14 • Thursday, August 23, 2012
MOUNTAIN BROOK
LEAVE IT TO YEAGER
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Spartans Should Roll Again Despite Graduation Losses
BY LEE DAVIS
JOURNAL SPORTS WRITER
M
ost old-timers would say you’d have to go back to the state championship year of 1976 to find a better football season at Mountain Brook than the one the Spartans experienced in 2011. Coach Chris Yeager’s team was perfect in 10 games, including a historic 17-9 upset of eventual Class 6A runner-up Hoover. Mountain Brook followed that with two impressive playoff victories before suffering a heartbreaking – and controversial — 35-28 loss to Oxford in the quarterfinals. The final record was 12-1, a Region 6 championship and a boatload of happy memories for an extraordinary Spartan senior class. Recollections of seasons gone by are sweet, but now Mountain Brook must face a new reality. Only four starters from last year’s squad return. Not only that, but the Spartans find themselves in a new Class 6A region, with only a few familiar faces. “It’s kind of like the old saying, at least when we were in our old region, we knew what we were getting,” said Yeager. “When we played teams like Hoover, Spain Park, Oak Mountain and Homewood, we’d be looking for new wrin-
Members of the 2012 Mountain Brook High School varsity football team include Sam Centeno, Will Deer, Coley Holtkamp, William Thomas, Anderson Aldag, Zane Gildewell, Christian Lowman, Andrew Autrey, Preston Eagan, Adam Elrefai, Brother Fitzpatrick, Hunter Stanley, Caleb Carroll, Kenny Cobb, Bobby Cope, Adam Harvey, Matt Moore, Matt Wiginton, Christian Anderson, Franklin Brown, Ken Thompson, Parker Crane, Gaines Hartley, Daniel McCool, Reid Pyburn, Richie Randolph, Weston Williams, Benton Crane, Forrester DeBuys, Tre Smith, Cooper Barnes, Parker Hartline, Jordan Donald, Drew Herndon, Aaron Shapiro, Ryan White, Brandon Bartels, John Bradford, Austin Chapman, Wirth Doss, Burke Moncus, Josh Mumm, Eric Mussell, Buddy Pell, Sam Stewart, John Merritt Briley, Keller Briley, John Calloway, George Eagan, Jack Fruin, Ethan Hughes, Hunter Lucas, Jack McPherson, Culp Ridley, Jack Sikora, Thomas Skinner, Ward Webb, Joshua Weisberg, Harold Wells, William DeGuenther, James Harmon, Will Howell, Robert McGee, Hunter Morrissette, Eric Mussell, Barrett Price, Dan Shelton, John Grady Welden, Reed Adams, Davy Bennett, Wayne Ingram, Ryan Kahn, Jake White, Alexander Gonzalez, Parker Henley, Will Holloway, Greg Jenkins, Sergei Kampakis, Sam Morris, Reese Thompson, Will Brewster, Jacob Carroll, Hunter Holcomb, Gene Bromberg, John Eagan, Landon Weaver, Reagan Alexander, Jack Luckie, Trace Blakely, John Boston, John McMahon, Charlie Boyd, Hill Kirkland, Paul Roth, Parks Shoulders, Charlie Forbes, Jimbo Kent, Miller Sission, Patrick Sullivan, Jake Bicksler, Hunter Branch, Davis Collman, Jackson Lamar, Shane Pugh, Reid Shows, Wilkerson Anthony, Tawarren Grant, Mac Harris, Journal photo by Marvin Gentry Charles Hoyt, Quint Jones, Harris Josey, Stephen Little, Cole Messina, Drew Odum and Anderson Smith.
kles but pretty much knew what to expect. ‘EVERYTHING IS NEW’
“Now it’s like we’re in a start-up league, such as the USFL (United States Football League) in the 1980s. Everything is new.” If you doubt it, take a look at Mountain
Brook’s schedule. Sure enough, Hoover, Spain Park and Homewood are gone. The new region – also called Region 6 – includes Carver of Birmingham, Gardendale, Hewitt-Trussville, Huffman and Woodlawn in addition to old rivals Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley. “It’s going to be a tough region, no doubt about it,” said Yeager. “But in the old set-up, the region games had an intensity about them that was similar to the post-season. I’m not sure the new arrangement will offer that same feeling, at least at first.” Of greater concern to Yeager is the lack of experience he sees while reviewing his roster. However, the coach does like the work ethic so far. NEW FACES ON OFFENSE
Key Players
Leading the Spartans in 2012 are, from left, front: Bobby Cope and Adam Harvey. Back: John Grady Welden, Coach Chris Yeager and Hunter Morrissette. Journal photo by Marvin Gentry
“We’ve got some guys who have worked very hard,” said Yeager. “We hope that will continue in fall practice and into the season. One thing’s for sure: We’ve got a lot of new faces around here.” A top priority for Mountain Brook will be finding a replacement at quarterback for graduated standout Edward Aldag, who holds many of his school’s career passing records. In the mix are junior Will Brewster and sophomores Jacob Carroll and Hunter Holcomb. “They are all good passers and runners and lead the team well,” said Yeager. “The quarterbacks are running about even at this point.” Another need for Mountain Brook offensively is to fill the shoes of running back Mark Rector. Junior Gene Bromberg is the heir apparent, but sophomore John Egan is expected to see considerable playing time. “At this level, we’re a lot like the SEC,” said Yeager. “If you expect to contend for a title, you have to be able to run the football. Developing a
Mountain Brook at a Glance Coach: Chris Yeager 2012 record: 12-1, Class 6A Region 6 champion Stadium: Spartan Stadium Region: Class 6A Region 6 (Carver of Birmingham, Gardendale, HewittTrussville, Huffman, Shades Valley, Vestavia Hills, Woodlawn) strong running game is going to be very important if we want to be successful on offense.” If the running game is to develop, Yeager must build a new offensive line. One bright spot certainly will be senior tackle John Grady Weldon, a returning starter. Hunter Morrissette should be solid at the other tackle spot. Eric Mussell, William DeGuenther and Barrett Price will vie for the two guard posts, while Will Howell and Dan Shelton will see time at center. “We’ll be a little undersized in the line but should have good quickness,” said Yeager. Mountain Brook usually has an outstanding tight end, and this season should be no exception. Jack Luckie and Reagan Alexander bring senior-type maturity to the position. Whoever wins the quarterback job will find outstanding targets at receiver. Senior Patrick Sullivan and junior Hunter Branch will be expected to carry much of the load. Another one to watch is senior Charlie Forbes, who had an outstanding spring and also excelled in summer workouts. Although clutch placekicker Warren Handrahan has picked up his diploma, Yeager has confidence in junior Tre Smith. Forrester