Next in line Written by Wesley hallman Photographs by jon goering
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he Montevallo community has developed a reputation for producing an athletic freak of nature on the gridiron every few years over the past two decades. Montevallo High School senior Korey Cunningham is next in line. The mammoth 6-foot-5, 240-pound tight end and defensive lineman features the incredible speed and giant hands that will remind Bulldog faithful of the days players like Shontua Ray, Dre Fulgham and Lawrence Lilly roamed the sidelines at Richard Gilliam Field at Theron Fisher Stadium. The aforementioned players migrated from Montevallo to the Southeastern Conference. Cunningham may be next. The soft-spoken giant has already drawn college football scholarship offers from the University of Southern Mississippi and UAB, with SEC schools Auburn, Alabama and Ole Miss showing plenty of interest in the tight end prospect. Cunningham will have several mentors to lean on during the recruiting process, including Lilly, his God-brother who went on to play at Ole Miss. Lilly is now an assistant coach at Montevallo. “I grew up with (Lilly),” Cunningham said. “He was there the day I was born. He’s one of my biggest fans. He always tells me, ‘don’t be satisfied.’” Cunningham also relies on advice from first-year Montevallo head coach Andrew Zow, a former quarterback at the University of Alabama. Zow knows it’s easy for a heavily recruited high school player to get a big head, but Cunningham said his head coach has helped him keep things in perspective. “‘Do what you do’ and ‘don’t try to do what everybody else tells you to do,’” is sage advice Cunningham said he’s picked up from Zow.
Korey Cunningham Cunningham said Zow has already made a huge impact before coaching his first game at Montevallo. Interest in playing football is on the rise thanks to his new head coach, Cunningham said. “It’s been really nice,” Cunningham said. “I’ve been playing here since eighth grade, and I can already see the change.” While he’s thankful for Zow’s guidance, Cunningham, who said he’s one of only two Auburn fans in his family, does partake in some good natured ribbing with the former Crimson Tide standout in team practice sessions. “I mess with him all of the time,” Cunningham said. Cunningham said he tries to model his game after a pair of current SEC standouts in Alabama tight end Michael Williams and Auburn tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen. The vocal leader of the Bulldogs tries to pattern his leadership role after the college players. “I just love the way they get after it,” Cunningham said. “They both bring a lot of energy. I try to do the same here.” Cunningham hopes to join the duo in the SEC following his senior season. The Montevallo standout shined in
a football camp with the Tigers this summer and hopes an offer from Auburn is in the mail soon. He’s drawn a lot of interest from the Crimson Tide, as well. Cunningham will get more opportunities to showcase his hands and speed as a playmaker by playing primarily at tight end this season, which he believes is key to his collegiate future. Due to his size, Cunningham spent a lot of time helping out the offensive line as an extra blocker a year ago. “To be able to show my talent is really nice,” Cunningham said. More important than sharpening his individual skills is helping the team win, Cunningham said. The senior believes his team has what it takes to finish the season in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 3A state championship game. “We want to play hard and win a lot of games,” Cunningham said. “We want to go win a state championship.” Zow has made it clear to Cunningham the burden is on him to make it happen. “He understands his role,” Zow said. “He’s our leader. He’s the guy we need in the fourth quarter.” 2012 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
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