OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Thursday, January 28, 2016
the 2015 All-Over the Mountain football team
The Reign of Spain
Title Roles
Members of the 2015 All Over The Mountain defensive football team are first row, from left: Tyler Sumpter, Spain Park; Markell Clark, Spain Park; Chase Young, Spain Park; Perry Young, Spain Park; P.J. Hall, Hoover; Joe Donald, Mountain Brook. Second row from left: Jonah Tibbs, Spain Park; Houston Hollis, Spain Park; Dillon Campbell, Vestavia Hills; Armond Lloyd, Oak Mountain; Christon Taylor, Hoover. Third row, from left: Coach Shawn Raney, Spain Park; Payton Youngblood, Oak Mountain; Sam Lawson, Vestavia Hills; Levi Wiggins, Vestavia Hills. Fourth row, from left: Jeremiah Moon, Hoover; Carter Bankston, Briarwood; R.J. Jennings, Briarwood. Inset: Griffin Gentry, Homewood. Not pictured: Nolan Turner, Vestavia Hills.
Journal photos by Marvin Gentry
By Lee Davis
See all-otm team, page 30
lee davis
Area Players Were Part of Tide, Gamecock Championship Runs
Raney, Young and Jags Lead 2015 All-OTM Team
Whenever Spain Park fans gather to share their favorite football memories, the 2015 season will be a popular conversation topic. The Jaguars, coming off a 5-6 record in 2014, turned in perhaps the most memorable year in the program’s comparatively short history. Spain Park posted a 12-2 worksheet, defeated arch-rival Hoover twice and went all the way to the Class 7A finals before losing to McGill-Toolen of Mobile. With such a dominating effort, it’s no surprise that the Jaguars are well represented on the 2015 All-Over the Mountain football team. No less than 12 Spain Park players were chosen for the team by the exclusive Over the Mountain Journal poll of the eight area head football coaches. Additionally, Jaguar linebacker Perry Young was chosen as the 2015 Over the Mountain Player of the Year and Spain Park coach Shawn Raney was named 2015 Coach of the Year. “This is a real honor and very reflective of what our young men accomplished this past season,”
Sports
The Peters Principle: Former Spartan Star Contributing to Bulldogs Page 29
Members of the 2015 All-Over the Mountain offensive football team are, first row, from left: Larry Wooden, Spain Park; Parker Kelley, Spain Park; Grey Best, Spain Park; Crosby Gray, Spain Park. Second row, from left: Warren Shader, Oak Mountain; Michael McKenna, John Carroll Catholic; Justice Hammond, Oak Mountain; Walker Minor, Vestavia Hills; Bridge Suber, Spain Park. Third row, from left: Alex Robin, Vestavia Hills; Clayton Farris, Vestavia Hills; Remington Patterson, Vestavia Hills; Wade Streeter, Spain Park; Nick Eldridge, Hoover. Inset: Carson Griffis and Derrick Underwood, Homewood.
The University of Alabama’s 2015 national championship football team was packed with players who had Over the Mountain connections. A count of the official Crimson Tide football roster shows no fewer than eight players from area schools. While some – such as Hoover’s Marlon Humphrey and Michael Nysewander – had high profiles, others served in roles that garnered less publicity but were of vital importance on special teams and scout teams. Coach Buddy Anderson’s Vestavia Hills program sent five players to Tuscaloosa, including senior linebacker Paden Crowder, junior tight end David D’Amico, senior long-snapper Alex Harrelson, junior defensive lineman Jake Long and sophomore wide receiver Thomas Woods. Another area contributor was sophomore running back Brandon Turner from John Carroll Catholic. Special teams and scout team players are the unsung heroes of college football, but they will have earned their championships just as much as the Jake Cokers, Derrick Henrys and Reggie Raglands of the squad. Jacksonville State lost the NCAA FCS championship to North Dakota State but produced a memorable season that included a narrow overtime loss to Southeastern Conference power Auburn. According to the official team roster, several local players were involved in the Gamecocks’ outstanding season. See davis, page 29
The Southern Living Idea House is now our house. This summer, we invite you to see the Town of Mt Laurel’s latest collaboration with Southern Living Magazine. What began with our recognition as a Southern Living Inspired Community has expanded to include the 2016 Southern Living Idea House. Mt Laurel is proud to have been chosen for this showcase event that also coincides with Southern Living’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Experience the combined talents of Southern Living and Mt Laurel. Coming June, 2016. mtlaurel.com
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