thompson and Hoover, the other teams in the region continue to improve.
Floyd was complimentary of Region 3.
“As always, Region 3 will be super competitive. People always talk about us, Hoover and Thompson because we have been in the top 3 the last several years. Vestavia stepped up last year and had a great season. The return their quarterback and one of the top prospects in the country on defense.
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“Spain Park is loaded with several guys getting D1 offers in the offseason. Tuscaloosa County was a lot better last year than they have been. They have a running back committed to Miami that will be back.”
“The coaching is very good in the region and that is what makes it tough each and every Friday.”
Hewitt Trussville opens the season at home against Central of Phenix City on August 25th.
The new-look Pinson Valley Indians look to improve upon the 6-4 record they posted last year in the lone season with Lee Guess at the helm. Back in January, Guess decided that the balance of home life and being a head coach was not in the best interest of him and his family, and he resigned his position with the Indians, committing to stick around and help out until they had found their new head coach.
In February, the Pinson Valley Indians hired Woodlawn head coach Gentrell Eatman to take over for Guess. Eatman is no stranger to Pinson. He coached there under Sam Shade and Patrick Nix, who preceded Guess. Both men earned state championships with Nix winning it back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018 and Shade getting one in 2020. Eatman looks to build on the rich history of Pinson Valley football with the cupboard far from bare.
Guess will remain on the coaching staff in an undisclosed role.
Losing TJ Metcalf and Amare Thomas will definitely hurt as both proved to be Division 1 prospects with Metcalf signing with Arkansas and Thomas signing with Virginia. However, the cupboard is not bear at Pinson.
Dylan Resse and Cameron Jennings will split time at the quarterback position. “They have different skills sets and they will both see action,” said Eatman.
Sophomore Rico Freeman is expected to have a big year at the receiver position. “He has skills and is explosive,” Eatman said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how he does.”
Defensively the Indians will lean on senior linebacker
Cam Benefield. “He’ll play more snaps than anyone on the team,” Eatman said Eatman has his eye on the defensive front. “I’m expecting big things from all of my guys on the line.” he said.
The transition from Woodlawn back to Pinson was a smooth one for Coach Eatman. “It’s been great,” he said. “Pinson was good to me when I was here for three seasons before.
“I didn’t want to leave then, but it was the best decision for me at the time.”
“Player response has been what it always is at Pinson. Come in, get to work. Everyone is flying around out here
and we have some standout players on the field.”
So, what should we expect from the new-look Indians this year? “A team that is going to play hard from the opening snap to the last and a
team that’s not worried about what people and media say,” Eatman said. “We just have to take care of us.”
Pinson will begin their 2023 season on August 25 when they host Florence.
1 Cooper Tibbs 11, TE/DL
2 Jacob Adams 11, WR/DB
3 Brady Seaman 11, WR/DB 4 Kayden Jeffrey 10, WR/DB 5 Drake Digiacomo 12, WR/DB 6 Mahlon Alverson 12, RB/LB 7 Jake Conner 11, WR/DB 8 Noel Cox 12, WR/DB 9 Seth Jones
By John Goolsby For the Tribune
SPRINGVILLE –Springville head coach Jon Clements enters his third year at Springville High School looking to improve on last year’s 1-9 record.
The Jemison native is optimistic about the Tiger’s future despite having some players leave the program.
“We are excited about the guys that have stayed, and we are excited about our seniors,” Clements said. “I really like our team chemistry, and we have a lot of leadership.”
Clements has been on the staff of some of the top programs in the state and knows what it takes to build a program. Building a program starts in the weight room during the off-season, and the Tigers have seen improvements in that area.
“The kids have done a tremendous job in the weight room,” he said. “They have really transformed their bodies and made a true commitment.”
Staff continuity and developing a pipeline of players is also a crucial part of program’s success, and Clements has worked hard on that front also. “We were able to bring back our entire staff except for one,” he said. “That’s a positive.”
“We have added to our junior high staff,” he said. “That has been a key area for us, and we are getting it going in the right direction.”
Clements has been able to rally the community to help the program financially. “We’ve raised over half a million dollars the last three years, and it has gone directly back to the kids,” he said.
“The booster club, led by Larry Adams, has really stepped up,” Clements said. “We have been able to get them new helmets, new
shoulder pads, a new weight room, new uniforms, and get a bunch of cosmetic things done.”
On the field, the Tigers should be improved. “I like the group we’ve got, and I like who we have in key spots,” Clements said.
Springville plays an extremely tough non-region and region schedule. “We are going to be battling uphill schedule-wise, and we have our work cut out for us,” he said. “It should be pretty fun.”
Clements is expecting big
things from senior Noel Cox.
“He is somebody we look to for a lot of things,” he said.
“He plays offense, defense, returns kicks, and he’s our holder. He does it all.”
“He’s everything that is right about high school sports, Clements said. “He’s a guy that shows up to work and then goes home.”
“Junior Jake Connor will have to do a lot of things for us as well,” he said. “Nathan Baldwin on the line will be a three-year starter, and Mahlon Averson at running back has
continued to get better and better.” The Tigers will have to replace two freshmen who played quarterback last year. The duo transferred to other area schools. “That put us a little behind the eight ball, and it will be quarterback by committee,” Clements said.
“We have some pieces, and there are good things ahead for Springville,” he said. “It’s fun to go to work because you know what you are going to get.”
Even though the Tigers
have not had a winning season, made the playoffs, or won a playoff game since 2009, Clements has found a home and a program with the history and the foundation to be successful.
Clements hopes to return the program to the success it enjoyed from 1990-2009 when it went 150-81, spent 80 weeks in the top-10, won seven region titles, made the playoffs sixteen times, and won sixteen playoff games.
“I’m so blessed to get to work here and get to work
for and with great people,” he said. “Our kids are fantastic. Friday nights are fantastic.”
“It’s a real special place, and I wish a lot more people got to experience it as I do,” he said.
“Springville is home to us. We didn’t come to Springville to change it. We came to Springville because we wanted to be a part of it.”
Springville kicks off the season in a Fall jamboree against Dora and then opens at home against Etowah on August 24.
By John Goolsby For the Tribune
LEEDS – Veteran head coach Jerry Hood is excited about his 2023 Leeds Greenwave team. “I like this group,” he said. “We have had a good summer and the team is talented.”
Hood’s Greenwave team went undefeated in the regular season, won the region title and bested rival Moody in the “battle of the bridge.”
Leeds finished the 2022 season with an 11-1 record and saw their season end with a seven-point loss to 5A state champion Ramsay in the third round of the playoffs.
Hood, with a 135-66 career record and a state championship, knows that it takes a strong support system to win state titles. “I have been very fortunate coaching,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of good players, good administrations, and good communities.”
“All I can do is point them in the right direction,” he said. “Whatever talent you have, your assistant coaches, however good they are, that’s usually how you will end up.”
Leeds plays Mortimer Jordan, Pell City, Sylacauga and Center Point in their non-region schedule.
The defensive line looks to be the strength of the Greenwave team. Coach Hood expects all four starters to play at the next level.
6-foot-two, 250 pounds four-star recruit and Arkansas commit Kavion Henderson will anchor the front along with Chris Burge, Nick Davis, and Joseph Stone.
Returners Josh Lee and Miles Jones will be joined by Gavin Howard as the starting linebackers.
Jeremiah Hall and Miles Ashford are returners at corner. Dorian Hunter, Will Ford and Nolan Moore will be handling safety duties.
“I expect our defense to be fast,” said Hood. “They have played a lot of ball and I expect a lot of good things from them.”
The Greenwave will have a new quarterback in Connor Nelson. “He’s a big and tall kid that can run and throw,” said Hood.
A trio of backs will lead the Leeds’ running attack.
Grayson Ford and David
Luna have experience, while newcomer Z.J. Dale will provide depth.
At receiver, Jaelyn Felder is a returning starter. “He’s a great kid and leader for us,” Hood said. Brooks Ford and Taylon Gaiter will join Felder as starters.
Hood likes the depth and athletic ability of his receiving corp. “The others will play a big role with their
unique abilities.”
The offense line will feature two seniors: Sean Hicks and Taylor Pulliam. Wilson Beasley will back up Carlos Plascencia, Gavin Bowlin, and Jax Garner. “Beasley can play any of the positions and really gives us six starting offensive linemen,” Hood said. “It’s a good problem to have.”
Avery Langford will handle the kicking duties, while
Connor Nelson will punt. “That will allow us to do some fun things,” Hood said.
Hood believes that his program has the ability to add to Leeds four state championships total
“We have an unbelievable community,” he said. “I am so proud to be at Leeds. We have had a great run so far.”
“We appreciate everything the school administra-
tion does for us. Our superintendent John Moore and the school board and our community are just phenomenal.”
Leeds opens their season August 25 against Mortimer Jordan at Homer Smiles Field in front of the Leeds faithful and longtime super fan Toby Bank.
“Toby is Leeds biggest fan for sure,” said Hoods. “He’s also a good friend to me.”
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MOODY – In 2022, the Moody Blue Devils experienced a record-breaking year in many ways. One thing that changed on and off the field was attitude. With Jake Ganus and his staff, the Blue Devils no longer go into games hoping to win. They go into their games knowing that they can win and expecting to do so. They have adopted the “411 Boys” name and it is branded all over the school and the city. All sports teams have caught onto the “411 Boys/ Girls” name and the attitude and expectation that comes with it. Most sports, boys and girls, made it to the playoffs in 2022. Not only is the excitement and the name contagious, but the winning ways have caught fire on 411 as well.
In his sophomore season at the helm, Jake Ganus looks to build on what he and his staff started last year. It will not be easy, however. Replacing names like Davion Dozier, Cole McCarty, Mason Myers, Carson Dillashaw and Kolby Seymour will certainly have its challenges, but the “next man up” attitude is part of the fabric of the 411 Boys football team.
“We’ve had a really good summer,” said Coach Ganus. “It’s about an 8-week program. Our strength and conditioning coach Cam Willis has done an amazing job getting our guys strong and fast. Our days are long. We go from about 7-11:30 every day. We are able to get a lot done being efficient with our time. We get in the meetings, lifts, runs and practices. We feel pretty good with where we are at. We still have some areas we need to grow up in really fast to do what we want to do. From a year ago today, we don’t have playmakers at certain positions that we did
last year, but I do feel better about the whole team today than I did last summer.”
“You do not replace a Davion Dozier. It will be by committee. I hope that I’m blessed enough in my career to coach another Davion. I have had multiple college coaches tell me he’s the best 50/50 deep ball guy they’ve ever seen. I agree. He’s amazing. To fill those shoes, we have 4 guys who are really good receivers. 2 of them are returning players from last year. Davion’s cousin, Josiah Dozier will be in Davion’s position and will wear his number too. Jacob Hadaway will be replacing Colby Seymour in that role. Aidan Robinson and Braden Wright played in every game and started. Other guys are Jacob Hatch and Bradley Blais and they will compete and get in the mix. We feel good about that room. It’s going to be different but it’s all about grass, numbers and matchups. Find the grass, count your numbers and take advantage of matchups.” As of Thursday morning, the Blue Devils added Hewitt Trussville transfer wide receiver KD Barnes who had a big season for the Huskies and looks to do the same on Highway 411.
Blaine Burke returns for his senior season with Moody as not just the featured back in the offense, but as the featured player going into the 2023 season. “Blane Burke would be the best at any position we put him at. That’s not a shot at anyone else. He’s just that good of a football player. When #5 touches the ball, he has a chance to score. He’s a home run hitter. You don’t always have those. You might have one who will get you 5-6 yards consistently and break one for 20 sometimes. When Blane Touches it, he has a chance to score. What we’ve done this year is look for ways to get it into his
hands. Not just in the backfield. He’s been at receiver, H-back…we’re going to find a way to get him the ball. He’s our guy and he’s a great leader for us. He’s that alpha on the offensive side of the ball.
I’m looking forward to his senior year and I want him to go out as a champion.”
“On the offensive line. Mason Myers did a lot for our offensive line and our run game. You don’t replace him either, just like Davion. Mason didn’t just block, but he got movement, was a leader and was very smart. We feel really good with the guys we’ve got. We have 6-7 guys who are pushing for those 5 spots. We have 3 returners there in Brennann King at center, Jackson Huckeba at left tackle, and then Jackson Randall, a junior who started every game last year, at guard. We have experience and we are replacing 2 guys up there. That group is fun to watch. There’s not one senior in the group of 6-7. They are all juniors and sophomores. One thing about them is they work. They are banging down the doors of the weight room,
here on weekends. They might not be the DB group with all the offers, but they are going to give us a chance to win on Friday nights because you’ve got to be able to run the ball.
Cole McCarty, Moody’s 2022 quarterback, put up video game numbers week in and week out. Replacing him will be hard, but Ganus is confident in his new signal caller, Charlie Johnston, a transfer from Mountain Brook. “Charlie is a great kid. Phenomenal character, hard worker. As soon as he got here he took a leadership role. He has taken it and run with it. He’s up here on the weekends throwing with our guys. As for ability, he’s 6’6” and he can spin it. He’s more of a pocket passer. He will fool you with his speed. He is quick. We went to Clay this week and he escaped some situations where I thought they had him dead to rights and he was able to get out and make plays and get his eyes down field. He is 100% a Power 5 quarterback. He’s got 3 offers, but after his junior year when he shows what he can do, he’s going to
blow up. Our backup is Bryton Usrey, a senior, he does a great job and he is a bit more mobile but he can also throw. They’ve both done a good job running the offense.
The defensive backfield has 3 D1 athletes in A’mon Lane, Sidney Walton, and CJ. “Our secondary is definitely going to be one of our strengths. A’mon plays star, that’s the nickel. He also plays corner. We’ve been using him more there lately. At the other corner, you’ve got Sidney Walton, a rising junior with multiple SEC offers. Big 6’3” 190, Hercules looking guy. Then you’ve got Chase Jackson in the back, playing safety. He’s got some SEC offers as well. Besides those guys, the other 2 guys who don’t get mentioned as much. AJ Madison is one of the best players on our football team. He’s a phenomenal football player. He’s shorter, so that’s tough for recruiting. But someone will sign him. He will play college football. The other one, our star/WILL is Kaleb Goff. He has started every game at Moody since he’s been a freshman. We call him KG. He has worked his tail off this year to have a great junior year and get try to get some college offers. He works hard and he’s special. He’s fast, quick, can cover, can blitz. He’s able to do whatever we need him to do from that position. We have a lot of guys back there that we are confident in. It’s a deep room.”
“As for the defensive line, you lose Carson Dillashaw on that line. We have had a couple kids step up. One is Charlie Kitts. He played a good bit last year. He’s in the outside backer role but he can put his hand down if he wants. He’s on our 4×2 relay team so he can fly. He’s put on some weight and has a motor that won’t stop. He’s a ball player. Simon Molay is
going to step in at end. Those two along with Ba’Roc Willis is a freshman, who will be special. 6’3” 225. He’s a dude. Everyone else is pretty much back. Dewayne is gone but we moved Gavin (Baker) back and we will have him and Zane Smith back there at backer. They are about as good as it gets. We have two others behind them. All 4 will play. Cam Mallory, our nose, is back and our tackle Logan Hall is back. Brady Dodd played a lot last year and he’s had a great spring and summer. He’s hard to block. They Clay kids hated blocking Mallory and Doddy both. Dez Mobley is outside linebacker and he’s new and he will play a lot at that WILL. Overall, I feel really good about the defense. We have some kids that are not only D1 kids but selfless and put the team on their back.”
“At kicker, Junior Moreno was the starter last year and he will return for his senior season with the Blue Devils. “He is a phenomenal kid. He had to work last off season and was unable to come to workouts. He didn’t get much stronger. This year, we were able to work it out so he could come and work out and be part of the team. If I asked my strength coach who was going to be his MVP this year, it would be Junior. He’s put on weight and muscle and he’s now able to kick field goals. Last year we didn’t do that. We attempted one, got it blocked and I went for it after that. Now I feel confident that we have a field goal kicker. I’m very proud of him. Kaleb Goff is going to punt this year. He can play quarterback and is a great athlete so all of our fakes will still be in play.”
Ganus and his Blue Devils will kick off the season August 25 at The Bill against Rush Propst in his first game as Pell City’s head football coach.
By John Goolsby For the Tribune
CENTER POINT – The 2022 Center Point Eagles shocked the state last year.
After jumping to 6A from 5A, the Eagles finished the regular season at 8-1, region runner-up, and ranked 8th in the state.
The Eagles must replace the dynamic duo of Troy Bruce, Jr. and Jabari Collier on offense. “We are going to see backfield by committee this year,” said Center Point head coach George Bates. “We may have to generate more drives without the big plays until the guys get more experience.”
“Collectively, we are going to hang our hat on defense,” he said. “We will play ball control on offense and pick our spots (for big plays) and be sound in the kicking game,” Bates said.
“We are going to win; we are just going to win differently this year.”
Winning is something that Bates has done consistently at Center Point. Before Bates’ arrival, the Eagles had won only three games in four years. Bates has put together a 40-20 record and made the playoffs all five years he’s been at the helm.
“We want to see if we can measure up to the success we had last year,” the 1998 Midfield graduate said. “It’s a chance to see how we will stack up in the region this year with teams getting better.”
Bates is depending on the leadership and play of his senior class to lead the Eagles to their fifth consecutive winning season and six consecutive playoff appearance.
Malik Brown, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker, will anchor the Eagle defense. Brown has offers from Alabama State, Tuskegee, Lane College, Howard and Stetson.
Bates is excited about nose
guard B’cari Pope, a first-year starter that has been with the team for two years. “He’s an athletic guy that we are pretty high on.”
Camron Bonner, a threeyear starter, and Kemarius
Horne, also a three-year starter, will provide a great deal of experience in the secondary.
Jaheem Nathan returns on the offensive line. “He’s a wrestler by trade and just a nasty guy in the trenches,”
Bates said.
Center Point looks to have the foundation to be good for the next few years.
“We are a junior-heavy team. The junior class is reallytalented,” Bates said. “Most
of our skill positions are in the junior class.”
“We have a couple of big guys in the sophomore class and we will see a couple of freshmen get some time this year, too.”
IRONDALE-The Shades Valley Mounties recorded their first winning season in five years in 2022. The 2023 team is looking to take the program to the next level.
Coach Rueben Nelson enters his third year at Shades Valley with the expectation that his Mountie team will improve on last season’s 5-4 record.
“We are looking to play a hard-nosed brand of football,” said Nelson.
The Mounties will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball in 2023.
Antwan Peake is the offensive coordinator, and Richard Richardson, a former Mountie under Robert Higginbotham, and Martee Pope will lead the defense.
Both Peake and Richardson were on Nelson’s staff that won the 2016 6A championship at Ramsay.
Peake’s offensive philosophy is “fast tempo, physical, balanced, spread them out, and gash them up the middle.”
Jacob Millhouse will coach quarterbacks, JaMarius Dismuke returns to coach the offensive line, and Kendric Cook will coach receivers and tight ends. Peake will handle the play calling along with coaching the running backs.
Robert Nelson, Jr. returns to coach the defensive line. Derek Slater will be coaching linebackers. Pope returns to coach corners, and Richardson will handle safeties.
At quarterback, Valley returns senior Steve Brown.
Sophomore Zayden Bolden, who saw action last year, will back Brown up.
Brown scored 23 TDS and gained over 2,000 yards last season. “We have got to get a lot out of Steve at quarterback,” said Nelson. “I think
he’s one of the most talented guys in the metro and has a chance to have a really good year.”
Brown is looking forward to his senior season. “I want to elevate my game to the next level,” said Brown. “We want to do things that Shades Valley hasn’t accomplished in a long time.
The Mounties were extremely young on the offensive line last year. “We started two freshmen and two soph-
omores,” Nelson said. “Now they are a year older and stronger.”
Julian Maddox, Ajari Jones, Manuell “Aidan” Smith, V, Peyton Kid, Jadon Ford, and Will Looney are potential starters. Maddox, a junior, will be returning at center. “What we want to accomplish as a line is to help the team make it to the playoffs,” he said.
At receiver, the Mounties will be looking to replace
“Mr. Everything” Christian Thomas. Returning junior Ji’Quez Daniels saw significant playing time last year. Daniels had 25 receptions for 256 yards and 3 TDs last season.
Quincy Crawford, who missed last season due to an injury, is expected to make an impact. “He will add a big punch to what we do,” said Nelson. “He’s a guy that can make plays on the ball real fast.”
The Mounties added several receivers in the off-season. Look for Christian Gorman, Kendric Smith, Jayden Gilmore, Javien Williams, Laddarius Powell, and Dre’Shan Cook to see action.
Seniors David Ware and Ethan Johnson and sophomore Geordan Clarke saw considerable playing time at running back last year. Freshman Armon Goldsby will join the returning trio.
Defensively the Mounties
should be much improved, Zion Cathey, Johnny Steele, and Justin Miller are potential starters. Terrance James, Kyle Deramus, Kayvian Riley-Stallings, and Carlos Ford will see action along the defensive front.
“Up front, defensively, we knew we would have to continue to get better,” Nelson said. “I think we have done that.”
Senior All-State linebacker Ethan Johnson will anchor one linebacker spot. As a junior, Johnson recorded 153 tackles in only nine games.
“If Ethan has the same type of year that he had last year, he’ll go down as one of the best linebackers to ever come through Shades Valley,” said Nelson. Johnson, who has nine offers, including Army, Coastal Carolina, and Appalachian State, is looking to elevate his play on the field and his role in the locker room. “I want to play fast and be very explosive this year,” said Johnson. “I also accept the role of being the leader of the defense.”
Look for Landy Saxon to start at the other linebacker position. Carterius Ford and Jared Brundidge will see action.
In the secondary, sophomore Jamie Small and junior Jacaryous Burrow return after seeing playing time last year. Wide receiver Torez McCall moved to the secondary and expects to see time with Crawford and Myran Reed.
Senior Jair Aguilar will return as a kicker.
“We can’t make excuses; we have to get it done,” said Nelson. “We have to live up to a standard of excellence that was established here years ago. We have to get back to where wearing the black helmets means something.”
Shades Valley opens the season at home in Frank Nix Stadium on August 25 against Stanhope Elmore.
$260,000
