Shelby County Football 2021

VIEWING MENU 10 games you don't want to miss

A TRUE

WARRIOR

Harrell sets sights on another title at Thompson

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TAKING THE FIELD

Schedules, rosters, previews and predictions

LEAVING HIS MARK Smith ready for one final ride as Oak Mountain’s quarterback

Shelby County Football 2021

CONTENTS 5

HIS FAREWELL TOUR Evan Smith’s four-year journey at Oak Mountain ends this year

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A DEFENSE’S WORST NIGHTMARE Conner Harrell ready to lead Thompson as state’s best quarterback

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GAMES TO WATCH The 10 best matchups for the 2021 season

TEAM PREVIEWS 20 Briarwood 24 Calera 28 Chelsea 38 Coosa Valley 40 Cornerstone 42 Evangel 44 Helena 54 Montevallo 60 Oak Mountain 66 Pelham 78 Shelby County 84 Spain Park 90 Thompson 100 Vincent 4

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

From the Editor

STAFF EDITORIAL Alec Etheredge Nathan Howell Madoline Markham Keith McCoy Scott Mims Emily Sparacino

PRODUCTION Jamie Dawkins Connor Martin-Lively Kimberly Myers Briana Sansom

MARKETING Darniqua Bowen Jessica Caudill Evann Campbell Kari George Zoe Hall Rachel Henderson Kinley Johnson Rhett McCreight Stacey Meadows Tori Montjoy Viridiana Romero Brittany Schofield Kerrie Thompson

ADMINISTRATIVE Tim Prince Daniel Holmes Hailey Dolbare Mary Jo Eskridge

Newspapers, Inc. This is a publication of Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. P.O. Box 947 115 North Main Street Columbiana, AL 35051 phone: 205.669.3131 advertise@shelbycountyreporter.com

LAST FOOTBALL SEASON was

Oak Mountain’s Evan Smith, a foursupposed to be all doom and gloom due to year starter at quarterback, and Thompson’s Conner Harrell, a stateCOVID-19.

Yet, the state of Alabama found a way to championship winner as a junior, are this not only begin the season, but also to year’s main feature stories as two of the top senior athletes in the finish it. county.

For Shelby County, that Pelham’s Will Lankford, meant history. A total of Helena’s Joel Logan and five teams made the second J.C. Sivley, and Chelsea’s round of the playoffs and offense are also highlighted set historic marks for the throughout this issue. first time since 1997, while In addition to those the Thompson Warriors storylines, there is more repeated as Class 7A great content, including the state champions in one of top-10 games you don’t the most remarkable want to miss this season, comebacks of all time. state records, predictions All of that happened in a year where there was little offseason and team photos.

My goal each year is for you, the fan, to preparation and plenty of doubt in the not only feel more knowledgeable about back of everyone’s mind.

Imagine the excitement now, as we get the team you cheer for but also each team the 2021 football season underway in the county.

I think we all have a greater appreciation without those distractions and a full for sports after what we saw with offseason leading into the first game.

What kind of history will that lead to COVID-19, and I hope this year’s magazine helps that excitement continue to grow. this season?

From our wonderful editorial staff to That is still to be determined, but I am our designers to our photographers, we as excited as ever to see it all unfold.

Several teams will enter the season as can’t wait for the journey ahead during the favorites to win their region, while others 2021 season. We hope you will join us for will have a strong possibility of making the a wonderful journey.

Thank you as always for your continued playoffs.

Inside this year’s football magazine, we support, and I can’t wait to see you under give you a look at all 14 teams in Shelby the Friday night lights.

County and what can make each of them special during the 2021 season.

Not only can you find breakdowns, rosters, info, schedules and more on each team, but you can also find feature stories on several of the county’s top players Alec Etheredge, Managing Editor Alec.Etheredge@ShelbyCountyReporter.com heading into the season.

Cover photo by Keith McCoy Cover design by Connor Martin-Lively 2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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GOOD LUCK THIS SEASON VICTORIOUS

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

His farewell tour Evan Smith’s four-year journey at Oak Mountain ends this year Written by ALEC ETHEREDGE | Photos by KEITH MCCOY 2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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F

Four years ago, Cris Bell sat down in his office at Oak Mountain High School during July grinning from ear-to-ear before the words “We’ve got something special” worked their way through the smile.

That something special was rising-freshman Evan Smith. At that time, nobody knew who the kid coming up from eighth grade was or the potential he possessed.

Even Bell shared the whole coach speak of, “There is a battle for the starting quarterback position.” But he knew exactly what he had on his hands, which was a future four-year starter at the quarterback position.

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THE EMERGENCE OF A STAR Stepping onto the field for the first time against rival Chelsea as a freshman, a star was born.

Smith didn’t waver in his first high school football start despite being 14 years old. He quickly stole the show and accounted for 93 yards passing with two touchdowns and an additional 109 yards rushing with two more touchdowns on just 11 carries.

“I wasn’t expecting to even be mentioned in the conversation as a starter,” Smith said, looking back on his freshman season. “I came in and worked my tail off, and (coach Bell) noticed.”

He led the Eagles to a 42-9 win and quickly had people talking, with all the local headlines focusing on the freshman’s performance.

“He came in as a ninth grader with the skill level to be a starting quarterback against the toughest region in the state,” said Bell, who is now the head coach at Scottsboro. “There was still a lot to learn, but that game showed what he could do.”

Oak Mountain went on to lose the next eight games in a row against one of the state’s most challenging schedules, but under a freshman quarterback, the Eagles lost six of those eight by 21 or less and four by 14 or less.

He finished the season with 861 yards and eight touchdowns through the air, as well as 755 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, mesmerizing fans along the way.

“As the year progressed, there was some uncertainty at times with him as a 14-year-old playing with 18-year-olds,” Bell said. “Even walking the halls as -Cris the younger guy who was the leader of the program, that put a lot on his shoulders at such a young age. He was the starting point guard and quarterback as a freshman in high school, which can lead to a big head sometimes.”

Bell, however, was quickly impressed by how mature Smith was in handling the attention and his empathy to want the best for others.

Bryant before dying of cancer at the age of 28 and being remembered as one of the most legendary players in Alabama history.

Bell, now coaching at Scottsboro where Trammel graduated from high school, gets one thought when he drives up to Trammel Stadium on a daily basis—Smith.

“I wouldn’t put him above my wife and kids, but he is my Pat Trammel,” Bell said. “Evan is absolutely the greatest kid. He’s the most favorite kid I’ve ever coached, and I’ve coached a lot of good ones.”

Bell’s reason for those strong remarks extends much further than the duo’s relationship on the field the last three seasons, focusing on their somewhat family-style relationship because of Smith’s leadership.

“He’s extremely coachable, always respectful and does well in school. He’s an All-American guy,” Bell said, before a long pause.

“I get emotional if I talk about him too much, but he’s just Bell a great one. He was so committed to being better at Oak Mountain and being a part of the community.”

Smith wears that passion for Oak Mountain on his sleeves, and it shows in how he has previously handled his role as a leader and is once again handling it through change this year.

“I try not to be too hard on the younger guys because this is something new for them,” Smith said. “I just hold them to the same level I hold myself, which is to go out there and do the best you can. Why not go all out? Even if you’re not going to the next level, you can get something out of high school football. I just want to get everybody on the same page and create a special bond with this team.”

“Athletically, he’s a competitor and is obviously very, very gifted. But as a person, he’s a leader that just makes people around him better.”

LEADING BY EXAMPLE For those who don’t remember Pat Trammell, Alabama legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant referred to him as “the favorite person of my entire life.”

Trammell led the Crimson Tide to their first national championship under

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

ADJUSTING TO AN AUDIBLE On Thursday, March 18, Smith got shocking news when Bell told his quarterback and the rest of the team that he was leaving to take over as the next head coach at Scottsboro.

It left a lot of uncertainty for what was ahead for Smith going into his final season with the Eagles.

Then, on April 16, came the hire of Tyler Crane, and a new era of football was underway at Oak Mountain.

Crane, who was a former assistant with the Eagles and an assistant at both Pinson Valley and Central-Phenix City under Patrick Nix, came in with his own philosophies and thoughts on how to change the program.

That also means a shift in offensive style heading into the 2021 season for the Eagles.

However, one thing quickly became clear for Crane—Smith was the perfect guy to usher in a new age at Oak Mountain.

“It wouldn’t matter where he is on the field, he can do whatever is needed,” Crane said. “He is a great person, leader and hard worker. I want to put more on him because of his talent. I’m probably

harder on him than most of our guys because of his ability to handle whatever is thrown his way.”

For Smith, the transition hasn’t been an easy one, but just like everything else, he’s approaching it with the mindset of adopting to the challenges and moving forward like he has every year.

“It has been a tough transition with a whole new coaching staff, but everyone has bought into a new challenge,” he said.

“All four years have been that way.

They’ve all had their different obstacles, but you just have to adapt and overcome.”

FAREWELL TOUR Now, heading into his final year at Oak Mountain with more than 5,300 yards of offense and 60 touchdowns to his name, Smith is ready for one final ride as the starting quarterback.

“I’ve been at Oak Mountain all my life, so it’s going to be real special playing my final year,” he said. “I just want to play my best football here. Oak Mountain means so much to me. It has been a wild ride, and I want to put my heart and soul into finishing strong.”

Last season, the Eagles started 4-0 for the first time in school history, eventually making it to 6-1, and then went on to 2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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“I still have one season left, and I’m not going to take it for granted. I want to go out with a bang.”

-Evan Smith advance to the second round of the playoffs after a 41-28 upset win against Austin in the first round.

“We’ve been battle tested. We know how to get back where we were last year. The season was wild, and we have to work harder than ever before,” Smith said. “We had a lot of new faces come out, so getting them on the level we expect to compete at gives us high hopes. We fully expect to be back where we were last year.”

Smith added that last year’s ending is also driving the team heading into the season after a 24-21 loss to Hoover prevented the Eagles from advancing to the quarterfinals.

The ending to the game made it even more heartbreaking after a referee marked Oak Mountain shy of a first down during a controversial call deep inside Hoover territory, ultimately ending the game.

“I think about the way last year ended every day at some point, honestly,” Smith said. “I can’t even watch the tape without wanting to punch a hole in

the wall. We knew we were going to score that drive.

So just coming in every day and putting a helmet on, thinking about that, it drives me. It drives us. Now, it’s time to go out and earn it.”

The Northwestern commit admitted that getting off to a fast start is key with back-to-back games against Hewitt-Trussville and Thompson to end region play.

He said the first three or four weeks will be vital in how successful this year’s team will be.

At the end of the day, however, Smith knows he and his teammates’ ride together is coming to an end, and he wants to focus on helping them be the best they can be together on a weekly basis.

“It will be an emotional year. It will be hard to put the pads on for the last time. Growing up here and going to this school all my life, it will be tough,” Smith said. “But I still have one season left, and I’m not going to take it for granted. I want to go out with a bang.”

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

A defense’s

worst nightmare Conner Harrell ready to lead Thompson as state’s best quarterback Written by ALEC ETHEREDGE Photos by KEITH MCCOY and NEAL WAGNER

W

With the weight of replacing two of the best quarterbacks in school history squarely on his shoulders, anticipation quickly turned to nerves on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020.

Nonetheless, Conner Harrell pulled his shoulder pads over his head, put on his Thompson Warriors uniform, laced up his cleats and walked out of the locker room and onto the field under the Friday night lights at Warrior Stadium.

“My mindset was solely on focusing on all of the responsibility I had,” Harrell said, reminiscing on his first start as a junior quarterback.

But after slipping the shoulder pads on, suddenly the pressure of replacing back-to-back Class 7A Backs of the Year went away, and it just became about playing the game he loved.

OUT OF NOWHERE Replacing quarterbacks Sawyer Pate and Taulia Tagovailoa, who had thrown for more than 3,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, Harrell had immense pressure to perform and do it in a hurry in his first year as a starter.

Not only was he looking to replace that production, but the Warriors had also been to two consecutive state championship games, winning in 2019 with the quarterback play being a key reason.

“I had been around the team since I was in seventh grade, so I was confident in my ability to

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

15

handle the pressure,” Harrell said. “I worked crazy hard for the opportunity, and I was ready to show it.”

And in his first start, with nothing known about his potential, Harrell blossomed out of nowhere into the state’s best quarterback.

In a battle of defending state champions, Harrell totaled 269 yards and three touchdowns passing and 35 rushing yards with two additional touchdowns on the ground to lead the Warriors to a 56-34 win against Oxford to open the season.

“I was a little nervous going into that game. I was just ready for the first pass. I remember the first drive, our running back (Jarrett Crockett) carried us, and I had just one pass,” he said. “We got good field position, and that eased me into it. I was ready from there. It definitely wasn’t a surprise; I knew it was in me. I just needed to show it on the field.”

That seemed to ease Harrell’s mind as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season, as he went on to lead Thompson to a 14-0 season for the second time in school history featuring a second region and state championship in a row.

“When you know you’re at that level to be able to start at this level, it definitely gives you some confidence,” Harrell said. “It gives you something extra when you know you’re the guy and a leader of the team.”

He finished the season throwing for more than 3,400 yards and 40 touchdowns in his first year as the starter, eventually becoming the fourth consecutive Class 7A Back of the Year winner from Thompson.

“There was so much unknown for him going into the season because of COVID cancelling the spring and a lot of the summer,” head coach Mark Freeman said. “That hurt his time to prepare, but he handled it well and stepped up.”

A CHIP ON HIS SHOULDER Late in the first half of the state championship game, Harrell walked off the field in pain and headed straight toward the tent on the sideline.

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

After taking several hits late in the second step up in his absence, adding that he wants to make sure he is doing his job in preparing the rest of quarter, this time, he knew something was off.

“It was tough. I kind of knew once I went under the team to be successful even without him.

And last year, that thought process became big in the tent for the first time and took my shoulder pads off, I tried to lift my arm, and I couldn’t do it. At that the second half of the state championship game.

Thanks to a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, point, I knew I wouldn’t be able to throw,” Harrell the Warriors drew within nine points, before the recalled.

He then came out in the second half with a sling miracle of 10 points in the final 30 seconds lifted on his arm and was forced to turn the reins over to them to a jaw-dropping win.

“It was next guy up, and even teammate Tre Roberson, who with their backs against the wall was one of the team’s top and faith lost, they stepped up receivers. when it mattered most to make Thompson trailed 14-13 at the plays,” Harrell said. start of the second half, and the However, with that finish, he hole quickly became deeper with is hoping to make it through the the Tigers scoring two -Conner Harrell season this year without giving touchdowns in the third quarter himself, the team and the fans a to take a 28-13 lead.

“I think about that moment all the time, what it heart attack en route to a third state title. was like not to finish last year, to have a helpless feeling when your team is down and trailing,” SOAKING IT UP Harrell said. “I just wanted to be out there helping them. I don’t want to have that feeling again, and I The nerves of going into last season have quickly know I can’t control that, but I want to try everything dissipated going into the 2021 season, as Harrell I can.” looks to lead the Warriors to a another state Harrell, however, did say it helped seeing others championship.

“I’m going to just soak everything in this year.”

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what we treat

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“Going into this season, it’s all about building chemistry with my receivers and running backs, while also staying focused and not getting a big head thinking we are the best,” Harrell said.

“We know anybody can beat us on any night.”

Ranked as high as third in national preseason polls, Harrell and the Warriors have been heralded as one of the top teams in the country and are expected to win the state championship, which brings a new load of pressure.

The team, however, is confident in their ability because of the trust they have in one another with some of the biggest stars in high school football back for another season.

“It’s huge to have people I can trust all around me. We’ve worked really hard this offseason to get chemistry,” Harrell said. “We’ve come a long way since everybody got here. It’s really important to know your man can win a one-on-one matchup, and you can trust them to run the right route and be reliable.”

Going into the season, Freeman feels confident in what his quarterback can do this year, not only because of the talent around him, but also the ability of Harrell to demand more from the team with a better understanding of the offense.

“Last year, we tried to ease him into the season rather than put everything on him all at once due to less preparation,” Freeman said. “He can demand more this year though. He is experienced and confident and is doing a great job leading our guys.”

Harrell has worked hard at being a leader by example this offseason, going as hard and as fast as he can during everything the team does together to help prepare them for the gauntlet ahead.

He said if he can get everybody to follow his lead in that aspect, the team can’t blame anything on lack of effort this season.

Just like everybody else on the team, Harrell hopes to lead Thompson to a three-peat this season, but he doesn’t want to lose sight of what is most important, which is enjoying the ride and leaving his mark on the program so future players will try to live up to the same standard.

“I’m going to just soak everything in this year. I’ve watched three years of seniors play their last games and going out there on senior night,” Harrell said.

“A lot of us this year have been together since little league. It’s going to mean a lot playing with them one last time looking to add to our legacy.”

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GAMES TO WATCH The 10 best matchups for the 2021 season

1.

THOMPSON VS. HOOVER OCT. 22

The Class 7A, Region 3 title and a spot in the state championship has been decided by these two each of the last four years. Thompson had never beaten the Bucs until a 32-25 win in 2017. The Warriors have now won six of the last eight and five in a row.

3.

MONTEVALLO VS. SHELBY COUNTY AUG. 27

The renewal of this county rivalry has been a welcome sight with back-to-back instant classics the last two seasons. Shelby County won 56-50 two years ago and 20-18 last year in two completely different games.

5.

BRIARWOOD AT MOUNTAIN BROOK OCT. 8

Last year, this game determined the region championship, which was key in an easier postseason path. Briarwood lost that one 17-7 and fell to defending state champ Oxford in the second round, while the Spartans went on to the semifinals of the Class 6A playoffs.

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

2.

PELHAM VS. HELENA SEPT. 17

Last year, Pelham won the region championship with a perfect region record, but the Panthers didn’t have to go through second-place Helena due to a COVID-19 forfeit. With Helena winning 62-20 two years ago, there is plenty of fire in this rivalry.

4.

THOMPSON AT HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE SEPT. 17

This matchup has become a national spotlight in recent years with two of the last three games being televised by ESPN. Thompson has won four of the last five, including both televised matchups, but Hewitt was the last team to beat the Warriors two years ago.

6.

THOMPSON AT OXFORD AUG. 20

It’s the second year in a row of this kick-off game. Last year’s matchup was a battle of the defending Class 7A and Class 6A state champions that the Warriors won 56-34. This year, it marks the first game for the two-time defending champs, while Oxford is breaking in a new coach.

7.

BRIARWOOD VS. CHELSEA SEPT. 3

Each game the last four years has seen the winner score no more than 20 points, while the winner has scored 23 or less in seven of the last eight years. This year, however, both offenses are improved.

9.

CALERA VS. PELHAM SEPT. 3

A game that has been decided by eight points or less the last two years with each team winning one, this year’s contest will feature a new coach for Calera and Pelham looking to start strong.

IT'S GAME TIME MAKE THE MOST OF IT

8.

CHELSEA VS. OAK MOUNTAIN AUG. 20

For the sixth consecutive year, these two 280-area rivals will kick off the season against one another. Oak Mountain has won eight of the nine matchups and four in a row with Chelsea’s win coming in 2016.

10.

SPAIN PARK VS. OAK MOUNTAIN OCT. 1

Last year, the Eagles thumped Spain Park 48-17 and went on to earn the final playoff spot. This year’s game, in October, could have similar implications.

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BRIARWOOD

TEAM INFORMATION

LIONS The return to the 6A classification last year for the Briarwood Lions didn’t deter them from another special season in year two under head coach Matthew Forester.

The Lions finished second in a difficult region and advanced to the second round of the playoffs before losing to Oxford and ending the season with an 8-3 record.

Now, they’ll return to the field in 2021 hoping to take it a step further and win the Class 6A, Region 5 championship.

With experience back on the offensive side of the football and a year under their belt in the 6A classification, the Lions look to be contenders not only in the region but also for a state championship.

The only question marks will be replacing the top tacklers on the defensive side and a receiver stepping up offensively. However, Forester adds one of the best defensive minds in the state, while returning quarterback Christopher Vizzina should be able to find targets out wide.

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK Just a junior, Christopher Vizzina will return to Briarwood as a three-year starter after starting as a freshman and sophomore. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound quarterback has been impressive at camps this summer, going toe-to-toe with top recruits like Arch Manning. Last year, Vizzina totaled 1,969 yards and 13 touchdowns passing with an additional 154 rushing yards. Key this season will be forming an early relationship with a receiver, which has been difficult the past two years, and remaining calm in the pocket.

If those two things come together, the sky is the limit for this offense.

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Christopher Vizzina

CLASSIFICATION AHSAA Class 6A, Region 5 2020 RECORD 8-3 (5-1) HEAD COACH Matthew Forester RECORD 20-5 (Third year) ASSISTANT COACHES Mike Bautista, Ernest Carroll, Chris Donnelly, Daniel Forester, Shane Harmon, Bobby Kerley, Jay Mathews, Luke Miller, Johnny Howard, Brent Reese, Steve Renfroe, Jared Walker, Jay Wise, Bob Blake LAST REGION TITLE 2019 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2020

PLAYERS TO WATCH Christopher Vizzina, QB With two years under his belt, Vizzina returns for his junior season after totaling 1,969 yards and 13 touchdowns through the air last season.

Luke Reebals, RB One of the leading rushers in the county last year, Reebals brings back 1,149 rushing yards, 499 receiving yards and nine total touchdowns.

Nic Dicen, WR With Brooks Donnelly gone, Dicen will be the leading receiver back this season and will need to step up for the offense to reach its full potential.

Miller Stubblefield, DL One of two three-year starters back on the defensive line with several gone on the back end, Stubblefield’s presence will be big.

Luke Reebals RUNNING BACK Helping take pressure off Vizzina will be the return of starting running back Luke Reebals, who can do it all in the backfield. A 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior, Reebals totaled 1,149 yards on the ground and 499 receiving yards with nine total touchdowns last year.

He has also improved other parts of the position such as blocking and can split out wide when needed. Colton Williams, Cooper Higgins and Luke Livingston will be behind him. Forester said one or two of those players need to step up to give depth at the position.

RECEIVERS Possibly the most important position in determining Briarwood’s success on offense this year, the Lions will be replacing leading receiver Brooks Donnelly, who had 537 yards and six touchdowns last year. Senior Nic Dicen will be the top returner at the position and will have to step up. In addition to him, senior Mathis Tindall is primed for a big year. Ethan Anderson, Jay Butler and Luke Gilbert are three seniors who will help at the position as well.

OFFENSIVE LINE A unit that normally has major turnover every year at Briarwood, the Lions will return two starters this year,

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20: Madison Academy Aug. 27: @ Spain Park Sept. 3: Chelsea* Sept. 10: @ Woodlawn* Sept. 17: @ Huffman* Sept. 24: Mortimer Jordan Oct. 1: Shades Valley* Oct. 7: @ Mountain Brook*# Oct. 1: Bye Oct. 22: Homewood* Oct. 29: @ Corner *Region game #Thursday night game with Alex Moore and Charlie Heidepriem leading. Moore will return to center and stands at 6-foot-2, 290 pounds, while Heidepriem will be the left tackle with a frame of 6-foot-2, 230 pounds. Seniors Rich Connell, JamesMichael Tedesco and Andy Foust will fill in other roles, while Harrison Klumer, Jason Bess and Andrew McCadams will push for time as well.

DEFENSIVE LINE On the other side of the ball, Briarwood will return two three-year starters up front. Miller Stubblefield and Holden Patterson are both seniors who have the experience to lead the unit. Stubblefield holds a size of 6-foot2, 225 pounds, while Patterson is one of

Haddon Stubbs, LB With the departure of more than 300 tackles at the position, Stubbs will have big shoes to fill but brings back 78 tackles and two interceptions.

Nic Dicen

KEY DEPARTURES Brooks Donnelly The leading receiver last year with 537 yards, Donnelly will be missed by Vizzina and the offense this season, especially after the two formed a good connection late in the season.

Tyler Waugh Waugh takes with him 165 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and 1.5 sacks, while he also totaled 257 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on offense.

Parker Hutson Hutson will be another missed linebacker after totaling 108 tackles, including seven for loss and 2.5 sacks last year.

Alastair Harris Harris was the team’s leader in the secondary last year with 79 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

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QUICK HITS TAKING A HIT Normally, Briarwood enters a season confident in the defense, while the offense eases into the year. This year, it will likely be the other way around. The Lions take a hit by losing their four best defenders, who totaled more than 400 tackles and accounted for several turnovers. Head coach Matthew Forester and the defensive staff will have to find the right pieces to fill major roles, which they normally do.

PUTTING UP NUMBERS This has to be a big year for Briarwood’s offense, especially with the departure of so much defensively. With a quarterback and running back returning who totaled close to 4,000 combined yards last year and an always-solid offensive line, there is loads of potential. Finding a receiver will be the key to determining just how far this team can go.

CALM IN THE POCKET In year three as a starter with close to 20 wins under his belt, Christopher Vizzina has gained a lot of offseason attention at camps as one of the top quarterbacks in the country.

Over the past two years, he has been a little quick to give up the pocket, something he can’t do this year. He showed new confidence last year, and as an upperclassman now, he’ll need to stand firm in the pocket and thread the needle this year.

CLAIM THE CROWN It’s amazing what 10 points did for the Lions last season. Battling for the region title with Mountain Brook, Briarwood fell 17-7 and got the two seed in the region. That, however, made a big difference in the postseason.

The Lions started with a difficult Hartselle team, winning 31-17, but then had to travel to defending state champion Oxford, losing 3514 in the second round. The Spartans, however, went on to make the semifinals with a slightly easier path. That makes winning the region championship an important goal for the Lions this season.

2021 Briarwood Roster NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

1

Miller Stubblefield

NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

DL 12

Luke Gilbert

Spencer Dickinson

DL 10

2

40

WR 12

Caleb Keller

Luke Long

TE 10

2

41

DB 10

Cooper Higgins

Knox Merry

LB 12

3

42

RB 10

Robert Beason

Aidan Punch

K 11

4

43

WR 11

Brady Waugh

Preston King

DL 11

5

44

DB 11

Will Clark

Gavin McGullion

WR 10

5

45

QB 9

Grant Dickinson

Max Luster

DL 10

6

46

DB 11

Mathis Tindall

Cace Reynolds

LB 10

6

47

TE 12

Ethan Anderson

Anderson O’Neal

DB 10

7

48

WR 12

Grey Reebals

Fowler Stutts

TE 10

7

49

DB 10

Seth Alford

Walker Gray

LB 10

8

50

DB 12

Josh Thompson

Ike Witt

DL 10

8

51

QB 10

Reeves Pylant

Hardy Thompson

LB 12

9

52

TE 12

AJ Davis

Trey Saunders

OL 10

10

53

WR 12

Nicolas Frost

Alex Hudson

OL 12

11

54

DB 12

Harrison Self

Harrison Clemmer

OL 11

12

55

DB 11

Vance Hopkins

Garrett Harmon

DL 12

13

56

WR 11

14

Reece Garner

58

Charlie Heidepriem OL 12

DB 12

Walker Chambless

59

Holden Patterson

DL 12

15

TE 11

Will Duncan

Jackson Cowden

OL 10

16

62

K 10

Christopher Vizzina QB 11

Andrew Gill

DL 10

17

63

Sawyer Russell

Andy Foust

OL 12

18

64

WR 11

19

Caleb Ward

65

James-Michael Tedesco OL

QB 10

Jake Scott

Alex Moorer

OL 12

20

66

DB 11

Haddon Stubbs

67

Andrew McAdams

OL 11

21

LB 12

Riley Margene

Cole Carter

OL 10

22

68

LB 12

Luke Reebals

Jason Bess

OL 11

23

70

RB 12

Nicholas Dicen

Luke Schutlz

OL 10

24

71

WR 12

Grant Bruce

Brandon Kassouf

DL 10

25

72

LB 12

Colton Williams

Griffin Clark

OL 11

26

73

RB 11

Ethan Carr

Rich Connell

OL 12

27

74

DB 10

Jack Cornish

John Taylor

OL 11

28

76

DB 10

Peyton Steed

Palmer Covin

OL 10

29

77

DB 11

Luke Dickinson

Reid Hollis

K 10

30

79

DL 10

Luke Taylor

Clay Dorrill

DL 12

31

80

DB 10

Sawyer Click

Jay Butler

WR 12

33

81

WR 10

Beau Barnes

Jackson Barnes

WR 10

33

82

DB 11

Brooks Travis

Gabe Margene

WR 10

34

83

DB 10

Wells Connell

Sam Brewer

WR 10

35

84

LB 11

Luke Livingston

Sully Wright

DL 11

36

85

RB 10

Caleb Laechelt

Blake Herritt

WR 10

37

87

DB 11

Louis Hoff

Peyton Fox

TE 12

38

88

WR 10

Adyn Barbour

JC Ellerbee

DL 10

39

89

LB 10

91

Lude Solomon

DL 10

12

EDITOR’S 2021 PREDICTION (8-2) It’s no secret, the jump from Class 5A to Class 6A is one of the most difficult to make in the state of Alabama due to the number of competitive teams in the 6A classification. That said, the Lions face a schedule this season where they should be able to compete in just about every game. A best case scenario would likely be an 8-2 or 9-1 regular season. This team is too talented for a .500 season, but the difference between going 7-3 and 9-1 will depend on a receiver stepping up as a legitimate threat and depth forming early in the season. The defense alone, however, should continue to allow the Lions to be better than average and find one of the top four spots to make the playoffs out of a difficult region.

24

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

2020 RESULTS Bye Spain Park @ Chelsea Woodlawn Huffman @ Mortimer Jordan @ Shades Valley Mountain Brook Bye @ Homewood Corner Hartselle* @ Oxford*

L 14-21 W 20-3 W 43-0 W 28-16 W 1-0# W 42-19 L 7-17 W 28-6 W 42-7 W 31-17 L 14-35

*Playoff game #Forfeited game

2020 STATS

Photo by Keith McCoy

the biggest on the line at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds. Senior Clay Dorrill, who is 6-foot-4, 204 pounds, will be the nose guard but can play anywhere on the line, while Preston King and Garrett Harmon should play a key role as well for one of the team’s deepest units.

Offense Total points: 269 Per game: 26.9 County rank: 5

SECONDARY

In the secondary, Briarwood will lose Harris and Cal Higdon, but the return of Reece Garner and Seth Alford will help soften the blow. The two returning starters will fill a corner back and safety position, respectively, while Nicholas Frost will also take on a LINEBACKERS corner position. It’s Frost’s first This unit will take the biggest hit from season, but he has been one of the last year with the loss of 273 combined hardest-working players on the team. tackles between Tyler Waugh and Parker Brady Waugh and Grant Dickinson Hutson. Throw in Alastair Harris, who will battle for the final spot in the totaled 79 tackles as a hybrid defensive secondary. back, and the Lions have big shoes to fill.

Grant Bruce and Haddon Stubbs are SPECIAL TEAMS expected to be the two leaders to step up Holding down the kicking positions and have big seasons. They are creating on this year’s squad will be Stubbs as a lot of excitement amongst the coaches the punter and Aiden Punch as the with Stubbs returning 78 tackles, while place kicker. The Lions will have to Forester said Hardy Thompson and replace Hutson as the long snapper, Knox Merry need to be big this year as while Anderson will be the holder. well. Riley Margene will lend a hand at Reebals and Dicen will be the likely the position as well. athletes in the return game.

Defense Points allowed: 141 Per game: 14.1 County rank: 1

5-YEAR WIN TREND

14 12 9

8

2020

12

2019

2018

2017

2016

GOOD LUCK LIONS! 2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

25

CALERA

TEAM INFORMATION

EAGLES The Calera Eagles haven’t won more than one head-to-head game since their jump up to the 6A classification in 2018.

But last year, the Eagles took a step in the right direction with one win, two forfeited wins and four losses by eight points or less. They were continuing to make progress.

Now, however, the team will be under the leadership of a third different head coach in the last five seasons with the departure of Trey Simpson and the hire of Jason Hamlin.

Hamlin has been an assistant at schools such as Thompson, Spain Park and McAdory under top head coaches and seems primed for his first stint as the head man, but the Eagles will face growing pains.

If the offense can find the right fit at quarterback, that may be what takes this team to the next level with top talent back at receiver and running back, while the defense will be strong on the back end with some inexperience up front.

CLASSIFICATION AHSAA Class 6A, Region 3 2020 RECORD 3-7 (1-5) HEAD COACH Jason Hamlin RECORD 0-0 (First year) ASSISTANT COACHES Zach Franks, Robert Albritton, Jared Holder, Matt Scoggins, AJ Ward, James Knowles, Paul Hovey, Austin Barnhill, Mike Montgomery, Kenny Brooks LAST REGION TITLE 2008 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2017

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK With the departure of Tyler Nelson to Gardendale, Calera is facing a three-man race at quarterback heading into the season. Senior Jacob Sommers and juniors Zymeer Jemison and Preston Stokes are all fighting for the position. Jemison brings to the table an athletic presence with a running ability, while Stokes and Sommers both throw extremely well.

Hamlin said having the right guy at the position for the players to trust is key to success this season.

RUNNING BACK Possibly the strongest unit as a whole on the offensive side, senior Chris Cotton and junior Daniel Carmona will both return to the backfield. Cotton was

Chris Cotton

Everything your bank can do.

Just better. amfirst.org 26

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

PLAYERS TO WATCH Kobe Prentice, ATH The best athlete on the team, Prentice returns with an Alabama offer heading into the season and totaled 711 yards on 41 receptions with nine touchdowns last year.

Chris Cotton, RB A returning starter, Cotton will be key as a leader of the offense to help take pressure off a new quarterback.

CJ Richardson, LB The team’s leading returning tackler after posting 73 total tackles, 17 for loss and three sacks last year, Richardson will be one of the team’s top defenders.

Kobe Prentice the team’s leading back a season ago and brings to the table a shifty but patient presence. Carmona completes the two-headed monster with a patient style as well but is more of a downhill runner. The two are selfless and working hard to complement one another.

RECEIVERS A welcome sight to the receiver position will be the return of the team’s top athlete. A Maryland commit at one time, Kobe Prentice received an offer from Alabama this summer after a strong junior season that featured 711 yards on 41 receptions with nine touchdowns. An all-around athlete, he plays all over the field and is one of the fastest athletes in the county as a track star. Behind him, Sommers could be key at the position along with Braylen Farrington and Justin Green. Matthew Windham is also having a good summer and may earn a big spot. Hamlin said if

Andre Green, DB Green is expected to be one of the leaders of the defense in the secondary and will help signal different calls.

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20: Demopolis Aug. 27: @ Jackson-Olin Sept. 3: @ Pelham* Sept. 10: Chilton County* Sept. 17: Bye Sept. 24: Pell City Oct. 1: @ Stanhope Elmore* Oct. 7: @ Helena*# Oct. 15: Wetumpka* Oct. 22: Benjamin Russell* Oct. 29: Chelsea *Region game #Thursday night game

Wesley Head, DB Similar to Green, Head will be one who is looked at like a quarterback of the defense.

KEY DEPARTURES Tyler Nelson The team’s starter as a freshman and sophomore, Nelson transferred during the offseason, leaving an opening at the quarterback position.

Jeremiah Jones The top player in the secondary last year, Jones takes with him 73 tackles, one interception and four recovered fumbles.

the right quarterback is in the system, the Eagles will be able to utilize a strong group of receivers.

Will Sims A four-year starter who posted 59 tackles last season, 21 of which went for a loss, Sims will be the biggest missing piece on this year’s defense.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Derrick Edwards An athlete, Edwards missed time last year due to injury, but was one of the team’s top players and will be missed this year.

Depth will be an issue up front on both sides of the ball, which could force a few linemen to play both ways.

Helping, however, will be the return of

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

27

QUICK HITS BIG IN THE CLUTCH Last year, Calera lost four games by eight points or less, which kept the Eagles from a winning record and a spot in the playoffs. While it will be tough to turn that around under a first-year head coach this season, finding a way to continue giving themselves chances this season will be key for the Eagles.

If they can continue to do that, they’ll eventually start winning those games and gaining confidence. Finding a way to win some of those close games early in the season will be key with their first five head-to-head games being decided by eight points or less last year.

A FAST START The schedule doesn’t do Calera any favors with non-region matchups against Demopolis and Jackson-Olin to open the season, then a battle against defending region champ Pelham to kick off region play.

Those three games could make or break the season from a confidence standpoint. If the Eagles can get off to a fast start and possibly win one or two of those games under a new coach, that goes a long way toward building confidence, showing they can compete with anyone on the schedule.

BUILDING DEPTH One of the biggest keys for Calera every year now is building depth. It has been an issue since the Eagles moved into the 6A classification with athletes playing on both sides of the ball against deeper teams.

With so many players still inexperienced going into this year, it will be a battle once again as they try to get the best athletes on the field, but finding a way to get as many faces on the field as possible is extremely important.

It may not make a difference this year, but in a year or two, that starts to pay off.

SPEED KILLS One benefit Calera has is a plethora of athletes.

Returning receiver Kobe Prentice, running back Chris Cotton and several others prove that. The Eagles have some of the fastest and most naturally-gifted athletes in the state. Now, it’s about utilizing them and forming it into a benefit for the team. It’s all about placing each athlete in the proper spot to make a difference for each side of the ball.

28

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

2021 Calera Roster NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

1

Kobe Prentice

WR 12

Michael Benson

Nik Holland

LB 10

2

46

DB 11

Grayton Carlee

Chris Thomas

WR 11

3

47

LB 11

DeCarlo Pryor

Conner Mosley

WR 10

4

48

DB 12

Daniel Carmona

Joshua Jones

DB 10

5

49

RB 11

Chris Cotton

Jamichael Vines

OL/DL 11

6

50

RB 12

Andre Green

Curtis Oliver-Avery

OL/DL 10

7

51

DB 12

Jacob Sommers

Tre Bright

OL/DL 12

8

52

QB/WR 12

Preston Stokes

Brodie Odom

OL/DL 11

9

53

QB 11

Zymeer Jemison

Jaylon Pearson

OL/DL 12

10

54

QB 11

Justin Evans

Soleman Moore

OL/DL 10

12

55

WR 12

Skyler Strawn

Julius Marsh

OL/DL 10

13

57

QB 9

LaShond Boone

Kam’Ryan Moultrie

LB 11

14

58

QB 9

Braylen Farrington

Taylor Alford

OL/DL 10

15

59

WR 11

Gabe Fails

Karlis Cooper

OL/DL 10

16

60

DB 12

AJ Johnson

Walker Harris

OL/DL 10

17

61

QB 9

Wesley Head

Jayson Gitau

OL/DL 11

18

62

DB 12

Matthew Windham

KJ Brooks

OL/DL 9

19

63

WR 11

Brodie Smith

William Harris

OL/DL 9

20

64

TE

12

Michael Banks

Cameron Rutherford

OL/DL 11

21

66

LB 11

Tony Leonard

Jaquon Barron

OL/DL 10

22

70

RB 11

Justin Green

Mathew Tucker

OL/DL 12

23

71

WR 12

KD Young

Mason Colmer

OL/DL 11

24

72

WR 9

Tyler Dixon

Kade Mitchell

OL/DL 9

25

73

RB 10

Mason Green

Johnson Noble

OL/DL 9

26

74

LB 11

CJ Richardson

Arlin Seay

OL/DL 9

27

75

LB 11

Tra’Mun Gaines

Stewart Goldman

OL/DL 10

28

76

WR 11

Dalton Ash

Jake McDonnell

OL/DL 10

29

79

LB/WR 9

Amari Collins

Alex Millender

WR 12

30

80

DB 10

Orlandis Norwood

Branton Confer

WR 10

31

81

LB/DL 11

Ayden Slaten

Tim Williams

WR 11

32

82

DB 10

Amari Brundidge

Braxton Brooks

WR 9

33

83

DE/RB 10

Dekendrick Bennett LB 11

DJ Goodman

WR 11

35

84

Troy Burks

JaMariun Ford

WR 10

36

85

DB 10

Braxton Harden

Christian Dexter

TE 10

37

86

DB 12

Caleb Hunter

Andre Matthews

WR 9

39

87

DB 10

Kevin Martinez

CJ Tolbert

WR 10

40

88

DB 11

Jalon Griffin

Antonio Jones

WR 10

41

89

DB 11

Hayden Callahan

William Raneri

K 11

42

90

RB 9

Jaylen Mitchell

De’Shun Seay

DL 10

43

91

LB 10

D’Ivan Carmona

Bryan Tinejera

K 9

45

93

LB 10

94

Alex Moody

K 10

starters Tre Bright and Brodie Odom on the offensive line. The senior and junior are expected to have a big season, while Matthew Tucker is coming back from an injury and could be key. Others are still battling heading into fall to help fill out the line.

DEFENSIVE LINE The defensive line will also be inexperienced with only one experienced

player healthy going into the season. The loss of team leader Will Sims, who totaled 21 tackles for loss last year, will be the toughest shoes to fill. Jaylon Pearson returns some experience from last year, and will be leaned on as a leader this year, while Julian Marsh and Soleman Moore are expected to emerge as playmakers.

Behind that, however, depth is still a question.

Photo by Keith McCoy

LINEBACKERS

SECONDARY

Calera will play with four linebackers this season, and while the players are still learning the new philosophy, there is reason for excitement. Junior CJ Richardson returns 73 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and three sacks to the position and will lead at inside linebacker. He’ll be joined there by Skyler Strawn and Dekendrick Bennett. Michael Banks and Grayton Carlee will handle the nickel position, while Mason Green will be at the jack spot.

Possibly the biggest highlight of the defense will be the secondary thanks to team leaders Andre Green and Wesley Head being the quarterbacks of the defense at safety. Both call out what the defense needs to do before the snap, while Michael Benson, DeCarlo Pryor and Braxton Harden are great in coverage.

SPECIAL TEAMS Heading into the fall, Hamlin said special teams is a mystery, but he plans to play the best athletes.

EDITOR’S 2021 PREDICTION (3-7) There is a very real possibility the Eagles start the season 0-3 this year with a difficult first three weeks to the schedule. The positive, however, is only one region game takes place during that stretch. The schedule does present its challenges the rest of the way, but Calera has shown progress each of the last three seasons in the 6A classification and will hope that continues under Hamlin. There is too much unknown right now, especially from a depth standpoint, to feel confident in a playoff berth, but the Eagles could emerge as a surprise team should they find a way to win a couple of the four games they lost by eight points or less last season.

GOOD LUCK Eagles!

2020 RESULTS @ Demopolis Jackson-Olin Pelham @ Chilton County Bye Pell City Stanhope Elmore Helena @ Wetumpka @ Benjamin Russell @ Chelsea

L 12-14 W 1-0# L 41-49 W 24-21 W 1-0# L 27-35 L 13-14 L 28-49 L 20-46 L 14-31

#Forfeited win

5-YEAR WIN TREND

7

3 2020

1

1

2019

2018

2017

8

2016

Go Eagles!

Representative

Corley Ellis Alabama House District 41

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

29

CHELSEA

TEAM INFORMATION

HORNETS There is reason for optimism for the Chelsea Hornets heading into the 2021 season if for no other reason than head coach Dustin Goodwin having a returning quarterback for the first time in his four years leading the program.

The Hornets, however, will have some big gaps to fill at several positions, and they don’t compete in a region that will do them any favors.

Getting off to a fast start offensively will be key this season after scoring eight combined points in three of their first four games last year as part of a 1-3 start.

The offense finished strong a season ago and will be leaned upon early this season as the defense gains experience.

This year’s team, however, seems as primed as any over the past three seasons to be the one that breaks out.

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK Easily the most exciting aspect of this year’s team will be the return of junior Hayden Garrison at quarterback. Having him back gives Goodwin someone he can trust to know his system going into the season, while he has also formed relationships with the players. In six games last year, he came on strong in the second half of the season completing 54 of his 99 passes for 887 yards and five touchdowns.

RUNNING BACK It has been five years since the Hornets had to worry about a running back going into the season with Collier Blair the starter for the past four seasons.

Filling his shoes as one of the toughest players on the team will be difficult, but senior Matt Gray will give it

30

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Hayden Garrison

CLASSIFICATION AHSAA Class 6A, Region 5 2020 RECORD 4-6 (2-4) HEAD COACH Dustin Goodwin RECORD 11-20 (Fourth year) ASSISTANT COACHES Ted Darby, Steward Carlisle, Kyle Caldwell, Stephen Clark, Lee Hibbs, Dylan Seabolt, Butch Hudspeath, Doug Goodwin LAST REGION TITLE 2006 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2019

PLAYERS TO WATCH Hayden Garrison, QB In just six games last year, Garrison totaled 887 passing yards and five touchdowns.

Now, he gives Dustin Goodwin his first returning quarterback as the team’s head coach.

Thomas Simpson, WR Simpson has stormed onto the scene this offseason as one of the top wide receivers at different camps and 7-on-7 events.

Finding a connection with Garrison could be what takes the Hornets to the next level.

Cooper Griffin a shot. Gray, who stands at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, is a shifty back who had a great spring and is ready for the role. Behind him, sophomore Emmerson Russell brings excitement to the position thanks to his speed and shiftiness, while Josh Williamson will add needed depth, which Goodwin is placing an emphasis on this year.

RECEIVERS In order for the Hornets to reach their full potential, this position may be the most important. With a returning quarterback and lack of experience at running back, the offense may rely heavily on the passing game. Helping will be the return of both Thomas Simpson and Cooper Griffin. Simpson is the standout leader at the position with a size of 6-foot-3, 205 pounds and is expected to make big plays downfield this season. Behind those two, JyDarian McKinney, EJ Hudnall and MJ Conrad will all be looked at to step up and add another top target.

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20: Oak Mountain Aug. 27: @ Helena Sept. 3: @ Briarwood* Sept. 10: Homewood* Sept. 17: Bye Sept. 24: Pelham Oct. 1: @ Woodlawn* Oct. 8: @ Huffman* Oct. 15: Shades Valley* Oct. 22: Mountain Brook* Oct. 29: @ Calera *Region game

Fant brings a frame of 5-foot-8, 220 pounds to the table. Fant will handle the center position once again, which Goodwin said is big for his offense.

Beyond that, the Hornets are battling to fill the other positions on the line.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The defense will return four starters this season and all of them are in the front seven, which should make this year’s defense improved. Up front, junior Emmanuel Waller and senior OFFENSIVE LINE Garyson Maddox are both back. Both Last year, the Hornets were replacing are similar in size around 6-foot-3, 240 every starter up front heading into the pounds, making them difficult season, but the return of Ethan Vickers matchups, while they also bring and Will Fant this year has them in experience to the table. Kaleb Thomason much better shape this fall. Vickers is also a player the coaches are confident stands at 5-foot-10, 245 pounds, while in, while linebacker Marquis Turner will

Will Fant, OL One of two leaders back on the offensive line, Fant has multiple years of experience and will need a big season this year to help the offense.

Cooper Griffin, ATH Griffin, also a quarterback if needed, will play a hybrid tight end this season and is a team leader who has earned playing time.

Emmanuel Waller, DL The leader on the defensive line, Waller gained a Mississippi State offer in the offseason and will be a contender for the team’s leading tackler this year.

Thomas Simpson

Chandler Pruitt

KEY DEPARTURES Collier Blair, RB A four-year starter at running back, there is no replacing Blair who totaled 593 yards and five touchdowns in just seven games due to injury. His experience and effort will be missed deeply on the team.

Adam Reaves, ATH Reaves played wherever he needed to for the Hornets last year, totaling 370 rushing yards and 235 receiving yards with 12 combined touchdowns.

Chandler Pruitt, DB The team’s leading tackler with 122 last year, Pruitt’s presence will be sorely missed in a secondary unit that needs a leader of his stature this season.

Donavan Bivins, LB The team’s second leading tackler last year with 73, Bivins’ departure is a big loss for Chelsea’s defense.

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

31

QUICK HITS SIGHT FOR SORE EYES In what will be his fourth season, head coach Dustin Goodwin gets one of the best sights he has seen with the return of a quarterback for the first time in that span. During his first year, he talked about how important a quarterback was to run his offense. Now, with the return of junior Hayden Garrison, he’s got somebody who understands his system after starting the final six games last year and going 3-3 in that span after a 1-4 start.

NO TIME TO WASTE Chelsea can’t ease its way into the season.

With games against Oak Mountain, Helena, Briarwood and Homewood all before a bye week, the Hornets can’t afford a slow start. Last year, they beat Helena 27-23 in that stretch, but scored a combined eight points against the other three in losses of 38-2, 20-3 and 24-3.

This year, the offense has to find a way to sustain drives and keep the defense from being on the field all game. With Garrison back, that should help, but the pressure will be on early in the season, and the Hornets have to create some buzz.

DOWNFIELD TARGET One of the most important pieces to this year’s offense will be finding that top target at receiver. Last year, Chelsea had some good underneath guys and could hit the deep ball occasionally, but it never formed consistently. With the arm of Garrison, the Hornets have to capitalize down the field this year.

Thomas Simpson seems to be the guy with the offseason hype, but transitioning that to the field could make or break the season for Chelsea this year.

LIMIT THE BIG PLAYS Defensively, Chelsea gave up 27 points per game last year, looking good at times, but being on the field for large portions of the game became too much in the second half. This year, they lose defensive coordinator Zeb Ellison, who is well respected, as well as top playmakers such as Chandler Pruitt, Chad Carbonie, Hasani Lyons and Carson Freeman.

Last year, they gave up 34 or more in five of 10 games with all of that talent. This year, they’ll not only have to improve, but they’ll also have to do it with new faces. A lot of that depends on the offense, but both sides have to pair well together after never playing their best games on the same night.

32

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

2021 Chelsea Roster NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

1

Emerson Russell

RB 10

Hayden Garrison

Jackson Laughlin

LB/TE 11

2

44

QB/DB 11

Ty Forehand

Javion Holyfield

LB/RB 10

3

45

WR/DB 12

Marquis Turner

Quinton Holyfield

WR/DB 10

4

46

DL/LB 12

Jacob “Bear” Maxwell WR/DB 12

Jack Seymour

P 11

5

47

MJ Conrad

Joseph Key

WR/DB 12

6

48

WR/DB 11

Chris McNeill

Shadrick Barnes

WR/DB 10

7

49

RB/DB 11

JyDarian McKinney

Jaeden Bennett

OL/DL 11

8

50

WR/DB 11

Anderson Brooks

Will Fant

OL/DL 12

9

51

RB/LB 10

Evan Jones

Kaleb Thomason

OL/DL 12

10

52

WR/DB 12

EJ Hudnall

Zack Gray

OL/DL 10

11

53

WR/DB 11

Matt Gray

Brady Clements

OL/DL 11

12

54

RB/DB 12

Nick Sulenski

Zach Hair

OL/DL 10

13

55

QB/S 10

Cooper Griffin

Emanuel Waller

OL/DL 11

14

56

QB/S 12

15

Thomas Simpson

57

Christian Colafrancesco OL/DL 10

WR/DB 12

Max Bailey

58

Logan Sanders

OL/DL 10

16

WR/DB 10

Jaxon Shuttlesworth

Clete Ponder

OL/DL 10

17

59

WR/DB 10

Jackson Bailey

Jacob Glidewell

OL/DL 10

18

60

WR/DB 12

Steven Spears

Hunter Gulledge

OL/DL 10

19

61

WR/DB 10

Evan Durham

Connor Beane

OL/DL 11

20

62

RB/LB 12

Carter Parrish

Austin Prather

OL/DL 11

21

64

TE/LB 10

Cade Turner

Colby Smith

OL/DL 11

22

65

WR/DB 12

Raymond Bridgeman

Cesar Madrid

OL/DL 11

23

66

WR/DB 10

Sloan DeWeese

Kyler Cowart

OL/DL 10

24

67

RB/LB 10

Griffin Parrish

Garyson Maddox

DL/T 12

25

68

WR/DB 12

Qassim Awad

Zane Miller

OL/DL 10

26

69

WR/DB 10

Cody Fortenberry

JT Curran

OL/DL 10

27

74

TE/DE 11

Nathan Smith

Jordan Billits

OL/DL 11

28

75

TE/LB 11

Gavin Harris

Carson Vickers

OL/DL 10

29

76

TE/LB 10

Owen Carlson

Ethan Vickers

OL/DL 12

30

77

QB/S 10

Kyler Simmons

Zach Ziegert

TE/LB 10

31

80

RB/S 12

Austin Rigdon

Colin Moore

WR/DB 12

32

81

WR/DB 11

Drew Cheslock

Tristan Robbins

WR/DB 10

33

82

WR/DB 10

Aiden Whaley

Avery Futch

TE/LB 10

34

83

WR/DB 10

Josh Williams

Bryant Harris

TE/DE 12

35

84

RB/DB 12

Taylor Armbrester

Braydon Ponder

WR/DB 10

36

86

WR/DB 10

Owen Key

Nathan Cisneros

WR/DB 11

37

87

WR/DB 10

Brandon Sims

Casey Bunfield

WR/DB 10

38

88

WR/DB 10

Connor Burley

Maddox Aycock

WR/DB 10

39

89

WR/S 10

Jason Neal

Connor Ridderhoff

LS 12

40

90

QB/DB 10

Raigin Tribble

Joshua Peterson

WR/DB 10

41

91

WR/DB 11

Harrison Brakefield

Miller Topazi

WR/DB 10

43

99

TE/LB 10

help on the edge at times.

LINEBACKERS Chelsea will lose the team’s secondleading tackler in Donavan Bivins heading into the season, but the return of Turner and Brady Clements, who both started last year, will be key. Turner is 6-foot, 215 pounds, while Clements is 5-foot-10, 195 pounds. Just behind them will be Cody

Fortenberry and Kyler Simmons, who are expected to come along as starters, while Jax McLaughlin and Jack Bailey will compete for a spot as well.

SECONDARY The front seven is experienced and will have to play like it early in the season with the secondary losing every starter from last year’s team. Gone is captain and three-

Photo by Keith McCoy

year starter Chandler Pruitt, who led the Turner and Evan Durham will help team in tackles with 122 last season. The soften the blow.

Hornets also lose Carson Freeman, Chad Carbonie and Hasani Lyons as SPECIAL TEAMS starters. Seniors Evan Jones, Cade Despite the loss of punter Sam Niven

and long snapper Xander Echols, Chelsea feels confident with Connor Ridderhoff stepping into the long snapping position and Jack Seymour set to handle the kicking duties this season.

EDITOR’S 2021 PREDICTION (4-6) The schedule won’t do any favors for Chelsea this season due to a difficult five-game stretch to open the season and a trying region stretch after. Last year, the Hornets started 1-4 in that stretch, and while they may be better this season, especially on offense, there is still a very real possibility of a 0-5 start. Finding success early in the season can be big for this year’s team, and if it happens, it will likely be the offense’s improvement that makes the difference. With the return of starting quarterback Hayden Garrison and top threats out wide like Thomas Simpson, this year’s offense should help the Hornets have a chance to find a win or two early in the season. If that happens, and the Hornets can match it with defensive play late in the season, we could see them in the postseason for the second time under Dustin Goodwin.

Pet Boutique

Natural Foods

205-618-9496 16618 Hwy 280 • Chelsea

GOOD LUCK Hornets!

Go Hornets!

Representative

Corley Ellis

Alabama House District 41

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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A new era

E

Chelsea’s offense ready for next step Written by TURNER GRIFFIN | Photos by KEITH MCCOY and CARI DEAN

Early last season, the Chelsea Hornets were in desperation mode. Scoring three or less points in three of their first four games as part of a 1-4 start, the Hornets were searching high and low for offensive help.

In stepped quarterback Hayden Garrison, who led the Hornets the rest of the season, starting against Pelham on Sept. 25. He helped them post 28 points in a loss to the Panthers, which was enough to earn him the job, before then going 3-2 over the final five games and scoring 31 or more in each of the three wins.

That momentum toward the end of last season is something head coach Dustin Goodwin and the

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Hornets hope will lead to a faster and more successful start to the beginning of this season.

Heading into his fourth year as head coach at Chelsea, Goodwin is experiencing his first season bringing back a starting quarterback with Garrison’s return for just his junior season.

Standing at 6-foot-4, he’ll be the focal point of the offense due to his experience, and that’s something he welcomes.

“I think an advantage of already being in this offensive system for a season is that I know his offense like the back of my hand,” he said. “I know where everyone is supposed to go and what they’re supposed to do, and sometimes I can guess exactly

what play he’s going to call based on the down, distance and situation.”

His chemistry with the coach is something that adds a new dynamic the team hasn’t had with a new quarterback each of the last three seasons.

Now, Garrison said he looks forward to helping the offense take that next step and compete for a postseason run.

“Being quarterback is fun, and I enjoy the pressure and responsibility that comes with it,” he said. “I like being the one guy on the field who can really control the outcome of the game. It forces me to be my very best at all times, and I can control the pace of the game.”

Not only will his return be key, but having back returning receivers in senior leaders Cooper Griffin and Thomas Simpson will add to the threat.

Griffin is a prior quarterback who has transitioned over to the tight end position, which shows his understanding of the offense as well.

Cooper Griffin His selflessness to move from quarterback to tight end and do whatever is asked of him is what stands out to Goodwin heading into the season.

“Making the transition from quarterback to tight end was definitely different, but not as difficult as you might think. I feel like my knowledge as a quarterback and of the game itself helps me be a

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Shelby county

football 2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

37

better receiver,” Griffin said. “I know where to be on the field and where Hayden is going to throw the ball because those are the same things that I had to know. I know where the defense is going to be at from being able to watch it unfold from under center all those years.”

Joining him out wide will be Simpson, who stands at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds as one of the most athletic players on the field due to his size and strength at the receiver position.

In the offseason, Simpson has emerged as a threat due to his presence at 7-on-7 events and other summer workouts, and he hopes his hard work during the spring and summer will translate to a special final season as the leading receiver.

“I’ve been working hard this offseason, probably harder than I’ve ever worked. I know that I’m a senior and this is my last go around with these guys, which makes me want to be the absolute best I can be,” Simpson said. “I’ve been going to camps, trying to get faster, working on my footwork and hands, working on top of the route breaks and releases off the line.”

In addition to needing big numbers, he also knows an important leadership role will be placed on his shoulders due to his presence on the offense.

“I’ve definitely taken on a role of being a leader and mentor to all the younger guys, but especially

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

the younger receivers,” he said. “I try to help them with the offense and anything they have questions about, because the older guys doing that for me when I was a sophomore and freshman is a huge reason that I’m the player I am today.”

With the departure of 21 seniors from last year’s team, the Hornets have had to replace players at many positions on both sides of the ball. That, however, has paved the way for young playmakers to step in and prove what they can do, which has led to a group hungry to prove themselves.

“We do have a lot of spots to fill on both sides of the ball, and we lost a lot of skill guys,” Simpson said. “A bunch of the younger guys and guys who don’t have a lot of varsity experience have stepped up and are going to be really exciting to watch this season. The good thing about having a lot of new faces on the field this year, is that teams don’t have a whole lot of film on those players.”

Now, Cooper, Garrison and Simpson all get to enjoy their senior season together hoping to help Chelsea take the next step under Goodwin.

“We’re all really looking forward to the start of the season. We’ve prepared for this moment all summer and we’re all very eager to put it all together and start the year off with high energy and a lot of momentum,” Simpson added.

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COOSA VALLEY

REBELS Winless since the 2018 season, the Coosa Valley Rebels have turned to legendary coach Vince DiLorenzo to help rebuild the program in 2021.

The coach of Coosa Valley’s 2010 state championship team, DiLorenzo is now back after coaching out of the state for 10 years, and he is ready to return the Rebels to greatness.

In his first stint as the team’s head coach, he led the Rebels to a 19-6 record in two seasons.

His work, however, will be cut out for him as he takes over a team that is 0-14 combined the last two seasons.

Despite the past few years, DiLorenzo has shown what is possible at Coosa Valley and expects to return the team to that prominence.

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK The Rebels will have a battle on their hands at the quarterback position with senior transfer Canaan Johnson and sophomore Konner Steele looking to take control of the position. Steele is younger but got time last year at the position for the Rebels, while Johnson looks the part. Others could also push for the position once the team gets on the practice field, but whoever wins the job will have a lot on their shoulders as the team’s leader.

RUNNING BACK One of the top returnees on the team this year will be Justin Tate. A senior, Tate was the team’s starting running back last year, which should give him and the rest of the offense a boost. Heading into fall practice, he is the lead back at the position, but others should emerge with numbers up and DiLorenzo still finding the right fits at each position.

RECEIVERS One of the deepest positions will be at receiver with four seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen all battling to be the leaders. That likely means some will shift to a running back position or provide depth on both sides, but it’s a good problem to have. Seniors Hayden Dooley, Weston Dooley, Hunter Hill and Justin Tarwater should lead the way, while Lukas Bynum, Austin

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Konner Steele

TEAM INFORMATION CLASSIFICATION AISA Class A, Region 1 2020 RECORD 0-9 (0-5) HEAD COACH Vince DiLorenzo RECORD 0-0 (First year) ASSISTANT COACHES Mike Davenport, Reece Donahoo, Danny Smith LAST REGION TITLE 2010 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2018

PLAYERS TO WATCH Hayden Dooley, WR/LB One of the top athletes in the school, Hayden Dooley will be a leader both offensively and on defense this season.

Weston Dooley, WR/DB Alongside Hayden, Weston Dooley will be another athletic presence for the Rebels.

Justin Tate, ATH A returning starter at running back, Tate could be key in Vince DiLorenzo’s offense.

Photo by Keith McCoy

Griffith and Connor Hebson should add steady juniors to the mix.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Canaan Johnson, QB/LB A transfer to Coosa Valley, Johnson brings a physical presence to the field and can play wherever needed.

on the offensive side, the back end of the defense will benefit from depth. That starts with five linebackers set to lead the middle of the defense. Seniors Hayden Dooley, Canaan Johnson and Justin Tate will be the clear leaders and should provide a dangerous threat to opposing offenses. Lukas Bynum, Josh Allen and Bryce Wilson will also play key roles at the position.

Konner Steele, ATH Another returning starter, Steele played a lot at quarterback a season ago and will be leaned on as a leader.

Up front, Coosa Valley won’t have enough to prevent linemen from playing on both sides, but they’ll have an array of talent. Senior Nick Shepard should lead at the center position, while juniors Carter Gunnells, Jacob McGaha, Levi Ponder, Kale Riddle and Hayden Whitley will all fill in key positions.

SECONDARY Sophomores Brody Davenport and In the secondary, Weston Dooley and Jacob Sims are also two names to keep Hunter Hill are expected to hold down an eye on throughout the season. safety positions going into the fall as senior leaders. Justin Tarwater will add another senior to the mix at cornerback, DEFENSIVE LINE Those eight linemen will also flip while juniors Austin Griffith and sides to be leaders on the defensive line Connor Hebson will help at the as well. Finding the right mix of four on position. the defensive side will be key, but finding the right balance for each on both sides SPECIAL TEAMS of the ball will be the determining factor Going into fall practice, Jamie Pack to the success of this year’s team. was set to handle the team’s kicking duties this season, while some of the team’s top players will help in other LINEBACKERS Like the talented group of receivers facets of special teams.

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20: Hooper Aug. 27: Pickens Sept. 3: @ Crenshaw* Sept. 10: Lakeside* Sept. 17: Fort Dale Sept. 24: @ Jackson Oct. 1: @ Cornerstone* Oct. 8: Abbeville* Oct. 15: @ Lowndes* Oct. 22: Bye Oct. 29: @ Sparta *Region game

2021 Coosa valley Roster NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

NO. NAME

1

WR/FS

9

13

Austin Griffith

WR/CB

11

52

Hayden Whitley OL/DL 11

Koop Steele

POSITION YEAR

2

Canaan Johnson

QB/OLB

12

14

Justin Tarwater WR/CB 12

53

Jacob Sims

OL/DL 10

3

Konner Steele

QB/CB 10

20

Ray Albright

WR/S

10

62

Levi Ponder

OL/DL

11

4

Hunter Hill

WR/FS

12

23

Jamie Pack

K

10

66

Nick Shepard

C/DE

12

5

Hayden Dooley WR/OLB 12

27

Lukas Bynum

WR/OLB

11

68

Jacob McGaha

OL/DL

11

6

Weston Dooley

WR/FS 12

28

Justin Tate

RB/OLB

12

72

Brody Davenport OL/DL

10

7

Conner Hebson

WR/CB

30

Josh Allen

WR/OLB

10

75

Carter Gunnells OL/DL 11

11

Aiden Daniels

WR/CB 9

32

Brycen Wilson

OL/LB

10

80

Kale Riddle

11

OL/DL 11

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CORNERSTONE

CHARGERS Entering his fifth year as head coach, James Lee will look to lead the Cornerstone Chargers to more than two wins for the first time since 2017 this season and possibly has the team to do it.

With a group of seniors who have been working toward being the class that stands out the last several years, Lee and the team are confident in what can happen.

The Chargers will lose four key seniors, including one of the team’s most productive players in Lane Bailey, but they’ll have more athletes across the board than they have in several years.

Depth will be a concern, but if the team can stay healthy, there is a player at every position that can make a difference and help this year’s team chase down a spot in the playoffs.

TEAM INFORMATION CLASSIFICATION AISA Class A, Region 1 2020 RECORD 2-5 (1-3) HEAD COACH James Lee RECORD 12-27 (Fifth year) ASSISTANT COACHE Sam Adams LAST REGION TITLE 2016 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2019

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK As one of the best athletes on the team, Zeke Adams will get the nod at quarterback as a ninth grader. A year ago, he was too talented to keep off the field as an eighth grader and got some experience. Now, it’s his show. Adams brings a strong arm to the table and is slowly developing into a pocket passer but can also be elusive. Lee said Adams is dedicated and watches film to try and improve every day.

RUNNING BACK Possibly the most exciting position on the team, four different players will share time at running back with three of them able to split out wide as well.

Warren Goodwin carries a frame of 6-foot-3, 240 pounds and is also a former offensive lineman, but is set to be this year’s bell cow. Behind him, senior DJ Jones is also going to make a difference thanks to his speed and ability to make cuts, while Hampton Etheredge, a freshman, could also have a breakout season.

Go Chargers!

Representative Corley Ellis Alabama House District 41

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Zeke Adams

GOOD LUCK Chargers!

PLAYERS TO WATCH Justus Adams, OL/DL The team’s best lineman on both sides of the ball, Adams totaled 107 tackles and 20 tackles for loss last season. He’ll be the leader of this year’s team.

Warren Goodwin, OL/DL Goodwin adds another trustworthy player up front on both sides for the Chargers this season.

Zeke Adams, QB Just a freshman, Adams will have a lot placed on him, but is arguably the team’s most athletic player and gained valuable experience last year as an eighth grader.

Photo by Dawn Harrison

RECEIVERS At the receiver position, Jones and Etheredge can both split out and make plays with their hands, while Thomas Cleckler is back after taking last year off.

Cleckler is another speedy athlete who the coaches are excited for. Logan Lightsey will take on the tight end position as a junior.

OFFENSIVE LINE Depth will be key up front with most linemen set to play both sides of the ball.

Justus Adams will be the leader of the team this season on both sides thanks to his experience. He stands at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, while Landon Alexander and Jonah Murphree will fall in behind him, both weighing around 250 pounds.

DEFENSIVE LINE On the other side, those same athletes will be leaned on to make a difference, while a few others will look to add depth where needed. It’s nothing new as most of the linemen this year have been playing both sides for the past two seasons.

LINEBACKERS

KEY DEPARTURES

Adams will likely slide back to a linebacker position this season after totaling 107 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and seven sacks last season. He was the best player on the defense and should be again this year. He’ll be joined by Warren Goodwin, who brings a good frame to the position and returns experience as well.

Lane Bailey The team’s top athlete the previous two seasons, Bailey’s presence will be missed going into this season and will be difficult to replace.

Karson Pavey One of two key pieces on the offensive and defensive line gone, finding a way to replace Pavey will be key.

Eric Durrett Durrett adds a second player from the line gone heading into the season, leaving two vacant spots.

SECONDARY In the secondary, Noah Schober, a freshman, will be a returning starter to help lead the position, while Cleckler will be a key playing on both sides of the ball as one of the team’s best athletes.

Those two make the position trustworthy, while another name emerging would make the unit one of the best on the team.

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20: Southern Prep Aug. 26: @ Banks Sept. 3: @ Lakeside* Sept. 10: Crenshaw* Sept. 17: Snook Sept. 24: @ Abbeville* Oct. 1: Coosa Valley* Oct. 8: Springwood Oct. 15: Bye Oct. 22: Lowndes* Oct. 29: @ Hooper

SPECIAL TEAMS Heading into fall practice, Lee said the team is still battling to find the right special teams combination.

*Region game

2021 CORNERSTONE Roster NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

1

Hampton Etheredge

RB/LB 9

12

Zeke Adams

QB/DB 9

56

Justus Adams

OL/DL 12

3

Thomas Cleckler

WR/DB 12

13

Warren Goodwin WR/LB 12

57

Malachi Adams

OL/DL 7

4

DJ Jones

RB 12

15

T.C. Sanders

WR/DB 8

59

Seth Dillard

OL/DL 9

5

Cohen Hewitt

ATH 9

17

Grant Gibson

ATH 6

68

Landon Alexander OL/DL 9

6

Cash Causey

ATH 6

20

Jaedon Odom ATH 6

72

Hunter Schlehmeier OL/DL 10

10

Noah Schober

WR/DB 9

44

Jonah Murphree OL/DL 12

75

Gabe Allman

OL/DL 7

11

Logan Lightsey

WR/DB 11

50

Jackson Bearden OL/DL 6

77

Brodie Entrekin

OL/DL 9

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EVANGEL

TEAM INFORMATION

LIGHTING If the Evangel Lightning have ever had motivation heading into a season, it will be this year.

Heading into year five under head coach Tim Smith, the Lightning won the 8-man national championship for the third year in a row last year, but didn’t win the ACSC State Championship for the first time in his tenure.

Despite revenge in the championship game, that is something driving this year’s team, and with 50 varsity players heading into the season, the hopes are high.

Evangel will lose top playmaker Jett Lodge and several other key pieces, but the Lightning have several players back and have reloaded as they look to fight for the state championship.

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK A good portion of the offensive talent is gone, but that doesn’t apply to the quarterback position. Junior Eli Whitfield is back after throwing for more than 2,100 yards and 36 touchdowns last year. He is primed for an even bigger year this season as the undoubted leader of the team.

RUNNING BACK The Lightning won’t have a ton of experience at running back this season, but they will have depth.

Tyler Wilson is back for his junior season after playing in eight games last year. Smith is confident in his ability as a quick and strong back, saying his name will be known by the end of the year. Behind him, Colton Dorough, Jake Parker, Hunter Atkins and Shace Green will all get time.

RECEIVERS The most experienced receiver back this season with the departure of Jett Lodge’s 1,043 yards is Harris Black with six receptions. That shows a lack of experience, but the Lightning have several of the team’s athletes set to make a difference at the position.

Black has a good frame with a size of 6-foot-2, and he’ll be joined by Judah Thompson as a top target. In addition to those two, Connor Nettles, Aidan Lau, Hayden Black and Zion Thompson will all have opportunities to make a difference.

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Eli Whitfield

CLASSIFICATION ACSC 2020 RECORD 10-1 (2-1) National Champions HEAD COACH Tim Smith RECORD 35-8 (Fifth year) ASSISTANT COACHES Hagan Joiner, Brian Wolfe, Jon Parker, Jack Donovan, Andrew Welch, Marty Black LAST REGION TITLE 2019 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2020

PLAYERS TO WATCH Eli Whitfield, QB Whitfield totaled 2,100 yards and 36 touchdowns last season and is now primed for an even bigger season as the full-time starter during his junior season.

Tyler Wilson, RB Wilson played in eight games last year, but he will now have more placed on his shoulders this season as the lead back.

Photo by Barry Stephenson

Helping some of the young players come along this season will be the return of four players on the offensive line.

Carson Donavan and Caleb Lumpkin both return as starters, while Thomas Koch and Zach Chandler rotated in last year.

thanks to Dylan Weathers. Weathers, a senior, totaled 96 tackles last year with five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He will lead the defense at the linebacker position, while sophomore Kyle Jones will return 22 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Green, Dorough, Parker and John Tyler will also add capable players.

DEFENSIVE LINE

SECONDARY

Everson Jones will lead a deep defensive line this season as a nose guard thanks to his size of 6-foot-1, 278 pounds. Zeke Turner and Riley Mason will also fill big roles on each end, along with Thomas Coach, Chris Le and Grady Watkins.

Some of the top athletes from the offensive side will move over to play in the secondary as well, including Harris Black, Nettles and Lau, who all played some last year. Those three will be joined

by Zane Barlow as well as Hayden Black and Judah and Zion Thompson.

OFFENSIVE LINE

LINEBACKERS

SPECIAL TEAMS

One of the best returnees this season will come at the linebacker position

Kicker Lucas Mast is back for his junior season following success last year.

Harris Black, ATH Black’s six receptions from last year are the highest returning on the team, showing he’ll need a big year to help the offense continue to put up big numbers.

Dylan Weathers, LB The team’s leading tackler last year, Weathers returns 96 tackles, five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 13: Franklin Christian Aug. 20: @ Meadowview Christian Aug. 27: Grace Baptist Sept. 3: Southern Christian* Sept. 10: North River Sept. 17: @ Freedom Sept. 24: Lighthouse* Oct. 1: @ Ezekiel Academy* Oct. 8: Bye Oct. 15: @ Tennessee Heat Oct. 22: @ East Central* Oct. 29: Southern Prep *Region game

2021 Evangel Roster NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

2

John Tyler Roden

RB 11

19

Zane Barlow

DB 10

53

Jackson Tuell

OL 10

3

Harris Black

WR/SB/FS 12

20

Colton Dorough

RB 10

54

Zach Chandler

OL/DL 12

4

Dylan Weathers

MLB/SS 12

21

Hayden Black

WR/DB 10

55

Jett Turner

OL/DL 12

5

Lucas Mast

K 11

22

Tyler Wilson

RB 11

56

Everson Jones

DL 12

6

Cole Romano

ATH 10

24

Joshua Looman

ATH 10

57

Baylor Parker

OL 10

7

Will Welch

QB 9

26

Michael Blackstone ATH 10

58

Kaleb Gardner

OL/DL 10

8

Eli Whitfield

QB 11

27

Marc Ayers

ATH 12

59

Caleb Lumpkin

OL 12

9

Judah Thompson

WR/DB 11

28

Jake Parker

RB 9

60

Carson Donovan

OL 10

10

Kaden Jones

LB 11

30

Zion Thompson

WR/DB 10

61

Fowler Vick

OL/DL 9

11

Hunter Atkins

RB 10

32

Grady Watkins

DL/OL 10

62

Zeke Turner

DL 9

12

Aidan Lau

WR/RB 11

33

Jude Barlow

ATH 12

64

Luke Hollis

OL/DL 10

13

Simon Stafford

ATH 10

40

Victor Kyatt

K 9

65

John Paul Hahn

OL/DL 12

14

Kyle Jones

LB 11

44

Shace Green

RB/LB 10

70

Henry Rhoads

DE 9

15

Connor Nettles

WR 12

46

Anderson Smith

LB 10

72

Reed Castleberry

OL/DL 9

16

Christopher Le

DT/FB 12

50

Elijah Henderson

OL 11

75

Samuel Viles

OL/DL 10

17

Zhenya Stallings

DE 12

51

Ethan Stallings

OL/DL 10

88

Riley Mason

DE/RB 12

18

Jaxon Padlo

ATH 12

52

Thomas Koch

OL/DL 12

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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HELENA

HUSKIES Despite forfeiting two games last year and not playing three games due to COVID-19, the Helena Huskies still finished with a winning record for the second year in a row.

A 7-5 team in year three under head coach Richie Busby, Helena bounced back from a 2-4 start featuring two forfeit losses and two losses by six points or less by winning four in a row to end the regular season and making it to the second round of the playoffs thanks to a win against Carver-Montgomery.

Now, the Huskies will look to build off back-to-back playoff seasons for the second time in school history heading into this season.

However, with 15 players needing to be replaced, there will be several new faces on this year’s team asked to step up if they want to make it to three consecutive postseasons for the first time.

A return at quarterback and a defense that is stout every year should help, but the offensive line taking strides may be the biggest key.

TEAM INFORMATION CLASSIFICATION AHSAA Class 6A, Region 3 2020 RECORD 7-5 (4-2) HEAD COACH Richie Busby RECORD 20-13 (Fourth year) ASSISTANT COACHES Jim Elgin, Keith Maple, Don Dover, Shane Hutchinson, Adam Bice, Scott Lowery, David Lee, Phillip Lawson, Shaun Kendall, Jody Colvin LAST REGION TITLE 2019 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2020

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK The highlight of the offense will be the return of starting quarterback Mac Turner. Last year, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound starter was forced to replace four-year starter Luke Stamba and didn’t get much preparation due to COVID-19. However, he showed progress throughout the season and has now gotten a full offseason of preparation for the upcoming year. He can make the big throws needed and will need to with the team losing its top two running backs.

RUNNING BACK Kobe Hughes and Marquis Johnson have departed following back-to-back impressive

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Mac Turner

PLAYERS TO WATCH Mac Turner, QB The return of a quarterback is always key, and Turner being back for his second year as a starter with a frame of 6-foot-2, 210 pounds can be the difference.

J.C. Sivley, TE A team leader, Sivley’s size of 6-foot-6, 220 pounds makes him dangerous as not only a receiving threat but a blocker.

Joel Logan, DL Logan has put in the work in the offseason to become the top defender up front at defensive end.

Kasyn Bustamento seasons. Two years ago, Johnson totaled 1,478 yards with 26 touchdowns, while Hughes posted 888 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. With both graduating, the Huskies will turn to juniors Kellen Hughes and AJ Horstead as well as sophomore Jordan Washington.

Hughes will get hard-earned yards, while Horstead and Washington both add a special dimension of speed with good hands. Kasyn Bustamento will also add depth at the position.

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20: Dallas County Aug. 27: Chelsea Sept. 3: Wetumpka* Sept. 10: Benjamin Russell* Sept. 17: @ Pelham* Sept. 24: McAdory Oct. 1: Chilton County* Oct. 7: Calera*# Oct. 15: @ Stanhope Elmore* Oct. 22: Bye Oct. 29: @ UMS-Wright *Region game #Thursday night game

RECEIVERS A young unit last year, the Huskies will get back their biggest threat at the receiver position with the return of 6-foot-6, 220-pound senior J.C. Sivley. A tight end, he will help in both the run game and pass game as one of the teams unheralded leaders with offers from several colleges and

4.61-second speed. Behind him, Ryne Berry and Miles Mitchell will be top targets out wide as well. Hunter Hale and Bustamento will hold slot positions, while Andre Odom can move around to different spots. Jax Rush and Parker Copeland will be key as this year’s H-backs, which always

Iceberk Cave, LB As a junior, Cave totaled 107 tackles and nine tackles for loss.

Joseph Roberto, LB Roberto wasn’t far off the pace of Cave last year with 76 total tackles and two tackles for loss, which makes him a top player on what should be a talented defense.

KEY DEPARTURES Kobe Hughes Hughes totaled 888 yards and 12 touchdowns last year as the team’s leading rusher, leaving a big hole to fill.

Marquis Johnson Two years ago, Johnson totaled 1,478 yards and 26 touchdowns and played a role last year in an offense that relied on wearing down defenses with the run game.

Seaburn Hines The unheralded leader the last three years on the offensive line, the departure of Hines may be the biggest going into this season.

Brock Sisson Sisson led the team with 20 tackles for loss last season and totaled 79 as the leader up front.

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

47

QUICK HITS NEXT MAN UP With the losses of Kobe Hughes and Marquis Johnson, as well as All-State offensive lineman Seaburn Hines, the Huskies need playmakers to emerge this season. A team that loves to wear down opponents by running the football, filling that role will be arguably the most important piece to this year’s puzzle.

Kellen Hughes, AJ Horstead and Jordan Washington could all have breakout seasons, and one has to step up.

OUT FOR VENGEANCE Helena ended last season with a feeling of incompleteness. The Huskies did make the second round of the playoffs despite a 2-4 start, but due to COVID-19 forcing them to forfeit two games and keeping them off the field three weeks in a row during the middle of the season, they felt like there was unfinished business. Helena lost two of their first three games by six or less, then started to gain steam with a 48-14 win before their rivalry battle with Pelham turned into a forfeit loss. That became the difference in the region championship. Now, after winning the title two years ago and finishing second last year despite odds stacked against them, the Huskies enter this season ready to climb back to the top of the region standings.

FUN IN THE FIRST HALF Under Busby, Helena has been a second-half team. They wear opponents down in the first half, make halftime adjustments defensively and come back to win in the second half. However, it cost them two games early last year, as slow starts were too much to overcome. It did end up working late in the season and was crucial in making it to the second round of the playoffs, but it’s something the Huskies are aiming to change this year.

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

play a role in Busby’s offense.

OFFENSIVE LINE With the loss of three starters, this position could make or break the season for Helena. Trace Barnett, 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, and Reese Mims, 6-foot-1, 265 pounds, are the two standing out right

now. Barnett is set to take on a tackle position with Mims at a guard spot.

Beyond that, it is wide open heading into the fall with Busby saying several players need to step up.

DEFENSIVE LINE Defensively, the Huskies will lose a few

EDITOR’S 2021 PREDICTION (7-3) The schedule is by no means easy for the Helena Huskies this year, but it’s more favorable with difficult games spread out. That makes it a lot easier to see them winning at least six games this year.

Coming off a year in which they forfeited two games and still finished second in the region by just one game, they’re hungry to prove what can happen if they get to suit up each week. Helena has improved every year under head coach Richie Busby, and it’s tough to not see that trend continuing. They’re a returning running back or receiver short of being a region championship threat going into the season, so if those two positions can step up and prove themselves with some new faces, watch out. Having Mac Turner back to run the offense will be key, while the offensive line will have to grow in a hurry to make them as potent as they can be. The defense, however, returns more than anticipated and makes this year’s team capable of at least seven wins.

2020 RESULTS Dallas County W 43-0 @ Chelsea L 23-27 Benjamin Russell L 22-28 Pelham L 0-1# @ McAdory L 0-1# Chilton County W 1-0# @ Calera W 14-13 Stanhope Elmore W 25-18 Bye UMS-Wright W 12-7 Carver-Montgomery* W 22-19 @ Spanish Fort* L 7-40 *Playoff game #Forfeited game

2020 STATS

IceBerk Cave key pieces, but they’ll also return some of the team’s best athletes for what is usually one of the county’s best defenses. Up front, they’ll lose Brock Sisson’s 79 tackles and 20 tackles for loss, but team leader Joel

Logan will return to a defensive end position with a size of 6-foot-4, 220 pounds. Opposite of him, on the other end, will be returnee Connor Pugh with a frame of 6-feet, 200 pounds. Behind those two, Matthew

Offense Total points: 216 Per game: 24 County rank: T7 Defense Points allowed: 166 Per game: 18.4 County rank: 3

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2021 Helena Roster NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

1

Jackson Synder

DB 12

26

Reed Woods

DB 11

Mac Turner

Reese Wilburn

OL 11

2

62

QB 12

27

Desmon James

DB 10

TJ Alvis

Ethan Boyd

OL 10

2

63

WR 9

28

Joel Logan

DE 12

Peyton Woodall

Plillip Allen

OL 10

3

66

LB 12

29

Eli Ray

DB 10

Ryne Berry

Jonah Chand

OL/DL 9

4

67

WR 12

30

Cole Mathis

DB 10

Kevin Pinkard

Trace Barnett

OL 11

4

68

DB 9

31

Tyler Payne

DB 11

JC Sivley

Skyler Stevens

OL 12

5

69

WR 12

32

Devin Shamburger

DB 11

Kaysn Bustamento

Deason Capps

OL 10

6

70

RB 12

33

Ty Thomas

RB 10

Hunter Hale

Reese Mims

OL 11

7

71

WR/DB 10

34

Hunter Bright

LB 11

IceBerk Cave

Jake Julius

DL 11

8

72

LB 12

35

Jalon Benson

DB 11

Justin Yunke

Derrick Wilson

DL

9

73

LB 12

36

Errol Anderson

DB 12

75

Eli Crutchfield

DL 9

11

10

Hudson McCaslin

WR 11

37

Aidan Naron

K 12

Miles Mitchell

76

Connor Mcree

OL 11

11

WR 11

38

Jeremy Spratling

RB 9

Walter Womack

Austin Wienand

OL 10

12

77

DB 11

39

Austin Acosta

TE 9

Andre Odom

Xavier Guy

OL 11

13

79

HB 12

40

Brett Berry

HB/DE 9

80

Hudson Pennington WR 10

14

Kyle Tolbert

S 12

41

Micah Pleasant

RB 9

14

Trip Bouler

81

Nathan Jones

QB 10

42

Jackson Smith

LB 10

82

Darion Shamburger TE 10

WR 9

15

Mathew Thompson DE 11

43

Brady Madden

LB 10

Carson Acker

83

Torrey Ward

WR 9

15

QB 10

44

Parker Copeland

TE 10

Joseph Roberto

Caleb Haney

WR 10

16

84

LB 10

45

Brig Smith

WR 10

Jax Rush

Justin Moore

WR 10

17

85

HB 11

51

Jackson Thomas

OL 11

Connor Pugh

Rob Morris

TE 9

18

86

DE/OLB 12

52

Jake Quick

OL 10

Nathan Thomason

Hal Landrum

WR 10

19

87

LB 10

54

Brock Wise

LB 9

Jordan Washington RB 10

Nick Payne

DE 11

20

90

55

Jacorey Sherman

OL 11

Fletcher Taylor

John Terry

K 10

21

91

DB/WR 10

57

Cam Barnett

DL 9

Dalton Llewellyn

Austin Lewis

K 9

22

92

ATH 11

58

Josue McNeal

DL 9

AJ Horstead

Matthew Blocker

K 12

23

93

RB 11

59

Bryon Holland

DE 12

Kellen Hughes

Cole Yarbourgh

DL 11

24

94

RB 11

60

Bryson Rhodes

OL 12

Dalton Wade

Nathan Butts

DE 12

25

95

ATH 11

61

Grant Vines

OL 9

96

James Washington

DE 9

Thompson will help out on the end, while Derrick Wilson and Xavier Guy both weigh around 300 pounds as juniors and will handle the middle of the line. Behind them, Bryan Holland, Cole Yarbrough and Connor Mcree will add depth.

5-YEAR WIN TREND 9 7 4 2020

50

2019

2018

1 2017

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

3 2016

LINEBACKERS Possibly the strongest position on

the team will be linebacker thanks to the return of several playmakers, including leading tackler Iceberk Cave as well as Joseph Roberto.

Cave totaled 107 tackles and nine tackles for loss last year and stands at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, while Roberto has increased his size as a sophomore and is now 6-foot-2, 225 pounds after totaling 76 tackles and

Photo by Jeremy Raines

KEY NUMBERS

16

183

6

2,500

Since head coach Richie Busby took the reins of Helena’s program, the Huskies have been on the rise. In the last two years, Helena has won 16 combined games, which is just one less than the four years prior. Busby’s goal was to help the program take that turn in the weight room and on the field, and it now has them as a region-championship contender each year after back-to-back top-two finishes in the standings.

Helena has more back defensively than first expected, including the return of two talented linebackers. Iceberk Cave and Joseph Roberto are both back at the position, returning a combined 183 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks. Already dangerous on the defensive side, their return helps keep the Huskies one of the top defensive teams in the county.

After winning the region championship two years ago, Helena finished second in the region standings last year despite missing three games in a row due to COVID-19. The big loss came to Wetumpka by six points in the region opener, which came one week after losing to Chelsea by four points in the second game of the season.

Wins in those two games would have made Chelsea 8-2 in the regular season with the lone losses due to forfeit.

This season, the Huskies know how important winning those tight games, especially early, will be if they want another region title.

The offense will take the biggest hit this year due to the loss of the team’s top two running backs and offensive lineman Seaburn Hines. Over the last two years, Kobe Hughes and Marquis Johnson have totaled more than 2,500 yards of offense to lead the way for the Huskies. That leaves a lot of production to replace. Add in the loss of Hines and two other linemen on a team that wants to pound the football and the task becomes even more difficult.

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two tackles for loss last year. Behind those two, Justin Yunke, Peyton Woodall and Nathan Thomason all add strong playmakers.

SECONDARY On the back end of the defense, the Huskies will be young, but they’ll also have a lot of talent ready to emerge. Bustamento will spend some time there, while Kyle Tolbert and Jackson Snyder add some experience as seniors. Hunter Hale, Fletcher Taylor, Desmond James and Eli Ray will all be athletic sophomores ready to make a difference, while junior Walter Womack will add help as well.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kyle Tolbert

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Aidan Naron will return to handle the place-kicking duties this year, while Trip Bouler and Nathan Wade can both punt. As for other portions of special teams, Busby said the best athletes will see the field.

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Friends in battle

I

Helena’s Joel Logan and J.C. Sivley set to lead as seniors Written by ALEC ETHEREDGE | Photos by NEAL WAGNER

In the fourth grade, Joel Logan stepped onto the football field as a receiver ready to make his debut in Helena’s youth recreation league as the new kid looking to make a splash.

J.C. Sivley, however, had already implanted himself as a receiver and wasn’t going to let Logan waltz in without some friendly banter.

“I guess you’re the new kid, huh?” Sivley asked, before giving him a hard time about trying to play receiver.

From there, a lifelong competition and friendship blossomed.

The two have since grown up in the city of Helena together, playing football for the Huskies ever since

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

at some level.

“That’s my best friend,” Logan said. “We do everything together. It started in rec league and his just kept growing from there.”

Now, the two are much different than their fourthgrade selves, as the two head into their senior season with the Huskies.

Sivley is a 6-foot-6, 220-pound tight end for Helena’s offense, while Logan isn’t too far behind at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds as the team’s leader on the defensive line.

Playing on opposite sides of the ball now, they still go after one another competitively, but it’s all to help themselves and the team reach their full potential.

“We always give each other a hard time. We always compete. We’ve been going one-on-one in practice,” Logan said. “I’ll be a flex linebacker, and I’ve been working on guarding him. We even stay extra and challenge each other with things that are going to be productive to each other’s play style on the field.”

Coming off a 7-5 season last year in which the Huskies finished second in the region and advanced to the second round of the playoffs, both players are confident heading into the season.

One of the main focuses for each is helping their side of the ball get off to a faster start.

The last few years, the Huskies have taken major strides in success, but many times, it doesn’t start until the second half.

Often, Helena finds itself down by double digits in the first half and in the position of coming from behind to start the second half.

This year, however, the team has made it a goal to start fast and finish faster.

“Coming out and starting earlier is a big thing.

We’re known as a team that starts slow and gets better,” Sivley said. “We are trying to find a way to better ourselves earlier in the game. We’ve got a few things cooking, so we’re just going to see how it plays out.”

From an offensive standpoint, Sivley said he hopes to help the team score early, which boils down to trusting the game plan and playing more loose.

But with a run-first offense due to the mindset of wearing down opponents, more balance early in the game would be key in building a lead.

“We have to come out more loose, pass the ball a bit more early in the game. The defense is always solid for us, so the offense firing off early will be key to our success. I need to help us hit a big run or a deep ball early, making a play when it needs to be made,” Sivley said. “All-in-all, we just need to come

together. I’ve been playing with most of these guys since fourth grade, and I think we have a pretty solid team.”

From a defensive standpoint, Logan said the goal is to just relax earlier in games.

Currently, the Huskies are known as one of the best at making adjustments going into the second half of games thanks to defensive coordinator Jim Elgin, but according to Logan, it’s less about adjustments and more about relaxing.

“Sometimes it’s not the adjustments, sometimes it’s just adding details and realizing we need to calm down,” Logan said. “Most of the time, we know what we’re doing wrong. He just tells us to relax and have fun. I know this last year, there were times we were uptight and not having fun with it. Then, in the second half, we would just lighten up and it made a difference.”

Now, the two seniors will hope to help lead their sides of the ball to turn the Huskies into a balanced team ready for a deep postseason run.

WANT TO KNOW WHO SCORED DURING THE BIG GAME? Visit HelenaReporter.com for the latest updates and recaps from Friday night football.

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55

MONTEVALLO

TEAM INFORMATION

BULLDOGS In 91 years with a football team, the Montevallo Bulldogs have won 10 playoff games, but last year marked one of those wins, and it came in year one under head coach Blake Boren.

That started the Boren era off on the right foot and has the city and team excited for what’s ahead in 2021 with the return of several starters.

Last season, the Bulldogs were forced to forfeit week one due to COVID-19 and then lost three in a row to start the year 0-4. Following that start, however, they won six in a row to end the regular season and picked up a 27-21 upset win in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Handley in the second round.

Now, with the return of a two All-State athletes, a top target out wide, the team’s top two linemen and several others across multiple positions, Montevallo is primed for an even deeper run this season.

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK An All-State cornerback last year, senior Kial Cottingham also totaled 621 receiving yards and five touchdowns in addition to his six interceptions and 31 tackles. Now, he’ll take the reins as the quarterback heading into 2021 due to his athleticism. Boren said the team didn’t run his traditional offense last year, but the athleticism of Cottingham will allow him to do that. During the spring game, Cottingham went 9-for-11 with 181 yards and two touchdowns. His transition to the position could become the determining factor in how successful the Bulldogs can be.

RUNNING BACK Helping to take pressure off of Cottingham will be the return of senior All-State running back Joseph

56

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Kial Cottingham

CLASSIFICATION AHSAA Class 4A, Region 3 2020 RECORD 7-5 (5-2) HEAD COACH Blake Boren RECORD 7-5 (Second year) ASSISTANT COACHES Charlie Boren, Jim King, Garrett Langer, Tyler Blackwell, Geoffrey Lockhart LAST REGION TITLE 1995 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2020

PLAYERS TO WATCH Joseph Anderson, RB One of the top running backs in the state last year, Anderson totaled 1,156 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground as well as 109 receiving yards.

Kial Cottingham, QB The team’s best athlete, Cottingham will move from receiver and the secondary to primarily focus quarterback this season.

KamRon Goins, WR Goins will be the top target out wide as a returnee to the position. His speed makes him a dangerous threat in the slot and in different packages.

Cole Dennis, OL/DL With young players on both sides of the line, Dennis, a senior, is one of two starters returning to help hold down the position.

Joseph Anderson Anderson. One of the leading rushers in the county last year, Anderson totaled 1,156 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground with an additional 12 catches for 109 yards. At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, he ran for at least 175 yards in five games last year and is one of the team’s fastest players. Behind him, junior Anthony Martin will help due to his strength, while receiver Kam Goins can also add help in different packages.

RECEIVERS Going into his third year as a starter, Goins will be the leader at receiver this year as a junior. With 4.50 speed, he will be the fastest at the position and will make plays out of the slot.

Sophomore Javon Rogers, who stands at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, should emerge as one of the top targets out wide this season and has the ability to become one of the best in the county. Jaydien Rutledge and Peanut Purnell add two more taller targets with heights of 6-foot-3 and should add flexible playmakers at the position.

OFFENSIVE LINE Perhaps the scariest aspect of facing Montevallo this season, four starters will return to the offensive line to block

2021 SCHEDULE

Dylan Campbell, OL/DL Campbell is also returning to both sides of the line, which will be key due to his two years as a starter as just a junior.

Aug. 20: Marbury Aug. 27: Shelby County Sept. 3: @ American Christian

Academy*

Sept. 10: @ Bibb County* Sept. 17: Wilcox Central* Sept. 24: Bye Oct. 1: West Blocton* Oct. 8: Sumter Central* Oct. 15: Holt* Oct. 22: @ Dallas County* Oct. 29: Maplesville

KamRon Goins

*Region game

for an array of athletes on offense.

Senior Cole Dennis and junior Dylan Campbell are both set to be leaders at the position. Dennis, a 6-foot, 250-pound senior, is coming off a torn labrum during a runner-up finish in the wrestling state tournament, but is ready to go. Campbell is the biggest up front with a size of 6-foot-3, 285 pounds and has started since his freshman season. Juniors Brantley Burk and Jaylon Hudson will also return as starters with Burk at center and Hudson at right tackle. Jaylen Williams will be the only newcomer as a starter, while Matt Alexander will add help at the position.

KEY DEPARTURES Hunter Bass A three-year starter on the offensive line, Bass was steady and consistent as a leader up front.

Will Snuggs Snuggs will be another body on the line that is going to be difficult to replace this season.

Kavounte Britton A top athlete the last two years, Britton was a leading target at receiver last year and spread out across the field.

Jay Dreyer Dreyer only got one year as the starting quarterback, but that experience is something that will be missed with other returnees.

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

57

2021 Montevallo Roster NO. NAME

POSITION GRADE

NO. NAME

POSITION GRADE

NO. NAME

POSITION GRADE

1

Jaydien Rutledge

WR/DB 11

20

Joseph Anderson

RB/LB 12

58

Connor Shores

OL/DL 9

2

Braxton King

QB/DB 10

21

Christian Tolbert

WR/DB 10

59

Tyler Gentry

OL/DL 10

3

Javon Rogers

WR/DB 10

23

Brannon Hudson

TE/DL/LB 9

60

Jaylen Williams

OL/DL 11

4

Kial Cottingham

QB/DB 12

24

Zach Shores

WR/DB 9

61

Eli Motes

OL/DL 9

5

Tamardreon Purnell WR/DB 12

25

Jamion Mack-Prentice RB/DB 12

64

Matthew Rhoden

OL/DL 9

6

Elfreeman Morton

RB/LB 10

28

Dalton King

RB/LB 10

65

Dylan Campbell

OL/DL 11

7

Anthony Martin

RB/DB 11

33

Charlie Adams

TE/LB 10

66

Blaine Graham

OL/DL 9

8

Keiston Ross

WR/DB 9

34

Reed Brown

WR/LB 9

70

Brantley Burk

OL/LB 11

9

Kam Goins

WR/DB 11

42

Spencer Adams

TE/LB 11

71

Richard Smith

OL/DL 11

10

Deterrius Cutts

WR/DB 9

44

Ayden Ingram

WR/DB 9

72

Junior Alvarenga

OL/LB 9

11

Elijah Nunn

WR/LB 12

45

Benjamin Locks

WR/DB 10

73

JC Baggett

OL/DL 9

12

Tim Waters

WR/DB 11

46

Malachi Cartwell

WR/DB 10

74

Derek Diaz

OL/DL 9

13

Elijah Dunn

RB/LB 9

50

Hunter Lutz

OL/DL 10

75

Luis Martinez

OL/DL 9

14

Kemp Swords

QB/DB 9

51

Kamardre Purnell

OL/DL 10

77

Matt Alexander

OL/DL 12

15

Braden Douglas

WR/DB 10

52

Jaylon Hudson

OL/DL 11

80

Lester Blevins

WR/DL 10

16

Jaylen Ray

WR/DB 9

53

Kelston Hodges

OL/DL 9

85

Zander Honeycutt

WR/DB 10

17

Peyton King

WR/DB 10

54

Jayden Head

OL/DL 12

96

Gio Hernandez

K 11

18

Tee Cathey

RB/DB 9

55

Nylan Goode

OL/DL 9

19

Gabe Haynie

TE/LB 11

57

Cole Dennis

OL/DL 12

key pieces as a nose guard. With a frame Several of the offensive linemen will of 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, he will require play both ways at times this season, while double teams and has been the most junior Richard Smith will be one of the improved from last year. Joining him on

DEFENSIVE LINE

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

the interior portion of the line will be Campbell, while Williams and others will help on the ends. Senior defensive end Jayden Head should also help with

2020 RESULTS @ Marbury L 0-1# @ Shelby County L 18-20 American Christian L 31-63 Bibb County L 7-37 Wilcox Central W 1-0# @ West Blocton W 29-28 @ Sumter Central W 1-0# @ Holt W 40-33 Dallas County W 27-20 Maplesville W 1-0# @ St. James* W 27-21 Handley* L 13-42

Cole Dennis depth this season.

LINEBACKERS For the second year in a row, the linebacker position might be the biggest concern heading into the fall.

This year, there is a better feel for who will fill spots, but not a lot of experience. Jamion Prentice, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior, will slide up from a secondary position to fill a key role as one of the most instinctive

players on the team in a 4-2-5 defense. EJ Morton and Charlie Adams, both sophomores, are also expected to have breakout seasons, while Anderson could move over from running back at times to fill a void if necessary due to his ability at the position.

SECONDARY While the linebacker position will feature some new faces at the

*Playoff game #Forfeited game

2020 STATS Offense Total points: 192 Per game: 24 County rank: T7 Defense Points allowed: 264 Per game: 33 County rank: 9

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

59

Photo by Keith McCoy

5-YEAR WIN TREND 10

9 7

6 3

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

position, the secondary is one of the deepest units on the team. Cottingham will play when needed after totaling six interceptions during an All-State season last year, while sophomore Braxton King is arguably the fastest player on the team and will also handle a cornerback spot along with Rutledge. At safety, sophomore Payton King will lead the way as the quarterback of the defense, while

Purnell and Anthony Martin will add help.

SPECIAL TEAMS The return of kicker Gio Hernandez will be a welcome sight this season after a big year last year, including a game-winning kick against West Blocton. Anderson will handle punting duties, while the team’s best athletes will fill roles across special teams.

EDITOR’S 2021 PREDICTION (7-3) There may not be many who projected Montevallo to make it to the second round of the playoffs last year with a new head coach and the loss of 90-percent of the team’s offensive production, but Blake Boren got the team to buy in and they proved doubters wrong. It’s scary to think about the possibilities of what can happen this season during his second year with the return of just about everyone this season. How star athlete Kial Cottingham handles the transition to quarterback will be key, but his return, along with Joseph Anderson at running back, allows Boren to run his offensive style. It’s easy to see the Bulldogs winning their final six games of the regular season, so finding a way to grab early success against Marbury, Shelby County, American Christian and Bibb County could show us quickly whether or not they are a contender for a deep playoff run.

GOOD LUCK Bulldogs!

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

61

OAK MOUNTAIN

TEAM INFORMATION

EAGLES Coming off a historic season, the Oak Mountain Eagles will look to carry last year’s magic into the 2021 season under new head coach Tyler Crane.

Crane will replace Cris Bell, who spent nine seasons as the team’s head coach, leading the Eagles to a 47-49 record in that span.

The question on everybody’s mind is what offense will be run. After spending several years running the triple option under Bell, it looks as if the Eagles will spread it out more this season with the return of one of the state’s best athletes at quarterback.

His return, as well as the return of many on what will be an underrated defense, should have Oak Mountain confident heading into the season. Success may simply come down to how the team handles change and adversity under a new coach.

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK With the likely shift from a triple-option attack to a more spread out offense, more will be placed on senior Evan Smith’s shoulders at the quarterback position. But if anyone can handle it, it’s Smith.

Going into his fourth year as the starting quarterback, he is coming off a season in which he led the county in rushing with 1,719 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also added 620 yards passing with six touchdowns.

Smith has admitted to the offseason change being a difficult one, but it’s one he’s working hard at to show how versatile he is. Crane said he is the leader of the team, and he has full faith in Smith helping the offense take on a new task during his final season at the helm.

Evan Smith

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

CLASSIFICATION AHSAA Class 7A, Region 3 2020 RECORD 7-5 (4-3) HEAD COACH Tyler Crane RECORD 0-0 (First year) ASSISTANT COACHES Rusty Frisch, Chris Bell, Ty Ward, Stuart Morrison, Corey Wells, Matt Taylor, Levi Estes, Drew Pickett LAST REGION TITLE None LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2020

PLAYERS TO WATCH Evan Smith, QB Smith led the county in rushing last year with 1,719 yards and 23 touchdowns with 620 passing yards. Changing offensive styles, he’s the perfect fit to help the Eagles into a new era.

Cade George, WR A speedy wide out and the most experienced at the position, George will be leaned on to make big plays at receiver this year.

Gavin Nelson, DL The leader up front, Nelson will return 39 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks from last year.

Cade George RUNNING BACK The rest of the offense will feature new faces this year, starting with the running back position. Leading rusher Judah Tait graduated and took 1,412 yards and 12 touchdowns with him. Trey Vassell, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound junior, will look to step in and take over as a thumper at the position with a few reps last year. Behind him, seniors Aiden Laughlin and CJ Branson are similar backs who will fill roles, while Laughlin may be the fastest of the three.

RECEIVERS Leading receiver Noah Young has departed, which may be an even bigger loss now that the Eagles are expected to change their offense. Cade George, however, is back and is one of the team’s fastest players. Crane wants the team to go more vertical, which George should help with if he stays focused. Ethan Hammett and Peyton Swann are also

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20: @ Chelsea Aug. 27: @ Pelham Sept. 3: Gadsden City* Sept. 10: @ Vestavia Hills* Sept. 17: Hoover* Sept. 24: Bye Oct. 1: @ Spain Park* Oct. 8: Tuscaloosa County* Oct. 15: @ Thompson* Oct. 22: Hewitt-Trussville* Oct. 29: Clay-Chalkville *Region game stepping up and proving themselves, but all of the receivers are still learning to fully handle the position. In addition to those three, others are battling to add help.

OFFENSIVE LINE The offensive line will lose several key pieces, including Drew Rowland and Chris Mattox, but the top lineman on

CINDY EDMUNDS REALTOR ®

Cam Atkinson, LB A returning starter at linebacker, Atkinson will be one of the team’s top defenders this season.

cedmunds@arcrealtyco.com 205.229.2774 (mobile)

Devin Moss, DB Moss could play on either side of the ball due to his speed and athleticism, but is slotted to be a leader in the secondary this season.

KEY DEPARTURES Judah Tait Last year’s leader at running back, Tait takes 1,412 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns with him.

Noah Young A team leader and the top receiver the last two years, Young departs after totaling 370 yards and four touchdowns in an option offense.

Micai George George was one of the top defenders up front for the last two years and will be difficult to replace.

Drew Rowland The top offensive lineman last year, Rowland was key in creating space for one of the state’s best rushing attacks.

GO EAGLES! 2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

63

QUICK HITS SAD TO SAY GOODBYE There may not have been a more entertaining athlete to watch the last three years than Evan Smith.

Taking on the best teams in the state, Smith put on a show without batting an eye. Last year, he led the county in rushing with 1,719 yards and added 620 passing yards, all against a schedule featuring three nationally-ranked teams. He’s a generational type of talent for the Eagles, making it difficult to say goodbye after this season. Look for him to add to his legacy by putting up his best numbers yet as a senior.

2021 Oak Mountain Roster NO.

NAME POSITION YEAR

NO.

NAME POSITION YEAR

1

CJ Branson RB 12

2

Omar Crooks DB 12

39

Hunter Gaskins LB 10

3

Corbit Grundhoefer DB 12

40

Branson Lewis DB 11

Mitch Allen WR 12

Jacob Porco DB 10

4

41

5

Trey Vassell RB 11

42

Zach Smith DL 12

6

Syncere Morgan DB 12

43

Tory Hudson RB 10

7

Cam Atkinson LB 12

45

Harrison, Bakane LB 10

8

Devan Moss DB 11

46

David Parker LB 12

Evan Smith ATH 12

Andrew McCallister DB 12

9

48

10

Cade George WR 12

50

Nic Rigdon OL 12

Ethan Hammett WR 12

David Gathu OL 12

11

51

12

Woodrow Hackbarth QB 10

52

Davis Coggins DL 11

Jah’ki Mullens LB 12

Darius Agee OL 10

A NEW ERA With the hire of Tyler Crane in the offseason, a new era of Oak Mountain football is underway. The Eagles have been a triple-option team under Cris Bell and will now look to spread the ball across the field more this season. That means players will be put in roles they haven’t experienced before or will be asked to do more at the position they play. The change is one of the more interesting storylines entering the season, while Crane hasn’t given away any secrets, simply telling people to show up to the first game to see what it will look like.

13

53

14

Jaylynn Williams WR 12

54

Mason Burnett OL 12

15

Aiden Laughlin RB 12

55

John James Coco OL 10

16

Garrett Murphy ATH 11

56

Justin Kennedy OL 11

17

Quest Agee DB 12

57

Mattox Vines LB 12

17

Will O’Dell QB 9

58

Crawford Romanowski DL 11

18

Zach Hauck LB 11

59

Paul, Regan OL 10

19

Owen Carrington LB 11

60

Alfredo Hernandez OL 11

20

Joseph Regan WR 12

61

Ellis Porch P 11

21

Jett Wilson DB 11

65

Charlie Serra OL 12

22

Carter Lehman LB 11

67

Sawyer Hutto OL 11

23

Davion Foster WR 11

71

Wesley Macdonald DL 10

24

Bobby Laurey DB 11

75

Colin Prestriege OL 10

25

Chris Weston DB 11

76

Mason Haynes LB 12

26

Ian Laughlin RB 10

79

Hudson Youngblood OL 11

Noah Hagadorn FB 11

Will Wittman WR 11

YOUNG AND HUNGRY The Eagles will lose 13 starters to graduation, putting them in an interesting position going into 2021. On one side, the style of play is changing, so the returnees would have had to learn a new system anyway. On the other side, however, experience is everything in football. Luckily, a few key leaders like Smith are back, while the young faces have to be hungry to prove themselves and buy into Oak Mountain being a playoff team.

27

80

28

D.J Stone WR 11

81

Jack Ronilo WR 11

29

Michael Cox LB 10

82

Peyton Swann TE 11

30

Dejuan Brown RB 10

83

Matthew Vickery WR 12

31

Wesley Neumann K 12

84

Tristyn Vardaman WR 10

32

Alex Henry WR 11

85

Jackson Blackwell TE 10

33

Drew Fields WR/S 10

87

Corrin, Hammett WR 10

34

Jacob Helgason LB 11

88

J.D, Miller DL 10

Noland Austin DB 10

Ty Campbell DL 10

35

90

Tyler Lawson WR 11

Gavin Nelson DL 12

36

91 92

Luke Oswalt DL 11

37

Jesse Palmer WR 10 Evan Bussell WR/S 10

Jackson Tanner DL 10

38

93 96

Benny Bailey DL 11

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

2020 RESULTS Chelsea W 38-2 Pelham W 28-21 @ Gadsden City W 38-23 Vestavia Hills W 35-28 @ Hoover L 7-42 Bye Spain Park W 48-17 @ Tuscaloosa County W 42-21 Thompson L 21-49 @ Hewitt-Trussville L 21-51 @ Clay-Chalkville L 14-21 @ Austin* W 41-28 @ Hoover* L 21-24 *Playoff game

Cam Atkinson the team will return. Nic Rigdon, a 6-foot-1, 245-pound guard, is back for his senior season and will lead the unit. Mason Burnett, another senior, will also help up front as one of the stronger players on the line. Beyond that, players like Alfredo Hernandez, Charlie Serra and others are still

2020 STATS Offense Total points: 354 Per game: 29.5 County rank: 3

battling to fill key roles.

DEFENSIVE LINE The defense will be as deep and talented as it has been in a while and it starts up front. Senior defensive end Gavin Nelson, who stands at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, will be the most

Defense Points allowed: 327 Per game: 27.3 County rank: 7

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

65

Photo by Jeremy Raines

5-YEAR WIN TREND

7 5

4

3

2 2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

experienced and brings back 39 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Gone, however, are starters Jacob Katona and Micai George.

Looking to replace them will be Zach Smith and Luke Oswalt. Both have worked hard and are set to fill big roles with Oswalt bringing a size of 6-foot-4, 240 pounds to the line.

Davis Coggins and Omar Cooks are

also set for breakout seasons.

LINEBACKERS Helping fill the void of new faces up front will be the return of three starting linebackers. Cam Atkinson and Maddox Vines were two of the team’s leaders last year and will be joined by returnee Garrett Murphy.

All three weigh around 185 pounds

EDITOR’S 2021 PREDICTION (6-4) Possibly the most mysterious team in the county this year, Oak Mountain could finish several games above .500 or finish closer to the .500 mark. It all depends on how the Eagles handle this year’s changes under new head coach Tyler Crane.

With the return of four-year starting quarterback Evan Smith and one of the best defenses the Eagles have had in a while, it’s tough to go against them. The potential is clearly there after going 7-5 last year with a playoff win and a difficult 24-21 loss to Hoover in the quarterfinals that is going to drive them this year. If Smith and the offense can handle the transition to a new style this year, they should firmly be a playoff team again. The question then becomes can they battle for one of the top two spots in the region.

GOOD LUCK Eagles!

66

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

for five interceptions, but the return of Corbit Crundhoefer and Devin Moss will help minimize the losses. Grundhoefer is experienced and helps get the defense lined up, while Moss is one of the team’s best athletes and also returns experience.

Omar Cooks and Bobby Laurey add two players around 6-foot, 180 pounds who SECONDARY The secondary will lose starters Zach the coaches are excited to see.

Taylor and Jimmy Harris, who combined and range in height from 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-1. Senior Jah’ki Mullens adds another playmaker who looks the part despite not playing since his freshman year thanks to a frame of 5-foot-11, 200 pounds.

SPECIAL TEAMS Oak Mountain will be replacing kicker Hogan Morton, which puts a big hole on special teams, but Crane said getting the best players at the position will be key.

Ellis Porth, a punter, and Wesley Neumann, a kicker, were the two kicking specialists listed on the roster heading into fall practice. One should emerge once they suit up.

KEY NUMBERS

10

3rd

5,300

6

For the first time in 10 seasons, the Oak Mountain Eagles will enter the year with a new head coach.

Cris Bell spent nine seasons leading the Eagles and accrued a record of 47-49 in that span. His leadership as a coach is difficult to replace, especially after one of the best seasons in school history, but Tyler Crane now steps in hoping to help the program reach new heights.

For just the third time in school history last season, the Oak Mountain Eagles advanced to the second round of the playoffs. They were also a foot away from likely beating Hoover to advance to the quarterfinals. Nonetheless, they’ll enter this season confident in their ability to compete with the best because of the success they saw last year, which included making the playoffs for the first time in four years.

A welcome sight for Oak Mountain fans this season will be the return of quarterback Evan Smith. Now a senior, Smith has been the team’s starter since his freshman season and has accounted for more than 5,300 yards of total offense in that span, including a county-best 1,719 yards rushing last year. Moving away from the option attack this year, he’s having to learn a new system, but his leadership at the position is making the transition a smooth one for the offense.

Oak Mountain made school history with its first 4-0 start last season and went on to win six of its first seven games in one of the most difficult high school football regions in the country. That fast start against opponents who are normally on a level playing field to the Eagles was key in making the postseason. With three nationally-ranked teams on the schedule, including two in the final two region games, getting off to that same start in the first seven this season will be a must.

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

67

PELHAM

PANTHERS The Pelham Panthers put together one of their best seasons in school history last year and their best in head coach Tom Causey’s six seasons thanks to an 8-3 record and a third region championship in school history.

Back-to-back losses to end the regular season and begin the postseason, however, put a damper on a special year and has this year’s team working even harder to make this the first year since 2006 to pick up a playoff win.

Winners of 11 of their last 15 games dating back to the 2019 season, the Panthers have plenty of reason for optimism heading into the 2021 season.

They’ll return a starting quarterback, a starting running back, three starters at receiver and at least two starters at every other position unit.

All of that returning talent, combined with the confidence built last year and a hungry team off two losses by two points to end the season should make for a hungry team ready for greatness.

TEAM INFORMATION CLASSIFICATION AHSAA Class 6A, Region 3 2020 RECORD 8-3 (6-0) HEAD COACH Tom Causey RECORD 25-37 (Seventh year) ASSISTANT COACHES Mike Talbert, Sean Anderson, David White, Nathan Fordham, Josef Lauderdale, Craig Hall, Nathan Collins, Kyle Elsberry, Ronnie Clemens LAST REGION TITLE 2020 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2020

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK Senior Will Lankford returns for his second year as a starter after throwing for 861 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushing for an additional 592 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Standing at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, he feels even more confident going into this season due to the experience gained last season and more spring and summer preparation allowed this year. Bigger and stronger, he is a leader who can make plays through the air or on the ground.

RUNNING BACK Dylan Peterson’s 1,305 yards and 15 touchdowns may be gone, but Gabe Gamble will return for the third year in a row. Gamble was the starter two years

68

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Will Lankford

PLAYERS TO WATCH Will Lankford, QB During his first year as a starter, Lankford put together a 1,305-yard season with 15 touchdowns on the ground and added 861 yards rushing with an additional 11 touchdowns.

Gabe Gamble, RB A 1,000-yard back two years ago, Gamble shared time with Dylan Peterson last year but still totaled 625 yards and seven touchdowns.

Darius Copeland, WR An all-around athlete, Copeland totaled more than 300 yards and six touchdowns last year.

Brayden Marlowe, LB Marlowe should return to the form we saw as a sophomore two years ago with 89 tackles when he suits up as a leader at linebacker this year.

Jake FOX ago while Peterson was out and still started the majority of games last year.

He totaled 1,051 yards and seven touchdowns on 153 carries two years ago and 625 yards and seven touchdowns on 90 carries last year. He should be primed for a 1,000-yard senior season. Behind him, Ra-Sen Martin and Rakell Bell will add two speedy backs to the mix.

RECEIVERS Lankford will be licking his chops in the passing game this year with the return of receivers Jake Fox, Darius Copeland and Christian Pritchett. All three have started for at least two years with Copeland one of the team’s best athletes. Pritchett is the only senior in

Jamal Miles, DB Miles came on strong late in his sophomore year and is expected to be the leader of the secondary alongside Fabian Calderon this season.

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20: Mortimer Jordan Aug. 27: Oak Mountain Sept. 3: Calera* Sept. 10: @ Stanhope-Elmore* Sept. 17: Helena* Sept. 24: @ Chelsea Oct. 1: Wetumpka* Oct. 7: Benjamin Russell*# Oct. 15: Bye Oct. 22: @ Chilton County* Oct. 29: @ Homewood *Region game #Thursday night game

that group, while Gaeton Rellah will add another senior to the unit. Trey Corkill, Mykell Prince and Jamal Miles could all help as well.

KEY DEPARTURES Dylan Peterson Peterson totaled 1,305 yards with 15 touchdowns last year as one of the state’s best running backs.

Walker Lyles One of the best athletes in the county last year, Lyles’ production will be one of the few missing pieces to this year’s offense.

Chase Christian This year’s receiving corps will be strong, but having Christian back would have been big after he totaled 258 yards and five touchdowns last year.

Jesus Luna A multi-year starter, Luna would have made a big difference for an offense as talented as this one is expected to be.

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

69

2021 Pelham Roster NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

1

Darius Copeland

WR/DB 11

32

Brayden Marlowe

LB 12

Jamal Miles

Brian Terry

OL 11

2

65

DB/WR 11

33

Hunter Drawhorn

LB 9

Drake Hickox

BJ Maxena

OL 12

3

66

QB 11

34

Gabe Gamble

RB 12

Jylen Tate

Corbin Sanders

OL 10

4

67

DB/WR 12

35

Noah Bell

DB 9

Mykell Prince

Isaiah Byrd

LB 11

5

68

WR/DB 11

36

Michael Grayson

RB 10

Trey Corkill

Jonny Pena

LB 12

6

69

WR/DB 11

37

Ra-Sen Martin

RB 11

Bishop Rellah

Jeremy Rivera

OL 9

7

70

LB 10

38

Nicholas Bamberg

DB 11

Steven Parker

James Schmucker

DL 10

8

71

WR 12

39

Carson Dill

WR 10

Kamari Hollis

Cameron Fondron

OL 9

9

72

WR/DB 11

40

Seth Branham

LB 11

William Lankford

Andrew Fields

DL 12

10

73

QB 12

41

Will Felton

LB 10

Ethan Hill

Oscar Aguiar

DL 12

11

74

WR 11

42

Nico Ramos

LB 12

Christian Johnson

Jackson Davenport

OL 11

12

75

WR 11

43

Riley Sams

DB 9

Clayton Mains

Mikey Ramos

OL 11

13

76

QB 10

44

Jaxon Drake

LB 12

Jackson Germek

Tyler Mason

OL 10

14

77

WR 11

45

Javian Gee

DB 9

Nicholas Higdon

Gabe Schmucker

OL 11

15

78

DB/WR 12

46

Christian Pritchett

WR/RB 12

Sirmichael Broom

Drew Martin

DL 9

16

79

WR 11

47

Tony Mancuso

LB 10

Jake Fox

Matthew Vines

WR 9

17

80

WR 11

49

Cameron Tharpe

LB 10

Brock Isbell

Kaden Bowen

WR 10

18

82

WR 10

50

Angel Rodrigues

DL 9

Markell Bell

Owen Hoar

DB 9

19

84

DB/RB 10

51

Isaac Cruz

DL 12

Luke Pukstys

Ethan Jowers

WR 10

20

85

DB 11

52

Brody Martin

LB 10

Cory Perkins

Gerardo Lopez

DL 10

21

90

DB 11

53

Xavier Merchant

OL 9

Gaeton Rellah

Brandon Clopton

DL 9

22

91

WR/LB 12

54

Cash Tatum

OL 10

Cody Bethers

Jaylyn Bonner

DL 9

23

92

DB 12

55

Vance Barker

OL 10

Jake Garner

Rylan Hoyette

DL 9

24

93

LB 9

56

William Palacios

LB 12

Cameron Parker

Jaden Williams

DL 10

25

94

DB 12

58

Troy Jones

LB 11

Marshall Watts

Keon Brooks

DL 11

26

95

DB/WR 10

59

Beau Martin

DL 9

Fabian Calderon

Travis Kirland

DL 11

27

96

DB 12

60

Caleb Newell

OL 12

Tyler Tucker

Chris Hernandez

DL 10

28

97

DB 9

61

Prince Maye

OL 9

Phillip Robinsin

Jake Ingram

DL 12

29

98

DB 9

62

Seth Davis

OL 9

Parker Pruitt

Aaron Bice

DL 12

30

99

DB 12

63

Logan Lott

OL 9

31

Cohen Lee

LB 11

64

Jeremiah Burns

OL 10

OFFENSIVE LINE Chris Quintana and Jesus Luna are both gone up front, but the return of seniors Caleb Newell and BJ Maxena, as well as junior Jackson Davenport, will all be big for the offensive line this season. Newell is a three-year starter standing at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds, while

Maxena started every game last year and brings a frame of 6-foot-3, 285 pounds to the table. Davenport will move from left tackle to right this year, but brings a load of experience with a size of 6-foot-4, 280 pounds. Brody Layton, Tyler Mason, Gabe Schmucker, Brian Terry, Corbin Sanders, Cash

YouFirst

Tatum and Mikey Ramos are all expected to either start or add depth for a deep unit.

DEFENSIVE LINE Like the rest of the team, the defensive line is loaded with returning talent this season. Seniors Jake Ingram and

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

5-YEAR WIN TREND 8

7 5 3

2020

2019

2 2018

2017

2016

EDITOR’S 2021 PREDICTION (8-2)

Jaxon Drake Andrew Fields will anchor the line as returning starters. Ingram, who holds a frame of 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, is a three-year starter on the end, while Fields is a 6-foot-1,

280-pound nose guard. Fellow seniors Oscar Aguiar and Isaac Cruz also bring back experience and can spread out on the line, while junior Keon Brooks will also return with a

Somehow, it seems as if Pelham is still flying under the radar heading into this season, but this is the best team Tom Causey has had as the team’s head coach. How far they go, however, will depend on the ability of the offense to show up in big games. Last year, the defense gave up 28 or less in all but one game, while the offense scored 28 or more in every win and 21 or less in every loss. Both sides of the ball should be even better this season, but consistency will be key in going even further this season.

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

71

QUICK HITS WHO CAN STOP THEM? With so much talent back on the offensive side of the ball, a legitimate concern for Pelham’s opponents going into the season will be how to stop them. The Panthers return their starting quarterback, starting running back, three starting receivers and three offensive linemen. They averaged more than 30 points per game last year and will be even more talented this year.

TAKE YOUR PICK Highlighting the return of the offense will be Jake Fox, Darius Copeland and Christian Pritchett at the receiver position. With quarterback Will Lankford even more confident with his arm entering the season, all three provide a top target for him as three-year starters.

HUNGRY FOR MORE Despite winning a region title for just the third time last year, Pelham is hungry for more. The Panthers lost to rival Homewood by two points to end the regular season and lost by two in the first round of the playoffs to Lee-Montgomery. That, along with their game against Helena getting canceled due to COVID-19, has this team entering the season determined to prove they are a state-championship contender.

PERFECT PAIR Thanks to the amount of returning talent, the Panthers will be solid on both sides of the ball. Last year, the offense and defense both performed well with the defense giving up 28 or less in nine of 10 head-to-head battles, while the offense scored 34 or more in six of 10. The potential is there for the two sides of the ball to pair together for a complete team the Panthers have yet to have under Tom Causey during his tenure.

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Seth BRANHAM size of 6-foot-6, 215 pounds. Sophomore James Schmucker will also be relied on to add depth.

LINEBACKERS Closing out the front seven will be a strong group of linebackers featuring returnees Brayden Marlowe, Seth

Branham, Cohen Lee and Jaxon Drake.

All four started last year and make for one of the strongest group of linebackers in the county. Marlowe has close to 150 combined tackles the last two years, while the other three proved themselves a season ago. In addition to them, Isaiah Byrd, Tony Mancuso, Brodie Martin,

Photo by Dawn Harrison

Jonny Pena, Bishop Rellah and Will Felton will add depth.

SECONDARY Three starters will return to the secondary this season, led by

cornerback Jamal Miles and safety Fabian Calderon. Both have multiple years of experience, while Jylen Tate also returns as a starting cornerback for his senior season. Parker Pruitt, Markell Bell and Cory Perkins will help

at the cornerback position, while Luke Pukstys and Cody Bethers will help at safety. Copeland could also split time on both sides of the ball due to his athleticism.

KEY NUMBERS

3rd

15

1,453

1,676

For just the third time in school history, the Pelham Panthers won a region championship last year.

Now, they enter the 2021 season confident with most of their key pieces back on the team looking to make it a fourth region title and second in a row.

The Panthers have 15 starters back between both sides of the ball, making them one of the most experienced teams in the county this year.

In addition to the starting running back and quarterback returning, the Panthers return at least two starters at every other position on the roster.

Quarterback William Lankford is back for his second year as a starter and returns a combined 1,453 yards of offense after throwing for 861 yards and running for 592 with a combined 20 touchdowns. Confident and more prep time for this season, Lankford should be one of the top quarterbacks in the state this season, especially with three starting receivers back.

Despite the loss of Dylan Peterson’s 1,305 yards at the running back position, the Panthers feel good about the position. The return of Gabe Gamble for the third year in a row is a big reason. The senior has combined for 1,676 yards the last two seasons, totaling 1,051 yards two years ago as a starter and 625 last year with 21 combined touchdowns.

Good luck PANTHERS! 2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

73

2020 RESULTS @ Mortimer Jordan W 28-21 @ Oak Mountain L 21-28 @ Calera W 49-41 Stanhope-Elmore W 35-25 @ Helena W 1-0# Chelsea W 47-28 @ Wetumpka W 34-18 Benjamin Russell W 37-12 Bye Chilton County W 41-7 Homewood L 18-20 Lee-Montgomery* L 21-23 *Playoff game #Forfeited game

2020 STATS

Offense Total points: 331 Per game: 33.1 County rank: 2 Defense Points allowed: 223 Per game: 22.3 County rank: 4

Darius Copeland Replacing him will likely be Calderon, Salvador Jimenez has graduated after a while Jake Ingram will handle long strong career as a kicker at Pelham, snapping. Causey also has several athletes including 36 of 39 PATs made last year. to choose from to help on the unit.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Watch Our

become LEGENDS! Tune in for live game coverage every week on The River 93.3 FM. And, head over to Golden Rule BBQ on Huntley Parkway to join Pelham players, coaches, and community for the live radio broadcast of the Panther Pulse coaches' show on Tuesdays at 6 pm.

pelhamhighathletics.com

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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Just call 205-971-DOCS. Most calls will result in a same-day appointment with a physician or a nurse practitioner at one of our 14 primary care locations. Walk-ins are welcome, too. If you or a family member age five or older needs to see a doctor fast, think Grandview Medical Group.

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

75

A new chapter Lankford confident as second-year starter

S

Written by ALEC ETHEREDGE | Photos by LARRY DANCY

Stepping onto the field as a starter for the first time in a road game against Mortimer Jordan to open the 2020 season, Will Lankford had big shoes to fill.

Those shoes were previously held by his brother, Xavier Lankford, but Will quickly threw the handme-downs to the side and put on his own shoes to take control of the position as a junior.

“First game of last year, I was definitely nervous.

I was super nervous,” Lankford said. “Whenever we got the lead and were trying to kill the clock, I remember at the end of the game, Gabe (Gamble) got that last first down we needed, and I threw my hands up. That was my first win. It was a cool moment.”

The Panthers won that game 28-21, which went a long way in building Lankford’s confidence in his

76

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

first year as a starter, but the real momentum swing came a week later with the score flipped in a 28-21 loss to Oak Mountain.

“The Oak Mountain game was a turning point for me,” Lankford said. “I knew how to handle winning and how to handle losing at that point. We were 1-1, and that’s when we got on a roll.”

Lankford went on to lead Pelham to seven wins in a row and the team’s third region championship in school history.

Now, Lankford enters his senior season much more confident not only because he has a season under his belt, but also because he has had an entire offseason of preparation, which he didn’t get last spring or summer due to COVID-19.

And with the return of a strong cast around him, his confidence is at an all-time high.

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“We’ve grown up even more this year, which is why I’m even more excited for this year,” Lankford said. “Even though we had all of that talent last year, we grew up so much and have so many back. Last year was a journey with a lot of maturing for us, but we have a lot of players on our team like Gabe, Darius, who is one of the best in the state. We did a lot of growing up in a little amount of time.”

This year’s team is also hungry after a sweet season ended with a bitter taste.

After earning the region crown and starting the season 8-1, the Panthers lost by two points in their final two games, falling to Homewood 20-18 in the final week of the regular season and to Lee Montgomery 23-21 in the first round of the playoffs.

“We still have a lot to improve on in every aspect

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

going into this year,” Lankford said.

“Everybody thinks that just because we haven’t made it past the first round, we can’t move further, but we know what we’re capable of and what it’s going to take to get to that point.

We want a ring at the end of this year.”

In the best shape of his life, according to the quarterback, he is focused on enjoying his last ride with the team and hopefully making some history.

“It’s going to be bittersweet,” Lankford said of this being his final season. “I’ve been at Pelham as long as I can remember, so it will be tough. But hopefully I do enough to have my legacy stick.

Hopefully everyone sees that and realizes how much I care about Pelham when this season comes to an end.”

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SHELBY COUNTY

WILDCATS Zeb Ellison has returned home to Columbiana to take over the Shelby County High School football program 21 years after graduating from the school, and he’s doing it at a seemingly perfect time.

The Wildcats are coming off of a playoff game for the first time since 2009 after finishing last year 6-4 overall.

Ellison will now look to not only build off the successful run last year, but help Shelby County reach new heights with the team’s first playoff win since 2008.

There may be a slight change in style of play after running the triple option under former head coach Heath Childers, but Ellison doesn’t want to overhaul too much right away.

With several key pieces back on the offensive side, he wants to focus on their strengths, while he and defensive coordinator Casey Crumpton will look to build off the best defense in several years last season.

TEAM INFORMATION CLASSIFICATION AHSAA Class 5A, Region 3 2020 RECORD 6-4 (3-3) HEAD COACH Zeb Ellison RECORD 0-0 (First year) ASSISTANT COACHES Cory Hamrick, Kyle Stewart, Maurice Whiting, Shannon Jones, Chris Perkins, Cedric Drake, Jim Adams, Edmund Buie, Clay Shearer, Casey Crumpton LAST REGION TITLE 2008 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2020

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK One of the key pieces back for this year’s team will be the always steady Connor Aderholt at quarterback.

A senior and returning starter, Aderholt is now 6-foot, 175 pounds with a firm grasp on his leadership role at the position. Ellison said his experience has helped take pressure off him as the new coach. He opens up what the Wildcats can do offensively, which should help with any changes away from the option attack. Jaxon Griffith and Cooper Pennington would be the next two in line.

RUNNING BACK Joining Aderholt as a returnee on offense will be Evan Joiner at the running back position. Joiner

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“If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride – and never quit – you’ll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.” - Paul W. “Bear” Bryant

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Coby Moore

PLAYERS TO WATCH Connor Aderholt, QB A senior and returning starter, Aderholt has taken control of the offense under new head coach Zeb Ellison and will be the determining factor to the success of the offense.

Evan Joiner, RB Joiner will be the most experienced running back this season after totaling 798 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.

Ryan Woods, OL One of two senior offensive linemen, Woods will be crucial for the Wildcats after the losses of three multi-year starters up front.

Nathan Lansford, DL The defense was improved last year, but it is a unit that will be young this season. That makes the job of Lansford important as the senior leader up front.

Connor Aderholt totaled 798 yards and 15 touchdowns last year and brings back a solid frame of 5-foot-11, 215 pounds. In addition to him, junior Connor Rigney may end up emerging as the lead back. Ellison said he is a leader with an extremely quick first two or three steps who can also do well in tight spaces. Bradley Horton and Jaylen Mayfield will also be two dangerous backs to keep an eye on this season.

RECEIVERS Finding depth at receiver may be one of the biggest challenges for the Wildcats this season. A position that wasn’t utilized much in the past, Ellison may

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20: Bye Aug. 27: @ Montevallo Sept. 3: Sipsey Valley* Sept. 10: @ Selma* Sept. 17: Demopolis* Sept. 24: @ Chilton County Oct. 1: @ Central-Tuscaloosa* Oct. 8: @ Marbury* Oct. 15: Bye Oct. 22: Jemison* Oct. 29: Talladega *Region game

try to slowly bring it along. Senior Matthew Pearson and junior Noah Reed will be the two top targets this season,

KEY DEPARTURES J.T. Pennington An All-State player and last year’s Male Athlete of the Year in the county, Pennington will depart as one of the state’s best linemen on both sides.

Isaac Montgomery With a shakeup offensively, this would have been a big year to have Montgomery, who has been the team’s top receiver for two years.

Raheem Montgomery The team’s leading rusher the last two years, Montgomery will be missed in the backfield as both a runner and blocker for the offense.

Kaden Cardwell Cardwell spent time at multiple positions, including quarterback, and will be missed as a leader for the Wildcats.

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Evan Joiner

2020 RESULTS Bye Montevallo @ Sipsey Valley Selma @ Demopolis Chilton County Central-Tuscaloosa Marbury Bye Jemison @ Talladega Pike Road*

W 20-18 W 35-0 L 10-12 L 20-48 W 27-21 W 17-14 L 27-42 W 34-6 W 28-23 L 7-46

*Playoff game

2020 STATS Offense Total points: 225 Per game: 22.5 County rank: 9

Defense Points allowed: 230 Per game: 23 County rank: 5

5-YEAR WIN TREND

6

2020

5 3

3

3

2019

2018

2017

2016

Pennington being the biggest blow as an All-State lineman. Returning, however, will be starters Ryan Woods and Tanner Stogner. Woods is a 6-foot-6, 305-pound tackle, while Stogner, also a tackle, holds a frame of 6-foot-3, 280 pounds. Those are the only two with several games of OFFENSIVE LINE Multi-year starters J.T. experience back, while three others Pennington, Micah Hughes and Kai will have to emerge going into the Barnett have all departed with fall. but neither has much experience.

Pearson hasn’t played before but had a good summer and is dependable, while Reed also adds a level of dependability. Beyond that, others are still working to emerge.

KEY NUMBERS

2009 For the first time since 2009, the Shelby County Wildcats advanced to the postseason last year, snapping a lengthy playoff drought. The 6-4 season was also the best since a 9-2 mark in 2009. The Wildcats now hope to build off of that going into this season.

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20 Almost 20 years after graduating from Shelby County High School, Zeb Ellison has returned as the head coach. Ellison spent the last eight seasons as defensive coordinator of the Chelsea Hornets, but this actually marks his second stint as a head coach. He served as the Vincent head coach for two years from 2011-2012, going a combined 16-7 with records of 9-3 and 7-4. He also led the Yellow Jackets to their most recent playoff win in 2011. Now, he’ll hope for similar success at his alma mater.

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

5

798

The Wildcats had five games decided by six points or less last season, winning three of them and losing two of them.

Finding a way to win those close games will make or break the season with several teams on a level playing field with Shelby County.

A run-heavy team in the past, it will be interesting to see if Shelby County continues that trend under Ellison. If they do, Evan Joiner will return at running back and brings back 798 rushing yards as a bruising back. He’ll be one of several exciting pieces to the backfield this season, which should set the tone for the offense.

2021 Shelby County Roster NO. NAME

POSITION

YEAR

NO. NAME

POSITION

YEAR

1

Jaylen Mayfield

RB 12

45

Brandon Grubbs

WR 10

2

Milo Pasquini

WR/DB 11

46

Thomas Slaughter

WR 9

3

Micah Swain

RB/DB 10

48

Will Price

LB 12

4

Austin Wilson

WR 11

49

Brady Blackwell

TE/DB 9

4

Christian Chapman

ATH 12

52

Kai Barnett

OL 12

5

Noah Reed

WR/DB 11

54

Logan Loyd

OL 9

6

Lucas Wright

WR 10

55

Kevin Arteaga

DL 12

7

Coby Moore

QB/DB 10

56

Jac Glover

OL/DL 9

8

Connor Rigney

RB 11

59

Keith Castleberry

OL 10

9

Jaxon Griffith

QB 11

60

Ryan Woods

OL 12

10

Will Stroud

ATH 11

61

Jesse Bailey

OL/DL 9

11

Matthew Pearson

WR/DB 12

62

Ethan Burnette

OL/DL 9

12

Connor Aderholt

QB 12

63

Jackson Bailey

OL/DL 12

13

Cooper Pennington

QB 8

65

Hunter Davis

OL/DL 10

14

Campbell Aderholt

ATH 9

66

Landen Sheffield

DL 12

16

Greg Brasher

ATH 11

68

Miles Burnette

OL/DL 9

17

Alex Gillum

WR 11

69

Jaxon Thompson

OL/DL 9

18

Conner Rogers

FB/LB 10

70

Tanner Stogner

OL/DL 11

19

Logan Edwards

WR/DB 12

71

Tristen Chattman

OL/DL 11

21

Layton Kent

ATH 9

75

Montana Wages

OL/DL 11

22

Jessie Carter

DL 12

76

Lane Vick

OL/DL 9

23

Eli Holliman

WR/DB 9

77

Landen Stubbs

OL/DL 11

24

Dalan Dalton

RB/LB 10

78

JT Beasley

OL/DL 10

25

Evan Joiner

RB/LB 12

79

Lucas Ewing

OL/DL 9

27

Keenan Brasher

RB/LB 9

80

Mason Hoehn

WR 9

30

Hunter Brown

LB 9

82

Charlie Hall

WR 10

33

Seth Hall

RB/LB 12

84

Demetrius Norwood

WR/DB 12

36

Jeremiah McCarter

RB/LB 11

88

Tommy Grigsby

WR/K 11

38

Keeton Keef

LB 9

89

Genesis Taylor

WR/LB 11

41

Lance Edwards

LB 9

91

Clay Webb

OL/DL 12

42

Bradley Horton

RB/LB 10

95

Nathan Lansford

OL/DL 12

44

Noah Lemley

WR 10

99

Ethan Pierce

OL/DL 12

DEFENSIVE LINE Seniors Nathan Lansford and Jessie Carter will return to the defensive line this season as leaders of the unit. They’ll both take on defensive end positions as quick

and consistent athletes, while Montana Wages will work at the nose guard position.

Behind them, players like Kevin Arteaga, Landen Sheffield and others will be battling to help across the line.

Go Go Wildcats!

Wildcats!

205-669-3179 207 Hwy 47 S Columbiana

QUICK HITS PASSING OF THE TORCH Heath Childers departed in the offseason for another job following a 27-43 career with the Wildcats. Last year, he led them to a 6-4 season and a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Now, former Shelby County player Zeb Ellison returns to take the reins as head coach and has brought a renewed sense of belief to the program.

THE WILL TO WIN With his return, Ellis has brought the passion of being a graduate of the school to the position. His determination to get the most out of the players has made a quick impact both on the team and the community. With an extra sense of pride to be part of the team, the Shelby County players seem to have the will to win heading into the season.

THE SAND PIT RETURNS A big deal during Ellison’s time as a player, the sand pit has returned.

An area next to the football facility filled with sand, it is an extra workout tool for the team that has helped the Wildcats get in their best shape in years. With many playing both sides of the ball, the extra stamina that comes along will be key.

DON’T LET IT SLIP AWAY Last year’s defense was vastly improved from previous years, giving up 23 points per game. This year’s team can’t let that slip away. The defense was the biggest reason for the improvement and a spot in the playoffs as a team last year. Continuing to do that under a defensive head coach this year or possibly taking the defense to the next level will once again be key.

WANT TO KNOW WHO SCORED DURING THE BIG GAME? Visit ShelbyCountyReporter.com for the latest updates and recaps from Friday night football.

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Will Price

LINEBACKERS

SECONDARY

Finding the right fit at linebacker will be key for Ellison and this year’s defense, but it will have to come in the form of new faces. Will Price and Bradley Horton are two players who stood out heading into the fall. That, however, is as far as the confidence extends for the coaching staff. They are still trying to piece together the rest of the unit because of the lack of returning experience with several players battling.

With Ellison and Crumpton rearranging positions across the team, there will be little back in the secondary, but there are four athletes with upside.

The benefit is fewer players will be playing both ways. Sophomores Micah Swain and Coby Moore have been standouts in the offseason and should play an important role, while Noah Reed is also expected to help. However, the top defensive back will be a two-way

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player with Pearson moving over as the quarterback of the defense in the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS The coaching staff feels confident in the abilities of Tommy Grigsby handling the kicking duties this season as a junior.

A soccer player and strong athlete, Ellison said he can handle several different aspects of special teams including all kicking duties.

Photo by Keith McCoy

EDITOR’S 2021 PREDICTION (7-3) Coming off of a playoff berth for the first time since 2009, the Shelby County Wildcats can enter the season with a newfound sense of confidence. They also get the rejuvenation of a new head coach with alum Zeb Ellison taking over after spending several years as the defensive coordinator at Chelsea. He will get the most out of his players, but them adjusting to any changes in style will go a long way in determining how successful the Wildcats are. The defense was the key last year with a drastic improvement and will have to find a way for new faces to help make a difference again this season. Talent wise, the Wildcats will be as good or better than all but one or two teams entering the season, meaning the work ethic and improvement along the way will determine how successful they are. It’s tough to see this year’s Shelby County team finishing much worse than last year, meaning a second consecutive playoff appearance is possible.

GO WILDCATS! Representative

Corley Ellis Alabama House

Mon-Thu, 10-7 Fri-Sat, 10-8 District 41 121 Old Hwy 25, Columbiana

Mon-Thu, 10-7 Fri-Sat, 10-8 121 Old Hwy 25, Columbiana

GO WILDCATS!

Good luck Wildcats!

Representative

Corley Ellis Alabama House District 41

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SPAIN PARK

TEAM INFORMATION

JAGUARS The Spain Park Jaguars are in the midst of their longest playoff drought in school history dating back to 2018, which is something head coach Shawn Raney hopes to end in his ninth year leading the team.

A team that relied on defense to create much of its most recent success has turned into an offensive team the last few years. The Jaguars haven’t given up less than 20 points per game since 2016 and are coming off back-to-back years of giving up 36-plus points.

With the offense losing a lot of its production and changing its style of play, the defense will have to find a way to drastically improve.

A good offseason in the weight room and the return of a strong junior class should make it possible, but only time will tell if this year’s team has what it takes to match up against one of the toughest schedules in the state.

CLASSIFICATION AHSAA Class 7A, Region 3 2020 RECORD 4-6 (1-6) HEAD COACH Shawn Raney RECORD 52-35 (Ninth year) ASSISTANT COACHES Danny Ward, Matt Thompson, Keat Litton, Brian Maner, Bob Bietighofer, Darrius Taylor, Chris Wood, Danny Kimble, Eric Gibbons LAST REGION TITLE 2015 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2017

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK The loss of 3,000-yard quarterback Bennett Meredith to rival Hoover will be a tough blow to Spain Park heading into the season, but Evan Smallwood is ready to take control of an offense that may run more of an option attack this season. Smallwood brings a size of 5-foot-10, 170 pounds to the table as a junior and is one of the team’s best athletes as a humble leader. He’s a speedy threat with his legs and is also showing improvement with his arm.

RUNNING BACK Running back Justin Pegues is also gone from last year’s team, now at Thompson, but one of the best athletes on the team will return. Junior Zamir Farris

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Evan Smallwood

PLAYERS TO WATCH Evan Smallwood, QB

Smallwood will step in at quarterback this year and will likely lead a newlook Spain Park offense with more of an option attack thanks to his athleticism.

Zamir Farris, RB

Farris will complement Smallwood at the running back position thanks to a speedy and shifty back who can make people miss in space.

Conner May, OL

A returning starter up front, May will be key in helping the Jags transition to a different style of offense.

Zamir Farris got plenty of playing time last year and has put on 15-20 pounds in the offseason. A talented playmaker, he is one of the fastest on the team and will be key to the offense’s success. Behind him, younger players are still battling to add depth.

RECEIVERS There won’t be a standout receiver returning this season with the loss of Jaylen Ward, Cooper Kelley and David Moultry, but the Jaguars have several players who understand what they need to do to be successful. Pierson Cole, a former safety, will move over to the position because of his athleticism, while Landon Miller adds a senior who has played some at tight end and half back in the past. Clay Spencer, John Michael Lee and George Gilbert add three juniors who will fill important roles out wide from a catching and

Caldwell Bussey, DL

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20: Huntsville Aug. 27: Briarwood Sept. 3: @ Hewitt-Trussville* Sept. 10: @ Thompson* Sept. 17: Gadsden City* Sept. 24: Bye Oct. 1: Oak Mountain* Oct. 8: Hoover* Oct. 15: @Vestavia Hills* Oct. 22: Tuscaloosa County Oct. 28: Hueytown# *Region game #Thursday night game blocking standpoint.

OFFENSIVE LINE A reason for confidence on the offensive side will be up front. With athleticism at the quarterback and running back positions, the offensive line returns a plethora of experience to

Bussey will return to the defensive line as one of the best athletes on the team.

KEY DEPARTURES Cooper Kelley

A 1,000-yard receiver last year, Kelley was the top target for two years and will be difficult to replace.

Bennett Meredith

In his lone year before transferring to crosstown rival Hoover, Meredith threw for more than 3,000 yards.

Jaylen Ward

With more than 700 yards as the team’s second-leading receiver, Ward also transferred and has joined Thompson.

Justin Pegues

The team’s leading rusher with 570 yards and 11 touchdowns, Pegues was versatile, also posting 426 yards and two additional touchdowns receiving.

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QUICK HITS CHANGE IN STYLE With the loss of their top five offensive playmakers, one to graduation and four to transfer, the Jaguars are looking to change their style on the offensive side of the ball this year. An offense that has been putting up gaudy numbers in a spread-style of play that featured a lot of passing may now feature more option play thanks to the athletic abilities of quarterback Evan Smallwood and running back Zamir Farris. Smallwood has shown the ability to throw in the offseason, but the wheels of he and Farris can make a difference.

FINDING AN IDENTITY For Spain Park to be successful this season, an identity will have to be formed, and it will have to happen early in the season. The past four years, it has been a pass-heavy attack with some of the best quarterbacks in the state, while the defense has taken a hit.

Last year, the defense gave up the most points it has in school history. That has to change this year. With a shift in offensive style, the defense will have to form an identity this year, and with games against some of the state’s best offenses in the first four weeks, the Jags will have to be sharp going into the season.

FUEL TO THE FIRE Spain Park coaches and players have to feel slighted just a little bit going into this season due to the transfer of five athletes who would have been seniors returning for what would have been one of the state’s best teams. While the players may still be friends, it definitely leaves a bitter taste in your mouth when your teammates decide to leave. That should have the Jags motivated to prove they can win without them, especially with games against four of the five.

KEEP ON CHURNING The Jags will face a brutal start this season with three of their first four games coming against teams who won eight or more games and made it to at least the second round of the playoffs last year. After that, however, Spain Park will only have one road game the rest of the way and only one game left against a team that made the postseason last year. There is a very real possibility of going 5-1 over the final six games if the Jags can keep on churning.

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

2021 SPAIN PARK Roster NO. NAME

POSITION

YEAR

NO. NAME

POSITION

YEAR

1

Pierson Cole

WR/DB 12

George Gilbert

Jaylon Hatcher

DL 10

2

37

WR 11

Tucker Steed

38

Knox Holston

WR 10

2

DB 12

Brian Alston

Evan Bishop

FB 11

3

40

DL 11

Alex Smith

Aiden Bayne

WR 10

4

41

DB\WR 11

Landon Miller

Jacob Roe

LB 10

5

42

TE 12

Jackson Mitchell

Braxton Sumpter

K 12

5

44

LB 11

Clay Spencer

Sam Lee

FB 10

6

46

WR 11

KJ Rudolph

Chase Wolsoncroft

LB 10

6

47

LB 11

Evan Smallwood

Dillon Orr

FB/DL 12

7

48

QB 11

Ethan Gutkowski

Omar Badawi

DL 10

7

49

LB 12

Jamari Mosley

Conner Langston

OL 10

8

51

DB 10

Jeremiah Myers

Lorenzo Garcia

LB 11

9

52

WR 12

Kelby Roberson

Parker Stone

DL 12

9

53

DB 10

Mitchell Nutter

Coleman Gray

OL 10

10

54

QB 10

Jonas Harrellson

Conner May

OL 12

10

55

LB 11

Dee Davis

Travis Mann

OL 12

11

56

DB 12

Jack Kendrick

Sean Corey

LB 10

12

58

DB 11

Colin Cutcliff

Mason Cooper

OL 10

13

60

DB 10

CJ Clency

Thornton Allen

OL 12

14

61

DL 11

Cameron Flanigan

Ashton Sauder

OL 11

15

66

WR 12

John Michael Lee

Morgan Bowden

OL 11

16

71

WR 11

Josyvan Almazan

Hudson Cahalan

OL 10

17

74

QB 10

Angel Ortiz

Broxton Baugh

OL 10

18

76

DB 11

Jonathan Bibbs

Rayshod Burts

OL 11

19

77

DB 10

Walker Russell

Josh Lewis

DL 10

20

78

DB 11

Caldwell Bussey

Evan Eaker

OL 10

21

79

DL\TE 11

Jack Taylor

Tripp Morgan

DL 11

22

80

WR 12

Keionte Robinson

Alex Lloyd

K 10

23

81

DB 10

Stopher Walls

Cam Mcfarlin

DL 10

24

82

DB 11

Keaton Sandford

Jassiel Almazan

WR 10

26

84

LB 10

Logan Brownlee

Grey Burton

WR 11

27

85

WR 10

Zamir Farris

Tyler Walker

DB 10

28

86

RB 11

Eli Johnson

Jacob Olsen

DL\TE 10

29

87

RB 12

Tyler Hunter

Mason Bowden

DL\TE 11

30

88

DB 12

Grayson Brock

Micah Ford

OL 12

31

90

LB 10

Logan Denson

Alden Dorn

DL 10

32

91

DB 12

Carter Dickinson

Jackson Boler

DL 12

33

92

DB 11

Jack Stewart

Nikolas Alston

DL 9

34

93

RB 10

Zavier Long

Jarod Smith

DL 9

35

95

RB 10

Landon Huey

Morgan Rich

DL 10

36

97

LB 10

99

Landon Johnson

DL 9

help this year’s team be successful. Threeyear starter Conner May returns with the most experience and a frame of 6-foot-1, 260 pounds. Joining him will be returnees senior Jackson Boler and juniors Morgan Bowden and Rashard Burts. All four played last year and will be leaned upon heavily this season. Other young linemen are battling to fill in the fifth spot and to add depth up front.

DEFENSIVE LINE Just as exciting as the offensive front is the return of three experienced players on the defensive line. Brian Alston, Caldwell Bussey and Mason Bowden will all return as juniors. All stand similar in stature around 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. Alston will handle one end, while Busssey is one of the most athletic linemen on the team. Bowden is coming off a knee injury, but should be

Photo by Keith McCoy

Gutowski is the smaller of the two at 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, while Harrelson adds a 6-foot, 210-pound athlete to the LINEBACKERS The linebacker position will bring position. After those two, however, the question marks for the defense heading coaching staff was still looking for the into the season for the second year in a right fit going into fall practice. row. Ethan Gutowski will return as a starter for his senior season, while junior SECONDARY Jonas Harrelson will join him after A strength of last year’s team, the earning important playing time last year. secondary will feature several new faces ready to make an impact.

this year. TJ Metcalf was set to be the top player back this season, but transferred midway through the summer. Now, senior cornerback Tyler Hunter is primed to lead at the position as a returning starter. In addition to him, Alex Smith will take on the other corner position with some experience back as a junior.

Jack Kendrick, a 6-foot, 195-pound junior is considered the team’s best

EDITOR’S 2021 PREDICTION (4-6) Despite several key losses in the offseason and a playoff drought dating back to 2018, you can’t just write off a Spain Park team coached by Shawn Raney. If the defense somehow finds its groove this season with more returnees and the offense can find a rhythm with a new style, there is no telling what can be accomplished. But competing in Class 7A, Region 3, it’s tough to go into the season with question marks and expect to come out with a playoff spot, and that’s the boat the Jags find themselves in. There are several games that are up in the air, which could make the difference in making the playoffs or not. The Jaguars, however, have to find a way to prove they can compete with some of the top teams early in the season to show they are a postseason team that can finish above .500.

Good luck Jaguars!

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2020 RESULTS @ Huntsville W 52-21 @ Briarwood W 21-14 Hewitt-Trussville L 13-45 Thompson L 35-48 @ Gadsden City L 17-31 Bye @ Oak Mountain L 17-48 @ Hoover L 34-47 Vestavia Hills L 7-32 @ Tuscaloosa County W 35-34 @ Hueytown W 63-62

2020 STATS

Offense Total points: 294 Per game: 29.4 County rank: 4 Defense Points allowed: 382 Per game: 38.2 County rank: 10

Ethan Gutowski graduated after spending three years as a starter. Braxton Sumter will be relied upon to replace him, but Raney says he has worked extremely hard both on his mechanics and in the weight room to take control of the SPECIAL TEAMS All-State kicker Drake Tabor has position.

athlete as a three-sport star and will be the leader at safety. Raney said he is still hopeful for more names to emerge as the season gets underway.

Shelbycountyreporter.com

Shelby county

football 90

2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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91

THOMPSON

TEAM INFORMATION

WARRIORS It may seem difficult to top last year’s miraculous state championship win, but the back-to-back Class 7A State Champion Thompson Warriors are hoping this year is just as magical.

Ranked fifth nationally heading into the season, Thompson is coming off a perfect 14-0 season with most of its starters back and new additions ready to help make another run at a state title.

Loaded with star talent, including the reigning Gatorade Player of the Year at quarterback and three top-15 national recruits defensively, this year’s team won’t be satisfied with anything less than another perfect season.

However, the Warriors compete in a region with two other nationallyranked teams, and each week, there will be somebody waiting to knock off the top dogs.

They may be the most talented and the favorite, but there can’t be any off nights if the Warriors hope to replicate the success of the previous two seasons.

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK Named the Class 7A Back of the Year and the Gatorade Player of the Year winner in the state last year, quarterback Conner Harrell is back for his senior season. As a junior, Harrell stepped in and passed for more than 3,400 yards and 40 touchdowns to lead the Warriors to arguably their best season in school history. A North Carolina commit, he’s gone from unknown to the best quarterback in the state. A master at extending plays, he brings to the table great feet and a strong arm that defenses will have to respect.

RUNNING BACK Thompson will have to replace All-County running

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Conner Harrell

CLASSIFICATION AHSAA Class 7A, Region 3 2020 RECORD 14-0 (7-0) Class 7A State Champions HEAD COACH Mark Freeman RECORD 59-14 (Seventh year) ASSISTANT COACHES Brad Costanzo, Erik Kuykendall, Conner McGavin, Trey Clark, Tyler Scozzaro, Shawn DeFoor, Jake Ganus, Tyler Burgess, John Jones, Jordan Robertson, Woodrow Briggs, Mike Ramil LAST REGION TITLE 2020 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2020

PLAYERS TO WATCH Conner Harrell, QB The state’s best quarterback last year, Harrell totaled 3,405 yards and 40 touchdowns with 315 rushing yards and just three interceptions on 220-298 passing.

Ryan Peppins Despite a teammate totaling 1,163 yards, Peppins busted onto the scene last year due to his speed by totaling 1,037 yards and 12 touchdowns on 63 receptions.

Jeremiah Alexander, LB A senior in his fourth year as a starter and a top-10 recruit nationally, Alexander posted 106 total tackles, 29 tackles for loss and eight sacks last year.

Tony Mitchell With 75 tackles, eight tackles for loss and seven interceptions, Mitchell was one of the most feared defenders last year and will be even more dangerous this season.

Peter Woods Woods missed most of last season due to an injury, but he is now back as the nation’s No. 2 recruit for the class of 2023.

He totaled 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a freshman two years ago.

Jeremiah Alexander back Jarrett Crockett, who totaled 883 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground last year, but the backfield isn’t any less dangerous. Brandon Franklin is back and healthy following an injury early last year. The senior is primed for a breakout year with a frame of 6-foot-2, 218 pounds and has received a lot of praise heading into the season. He’ll be joined by Justin Pegues, who transferred from Spain Park where he totaled 570 rushing yards and 426 receiving yards with 13 touchdowns last year. Franklin is a strong, bruising-type back, while Pegues is speedy and shifty.

RECEIVERS With the departure of 1,000-yard receiver J.B. Mitchell as well as Sam Reynolds and Tre Roberson, who combined for 900-plus yards, the receiver position will take a hit.

However, second-leading receiver Ryan Peppins returns after totaling 978 yards and 11 touchdowns on 57 receptions last year. He is one of the fastest players on

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 20: @ Oxford Aug. 27: Sparkman Sept. 3: @ Tuscaloosa County* Sept. 10: Spain Park* Sept. 17: Hewitt-Trussville* Sept. 24: @ Mountain Brook Oct. 1: @ Vestavia Hills* Oct. 8: Gadsden City* Oct. 15: Oak Mountain* Oct. 22: @ Hoover* Oct. 29: Bye *Region game the team and should be the top target.

Adding to the depth at the position, Jaylen Ward and David Moultry will also be key additions after transferring from Spain Park. Ward totaled 876 yards and five touchdowns last year as the top target for the Jags, while Moultry is another speedy addition. Joining them will be Ahmari Bolden, who also returns snaps from last year as another fast athlete who will make a difference.

Bo Jones is a sophomore the coaching

Jax Van Zandt Van Zandt goes slightly unnoticed but is considered the leader of the defense and brings back 92 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss.

KEY DEPARTURES J.B. Mitchell The team’s leading receiver last year, Mitchell posted 1,163 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Sam Reynolds Reynolds was one of the fastest players on the field last year and totaled 465 receiving yards, 291 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

Tre Roberson Roberson totaled 480 receiving yards and five touchdowns last year, and helped the team come back as the quarterback in the second half of the state championship game.

Jarrett Crockett Despite missing three games, Crockett totaled 1,037 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.

Connor Howard One of two starting offensive linemen gone, Howard’s departure leaves one of the few question marks on this year’s team.

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Nate Riddle staff is excited about, while Kolby are all gone, leaving big gaps to fill.

Hearn and Deuce Oliver are two other Returning, however, will be starters Cole Hall and Parker Mitchell. Mitchell young receivers ready to add depth. brings a frame of 6-foot-3, 275 pounds to the position as the biggest up front, OFFENSIVE LINE With all of that talent on offense, the while Hall will handle the center determining factor as to how position with a size of 6-foot-1, 220 productive they will be all comes down pounds. Behind them, Noah Watts to the progression of the offensive line. played some last year and will be Anthony Butler, Michael Specht, leaned on for a bigger role this season, Connor Howard and Anthony Kilburn while five to six others are battling to

EDITOR’S 2021 PREDICTION (10-0) You would be a fool not to pick Thompson to go undefeated during the regular season this year. With almost everyone back from a team that went undefeated a season ago to win its second state championship in a row. That doesn’t mean the likes of Hoover, Hewitt-Trussville and others won’t challenge them, but the Warriors have conquered those games in recent seasons and now have the best team they have possibly ever had. The biggest obstacle for the Warriors will be themselves and not getting complacent. That, however, shouldn’t be a problem with the team still out to prove they are the best, especially knowing they’ll get everybody’s best shot. It won’t come without its challenges, but Thompson should be hoisting another state championship trophy at the end of the season.

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2020 RESULTS Oxford W 56-34 @ Sparkman W 39-7 Tuscaloosa County W 49-7 @ Spain Park W 48-35 @ Hewitt-Trussville W 35-21 Mountain Brook W 31-0 Vestavia Hills W 38-9 @ Gadsden City W 48-0 @ Oak Mountain W 49-21 Hoover W 39-23 Grissom* W 49-7 Hewitt-Trussville* W 42-16 Hoover* W 52-14 Auburn# W 29-28 *Playoff game #State Championship game

2020 STATS

Ryan Peppins

Offense Total points: 604 Per game: 43.1 County rank: 1

seven sacks as a freshman. Those two will be the leaders, which will open up holes for others to emerge. The DEFENSIVE LINE With two of the country’s top players coaching staff is hoping for four other back on the defensive line this season, players to step up and help keep those Thompson will pose a major threat to two from being double teamed on opposing offenses.

Jeremiah opposite ends of the line.

Alexander, an edge rusher and hybrid linebacker, will bring back 105 total LINEBACKERS tackles and 29 tackles for loss in his Alexander will also slide back to fourth year as a starter, while Woods is help as an outside linebacker at times considered the country’s top prospect as well, but the leaders of the position for the Class of 2023. Woods missed a will be seniors Jax Van Zandt and Nate large portion of last year due to injury, Riddle. Van Zandt brings back more but totaled 15 tackles for loss and than 90 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss

Defense Points allowed: 222 Per game: 15.9 County rank: 2

fill out starting and backup positions.

5-YEAR WIN TREND 14 12

11

12

5

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

WANT TO KNOW WHO SCORED DURING THE BIG GAME? Visit AlabasterReporter.com for the latest updates and recaps from Friday night football.

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C I T Y U N L I M I T E D.

TM

One of MONEY Magazine’s 50 Best Places To Live in America.

A top 15 school system in Alabama.

PLUS:

One of Alabama’s top 5 safest cities.

7A football state champions 2 years in a row.

n At least 1,000 new home starts planned over the next five years. n 350,000 square feet of planned restaurant and retail growth. n A Medical Mile featuring the largest concentration of medical professionals outside of Birmingham. n Recreation opportunities in multiple city parks with more on the way.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF SKYBAMA

cityofalabaster.com

facebook.com/alabastercityhall

@cityofalabaster

Trevor Hardy to the position as the quarterback of the defense, while Riddle returns 89 total tackles and eight tackles for loss. In addition to Alexander’s help, several others are starting to emerge as standout players at the position, but finding the right fit with the returnees will be key.

SECONDARY As dangerous as the front seven is, the secondary may be the scariest position. With teams needing to score points to keep up with the Warriors and forced to throw coming from behind, trying to do so against the likes of Tony Mitchell, Tre’Quon Fegans and Trevor Hardy will make that a daunting task. Mitchell, a junior, is back for his third year as a starter

and is a top-15 recruit in the country for the class of 2023. He’s a hardhitting defensive back, who not only plays well in coverage, but could also play more of a nickel position because of his ability to tackle.

Fegans, a transfer from Oxford, is also a top-60 player in the country going into his senior season and will be a huge addition, while Hardy has been one of the most improved players over the last year. Throw in sophomore A’mon Lane, who has offers from schools like Auburn, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Florida state, and you’ve got one of the most solid position units in the country. Jake Ivie and Karston Haywood also add two other trustworthy players at the position.

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QUICK HITS NATIONAL ATTENTION There are very few teams being talked about nationally like the Thompson Warriors are heading into the season.

Ranked as high as third in national preseason polls, the Warriors enter the season as the hottest team in Alabama and one of the hottest in the country after winning all 14 games last year and 18 in a row.

Winning two straight titles already, they also return three recruits ranked inside the top 15 nationally and four in the top 50.

THREE-PEAT ON THE MIND Last year, Thompson entered the season not shy about the desire to win back-to-back state championships and handled the pressure with relative ease. They were challenged rarely and didn’t back down when they were en route to a miraculous win in the state championship game. Now, the sights are set on a three-peat. The players and coaches once again feel confident and aren’t hiding their intentions to win the title, but they know remaining focused on each week is how they get there.

ONE WEEK AT A TIME As one of the top teams in the country, it can get easy to look ahead and not take certain opponents as seriously as others. That, however, can lead to lackadaisical play and somebody sneaking up on the Warriors to pull off an upset. With two other nationally-ranked teams (Hewitt-Trussville and Hoover) on the schedule, the Warriors know they can’t afford taking a week off and looking ahead. Class 7A, Region 3 is one of the most difficult in the country, and keeping a firm grasp on the task at hand determines who makes it through successfully.

HOTBED OF TALENT The talent is everywhere, and it won’t sneak up on anyone this season. Offensively, the Warriors get quarterback Conner Harrell back, while he’ll have Brandon Franklin and Justin Pegues ready to tote the rock or catch out of the backfield as proven backs. In addition to those three, Ryan Peppins returns as one of the state’s best receivers, while Jaylen Ward and David Moultry join him as receivers who could also total 1,000 yards. Then, you look at a defense returning Jeremiah Alexander, Peter Woods, Tony Mitchell, Jax Van Zandt, Trequon Fegans and Nate Riddle, and you’ve got your hands full.

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2021 Thompson Roster NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

1

A’Mon Lane

NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

DB 10

Kolby Hearn

Caleb Fox

LS/WR 10

1

37

WR 10

Ryan Peppins

Kenny Hagler

DB 11

2

38

WR 12

Karston Haywood

Trent Cheatom

LB 9

2

39

DB 12

Tony Mitchell

Jackson Scott

DL 12

3

40

DB 11

Jaylen Ward

Kahnor Hughes

K 11

4

40

WR 12

Casey Kimochu

Jeffrey Kimochu

DE 11

4

41

OLB 12

Justin Pegues

John Rogers

LB 10

5

42

RB 12

Jake Ivie

Jaiden Brown

DB 10

5

43

LB 11

Tre’quon Fegans

Braxton Smith

DB 10

6

44

DB 12

Ahmari Bolden

Riley Bowen

DB 10

6

44

RB 12

Jeremiah Alexander

Kaleb Thompson

DE 12

7

45

LB 12

Kaleb Harris

Paul Evans

DB 10

8

46

DB 10

Zach Sims

Colin Wesson

LB 12

8

47

QB

10

Nate Riddle

Daminko Tabb

DB 10

9

47

LB 12

Jamar “Bo“ Jones

Angel Diez

DB 10

9

48

WR 10

Jayden Davis

Elijah Whittier

LB 12

10

49

LB 10

Peter Woods

Marcos Guardado

OL 12

11

50

DE 11

David Moultry Jr

Rush Crawford

LB 11

11

52

WR 12

Jax Van Zandt

Hunter Holtman

OL 11

12

53

LB 12

Duece Oliver

Ryan Walker

OL 11

12

54

WR 10

Caleb Ballard

Cole Hall

OL 12

13

55

LB 10

AJ Green

Mathew Heard

DE 10

13

56

RB 10

Tyler Hicks

Vlad Valasiuk

LB 11

14

57

LB 10

Conner Harrell

Livan Rodrguiz

DL 10

15

59

QB 12

Kelby Taylor

Noah Watts

OL 11

15

60

LB 11

Jaquavious Lewis

Logan Crane

OL 10

16

61

DB 11

Tyler Reid

Zachary Felton

OL 11

17

62

WR 12

Jaquese Fegans

Walker Williams

OL 11

17

65

DB 11

Seth Hampton

Sam Cunningham

OL 10

18

68

LB 11

Trevor Hardy

KC Walters

OL 10

19

71

DB/K 12

John Morgan

William Molan

OL 10

19

72

K 10

Kendall Franklin

Steven Lillich

OL 11

20

73

LB 12

Joey Nowak

Parker Mitchell

OL 12

21

76

WR 11

Anquon Fegans

Stanton Ramil

OL 11

21

77

DB 9

Vini Pires

Marley Cholewinski

OL 10

22

78

LB 9

Ashton Sparks

Trent Marbury

WR 10

23

83

LB 11

Lione Cook

Jadon Morris

WR 10

24

84

RB 12

Jasiah Ward

Mel Caffy

WR 10

25

86

DB 11

Malek Naija

Jack Davis

WR 10

26

87

DB 12

Jacori Gaddiss

Travis McDaniel

WR 10

27

88

DB 10

Noah Hillshea

Dylan Willis

DE 11

27

90

WR 11

Kobe Herlong

Mathew Wilkerson

DL 10

28

91

LB 11

Caleb Austin

Kyle Wright

NG 12

29

93

DB 10

Luke Reid

JaAthony (AJ) Allen

NG 12

30

94

DB 10

Kendrick King

Trent Green

DL 10

31

95

DB 10

De’Shawn Murray

JC McCurry

DE 11

32

96

RB 10

Brandon Franklin

Kyle Hamilton

DE 12

34

97

RB 12

Deisel Ivie

Elijah Williams

NG 11

35

98

LB 10

99

Shafton Thomas

NG 11

SPECIAL TEAMS Hardy, who kicked the game-winning field goal in Thompson’s miraculous championship win last year as time expired,

is back to handle kicking duties this season.

That combined with the some of the country’s best athletes also spending time on special teams should make the unit special.

Photo by Keith McCoy

KEY NUMBERS

18 Thompson will bring an 18-game win streak into the 2021 football season, winning all 14 games last season and its last four of the 2019 season. The last loss for the Warriors came by six points (35-29) to Hewitt-Trussville the final week of the 2019 regular season. That marked the only loss of that season as well, as the Warriors have won 26 of the last 27 games they have played.

49 The previous four seasons, Thompson has quickly turned into the state’s powerhouse team thanks to 49 wins in that span. The Warriors are 49-4 since 2017, marking a special turnaround. The two years before that, they went a combined 10-10, the year before that, they were 0-10 and between 2007 and 2014 they were a combined 18-62. Now, since 2017, Thompson has made it to the semifinals of the playoffs every season, made it to the state championship the last three seasons and won the state title the last two years.

3,405 The state’s top quarterback will suit up once again for the Warriors this season thanks to the return of Conner Harrell. A junior starting for the first time last year, Harrell totaled 3,405 yards to lead Thompson to the state championship. His jaw-dropping season led to him earning a spot on the All-State First Team, being named the Class 7A Back of the Year winner and claiming the Gatorade Player of the Year award for the top football player in Alabama. Now, as one of the best at extending plays with talented players at every position, he’ll hope for an even more special senior season.

93 Defensively, Thompson is stacked from the defensive line all the way back to the secondary. The return of Jeremiah Alexander and Peter Woods, however, give the Warriors two of the most dangerous players in the country at getting in the backfield. The two return a combined 93 career tackles for loss this season. In three seasons, Alexander has totaled 70 tackles for loss, while Woods has added 23, despite missing eight games last year.

Finding a way to handle one on each end of the line may be the tallest task in high school football this season.

Good luck Warriors!

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VINCENT

YELLOW JACKETS Vincent has had its share of ups and downs in previous year, but head coach Lucas Weatherford continues to rebuild the program heading into his fourth season as the team’s head coach.

Last year took a bit of a detour early in the season with three forfeits to start the season due to COVID-19, but the Jackets bounced back with two wins after that and finished 3-7 overall with 33 or more points scored in four of their seven games.

The defense, which gave up 41.4 points per game, will need drastic improvement this season, while the offense will have to build off a successful season with several returning starters back.

With close to 60 players out for the team this year, depth will be as good as it has been in a long time, and that could be what helps the Yellow Jackets get over the hump and back into the playoffs with a winning season for the first time since 2013.

TEAM INFORMATION CLASSIFICATION AHSAA Class 2A, Region 4 2020 RECORD 3-7 (2-5) HEAD COACH Lucas Weatherford RECORD 8-23 (Fourth year) ASSISTANT COACHES Corey Goodson, Tim Junkings, Cory Williams LAST REGION TITLE 2006 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2018

MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK Blake Allums, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound junior, will return as the team’s starting quarterback this season.

He split time with Will Harris last year, but has taken full command of the offense heading into this season.

Weatherford said he is expecting a big season from Allums due to his strong arm and passing ability with a sneaky good athleticism. Tray Youngblood, a receiver, will also help at the position due to his athleticism, while freshman Aiden Poe adds a freshman backup.

RUNNING BACK Depth may be questionable at the running back position, but the return of Jermarey Lawson helps make that feel like less of a problem. He totaled 700 yards and nine touchdowns as the lead running back last season. A 6-foot-1, 175-pound senior, Lawson has the ability to put together a special season thanks to his vision and quick cuts. Vincent does lose top athlete Tae McGregor and his 344 yards at the position, but Zack Wright will help fill an extra role at running back with a frame of 5-foot-11, 205 pounds.

RECEIVERS Some of the team’s best athletes will look to become top targets for Allums this year, led by the return of top receiver Zac Carlisle. A 6-foot-1, 170-pound

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Blake Allums

PLAYERS TO WATCH Blake Allums, QB A returnee at quarterback, Allums is primed to take major steps as a junior this season.

Jermarey Lawson, RB The team’s leading rusher last season, Lawson totaled 700 yards and nine touchdowns in just five games last year.

Evan Swain, OL/DL Swain returns 100 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks defensively from last season and is one of the team’s top offensive linemen.

Ty’Qun Goodman, DL Goodman can play on both sides of the line but totaled 48 tackles with seven tackles for loss and five sacks last year.

Zac Carlisle, WR/DB Carlisle was last season’s leading receiver with 238 yards and three touchdowns on 15 catches and will now be a top target for Allums.

Tray Youngblood, WR/DB A top athlete, Youngblood will look to handle two of the biggest positions for the Jackets heading into the season.

junior, Carlisle totaled 238 yards and three touchdowns on just 15 catches last year, but should play an even bigger role this season as a second-year starter.

Joining him will be Youngblood and Poe, who will play at the position when not helping at quarterback. Nolan and Gavin Kratz are twins and two juniors that Weatherford is high on, while Mattson Davis will also be in the mix for what should be a talented offense.

Griffin Martin, a senior, is also a returning starter who can make a difference at the tight end position.

OFFENSIVE LINE Possibly the most exciting part of the offense will come up front thanks to the return of all but one starter and eight players who can give solid time at the position. Losing Paul Albright will be tough, but Evan Swain, Jacob Carter, Easton Fields and Ty’Qun Goodman are all returning starters at the position.

Each of those players weighs at least 210 pounds and stands at 5-foot-11 or taller. Graham Cox and Grayson Gulde will also battle for the fifth spot, while

2021 SCHEDULE Aug. 19: Winterboro# Aug. 27: @ Billingsley Sept. 3: @ Ranburne* Sept. 10: Horseshoe Bend* Sept. 17: @ Fayetteville* Sept. 24: Bye Oct. 1: @ Lanett* Oct. 8: Randolph County* Oct. 15: @ B.B. Comer* Oct. 22: LaFayette* Oct. 29: Prattville Christian *Region game #Thursday night game Aaron Kirk and Ethan McElrath add two freshmen with promising ability.

DEFENSIVE LINE A unit that hopes to focus on stopping the run this season, the defensive line will feature returning standouts such as Gulde and Fields. Both improved as the year went along last year, and while they’re going to play on both sides of the ball, they’ll be improved leaders on the defensive side. Others from the offensive line will also help at the

Zac Carlisle

KEY DEPARTURES Tae McGregor McGregor totaled 344 rushing yards and 157 receiving yards with eight total touchdowns last year.

Paul Albright A multi-year starter on the offensive line, Albright will be the main departure on the offensive line.

Will Harris As one of two quarterbacks the last two years and a defensive back, Harris’ presence will be missed on both sides of the ball.

Caleb Scott A defensive back with multiple years of experience, Scott’s ability in the secondary was tough to match.

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QUICK HITS EARLY MAGIC Last year, Vincent didn’t have the opportunity to build momentum early in the season due to COVID-19 forcing the Yellow Jackets to forfeit their first three games. They went on to win their next two in a row after that, but missed out on a chance to gain experience and possibly another win or two. With the second half of the season featuring their most difficult games, the Jackets will hope for some early magic.

DEFENSE WINS GAMES Vincent took major strides last year, scoring 33 or more points in half of the team’s games. That led to three wins, but the defense gave up 28 or more in every game last season, 32 or more in all but one and 50 or more in three games.

With most of the team’s athletes playing both sides of the ball, it’s difficult to stay fresh, but finding a way to limit what opponents can do will be a deciding factor this year.

2021 Vincent Roster NO. NAME

POSITION YEAR

NO. NAME

Tray Youngblood

QB/DB 11

34

Nolan Kratz

WR/DB 11

2

Jermarey Lawson

RB/DB 12

40

Zack Wright

RB/LB 11

4

Quenterrius Robertson RB/LB 10

45

Montana Chamblee

TE/LB 10

10

Aiden Gassaway

RB/LB 9

50

Aaron Kirk

OL/DL 9

11

Griffin Martin

TE/LB 12

51

Keller Finn

OL/DL 9

12

Blake Allums

QB/DB 11

52

Grayson Gulde

OL/DL 9

13

Aiden Poe

QB/DB 9

55

Ethan McElrath

OL/DL 9

14

Johnny Partridge

TE/LB 9

56

Evan Swain

OL/LB 12

15

Mattson Davis

WR/DB 10

61

Marcus Hall

OL/DL 9

17

Joseph Valenti

WR/DB 12

63

Graham Cox

OL/DL 11

18

Zac Carlisle

WR/DB 11

70

Easton Fields

OL/DL 11

22

Rykelus Robertson

RB/DB 10

71

Jacob Carter

OL/DL 11

24

Noah Scott

WR/DB 10

74

Ty’Qun Goodman

OL/LB 11

25

Jackson Godwin

TE/LB 10

78

Hayden Jernigan

OL/DL 9

33

Gavin Kratz

WR/DB 11

FINDING A REPLACEMENT One big question entering the season is who will replace Tae McGregor’s offensive production. The athlete did a little bit of everything during his time at Vincent, which led to more than 1,000 all-purpose yards two years ago. He also totaled 344 rushing yards and 157 receiving yards last year. Right now, senior Jermarey Lawson looks to be the guy. Not only will he be a top athlete, but he brings back 700 rushing yards and nine touchdowns from the running back position.

BUILDING BELIEF In the offseason, Vincent opened a new athletic facility featuring a brand new weight room. It has given the players a jolt of energy and a newfound belief that they should be able to compete with top teams. That’s a belief head coach Lucas Weatherford has been trying to build the past few years, and now, it seems to be paying off.

POSITION YEAR

1

Griffin Martin position, while Goodman could play an end position after totaling 49 tackles last year, including seven for loss and five sacks.

LINEBACKERS The best defender for the Yellow Jackets will come at the linebacker position with the return of Swain. Playing both ways, his

size of 6-foot-2, 235 pounds makes him the ideal leader at the position. He was the leading tackler last year with 100 tackles, including 12 for loss and seven sacks.

Wright will join him as a returning linebacker on the inside, while Martin is back at an outside position. Goodman will also be in the mix at an outside position.

EDITOR’S 2021 PREDICTION (4-6) Last season, the Vincent Yellow Jackets were able to finish 3-7 despite forfeiting three games right off the bat. Following that 0-3 start, the Jackets finished 3-4 the rest of the way against a difficult schedule. This year, they’ll get to play those first three weeks, and that will likely determine what kind of season it will be. All three games are toss-ups, so finding a way to win two of them, especially the region opener against Ranburne, would go a long way in building confidence for the rest of the season. Make it through that stretch 2-1, and this team will finish at .500 or above for the first time since 2017.

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2020 RESULTS @ Winterboro L 0-1# Billingsley L 0-1# Ranburne L 0-1# @ Horseshoe Bend W 39-32 Fayetteville W 41-34 Bye Lanett L 7-50 @ Randolph County L 38-56 B.B. Comer L 0-51 @ LaFayette L 19-39 Prattville Christian W 33-28 #Forfeited game

2020 STATS

Photo by Jeremy Raines

Those four will make the unit arguably necessary to help the unit show the best on the team, while Jackson improvement, while Noah Scott Godwin, Aiden Gassaway and should also add some depth.

Montana Chamblee should add even more help.

SPECIAL TEAMS Weatherford said he wants his best athletes handling the ball on special SECONDARY Vincent will be forced to replace teams, which means Goodman will Harris, Caleb Scott and Cobe handle all kicking and punting duties McKenzie in the secondary this year, due to his athleticism. That’s a step but the return of Carlisle, Youngblood ahead of where the team was last year and Lawson will help the unit looking for the right fit heading into overcome some of those losses. Poe, the season, while others such as the Kratz twins and Allums will also Lawson, Carlisle and Youngblood will play on both sides of the ball when help in the return game.

Offense Total points: 177 Per game: 25.2 County rank: 6 Defense Points allowed: 290 Per game: 41.4 County rank: 11

5-YEAR WIN TREND 5 3

2

3

2020

2019

2018

1 2017

2016

KEY NUMBERS

7 Vincent hasn’t had a winning season in seven years. The Jackets came close in 2017 with a 5-5 record after opening 5-2. Since, however, they have won no more than three games in a season and have been searching for momentum.

25 Needing to improve defensively, one of the keys to that will be the return of Evan Swain, Ray Albright and Ty’Qun Goodman. The three combined for 25 tackles for loss, including 17 sacks, while totaling 153 tackles last season.

938 Offensively, Zac Carlisle and Jermarey Lawson are both back and bring a combined 938 yards of offense with them. Lawson totaled 700 rushing yards and nine touchdowns last year, while Carlisle put together 238 receiving yards.

4 The schedule will feature its share of difficult games this season, but only four of Vincent’s opponents had a winning record last year, one of which was a Class 1A team. In addition to that, only one of the first five opponents on the schedule finished above .500. That makes a fast start extremely important.

Good Luck Yellow Jackets!

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STATE RECORDS

SHELBY COUNTY

OFFENSE - MOST POINTS SCORED, Career 620, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 - 11th

OFFENSE - MOST PASSES COMPLETED, Season 287, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2017 – 3rd 271, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2018 – 4th 228, Sawyer Pate, Thompson, 2019 – 20th 228, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 20th 204, Parker Anderson, Pelham, 1999 - T-31st 200, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1997 - T-34th

OFFENSE - MOST TOUCHDOWNS SCORED, Season 34, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 2001 - T-42nd

OFFENSE – MOST PASSES COMPLETED, Career 558, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2017-2018 – 12th

OFFENSE - MOST TOUCHDOWNS SCORED, Career 102, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 - 9th

OFFENSE – MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES, Game 8, Malik Inabinette, Montevallo vs. Greensobor, 2018 – 3rd

OFFENSE - MOST FIELD GOALS MADE, Game 5, Crosby Gray, Spain Park (15) vs. Thompson (14), 2015 - T-1st

OFFENSE - MOST PASSES COMPLETED, Career 594, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 7th 519, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1994-97 - 13th

AHSAA Football Individual Records OFFENSE - MOST POINTS SCORED, Season 204, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 2001 - T-34th

OFFENSE - LONGEST FIELD GOAL 60 yards, Michael Proctor, Pelham (39) vs. Mountain Brook (16), 1991 - 2nd 51 yards, Jason Lang, Pelham vs. Shades Valley, 1994 - T-37th OFFENSE - MOST POINTS KICKING, Game 15, Crosby Gray, Spain Park (15) vs. Thompson (14), 2015 - T-6th OFFENSE - MOST EXTRA POINTS KICKED, Season 68, Graham Wilson, Briarwood (of 73 attempts), 1998 - 25th OFFENSE - MOST EXTRA POINTS KICKED, Career 180, Graham Wilson, Briarwood, 1997-99 – T-11th OFFENSE - MOST EXTRA POINTS KICKED, Consecutive 53, Michael Proctor, Pelham, 1989-91 - 18th OFFENSE- MOST KICKOFF RETURNS FOR TOUCHDOWNS, Season 5, Jason Wilkins, Shelby County, 1997 – T-1st

OFFENSE - MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES, Season 47, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 3rd 41, Sawyer Pate, Thompson, 2019 – T12th 38, Malik Inabinette, Montevallo, 2018 – T18th 36, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2017 – T26th 36, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2018 – T30th OFFENSE - MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES, Career 88, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-2007 - 10th 71, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2017-2018 – 23rd 55, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1995-97 – T43rd OFFENSE - LONGEST TOUCHDOWN PASS 99 yards, Jeff Flannerty to Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1999 – T-1st 99 yards, Joe Craddock to Tim Castille, Briarwood, 2002 – T-1st

OFFENSE – LONGEST KICKOFF RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWN 99, Luke Prewett, Briarwood vs. Chelsea, 2019 – T1st

OFFENSE - PASS COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, Game 86.2, Mason Duke, Spain Park (52) vs. Thompson (28), 2014 - 6th OFFENSE - PASS COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, Season 74.5, Sawyer Pate, Thompson, 2019 – 3rd 66.0, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2018 – 30th

OFFENSE - MOST YARDS RUSHING, Season 2,281, Shontua Ray, Montevallo, 1997 (11 games) - T-45th

OFFENSE – PASS COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, Career 63.6, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2017-2018 – 5th

OFFENSE - MOST YARDS RUSHING, Career 5,144, Arthur Johnson, Thompson, 1980-82 - 29th

OFFENSE - MOST PASS RECEPTIONS, Season 125, Ahmad Edwards, Thompson, 2017 – 1st 74, J.J. Evans, Montevallo, 2018 – 37th 70, Mike Pettway, Thompson Warriors, 2018 – 40th 70, Montez Billings, Pelham, 2002 - T-40th 70, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998 - T-40th

OFFENSE- Most rushing attempts, Game 46, Wade Streeter, Spain Park (63) vs. Hewitt-Trussville (64), 2014 - T-12th OFFENSE - MOST YARDS PASSING, Game 507, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson vs. Oak Mountain, 2018 – 9th 488, Harrison Barker, Spain Park vs. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 2019 – 16th 474, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson vs. Hoover 2019 – 19th 467, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson vs. Huntsville, 2017 – 20th 450, Malik Inabinette, Montevallo vs. Greensboro, 2018 – 30th 444, Malik Inabinette, Montevallo vs. Sumter Central, 2018 – 33rd 439, Malik Inabinette, Montevallo vs. Jemison, 2018 – 35th OFFENSE - MOST YARDS PASSING, Season 3,823, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2017 – 3rd 3,788, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2018 – 6th 3,469, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 13th 3,376, Malik Inabinette, Montevallo, 2018 – 16th 3,124, Sawyer Pate, Thompson, 2019 – 29th 2,834 OFFENSE - MOST YARDS PASSING, Career 7,968, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 12th 7,608, Taulia Tagovailoa, 2017-2018 – 17th 6,838, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 199497 - 22nd OFFENSE - MOST PASSES ATTEMPTED, Game 61, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson vs. Hoover 2018 – 5th 55, Mason Duke, Spain Park vs. Oxford, 2013 - 10th 53, Nick Mullens, Spain Park vs. Austin, 2012 - 13th OFFENSE - MOST PASSES ATTEMPTED, Season 442, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2018 – 4th 435, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2017 – 5th 361, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 17th 342, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1997 26th 335, Bart Yancey, Briarwood, 1990 - T-27th 303, Parker Anderson, Pelham, 1999 - 52nd OFFENSE - MOST PASSES ATTEMPTED, Career 1,008, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1994-97 - 6th 966, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 11th 877, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2017-2018 – 16th

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

OFFENSE - MOST PASS RECEPTIONS, Career 243, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 - 3rd OFFENSE – MOST TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS, Game 5, J.J. Evans, Montevallo vs. Greensboro, 2018 – T4 4, J.J. Evans, Montevallo vs. American Christian, 2018 – T10 OFFENSE – MOST TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS, Career 41, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 - T-12th OFFENSE – MOST YARDS RECEIVING, Game 269, J.J. Evans, Montevallo vs. Sumter Central, 2018 – 11th 269, 245, J.J. Evans, Montevallo vs. Greensboro, 2018 – 24th OFFENSE - MOST YARDS RECEIVING, Season 1,706, J.J. Evans, Montevallo, 2018 – 2nd 1,459, Ahmad Edwards, Thompson, 2017 – 9th 1,305, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998 - 20th 1,170, Shannon Hartsfield, Briarwood, 1990 – 42nd 1,118, Mo Edwards, Thompson, 2017 – 54th 1,060, Bill Flowers, Pelham, 1999 – 70th OFFENSE - MOST YARDS RECEIVING, Career 4,122, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 (243 catches) - 3rd OFFENSE – TOTAL OFFENSE, Game 511, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson vs. Oak Mountain, 2018 – 13th 494, Malik Inabinette, Montevallo vs. Sumter Central, 2018 – 17th 490, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson vs. Hoover, 2018 – 19th OFFENSE – TOTAL OFFENSE, season 4,205, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2018 – 8th 3,975, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2017 – 9th 3,577, Malik Inabinette, Montevallo, 2018 – 16th OFFENSE - TOTAL OFFENSE, Career 9,544, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2003 - 7th 9,164, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-2007 – 9th 8,180, Taulia Tagovailoa, Thompson, 2017-2018 – 15th

OFFENSE, TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS, Game 8, Malik Inabinette, Montevallo vs. Greensboro, 2018 – T3 OFFENSE - TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS, Season 53, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - T-6th OFFENSE - ALL-PURPOSE YARDS, Season 4,079, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 6th 2,430, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1999 – 43rd OFFENSE - ALL-PURPOSE YARDS, Career 9,544, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2003 - 9th 9,164, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 14th OFFENSE – MOST TWO-POINT CONVERSIONS, Season 15, Deon Gilliland, Montevallo, 2018 – 3rd DEFENSE - MOST INTERCEPTIONS, Game 4, Brandon Salser, Chelsea vs. Isabella, 1989 - T-6th DEFENSE – LONGEST INTERCEPTION RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWN 99, Tamardreon Purnell, Montevallo, 2019 – T22nd DEFENSE - MOST TACKLES, Game 26, Ethan Simmons, Briarwood (14) vs. Vigor (13), 2012 – T-11th DEFENSE - MOST TACKLES, Season 285, Matthew Forester, Briarwood, 1998 - 1st DEFENSE - MOST TACKLES, Career 612, Matthew Forester, Briarwood, 1996-98 – 3rd DEFENSE - MOST FUMBLE RECOVERIES, Game 3, Jordan Carroll, Briarwood (32) vs. John Carroll (13), 2012 – 1st

AHSAA Football Team Records COACHES WITH MOST STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 3, Fred Yancey, Briarwood and Mark Freeman, Thompson – T-16th MOST CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITHOUT A LOSS (Including Ties) 45, Shelby County (43-0-2), 1961-66 - 6th OFFENSE - MOST POINTS SCORED, Game (Both teams) 127, Spain Park (63) vs. Hewitt-Trussville (64), 2014 – 8th 124, OFFENSE - MOST POINTS SCORED, Season 582, Briarwood Christian (15-0), 1998 - 51st 512, Calera (10-2), 2014 – T-111th OFFENSE – MOST YARDS PASSING, Game 507, Thompson vs. Oak Mountain, 2018 – 8th OFFENSE – MOST YARDS PASSING, Season 3,880, Thompson, 2017 – 3rd OFFENSE – MOST YARDS PASSING PER GAME, Season 298.5, Thompson, 2017 – 3rd OFFENSE – MOST YARDS IN TOTAL OFFENSE, Game (Both teams) 1,199, Thompson (654) vs. Hewitt-Trussville (545), 2018 – 3rd OFFENSE – MOST YARDS TOTAL OFFENSE, Game 1,009, Oxford (565) vs. Spain Park (414), 2014 – 4th OFFENSE - MOST PASS ATTEMPTS, Season 342, Pelham, 1997 - 10th OFFENSE – MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES, Season 47, Briarwood, 2007 – 4th OFFENSE – MOST 2-POINT CONVERSIONS, Game 7, Montevallo (68) vs. Jemison (40), 2019 – 1st DEFENSE – MOST CONSECUTIVE INTERCEPTIONS RETURNED FOR TDs 2, Vincent (51) vs. Central Coosa (8), 2019 – 1st MOST FIELD GOALS MADE, Game 5, Spain Park (15) vs. Thompson (14), 2015 – T-1st MOST KICKOFF RETURNS FOR TOUCHDOWNS (Both teams) 3, Elba (59) vs. Vincent (20), 2012 – 1st CONSECUTIVE REGION WINS 31, Briarwood, 1993-2001 – T18th

A concussion is nothing to play with.

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury and should be taken seriously. Although fewer than 10% of concussions involve a loss of consciousness, it is important to understand the dangers and not take them lightly. Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior.

Any athlete with a suspected concussion should immediately be removed from play and activity, evaluated right away by a doctor or healthcare professional, monitored and not left alone and not drive a motor vehicle.

To make an appointment, please call 205-934 -1041.

16 00 7t h Avenue Sout h • Birmingham, AL 35233 • Childrens AL.org/Concus s ion 2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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2021 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL