F_081819_G

Football 2019

Florence senior Dee Beckwith and Muscle Shoals senior Jackson Bratton are not only highly-recruited college prospects but also leaders for their respective high school teams. [MATT MCKEAN/ TIMESDAILY]

Inside: Dee Beckwith, Jackson Bratton shoulder weight of lofty expectations.

Team-by-team previews, season schedules, high school schedules

G2 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

Rogers coach Jerry Fulks talks with his offense during a 7 on 7 football tournament at Lexington High School earlier this summer. [MATT MCKEAN/TIMESDAILY]

Section Index

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3. Setting the Standard 4. Hamilton Aggies 5. Tharptown Wildcats 6. Florence Falcons 8. Muscle Shoals Trojans 10. Deshler Tigers 12. Russellville Golden Tigers 14. Brooks Lions 17. Haleyville Lions 18. Lauderdale County Tigers 20. Lexington Golden Bears 22. Rogers Pirates 24. Wilson Warriors 26. Central Wildcats 28. Waterloo Cougars 30. Mars Hill Panthers 32. Shoals Christian Flame 33. Preseason poll

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34. Sheffield Bulldogs 36. Colbert Heights Wildcats 38. Colbert County Indians 40. R.A. Hubbard Chiefs 41. Cherokee Indians 43. Loretto Mustangs 44. Lawrence County Wildcats 45. Wayne County Wildcats 46. Phil Campbell Bobcats 48. Hatton Hornets 49. Collinwood Trojans 50. Red Bay Tigers 51. Hackleburg Panthers 52. Vina Red Devils 53. Phillips Bears 54. Prep schedules 55. Prep schedules

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G3

SETTING THE STANDARD Beckwith, Bratton know teammates, others look up to them

Florence’s Dee Beckwith dodges Grissom’s Eli Worsham during a 2018 win. [JIM HANNON/TIMESDAILY]

By Craig Thomas Sports Writer

Jackson Bratton does not have to be on the Muscle Shoals High campus to know what he represents.

Bratton sat in the TimesDaily lobby for an interview on a recent Friday afternoon when a customer noticed him wearing his jersey and pads. The customer, it turns

out, is related to one of Bratton’s Muscle Shoals teammates.

“I hope you guys have a big year,” the man said. Bratton let him know that was the plan.

Bratton and Florence senior Damarcus “Dee” Beckwith are featured on the cover of this year’s TimesDaily high school football preview section.

Bratton is a 6-3, 230-pound linebacker committed to Alabama, and Beckwith is

a 6-5, 215-pound athlete whose college position is unclear but whose appeal to numerous Power 5 programs is certain.

Neither carries the burden of needing to win games on his own. But each knows he has an opportunity to lift his team to new heights.

Beckwith, who also plays basketball for Florence, said he’s learned about leadership the last couple years.

“It’s not just the players on my team or on the other team that see me as a leader,” he said. “It’s also parents, and the younger kids that are upcoming Falcons or just kids in general coming to play sports and watching me. They see my leadership and then they look up to me.

So do the parents.”

SEE SETTING, 29

G4 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Hamilton believes playoff trip is overdue

By Savannah Vickery For the TimesDaily

T

he 2018 season brought about an entirely new slate of challenges for the Hamilton High School football program.

In its first year competing in Class 5A Region 7, the Aggies narrowly missed postseason play after finishing 4-6.

But with the 2019 season drawing near, head coach Rodney Stidham and his team are looking to press the restart button.

“At the end of the year, we began to play well and I hope we build on that momentum as we head into this season,” Stidham said. “We barely missed the playoffs last year, so I’d say our main goal is to get back into the postseason.”

Offense

Jathan Jackson will return to be the starting Aggies’ signal caller after transitioning from running back last season.

But Jackson is not new to the quarterback position as the 6-foot, 209-pound senior assumed the role back in 2017.

The Aggies also return two starting running backs in Gabe Anglin and Robert Johnson. But Stidham said he believes the team’s greatest strength lies within the offensive line. Stidham also said Chris Norris, Kaiden Cooper, Elijah Johnson and Brennon Ballard will be the heart of the Aggies’ front line.

Christian Loving moves from tackle to tight end for the Aggies and will be an asset to Hamilton’s receiving corps. Loving said he feels more prepared to take on the new challenge as his speed and quickness were the biggest improvements for him this offseason.

“The early morning workouts and practices help put me and the rest of the guys in the mentality to win,” Loving said. “Our coaches have worked diligently to get us in shape all offseason, so now we just have to show off that hard work on the field.”

Hamilton’s Jathan Jackson and Christian Loving feel confident the Aggies will make the playoffs this fall for the first time since 2016. [CRAIG THOMAS/ TIMESDAILY]

Defense

Stidham expects to see vast improvement from a defense that allowed 32.9 points per game a year ago, a number that included a shutout and an 8-point effort in a win over Haleyville.

Stidham will mix five returning starters with six new ones.

Jaiden Loving and Christian Loving will line up at defensive ends, while Ben Alexander, Chris Norris, Dakota

Cantrell and Kaiden Cooper will rotate in at defensive tackle.

Tayten Lann will play one inside linebacker with the other still up for grabs.

On the outside, JD McCracken and Ross Reed are set as starters.

The secondary will feature Matt Walker, Robert Johnson and Hayden Gentz.

“We will have multiple kids that vie for a lot of positions this year,” Stidham

said. “I think we had five starters on defense come back, so we’ve got a lot of guys that are going to play some different positions. These kids are incredibly excited about playing football, and so I really enjoy having them and the chemistry that their bringing to the game right now.”

SEE HAMILTON, 21

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G5

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

After tough 2A debut, Brilliant misspelled in 2018 results

By Jacob Cole For the TimesDaily

A

fter a difficult 2018 season, Tharptown is ready to compete in Class 2A, Region 7 in 2019.

Tharptown went 2-7 with no wins in region play last season after moving from 1A to 2A. Tharptown has one of the smaller enrollments Lacey in the class.

Tharptown head coach Kevin Lacey said his team should be more prepared after a full season in 2A. “You could see it in the guys’ eyes when the schedule came out last season.

We were shell shocked,” Lacey said.

“They know what to expect and that should give us more of a chance to be successful.”

Offense

Tharptown will again run its flex bone offense featuring one fullback, two wings, a tight end and a split end.

The quarterback position is still a work in progress with Yovani Gomez leading the pack for the starting job.

Lacey said that there are a couple of challengers for the job he will watch, and the competition was not settled as fall camp began.

Ruben Alfaro will be the senior leader on offense as the starting running back and the focal point of the offense for the Wildcats. Colton Simmons “has looked really good,” Lacey said, and Chase O’Connor is in the mix, too.

“We’re going to be run-heavy,” Lacey said.

Blake Daily will also run the ball for the Tharptown and could be the number two running back for the season.

The wide receiver position still is up in the air for Tharptown with a couple of freshmen getting a shot to step up.

Hunter White will be a receiver to watch as a junior.

Travis Staten will anchor the offensive line as the Wildcats’ center. Gunner Lane and Gabe Compton will play guard, and Tyler Amos and Eric Espinosa will start at the tackle spots.

Defense

Tharptown allowed 47 points per game last season, and four opponents scored at least 60, so this is an area in which Tharptown needs major improvement.

Tharptown uses multiple formations, varying between a three- and four-man front.

Staten will also be asked to play on the defensive line. Lacey said Staten is one player he will not have to worry about as he never comes off the field.

“In a small program we have guys that go both ways,” Lacey said. “You almost forget he’s out there because he is never on the sideline with me.”

Lacey said the Wildcats will have to lean on Staten on both sides of the ball to be successful. Amos will also have an important role at defensive end.

Lane will also return as a primary defensive tackle. Lacey said he is still looking for multiple players to fill the open spots on the line.

Alfaro, Daily and Compton are returning to reprise their roles as the starting linebackers. O’Connor could see significant playing time at linebacker, too.

Gomez and Josh Riley will lead the secondary group for the Wildcats.

The rest

Lacey said there is a solid group of players coming up in the Tharptown football program.

“I’ve got a good core of 10th graders,” Lacey said. “The core group is excited.

It’s roughly six guys that have been successful in junior high and have been with me since the seventh grade.”

• Tharptown will take on a grueling schedule with tough region games.

Addison, Colbert County, Red Bay, Sheffield and a few others make the schedule difficult.

Still, the 2019 Tharptown Wildcats

Tharptown’s Tyler Amos and Ruben Alfaro hope the Wildcats are more ready for Class 2A football in their second year in that classification. [CRAIG THOMAS/TIMESDAILY]

want to become the first team in school history to make the playoffs.

“My expectations are to work hard all season and use every game as motivation for the next (game),” Alfaro said. “I want all my teammates to do the same. If someone messes up, don’t put their head down and go harder the next (play) and make up for it.”

• Tharptown opens its season Friday, Aug. 23 at Shoals Christian.

Record: 2-7 2018 RESULTS Tharptown 41, Shoals Christian 30 Sheffield 49, Tharptown 0 Colbert County 68, Tharptown 0 Tanner 64, Tharptown 14 Brillian 43, Tharptown 24 Hatton 66, Tharptown 7 Addison 44, Tharptown 0 Red Bay 66, Tharptown 14 Tharptown 10, Vina 0

G6 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Groundwork laid, Florence looks for bigger, better

With help from leaders like Preston Hardin and Isaac Mason, Florence will try to earn its third straight playoff berth and its first playoff win since 2014. [PATRICK HOOD/TIMESDAILY]

qualified for the Class 7A playoffs in their first year competing in the state’s largest classification. Although the postseason trip he first year for Florence coach was a short one – a 45-14 loss to eventual Will Hester was about laying the state runner-up Thompson – Hester was groundwork for the future. pleased with the progress the Falcons made.

The Falcons (5-6) won five games and “I think we had an average or above

By Gregg Dewalt

Senior Sports Editor

T

average year,” Hester said. “We finished third in our league in our first year in a 7A league. I think we laid good groundwork.

Obviously it’s about good relationships with the kids and them getting to know us and trust us and buy into what we are doing. I think we did that. We have great

leadership in this year’s team and I’m excited to see where they can take us.”

Returning players said the transition to a new coach went well. They like Hester’s style of coaching.

SEE FLORENCE, 16

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G7

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G8 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Muscle Shoals looks like a state title contender

By Craig Thomas Sports Writer

S

cott Basden wasn’t trying to be a buzzkill, but he’s been around high school football much longer than his players have, and he doesn’t want anyone getting carried away.

“Winning a championship, is that the only thing that makes (a season) successful? Well, in some people’s eyes it is,” Basden said this summer. “But you know, I’ve been on both ends of that. It takes a lot of luck sometimes.

“I tell them every year the best team usually don’t win a state championship.

It’s the guys that get the breaks and that stay healthy.”

All that might be true, but so is this.

The Trojans think they have the type of team to be in the state title mix, and a closer look at their roster suggests they can play for a Class 6A state championship for the first time since finishing second in 2013.

“A few years back, we went down to state and got runner-up,” senior safety Caleb McDougle said. “But I feel like this team, I feel like we’re special and we can bring it back.”

Offense

Any talk of Muscle Shoals’ offense starts with the offseason pickup of quarterback Logan Smothers, a dual threat talent committed to Nebraska, from Athens High.

Muscle Shoals has leaned on its run game in recent years, but Smothers’ presence should give Basden more confidence in passing options.

“Obviously there’s some games that you’ve got to throw it more than others,” Basden said. “I think we have the ability with him, where in the past we’ve been a little limited on some things.”

Keevon Hankins gives Muscle Shoals a proven talent at running back, and fellow senior Eugene Malone is also a capable player. Brooks Berry, a sophomore, joins them in the backfield.

“The harder you play, the better the outcome will be, for real,” Hankins said.

Reggie Freeman, Keevon Hankins and Caleb McDougle hope to lead Muscle Shoals to the kind of deep postseason not seen since the Trojans were a state runner-up in 2013.

Mikey McIntosh, Ty Smith and Markel Ricks will play receiver, and Nick Griffith is a tight end. All but Ricks start for the basketball team. McIntosh has shifted to receiver from defensive line.

“When he first came here we put him at receiver but he couldn’t catch real well, but now he’s got contacts and it seems like he catches everything,” Basden said of McIntosh.

The Trojans’ biggest questions might come on the offensive line.

Eli Underwood, Elijah Morrow, Sam Hatcher, Zach Epperson, Cannon Mellott and Kobe Vaughn are among candidates for playing on a group that returns only two starters.

Muscle Shoals averaged 29.8 points per game last year.

Defense

Muscle Shoals held nine opponents to fewer than 20 points last year.

Though linebacker Jackson Bratton has

earned most of the hype with the heavy recruitment by SEC schools and his commitment to Alabama, this team lost only one defensive starter last year (Carson Ware) and is solid everywhere.

“I’ve been around these guys since junior high, and I know we all love each other, like to be around each other,” senior defensive tackle Reggie Freeman said.

SEE MUSCLE SHOALS, 13

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G9

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G10 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEAS FOOTBALL

Deshler returns to its schematic roots

By Craig Thomas Sports Writer

T

he home of Deshler football looks significantly different now than it did last fall. A turf field has replaced the grass field at Howard Chappell Stadium, and other changes have been made to prevent the flooding that had become common there in recent years.

But the Deshler football program itself has changed, too.

Former Rogers coach Randall Martin is back in the Shoals after a year away and is Deshler’s new coach, and he’s brought with him the Wing-T offense.

It’s a formation the Tigers excelled with under longtime coaches Tandy Geralds and John Mothershed.

But despite those changes and the departure of an influential senior class, Tuscumbia is a town that counts on a good season every year.

“I love the city. I just love the atmosphere of those games on Friday night, playing with my family, my brothers,” senior Teondre Goodloe said. “Having the whole city out to support you, there’s nothing like it, for real.”

The Tigers made the Class 4A state finals last year after three years without a playoff win, and fans hope Deshler has returned to being one of the state’s top 4A programs.

“It’s definitely a blessing. It’s an honor. I think it’s just a wonderful opportunity,” Martin said. “I know there are expectations that come with that, and there should be. Tuscumbia’s got a proud history. We just want to work as hard as we can to do our part to keep that going.”

As sons of former Deshler standouts, Teondre Goodloe and Grant Wisdom have a keen sense of the program’s tradition and significance to the Tuscumbia community. [PATRICK HOOD/TIMESDAILY]

hurt and that will help him be ready for what’s ahead.

Seniors Colton Patton and Bryan Hogan and sophomore Mikylie Nance could all earn time as running backs.

Goodloe will add fullback to his defensive duties.

Cody Collinsworth, Marq Malone and Offense Deshler will likely start at least three Omar Richardson will give Deshler at least underclassmen on the offensive line and three upperclassman options at receiver, must also replace quarterback Chan- and Chip Peters, Teagan Graves and ning Marmann, running back Kameron Grant Wisdom can all help at tight end.

Martin said the team will rotate at Pritchard and wide receiver Hayden offensive positions since several of Stutts.

Will Pilgrim, a senior, is the new quar- those players will also play defense. terback. Martin noted Pilgrim stepped in But the coaching staff’s familiarity with at times last year when Marmann was the Wing-T offense should ease the

transition to it. Jeremy Jeffreys is now the offensive coordinator at Deshler.

“We’ve got to get (the players) to do those jobs aggressively and with some toughness,” Martin said. “If you’re going to run this kind of offense, you’ve got to be tough. You’ve got to be able to block people, you’ve got to be able to move people to create running lanes and you’ve got to run the ball with toughness.”

But Deshler also held 10 teams – including each of the first four playoff opponents – to 21 points or fewer.

Goodloe, Jaquan Johnson, Tanner Wanless, Chase Keenum and Jaden Easley should split time on the defensive line. Grant Wisdom, Peters, Patton and Graves will be linebackers.

Malone, Collinsworth, Jordan McGee and Nance will have chances to play cornerback. Hogan, Richardson, Pilgrim and Defense perhaps some younger teammates will Harold Wisdom returns as defensive help at safety. coordinator. The Tigers’ 2018 stats are Harold Wisdom and Goodloe’s father skewed by a double-overtime loss to Antwuan were both Deshler standouts.

Russellville and blowouts by Brooks (48-7) and UMS-Wright (52-0).

SEE DESHLER, 11

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G11

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• Jose Rocha is slated to kick and Pilgrim will punt.

• Martin said he’ll have to be patient as the team works through new concepts.

“We’re not going to just keep trying to progress when we’re not good at something,” he said. “We want to get good at what we’re doing and then gradually add to it.”

• Deshler’s region games against teams that made the playoffs last year (Central, Rogers and Brooks) are all at home. The region road games are against Elkmont, Wilson and West Limestone, all of which missed the 2018 playoffs.

2018 RESULTS Muscle Shoals 31, Deshler 0 Russellville 40, Deshler 34 (2 OT) #Forfeit (Deshler 65, Elkmont 0) Deshler 35, Central 21 Deshler 50, Wilson 0 Deshler 33, Colbert County 6 Deshler 33, Rogers 12 Brooks 48, Deshler 7 Deshler 27, West Limestone 0 Jasper 36, Deshler 27 PLAYOFFS Deshler 21, Anniston 7 Deshler 42, Fayette County 21 Deshler 20, Hokes Bluff 14 Deshler 35, Oneonta 20 UMS-Wright 52, Deshler 0

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“I think me and Teondre especially, our dads were very successful in their careers here,” Grant Wisdom said.

“And I feel like with who they played with and who they talked to, it just adds legacy behind what we’re playing and who we play for, the name behind Deshler.”

Martin acknowledges Grant Wisdom and Teondre Goodloe have more experience in big games than most of their teammates do, and with that comes responsibility.

“We’re really going to lean on them, not only from a production standpoint

The rest

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From Page 10

Record: 9-6

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DESHLER

G12 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Golden Tigers more prepared for big games

By Craig Thomas Sports Writer

R

ussellville won nine games last season – six more than the year before – but two of the Golden Tigers’ biggest games of the year did not go well.

Russellville was thumped by region champ Jasper 42-13 in October, and the Golden Tigers’ season ended with a 22-8 home loss to Center Point in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.

We had three guys out of 22 starters that had ever been in that Jasper setting, that had ever been in that Center Point setting,” second-year coach John Ritter said. “Now we’ve got 18 guys that are returning starters that have been in that setting. We’ve got another 10 special teams guys that have been in that setting.”

Ideally in those situations, losing comes with learning.

“I sure was nervous out there, because it was the first time I’d ever played in a playoff setting or big game like that,” junior linebacker Brooks Scott said.

Ritter said the Golden Tigers are motivated to take Russellville further than it’s been in a long time. The Golden Tigers have played for the state title seven times since becoming part of Class 5A in 1984, but the last time was in 2009.

“It’s daily. You see people out in the community. They talk to you. They’re very in touch with the players and we see them a lot,” senior linebacker Jamaal Hubbard said. “It’s like a daily reminder what’s expected. You think about it a lot because you want to fulfill those expectations.”

Offense

If you just look at the scoring from last year, you might think Russellville were in big trouble. Running back and Class 5A player of the year finalist Zaye Boyd graduated, as did quarterback Lucas McNutt and receiver Devin Buckhalter.

Those three accounted for most of Russellville’s points.

Russellville football players Edgar Amaya, Jamaal Hubbard and Brooks Scott believe their team has learned from playing in big games last year and is more ready for those opportunities this fall. [TODD THOMPSON/RIVERCAT PHOTOGRAPHY]

But Russellville’s strength on the line should help ease transition. Junior left tackle Edgar Amaya is receiving attention from Power 5 colleges. Jonathan Vargas started each game last year at center in place of another veteran, Trenton Hollimon.

Hollimon is healthy, so Vargas shifts to left guard. Noah Pounders is a senior

right tackle. The only question mark is right guard, likely junior Luis Domingo or junior Dakota Andreas.

Muscle Shoals transfer and senior Jacob Bishop is competing with sophomore Gabe Amick to be quarterback, and either way Ritter said the team will use more run-pass options this year.

Senior Austin Ashley, sophomore

Airreon McCullouch and junior Caleb Matthews figure to get plenty of carries.

Senior JD Price and juniors Rowe Gallagher and Cole Barnett all played receiver each week last year.

Ritter said he’d figure out the balance of runs and passes in fall camp.

SEE RUSSELLVILLE, 13

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G13

RUSSELLVILLE

MUSCLE SHOALS

The rest

• Sophomore Miguel Flores and junior Julian Ambrosio can both kick. Hubbard and defensive back Grayson Eady, a state champ in javelin, can punt.

• Since taking over, Ritter has emphasized physical play and runs practice accordingly. “We’re an old-school football team in the mindset of our goal is to make you quit. And if we can hit you long enough eventually you’re going to quit.”

• Injuries help wreck Russellville in 2017, but Edgar Amaya said changes made after that have also helped. “(The) 3-7 year we didn’t have a killer mentality, and then when Coach Ritter came in he taught us that we can’t just avoid contact,” Amaya said. “We’ve got to go towards it.”

Contact Craig at Craig.Thomas@ TimesDaily.com. Follow him on Twitter: @TD_CraigThomas

From Page 12

“We always want to be balanced, and balanced isn’t necessarily 50-50,” he said. “Balance is – I think Mike Leach said it – getting the ball in your playmakers’ hands.”

Defense

Ritter feels good about his defensive line and secondary, but it’s the linebacker group that appears poised to shine brightest.

Brooks Scott and Ritter Albaro Francisco both return on the inside, and Hubbard is back on the outside. He’ll be joined by Jaxon Hallmark, who was a “rotater” last year.

Ritter said it’s worth a few mistakes here and then to get younger players action on defense.

“Early on, sometimes it gets us, but by the end of the year, we’ve established a) some depth and b) it’s one of those situations where we’re not necessarily reloading every year,” Ritter said.

“We’re throwing guys out there that have been thrown in the fire before.

While they may get burned early on they kind of learn quicker than they would on a Monday night.”

Juniors Caden Watts and Ashaad Williams are back at cornerback. Two new safeties will start.

From Page 8

Freeman anchors a defensive line also featuring Jalen Goodloe, Cooper Vincent, Thomas Marinelli and potentially a gifted freshman named Jyheim Ingram.

The linebackers might be even better.

Bratton and Malik Smith, who had a huge 2018, will be the leaders, and sophomores Silas Russell and Wyatt McCannon should be “pretty good” according to Basden.

The secondary is stout. McDougle and Javar Strong excel at safety. E.J. Jarmon and Jacob Peters, the younger brother of Auburn DB Jordyn Peters, play cornerback.

“Gosh, they’ve played so much ball they know where to be. They’ve about seen it all,” Basden said. “They just know how to play with good leverage, and they’re really talented.”

• Muscle Shoals finished second in the region last year, behind Hartselle. The Trojans visit Hartselle, now coached by Bo Culver, on Sept. 13.

• Muscle Shoals has a weapon in freshman kicker Trey Stoddard, whose late field goal against Minor gave the Trojans a 10-7 first round playoff win.

“He’s special,” Basden said. Bratton, Smith and Smothers and can all punt.

• Basden said his team’s strengths go beyond the top recruits, and that’s why McDougle, Freeman and Hankins were at media day.

2018 RESULTS Russellville 40, Deshler 34 (2OT) Russellville 24, Corner 13 Russellville 48, Hayden 13 Russellville 53, West Point 20 Russellville 35, Haleyville 19 Russellville 53, Lawrence County (Ala.) 32 Russellville 65, Hamilton 34 Jasper 42, Russellville 13 Russellville 41, Dora 26 Russellville 62, Central 34 PLAYOFFS Center Point 22, Russellville 8

“I think there were 60 coaches that came by there this year. It’s easy to come in there and look at Jackson Bratton and Smothers, and they’re very talented.

We got a lot of talented kids,” Basden said. “But these guys right here, to me, there’s what we’re about. They’re just hard workers.”

Record: 9-3

The rest

Record: 9-2

Muscle Shoals coach Scott Basden

2018 RESULTS Muscle Shoals 31, Deshler 0 Chaminade (Fla.) 28, Muscle Shoals 21 Muscle Shoals 52, Columbia 6 Hartselle 15, Muscle Shoals 14 Muscle Shoals 46, Mae Jemison 12 Muscle Shoals 10, Florence 7 Muscle Shoals 41, Decatur 28 Muscle Shoals 47, Cullman 17 Muscle Shoals 35, Athens 7 Muscle Shoals 24, Wetumpka 14 PLAYOFFS Muscle Shoals 10, Minor 7 Pinson Valley 45, Muscle Shoals 21

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G14 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Brooks learns lessons and moves on

Skylar Webb, Logan Turbyfill, Carson Daniel are key football players for Brooks High School, which hopes to repeat as Class 4A, Region 8 champion. [PATRICK HOOD/TIMESDAILY]

By Craig Thomas Sports Writer

C

oach Brad Black does not overstate what went wrong in his team’s most disappointing night of the 2018 season, an upset loss as a No. 1 seed to fourth seed Oneonta in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.

“You’ve got to play well in all three phases,” Black said. “Now, I think they won two phases and we won one. We couldn’t stop them, and they won the kicking game. They had big plays and we didn’t.”

Brooks has won eight games or more in

each of Black’s four years as head coach.

Last year was the only time the Lions didn’t win at least one playoff game, though they haven’t been to the semifinals since 2007.

Brooks’ region title was no fluke. The Lions beat Rogers 38-34 but handled the other five region opponents by at least 26 points each. Brooks’ recently graduated seniors excelled not only in football but also other sports.

So what went wrong against Oneonta?

“Last year nobody really led vocally,” Carson Daniel said. “Everybody just led by example. And then at halftime in the Oneonta game, nobody really said

anything. Everybody was kind of in shock. It just kept going bad.”

Unprompted, the Lions said this past summer they need to practice well more consistently and hold themselves accountable for what happens.

“Just do your job,” senior lineman Skylar Webb said, “and trust everybody else to do theirs.”

Carson Daniel appears set to take over as quarterback for all-state secondteamer Lake Spurgeon.

“He throws the ball really well. He puts it in place,” running back/receiver Logan Turbyfill said. “From the wideout standpoint, we were inconsistent.

We’ve been like that for the past two years. So we’ve got to help him out more this year because Carson is able to Offense throw and he’s able to run just as well as Brooks has scored at least 400 points in Lake.” each of Black’s four seasons, and offense The Lions’ top ball carriers will be has been a strength for the best Brooks Cam Beckwith and Turbyfill, whose older teams coached by Black, Jerry Hill and Bob Godsey over the last two decades.

SEE BROOKS, 15

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G15

BROOKS From Page 14

brother Noah was a first-team all-state player last year.

Kobe Warden, Patrick Burke, Cameron Doerflinger and Drake Patterson are among the likeliest wideouts, though Black saw eight kids this summer he thought could play the position. Burke is a Florence transfer.

Defense

Brooks isn’t as known for its defense historically, but Black hopes that might change a bit with more kids on the current team seeing themselves as defensive players first.

It’s a young group, but players like Patterson (safety) and Paden Hodges (inside linebacker) have already left an impression.

“When you ask a kid … ‘What position do you play?’ and the first word out of their mouth is an offensive position, you know that’s what they’re thinking mentally,” Black said. “You ask Drake Patterson, he’s going to say safety. You ask Paden

Black

Hodges, he’s going to say linebacker.

“Not that they won’t go play that other side, just like Lake and Noah and those guys played that side of the ball. But the first word out of their mouth is going to be their defensive position. And I think that’s a big turning point for us.”

Black said teams tend to spend 90 percent of their time on physical work, but he thinks the mental approach is probably the most important thing.

“I think that’s one of those things that we’ve been, I don’t want to say missing,

because we’ve been all right, decent, on can’t play.’ Nah, you’ve got to try to bring that side of the ball,” he said. “But I’m him along,” Black said. looking for us to be really, really good on • Black said since his days as an assisthat side of the ball.” tant, he’s told kids above all else not to have regrets.

The rest “Don’t feel like you’ve not done some• Andrew Skipworth and Kirk Miller will thing that you needed to do to get where you share kicking and punting duties. need to be to meet your potential,” he said.

• Expectations about Brooks vary.

Contact Craig at Craig.Thomas@ “From the Brooks community, every- TimesDaily.com. Follow him on Twitbody believes in us, but everybody else ter: @TD_CraigThomas thinks we don’t have a shot at anything,” Daniel said. “But we think we have a really Record: 8-3 good shot at doing stuff and so does the 2018 RESULTS community.”

Brooks 55, Lauderdale County 0 Added Logan Turbyfill: “But when Hartselle 38, Brooks 14 you’re on the football field, we’ve got a Brooks 48, Central 7 very good vibe going between all of us.”

Brooks 49, Wilson 14 • Seated in a room overlooking the Brooks 38, Rogers 34 Flowers Hall court as high school basBrooks 36, Mars Hill 35 ketball teams scrimmaged this summer, Brooks 48, Deshler 7 Black gestured to the court and said his Brooks 33, West Limestone 7 staff does what those basketball coaches Brooks 61, Elkmont 7 were doing – watch what players can do Madison Academy 45, Brooks 28 naturally and figure out how to maximize everyone’s potential.

PLAYOFFS “That’s what you should do. You just Oneonta 43, Brooks 34 don’t say ‘Well that kid can’t catch. He

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G16 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

FLORENCE From Page 6

“It took us some time to get used to the way he did things,” do-it-all performer Dee Beckwith said. “Some of the stuff we did with the older (former) coach that he put up with, coach Hester doesn’t put up with. It was something we had to get used to.”

Preston Hardin, a returning linebacker, said Hester “is great to play for.”

“He takes into consideration the play- Hester ers as much as the scheme,” Hardin said.

Beckwith, but junior Gardner Flippo “If you are going through something, he should see the bulk of the snaps. cares about you as an individual. You can Running back Javean Griffin is another call him up anytime and he’ll talk to you.” returning starter, while Andrew Ball should see his role at wide receiver expand Offense with the graduation of standout CadarOne thing Hester definitely wants to rius Thompson, who is now at Georgia improve on is the team’s consistency. State.

For the most part, the Falcons were good Hester admits that replacing players offensively. But in three losses, they tal- like Thompson can be difficult, but that lied 7, 9 and 14 points. In the other three players on rise have proved to be capable losses, they scored 22, 24 and 33 points. of stepping in.

The Falcons have options at quar“Cadarrius Thompson was one of the terback, including some packages with top receivers in the state,” he said. “You

just don’t replace those guys, but the character and leadership of the guys we are going to slide into those roles – they might not be as highly touted of player but I think they can be as productive if not more productive of a player.”

Will Kelsey is the only returning starter on the offensive line after fellow starter Coleman Richardson sustained an injury and was lost for the season.

Zeke Bishop and Aaron Skipworth are integrating at tight end and H-back, something the Falcons lacked last season, Hester said.

Zane Gilbert is playing well at wide receiver, sophomore Jeremiah Johnson is expected to fill a role on the line.

Hester wants to see a more balanced offense this season. The Falcons had three games in which they scored 33 points or more, but struggled in the three aforementioned losses.

“We can’t be one-dimensional,” he said. “We have to be able to spread the ball around the field and not just be a pass-happy team or a run-happy team.

In order to do that, we have to be able to execute at a high level.”

Defense

Florence returns six starters on defense, including Quintarious Abernathy and Tabarius Thompson on the line, Hardin at linebacker and Mason, Dean Moore and Carson Casteel in the secondary.

“I like the defense,” Hester said. “We had our first shutout in like six years. Our effort against Muscle Shoals was some of our best defense of the season. We have to get to a point where we put our great defense together with our best offense and win those games. The key to our football team is being consistent.”

Defensive back Isaac Mason said he worked on becoming a more physical player in the offseason.

“Me being kind of small, I let people push me around last year,” he said. “I didn’t do that in the spring. I got more physical, stronger and faster.”

Hardin said he should be more comfortable in the Falcons’ scheme this season.

“It’s about understanding the scheme and knowing my part better,” he said.

Lajuan James II is a transfer linebacker from Tuscaloosa who had a good spring.

Younger players such as AJ Lee and Caleb Thompson-Bennett have also had good preseasons.

The rest

Hester said last season’s playoff loss to Thompson gave the Falcons a bird’s-eye view of what kind of program they are striving to be.

“It kind of put it out there where we need to be if we are going to be on a statewide level,” Hester said. “We competed fairly well in the North. Outside of the James Clemens game, we were in every game we played. In order to win the state championship you have to go through Birmingham. We got to see up close and personal what that looks like. The speed of the game and how well they executed, we know where we need to raise our game to.”

Record: 5-6 2018 RESULTS Blackman (Tenn.) 42, Florence 22 Florence 21, Buckhorn 0 Austin 17, Florence 9 Florence 39, Bob Jones 28 James Clemens 47, Florence 33 Muscle Shoals 10, Florence 7 Florence 28, Huntsville 13 Gadsden City 31, Florence 24 Florence 47, Grissom 13 Florence 21, Sparkman 14 PLAYOFFS Thompson 45, Florence 14

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G17

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Musso wants Haleyville players to take ownership

Haleyville’s seniors hope to lead the Lions back into the playoffs after missing out last year for the first time since 2011. [CRAIG THOMAS/TIMESDAILY]

By Craig Thomas Sports Writer

C

hris Musso saw some fine plays from his Haleyville football team during a 7-on-7 scrimmage this summer, but he noticed several of the Lions came off the field afterward without much reaction.

So the next day at practice, he told players to find a teammate and come up with a celebration gesture they could share after completing the drill together.

Musso does not want the Lions chestthumping in games, of course, but his point was he wants players to embrace

moments in which a teammate excels.

“That’s a learned behavior, learning how to celebrate other people’s successes, and when you do that it’s a lot more fun,” Musso said. “We want to be disciplined in everything that we do, but we want those guys to have fun.”

That’s part of a larger theme for the first-year coach, who came from Locust Fork to try and lead Haleyville to its first winning season since 2016. He wants to give the Lions more responsibility as the year goes on so they gain a sense of ownership of the program.

“A coach-led team is good and you’ve got to have coaches that are leaders, but when

the players start leading, you start separating yourself from other teams,” Musso said.

“That’s what we’re doing right now.”

Senior receiver/cornerback Brayden Hutcheson is excited for the opportunity.

“This community’s been crazy for us.

Even the past two years, we’ve had losing records. They’ve still been here every game,” Hutcheson said. “It means a lot. It makes you realize you’re not just playing for a few people here and there. And you want to give them the best show you can give them.”

Offense

Haleyville is switching from a

pass-heavy offense it used under coach Todd McNutt to a run-heavy offense Musso hopes will allow him to capitalize on the team’s running back depth.

“That’s been a big adjustment,” he said. “You’ve got to change everything because it’s just a different philosophy, but the kids have responded really well and they’ve worked really, really hard at it. It takes some time to get that mentality changed.”

Haleyville scored 204 points last year, its lowest total since 2011 and barely half of what it scored in 2016.

SEE HALEYVILLE, 25

G18 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Lauderdale County expects better results this fall

By Jacob Cole For the TimesDaily

L

auderdale County had an uncharacteristic season in 2018, but in 2019 the Tigers want to get back to playing their style of football.

The Tigers made the playoffs last season, but an early playoff loss and 4-7 final record is sticking in their minds.

Lauderdale County head coach Jeff Mason said the Tigers need to get back to being consistent this season.

“We haven’t been consistent, but we seem to be more consistent from this spring and summer,” Mason said. “We have to play like Lauderdale County.

We have to play like people expect us to play.”

Mason has about 45 players on the roster this year, and he sensed something different in his team this offseason compared to last year.

“We weren’t playing and having fun,” he said. “This is what I’ve seen out of this group: They’re having fun together. They’re an aggressive group.

They love football. They’re happy to be out there. “ … I don’t think we were content at all.

I know we weren’t. The players weren’t, and they showed it in the summer.”

Mason said quarterback Slade Brown came up to him in the days after last year’s first round playoff loss.

He said “We are not ending the season next year in the first round of the playoffs,’” Mason recalled. “He’s leading them in that direction and they’re following. He’s just been a leader and showing them what needs to be done.”

Offense

The Lauderdale County offense will return a lot of experience. Slade Brown will start at quarterback for his third straight season. Mason said Brown has been a great leader and one of the most hardworking kids he had ever been around.

Behind Brown, the Tigers return Kameron Jones, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season as the lead back. Daniel

Lauderdale County lineman Dee Rivers and quarterback Slade Brown plan on taking the Tigers beyond the first round of the 3A playoffs. [MATT MCKEAN/TIMESDAILY]

White and Will Adams will be the other two running backs for the Tigers.

“We feel like we’ve got three running backs that can start right now,” Mason said.

Luke McIntyre will run the H-back position, with others able to step in and play as well.

Eli Rayburn will move to center for

the Tigers and Wheeler Dickerson will return for the offensive line. Lane Davis will return after getting injured in a car accident last season.

Mason said he hopes to use around seven to eight offensive linemen, with many spots still up for grabs. Lane Belue, Timmy Fuqua and Silas Marlar are a few of

the players trying to lock down a starting spot.

“Some new starters on the offensive line, but I think they’re going to come along and do fine,” Mason said.

SEE LAUDERDALE COUNTY, 19

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G19

LAUDERDALE COUNTY Defense

Dee Rivers will return at the defensive end position for his third year starting for the Tigers. Rivers tore his ACL during his sophomore season but has put on 35 pounds.

Rivers said he wants to lead this defense to great things this season.

“We have to play hard and go all out (for each other),” Rivers said. “We want to try to be the best defense in the state.”

Adams will man the other defensive end spot with the nose guard position still yet to be decided with competition in fall camp.

Dickerson, Brody Covington and Brown will all return at the linebacker spot with Dickerson leading the defense in the middle.

Ethan Hamm will be in the secondary after a shoulder injury during his freshman season that limited him.

The rest of the secondary is still yet to be decided with some big competitions finishing in the fall. Darien Quinones and Juvonne Shanes will be names to watch.

one goal in mind for the upcoming season.

“Win state,” Brown said. “It’s always been a team goal, and I think we’ve learned something every summer (after each season). It’s our The rest time.”

• Lauderdale County will have a Lauderdale County opens its season daunting schedule with tough non- at Brooks on Thursday, Aug. 22. region and region matchups.

The Tigers start the year with Record: 4-7 Class 4A, Region 8 champion Brooks 2018 RESULTS before playing Randolph. The Tigers Brooks 55, Lauderdale County 0 will have important region games Randolph 30, Lauderdale County 28 against Colbert Heights, Lexington Lauderdale County 28, East Lawrence 0 and Westminster Christian before Colbert Heights 40, Lauderdale County 34 ending the season with Colbert Lauderdale County 48, Lexington 22 County.

Rogers 35, Lauderdale County 14 The Tigers will have senior leaderLauderdale County 42, Clements 0 ship but also a good young core with Lauderdale County 52, Phil Campbell 46 many underclassmen taking prominent Westminster Christian 42, Lauderdale County 6 roles.

Colbert County 35, Lauderdale County 6 Mason said the depth is at a good place with rotations on offense and PLAYOFFS defense and that will be key. Brown Randolph County 53, Lauderdale County 6 said he and his teammates only have Mason

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G20 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Can Lexington return to its winning ways?

By Jacob Cole For the TimesDaily

L

exington is ready to avenge last season’s 1-9 record with better focus and some returning seniors.

Depth and leadership were issues for the Bears last year. Senior linebacker Jacob Parker said this group can be the group that changes Lexington football for the good.

“In the recent years we haven’t had much leadership on the field,” Parker said. “To get back to Lexington football, the seniors need to show everybody what we’re like.”

Senior right tackle and defensive tackle Trey Woodard is ready for the challenge on turning around Lexington football and thinks this is the team to do it.

“Us older guys have to make everyone buy in and want to be out there and win,” Woodard said. “Everyone is just going through the motions to say I play football, but we’re here to win.”

Offense

Lexington will return its quarterback from last season in senior Trey Martin.

The Bears will run the same offense, using the option for their run game and throwing short passes.

Martin was the team’s top rusher and passer.

“He did a good job for us last year,” head coach Jason Lard said. “He’s going to be one of the leaders of the team this year. He’s going to be the ringmaster of the offense and pulls the strings. We’re excited about what he has an opportunity to do for us this year.”

Lexington averaged 15.2 points per game last year, its fewest since 2007.

Lexington will return Andrew McBride, Bo Evans and Woodard on the offensive line with McBride and Evans coming into their third seasons starting for the Bears.

Axel Bailey will be a new face on the line as the left tackle, and Lard said the center position will come down to

Jacob Parker, Andrew McBride, Trey Martin, and Trey Woodard want to help redevelop a winning culture for a Lexington team that has had a couple tough years. [PATRICK HOOD/TIMESDAILY]

Brodie Davis or Presley Green.

Lucas Thigpen will return in the backfield as a starter with Caleb Roan returning from a season ending neck injury in last year’s preseason. Levi Berryhill and Austin Gray will also be looked upon to play. Martin called Berryhill the fastest guy on the team.

Joanah Hudson, a junior, will return as the Bears’ leading receiver.

Defense

A more experienced Lexington defense will be looking to improve after a rough

2018 season. The Bears allowed a program-record 358 points last year. But Lard feels the defense is poised for growth in 2019.

Defensive coordinator Cody Taylor was brought on just before the start of practices last year, and Lard said the team should be more familiar with the concepts in addition to being older and hopefully mentally tougher.

“I think we’re way ahead of where we were at this time last year,” Lard said. “A lot of that, not being able to stop people last year, wasn’t scheme.”

Parker will return as the leader of the defense after being involved in 124 tackles last year. Lard said the Bears need a big season from him.

The defensive line will include McBride, Evans and Woodard as the returning starters. Lard said how well the three returners play will determine how well the line plays during the season.

Roan and Thigpen will help out Parker solidifying the linebacker core, with newcomer Curt Newton stepping into a more

SEE LEXINGTON, 21

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G21

HAMILTON

LEXINGTON

From Page 4

From Page 20

prominent role after a good spring. Newton missed all of last season with a health issue.

Hudson, Berryhill and Jack Traffanstedt will be starters in the defensive backfield. Martin will play some in the secondary, and Brayden Butler can be used as an outside linebacker or defensive back.

The rest

• Stidham, who is entering his 16th season as head coach, said this group has more chemistry and cohesiveness than other teams of the past, and he believes that will bring the Aggies’ success.

“In our workouts and practices this summer, core guys became great leaders,” Stidham said. “We’re not the most talented team and we’re not the team with a lot of depth, but where we make up for that is in our leadership ability and our chemistry. They love to play the game and they love to have fun.”

Having a year in Class 5A should help, Stidham said. Now, players know what to expect when lining up against teams like Russellville, Jasper and Dora.

“It took us a little while to catch up with the speed of the game (in Class 5A),” he said. “At the end of the year we really picked it up and we finally caught up with the speed of the game and got better. So I think that carryover will help us tremendously.”

Stidham said the Aggies will match up with almost every opponent in its division in 2019, but there are some concerns he has regarding lack of depth on this team.

“We match up with everyone in

The rest

region except for maybe Jasper and Russellville because they always have more depth,” Stidham said. “It makes it tough in the third and fourth quarters when they have those numbers on you.

But that’s why we have to be smart with our game planning.”

Record: 4-6 2018 RESULTS Hamilton 32, Cordova 0 Hamilton 48, West Point 42 Dora 37, Hamilton 12 Corner 46, Hamilton 0 Winfield 38, Hamilton 14 Hayden 30, Hamilton 21 Russellville 65, Hamilton 34 Hamilton 43, Lawrence County (Ala.) 28 Jasper 35, Hamilton 21 Hamilton 31, Haleyville 8

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• Evan Byrd will return as the Bears’ kicker and has the chance to punt as well.

• The Bears will play a tough schedule with region games against teams like Lard Westminster Christian and Lauderdale County. Mars Hill and Rogers will offer “We’ve worked hard in the weight room non-region challenges. and the conditioning program.”

• Martin said Lexington needs a culture change, and he wants the 2019 team to be the one to make it.

“The younger kids have not won much, so we’re trying to change the culture Record: 1-9 because nobody really knows how to win,” Martin said. “We are doing a good 2018 RESULTS job of changing it, but we just need to Rogers 34, Lexington 7 keep building on that.”

Lexington 35, Phil Campbell 12 • Lard says Lexington – which made Westminster Christian 39, Lexington 0 the playoffs every year from 2008 Lauderdale County 48, Lexington 22 through 2016 – didn’t stop being a playElkmont 28, Lexington 27 off-caliber team overnight and won’t get East Lawrence 32, Lexington 16 back to being one overnight.

Colbert Heights 42, Lexington 25 “We all feel that we’ve got a much Hatton 46, Lexington 13 more competitive football team and Clements 30, Lexington 7 that our kids have really grown,” he said.

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PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Expectations no different for Rogers

By Shane Herrmann For the TimesDaily

A

t most schools, replacing eight starters on both sides of the ball might be reason to panic.

Rogers coach Jerry Fulks, however, has developed a next-man-up mentality at his program, and the Pirates are confident they can compete for another region championship.

“We have the same expectations as in the past,” said Fulks, a former assistant who enters his second season as head coach at Rogers. “We have a plugand-play system in place that we use. We may have some new players on varsity but these guys have been doing the same thing for several years now. Some of them even ran these plays in Pee Wee.”

Offense

Jake Wallace is one of the players that has been around the program for a long time. The senior, however, will be playing a new position under center.

“We will be breaking in a new quarterback,” Fulks said. “Jake was a backup quarterback for us last year and played every down on defense. He will continue to play both ways and we will look to him for leadership on the team.”

One player not worried about the transition at all is wingback Hayden Clemmons. The senior has played on teams with Wallace since they were little and believes the Pirates will not miss a beat on offense.

“We have a new quarterback, but nothing much has really changed,” Clemmons said.

SEE ROGERS, 23

Zac Scott, Kody Buttrum and Hayden Clemmons are used to winning with Rogers football and plan to keep it up this fall. [PATRICK HOOD/TIMESDAILY]

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G23

“Jake has been around the program with us for a long time. He knows what to do and we know what he is capable of doing.”

The same offensive system will be in place when the Pirates take the field in 2019. Rogers has run a Wing-T for several years and Wallace and Fulks are comfortable with it.

“Everything is based on personnel,” Fulks said. “The Wing-T is our base offense, but we can do some different things out of that set.”

One of the reasons Fulks has confidence in the offense is the fact that all three of the returning starters on offense can be found of the line. The unit helped the Pirates average nearly 34 points per game last season and is anchored by center Zac Scott.

“We try to communicate up and down the line and make sure everyone knows their assignment on each play,” said Scott, who will be joined up front by fellow senior Brayden Rogers and a trio of juniors - Dylan Taylor, Jesse Wallace and Jake Mitchell. “I’ve played football my whole life. Now, it’s my senior year and I just want to do the best I can for my team.”

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for the third straight year. Two of its three region losses, however, were by a combined 11 points.

Scott said that winning close games will come with more experience. He added that being a part of a winning program teaches players how to win.

• The Pirates went 23-2 in 2016 and 2017 while their junior high programs played for the county championship for three consecutive seasons.

“Rogers has had a lot of success in the past, but we are not competing against those teams,” Scott said. “We have our own standard and we just try to play our best and go out on the field and just be us.”

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“It all starts in the weight room,” he said. “Everyone still comes in over the summer and works hard because they know that is what they are supposed to do. As a team, I think we have gotten stronger during the offseason.”

Fulks also said the linebackers will be important this year while the young secondary learns the ropes.

“Kody Buttrum will need to have a big year for us at inside linebacker,” Fulks said. “Hayden (Clemmons) has done a good job at outside linebacker.

Logan Evans is also a smaller, quicker guy playing for us inside. Tyler Peden played outside linebacker for us at times before we moved him back to safety.

The secondary is where we lost the most players from last year, so we are trying to build some depth on the back end.”

Although Rogers will have only one Fulks returning defensive back, Buttrum thinks the team plays together well.

Defense “I’m confident the defense will be Rogers will continue to run a 3-4 good this year,” Buttrum said. “We’ve most of the time on defense. The played with each other for a long time Pirates will be tasked with rebuilding now. We all played together from little a unit that surrendered just 18 points league through varsity, so we all have per game in 2018 and shut out three good chemistry.” opponents.

Fulks said getting bigger and stronger The rest is the first step to continued defensive • Rogers went 7-4 in Fulks’ first success. season and qualified for the playoffs

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G24 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Can Wilson win enough in a stacked region?

By Jacob Cole For the TimesDaily

W

ilson might be young, but the Warriors are hungry to reverse what happened in 2018 in a tough region.

Last year’s Wilson team became the first in four years to miss the playoffs, going 3-6 overall and 2-4 in the region.

The rebuilding Warriors fell victim to a tough region schedule, taking losses by 35-plus points to Brooks, Deshler and Central.

Second-year coach Matt Poarch is ready to see what the young players do for their team.

“We know we have a young team with about seven seniors,” Poarch said earlier this summer. “We’re going to be leaning on a lot of younger players, but with that there’s more excitement, more competition on team and practices have been competitive.

“I feel like a lot of ninth-graders have competed with seniors and juniors, so it’ll be interesting come August to see who earns those spots to play.”

Offense

Wilson hired a new offensive coordinator, Jared Mills, and the Warriors are changing their offense to the splitback veer. Poarch said it will bring something new to this area and his players have embraced it.

Chris Silva will return as the starting quarterback. Poarch said having Silva behind center will provide some stability and confidence with the rest of the team running a new offensive system.

Silva said his leadership needs to be good to help this year’s Wilson team get back to the playoffs.

“We’re trying to pass down what we learned from Tucker Brown and Avery Moates’ class,” Silva said, referring to the Class of 2018. “They really showed Tanner Melton and Chris Silva hope to guide Wilson back to the playoffs. The Warriors missed out last year after four straight playoff appearances. us what it’s like to come in every day [PATRICK HOOD/ TIMESDAILY] (and) do what you’re supposed to do.

It’s about passing down what they open up some play-action passing for as one of the dual backs. Woody Wat- spots when needed. Devin Willis will taught me to the younger kids.”

Silva and the Warriors’ offense as well. kins will be a dive back with a couple of Poarch hopes the new offense will Tanner Melton returns as a starter young guys also ready to play and fill in SEE WILSON, 25

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G25

HALEYVILLE

Musso has made tackling and sometimes even wrestling a bit a routine aspect of practice since being hired, and he said his players Seniors Ty Black, Nick Whitman and have taken to it well.

Jackson Kennedy are among six to eight “You can’t say we want to be a physical running backs, but the new offense should defense and not be physical all the time. So allow lots of people to get involved. everything we do is about that,” he said.

Sophomore Eli Musso leads three quar- “I’ve been really pleased with it honestly.” terback candidates, with the others being senior Brantson Lambert and freshman Justin Coleman.

The rest Caleb Williams and Austin Barry are • Kennedy, Coleman and Christian among the older receivers, and Matthew Chambers can punt. Jacob Lolley and Eric Baugus and Reece Townsend can play tight Hollinghurst both kick. end.

• The Lions want to handle tough situaMusso said the offensive line has been a tions better this year. pleasant surprise, with Trevor Jordan lead“Last year we were strong physically, ing the way at a tackle spot. Josh Weaver is but mentally when it came down to it in the also big and strong, while Case Jordan and fourth quarter, second half and fourth quarKobe Hood could see time at guard. Brody ter especially, we’d give up on ourselves,” Gravitt or Ty Morgan will play center. Hutcheson said.

Dawson Hyde and Hayden Tidwell are “We gave up on our teammates, too,” among several other candidates for play- senior lineman Dawson Hyde said. ing time.

• Last season broke a program-best sixyear streak of making the playoffs.

Defense “We have conditioned, and I think we’re Musso appears to have a good group of going to have a good season,” Baccus said defensive linemen. Justin Miller will be a earlier this summer. “The spring game was one-way player at one defensive end spot, hot that day, and we have come a long way and three-year starter Matthew Stephens since that day. All of us out there were about will be at the other. to die. (But) I could go out there right now “He’s a beast. Just a big, strong kid. Just and I’d be fine, I feel like.” tough,” Musso said of Stephens.

Contact Craig at Craig.Thomas@TimesHayden Tidwell, a tackle, might have Daily.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ the best technique of the group and might TD_CraigThomas be paired alongside “country strong” Record: 3-7 347-pound Ryan Baccus, who didn’t play football the past couple years.

2018 RESULTS Townsend, Jordan and Camden Smith are Winfield 37, Haleyville 13 among the linebackers Haleyville will use.

Haleyville 21, Central 7 Kennedy could start at safety, with Haleyville 48, Oak Grove 0 Lambert, Coleman, Eli Wakefield and JarNorthside 43, Haleyville 22 rett Baggett competing for time. Look for Russellville 35, Haleyville 19 Hutcheson and Barry to play cornerback Curry 27, Haleyville 13 often, with Williams, Jonathan Cagle and Good Hope 23, Haleyville 7 freshman Will Bartis getting chances, too.

Fayette County 33, Haleyville 14 The Lions were 3-0 last year when the Haleyville 39, Cordova 20 defense allowed 20 points or fewer but 0-7 Hamilton 31, Haleyville 8 otherwise.

From Page 17

PLUMBING, LLC

help at running back and also be a backup quarterback.

Mason Hanback will transition from guard to center on the offensive line. Jeremiah Vader and Avion Blaylock will start at guard on the line. Freshman Patrick Hamilton will start at a tackle, and the tight end position will be swapped between Dylan Crouch and Alex Credille.

Bailey Clemmons and Austin Holt will be out wide for the Warriors.

Defense

Melton, who started at linebacker last season, will move to the defensive line and give the Warriors some more speed without losing a lot of power. Carter Williams will also be someone to watch, but Wilson plans to use five to six guys on the defensive line to keep everyone fresh.

Crouch, Credille and Levi Arnett will return as the middle linebacker and Carson Terry will also start at an outside linebacker spot.

Holt will return as one of the cornerbacks for the Warriors. Hunter Freeman, Andrew Terry and Tyler Lenz are also competing at corner.

Clemmons and Jordan Pruitt will be the safeties.

Poarch said the defensive side of the ball is where he is most nervous with the least amount of experience coming back. He said the way Wilson plays defense involves more “pre-snap thinking” than on some other teams.

“Because of that if you don’t understand what we’re doing you’ll still be thinking when the ball is snapped,” he said. “ … We’ve had a problem in the past of kind of hovering over the top of the running back,

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giving him too much space to move.

“I’m basically just seeing who’s going to attack when they see the play.”

The rest

• Wilson will have a ton of tests in the early part of the schedule with Sheffield, Colbert Heights, Rogers, Brooks and Deshler before October starts.

All five of those teams made the playoffs last year. Brooks, Deshler and Rogers finished first, second and fourth in the Class 4A, Region 8 standings, respectively.

• Wilson will open up on a Thursday night at home against Sheffield on August 22.

Record: 3-6 2018 RESULTS Sheffield 22, Wilson 6 Wilson 41, Colbert Heights 27 Rogers 27, Wilson 2 Brooks 49, Wilson 14 Deshler 50, Wilson 0 Wilson 21, West Limestone 7 Wilson 21, Elkmont 0 Central 57, Wilson 21 Red Bay 28, Wilson 20

Good Luck Warriors!

G26 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Central wants to be a region contender

By Jacob Cole For the TimesDaily

C

entral football accomplished a big goal last year with its first playoff appearance since 2016.

Central finished third in Class 4A, Region 8, and a first round playoff loss to Hokes Bluff made the Wildcats’ record 5-6.

But after a pair of .500 regular seasons, coach Heath Wood said this team is looking to take the next step and challenge for a region championship this season.

Central will play a challenging schedule featuring Brooks, Rogers, Deshler and Wilson in region play. Mars Hill, Russellville, Colbert County and Haleyville are the non-region opponents.

Central will play six teams that made the playoffs last season. Wood said in a tough region just getting in the playoffs is a challenge.

“First thing we have to do is worry about getting in (the playoffs),” Wood said. “Once we get in we can set our goals bigger, but first off we have to get in. We hope to be able to go out and play our best game every Friday night.”

Offense

A couple of seniors will return with multiple years of experience to lead the Wing-T style offense for the Wildcats.

Payton Palmer will return as the quarterback after a strong season last year.

Palmer said this group has always stepped up to lead, but in his last season he wants to make sure that stands in his last year.

“Our senior class has always been leaders naturally,” Palmer said. “We have to take control, and the whole team is bought in to what we do.”

Dalton Hanback will be back for his fourth year of starting action in the backfield for Central. Hanback has been first or second in rushing yards every year he has been on the varsity.

“We’re definitely the seniors now, so we’re definitely going to have a lot of leadership,” Hanback said. “It’s our time to be the leaders.”

Chris Willard, Payton Palmer, and Dalton Hanback hope to guide Central to a second consecutive playoff bid and perhaps its first region championship since 2013. [PATRICK HOOD/TIMESDAILY]

Wood said Palmer and Hanback are built to lead and will be a major part of the team’s offensive success in 2019.

Senior Houston Hancock and sophomore Jamal Ingram will battle for a running back spot with senior Komarie Wilson. Wilson is shifting from tight

end to fullback. Aiden Perkins is working there, too.

Seth Holt and Marshall White will be the Wildcats’ wing-backs, but a starter has not been named.

Center Colby Heathcock, guard Austin Richardson and KaJuan Wilson at tackle are returning starters, and Eli Hamm has

moved to offensive guard but has playing experience from defense. Reed Davis, Jacob Michael and Stephen Isbell are battling at strong tackle.

Chris Willard will be the starting split end with Cody Fisher, Carson Brewer and

SEE CENTRAL, 27

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G27

CENTRAL

“We can’t get too far in front of ourselves. I’d say our schedule is as tough as it has ever been.”

Casey Dickerson also playing a lot for the

From Page 26

Wildcats.

Heath Wood

Defense

John-Paul Spillers will anchor the defensive line, but the Wildcats will rotate a big group to keep everyone’s legs fresh during the game.

Aiden Perkins will be a returning starter at linebacker with Alex Fisher switching from the defensive line to the linebacker in the spring and will continue to play at middle linebacker.

Carter Lovelady will stay as a starter at an outside linebacker spot. The other outside linebacker spot is up for grabs with Holt and Garrett Threet trying to earn the starting spot.

Holt could also play some safety. Ethan Looney, Willard and Hanback will all return as defensive backs. Ingram will help out at safety and Wood said they will lean a lot on the sophomore to help on both sides of the ball.

The other corner position could come down to Brewer or White.

the mix for a region title all season long?

“Leadership is what determines that, and we’ve got a great group of leaders in The rest these seniors and some of these under• When asked who was a team they classmen, too,” Wood said. were ready to play in the 2019 season it Record: 5-6 was a unanimous decision between Han2018 RESULTS back, Palmer and Willard.

Central 28, Colbert County 14 “The blue school,” they said. (If you’re Haleyville 21, Central 7 unfamiliar, that means rival Wilson.)

Brooks 48, Central 7 • Central will open its season at home Deshler 35, Central 21 Friday, Aug. 23 against Colbert County.

Central 35, West Limestone 0 After playing Haleyville, the Wildcats Central 51, Elkmont 20 open region play with two of the likely Mars Hill 26, Central 9 tougher opponents – Brooks and Deshler.

Central 57, Wilson 21 “We can’t get too far out in front of Central 14, Rogers 7 ourselves,” Wood said. “I’d say our Russellville 62, Central 34 schedule is as tough as it’s ever been.

PLAYOFFS It’s definitely going to be a challenge.”

Hokes Bluff 38, Central 14 • Do the Wildcats believe they can be in

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PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Waterloo looks to build on success

By Jacob Cole For the TimesDaily

W

aterloo has built a solid 1A football program in the last few years, but the 2019 Cougars are ready to take a step further.

Waterloo hosted a first-round playoff game last year on the way to finishing 9-3. The Cougars made it to the second round, where they took a 16-8 loss to Spring Garden.

Waterloo quarterback Campbell Parker acknowledged his team lost a lot of talent after last year, but the Cougars will also return a good amount.

“I have some big shoes to fill, so I have to be a leader,” Parker said. “We lost a lot of talent, but we’re getting talent back.”

Parker also said he hopes to see the community energized like it was during the Cougars’ run last season.

Offense

The Cougars are coming off their best offensive year ever, as their 406 total points beat the team record by more than 100.

Waterloo might not throw as much as it did in 2018, but that doesn’t mean the Cougars can’t do it well.

“We will get more back to a balanced offense,” head coach Brad Palmer said.

“Last year was a bit of an anomaly, but we’ll get back to what we were.”

Still, he added, “We are not going to be afraid to throw the football.”

Parker will take over as the new starting quarterback for the Cougars after Bryce Palmer — the coach’s son — graduated. Parker is 6-foot-3 and mobile.

“Campbell’s going to surprise a lot of people this year, so we’re not going to be afraid to throw the football.”

But Palmer thinks the run game should open the playbook more. Behind Parker, Waterloo will start transfer Junior Summerhill and returner Colton Vaden in the backfield, with other players contributing at the running back spot. Summerhill excelled for Central in 2017 but sat out last season.

“With Junior we’ll be able to do a little bit more just because of the type of player

Junior Summerhill, Gavin Scott and Campbell Parker plan to keep an improved Waterloo program near the top of the Class 1A, Region 8 standings.

[TODD THOMPSON/RIVERCAT PHOTOGRAPHY]

he is,” Palmer said. “The offensive line has a chance to be a really, really big part of this team.”

Waterloo lost one of the area’s top receivers in Christian Irons but also returns one in Hayden Hester. Former offensive lineman Gavin Scott will change positions to tight end this season.

A junior, Scott said changing positions has not changed his mentality

for the upcoming season as he and the team only have one goal in mind — to win.

The offensive line lost a couple of players, but Palmer said that group will be ready to step in to start this season.

Braden Kilburn, Max Blasingame, Hunter Taylor, Levi Allison and Briar Austin and perhaps a couple more will spend time on the offensive line.

Defense

Waterloo’s defense might have been overshadowed by its prolific offense, but Palmer said he hopes this year’s group is up to the challenge.

The group allowed 204 points in last year’s regular season, the fewest it

SEE WATERLOO, 37

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G29

SETTING From Page 3

Beckwith said he realized he was drawing attention as an athlete at the start of high school, when kids would talk to him and ask him about sports.

“I enjoyed it because I figured I could help them out in a way and I could help myself with people, talking to them,” he said.

Bratton said his senior class has been successful going back to the players’ middle school days, and he knows he’s not leading the Trojans by himself. But he also remembers coach Scott Basden telling him in middle school to be ready to be a leader, and that there was a reason the coach said that.

“Not trying to sound cocky, but I do.

I know there’s some people that look up to me. I know I have to be a leader on the team,” Bratton said. “Because I know when they look up to me when things are going bad or things are not going good, I know … they need to keep a positive attitude the whole time.”

Both of these players know what it’s like to make a big decision.

Bratton, who will finish at Muscle Shoals this semester and enroll at Alabama next semester, committed to the Tide nearly 18 months ago. But unsurprisingly that has not stopped coaching staffs at other schools from trying to sway him with texts or phone calls “all the time.”

“It’s been more than tough. Very stressful,” Bratton said. “I’ve tried not to let it be stressful, but you can’t help it because you’ve got all these programs trying to change your mind. It gives you a lot to think about, but I just try not to let it faze me because I know Alabama’s where I want to be at.”

Beckwith has offers from over a dozen high-profile schools, including Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Ole Miss, South

Muscle Shoals’ Jackson Bratton warms up before the Trojans’ 2018 game against Chaminade-Madonna. [TODD THOMPSON/RIVERCAT PHOTOGRAPHY]

Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.

“Everything’s all falling into place. I’m kind of used to it now,” Beckwith said of his conversations with coaches. At first it was overwhelming … it happened so fast. But now I guess I’m just used to it.”

Beckwith additionally has to weigh what position he might play and even if he might play basketball — an opportunity he said Ole Miss, South Carolina and UAB have floated in addition to football.

He talks to his mom, Carolyn, and also family members who have been through the process. One of them is his cousin Lamonte Turner, who recently played basketball at Tennessee.

“I get them to help me out, and it’s a lot easier for me,” Beckwith said.

Beckwith hopes to lead Florence to its first region championship since 2014.

This will be Florence’s second year in Class 7A. “I think we can go a long way if we all stay together, play with heart,” Beckwith said.

Bratton’s Muscle Shoals team is a playoff regular but seeks its first region title since 2015 and first trip to the state finals since 2013.

“I really don’t want to let the town down because everybody in Muscle Shoals knows we’re going to be good this year, and this is our year,” he said. “That would make me feel sick to my stomach if we let the town down because everybody’s excited for this year.”

Most of their teammates at Florence and Muscle Shoals — along with most of the athletes mentioned in this section — will not hear recruiting pitches.

Many of the athletes mentioned here don’t have a star rating, and for many of them their college choices won’t involve sports.

But they sense that same responsibility to be role models for younger peers Beckwith senses. They feel that same loyalty to their school and town Bratton feels.

“I feel pressure,” Bratton said. “But I like pressure.”

Contact Craig at Craig.Thomas@ TimesDaily.com. Follow him on Twitter: @TD_CraigThomas

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G30 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

What’s next for state champ Mars Hill?

By Craig Thomas Sports Writer

M

ack McCluskey remembers fatigue setting in last fall by the time Mars Hill football reached the state semifinals.

“We were all exhausted,” the nowsenior lineman said this summer. “You did it because you wanted to win, but you did it for the guy beside you. He was counting on you as much as you were counting on him.

“That’s what it came down to, and it won us state.”

McCluskey and the Panthers now know not only how good it feels to win a Class 1A state championship but what is required to have a chance.

“It’s almost like a brand new team,” senior Walker White said. “Got to stay hungry and prove ourselves again.”

The Panthers have enough talent to talk seriously about working toward a repeat state title, but they’ll have to do it without graduated stars like quarterback/defensive back Joseph Hanson and running back/linebacker Colt Smith.

“None of these guys are that alpha, outgoing (type),” coach Darrell Higgins said of his most experienced returners.

“They’re all more just kind of quiet, humble guys. So they’ve got to step out of their comfort level to lead us if we’re going to achieve kind of what we want to Mars Hill’s Logan McInnish, Mack McCluskey and Walker White all contributed to the team’s 2018 state championship and have even bigger roles for do with this team.”

“These guys before us, they really set the the 2019 team. [TODD THOMPSON/RIVERCAT PHOTOGRAPHY] bar really high with their leadership skills,” senior lineman Logan McInnish said. “So “Walker is a great leader. He’s really as fullbacks. The receiver position is group shut out four opponents – includwe’re just trying to get used to that.” strong and athletic. He can run it and less clear, though Dustin Hayes is back ing Marion County in the playoffs – and throw well. He’s very dependable and to play tight end. held seven other teams to 14 points or he’s the kind of guy you look for to lead McCluskey returns at tackle and McIn- fewer. Only Class 4A Brooks scored more Offense your team as a quarterback,” Higgins said. nish is back at center. Brandon Rippey than 30, beating the Panthers 36-35 to With help from some defensive scores, “Griffin is one of the more talented might take the other tackle spot. But hand Mars Hill its only loss.

Mars Hill averaged 48 points per game guys I’ve ever seen at this age. He has Mars Hill lacks experience at guard Hayes (265 pounds) and Rippey (225) last year. The offense has some key unbelievable accuracy on his throws. and Higgins said that’s his top concern are the likely defensive ends, with absences but returns several familiar He’s really fast and athletic, and he’s because guards are so important in the McInnish (300) and McCluskey (285) players. going to be an outstanding quarterback Wing-T. Landon Morris is among the at tackle, and that group gives Mars Higgins can choose between White and whether it’s this year or down the road.” candidates there.

Hill unusual size on the line for a 1A eighth-grader Griffin Hanson (Joseph’s Juniors Peyton Higgins and Hunter team. brother) as the new quarterback.

Kilpatrick figure to get plenty of car- Defense “That’ll be a strength of our team.

The other player will be a receiver on ries, and juniors Justus McDaniel and The defense’s effectiveness was probSEE MARS HILL, 31 offense.

Lane Lambert will be heavily involved ably underappreciated last year. The

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G31

MARS HILL

Record: 14-1

The rest

• Mars Hill has made a quick rise from first season of football (2014) to defending a state title.

And then we’ve got a lot of guys to rest “Now you’re hunted. We were the one them. We’ve got probably nine to ten doing all the hunting in the past. And bigs,” Higgins said. “There ain’t many now our role has changed,” Higgins said.

4A teams got that. We’ve got numbers, • At No. 1 in Class 1A, Mars Hill has its and they can all play.” highest ranking ever in a state poll. The Lane Lambert will lead the linebackers Panthers didn’t even enter the 1A poll as Smith did last year and likely be joined last year until mid-October, and had

by Kilpatrick, McDaniel and junior Lan climbed only to ninth when the last poll Whiteside. came out.

White and Higgins will play corner• The Panthers will play all the same back with an 8th-grader at safety – either opponents as last year, opening with a Hanson or Damian Thompson, whose trip to 2A Sheffield. They have home brother Cadarrius starred as a receiver games against 4A Brooks and 3A Lexat Florence. ington and a trip Oct. 11 to 4A Central.

From Page 30

2018 RESULTS Mars Hill 49, Sheffield 13 Mars Hill 62, Hackleburg 14 Mars Hill 64, Phillips 0 Mars Hill 63, Cherokee 6 Brooks 36, Mars Hill 35 Mars Hill 69, Vina 0 Mars Hill 26, Central 9 Mars Hill 54, Waterloo 20 Mars Hill 55, Shoals Christian 8 Mars Hill 47, Lexington 0 PLAYOFFS Mars Hill 55, Marion County 0 Mars Hill 38, Donoho 7 Mars Hill 41, South Lamar 27 Mars Hill 20, Pickens County 12 Mars Hill 53, Linden 26

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G32 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

New coach Rushing tries to spark Flame

By Craig Thomas Sports Writer

N

ear the end of the team’s summer media interview, first-year coach Kelly Rushing was asked if Shoals Christian was ready to surprise some people.

Rushing said he hopes so, and then acknowledged his school’s Bible Bowl rival and defending 1A state champion a few miles down Cox Creek Parkway.

“A lot of times a lot of our folks don’t look favorably on them, but I look at them as kind of the blueprint of where we want to be,” Rushing said. “They didn’t start out settin’ the woods on fire. They’ve kind of slowly built their program to where they are now, and I’d like to see us do that.”

Indeed, Mars Hill’s 2018 state title was preceded by a 2017 first round loss, and after six straight losing seasons, a return to the playoffs for Shoals Christian sounds like a good goal.

“It would mean the world,” senior lineman Nick Edmonds said. “I see all of us working hard every day, and we want that, you know? We can see it in our grasp and we’re going to take it this year.”

Rushing cushions reality with optimism when he speaks.

“Establishing a work ethic was kind of my first goal with them,” he said.

“Watching them on film, we needed to be stronger, we needed to be more physical.

“And we’re not that far away, just from what I’m watching on film.”

Offense

Shoals Christian’s 158 points last year were its fewest since 2002, its first year playing 11-man football.

Senior Jaylen Akin is set to be the starting quarterback, with sophomore Kyle Wilson the backup. Akin feels comfortable leading an offense and is a solid runner but was honest about targeted improvement.

“I need to read the field better. I had a lot of people open, and I wouldn’t hit them,” Akin said. “Could have gotten a lot more touchdowns that way.”

The team will be without one of its top

Seth Ezekiel, Nicholas Edmonds and Jaylen Akin plan to help Shoals Christian football get back on track. [TODD THOMPSON/RIVERCAT PHOTOGRAPHY]

playmakers this year. Keenan Jones has done good work for Shoals Christian in the past and figured to be a running back/receiver hybrid this year but will miss the season after collapsing in a summer workout.

Wilson and C.J. Mack will help at receiver, with senior Caleb Vardaman

set as a tight end/receiver hybrid. The senior Seth Ezekiel will be a running back, probably alongside senior Austin Gist and freshman Zailyn Fuqua.

“He’ll hit anything that’s in his way.

He’s a hard runner,” Akin said of Fuqua.

“Ain’t scared of nobody.”

Shoals Christian could have several upperclassmen on the line. Edmonds and Daniel Butler are senior guards. Juniors Nathaniel Davis and Garrett Gentle and sophomore Andrew Storie will compete SEE RUSHING, 35

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G33

ASWA Preseason Prep Football Poll Preseason Prep Poll The Alabama Sports Writers Association preseason high school football rankings with first-place votes, last year’s record and total poll points:

Muscle Shoals, Russellville, Deshler, Colbert County and Mars Hill will begin the season in the Top 10 of their respective classes.

(7-4) 3, Cedar Bluff (7-4) 2, New Brockton (6-5) 2, J.U. Blacksher (4-6) 1.

CLASS 1A

CLASS 5A

CLASS 3A

Team (first-place), 2018 W-L, Pts 1. Central-Phenix City (26), 14-0, 312 2. Hoover, 9-4, 227 3. McGill-Toolen, 9-3, 201 4. Thompson, 11-2, 183 5. Hewitt-Trussville, 8-4, 165 6. Auburn, 10-2, 98 7. Mountain Brook, 9-3, 88 8. Theodore, 8-3, 83 9. Lee-Montgomery, 8-5, 66 10. Fairhope, 7-4, 23 Others receiving votes: James Clemens (7-4) 13, Bob Jones (6-5) 9, Austin (7-4) 8, Prattville (7-4) 6.

Team (first-place), 2018 W-L, Pts 1. Briarwood (4), 9-3, 233 2. Ramsay (12), 11-2, 221 3. Jasper (2), 11-2, 206 4. Madison Aca. (1), 10-2, 143 5. Central-Clay Co. (7), 12-3, 139 6. Demopolis, 10-3, 134 7. Mortimer Jordan, 12-2, 127 8. Vigor, 13-2, 110 9. Etowah, 12-1, 61 10. Russellville, 9-2, 44 Others receiving votes: Center Point (6-6) 36, Alexandria (6-5) 15, Hamilton (4-6) 6, Sardis (3-7) 3, East Limestone (9-3) 2, Scottsboro (4-6) 1, Sylacauga (7-4) 1.

Team (first-place), 2018 W-L, Pts 1. Flomaton (24), 12-3, 306 2. Piedmont (1), 12-3, 193 3. Gordo (1), 10-3, 179 4. Randolph Co., 12-2, 168 5. Pike Co., 10-3, 136 6. Providence Chr., 12-2, 121 7. Mobile Chr., 9-2, 118 8. Saks, 10-2, 104 9. Geraldine, 9-3, 56 10. Midfield, 9-2, 28 Others receiving votes: Fultondale (9-2) 19, St. James (10-2) 18, Winfield (11-1) 11, Pisgah (4-7) 8, Prattville Chr. (4-6) 5, Thomasville (9-3) 5, Oakman (5-6) 2, T.R. Miller (6-5) 2, Excel (4-6) 1, Walter Wellborn (5-5) 1, Westminster-Huntsville (11-1) 1.

Team (first-place), 2018 W-L, Pts 1. Mars Hill Bible (20), 14-1, 287 2. Maplesville (4), 12-2, 203 3. Sweet Water (1), 6-5, 176 4. Brantley, 7-4, 168 5. Lanett (1), 10-2, 149 6. Spring Garden, 11-2, 108 7. Elba, 8-3, 80 8. Linden, 13-1, 68 9. Pickens Co., 9-5, 50 10. South Lamar, 12-1, 47 Others receiving votes: Marengo (10-2) 43, Georgiana (10-2) 36, Millry (5-6) 21, Falkville (11-1) 19, Marion Co. (7-4) 9, R.A. Hubbard (8-3) 7, Notasulga (4-7) 4, Decatur Heritage (7-4) 3, St. Luke’s (11-2) 2, Donoho (9-3) 1, Winterboro (7-4) 1.

CLASS 6A

CLASS 4A

Team (first-place), 2018 W-L, Pts 1. Pinson Valley (17), 13-1, 282 2. Saraland (9), 13-2, 251 3. Muscle Shoals, 9-3, 172 4. Clay-Chalkville, 12-2, 158 5. Hueytown, 9-3, 150 6. Wetumpka, 11-3, 148 7. Oxford, 10-3, 95 8. Spanish Fort, 11-2, 67 9. Blount, 5-5, 57 10. Jackson-Olin, 10-1, 44 Others receiving votes: McAdory (10-2) 20, Opelika (7-5) 9, Eufaula (5-6) 8, St. Paul’s (7-4) 7, Homewood (10-3) 6, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6-6) 3, Helena (4-6) 2, Stanhope Elmore (6-5) 2, Russell Co. (2-8) 1.

Team (first-place), 2018 W-L, Pts 1. UMS-Wright (25), 14-0, 309 2. Hillcrest-Evergreen (1), 8-5, 215 3. Andalusia, 9-5, 185 4. Hokes Bluff, 11-2, 177 5. American Chr., 12-1, 151 6. Catholic-Montgomery, 8-4, 96 7. Jacksonville, 11-1, 91 8. Montevallo, 9-2, 87 9. Deshler, 9-6, 86 10. Headland, 10-2, 36 Others receiving votes: North Jackson (11-1) 30, Holtville (7-4) 9, Leeds (3-7) 6, Brooks (8-3) 4.

CLASS 2A

AISA

Team (first-place), 2018 W-L, Pts 1. Fyffe (26), 15-0, 312 2. Leroy, 9-4, 206 3. Addison, 10-3, 183 4. Luverne, 13-2, 174 5. Ohatchee, 11-1, 98 6. Abbeville, 10-2, 85 7. Aliceville, 11-3, 77 8. Collinsville, 10-2, 66 9. Reeltown, 8-3, 55 10. Colbert Co., 8-4, 51 Others receiving votes: Cottage Hill (10-2) 45, Thorsby (9-2) 41, North Sand Mountain (8-3) 24, Daleville (6-5) 23, LaFayette (7-4) 17, Red Bay (9-3) 9, Highland Home (12-2) 8, Westbrook Chr.

Team (first-place), 2018 W-L, Pts 1. Autauga Aca. (23), 13-1, 303 2. Monroe Aca. (2), 13-0, 237 3. Escambia Aca., 10-3, 195 4. Glenwood, 5-7, 179 5. Wilcox Aca., 8-4, 151 6. Chambers Aca. (1), 13-0, 138 7. Morgan Aca., 9-3, 98 8. Macon-East, 9-3, 76 9. Bessemer Aca., 9-4, 48 10. Lee-Scott, 0-11, 23 Others receiving votes: Edgewood (8-4) 19, Tuscaloosa Aca. (6-4) 10, Clarke Prep (4-8) 2, Jackson Aca. (6-5) 2, Lakeside (5-5) 1.

CLASS 7A

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G34 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Sheffield hopes to become D.A.T.T. team Bulldogs have talent, hope intangibles are in place full of D.A.T.T. players, but we can be that without the last T. Talent only takes you so far.”

For Martez Smith, another senior, the avid Hufstedler is entering his acronym means he and his fellow class10th season as Sheffield’s head mates need to set the tone and assume coach and he said this past leadership responsibilities. spring practice might have been the “We have to keep everybody going in best he’s seen from the Bulldogs during the same direction and keep the team his tenure. together,” he said. “If we do that I think Coming off a 6-5 season, Sheffield we can go a long way.” concluded spring practice with a win over Lawrence County, Tennessee, and Offense according to Hufstedler the momentum from that carried over into summer Khori Bowling returns at quarterworkouts. Now, he wants to build on back after sustaining a knee injury late that momentum and hopes it sparks the last season. Like many teams, Sheffield Bulldogs to a fourth consecutive playoff uses an offense that relies on run-pass berth. options, and Bowling will be the center“We had an awesome spring,” Hufst- piece of that scheme. edler said. “I think it is probably because Hufstedler calls Bowling “an RPO we played a spring game. Sometimes I get thrower.” set in my ways, but I decided our play“He’s not an RPO runner,” he said. ers wanted to play a spring game, so let’s “Khori, DJ Smith, AJ Cherry and Jaylen play a spring game.”

Jones started coming up here in FebruSenior Will Armstrong agreed that ary and throwing. In the spring game dangling a carrot in the form of a game to we scored two touchdowns off RPOs end spring practice gave the team some- because of the timing they got from thing to build toward. working out on their own in February “We wanted to see how we could do and March.” against bigger completion,” he said. “If The Smiths — DJ and Martez — along you practice all spring (with no game), with Jones and Armstrong will form the it’s like you are just out there. But if you nucleus of the receivers. Sheffield also is have a goal and you are gonna go play expecting big things from Devin Doss, a this team, it gave us something to prac- standout basketball player who is playtice for.” ing football.

For the second straight season, “He’s fallen in love with football,” S h e f f i e l d i s u s i n g t h e a c r o n y m Hufstedler said. “He’s our Justyn Ross “D.A.T.T.” to provide inspiration. of Clemson. He played like a returning It stands for Dependable, Account- starter in the spring. He is a matchup able, Team Player, Talent. The caveat nightmare.” is that the final ‘T’ is circled and The offensive line has three returning crossed out. Hufstedler did that for a starters in Derrick Smith, Trey Williams reason. and Jacoby Hampton.

“We don’t care about that last T,” he Armstrong has been impressed with said. “Anybody can be talented. If you the line’s improvement. aren’t accountable and a good teammate, “They are a lot faster, a lot more talent doesn’t mean anything. Our play- mobile,” he said. “We are a lot more ers embraced it last year and wanted to confident in our line than we have been use it again this year. We want a team before.”

By Gregg Dewalt

Senior Sports Editor

D

Martez Smith, Dontavious Long and Will Armstrong plan for the Bulldogs to be in the Class 2A playoffs for the fourth year in a row. [TODD THOMPSON/RIVERCAT PHOTOGRAPHY]

Defense

Like most small classification schools, the majority of Sheffield’s players will line up on both sides of the ball. Derrick

Smith will play on the line, while Martez Smith and DJ Smith will play in the

SEE SHEFFIELD, 35

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G35

SHEFFIELD

RUSHING

secondary. Cherry, a running back, will play safety and Jones will also play linebacker.

Even Bowling will play linebacker part of the time.

“All of our guys practice two ways,” Hufstedler said. “When we organize our practices and organize our schemes, as coaches we get it, but our players are learning an offensive position, a defensive position and a special teams, and sometimes multiple special teams.”

for the tackle jobs, and sophomore Gavin Johnson is the center.

From Page 34

From Page 32

Defense

Shoals Christian allowed 410 points last year after giving up 480 in 2017, but those are still the two worst figures in team history.

“As far as defense goes, we had a real good physical spring. I intentionally made it physical,” Rushing said. “I was wanting to basically kill each other to see who wanted to play football, and we pretty much did.

“The days we were in full gear we got after it pretty good. I just want us to be more physical than what I saw on film from last year.”

Rushing called senior J.D. Simmons a defensive specialist at tackle but acknowledged he’ll still play some on the offensive line, too. Davis and Gentle are also defensive tackles. Edmonds and Butler will be ends.

Austin Gist, Seth Ezekiel, Caleb Vardaman and sophomore Ben Russ will play linebacker.

Jones’ absence leaves a spot at free safety. Rushing doesn’t like to play quarterbacks on defense but might need Akin there. Wilson and Mack should get a chance at cornerback.

The rest

• Hufstedler calls Class 2A, Region Hufstedler 7 possibly the best region in the state. or 256-740-5748. Twitter “If there is a tougher region, I’d like @greggdewalt. to see it,” he said. “We have Addison, Colbert County and Red Bay. We were all playoff teams last year and we had Record: 6-5 to kick a last-second field goal to beat 2018 RESULTS Hatton to get in.”

Sheffield 22, Wilson 6 Factor in Tanner, a former state Mars Hill 49, Sheffield 13 power, and an improving Tharptown Sheffield 49, Tharptown 0 program and Hufstedler has a point.

Sheffield 17, Hatton 16 Armstrong, Martez Smith and DonAddison 42, Sheffield 7 tavious Long said the Bulldog seniors Sheffield 28, R.A. Hubbard 26 have been looking forward to this Red Bay 24, Sheffield 12 season with a chance to leave their Colbert County 27, Sheffield 6 legacy.

Sheffield 30, Tanner 0 “We’ve been pointing to our senior Sheffield 42, Cherokee 22 season to put it all together,” Smith PLAYOFFS said.

Aliceville 26, Sheffield 0 gregg.dewalt@TimesDaily.com

Record: 2-8 2018 RESULTS Tharptown 41, Shoals Christian 30 R.A. Hubbard 46, Shoals Christian 21 Waterloo 38, Shoals Christian 6 Shoals Christian 27, Alabama School for the Deaf 24 Hackleburg 52, Shoals Christian 8 Decatur Heritage 38, Shoals Christian 0 Phillips 54, Shoals Christian 12 Cherokee 44, Shoals Christian 14 Shoals Christian 32, Vina 18 Mars Hill 55, Shoals Christian 8

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• Edmonds was the punter as of June. It was unclear who would kick in place of Jones.

• Rushing said several of his seniors play

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• “I think we’re more hungry,” Ezekiel said. “There’s more of us actually stepping up and wanting to get things done. Whenever we’re in the weight room we always want to get bigger and improve. I feel like we have our heads on straight more.”

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G36 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Colbert Heights aims to sustain recent success

Carson Shaw, Gage Pugh, Skyler Gault, and Logan Simpson want Colbert Heights to tie a program record with a third straight playoff bid. [PATRICK HOOD/TIMESDAILY]

By Shane Herrmann For the TimesDaily

T

aylor Leathers didn’t hesitate when asked who will have to step up and be a leader for his Colbert Heights team as it heads into the 2019 season.

With only four seniors on a team that is loaded with underclassmen, the fourthyear head coach said he looks for lineman Logan Simpson to lead by example on both offense and defense.

“Logan is the leader of our offensive line and is also a returner for us at linebacker,” Leathers said. “He is a senior and will be the guy who helps us get

lined up and make sure everyone is in the right position. Being the leader on both sides of the ball, he won’t come off the field much. He can drink water after the game.”

Colbert Heights will feature four seniors, five juniors and 29 freshmen and sophomores, leaving the Wildcats young, but not necessarily inexperienced.

“We are young, but a lot of them are returners. We bring back six on offense from last year’s team,” Leathers said.

everyone has handled it well,” Leathers said. “We will line up now in a way that puts us in the best position to win and showcases everyone’s ability the best.”

The majority of the returnees for Colbert Heights can be found up front, meaning the Wildcats will lean heavy on the run game.

“We are going to really hang our hat on running the football effectively,” Leathers said. “We need to have long, sustaining drives. All of that starts up front with how our offensive line Offense develops.”

After playing in the slot last season, Simpson, who plays right guard, will Andrew Tedford will be the quarterback. be joined on the line by tight end and “It’s has been a big change but fellow senior Skyler Gault.

“It’s a big deal to be playing your senior year,” Simpson said. “There is a little more pressure to step up and be a leader. I just want this team to succeed and someone needs to step up and lead the way.”

Added Gault: “It really hasn’t hit me yet that I’m about to play my senior year.

We are all just working hard toward the same goals. Everyone just goes out and tries to do what they are supposed to do.”

Leathers said running the ball effectively will be key this season given the defense returns just four players.

SEE COLBERT HEIGHTS, 37

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G37

COLBERT HEIGHTS

WATERLOO

“We want to be very physical, be able to control the clock and keep possession of the football,” Leathers said. “It takes some pressure off of your defense. The decision was made based on the personnel that we have. Our guards do a lot of pulling and we have a couple of running backs that we are really excited about.”

Those running backs include juniors Carson Shaw and Gage Pugh. Shaw played quarterback last year, eclipsing 1,000 yards in passing and rushing. Pugh is a transfer from Cherokee.

allowed in a ten-game regular season since 1992.

Waterloo lost about six players from the defense, including three of the four defensive backs. Palmer said the defense will have some depth, including some underclassmen that are ready to play.

Most of the Cougars’ defensive players were not starters previously.

Still, Austin, Allison, Young, Kilburn, John England and Blasingame give Palmer options on the defensive line.

“We’re not going to have to play very many two ways,” Palmer said.

Vaden is the top returning linebacker.

Gavin Scott, Tristen Harrison and Richard Parrish could help there, too.

Hester, Summerhill, Campbell Parker, Garrett Carter and Ryan McCain will be involved in the secondary.

From Page 28

From Page 36

Defense

On defense, Colbert Heights will continue to use a 4-4 formation and take advantage of several athletic linebackers.

“We will make some adjustments based on who we are playing, but that is the base set that we have used since I have been here,” Leathers said. “You have to have really good outside linebackers to do that, and I feel like we have the personnel to run it again this year. “ Simpson will line up inside, while Shaw and Pugh are outside linebackers. Shaw played corner and safety last year before changing positions.

“This will be my fourth season at Colbert Heights and we have looked a little different each year,” Leathers said.

“That is due to the players we have had.

We want to put them in the best position to be successful. It’s not near of a rebuild as it was last year.”

The rest

• Shaw said getting off to a better start this year could be the beginning of a special season. In 2018, the Wildcats started 0-3 before rebounding to win six of their last eight games. Colbert Heights lost to Saks in the opening round of the playoffs.

“We started slow last season,” Shaw

Leathers

said. “Getting off to a better start can really help our confidence.”

• Colbert Heights missed the playoffs five straight years, including a 4-6 mark during Leathers’ first season in 2016. The Wildcats have since posted back-toback playoff seasons, including an 11-2 mark in 2017.

“We always want to make the playoffs,” Gault said. “We have finished second in the region the last two years, so we would like to break through and win the region this year and make a long playoff run.”

Record: 6-5 2018 RESULTS Red Bay 34, Colbert Heights 18 Wilson 41, Colbert Heights 27 Westminster Christian 50, Colbert Heights 20 Colbert Heights 40, Lauderdale County 34 Colbert Heights 18, East Lawrenec 6 Colbert Heights 28, Cherokee 14 Decatur Heritage 23, Colbert Heights 22 Colbert Heights 42, Lexington 25 Colbert Heights 28, Clements 21 Colbert Heights 21, Phil Campbell 14 PLAYOFFS Saks 56, Colbert Heights 0

The rest

Palmer

• Palmer cautioned against assuming Waterloo is destined for a top-two Summerhill said the Cougars’ goal is finish with Mars Hill. Hackleburg’s pretty simple.

10-year playoff streak was snapped “We want to win a blue map,” Sumlast season. merhill said.

“Hackleburg won’t have another year like they had last year,” Palmer said.

Record: 9-3 “They’re too well coached.”

• Palmer said his team is more confi2018 RESULTS Waterloo 47, Woodville 7 dent than it used to be, but players still Hubbertville 49, Waterloo 18 work just as hard and haven’t gotten Waterloo 38, Shoals Christian 6 arrogant.

Waterloo 47, Hackleburg 34 “They’re starting to learn how to Waterloo 43, Phillips 18 win,” he said.

Waterloo 10, Lynn 8 • Waterloo finished second in its Waterloo 50, Cherokee 22 region behind the state champion Mars Waterloo 48, Vina 0 Hill, and the challenge will be there this Mars Hill 54, Waterloo 20 year against Mars Hill, Cherokee and Waterloo 57, Brilliant 6 others in Class 1A, Region 8.

PLAYOFFS The Cougars have competed and made Waterloo 20, Hubbertville 15 the playoffs the past couple of years Spring Garden 16, Waterloo 8 with a couple of close playoff losses.

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G38 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Indians motivated to return to championship-level football

By Ciera Hughes For the TimesDaily

C

olbert County’s 2018 football season did not go as the Indians planned.

The Indians were solid, but they finished third in Class 2A, Region 7 and fell in the second round of playoffs to the eventual state champion, Fyffe.

No shame in that, of course. In the last five seasons, Fyffe has had three undefeated state champions, a two-loss state finalist and a one-loss quarterfinalist.

Colbert County’s players remember that, understand what a championship team looks like and are motivated to work toward that level.

Brett Mask, now in his third year as Colbert County’s head coach, said losing to Fyffe made the potential of a state championship feel more attainable because it showed the Indians the caliber it takes to win it all.

“Losing that game really motivated our guys in the off-season, and they kind of know what to expect when you play a team like Fyffe that’s physical and disciplined and a dynasty in 2A,” Mask said.

Offense

The Indians will return several key offensive players. The most notable might be senior running back Ethan Smith.

Last year was Smith’s first full year to shine as the main back, and he took advantage by turning 222 carries into 1,842 yards and 18 touchdowns. He averaged 8.3 yards per carry.

“Last year he was the unknown. Everybody was like ‘Where did this kid come from?’” Mask said, noting Smith is quiet but does his job and has been getting prepared for increased attention. “They’re going to be very aware of where he is.”

Slade Berryman, a Hatton transfer, will start at quarterback and Jordan Austin is the backup. Mask said it helps replacing one coach’s son (the graduated Lucas Craft) with another in the junior Berryman.

“He’s been around the game. He

doesn’t get rattled. He’s kind of even keeled. He asks a lot of questions. He’s picked up our offense really well,” Mask said.

Marcus Hampton and Themetri “Tee” Carter return at receiver.

Left tackle Dustin Ellis and right guard Tanner Liles were the only Indians who were at every summer workout, and Mask was encouraged by such aboveaverage commitment from those offensive linemen.

He said 6-3, 320-pound sophomore Jareekus Bonner has also matured and gotten in shape, and junior Jacob Holland is the most athletic offensive lineman on the team.

Defense

Mask was concerned about defensive line earlier in the offseason but now sees it as a potential strength. Chris Hood is a senior returning at defensive end, and there are several players who can play defensive tackle.

“That’s probably going to be our deepest position,” he said. “They’re just solid guys and pretty strong guys.”

Tabarious Horton will have an important role at inside linebacker. He had 17 tackles for loss last season. He’s joined by senior J’Daryus Nance. Jyrese Horton, Jaylen Butler and Ethan Benford will share time on the outside.

Jake Bassham is a senior returning as the strong safety, and transfer Cannon Berryman at free safety might be the rare freshman to start on a CCHS defense.

Hampton and Carter start at cornerback but underclassmen Demetrius Jones and Austin Mitchell should play a lot, too.

Colbert County allowed 12.2 points per game last year in the regular season, its best mark since 2013.

“Our defense can be really good if we want to be. We’re big and physical, and it’s all about attitude with our defense,” Mask said. “It’s a top defense in the state if we want to be.”

SEE COLBERT COUNTY, 39

Colbert County football players Marcus Hampton and Ethan Smith want to lead their tradition-rich program to its first region championship since 2007. [TODD THOMPSON/RIVERCAT PHOTOGRAPHY]

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G39

COLBERT COUNTY From Page 38

The rest

• Last year Colbert County beat seventh-ranked Addison 35-8 but followed

it up with a 12-7 loss to Red Bay. That sent the Indians from first in the region to third and forced them to travel for the first round of the playoffs before hosting Fyffe in round two.

“We came in there honestly feeling like we already had the region championship

locked down, and we just didn’t come prepared,” Mask said. “We’ve learned from that, and that was just kind of the thing in the off-season, just making sure those (opportunities) don’t get away.”

Smith said losing to Red Bay last year gave the team new insight into the

Mask

importance of staying level-headed and coming prepared for every game.

“Coach Mask is always saying you have to win that first game because you can’t go 10-0 until you go 1-0,” Smith said.

• Hampton said the team is ready to work hard and rise to the occasion and the team is excited to prove why Colbert County is always a force to be reckoned with.

“We don’t want to be average Joes anymore,” Hampton said. “We’re just ready to bring the state championship back to Colbert County.”

Record: 8-4 2018 RESULTS Central 28, Colbert County 14 Colbert County 47, Cherokee 0 Colbert County 49, Tanner 15 Colbert County 68, Tharptown 0 Colbert County 39, Hatton 14 Deshler 33, Colbert County 6 Colbert County 35, Addison 8 Red Bay 12, Colbert County 7 Colbert county 27, Sheffield 6 Colbert County 35, Lauderdale County 6 PLAYOFFS Colbert County 49, Tarrant 6 Fyffe 35, Colbert County 0

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G40 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Tradition-rich Chiefs seek new glory

Montoya Kellogg, Demetris Bean and Ca’ni McCoy can help R.A. Hubbard continue to progress after the team’s dramatic improvement last year. [PATRICK HOOD/TIMESDAILY]

By Shane Herrmann For the TimesDaily

M

ac Hampton’s first two seasons at R.A. Hubbard could not have been much more different. The Chiefs went 2-8 in 2017, continuing a streak of three consecutive losing seasons.

Last year, however, R.A. Hubbard broke through with an 8-3 mark and return to the playoffs.

Now entering his third year in charge,

Hampton said his team is hungrier than ever to return to glory.

“I think the last two seasons have really set the tone for this year,” Hampton said.

“We will have more seniors on this team than I have ever had here. Everyone on the roster saw the success we had last year and the improvement we had from the year before. This team will be a little more experienced and a lot more hungry.”

R.A. Hubbard returns seven starters on offense and six on defense. With a

high number of returnees, Hampton said experience will be a huge factor for his 2019 squad.

“These guys know our program,” Hampton said. “They know our expectations. They are not the same players they were when I first got here. As a program, we have learned how to win again.”

Offense

Sticking to the same offensive philosophy sounds like a good plan for the

Chiefs, who averaged 32 points per game last season. Hampton said having multiple formations on offense makes it harder on opponents.

“We to do a variety of things on offense,” he said. “There are several different options that we can line up in.

It will depend on who the opponent is and what is working best for us at the moment.”

SEE R.A. HUBBARD, 42

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G41

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Playoffs aren’t foreign to Cherokee anymore

By Jacob Cole For the TimesDaily

T

he Lymos McDonald era will end at the end of the season, but before the Cherokee coach steps down the Indians are ready to make the playoffs for a fourth straight year.

Before 2016, Cherokee had not made the playoffs since 2002.

Cherokee finished third last year in Class 1A, Region 8 behind the 1A state champion Mars Hill Panthers and the 9-3 Waterloo Cougars. Cherokee finished 4-7 with a loss in the first round of the playoffs.

McDonald, entering his fifth year in charge at Cherokee, said his team is trying to find its identity before the season gets underway.

“We’re trying to find our footing again,” McDonald said. “Just looking forward to coaching hard and having fun. Be the best player you can be, and if we do that we can leave the field knowing we did the best we could.”

McDonald said everyone is ready to get the season started with the players and coaches feeling like they can make an impact in 1A football this season.

Offense

The Indians managed 53 fewer points last year than the recordbreaking 2017 team, but their total of SEE CHEROKEE, 42

Willie Cox and Taylor Smith will try to lead Cherokee to its fourth straight Class 1A playoff appearance. [PATRICK HOOD/TIMESDAILY]

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CHEROKEE

R.A. HUBBARD

275 points last year was still the program’s second-best figure of the last decade.

Willie Cox will return to start as the Indians’ running back and maybe even play quarterback at some point during the season. Taylor Smith will move from wide receiver to a running back spot to add depth.

The offensive leadership runs through Cox and Smith. McDonald called Cox more of a Kawhi Leonard-type, leading by example, with Smith being more of a vocal leader for the Indians.

The quarterback spot had not been decided as of early August.

Brady Hardesty, Ben Taylor and Nick Broughman will anchor the offensive line with a couple of spots up for grabs.

Christian Travino will step up and play as a freshman on the offensive line as well.

Noah Vanwinkle will start at tight end for the Indians.

“We just want to get guys in the right position to make plays. That’s our job as coaches,” McDonald said.

Stability on the offensive line will be another factor the Chiefs have in their favor. Four starters return along with senior tight end Montoya Kellogg, who takes as much pride in blocking as he does catching passes.

“I just try to do my best at whatever I’m supposed to do on the field,” Kellogg said. “I know if I do a good job blocking, the coaches will call for some passes to come my way.”

Kellogg added that he gets his work ethic from former R.A. Hubbard standout Riely Evans, Jr., who was an honorable mention all-state pick as a senior last year.

“Riely worked so hard for us last year and that has motivated me,” he said.

“When I grind it out over the summer and do extra workouts, it’s because I watched him do the same thing and I saw it pay off for him. This year, I just work hard, try to take after him and lead this team by example.”

Fellow senior Demetris Bean will also be a leader on offense. The fullback rushed for more than 900 yards last year.

“I like to block when they call lead plays,” Bean said. “It’s exciting. I’m usually going up against a middle linebacker.”

Last year’s starting quarterback Bret Mason will also be a senior but is not expected to return from injury until midway through the season. Sophomore D.J. Wiggins will take over until then. He took some snaps last year in a backup role.

From Page 41

Defense

Cherokee allowed 385 points last season, the most since it gave up the same total in 2011.

With only 17 current players on the team, everyone on Cherokee’s roster will be asked to play on both sides of the ball.

The defensive and offensive line has the most depth, McDonald said. Travino will step in and play at a defensive line spot. Multiple players will switch around on the defensive line.

Nick Broughman could be one of the defensive standouts.

Cox will start at linebacker as the leader of the defense. Smith will also play a prominent role on the Cherokee defense.

The rest • Cherokee will face a stiff test in Class 1A, Region 8. Mars Hill and Waterloo combined to go 23-4 last season and both teams return many players. Cherokee will have to fend off both of those teams plus Phillips, Hackleburg and a couple others to make the playoffs.

Playoff hopes for Cherokee could come down to October 18 and 25. The Indians play a Hackleburg team likely

From Page 40

McDonald

to be improved this year and a Phillips team Cherokee beat by one point last year.

• Colbert Heights, Colbert County, Sheffield and R.A. Hubbard provide non-region tests. Smith said he looks forward to the challenges the nonregion games present.

“Colbert Heights has always been a rival, so it’s always a goal to beat them,” Smith said. “We look at games one week at a time, but at the same time we do look forward to playing Colbert Heights.”

• McDonald said the team needs to stay healthy and take each week a week at a time with the tough schedule. The team is having to take things slowly with only 17 players on the roster, with limited drill time and practices.

Cox wants to make the most of his senior season.

“I think it’ll be a tough year, but something that we can get through,” Cox said. “I don’t think there is anyone on the schedule we can’t beat.”

• Cherokee will open its season with a home game Thursday, Aug. 22 against R.A. Hubbard.

Record: 4-7 2018 RESULTS R.A. Hubbard 26, Cherokee 22 Colbert County 47, Cherokee 0 Cherokee 60, Vina 0 Mars Hill 63, Cherokee 6 Colbert Heights 28, Cherokee 14 Waterloo 50, Cherokee 22 Cherokee 44, Shoals Christian 14 Cherokee 56, Hackleburg 30 Cherokee 29, Phillips 28 Sheffield 42, Cherokee 22

PLAYOFFS

Pickens County 57, Cherokee 0

Defense The defense will also feature more of the same for Hampton, who likes to use a 3-4 scheme.

“I’ve been running a 3-4 for a long time,” Hampton said. “That’s what I played in college, and every school I have coached at has run it. It’s based on personnel. The strength on defense will be the front seven. We have more players on the back end so it’s easier for me to substitute for the three linemen.”

One of those defensive linemen is first team All-State selection Ca’ni McCoy. The senior said communication and leading the younger players will be key this season.

“We have good chemistry,” McCoy said. “There are times when we need to talk a little more. Different teams will throw different things at us and some of

Hampton

the younger guys have not seen everything yet. That’s where some of the older guys have to step up and communicate on the offensive and defensive lines.”

Kellogg, Bean and Todd Perkins will all play linebacker. Hampton said all three are big, strong, fast, physical guys who love contact. He said the system has worked well for them in the past.

“Our line does a good job of clogging the middle,” Hampton said. “When that happens, it bounces everything to the outside, and the linebackers are there to clean it up.”

The rest

• Hampton said experience could be the X-factor this season. A disappointing home loss to Winterboro in the first round of the playoffs a year ago has been motivation for the team over the summer.

“I think we should have won our playoff game,” Hampton said. “But that was the first time we had been in the postseason since 2014 and it showed at little.

Everyone on the team remembers that game and knows what it takes to take the next step this year.”

Record: 8-3 2018 RESULTS R.A. Hubbard 26, Cherokee 22 R.A. Hubbard 46, Shoals Christian 21 R.A. Hubbard 40, Coosa Christian 7 R.A. Hubbard 41, Decatur Heritage 20 Falkville 19, R.A. Hubbard 6 Sheffield 28, R.A. Hubbard 26 R.A. Hubbard 48, Gaylesville 0 R.A. Hubbard 42, Woodville 33 R.A. Hubbard 31, Valley Head 0 R.A. Hubbard 31, East Lawrence 6 PLAYOFFS Winterboro 28, R.A. Hubbard 14

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G43

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Loretto inching toward respectability

By Gregg Dewalt Senior Sports Editor

N

eal Cruce is about to begin his third season, and Loretto’s coach continues to see progress as he tries to restore the program from some down days to respectability.

He admits the Mustangs aren’t there yet, but he likes the upward trajectory for a program that has toiled in the shadows of its ultra-successful boys basketball and baseball programs. In his first year, the Mustangs won twice after back-to-back winless seasons. Last year, they won four times, including games against county rival Summertown and Community.

Late in the season, Loretto was still in the playoff chase, so things are definitely progressing.

“We are a little further ahead than a lot of people thought we would be,” Cruce said earlier this summer. “But there still is not a lot of true emphasis on football.

We are trying to get it to where when it is time for football, it is time for football and it moves to the front burner.

“There’s no question the program is moving in the right direction. From 0-22 to nearly .500 last year to the core of kids we have this year and the possibility we have this year,” he continued. “I don’t make predictions. You work hard and the pieces fall where they may, but I am really excited about this year. This is as fired up as I have been for a while.”

Cruce

the Mustangs is in the run game. Avery Rose, who rushed for 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns, and Lucas Nobles, who rushed for 800 yards and eight touchdowns graduated. So did quarterback Brock Purcell.

Cruce has high hopes for new quarterback Toby Glass, a senior who also is a standout on the basketball team. He has a similar skill set to Purcell, but might be a little quicker, Cruce said.

“He runs the option better and makes decisions a little quicker than Brock did,” Cruce said.

Logan Fisher and Preston Colisek will get carries at tailback, while Walker Brown and Eli Green will split time at fullback.

The offensive line returns nearly intact with Zach Brown, Eli Hartsfield, Ethan Prince, Cobin Cozart and Jude Thomas.

Andrew Beard is the top wide receiver and one of the fastest players on the team.

“We have a little bit of speed but not across the board,” Cruce said. “I’ve got Offense a few good possession receivers that can One of the biggest questions facing settle in soft spots of the zones and they

Loretto has improved under coach Neal Cruce, and now Andrew Beard, Cobin Cozart and Zach Brown hope to lead the Mustangs to their first playoff game since 2014. [TODD THOMPSON/RIVERCAT PHOTOGRAPHY]

understand the game, but they aren’t going to be a burner. Beard is a speedy guy. He played big against the better competition.”

“He’s kind of the X factor,” Cruce said.

“He started a few games for us last season and tweaked his knee in the spring. He can move pretty quick. If he turns it on and Defense plays with a high motor, he can really set Loretto has six returning starters on a lot of the other guys free.” defense, including Brown, Hartsfield and Cozart on the line.

The rest Eli Green and John Paul Littrell provide Brown said he sees a major difference experience at linebacker, while Beard will in the program in the two years Cruce has see double duty at cornerback. Cruce also is been the head coach. hopeful Jacob Johns, who is 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, will play a major factor up front.

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G44 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Lawrence County hopes youth movement pays off

By Savannah Vickery For the TimesDaily

I

n recent years, the Lawrence County, Tennessee, Wildcats football program has found itself stuck in quite a drought.

Due to the inevitable challenges of youth and inexperience on both sides of the ball, the Wildcats have only managed to produce two- and three-win seasons since 2015. But looking ahead to 2019, it seems the odds may finally fall back into the Wildcats’ favor.

“We’re not dependent on any one person and we know that we have to be selfless to be successful,” Marston said.

“We realize that we have to play every snap, every play, every game and just get out there and compete.”

With six returning starters on offense and five on defense, the woes surrounding lack of experience are no longer a major concern. The Wildcats will return sophomore quarterback Alex Carr, who started eight games as a freshman in 2018.

Lawrence County head coach David Marston, entering his 17th year with the Wildcats, said aside from experience, he believes this group’s cohesiveness will serve as its biggest strength in the upcoming season.

Offense

Carr got experience as a freshman until a broken collarbone sidelined him late in the season. Still, he gives Marston something to work with for the future in the team’s spread offense.

Marston said he has been told that Carr was the first freshman to start at quarterback for the Wildcats since 1967 or 1968., Derrick Young will line up in the slot and at running back, while JD Bedford will be at tailback. Case Tucker is the fullback.

Likely starters on the line are Chad Montgomery, Dante Romer and Jon Gerber, with freshmen Lee Santos and Logan Green also in the mix for starting

Marston

jobs.

Austin Gokey, Hayden Dale and Aiden Luffman will be primary targets for Carr along with Young.

“I feel a lot better this year,” Marston said. We played a lot of freshmen and sophomores last season and we got better by the end of the year.”

Defense

Lawrence County will have several players going both ways.

Two sets of brothers will play crucial roles on defense, with Levi and Gage Adams set at one end and one defensive tackle position, while Reese Tucker will be at the other defensive tackle position.

His brother, Case, will be at linebacker.

Holt Freeman and Sam Bradley will be at linebacker along with Chasin South.

Aiden Lay and Kaidan Matney will play a new hybrid linebacker/safety position, with Bedford, Dale, Gokey and Young in the secondary.

“Because we had so many young players last season, now the sophomores are playing like juniors,” Marston said.

Young, the senior slot/defensive back entering his final year at LCHS, said he and his team are remaining optimistic as the Wildcats continue to prepare for the new slate of opponents in the coming weeks.

“Last year, we were young and I think we were still trying to put the pieces together,” Young said. “We’re much

Derrick Young, Gage Adams, Levi Adams and JD Bedford are key components of this season’s Lawrence County team. [STANLEY G. WILSON/COURTESY PHOTO]

faster now, we’re stronger and we’re all the second week of the season against experienced. This year, we’ve got it. I Loretto. Summertown is also on the fully expect us to make a playoff run.” schedule again.

“We’ve got an exciting schedule with The rest some new teams to play,” Marston said.

“We’re really looking forward to playing • In the offseason, Marston said the Loretto and Summertown, which are our team worked day-in and day-out in the biggest county rivals.” weight room with strength coach Charles Sweeton, a former Wildcats standout who went on to participate in NFL trainRecord: 2-8 ing camp before returning to Lawrence 2018 RESULTS County.

Lincoln County 37, Lawrence County 6 “Sweeton helped us tremendously this #Forfeit win (Giles County 53-14) offseason,” Marston said. “He had our Maplewood 66, Lawrence County 6 guys working nonstop on Olympic lifts, Columbia 35, Lawrence County 6 power cleans, hang cleans and overhead Nolensville 42, Lawrence County 14 presses. We’ve gotten a lot more flexHardin County 45, Lawrence County 7 ible and explosive, so combine that with Marshall County 29, Lawrence County 8 being a year older and we’re just proud Tullahoma 31, Lawrence County 6 of all of that.”

Lawrence County 6, Dickson County 3 • One of the highlights of the schedule Spring Hill 27, Lawrence County 14 is the return of the Van Johnson Cup in

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G45

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Familiar face hopes to keep Wildcats on top

By Gregg Dewalt Senior Sports Editor

T

he more things change, the more they stay the same around Wayne County’s football program.

A longtime coach leaves, a longtime assistant that was also the program’s head coach earlier in his career ascends to take over the program once again.

It’s that type of continuity often seen at small schools that has helped the Wildcats retain their status as one of Tennessee’s tradition Class A powers.

When Rick Rice stepped down earlier this year, veteran assistant Cary Crews was there to take over. Rice and Crews’ friendship dates back to the early 1990s at Wayne County, and even with the departure of Rice, don’t expect much to change with the Wildcats. With only two losing seasons since 1992, they still should be a threat to win the region and make some kind of a playoff run.

“The biggest difference is that I am not as young as I was the last time I was the head coach,” Crews, who has been at Wayne County since 1992, joked. “I think that continuity has been a big thing for us. I’ve watched the sun come up in this field house a lot of days trying to figure out a way for us to get better.”

“I’s been different, but it has basically been the same,” senior Josh Nutt said. “We’re used to coach Crews and he knows a lot.”

Wayne County’s Josh Nutt, 56, Travis Paterson, 28, and Aaron Stooksberry are expected to play important roles on Wayne County’s team this season.

[GREGG DEWALT/TIMESDAILY]

“It was a little bit of a shock when said. “We expected him to stay, so we Wildcats to the 2011 Class A state title, Coach Rice left because he had been knew everything would be OK.” gone. here for so long, but we knew we still Nutt doesn’t expect there to be any SEE WAYNE COUNTY, 47 had Coach Crews here,” Travis Paterson drop-off with Rice, who guided the

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G46 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Despite small roster, Bobcats have progressed

By Craig Thomas

Offense

Sports Writer

One player Barnwell didn’t have to learn last year was the team’s quarterback — his son, Luke — who came over from Russellville when Kevin got the Phil Campbell job.

Though Ridge Raper could see some time at quarterback, the junior Barnwell is the primary option.

“Our plan is to try to stretch the field vertically if possible,” Kevin Barnwell said. “ … He’s getting more accurate. The biggest key for us as a team — we’ve got to be able to give him time. And if we give him time I feel like that we can throw the ball.”

Phil Campbell averaged only 19.9 points per game last year. Nearly half the season total came in two games: a 47-2 win over Vina and 52-45 loss to Lauderdale County.

Protecting the quarterback was a problem for Phil Campbell last year, but there’s reason to believe that group might do a better job in 2019.

Senior Kaleb Solis and junior Johnson Leeth are two of the team’s best, and juniors Eli Smith and Isaiah Oliver have worked hard to improve. Sophomore Joseph Moreno and junior Kendrick Baker can be effective, too.

“This sounds a lot better than last year,” Barnwell said as he listed their names. “We were (almost) all ninth and 10th graders.”

Juniors Trey Leindecker and Austen Baker can help at both receiver and running back, and Blain Goodson will get carries as well. Raper is a good receiver, and sophomore John Randall Herring is a matchup problem standing around 6-foot-2.

S

econd-year coach Kevin Barnwell has probably seen numerous things that indicate the differences between this year and last year, when he was the newly hired Phil Campbell football coach.

It took him a while to get to know the kids. It took them a while to know him and the other coaches. It took a while to make sure everyone knew the terminology.

But he saw progress during a spring scrimmage day at Jacksonville State in this offseason when he let the kids call their own plays and it worked.

“You know, the kids know what we’re doing now,” Barnwell said. “That’s the fun part of it all.”

Barnwell acknowledges the senior class has not been replaced by a similar number of newcomers, and though he’d like to have 40 players he might have to lean on 25 to 30.

But Barnwell remains encouraged because he, assistant coaches and the returning players have spent a full year with each other. Strategy, terminology and expectations are clear.

“I’ve not had to coach effort, not one time, in the workouts. Not one time,” Barnwell said this summer. “That’s totally opposite from last year. When I showed up for media days last year I couldn’t talk.

I was hoarse because I constantly (made corrections). I’m not having to do that now. I’ve got guys who are pushing themselves, and so that’s the difference in it.”

Ben Williams and Eli Jackson are part of a Phil Campbell team that coach Kevin Barnwell says has a stronger sense of his expectations than it did a year ago. [TODD THOMPSON/RIVERCAT PHOTOGRAPHY]

Defense

from happening,” Barnwell said. “Not just them. Other teams did it, too. Red Bay did Barnwell said the defense needs to prove it to us. That was one of the problems that it can play with the physical strength and we had last year, stopping the run.” assertiveness required to stop teams.

Solis did not play on the defensive “Teams like Lauderdale County, they just lined up and ran it down our throats SEE PHIL CAMPBELL, 47 last year. We’ve got to be able to stop that

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TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G47

LORETTO

Cruce said he hopes Loretto can continue to close the gap with region powers From Page 43 Lewis County and Forrest.

“If you can compete with or beat those “We’re familiar with each other now,” teams, they you know you have made a he said. “We’ve gained a lot of trust with big stride,” he said. each other. The work we put forward in gregg.dewalt@TimesDaily.com July is what will help us break through or 256-740-5748. Twitter into the playoffs.” @greggdewalt.

Beard’s approach is simpler.

Record: 4-6 “We need to look at each game as if we need to go 1-0 instead of looking at the 2018 RESULTS big picture,” he said. “It would mean a Wayne County 27, Loretto 16 lot to make the playoffs.”

Rogers 35, Loretto 14 Cruce said the Mustangs are positioned Lewis county 49, Loretto 19 to be in the hunt to make the playoffs.

Loretto 17, Collinwood 16 “I’m not saying we are going to be Loretto 62, Collinwood 13 10-0, but I feel like we could be a playLoretto 30, Summertown 15 off team,” he said. “If we don’t make the Forrest 32, Loretto 13 playoffs it will be a disappointment.”

Loretto 42, Community 12 Beard echoed those thoughts.

Eagleville 42, Loretto 14 “It would mean a lot to make the playColumbia Academy 42, Loretto 7 offs,” he said.

PHIL CAMPBELL From Page 46

line last year but is “very instinctive” and Barnwell feels he’s needed there as another senior to go with Imer Ordonez and quiet but reliable Eli Jackson. Oliver, Leeth and Jeremiah Malone should also get playing time on the line.

Boone Swinney impressed at linebacker last year as a freshman and Raper will join him there. Austin Douthit might play there as a sophomore, too.

Goodson and Ben Williams, who can help at receiver, will be cornerbacks.

Austen Baker and Brandon Baker are set to play safety, and while Barnwell said he’d prefer to keep Austen Baker there he’s not afraid to move him to linebacker if needed because he has the right mentality for the spot.

The 275 points Phil Campbell allowed last year was the team’s best mark since 2010.

The rest

• Barnwell and Raper can both punt.

Raper might do some placekicking. Abraham Gonzalez is set to handle the rest of the kicking.

• Phil Campbell last won a playoff game in 2000 and last played in one in 2015.

“Making it to and probably through the first round of the playoffs would be huge for this group,” senior defensive end Eli Jackson said. “Definitely get the town’s

Barnwell

vision turned around toward what we’re trying to see.

“That’s definitely a major goal,” cornerback Ben Williams said. “I remember one year, it was maybe four years back, we made it to the playoffs and the town was going crazy about it. It really gets everybody excited when we do.”

Record: 2-8 2018 RESULTS Red Bay 36, Phil Campbell 8 Lexington 35, Phil Campbell 12 Phil Campbell 15, Clements 7 Phil Campbell 47, Vina 2 Phillips 28, Phil Campbell 12 Westminster Christian 40, Phil Campbell 7 Lauderdale County 52, Phil Campbell 46 East Lawrence 32, Phil Campbell 26 Colbert Heights 21, Phil Campbell 14 Hackleburg 22, Phil Campbell 12

WAYNE COUNTY From Page 45

“We’re still going to be successful,” he said. “We’re working just as hard or harder in the weight room and on the field as when Coach Rice was here.”

Offense

Wayne County’s offense will have a third starting quarterback in three years as Crews’ son, Cade, is likely to be the starter.

“There’s no pressure, especially since he is the coach’s son,” Crews joked. “He hasn’t played any meaningful snaps, but he is a smart kid and should be able to get us lined up and knows where the ball should go. He won’t try to do too much.”

Wayne County has been adept at spreading the wealth among its running backs, and this season should be no different as three players return who had at least 38 carries in 2018.

JoJo Swinea is the top returning running back and is coming off a 577-yard season. Paterson displayed breakaway speed last season while averaging 6.5 yards per carry on 38 carries. Hunter Staggs averaged 7.0 yards on a similar number of carries.

Versatile junior Clay Baugus will find a place in the lineup on both sides of the ball.

“He’s tough as nails and is a gifted athlete,” Crews said. “He’ll play multiple positions on offense.”

The offensive line will be manned by a combination of Nutt, Christian Teeftaller, Aaron Stooksberry, Gavin Thompson, Damian Dickey, Andrew Blackburn, Luke Sesler and center Blayne Love.

The top four receivers are gone, so Crews will be looking for players to step into those roles.

“We have some good parts and pieces,” Crews said. “But potential is a scary word – it can get you fired.”

Defense

The Wildcats were a mixed bag defensively in 2018 in compiling a 7-5 record.

Five times they gave up 16 points or less, but in four games they allowed 38 points or more. Improvement is a must if the team expects to challenge for the district title.

Many of the players will have to play both ways, including some of their main offensive performers.

Swinea could see action at defensive tackle, while Staggs will play inside

Crews

linebacker. Sesler, Carson VanFleet and Julian Birchett will be in the lineup somewhere.

Paterson and Baugus bring experience to the secondary.

“We’ve only got four or five kids who played meaningful snaps last year,” Crews pointed out. “We’re going to try to get the best kids out there.”

The rest

Crews is facing a tough task of replacing 21 seniors from the 2018 team. It was an unusually large senior class for a small school.

“There were a lot of really good football players in that group,” he said.

“They weren’t guys just taking up space on the roster, but a lot of guys who did a lot of the playing.”

With a proven record of success, Crews said he doesn’t expect opponents to think Wayne County will be down just because of a coaching change.

“Anytime you have a change at the top of your program, you might lose a little of the mystique of the way people view you,” he said. “Through the years we have generally gotten most people’s best game. I always felt like Wayne County was circled on everybody’s schedule.

We’ve been really fortunate to be one of the teams at the top of the hill.”

Record: 7-5 2018 RESULTS Wayne County 27, Loretto 16 Summertown 22, Wayne County 8 Wayne County 59, Middleton 30 Riverside 38, Wayne County 0 Mt. Pleasant 58, Wayne County 32 Wayne County 32, Bruceton 13 Huntingdon 46, Wayne County 22 Wayne County 36, McEwen 14 Wayne County 56, Perry County 21 Wayne County 34, Collinwood 0 PLAYOFFS Wayne County 20, Huntland 6 Cornersville 47, Wayne County 26

G48 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Hatton looks to extend recent progress

By Ciera Hughes For the TimesDaily

H

atton has a long road ahead this season as the Hornets look to replace a large senior class, but this year’s seniors want to accomplish something they haven’t done yet at Hatton.

“We’ve never made it to playoffs as a senior group, so that’s kind of a chip on our shoulder,” senior linebacker Mason McMillan said.

Last year Hatton went 6-4, its first winning season since 2014. But the Hornets lost too many of the Class 2A, Region 7 games that determine which teams go to the playoffs.

All four of Hatton’s losses came in region play, the most crushing of which was a Sept. 14 loss to Sheffield, 17-16.

By virtue of that one-point decision, Sheffield earned the fourth seed into the playoffs with a 3-3 region record and Hatton missed out.

Head coach Denton Bowling said it is going to be hard for the team to find its identity this year, and the team is still working to establish leadership.

“Ultimately we’ve got to replace 12 seniors and bounce back from a 6-4 season where we missed the playoffs by a field goal,” Bowling said.

Bowling

commit and graded 90 percent or better every game last year.

“Our strength’s up front,” Bowling said. “We don’t have a lot of depth up front but we’re pretty solid across. …

Four out of five started at one time.”

Bowling said he has seen talent in a few younger guys that he expects to play a bigger role this year, such as Carter Reed.

The junior Reed caught 16 passes for 280 yards last year and ran 39 times for 235 yards (six yards per carry).

Brannon Dellaporta will return at receiver and “can help out in a lot of ways.” James Jones is a sophomore who is a “pretty special talent” at receiver.

Bowling said his team has to continue to find its own identity and come together to have a successful season, but learning how to play at a high level will also be a factor.

Offense “We have a tough schedule and we Hatton averaged 30.9 points per game have a tough region,” Bowling said. “We last season. have really got to work hard if we want Senior Joseph Crumpton likely will to have success in this region.” be the starting quarterback, with Trey Steadman and Tharptown freshman Defense transfer Briley Kerby in the mix.

Mitchell, senior linebacker Joseph Jaxson Mitchell is a junior and did a Crumpton, and junior safety Brock Pace little of everything for Hatton last year. will lead a defense that must replace four He averaged 7.7 yards per carry and starters. finished with 854 rushing yards and 10 Pace made 13 tackles for loss last touchdowns. He caught 20 passes for year, deflected four passes and forced a 279 yards and two more scores. He also fumble. Bowling said at the end of last averaged 21 yards per return on kicks in season he was the quarterback of the addition to returning punts. defense.

The Hornets will return five offensive “He’s an exceptional talent,” Bowling starters. Mason McMillan, Gage Saint said of Pace. and Isaiah Taylor and Aiden Smith will all Crumpton played in nine games last return at offensive line. Saint, is a Troy year and was credited with 25 solo tackles

Mason McMillan, Joseph Crumpton, and Gage Saint know Hatton was close to the playoffs last year.

The Hornets have made it just twice since 2004. [PATRICK HOOD/TIMESDAILY]

and 57 assists. He had 8 ½ tackles for loss. Blake Whitaker could start at linebacker as a freshman.

Kaiden Taylor, is a senior will focus on defense and play defensive end. (He also is the kicker.)

“He gives us a little bit of athleticism on the edge,” Bowling said of Taylor.

Mitchell offers experience in the secondary, and Reed is a three-year starter at cornerback. Blake Whitaker could help in the secondary as well.

The rest • Crumpton said his team’s first priority this year is to focus and stay healthy after having an injury-plagued season last year.

“We know we have to work hard and get stronger so we can do all the things we want to,” Crumpton said.

• Saint said his team is going to have to work hard and condition well in order to play well all four quarters.

“Being from a small school, we have

to play on both sides of the ball, so we have to work even harder to make up for that,” Saint said.

• Bowling said the first game against West Morgan will teach the team about a lot about the type of season to expect.

“That is going to give us an idea of how our offense is and how our defense is and just how well we come together as a unit so we have something to gauge the rest of our season off of,” Bowling said.

Record: 6-4 2018 RESULTS Hatton 36, West Morgan 14 Red Bay 32, Hatton 6 Sheffield 17, Hatton 16 Colbert County 39, Hatton 14 Hatton 38, East Lawrence 0 Hatton 38, Tanner 14 Hatton 66, Tharptown 7 Hatton 46, Lexington 13 Addison 50, Hatton 8 Hatton 41, Clements 6

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G49

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Collinwood tries to get past playoff hurdle a broken ankle on the second series in a first-round playoff game against Mt. Pleasant, a game they eventually lost 36-0. cotty Hannah enters his fifth “We haven’t been experienced and it year at Collinwood, pleased with has shown on a big stage,” Noah Sandwhere the program has come in erson said. “I want to improve on that. four years.

We have done it three years in a row, so But the Trojans still have one major we should be used to it by now. I think it hurdle left to overcome is going to be different this year.” in their quest to return to prominence — getting Offense past the first round of the playoffs.

Collinwood will be relying on some new “We are pleased but we faces in its quest to move beyond the first are still making progress,” round of the playoffs. Tidwell is gone at Hannah said earlier this Hannah quarterback and so is standout offensive summer at TimesDaily lineman Blake Thompson.

Football Media Day. “We are by no means Carson Ramson, the team’s leading rusher content. A lot of it has to do with how a year ago, is not playing his senior year. this group of kids will respond. We were Dayton Scott, who had reps at quara little bit better last year than the year terback the last two seasons and played before. We advanced our position in the the duration of the playoff loss when region. But we still got put out in the first Tidwell went down, steps in at quarterround of the playoffs.” back. Hannah is comfortable with Scott Hannah likes that his team sets realistic taking over, with Peyton Ward also getgoals, not pie-in-the-sky dreams. ting snaps.

“The first thing out of their mouth is “Dayton has the team,” Hannah said. not state championship,” Hannah said. “He’s like Jeremiah – those guys will “They understand. I hope that this group follow him, they’ll rally around him is not satisfied with making improvement because he has proved the last two years just a little bit, that they want to be better the position he was put in and came in and than last year’s bunch. One of the things survived.”

Dalton (Chastain) said the other day when The offensive line will consist of Dyar I asked him what they expected to get out Richardson, Cooper Vandiver, Jake of this was at least the second round of Morris, Lige Craig and Joe Houston the playoffs.”

Thompson. Chastain and Sanderson will Collinwood (5-6) has qualified for start at wide receiver. the playoffs the past three seasons after Alex Haddock, Ward, Sanderson and missing three straight years before that. Houston will all line up at times at runInjuries have played a part in the Trojans’ ning back.

Hannah likes the unselfish culture this failing to advance beyond the first round in addition to some other factors. team has, pointing to players like Cooper Last season the Trojans lost start- Vandiver and Sanderson. Vandiver ing quarterback Jeremiah Tidwell with started his career as a quarterback. Last

By Gregg Dewalt

Senior Sports Editor

S

Collinwood football players Cooper Vandiver, Noah Sanderson and Dalton Chastain will look to improve upon last year’s total of five wins.

season he played tight end. Now, he’s a starting guard.

Expect this version of the Trojans to be different from the run-heavy offense of the past.

Defense Most of the Trojans will be playing two ways, which isn’t all that uncommon at small schools. Senior linebacker Rouge Holt is one player that will be mostly a one-way player.

“We have a chance to be pretty good defensively,” Hannah said. “We have a little more athleticism than we have had since I have been here. We have to rely on playing good defense and helping our offense that way.”

The rest

Hannah said the next step in the process is beating Huntingdon or Wayne County, the two premier powers in Class A, Region 6.

“We want to position ourselves in the first tier in the region,” he said. “Historically in the region whoever competes for (the title), whoever our frontrunner is is in the mix for the state championship. We aren’t as close as I want us to be, but we were closer than we were. We have closed the gap.”

Record: 5-6 2018 RESULTS Middle Tennessee Christian 26, Collinwood 7 Mt. Pleasant 30, Collinwood 13 Loretto 17, Collinwood 16 Collinwood 53, Perry County 0 Collinwood 7, Summertown 0 Huntingdon 42, Collinwood 0 Collinwood 48, McEwen 34 Collinwood 47, Middleton 20 Collinwood 27, Bruceton 22 Wayne County 34, Collinwood 0 PLAYOFFS Mt. Pleasant 36, Collinwood 0

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G50 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Red Bay has a chance to be even better

By Shane Herrmann For the TimesDaily

O

n most Class 2A football teams, losing a starter means finding a replacement on both sides of the ball. With lower enrollment numbers, players at smaller schools often find themselves playing offense and defense.

At Red Bay, however, head coach Michael Jackson has built a program that enjoys depth at multiple positions. And with 16 different starters returning from a team that Jackson posted a 9-3 record a year ago, there is plenty of excitement for the upcoming season.

“We are going to have good depth,” said Jackson, who enters his sixth season at the helm of the program. “This is also one of the oldest teams I have had in terms of juniors and seniors. Many of them have played since their freshman season, including five who have started since then. Having an older team is very exciting because you have a lot of experience, maturity and leadership.”

area. He also has great leadership ability.”

Vinson saw playing time for the Tigers early last season before being sidelined with an injury, forcing Red Bay to alter its offensive philosophy. Vinson throws well on the run.

“We were more of a power team at the end of the year last season,” Jackson said.

“But we are looking forward to opening things up a little more this year. We are looking to be more multiple.”

Senior guard Levi Raper will anchor an experienced offensive line. Second-year starter Dylan Hester also returns at center along with guard Dakota Vinson and tackle Conner Sides. Preston Sides and Josh McKinney will also see action up front.

“It was tough losing in the playoffs last year,” Raper said of the team’s secondround loss. “We were all upset because we were expecting to go a lot further. But once we got over it we began to turn our attention to our senior year. We put in a lot of extra work over the summer. The line really works together well.”

After rushing for 1,400 yards as a junior last year, Colbie King returns for the Tigers. H-backs Caleb Seeley and Hunter King are also back, along with wide receivers Colyn Humphres, Mason Holt, Andrew Hamilton and Coby Jackson.

“We will have a new quarterback, but all of the receivers will run the same routes,” Humphres said this summer. “Jalen has been great in practice and we are already starting to develop some chemistry.”

Colyn Humphres and Levi Raper want Red Bay to follow up last year’s nine-win season with another strong year. [PATRICK HOOD/TIMESDAILY]

“We will return five of our top six tacklers, including five of the front six,” Jackson said. “We have prided ourselves in playing hard-nosed defense over the last few years. This season has a chance to be special.”

Red Bay will run a 4-4 split on defense and feature Cam McKinney at middle linebacker. The 6-4, 240-pound junior led the team in stops the last two seasons. He joins defensive end Logan Scott as a third-year starter on the experienced group.

Offense Alex Kennedy, Levi Blanton and Braden Red Bay returns eight offensive starters, Parker will round out the defensive line, including all of its receivers and four of the while Gavin Edgmon, Hunter Burks and five linemen. The biggest challenge will Jake Pounds will join McKinney at linebe finding a new quarterback after losing backer. Pounds is the only starting senior Kolby Bragwell to graduation. on defense for Red Bay. The Tigers, however, think they have Defense The secondary will feature corners the answer in 6-foot-2, 174-pound junior Even given all of the returning talent Kyser Jackson and Elijah Luster, along Jalen Vinson. on offense, Jackson said it could be the with free safety Hunter King.

“We are very excited about Jalen tran- defense that is the strength of the team this sitioning in to the quarterback position,” season. The unit also returns eight start- The rest Jackson said. “He’s a dual threat guy and ers from a group that yielded just over 16 • Besides experience, Jackson added that is one of the best athletes around the entire points per game during the regular season. overall team strength is another intangible

that could prove to be a big factor for Red Bay this season.

“This is also one of the strongest teams I have ever had in terms of the weight room,” Jackson said. “There are a lot of guys who have been in our strength and conditioning program now for a long time and we are starting to see the results. We had a good spring and a very good summer.

The guys are ready to play.”

Record: 9-3 2018 RESULTS Red Bay 34, Colbert Heights 18 Red Bay 36, Phil Campbell 8 Red Bay 32, Hatton 6 Addison 39, Red Bay 12 Belmont (Miss.) 21, Red Bay 14 Red Bay 24, Sheffield 12 Red Bay 12, Colbert County 7 Red Bay 50, Tanner 24 Red Bay 66, Tanner 14 Red Bay 28, Wilson 20 PLAYOFFS Red Bay 16, Winston County 14 (OT) Ohatchee 42, Red Bay 6

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TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G51

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Hackleburg tries to re-establish winning identity

By Shane Herrmann For the TimesDaily

H

ackleburg has been one of the most consistent winners in northwest Alabama over the last decade or so. From 2009 to 2017, the Panthers won five region championships and won nine Class 1A playoff games.

2018 was not that type of year. Hackleburg was 3-7 for its worst season since 2007.

Now entering his 24th year at the school, Hudson including his 11th as head football coach, Hackleburg’s coach Rod Hudson didn’t waste time when asked what his team’s goal was entering the 2019 season.

“Our goal is to get back to the playoffs,” said Hudson, who holds an 88-30 record. “We were not used to not playing in the postseason and didn’t like staying at home.”

Offense

With six returning starters on offense, including a healthy dose of experience at the skill positions, the Panthers will look to bring back the high-scoring attack Hudson’s teams have been known for over the previous decade.

“We will still use the spread,” said Hudson. “We like to run a lot of screens and jet sweeps. We have really good skill positions returning so we need to get them the ball as quickly as possible.

They will be the strength of the team.”

Wide receiver Ethan Heggy is a key returnee. The junior has been on the varsity since eighth grade and looks forward to taking on a bigger leadership role.

“We have a lot of young players that have been developing and getting better every day,” Heggy said. “I’m excited to see what they can do on the field. I started playing really young and now I’m one of the veterans. I just play as hard as I can so others will see me and do the same. I just try to get open any way I can.”

Other returning wideouts include Josh Cooper, Daniel Cooper and Noah

McCarley. Tailback Trenton Pugh and H-back Carson Swinney also return, while fellow returnees Kylean Dulaney, Kade Holcomb and Jacob Rector all saw playing time on the offensive line.

“Ethan will touch the ball a lot this season,” Hudson said. “We need to get him the ball in space. Ethan, Kylean and Noah are all veterans who will need to be leaders for us. They have been playing a while for us and know our system and understand our expectations.”

After missing his last year of junior high with a torn ACL, freshman quarterback Caden Jones will take over an offense that averaged 25 points per game last season. He is cleared for the season opener against Winston County.

“I’m looking forward to just getting back out there,” Jones said. “I’m learning more on how to read coverages. The offseason has been a grind. I know that it will take time. You just have to work every day to get back and ready to play.

I have had a lot of support.”

“The biggest thing he will have to adjust to will be the speed of the game. A lot of the routes that were open in junior high will not be open now.”

Jones added that playing both ways can have its advantages.

“I also play free safety on defense so it helps to see things from both sides of the ball,” he said. “It helps to learn how to anticipate plays.”

Defense

The defense will be the where Hackleburg looks to make the biggest improvement. The Panthers allowed 342 points last year, the most in school history.

Hudson said Hackleburg will split between a 3-4 and 4-3, depending on the opponent.

“A lot of the guys that stepped up for us last year will be expected to do the same this season,” Hudson said. “Kylean (Dulaney) is very good on the defensive line and will need to continue to be a leader on the field for us.”

Holcomb, Rector and Gavin Pyburn round out the returning defensive

Caden Jones and Ethan Heggy will be key players for a Hackleburg team that looks to return to the playoffs after a losing season snapped its 10-year streak of qualifying. [PATRICK HOOD/ TIMESDAILY]

linemen while Pugh and Swinney join that carries over from class to class.

Jet Trywick and Joe Carter at linebacker. Everyone here expects to go to the playoffs. We have a lot of young guys that will be playing varsity for the first time.

The rest That happens a lot in Class 1A. You just • One staple on special teams that have to throw them out there and see Hackleburg fans can expect to continue what happens.” will be the two-point conversion.

“We are always working on special Record: 3-7 teams,” Hudson said. “We lost a long 2018 RESULTS snapper and punter. We still plan to go Winston County 28, Hackleburg 16 for two a lot this year.”

Marion County 28, Hackleburg 6 • Despite a 3-7 record last year, Mars Hill 62, Hackleburg 14 Hudson said fans in Hackleburg are as Waterloo 47, Hackleburg 34 excited and supportive as ever. He said Hackleburg 52, Shoals Christian 8 the team is just as excited to start the Hubbertville 55, Hackleburg 24 new season.

Phillips 38, Hackleburg 8 “The expectations are always high Cherokee 56, Hackleburg 30 here,” Hudson said. “It doesn’t matter if Hackleburg 44, Vina 8 it’s varsity, junior high or Toy Bowl. The fans here want to win. It is something Hackleburg 22, Phil Campbell 12

G52 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Vina looks to make most of fresh start

By Craig Thomas Sports Reporter

B

en Guin is in his first year as Vina’s football coach, but he’s been there long enough to know success will not come easily for the Red Devils.

Vina football has one playoff victory in history (1987) and has made the playoffs only twice in the last 20 seasons.

The Red Devils’ last win was the 2017 finale against Guin Tharptown, 14-7. Vina failed to score six times last year and only reached double digits once during a winless season.

But several seniors said that while Guin is a straight shooter, he has also given them a renewed sense of optimism.

“We’ve got a good attitude. It can carry you a long way. I really think that,” Guin said. “You got a bad attitude, it shows on the field, and it could be from anything – the circumstances that are going on around them or whatever.

“We try to keep it on the up and up, and I try not to keep secrets, and I try to tell them what I’m thinking. Sometimes they may not like it, but they know what I’m thinking.”

Vina has a small roster even by Class 1A standards, and it would be unfair to expect a massive turnaround right away. But Guin has tried to incorporate creativity into the team’s scheme, and after an 0-10 season it makes sense to mix things up.

“That gives us a lot more hope,” senior lineman Nash Humphres said.

reserves at offensive line, but ideally that will be an improved group. Humphres, Shannon Upton and Scott Presley are seniors. Zach Davidson is a junior and Caden Lawler and Tristen Martello are sophomores. All six should get a chance to help.

Expect junior Elijah Whitfield and senior Jackson Landers to get many of the carries, with Malachi Fletcher contributing as well.

The quarterback will likely be Braden Moomaw, a senior who earned that job last year just before the season started.

“It was kind of like a last-minute decision by our (former) coach to put me at quarterback (last year),” Moomaw said. “… I was nervous whenever I was playing that entire season, but now I’m more confident at the quarterback position.”

Moomaw said he also has more faith in the offensive line this year to keep him from having to scramble so much.

Guin would like to put sophomore Isaac Shelton at quarterback sometimes, too, which would allow Moomaw to shift to receiver.

Juniors Haze Weatherford and Glen Ashley, the sophomore Fletcher and freshmen Wyatt Kennedy and Conner Davidson will play receiver.

After a winless 2018, Vina’s Jackson Landers, Shannon Upton, Braden Moomaw and Nash Humphres remain optimistic the Red Devils can have more fun in 2019. [CRAIG THOMAS/TIMESDAILY]

defense has room to grow as well after Vina allowed an average of 42 points per game.

“The way it was before, we weren’t wrapping up when we’d tackle,” Upton said.

• With such a small roster, even the team’s younger players must be aware of what’s going on at practice and be prepared to contribute at least at one position, if not more.

“They’ve got to pay attention to plays The rest and stuff like that so if one of us comes out and they go in for one of us they … know • Asked if he’s talked with the team what they’re doing,” Landers said. about mentally moving past last season, Guin said “We’ve hit on it some.”

“With what we’re doing – they’ve Record: 0-10 Defense been responsive and had a good attitude 2018 RESULTS Whitfield and Ashley will be defen- about it,” he said. “We played spring and Marion County 42, Vina 0 sive ends with other linemen rotating I thought we did well in the spring, and I Brilliant 34, Vina 9 as tackles in the four-man front. The think hopefully that will carry over into Phillips 41, Vina 0 linebackers include, Upton, Davidson, this season and help us.”

Cherokee 60, Vina 0 Landers and Shelton.

• The Red Devils know frustration can Phil Campbell 47, Vina 2 Moomaw could be linebacker or a lead to pessimism and hope they can stay Mars Hill 69, Vina 0 defensive back depending on the oppo- confident.

Waterloo 48, Vina 0 nent’s setup. Fletcher, Weatherford and “You can’t get your head down. A lot of Shoals Christian 32, Vina 18 Offense Conner Davidson are also DBs. the time in the past (opponents) will get up Hackleburg 44, Vina 8 Guin expects Vina to be a run-heavy Vina had little chance to win last year on us and we’re looking at the scoreboard,” Tharptown 10, Vina 0 team. He is concerned about the lack of with its offensive struggles, but the Upton said.

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TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G53

PRESEASON FOOTBALL

Phillips hopes to preserve playoff streak

By Craig Thomas Sports Writer

O

f the six coaches starting their first year in charge of a football team in the TimesDaily’s coverage area, Phillips’ Adam Lawler was the last to be hired.

He officially took over from Alex Lindley in early June, and early in the summer he got used to logistical responsibilities like making sure the field was maintained and also practical responsibilities like learning his kids names and figuring out who could do what.

There are only three returning starters on the Phillips football team, so on the surface it looks like Lawler a transitional year for the Bears.

But team leaders feel good about their team while acknowledging challenges ahead for a group that’s lost many of last year’s players.

“We’re going to have to play defense better, and we’re just going to have to make smarter decisions,” senior quarterback/defensive back Ken Edwards said.

“It’s going to be a work in progress because we have pretty much a whole new team.

“It’s going to take time, but we can get it together.”

Offense Lawler said Phillips will pass more or run more depending on what’s working in a given situation.

“I’m not set in my ways enough to where I have to do certain plays or a certain offense,” Lawler said. “We want to put our guys in the best possible position to be successful.”

Lawler said the only thing he knew about personnel when he was hired was he had a returning quarterback. That’s Edwards, who should get to pass more as the team shifts from Wing-T to more of a spread setup.

“Ken may be the best athlete on the team, but along with that he throws a

pretty football,” Lawler said. “ … With him being one of the three returning starters, I think we’re going to have to utilize more what he does best for us to be successful.

“A lot of the offense is going to be on his shoulders, but I think he will thrive in that situation. Talking to him, as you can see, I think he’s ready for it.”

Hunter Lanford, another senior, will be heavily relied upon to run the ball and also catch passes. Sophomore receiver Andrew Byrd has also shown promise.

Senior right tackle Lucas Atkins will anchor an offensive line that also features Colin Grace, Cain Alexander, Jacob Waters and one other starter to be determined.

Except for Atkins, Lawler hopes to at least limit how often those offensive linemen play on the defensive line.

“I know being a small school, small program, that’s what you’ve to do,” he said. “But when you’re in the trenches it’s hard to go both ways because you’re having to physically wrestle with somePhillips has had a lot of roster changes since last year, but Lucas Atkins, Ken Edwards and Hunter body every single play.”

Lanford plan on keeping the Bears’ playoff streak intact. [CRAIG THOMAS/TIMESDAILY]

Defense

Lawler served three years at Phil Campbell and one at Ardmore as a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and he coached linebackers for five years at Haleyville.

He wants Phillips to be disciplined enough defensively to take advantage when opposing offenses make mistakes.

“Don’t give up a big play. Most of the time in high school football, a negative play is going to happen,” Lawler said.

“Whether it’s a holding (penalty), bad snap, something’s going to happen and that gives you the opportunity to get off the field after third down.”

Atkins should play defensive end with other linemen rotating along the defensive line. Lanford will play linebacker.

“We’ve just got to get more physical and stuff like that,” Lanford said.

“That’ll help.”

Xavier Hanner will join Ken Edwards in the secondary, and freshman Hayden Kelly showed potential, too.

“If you can align properly and know your job, know what you’re supposed to do and do your job to the best of your ability every single play, as a team we’ll be fine defensively,” Lawler said. “We’ve just got to be able to trust each other to know that he’s going to do his job so I’ve got to do my job.”

The rest • Phillips has made seven consecutive playoff appearances. That’s tied with Colbert County for the fourth-longest streak locally (behind Wayne County’s 16, Muscle Shoals’ 10 and Lauderdale County’s nine).

“I think as football players we’re all positive, but everybody else, I don’t think they’re as positive as us,” Edwards said. “But I think we have a lot of people to prove wrong.”

• Atkins wants younger teammates to excel for Phillips now and also after he leaves.

“While we’re weightlifting, I try to get them to do every rep,” he said. “If I see them trying to skip, I tell them to do the rest of them or whatnot, and tell them how it’s going to help them later on.”

Contact Craig at Craig.Thomas@ TimesDaily.com. Follow him on Twitter: @TD_CraigThomas Record: 4-7 2018 RESULTS Decatur Heritage 19, Phillips 14 Lynn 38, Phillips 19 Phillips 41, Vina 0 Mars Hill 64, Phillips 0 Waterloo 43, Phillips 18 Phillips 28, Phil Campbell 12 Phillips 54, Shoals Christian 12 Phillips 38, Hackleburg 8 Cherokee 29, Phillips 28 Hubbertville 42, Phillips 21 PLAYOFFS South Lamar 41, Phillips 6

G54 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

PRESEASON FOOTBALL/Prep schedules for 2019 season Brooks Lions Aug. 22 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Lauderdale County at Hartselle at Central Wilson Rogers at Mars Hill Open at Deshler West Limestone at Elkmont Madison Academy

Central Wildcats Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Colbert County Haleyville Brooks at Deshler West Limestone Open at Elkmont Mars Hill Wilson at Rogers at Russellville

Cherokee Indians Aug. 22 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

R.A. Hubbard at Colbert County Open at Vina Mars Hill Colbert Heights at Waterloo Shoals Christian at Hackleburg Phillips at Sheffield

Colbert County Indians Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

at Central Cherokee Tanner Tharptown at Hatton Deshler at Addison Red Bay at Sheffield Open at Lauderdale County

Colbert Heights Wildcats Aug. 23 Red Bay Aug. 30 Wilson

Colbert County’s Ethan Smith looks for room to run against Central. The Indians and Wildcats will meet Aug. 22 at Central. [JIM HANNON/TMESDAILY] Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Westminster Christian at Lauderdale County at East Lawrence at Cherokee Decatur Heritage Lexington at Clements Phil Campbell Open

Collinwood Trojans Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18

Middleton Richland at Summertown Loretto Perry County Zion Christian Huntingdon at McEwen Open

Oct. 25 Nov. 1

at Bruceton at Wayne County

Deshler Tigers Aug. 22 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

at Muscle Shoals Russellville at Elkmont Central at Wilson at Colbert County Rogers Brooks Open at West Limestone Jasper

Florence Falcons Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13

Brentwood Academy Buckhorn Austin at Bob Jones

Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 3 Oct. 11 Oct. 17 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

at James Clemens Muscle Shoals at Huntsville Gadsden City at Grissom Sparkman Open

Hackleburg Panthers Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25

Winston County Marion County Mars Hill at Waterloo Shoals Christian at Hubbertville Open at Phillips Cherokee at Vina

Oct. 31

at Phil Campbell

Haleyville Lions Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Winfield at Central at Oak Grove Northside Open at Russellville Curry Good Hope at Fayette County at Cordova Hamilton

Hamilton Aggies Aug. 23 Open Aug. 30 Cordova Sept. 6 West Point

Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

at Dora Corner Winfield at Hayden Russellville at Lawrence County at Jasper at Haleyville

Hatton Hornets Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

West Morgan at Red Bay at Sheffield Colbert County at East Lawrence Tanner at Tharptown at Lexington Addison Clements

TimesDaily | Sunday, August 18, 2019 G55

Aug. 22 at Brooks Aug. 30 Randolph Sept. 6 East Lawrence Sept. 13 Colbert Heights Sept. 20 at Lexington Sept. 27 Rogers Oct. 3 at Clements Oct. 11 Phil Campbell Oct. 18 at Westminster Christian Oct. 25 Open Nov. 1 Colbert County

Lawrence County (Tenn.) Wildcats Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Hickman County at Loretto at Maplewood Warren County at Nolensville at Forrest Marshall County Open at Tullahoma Summertown Spring Hill

Lexington Golden Bears Aug. 23 Open Aug. 30 Rogers Sept. 6 at Phil Campbell Sept. 13 at Westminster Christian Sept. 20 Lauderdale County Sept. 27 at Elkmont Oct. 3 East Lawrence Oct. 11 at Colbert Heights Oct. 18 Hatton Oct. 25 Clements Nov. 1 at Mars Hill

Loretto Mustangs Aug. 23 Wayne County Aug. 30 Lawrence County (Tenn.)

Sept. 6 Open Sept. 13 at Collinwood Sept. 20 at Forrest Sept. 26 at Summertown Oct. 4 Community Oct. 11 Mt. Pleasant Oct. 18 at Lewis County Oct. 25 Hickman County Nov. 1 at Eagleville

Mars Hill Panthers Aug. 23 Open

Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

at Sheffield at Hackleburg Phillips at Cherokee Brooks Vina at Central Waterloo at Shoals Christian Lexington

Muscle Shoals Trojans Aug. 22 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Deshler at Bob Jones at Columbia at Hartselle Mae Jemison at Florence at Decatur Cullman Athens at Wetumpka Open

Phil Campbell Bobcats Aug. 23 Open Aug. 30 at Red Bay Sept. 6 Lexington Sept. 13 Clements Sept. 20 at Vina Sept. 27 Phillips Oct. 4 at Westminster Christian Oct. 11 at Lauderdale County Oct. 18 East Lawrence Oct. 25 at Colbert Heights Oct. 31 Hackleburg

Phillips Bears Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Decatur Heritage at Lynn Vina at Mars Hill Waterloo at Phil Campbell at Shoals Christian Hackleburg Open at Cherokee Hubbertville

R.A. Hubbard Chiefs Aug. 22 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20

at Cherokee at Shoals Christian at Coosa Christian Decatur Heritage at Falkville

Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Sheffield at Gaylesville at Woodville Valley Head Open East Lawrence

Red Bay Tigers Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

at Colbert Heights Phil Campbell Hatton Addison Belmont (Miss.)

Open at Sheffield at Colbert County Tanner at Tharptown at Wilson

Rogers Pirates Aug. 22 Richland (Tenn.)

Aug. 30 at Lexington Sept. 6 Wilson Sept. 13 Open Sept. 20 at Brooks Sept. 27 at Lauderdale County Oct. 4 at Deshler Oct. 11 at West Limestone Oct. 18 Elkmont Oct. 25 Central Nov. 1 Lawrence County (Ala.)

Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Colbert County at Tanner Cherokee

Shoals Christian Flame Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13

Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Tharptown R.A. Hubbard at Waterloo at Alabama School for the Deaf at Hackleburg at Decatur Heritage Phillips at Cherokee Vina Mars Hill Open

Tharptown Wildcats Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4

at Shoals Christian Open Sheffield at Colbert County at Tanner at Brilliant Open

Oct. 11 Oct. 17 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Hatton at Addison Red Bay Vina

Vina Red Devils Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

at Marion County Brilliant at Phillips Cherokee Phil Campbell Open at Mars Hill Waterloo at Shoals Christian Hackleburg at Tharptown

Open at Brilliant

Wayne County Wildcats Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

at Loretto Summertown at Middleton Riverside Open at Mt. Pleasant Bruceton at Huntingdon McEwen at Perry County Collinwood

Wilson Warriors

Waterloo Cougars Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18

Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Woodville at Hubbertville Shoals Christian Hackleburg at Phillips Lynn Cherokee at Vina at Mars Hill

Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1

Sheffield at Colbert Heights at Rogers at Brooks Deshler Open West Limestone Elkmont at Central Open Red Bay

LET’S GET IT STARTED !

Russellville Golden Tigers Aug. 23 Open Aug. 30 at Deshler Sept. 6 Corner Sept. 13 at Hayden Sept. 20 West Point Sept. 27 Haleyville Oct. 4 at Lawrence County (Ala.) Oct. 11 at Hamilton Oct. 18 Jasper Oct. 25 at Dora Nov. 1 Central

Sheffield Bulldogs Aug. 23 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11

at Wilson Mars Hill at Tharptown Hatton at Addison at R.A. Hubbard Red Bay Open

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G56 Sunday, August 18, 2019 | TimesDaily

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