14 • Thursday, August 25, 2016
OVER THE MOUNTAIN Journal
Journal photos by Emily Williams
mountain Brook
Members of the 2016 Mountain Brook High School varsity football team include: Hamp Greene, Joey Keating, Duncan Bicksler, Aubrey Hart, Sean Elmore, Brinson Reed, McKee Brown, Chandler Cox, Harold Joiner, Charles Cobb, Grant Griffin, Hunter Hartley, A.J. Gates, Jeb Brown, Tillman Ritchey, Daniel Wilbanks, Connor Hart, Wilson Higgins, Reid Hogue, Hamp Sisson, Zachary Carroll, William Powell, Jack Baltz, Collin Bussman, J.P. Darnall, Jackson Tew, Thomas Miller, William Gullage, James Burkett, Mason Dillard, Paul Tyson, Michael O’Leary, Bradford Page, Huston Crommelin, Sam Everette, Claiborne Crommelin, Stav Pappas, Max Sikora, Jim Williams, Wade Robinson, Tully Fulmer, Robert Reed, William Miller, Will Wetzler, Henry Barze, Blake Roth, Joe Saia, Philip Gaut, Stone Favrot, Michael Smith, Gates Johnson, Conner Bussman, Boyd McWhorter, Harrison Weaver, John Carothers, Jimmy Pham, Walter Morris, Chambers Joyce, Wilson Golden, Mark Smith, Tanner Dean, Mabry Crane, Jarrett Harrison, Baynes Autrey, John Wheeler Camp, Edward Cain, Colton Yeager, Bradford Turner, Reid Manley, Clay Stearns, Brendan Brogan, Hugh Lawson Joy, Alex Pankey, Michael Mancuso, Sean Doud, Bennett Suttles, Jack Grant, Brad Jenkins, Bill Miller, Conner Sorrells, Andrew Fuqua, Avery Schelske, Sam Somerville, Nick Belt, Bradley Pinson, Zach Morris, Price Delk, Brooks Autrey, Ian Reilly, Justin Thompson, Hayden McDonald, Bond Elliott, Will Carothers, Liam Mitchell, Anderson Tomlin, Johnny Leara, Ford Williams, Mills Lowman, Aidan Hood, John Pelham, Christian Johnston, Forsyth Elliot, Jack Barron, Ian Hall, Duncan Morris, Braden Allemand, Will Christopher, Miller Stevens, Walker Masingill, Connor Tierney, Robert Briggs, Sims Herron, Henry Gaede, Pierce Rodrigues, Spencer Cardwell, Jay Barze, Will Farrar, Gavin Lee, Sam Colvin, Sterling Edwards, Joe Bird, William Brown, Archie Breland, Will Bennett, Trey Gory, Butler Wilbanks and Jacob Kipp.
Upwardly Mobile Spartans Look for Improvement in 2016 By Lee Davis Mountain Brook coach Chris Yeager would be the first to say that the past two seasons have not been vintage times for his football program. The Spartans ended 2015 with their second consecutive 3-7 record, one of the few times in recent decades that Mountain Brook has posted back-to-back losing marks. Despite the
‘We had one of the best off-season programs since I’ve been here. We’ve got a lot of guys here who are determined to get Mountain Brook back to where it is supposed to be.’ Chris Yeager disappointments, optimism on Bethune Drive abounds as the new year approaches. “We had one of the best off-season programs since I’ve been here,” Yeager said. “We’ve got a lot of guys here who are determined to get Mountain Brook back to where it is supposed to be.” Yeager’s words reflect far more than wishful thinking. The Spartans appear more talented and deeper than in recent seasons, and they could have a decent shot at returning to their accustomed spot in the post-season playoffs. “We’ve got 40 seniors, which is one of the
biggest senior classes we’ve had in my 18 years at Mountain Brook,” Yeager said. “Experience always matters, and we’re getting good leadership from this group.” Pulling the trigger at quarterback will be junior Hamp Sisson, capable as a runner and
passer. Behind Sisson will be a trio of outstanding runners, including seniors Sam Everette and McKee Brown and junior Harold Joiner. Everette is the team’s leading returning rusher from 2015 and Brown – at 5-4, 150 pounds – is quick and elusive.
Mountain Brook
at a Glance
Head Coach: Chris Yeager 2015 Record: 3-7 Region: Class 7A Region 3 Hoover, Huffman, Oak Mountain, Spain Park, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County, Vestavia Hills Stadium: Spartan Stadium (5,000)
The Spartans’ offensive line is talented and deep and has better size than in recent years. The leader may be senior Price Delk, but he’ll have plenty of quality players around him. Other candidates for extensive playing time are Johnny Leara, Will Carothers, John Pelham, Zac Morris, Sean Doud and Christian Johnston. Sisson will have no shortage of fine passing targets. Clay Stearns and Wilson Golden are both capable tight ends. The wide receiver corps is made up of Sims Herron, Wilson Higgins, J.P. Darnall and Hamp Greene. Greene’s father was a place kicker at the University of Alabama in the 1990s. Speaking of kicking, when Mountain Brook needs a field goal, Mason Dillard may be one of the best kickers in the region. Alex Pankey will also be a factor. The Spartans gave up more than 23 points a game last season, and Yeager knows that the defense must improve if his team is to make a comeback. Two standouts will be senior middle linebacker Will Wetzler, a threekey players year starter, and Coach Chris Yeager senior free safety with, front, from left: Sam Everette and Will Zach Carroll, a Wetzler. Back: Zach two-year starter. Carroll and Price Delk. Tackles Joe Bird and Butler