Shelby County Football 2016 magazine

Hard work pays off Frank Mwakajumba’s remarkable story Inside: PHOTOS ROSTERS SCHEDULES BREAKDOWNS

Double Trouble

Football and family mix

Features

6 Hard work pays off The Mwakajumba story

14 Double Trouble Football and family mix

6 2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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Table of Contents

22 Briarwood 28 Calera 34 Chelsea 40 Coosa Valley 42 Cornerstone 44 Evangel 46 Helena

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54 Hope 56 Kingwood 58 Montevallo 62 Oak Mountain 66 Pelham 76 Shelby County 82 Spain Park 88 Thompson 94 Vincent

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2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

From the Editor

STAFF Editorial Graham Brooks Molly Davidson Baker Ellis Jessa Pease Emily Sparacino Neal Wagner

Production Jamie Dawkins Layken Gibbs Robyn Holm Michele Hughes Amanda Porter

Marketing Kristy Brown Ashley Duckett Kari George Daniel Holmes Nicole Loggins Emily Klein Rhett McCreight Meagan Mims Kim McCulla April Spivey

Administrative Tim Prince Katie McDowell Mary Jo Eskridge Hailey Dolbare Laurel Cousins 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

H

ello there.

I hope you are doing well. How could you not be? It’s football season, and all is right in the world. After a seemingly endless offseason, the best time of year is here at last; so let’s get to it.

There are 16 football teams in Shelby County, and as usual, we’re taking a look at them all. We talk about which teams are in rebuilding mode, which teams are poised to make a deep playoff run, and which teams may just sneak up on some people. On top of the team-by-team analysis and previews you’ve come to expect from us every season, we also have two in-depth stories focusing on some great kids from across the county.

First, we take a look at the incredible story of senior Thompson running back Frank Mwakajumba, and see how far hard work and love can go. Second, we talk to two sets of identical twins, Alex and Jaramy Dozier from Calera as well as Jacob and Jared Humphrey of Shelby County, and do a deep dive on how football and family intertwine.

I need to thank the sales reps that help to drive the revenue which makes this all possible, and the

businesses and people in each and every community who make this time of year special. A big, hearty, meaty thank you is in order for the designers who create this thing you’re holding in your hands, as far as I know by magic. Thank you also to the coaches who have helped provide the information and sacrificed of their time to help us give an accurate picture of the coming season.

And of course, thanks to you for reading. This would be all for naught if you didn’t invest in your teams and communities like you do, and for that, I truly want to offer my sincere thanks.

I hope you’re reading this on a pleasant, crisp fall Friday night, and you’ve just sat down in the bleachers with a hot pretzel and a large Coke.

It’s football season, and you know better than anyone that anything is possible.

Enjoy.

Baker Ellis, Sports Editor

Baker. Ellis@ShelbyCountyReporter.com

On the Cover Jacob, left, and Jared Humphrey are senior identical twins at Shelby County High School.

Cover photo by Emily Klein Cover design by Jamie Dawkins

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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Hard work

pays off The Mwakajumba story Written by BAKER ELLIS Photographs by JON GOERING and EMILY KLEIN

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F

rank Mwakajumba is, depending on your perspective, either right at home or very, very far away from it. The young man who stands about 5-feet-10inches tall with the athletic frame and thoughtful, intelligent eyes was born about as far away from Alabaster, where he has lived since he was 3, as humanly possible. 8,538 miles away, to be precise, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Mwakajumba is, for all intents and purposes, an average American teenager in the South. He drives a truck, enjoys hanging out with his friends and brothers away from the field and goes to church every week.

He is a polite, measured, articulate guy, which, to be fair, makes him less like an average American teenager.

Mwakajumba will be a vital cog in Thompson’s re-vamped offense this year as one of three senior running backs, but, to understand how he got here, we need to back up a minute.

The Mwakajumbas came to the United States in 2000 for the same reason anyone comes here. “We came here for opportunity, that’s the biggest reason,” Mwakajumba said. “We came here for your typical ‘American Dream’ life.”

Mwakajumba’s father, Jonas, came to the United States a year prior, in 1999, to be trained as a pastor. He now resides over a Swahili-speaking service in Birmingham. A year later, his wife, Marcelina, followed with her two young twin boys, Frank and Fred. The transition was, obviously, a challenge.

“I (had) never spoken English before,” Marcelina Mwakajumba said in a phone interview on July 29.

“We arrived in September, 2000, and I learned English from then until 2006.

I was looking for a job when we got here, and I was hired part-time at a daycare, and that is where Frank and his brother Fred learned English.”

As her young sons began to assimilate into the American culture,

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2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Frank, the elder of the two, took an interest in a game she didn’t know much about, or fully understand: American football.

“I really didn’t want him to play football, I had heard it was so physical,” Marcelina said. “He was so tiny, he was like 58 pounds. He cried when I told him he couldn’t play. He said ‘mom, just pray for me to be okay and I will be.’”

“They (parents) had a problem with it at first,” Frank said. “I tried to play in first grade, but they just thought it was so dangerous they wouldn’t let me.”

Over time, however, the Mwakajumbas changed their tune.

They allowed Frank to play football when he was in the second grade; beginning a lifelong affiliation with a sport they had initially shied away from.

“His pee-wee coach, Kevin Atkins, he told me the benefits of Frank playing football,” Marcelina said. “He said that Frank had so much talent and understanding of the game. I started getting comfortable with him playing after that and seeing how much he loved it.”

Fast-forward a little over a decade, and the Mwakajumbas have, through an incredible amount of hard work, made a life for themselves in a world so different from the one they knew.

Marcelina, who came to the United States with no knowledge of the language or education, is now a registered nurse. She put herself through school while working, raising a family and learning English, a notoriously difficult language to master. By her own estimation, she now works upwards of 160 hours every two weeks at two different jobs.

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2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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Her story in and of itself is incredible, inspiring, and is a bona fide testament to what resiliency coupled with intelligence and hard work can do.

Frank has also come a long way from the scrawny 58-pound second-grader that first set foot on a football field. He loves the game and is set on playing at the next level. Part of the reason his mother works the hours she does is to help send Frank to camps around the Southeast to help him get noticed and recruited. He’s been to a number of camps, but knows what offers he will receive will be contingent, in part, by what he does on the field in 2015.

Side note here, Frank is an impressive athlete for sure, but in one area above all others, he is an absolute freak. This past year he set the national record for the vertical jump in the SPARQ Rating, a national standardized test for athleticism, with a ridiculous jump of 45.3 inches. For a reference point, that would rank as the third-highest vertical ever recorded at the NBA draft combine.

He can also broad jump over 10 feet.

Those are jaw-dropping springs, and

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2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

that’s the kind of athleticism that behind new hire Mark Freeman. The school and the community are excited turns heads.

Turning to the matter at hand, no to see what Freeman, who brings with one has a clearer memory of what him a career winning percentage of 82 percent, will do happened on the in the long term. field in Alabaster With the program just a season ago obviously shifting than Frank, who in the right remembers all too direction, Frank well the trials of realizes he will that 0-10 season. not reap the long“It was really term rewards hard, man,” the school hopes he said. “Our Freeman can c o m m u n i t y achieve, but he’s seeing us from going to take that standpoint what he can get, was tough. For because that’s all our coaches and he can do. us working as a “I kind of do team, to come up wish I was a little short every single younger, to be week like that, it was really tough.

— Marcelina Mwakajumba honest,” he said.

“But you can’t That’s why we’re working so hard to make sure that change the past. I’m planning on laying it all out there this year.” doesn’t happen again.”

That seems to be a trend in this The Warriors have put all their chips, metaphorically and literally, family.

“I really didn’t want

him to play football, I had heard it was so physical. He was so tiny, he was like 58 pounds. He cried when I told him he couldn’t play. He said ‘mom, just pray for me to be okay and I will be.”

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Double trouble Written by BAKER ELLIS Photographs by JON GOERING and EMILY KLEIN

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O

n top of the list of overused sports analogies is the one comparing a football team to a family. The intent behind the words is inspiring and is a concise, easily understood and expressed way to talk about how a team should operate, but it is used so much that the words usually fall flat.

Sometimes, however, football players are family in the literal sense, growing up under the same roofs, sharing clothes and sleeping in the same rooms as well as playing football together. In two cases this year in Shelby County, there will be twin brothers lining up beside each other on Friday nights. We took some time to catch up with Jaramy and Alex Dozier, of Calera High School, and Jacob and Jared Humphrey, of Shelby County High School.

The Dozier twins are identical.

Their mother can tell them apart, and so can head coach Wiley McKeller, but the list is short after

that. The dreadlocked twins are the starting linebackers for the Eagles’ 4-2-5 defensive scheme and both sport a GPA of well over 4.0.

“They do it right man, they’re the ones you want to talk about. They’re

great kids,” McKeller said.

The two have been playing football since they were in the first grade, and have played together every year since, except for their third-grade season, when Alex took a break and tried soccer. As far back as they can remember, football has always been one of the cornerstones of their relationship with each other, and the two don’t have memories that predate their playing days.

“We were like, very small when we started playing, we were the youngest ones when we started, and we weren’t scared of anybody,” Jaramy said.

“We were going up against kids who were like 5 feet tall is all I remember,” Alex chimed in.

They have wide, toothy grins plastered across their faces at all times, and bring a rambunctious, playful energy with them wherever they go. However, those smiles and that laughter, along with the prototypical playful prodding and jabbing that goes along with any sibling relationship, fades away

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“They do it right man, they’re the ones you

want to talk about. They’re great kids.”

— Wiley McKeller

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when the lights come on.

On the field, they are mirror images of each other. Small, compact, quick heavy hitters who fly all over the field, and have earned the trust of McKeller and his staff to the point that this season the Eagles are moving away from last season’s 3-3 defensive scheme to a 4-2-5 alignment, leaving the Dozier twins as the only true linebackers on the field.

“It’s going to be really fun, just us two there this year,” Jaramy said.

The two have always shared a room, and are together, by their own admission, all the time.

The prospect of playing in college is appealing to both of them, but both said they would only want to play if

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2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

the other was there as well.

Across the county over in Columbiana, the Humphrey twins are getting ready for their final

season as Wildcats. They, like the Doziers, are identical, essentially a mirror image of each other. They have been in pads for most of their lives as well. Jared started playing in third grade while Jacob took up the game a year later. Both will see time on both sides of the ball this season for Shelby County. Jacob is the returning starter at center, while his brother is the returner directly beside him at right tackle, and both can play defensive end or defensive tackle, depending on what is asked of them.

They are a quiet, reserved pair.

In their free time, when they are not working with their grandfather or doing odd jobs, they enjoy being outside. Hunting, fishing and mud riding are their self-proclaimed favorite ways to spend time. While the two may be quiet, they have left a loud impact on the coaching staff at Shelby County in their time, and head coach Heath Childers couldn’t help but get emotional when talking about their character.

“Today’s society, it’s all about me, it’s all about now,” Childers said. “I want what I want when I want it, and I don’t have to work for it. They’ve really begun to grasp the concept that it’s not all about me. These two kids, they have really grown up a lot.

I love them, I think a lot of them.”

Part of Childers’ emotion comes from his desire to give not only the Humphreys but the team as a whole, success. It’s no secret that the Wildcats have struggled recently.

Shelby County has not been to the playoffs since 2009, and in the last three years, the program’s overall record is 5-25.

“I want them to experience success,” Childers said. “I want them to leave here with good memories.

It’s hard to look back and have fond memories of getting your brains beat out every week.”

Both believe this is the best chance they have had to make a run at the playoffs, and are excited about taking on the responsibility of leading both sides of the line in 2015.

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Briarwood Christian Lions

B

riarwood is coming off a losing season for just the second time since 2004, finishing with a less than stellar 4-7 record. The Lions were able to make the playoffs thanks to their 4-3 Region 5 record, but got bounced in the first round by Florence. Now, in 2015, resident sage Fred Yancey enters his 26th year as

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2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Randy Glover and Baker Ellis

Briarwood’s head coach, and looks to return to form in his program’s second year in class 6A, although the Briarwood roster has been shaken up in the last eight months.

Lions with a void to fill. William Gray, a junior, has positioned himself to take the job heading into the fall, with sophomores Michael Hiers and Ashton Domingue battling for the backup role. Gray has a great arm, and can make any throw on the field.

Two-year starter Walker Lott has His ability to simply get completions moved across the county to 7A has the Briarwood coaching staff Thompson, leaving Yancey and the very excited. Gray went 17-23 in

Quarterback

AHSAA 6A, REGION 5 2014: 4-7 (4-3) Head Coach: Fred Yancey (26th year, 238-82 record) Assistants: Matthew Forester, David Hannah, Shane Harmon, Mike Sanders, Bobby Kerley, Daniel Forester Carson Cupo

36

Briarwood’s spring game, and can find the open man anywhere on the field and make the throw he needs to make. He’ll need to have a big year to The 2014 Lions posted a winning percentage fill Lott’s spot.

Running Back

of just 36 percent, only the second time since 2004 that Briarwood has finished with a losing record.

Carson Eddy is back and healthy, which is good news for the Lions.

Eddy is only a sophomore and is not a big kid, but is an impressive athlete who moves extremely well. He rushed for 137 yards as a freshman in Briarwood’s region game against Pelham before going down with a

broken collarbone early against Minor the next week. If he stays healthy, and with Sam Sherrod coming over from his linebacker position to carry some of the rushing load as well, the Lions are set at running back.

Jonathan Hill, a sophomore, will get touches as well.

Receivers

The receiver positions are as murky as the running back spot is certain. In Yancey’s spread offence, Briarwood will utilize four receivers, and there is a stable of bodies he will throw out

Last region title: 2011 Last playoff game: 2014 BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 21

BYE

Aug. 28

Chelsea

Sept. 3

@ Jackson Olin*

Sept. 11

Homewood*

Sept. 18

@ Hueytown*

Sept. 25

Oak Mountain

Oct. 2

Walker*

Oct. 9

@ Pelham*

Oct. 16

Minor*

Oct. 23

John Carroll Catholic*

Oct. 30

@ Madison Academy

* Region game

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Thompson as a center and Johnston as a guard, and will be in charge of keeping their new quarterback on his feet. Fellow senior Will Halama will be a first-year starter at tackle as well. Carson Hutton, who hurt his knee in the summer and will be back to full speed in September, will factor into the offensive line rotation, and Up front, Briarwood boasts a mix of Max Michel, Nathan Cale and Hunter youth and experience. Seniors Ross Whatley will also look to work into Thompson and Daniel Johnston the rotation. return from last year’s line, on the field. Will Foust, Luke Dyson and David Lowery will provide senior leadership in the receiving corps while Bradford Pattillo, Caleb Daniel, Luke Miskelley, Kolby Kwarcinski and Cole Steadman all will likely see time as well.

Offensive Line

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Defensive Line

The Lions’ defensive front is led by two of the premier defensive lineman in the county in Carter Bankston and RJ Jennings. Bankston is committed to the Naval Academy, sports a GPA of better than 4.0 and will wreak havoc once again from his nose guard slot.

Jennings, who stands about 6-feet-2inches and weighs around 235, can play either on the interior or slide outside to defensive end. A pair

of former linebackers in Everett Badeaux and Jordan Harmon will join both seniors. Champ Stewart has also had a good summer, and will work in the rotation as well when Harmon is back at linebacker.

Linebacker

This is the most versatile group on Yancey’s 4-3-4 defense. Sherrod returns to lead the unit from one of the outside linebacker spots, but will also see a chunk of work at running back this year as he has impressive speed for a linebacker. In the middle, seniors Jonathan McGehee and Luther Ward are battling for the starting job, and both are moving to the linebacker position from their role on the defensive line last season.

At the other outside linebacker will be Harmon and James Holladay who will split time. Harmon will also see time on the defensive line while Holladay will see time at safety as well.

Secondary

Jake Morris is back at corner after seeing time at receiver last season, and gives the Lions good speed in the secondary. Bennett Miles will most likely be the corner opposite Morris, but is still working to claim that job permanently leading into the fall.

Senior Carson Donnelly and junior Ethan Housel will take care of the safety positions.

Special Teams

Gray, the quarterback, will handle punting duties for Briarwood while newcomer Josh Browser will handle the kicking duties. Browser comes

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BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

1

Kolby Kwarcinski

R

Junior

25 Bailey Hix

DB

Junior

53 Carson Kolb

OL

2

Ethan Housel

DB

Junior

26 Bradford Pattillo

R

Junior

54 Max Michel

OL

Senior

3

Bennett Miles

DB

Junior

27 Ben Morton

LB

Junior

55 Conner Hutson

OL

Junior

4

Sam Sherrod

DB/F

Senior

28 Carson Donnelly

DB

Sophomore

56 Nathan Cale

OL

Junior

5

Sam Parker

DB

Senior

29 Champ Stewart

DL

Junior

57 Cooper Thompson

DL

Junior

6

Barrett Tindall

LB

Junior

30 Jonathan Hill

F

Sophomore

58 William Heidepriem

OL

Sophomore

7

Michael Hiers

QB

Sophomore

31 Jake Morris

DB

Senior

59 Garrett Bell

OL

Sophomore

9

Trent Crauswell

R

Senior

32 Gabe Morris

R

Sophomore

60 P C Strickland

DL

Sophomore

QB

Junior

33 Max Crutchfield

LB

Sophomore

62 Jacob Hawk

DL

Sophomore

10 William Gray

Sophomore

12 Cole Steadman

R

Junior

34 Jonathan McGehee

LB

Senior

63 Evans Hess

OL

Junior

14 Luke Miskelley

R

Junior

35 Andrew Sherrod

DB

Sophomore

64 Will Halama

OL

Senior

15 Carter Bankston

DL

Senior

36 Luther Ward

F

Senior

70 Ross Thompson

OL

Senior

16 Ashton Dominque

QB

Sophomore

37 Bryant Woods

F

Sophomore

72 Daniel Johnston

OL

Senior

17 David Lowry

R

Senior

39 Brandon Kassouf

LB

Sophomore

77 Brooks Burgess

DL

Sophomore

18 Everett Badeaux

DL

Senior

41 Hudson Hartsfield

R

Sophomore

81 Ryan Walker

R

Sophomore

19 Josh Browder

K

Senior

44 Carson Eddy

F

Sophomore

82 Joseph Mungenast

LB

Sophomore

20 Jordan Harmon

LB

Junior

46 Hunter Evans

DB

Sophomore

85 Gabriel Russell

LB

Sophomore

21 Patrick Blythe

DL

Sophomore

47 Luke Dyson

R

Senior

87 Will Foust

R

Senior

22 RJ Jennings

DL

Senior

49 James Holladay

DB

Senior

88 Jake Dyson

R

Sophomore

23 Caleb Daniels

R

Junior

50 Hunter Whatley

OL

Junior

24 Blake Armstrong

R

Junior

52 Tucker Johnston

OL

Junior

to the Lions from Florida, and was named second team All-State as a kicker in Florida last season as a junior. He has a leg, and will look to be the kind of special teams weapon Yancey’s teams have been associated with in the past.

Players to Watch

LB/RB Sam Sherrod, DL Carter Bankston, DE RJ Jennings, RB Carson Eddy, QB William Gray

Key Losses

Walker Lott, Carson Cupo, George Green, Watkins Youngblood

“A Reputation of Excellence” since 1991

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2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

lions Football

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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Kyle Harrell

Calera Eagles

S

haKeith Tyes is gone. That’s the unfortunate reality looming over head coach Wiley McKeller and the rest of the Calera Eagles in 2015. Calera’s all-time leader in total touchdowns (73), racked up 2,268 rushing yards to go along with 358 receiving in 2015, and found the end zone 35 times on the ground or through

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2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Emily Klein

the air. The 2015 Bryant-Jordan winner has moved on, however, and the Eagles must as well.

Calera is young this season, with few seniors to look to. However, the seniors the Eagles do have populate most of the skilled positions, and are all primed to help continue the recent success the Eagles program has seen.

Quarterback

Ty Evans will be under center for his second and last season. The senior quarterbacked the Eagles to a 10-2 record in 2014, and managed an offense that averaged over 42 points per game, breaking 60 points three times in the season. Evans has a better arm than his predecessor, Ronnie Clark, currently sporting a crimson jersey

AHSAA 5A, REGION 4 2014: 10-2 (6-1) Head Coach: Wiley McKeller (Fifth year, 32-13 record) Assistants: Jamie Scruggs, Chris Wilson, Gary Griffith, Chris McCrackin Last region title: 2008 Last playoff game: 2014 CALERA HIGH SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE

Ty Evans

in Tuscaloosa. On top of being a more motor on the back of a rhinoceros. than capable thrower, he can do enough Kyle Harrell and Charles White, both seniors, stand 6-feet-1damage with his legs to inch, 205 pounds and make any defense respect 5-feet-10-inches, 195 that facet of his game. He pounds respectively. has a skill set which will They are explosive, big allow Calera to continue to put big numbers on the Calera’s offense averaged and fast in the open field.

42.7 points per game in White is from Calera, scoreboard.

2014, the most of any team but is in his first year in Class 5A Region 4. with the high school team after transferring Tyes is gone. In his place are two kids who are the high school from Kingwood after the 2014 season. equivalent of strapping a Ferrari Harrell has been around the program

42.7

Running Back

DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 21

BYE

Aug. 28

@ Bibb County

Sept. 4

@ Demopolis*

Sept. 11

Central- Tuscaloosa*

Sept. 18

@ Jemison*

Sept. 25

Shelby County

Oct. 2

Wilcox Central*

Oct. 9

@ Helena*

Oct. 16

Dallas County*

Oct. 23

@ Sumter Central*

Oct. 29

Chilton County

* Region game

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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Tray Jones

as a receiver, but now will make the transition to the backfield. McKeller’s offensive philosophy will be simple at times this season: Do what it takes to get these two the ball.

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Receivers

Senior Tray Jones will be the Eagles’ main receiving threat this season. Jones is a smart, savvy route-runner with great hands and a knack for finding open spots on the field.

He will line up across from senior Zach Gaines. Gaines, more notable for his foot than his hands, is a big, versatile athlete who will demand attention across from Jones.

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Offensive Line

The Eagles are young across the front, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at them. The loss of Ethan Thompson will hurt, but there are a number of kids ready to fill the holes left by last year’s class. Trey Yowe is a physical

specimen, standing 6-foot-5-inches tall and weighing in at 330 pounds as a freshman. He will play left guard and plug up the left side of the line. Center Caleb Buckhanon will be an upgrade for the Eagles, and junior Mackenan Thompson will provide leadership from the right tackle position. Cody Cook, a 6-foot-2-inch, 265-pounder, will play right guard, and the left guard position has not yet been claimed, though sophomore Blake Jones is the frontrunner.

Defensive Line

Calera must replace both of their defensive ends from 2014, including standout Ty James. High school journeyman Yatil Gant comes to Calera from Kingwood, and has a big frame and the athleticism to help fill the defensive end void.

Junior Trez Harris has seen time on the defensive side of the ball in the past, and will need to step into a leadership role at defensive end to make the defensive line formidable.

Andy Jones

71 Limestone Pkwy., Ste. A Calera, AL 35040

(205) 668-6928

ajones@alfains.com

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CALERA HIGH SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

1

Antonio Devinner

DE

Junior

23 Charles White

RB

Senior

57 AJ Gaines

OL

Freshman

2

Vontraer Jones

SS

Senior

24 Chandler Smith

DE

Freshman

58 Blake Jones

DL

Sophomore

3

Devin Buckhanon

DB

Senior

25 Justin Packer

DB

Senior

59 Ethan Lemley

DL

Sophomore

4

Keon Tarver

DB

Senior

26 Jaramy Dozier

LB

Junior

60 Phillip Douglas

OL

Freshman

5

Kyle Harrell

RB

Senior

27 Decorean Mickens

DL

Sophomore

61 Chris Wilkerson

OL

Freshman

6

Dee Woodson

WR

Freshman

28 Trez Harris

DL

Junior

62 Jonah Clore

OL

Freshman

7

Noah Seiger

QB

Freshman

29 Patrick Clayton

DB

Junior

63 Mackenan Thompson OL

Junior

8

Robert Gray

DB

Freshman

30 Mike Banks

LB

Sophomore

64 Jeff Turnipseed

Junior

9

Tyler Ray

DB

Freshman

31 Dalton Reynolds

LB

Freshman

65 Bryce Keller

OL

Junior

QB

Senior

32 OJ Harris

DE

Freshman

66 Nick Sandy

OL

Junior Junior

10 TyDerius Evans

OL

11 Yatil Grant

WR

Junior

33 Kevin Nunn

Y

Senior

67 Justin Sissel

OL

12 Tyler Ferguson

DB

Junior

35 Alex Dozier

LB

Junior

68 Trey Yowe

OL

Freshman

13 Terry Burrells

LB

Freshman

36 Jermaine Wilson

DB

Sophomore

69 Quentin Adams

OL

Sophomore

14 Hunter Chiarella

LB

Junior

37 Richard Thomas

DB

Junior

70 Caleb Buckhanon

OL

Sophomore

15 Chris Shearer

DB

Sophomore

40 Dyson Edwards

LB

Sophomore

71 Brannen Earnest

OL

Junior

16 Carlos Rivera

DB

Junior

42 Tucker Duncan

DL

Senior

73 Hal Dial

OL

Freshman

17 Zach Gaines

WR

Senior

45 Davey Lawrence

DL

Junior

75 Jordan Curtis

OL

Senior

18 Ty Windham

DE

Junior

48 Pat Killingsworth

LB

Sophomore

76 Jared Palmer

OL

Freshman

19 TJ Keller

DE

Senior

50 Justin Venegoni

LB

Junior

77 Cody Cook

OL

Junior

20 Will Bradley

DB

Sophomore

51 Zach Allen

LB

Junior

82 Zach Ford

K

Freshman

21 Will Underwood

DB

Freshman

52 Javion Wilson

DL

Senior

85 Zach Whittaker

DE

Freshman

22 Demetrius Lilly

LB

Freshman

55 Cameron Day

LB

Sophomore

99 Clayton Brannon

DE

Junior

The interior positions on the front line of the Eagles’ 4-2-5 defense will be filled with a rotating troupe of young players.

Linebackers

Junior twins Jaramy and Alex Dozier will fill the middle of the field for the Eagles this season. After posting a strong sophomore campaign, the defensive reigns have been all but turned over to the two brothers. They are the heart and soul of the defense, according to McKeller, and will lay the wood for the Eagles all season.

Secondary

Devin Buckhannon will lead the secondary from the safety position this season for Calera, while the cornerback slots are likely to see a number of faces. Tyler Ferguson, a junior, has all but locked down one of those corner positions, and the coaching staff is still waiting to see who else steps up to claim those other roles.

Special Teams

Punter/kicker Zach Gaines has one of, if not the most powerful leg in the

state. A legitimate, bona fide special teams weapon, Gaines has the ability to switch the field as a punter and has range and accuracy as a kicker rarely seen at this level. Don’t be surprised if he gets the call to try a couple of 50plus yarders this season, the kid has that kind of leg.

Players to watch

QB Ty Evans, RB Kyle Harrell, RB Charles White, P/K Zach Gaines

Key losses

RB ShaKeith Tyes, DE Ty James, OL Ethan Thompson, DB Frank Thomas

GOOD LUCK EAGLES! 32

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Eagles Football

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

33

Matt Marquet

Chelsea Hornets

C

helsea was perfect through five games in 2014, starting off strong at 5-0 before losing four games in a row, all of which were region games, and missed the playoffs as a result. A year later, third year head coach Chris Elmore finds himself at the helm of a roster

34

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Cari Dean and Emily Klein

with years of experience at some positions, little experience elsewhere, but talent all across the board. The 2014 Hornets couldn’t pull enough region games out to make the playoffs, but if they can utilize the talent oozing from their roster appropriately in 2015, they may just make some noise when it matters most.

Quarterback

Matt Marquet is back, and in sole control of the quarterbacking duties in 2015. In 2014, Marquet split snaps under center as a sophomore before taking over the starting job in week nine. Now, as a junior, he will control the Hornets’ offense under center. A

Blake Travelstead

AHSAA 6A, REGION 3 2014: 6-4 (2-4) Evans Shaw

Head Coach: Chris Elmore (3rd year, 10-10 record) Assistants: Zeb Ellison, Nathan Fordham, Lee Hibbs, Gerald Neaves, David Crabtree

50

notable at the running gifted athlete, Marquet back position. AJ Jones is an elusive runner who and Zalon Reynolds are isn’t afraid to make a both back, and are both play with his legs, but healthy for the first time can also stand in the in a long time. Jones, a pocket and deliver any In Chris Elmore’s first two senior, was out for much throw asked of him. A seasons as Chelsea’s of last season with an significant contributor head coach, the Hornets ankle injury, which left on Chelsea’s 2014-15 are 10-10, which is a win percentage of 50 percent. basketball team that won However, the 2014 Hornets Reynolds, a junior, to a region title, Marquet won two more games than carry the load, and rushed for more than 100 yards a is a seasoned junior who the previous season, and game for the first half of has confidence in spades Elmore’s squad seems to the season. When Jones and the ability to back it be on the rise. came back, Reynolds up. He will be responsible promptly broke his foot, for orchestrating a potentially potent spread option leaving Jones alone in the backfield at the end of the season. Now, both attack. are healthy and looking good. Elmore enjoys using two backs over the That offensive potency is most course of a game, which allows both

Running Back

Last region title: 2006 Last playoff game: 2011 CHELSEA HIGH SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 21

BYE

Aug. 28

@ Briarwood

Sept. 4

@ Southside

Sept. 11

Valley*

Sept. 18

@ Chilton County*

Sept. 25

Helena

Oct. 2

Opelika*

Oct. 8

@ Benjamin Russell*

Oct. 16

Pell City*

Oct. 23

@ Oxford*

Oct. 29

Thompson

* Region game

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

35

Zalon Reynolds

of them to go into the fourth quarter with juice left in the tank. If both Jones and Reynolds can stay healthy, they have the chance to be a deadly 1-2 punch.

Receivers

Josh Pugh and Darrell Foster have both been lost to graduation, leaving behind a young, raw group. Jay Vickers saw playing time last year as a sophomore, as did Payton Cooper, the lone returning senior with any

36

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

experience in the receiving corps. Josh Greg and Zach Adams will fill the slot receiver roles, and as a unit Elmore knows they will be a dependable group who will do all the little things right in order to be successful.

Offensive Line

Ben Haskins returns to the offensive line as a three-year starter and will be the leader up front. Rod Tyson also brings a year of experience to the group, and Joey Chiofalo will make

the transition from the defensive line to the offensive line as the third and final senior on the front line. Houstan Needham and Nathan Wood will play up front as well. This is a versatile group of linemen, with four guys who can play center if need be. Exact positions across the front haven’t been nailed down, but time will sort that out.

Defensive Line

Tyson may work on both sides of

and Justin Painter are back for their senior seasons. Elmore and his staff made the decision in his first year to put all three of the then-sophomores at linebacker and has stuck with them ever since. Now, all three have two years of starting experience under their belts and will be the leaders for this Hornets defense.

Secondary

Chelsea loses both Mason Moore and Jason Greene from last years’ secondary. Michael Waller started at defensive back last year as a junior and will lead the unit as a senior.

Seniors Luke Ganus and Christian James, who is returning from an ACL injury, will work in the back of the secondary as hybrid safeties, and are interchangeable with Waller. Will Rowser, Calen Russell and Austin Beardon, will also see time as well.

Calen Russell

Special Teams

Tyler Thomas is a junior who will handle the kicking duties for Chelsea while Colby Lambert, a sophomore, will work into the kicking rotation some as well. Justin Painter will make a cameo appearance from his linebacker position on special teams as the punter as well.

the ball at times for Chelsea, as will Chiofalo, a defensive lineman by trade who is making the transition to the offensive line this season. Regan Wortham has had a good summer, and will see time on the front line as well as Tyler Patterson and Warner Wright, a sophomore who has impressed

this summer. With five guys rotating across the front of Chelsea’s 3-3 stack defense, they have enough bodies to stay sharp across the defensive front.

Linebackers All three Travelstead,

linebackers, Blake David Hardenburgh

Players to Watch

QB Matt Marquet, RB Zalon Reynolds, WR Jay Vickers, LB David Hardenburgh, DB Michael Waller, LB Blake Travelstead

Key Losses

Josh Pugh, Darrell Foster, Daniel Fraunfelder, Adam Holliday

Want to know who scored during the big game?

Visit 280Reporter.com for a complete recap from Friday night’s game.

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

37

CHELSEA HIGH SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

1

Zalon Reynolds

RB

Junior

30 Lionel James

RB

Sophomore

62 Jackson Dunn

OL

2

Jalyn Miller

LB

Junior

31 Brandon Helmly

DB

Junior

63 Dalton Stewart

LB

Senior

3

Jay Vickers

WR

Junior

32 Austin Bearden

DB

Junior

64 Nathan Tolbert

OL

Sophomore

4

Calen Russell

DB

Senior

33 AJ Jones

RB

Senior

65 Michael Griffin

OL

Sophomore

5

Matthew Marquet

QB

Junior

34 Will Hayes

LB

Sophomore

66 Drew Chambers

OL

Sophomore

6

Michael Waller

DB

Senior

35 Colby Lambert

WR

Sophomore

67 Dalton Gentle

OL

Sophomore

7

Regan Wortham

DE

Junior

36 Christian James

DB

Senior

68 Tyler Patterson

OL

Senior

8

Hunter Blackburn

WR

Junior

37 Austin Stallworth

RB

Junior

71 Larry Johnson

DL

Senior

9

Lee Rickard

WR

Junior

38 Tanner Lee

LB

Senior

72 Rod Tyson

OL

Senior

10 Bryson Hardy

DB

Junior

39 Ryan Talley

DB

Junior

74 Cade Pruitt

OL

Junior

11 Ben Prater

WR

Senior

40 Hunter Offord

LB

Sophomore

75 Ben Carpenter

OL

Sophomore

12 Kenny Simpson

QB

Sophomore

41 Denny Hunter

WR

Junior

76 Nathan Wood

OL

Junior

13 Will Rowser

DB

Junior

42 Zac Young

DB

Junior

77 Jasaveon Davis

DE

Sophomore

14 Luke Ganus

DB

Senior

43 Garrett Davison

LB

Sophomore

78 Devin Hill

DL

Sophomore

15 Josh Gregg

QB/WR Junior

44 Blake Travelstead

LB

Senior

79 Jacob Christian

OL

Junior

16 Dylan Seabolt

DB

Sophomore

46 Clint Glaze

LB

Sophomore

80 JP Lynn

WR

Sophomore

17 Tyler Thomas

K

Junior

47 Ryan Grandison

OL

Junior

81 Joseph Turnes

WR

Sophomore

18 Colton Carter

WR

Sophomore

48 Christian Pruitt

WR

Sophomore

82 Cody Walker

DB

Sophomore

19 Ryan Countess

QB

Junior

49 Jahnari Chisolm

DE

Sophomore

83 Caleb Gore

DE

Sophomore

20 Alec Little

DB

Sophomore

50 Houston Needham

LB

Junior

84 Zach Adams

TE

Junior

21 Evans Shaw

DB

Junior

52 Mason Roberts

DE

Sophomore

85 Jonah Moore

WR

Sophomore

22 Tristan Pinska

DB

Junior

55 Warner Wright

DE

Sophomore

86 Wade Moore

WR

Sophomore

23 Payton Cooper

WR

Senior

56 Ben Haskins

OL

Senior

87 Carter Bruleson

DB

Sophomore

24 Justin Painter

LB

Senior

57 Joey Chiofalo

OL

Senior

88 Reid Burleson

DB

Sophomore

25 Kendrick Simpson

RB

Sophomore

58 Brett Bearden

DL

Junior

89 Connor Graham

WR

Sophomore

26 Will Shaw

LB

Junior

59 Dawson Downard

DL

Junior

90 Tanner Middleton

K

Sophomore

27 David Hardenbergh

LB

Senior

60 Kevin Fine

OL

Junior

99 Theo Mangos

DE

Sophomore

28 Scott Arnold

DB

Sophomore

61 Spencer Jordan

OL

Sophomore

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callATM.com

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GOOD LUCK hornets!

38

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Sophomore

Hornets Football Want to know who scored during the big game Friday night?

Visit ShelbyCountyReporter.com for complete results from Friday night’s action.

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

39

Easton Hopkins

Coosa Valley Rebels

B

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Baker Ellis

y this point, you can pretty m u c h expect t h e phrase “new Coosa Valley head football coach” to be thrown around almost every August. In 2015, the Rebels will have their sixth head coach in the past eight years in Steve McCord. McCord, who only stepped into the position in late June, inherits a tough situation. The Rebels’ 2014 campaign was the worst in school history; the team went 0-9 and only lost by less than 16 points once. Coosa Valley only averaged 8 points per game last season, and was shut out on four occasions.

Quarterback The

40

quarterback

situation

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

is

still

murky after Walker Jones transferred.

Chase Carlee, a sophomore who played receiver last season, has been seeing snaps at quarterback throughout the summer.

As the season gets underway, McCord will have to narrow down his quarterback options, but as of now it looks like Carlee will be under center by default.

force that dictates how the offense, and inevitably the season, plays out as one of only four seniors on this Rebels roster.

Receiver

Carlee will likely be the number one receiver if he does not snag the quarterback job. McCord and his staff are high on his ability and talent, and as only a sophomore looks to be an integral cog of the offense for years to come. Hopkins will also likely line up at receiver some when he is not in the backfield, and the two will also be joined by newcomer Bailey Pollard. There are also a number of other young, fresh faces vying for time at receiver, and McCord wants to utilize a two-back McCord will continue to evaluate them set, but is still getting adjusted to his into the season. personnel, so his offensive scheme could change as the season goes on.

Easton Hopkins, a senior receiver The Rebels take a big hit up front, as they convert, Blake Harden, Camden Knight only return one starter from last year’s and Terry Carter will all see time in the unit in center Tanner Temple. Justin backfield. Hopkins will be the driving Robinson, Austin Bynum, Stpehen

Running Back

Offensive Line

COOSA VALLEY ACADEMY 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

2

Mitchell Watson

OL/DL/LB Senior

21 Camden Knight

RB/DB

52 Carlee Gerald

OL/DL

Freshman

4

Easton Hopkins

WR/RB/S Senior

22 Jacob Brooks

WR/CB 8

60 Austin Bynum

OL/DL

Sophomore

7

Mack Palmer

Junior

Freshman

Position Year

WR/CB 8

25 Christian Rose

WR/CB Sophomore

61 Tanner Temple

OL/DL

12 Stone Dorough

TE/LB

Sophomore

28 Chad Merrifield

WR/DB 8

66 Alex Coggin

OL/DL

Sophomore

14 BayLee Pollard

WR/S

Senior

32 Blake Harden

FB/LB

72 Justin Roberts

OL/DL

Sophomore

15 Chase Carlee

QB/ WR/CB Soph.

44 Rance Morgan

TE/LB

Senior

18 Sterling Thomas

WR/CB Sophomore

50 Brody Williams

OL/DL

Freshman

Junior

AISA AA, REGION 2 2014: 0-9 (0-6) Head Coach: Steve McCord (First year) Assistants: Kyle Parrish, Jared Watson Last region title: 2010 Last playoff game: 2013

Rebels Football Edwards, Rance Morgan and Mitchell Watson will be the names across the front for Coosa Valley this season.

Defensive Line

out the linebacker unit, seeing who will fit where.

Secondary

As with the rest of his team, McCord is still evaluating who will go in his defensive backfield heading into the fall.

COOSA VALLEY ACADEMY 2015 SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 21

BYE

Aug. 28

@ Edgewood Academy*

Sept. 4

Evangel Christian Academy*

Sept. 11 @ Lakeside* Coosa Valley is not blessed with depth, so most of the faces on the defensive side Sept. 18 Bessemer Academy of the ball will be familiar. Morgan and Sept. 25 Macon-East Academy* Watson will go both ways and anchor Oct. 2 @ Northside Methodist* the defensive line, according to McCord. The Rebels will continue to try and find Bynum, Temple and Stone Dorough will a kicker and a punter through the early Oct. 9 Springwood* also see time in the trenches. stages of the season, as McCord has Oct. 16 Lancaster Christian (Ga.) not zeroed in on who will handle those Oct. 23 Kingwood Christian duties yet.

Dorough returns as the fourth senior Oct. 30 Chambers Academy back from last season’s team, and * Region game will see time at linebacker alongside Chase Carlee, WR/DB. Easton Hopkins, Camden Knight and Blake Harden, two RB/DB. Mitchell Watson, OL/DL/LB. Walker Holmes, Anthony Eads, Chris of the stable of running backs available Malone, Walker Jones to Coosa Valley. McCord is still feeling

Special Teams

Linebacker

Players to Watch Key Losses

GOOD LUCK REBELS! 2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

41

Chase Kitchens

CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN Chargers

W

ith a school like Cornerstone, or most any A I S A school in the state, previews are difficult because by the time this is read, the Chargers’ roster could be wildly different than it was when this was written.

Nonetheless, Tim Smith and company believe the current crop of talent for the upcoming season is coming together nicely.

Quarterback

Briggs, the graduated senior who helped increase Cornerstone’s win total by four games from 2013 to 2014, is gone. In his place steps newcomer Tyler NcNamee.

NcNamee is a junior, but has never played football, instead focusing on baseball and basketball. Smith is focusing on helping McNamee learn the mental aspects of the game and the position. He throws well and has quick feet, but will need to continue to develop his footwork

42

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Baker Ellis

and learn how to recognize sophomores, will provide depth at the defensive schemes to lead position as well. this offense back to the playoffs.

The only returner up front for the Chargers is Christian Andrews, who will only be a sophomore but has started Cade Adams returns since he was in the eighth grade. Mason as a senior and will be Vanier and Ryan Atchison are battling the de facto starter for the starting center job. Abel Villa with the graduation has locked down the right guard spot of Quartez Walker. opposite Andrews. Austin Matzke has Transfers Michael been working at tackle, and Smith is still Norwood and Justin Bruno evaluating some other potential starters will also see time in the backfield, as up front, and waiting on a few transfer will returning senior Chase Kitchens, situations to sort themselves out. who spent last season as a tight end.

Cornerstone runs a spread offense, so it will not implement many backs at once, Andrews and Villa will pull double but Smith will rotate in all four with duty at the two defensive tackle spots, some degree of consistency. common for AISA schools. Atchison and Matzke will see time at the defensive end positions of Smith’s 4-3 defense. Logan Jeffrey Odgers returns and was the Tucker and Stephen Eddings, a senior leading receiver for Cornerstone last transfer, have also been working on the season. JoJo Joiner, a returning junior, line as well. will be opposite Odgers at the other outside slot. Nick Green will see time as a freshman, and Rhett Garrett and Cade Adams, the starting running back, Rhett Edmundson, a pair of returning will be back at middle linebacker again

Offensive Line

Running Back

Defensive Line

Receivers

Linebackers

CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

1

Nick Green

WR/DB Freshman

13 Rhett Garrett

QB/FS

56 Austin Matzke

OL/DL

Sophomore

2

Rhett Edmundson

WR/DB Sophomore

14 Charlie Lott

WR/DB Junior

57 Mason Vanier

OL/LB

Junior

3

Michael Norwood

RB/LB

16 Nasir Duncan

RB/LB

Sophomore

58 Christian Andrews

OL/DL

Sophomore

4

JoJo Joiner

WR/DB Junior

18 Steven Eddings

QB/DE

Senior

59 Lane Bailey

OL/DL

7

6

Justin Bruno

WR/SS

Junior

19 Jeffery Odgers

WR/CB Senior

60 Will Neighbors

OL/DL

8 Junior

Junior

Sophomore

Position Year

7

Tyler McNamee

QB/FS

Junior

21 Logan Tucker

RB/DE

62 Abel Villa

OL/DL

9

Cade Adams

RB/LB

Senior

24 Jake Blakenship

WR/DB Freshman

75 James Jeffers

OL/DL

Freshman

DE/RB/OL Junior

27 Ben Perryman

WR/LB

77 Landon Guy

OL/DL

Sophomore

11 Chase Kitchens

RB/FS

Senior

51 Dontrell Calhoun

OL/DL

Senior

12 Tanner Falkner

RB/LB

Freshman

54 Andrew Flack

OL/DL

Freshman

10/73Â Tucker Johnson

Junior Sophomore

AISA A, REGION 2 2014: 5-6 (3-2) Head Coach: TIm Smith (16th year, 77-80 career record) Assistants: Joey Miller, James Lee, Shannon Jones Last region title: None Last playoff game: 2014

chargers Football for his senior campaign. The strongside backer will be Norwood. At the weakside linebacker slot will be Mason Vanier, one of the two kids vying for the center job. Justin Bruno and Chase Kitchens can play linebacker as well, but will spend most of their time on defense at safety.

Secondary

Bruno, Kitchens and Tucker Johnson will work at safety while JoJo Jennings and Odgers will work outside at the cornerback positions.

Newcomer Charlie Lott will also see time in the defensive backfield as will McNamee, Edmundson, Garrett and Green.

Special Teams

Last season was a pleasant surprise for Smith and Cornerstone from a special teams perspective, as Odgers asserted himself as a very effective rugby-style punter. Logan Tucker will handle the field goal, extra point and kickoff duties, and Adams can kick in a pinch as well.

Players to Watch

CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 21

BYE

Aug. 28

@ Chambers Academy*

Sept. 4

BYE

Sept. 11

Abbeville Christian*

Sept. 18

Springwood

Sept. 25

@ Ashford Academy*

Oct. 2

Kingwood Christian

Oct. 9

BYE

Oct. 16

@ Crenshaw Christian*

Tyler NcNamee, QB/S. Cade Adams, RB/LB. Jeffrey Odgers, WR/S/P.

Oct. 22

South Montgomery

Key Losses

Oct. 30

Ian Briggs, Dustin Wooley, Quartez Walker.

Academy* Southern Academy

* Region game

GOOD LUCK CHARGERS! 2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

43

Brad Baggett

Evangel Christian Lightning

F

or the first time in four years, Evangel does not enter the new football season with the moniker of “defending ACSC champion” before their name, after losing in the finals last year to Central Christian (Ga.). The Lightning and head coach Don Murphy are in an interesting position moving into 2015, with the sour taste of losing fresh o n their minds, and the loss of a number of playmakers off last year’s roster. What Evangel does have is a winning pedigree, as one of the most consistently successful programs in the state at its level of football and a stacked junior class to lean on this fall.

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Barry Stephenson, Time Capsule Images and Jon Goering

shoes is junior M i c a h M u r p h y, younger brother to last season’s Conference MVP Mason Murphy, who played in spot situations last season and combined for 30 touchdowns through the air, on the ground, and in his role as a punt and kick returner.

Running Back

saw time at tight end last season and is a sure-handed target and Byers is moving to receiver from his guard position on the offensive line. Coach Murphy feels confident that Byers can handle this transition, and his football IQ will pay dividends in his understanding of his new position.

Offensive Line

Evangel returns its entire offensive line in John Connor Davis, Andrew Morris and John Will Graham. All three are seniors, and all three are intelligent, crafty linemen who are proficient at all the minutia of their trade. The offensive line is the strongest area returning from last year’s squad, and these three will be relied on heavily in their senior campaigns to keep the young Murphy upright behind them.

Mason Murphy, the All-Conference and Conference MVP back that the Lightning relied so heavily on, is also gone. In his place is last season’s starting fullback Brad Baggett. Baggett scored six times last year and gained 296 yards on the ground as a sophomore and will be relied on to increase his load this season as a junior. Standing roughly 6 feet tall and weighing in at around 180 Andrew Thompson has moved on pounds, Baggett will rely on his speed after leading the Lightning offense as much as his size in the 8-man game.

Graham will play both ways again for the last three seasons. Thompson for the Lightning, moving from nose was Evangel’s field general who made guard, where he was an All-Conference plays with his arm and his legs when Junior wide outs Logan Smith and Jake selection, to defensive end this season. the occasion called and will be sorely Byers will take the field opposite each He will line up opposite Logan Smith, missed. However, stepping into his other for Evangel this season. Smith the other defensive end and returning

Quarterback

Defensive Line

Receivers

44

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

EVANGEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

2

Daniel Harrison

DB/RB

Sophomore

22 Chase Callahan

LB/RB

50 Nathan Dahlen

OL/NG

Senior

4

Josh Lau

DB/RB

Sophomore

24 Cameron Kimbrell

MLB/RB Junior

55 John Will Graham

OL/DE

Senior

7

Austin Reese

OL/LB

Senior

26 Adam Hyde

RB/DB

56 Ryan Remetich

DL/OL

Sophomore

8

William O’neal

QB/DB

Sophomore

27 Mason McEvoy

65 Jordan Maxam

OL/DL

Junior

10 Luke Baylis

DB/QB

Sophomore

28 Samuel Shepard

11 Micah Murphy

QB/DB/KR Junior

13 Tyler Parks

DB/RB

Sophomore

15 Phillip Flanders

QB/DB

17 Hahn Hahn Lau

DB/RB

19 Brad Baggett

RB/OLB/KR Junior

41 Zachery Windsor

21 Logan Smith

TE/DE

46 Rick Remetich

Sophomore Junior

QB/TE/OLB Sophomore

Position Year

DB/RB

Sophomore

67 Nathan Brasher

DE/OL

Sophomore

30 Carson Adiar

DB/RB

Sophomore

70 Andrew Morris

OC/NG

Senior

32 Jake Byers

TE/OLB Junior

72 Cole Champion

OL/DL

Sophomore

Junior

36 Davis Windsor

FB/LB

Sophomore

75 Jon Connor Davis

OL/DL

Senior

Senior

38 Jacob Shelton

TE/DE

Sophomore

83 Luke Moore

NG/OL

Sophomore

DE/TE

Sophomore

87 Cody King

TE/LB

Senior

TE/DB

Senior

88 Luke Sanders

DE/TE

Sophomore

Junior

8 MAN 2014: 11-2 Head Coach: Don Murphy (Second year, 11-2 record) Assistants: Jason Mann, Robert Reese Last region title: 2013 Last playoff game: 2014

lightning Football

EVANGEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 14

@ Franklin Christian

Academy (Tenn.) starter. Luke Moore will be the new face will be the third linebacker, and will up front, as the sophomore will take pull double duty along with Baggett.

Aug. 21 Victory Christian* over the nose guard job from Graham, Aug. 28 @ North River Christian where he will have big shoes to fill, but Sept. 4 BYE will be bookended by two veterans.

The only sure thing in the secondary at this point is Murphy, who recorded Sept. 11 @ Lighthouse 81 tackles and 2 interceptions last Sept. 18 Hope* All-Conference linebacker Tyler Byrd year from his cornerback position.

Sept. 25 @ Ezekial Academy* is gone, taking his talents to Crown Murphy will need to stay healthy to College in Minnesota. Byrd will be give the Lightning the best chance to Oct. 2 BYE sorely missed in the middle of the field, be successful and will need to be smart Oct. 9 Evangel Family Christian and Evangel will have to find a way to on the field as both the quarterback Academy* compensate for his loss. Helping with and leader in the secondary. The other this process will be Baggett, who was corner position is up in the air, and Oct. 16 @ Freedom Academy* an All-Conference selection at defensive Murphy is waiting to see who claims it.

Oct. 23 Memphis FCA (Tenn.) end last season with 47 tackles and * Region game 4 sacks and is making the transition to linebacker in his junior season. The Lightning are still working to figure John Lloyd will hold down the middle out exactly who will handle the kicking Baggett, OL/DL John Will Graham linebacker spot after playing varsity and punting duties for 2015. last season as a freshman, and the Tyler Byrd, Andrew Thompson, Mason coaching staff expects big things from him in his sophomore campaign. Byers QB/CB Micah Murphy, RB/LB Brad Murphy

Secondary

Linebackers

Special Teams

Players to Watch

Key Losses

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

45

Helena Huskies

A

year into this thing, what do we know about the Helena Huskies?

We know Watt Parker is back stalking the sidelines after leading the fledgling program to the playoffs in its first year of existence. We also know Helena

46

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Emily Klein

returns a number of important pieces from that playoff team of a year ago, especially across the offensive line, at quarterback and receiver.

The Huskies finished 4-3 in Region 4 last season in class 5A, with the four region wins coming by an average score of 36-7, while the three losses

came by an average score of 39-24. The Huskies have shown they can beat the lower-level competition, and now just need to prove they can hang with the more competitive teams in the region, like Calera and Demopolis. 2015 will be a telling and important step for the development of this program.

Diondre’ Sackreiter

AHSAA 5A, REGION 4 2014: 5-6 (4-3) Head Coach: Watt Parker (2nd year, 5-6 record) Assistants: Keith Maple, Dale Massey, Tyler Spruill, Steve Bromley, Jake Moorer, Clifton Naron, PJ Guy, Chris Laatsch, Jon Russell Last region title: None Last playoff game: 2014 HELENA HIGH SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE better arm, Sackreiter has the better motor and Parker wants to use both Parker has no issue splitting time at talents equally. the quarterback position, saying he would play four or more kids at the spot if he had that many who could The Huskies suffer the loss of play. This season will be much like Austin Davis, who has transferred last year for Helena under center, to Thompson and was the best with senior Diondre Sackreiter and athlete on the team last year for the junior Riley Davis likely to split Huskies, according to Parker. Devan time. Last season Sackreiter went Walker, a returning junior who saw down with a broken hand, and Davis significant action last year, will be handled the duties in his absence, but the top running back headed in to both are back and healthy and had the season. Olford Ray, a senior, got great summers according to Parker. to the program late last season and Both stand roughly 6 feet tall and is expected to contribute this year as weigh around 170 pounds. Davis has a well.

Quarterback

Running Back

DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 21

Pelham (Exhibition)

Aug. 28

Shelby County

Sept. 4

Wilcox Central*

Sept. 11

Dallas County*

Sept. 18

@ Demopolis*

Sept. 25

@ Chelsea

Oct. 2

@ Jemison*

Oct. 9

Calera*

Oct. 16

Sumter Central*

Oct. 23

@ Central Tuscaloosa*

Oct. 30

@ Pleasant Grove

* Region game

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

47

Riley Davis

Secure

their future.

WILLS & ESTATE PLANNING

Contact your family’s attorney:

Scozzaro Law, LLC ATTORNEYS

205-624-3367 www.scozzarolaw.com Ala. Rule of Prof. Resp. 7.2 requires the following: No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

48

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Receiver

Parker is an old school coach and will line up in an I-formation and run the triple option whenever he can, but also understands the personnel has to dictate the system at this level. Because of this team’s talent out wide, the Huskies will run the spread most of the year. Phildon Dublin, one of the best athletes on the team and an All-State goalie, will be the primary target out wide. Kourtney Moore has also had a good summer and will play opposite of Dublin. Jake The Huskies won four Busby will be back at split end region games in 2014 and after hurting his hand in the won each of them with an offseason, as will Justin Stuckey average margin of victory of 29 points, solidifying and Dean Benton at tight end. themselves above over half Brett Granger has also impressed of the region in the school’s the coaching staff and will see first year of existence. time on both sides of the ball.

29

Want to know who scored during the big game?

Visit HelenaReporter.com for a complete recap from Helena’s game.

Offensive Line

Helena only loses one man up front from last season’s starting squad. Seniors Brody Rhodes, Tyler Rose and Jordan Clark are all back to lead the way up front for the Huskies. Brooks Brophy, a junior, will be back at center again this season as well. Matthew Raley and Taylor

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

49

Knight, both sophomores, will be vying for the final job.

Helena is not particularly big across the front, but what they lack in girth they make up for in intelligence and quickness.

Defensive Line

Senior James Morris will lead the defensive front after a stellar junior campaign. Morris hurt his knee this offseason, but should be back at full speed early in the year. James Jackson, another senior, hurt his knee in the preseason of 2014 and missed the entire season. The Huskies will need to keep these two healthy to provide a solid push up front. Jakari Forest and Keith Wright, two of the biggest kids on the team, will split time at nose guard. Forest is just a sophomore and Wright is a newcomer as a junior. This unit has potential to be great, but will need to stay healthy and mature in order to meet its potential.

Linebackers

Parker is switching his base defense from last season’s 4-25 to a 3-4 in 2015. This means the linebacker corps is going to double, and Parker is trying to sort out exactly who is going to go where. The good news, there are a plethora of options to choose from. Norri Tinker, a junior who did not play last season, and Jordan Ayers, a sophomore, will likely start at inside linebacker with Brophy rotating in as well. Brett Granger will start at outside linebacker in addition to his spot offensive duties and will likely start opposite Nash Adams, who started last season as a sophomore before hurting his knee early in the season and subsequently missing the rest of the year. JJ Boykin, a sophomore, can also fill in at outside linebacker.

Secondary

The Huskies defensive backfield is full of utility players, guys who can fill in at safety, corner or linebacker if need be. Senior Brian Simmons will lead the unit, and brothers Richard and Will Cummings, a senior and a junior respectively, fit this versatile mold quite well as does Garrett Hallmark, a junior who can play safety or outside linebacker. Senior Daniel Lawson is new to the program and will likely see time at safety, as will Kopeland Rosser.

Special Teams

Heading into the season, the kicking game is the biggest question mark for this team. Returning junior Davis Vansandt punted last season, and Dublin can kick, but the kicking situation is still working itself out leading into the season.

Players To Watch

Diondre Sackreiter, QB. Riley Davis, QB. Phildon Dublin, WR. Brett Granger, LB.

Key Losses

Austin Davis, Terrell Blevins, Jamal Jemison.

50

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

HELENA HIGH SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

1

Justin Stuckey

WR

Sophomore

25 Rhett Henderson

LB

Sophomore

49 Jordan Ayers

LB

Sophomore

2

Devan Walker

RB

Junior

26 Zac Sicola

WR

Senior

50 Tyler Rose

OL

Senior

3

Phildon Dublin

WR

Senior

27 Garrett Hallmark

DB

Junior

51 Brooks Brophy

OL

Junior

4

Jake Busby

WR

Junior

28 Austin Armistead

DB

Sophomore

52 James Morrison

DL

Senior

5

Caleb Coons

LB

Senior

29 Jordan Wallace

WR

Sophomore

53 Brody Rhodes

OL

Senior

6

Brett Granger

LB

Senior

30 Cole Morrison

DB

Sophomore

54 Scott Yunke

OL

Sophomore

7

Kourtney Moore

WR

Senior

31 Trevor Bell

WR

Sophomore

55 Jordan Clarke

OL

Senior

8

Diondre’ Sackreiter

QB

Senior

32 William Cummings

DB

Junior

60 Cade Julius

DL

Sophomore

10 Nash Adams

DB

Junior

33 Wesley Featherstone RB

Junior

63 Nash Maple

OL

Sophomore

12 Lawson Peoples

QB

Sophomore

34 Jeremy Hughes

K

Senior

64 Matthew Raley

DL

Sophomore

13 Riley Davis

QB

Junior

35 Norri Tinker

LB

Junior

65 Christian Young

DL

Sophomore

14 Olford Ray

RB

Senior

36 Michael Ingram

WR

Senior

68 Christian Billings

DL

Sophomore

15 Chris Holt

WR

Sophomore

37 Richard Cummings

LB

Senior

70 Josh Glenn

OL

Junior

16 Matthew Williams

DB

Sophomore

38 Blake Benson

LB

Senior

72 Jakari Forest

DL

Sophomore

17 Dyvon Jones

WR

Senior

39 Justin Watson

LB

Junior

74 Keith Wright

DL

Junior

18 Cade Pugh

LB

Junior

40 Justin Butler

WR

Junior

75 Taylor Knight

OL

Sophomore

20 Leonard Tucker

LB

Sophomore

41 Cameron Crumpler

RB

Senior

80 Dionte Tolbert

WR

Sophomore

21 Brian Simmons

DB

Senior

42 JJ Boykin

LB

Sophomore

81 James Jackson

DL

Senior

22 Chace Gregory

DB

Sophomore

44 Kopeland Rosser

DB

Sophomore

85 Bandon Wilson

TE

Junior

23 Justus Edwards

DB

Junior

45 Dean Benton

TE

Junior

86 Nick Erwin

DL

Junior

24 Lawson Daniel

DB

Senior

47 Davis Vansandt

K

Junior

88 Elijah Cameron

DL

Sophomore

Position Year

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

51

Huskies Football

52

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Hope Christian Eagles

A

t first glance, the 2015 Eagles seem to be in for a rebuilding season.

Hope loses 11 seniors off of last season’s team that averaged 47.3 points per game and only returns a sparse handful on both sides of the ball. With the losses of quarterback Reid Allen, utility athlete Dillon Thompson, running back and linebacker Zach Gramstad and a litany of senior linemen, fourth-year coach Tony Nafe seems to have his work cut out for him.

However, upon closer examination, this Hope team has more depth across the board than one might think. Nafe is particularly high on his 2015 crop, and while it will take a little longer to get the specific positions nailed down for some players, Hope has a winning pedigree, and Nafe will have this team ready to go when it counts.

Quarterback

Big changes are coming for the Eagles under center this season. Nafe is turning the reigns over to freshman Colin Kirkpatrick, who will fill the void left by Allen. Nafe feels confident in the 6-foot-2-inch, athletic freshman,

54

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Twanna Arnold

who has started for the JV the last two seasons.

Bringing him along quickly has been the focal point for Nafe and company this summer.

the backfield, he will play spot snaps out wide as well.

Offensive Line

In the trenches is the area where Hope has the most depth.

Returning starters Elliot Bradshaw and Hope runs a two-back Micah Douglas, a junior set, and the backfield and a senior, are back up front, Bradshaw, who comes in will be full of some receiver converts. Weston Howe, a senior who around 6-feet-3-inches tall and weighs tore his ACL last season and missed the 260 pounds, will be back at center and entire year, will line up at fullback for Douglas beside him at guard. On the the Eagles while junior Juan Cuellar, other side will be Seth Machen, who who played wide out last season will be was a major contributor last year. the starting tailback. Ethan Stewart, a senior who has played in the past but did not play as a junior, will provide The defensive line starting situation is depth at the tailback position. nebulous going into the season. Hope is still evaluating exactly who will play where up front on the defensive side There is not a lot of returners at of the ball, but Andy Gilbert, Paxton the receiver position, but this group Rainer, Jacob Jones and Ethan Garrett does have some maturity and ability. are a few of the names that will see Chance Washburn and Shane Davis, time. a senior and a junior respectively, are returners who have seen limited time at the position. When Cuellar is not in Ethan Stewart’s natural position is

Running Back

Defensive Line

Receiver

Linebackers

HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

1

Tyler Hubbard

WR

Sophomore

35 Jackson Davis

LB

Freshman

55 Jacob Jones

Position Year OL/DL

Junior

2

Nick Adams

WR

Junior

36 Isaac Bradshaw

DL

8th

56 Elliot Bradshaw

OL/DL

Junior

3

Ethan Stewart

LB/TB

Senior

38 Michael Getz

DB

7th

57 Caleb Domino

RB

7th

6

Ben Nabors

LB

Junior

41 Chris Tibbals

RB

7th

63 Ethan Key

TE/TB

Sophomore

9

Shane Davis

TE/DE

Junior

42 Kaleb Nemec

LB

Freshman

70 David Tutor

OL/DL

Sophomore

10 Juan Cuellar

WR/TB

Junior

43 Robert Rary

LB/TE

7th

72 Noah Davis

OL/DL

Sophomore

12 Chance Washburn

WR/QB Junior

44 Felipe Minderhout

LB/FB

Freshman

74 Micah Douglas

OL/DE

Senior

15 Colin Kirkpatrick

QB/S

Freshman

47 Garth Osburn

OL/DL

Junior

82 Andy Gilbert

OL/DL

Sophomore

23 Jackson Gilbert

OL

6th

48 Cade Dorough

RB

8th

86 Weston Howe

LB/FB

Senior

24 Evan Garrett

LB

Freshman

50 Seth Machen

OL/DL

Senior

88 Ethan Garrett

OL/DL

Senior

27 Jardell Cleveland

RB

8th

51 Paxton Rainer

LB/RB

8th

30 Noah Douglas

OL

8th

54 Jacob Dorris

OL

Freshman

ACSC 8 MAN 2014: 7-4 (4-2) Head Coach: Tony Nafe: (3rd year, 25-9 record) Assistants: Johnny Gilbert, Mike Kirkpatrick, Jason Bussey, John Gordon, Todd Bradshaw

eagles Football linebacker. While he may moonlight as a running back, Nafe and company are excited to have him back leading the defense. He is an aggressive athlete who does not shy away from contact and will direct the unit. Weston Howe, the starting fullback, will join Stewart as the other linebacker. Both are aggressive and will need to stay healthy, as they will rarely be off the field. Cuellar will also play some linebacker, in a dog linebacker role where he can drop back into coverage when needed. Chance Washburn, one of Hope’s receivers, will provide depth.

Secondary

Eagles are thinking of making a change to a playing a more traditional safety, but Nafe is still feeling out his personnel. If he does not decide to work a true safety into the mix, then the likes of Cuellar, Washburn and Howe will have to fill that hybrid role.

Special Teams

Hope graduated its punter and kicker from last year, and will turn the reigns over to Tyler Hubbard, a sophomore.

Nafe didn’t even know Hubbard could kick until the summer, but he has stepped into the role nicely and has an impressive enough foot to have earned the job.

Last region title: 2010 Last playoff game: 2014 HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 14

North River Christian

Aug. 21

BYE

Aug. 28

Freedom Academy*

Sept. 4

@ Memphis FCA (Tenn.)

Sept. 11

BYE

Sept. 18

@ Evangel Christian*

Sept. 25

@ Evangel Family Christian Academy*

Oct. 2

Ezekial Academy*

Oct. 9

@ Lighthouse

Oct. 16 Lyman Ward Military In the past, Hope has not had a Academy traditional safety in the strict sense.

In 8-man football, the defensive Colin Kirkpatrick, QB. Juan Cuellar, * Region game backfield is usually filled with hybrid RB/LB. Nick Adams, WR/S. Ethan linebacker/safety types who can drop Stewart, RB/LB. Weston Howe, FB/LB. Reid Allen, Dillon Thompson, Zach back into coverage as well as disrupt Gramstad, Jon Misso, Jon Arnold. the running game. This season the

Players to Watch

Key Losses

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

55

Kingwood Christian Lions

T

he Lions have had a new coach every two years since former head coach Jerry Stearns left Kingwood after the 2008 season. Kingwood is hopeful it has found a little more stability at the position in recent hire Sheldon Ward.

Ward is not walking into an easy job.

Last year was a rebuilding year for Kingwood and the Lions finished their season 4-6, but did not win a game in the ultra-competitive AISA AAA Region 2, finishing 0-5 in the region and never scoring more than 12 points in a region game. The Lions will once again turn their hopes to fresh faces in 2015.

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Baker Ellis

Running Back

The Lions have added Bessemer City transfer Marvin Rollins, who has been clocked at sub-4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, and will bring immediate big-play potential to the backfield. Wyatt Baker, who played out of position last season in the trenches, will also see time in the backfield.

Baker is not big, but is a strong kid who can run with power. Joining them in Kingwood will turn the reigns over to the backfield will be Chase Inabiett, converted tight end Mitchell Carter in Matthew Allen and Jaton Denard, who 2015. Carter is the best option at the will also get spot carries. quarterback position for the Lions this season, and his 6-foot-3-inch, 190-pound frame will hold up well in the backfield. This is where the loss of EJ Gant will Kingwood will not be a pass-dominant hurt, as he was Kingwood’s primary team under Ward, but Carter can put target last season. However, Kerry the ball where he needs to through Thompson, a senior transfer from the air in a pinch. He can move well Helena, will be the primary target for and will have to adjust to the position the Lions this season. Parker Foshee quickly to manage games effectively and Tyler West, a freshman and an for the Lions. eighth grader, respectively, will see

Quarterback

Wide Receiver

56

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

time out wide and will have to grow up fast to keep teams from double and triple-teaming Thompson.

Offensive Line

Ward and the coaching staff believe Kingwood is strongest up front on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

Corey Robinson, a Thompson transfer from two years ago, returns to lead the way both with his play and his vocal leadership on the offensive side of the ball in his senior campaign from his tackle position. Returning starters Kendrick Gaithers, a senior, and Hunter Lodge, a junior, to anchor the line, will join him. The center and other tackle spots are still up for grabs entering the fall, according to Ward.

Defensive Line

Per usual for AISA schools, the defense will have a number of familiar faces.

KINGWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

2

Marvin Rollins RB/DB

Senior

30 Tucker Cochean

WR/DB Freshman

61 Brandon Riter

OL/DL Freshman

3

Chase Inabiett QB/DE

Senior

34 Jaton Denard

RB/LB

63 Jackson Aaron

OL/LB Senior

4

Mitchell Carter

TE/DB

Senior

42 Matthew Allen

RB/LB Sophomore

65 Thomas McNeil

OL/DL Sophomore

5

Wyatt Baker

RB/DL

Senior

45 Garrett Picklesimer

RB/LB Freshman

72 Garrett Helmers

OL/DL Freshman

7

Kerry Thompson

WR/DE Senior

50 Hunter Lodge

OL/LB Junior

74 Seager Bayer

OL/DL Freshman OL/DL Senior

Freshman

10 Tanner Yarbrough DL

Sophomore

52 Charlie Egbert

OL/DB Junior

75 Logan Self

13 Dallas Toles

QB/DB

8

54 Jacob Rieter

OL/DL Freshman

77 Drew Burns

OL/DL

20 Tyler West

WR/DB 8

55 Corey Robinson

OL/DL Senior

78 Keaton Meeks

OL/LB Sophomore

21 Austyn Franklin

RB/LB

56 Kendrick Gaither

OL/LB Senior

82 Jackson Mills

TE/DL

22 Jordan Plunkett

WR/DB Senior

58 Cade Horton

DL

Sophomore

24 Parker Foshee

WR/DB Freshman

60 Guy Boyd

OL/LB

Freshman

Freshman

Senior Freshman

AISA AAA, REGION 2 2014: 4-6 (0-5) Head Coach: Sheldon Ward (First year) Assistants: Braxton Nail, Jacob Geiger, Michael Robbinson, Travis Carswell, Earvin Wallace Last region title: None Last playoff game: 2013

lions Football This holds true on the defensive line in part, as Robinson will also anchor the front of Kingwood’s 4-3 defense.

Keaton Minks and Kerry Thomspon are the other sure things on the defensive front, with Minks working on the inside of the line and Thompson operating at defensive end opposite Robinson. Logan Self, Clay Holland, Drew Burns, Cade Horton and Inabiett will work for the final spot.

Linebackers

Lodge will anchor the linebacker unit from his middle linebacker spot. With good size and speed, the senior will be the conductor on the defensive side of the ball and have to lead this unit. His fellow offensive lineman Gaithers will join him as the strong side linebacker, while the weak side backer is still up in the air, but Jackson Aaron and

KINGWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

Jaton Denard are gunning for that spot headed into the fall.

Aug. 21

BYE

Secondary

Aug. 28

Lee-Scott Academy*

Sept. 3

@ Bessemer Academy*

Conner West and Colby Henderson will stay on the outside of the field and work from the cornerback positions.

The safety slots, as a number of other positions, are still open, with Charlie Egbert, Parker Foshee, and the younger West and Henderson brothers looking to earn playing time there.

Sept. 11

Glenwood Academy*

Sept. 18

@ Jackson Academy

Sept. 24

@ Evangel Christian

Oct. 2

@ Cornerstone Christian

Oct. 9

Webster County (Ga.)

Oct. 16

@ Tuscaloosa Academy*

Special Teams

Oct. 23

@ Coosa Valley

Heading into the fall, Ward and the Kingwood staff are still in search of someone to handle the kicking duties.

Players to Watch

Mitchell Carter, QB. Corey Robinson, OL/DL. Chase Inabiett, RB/DB. Wyatt Baker, RB. Kendrick Gaithers, OL/LB.

Academy Oct. 30

Monroe Academy

* Region game

Key Losses

EJ Gant, Charles White, Yatil Gant, Gage Sumrall, Josef Ransom.

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

57

Zac Oden

Montevallo Bulldogs

T

he Bulldogs won four games on the field in 2014 and started off hot at 3-1.

The record books will however remember the 2014 Montevallo campaign as a dismal

58

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Emily Klein

1-9 affair, due to an ineligible player issue that arose halfway through the year, through no fault of the school.

The incident took an upstart Bulldogs team from 4-2 to 1-5, and Montevallo did not win another game the rest of the

season. This is just the latest in a line of breaks that Montevallo has come out on the wrong side of. Injuries and the AHSAA reclassification in 2014 have not been kind to the Bulldogs (out of 64 4A schools in the state, Montevallo was

Caleb Cottingham

AHSAA 4A, REGION 4 2014: 1-9 (0-6) Head Coach: Andrew Zow (4th year, 4-26 record) Assistants: Robert Albritton, Trey Simpson, Jim Adams, Lawrence Lilly, Steven Mizzell, Wayne Davidson Last region title: 1995 Last playoff game: 2011 the fourth-smallest in 2014), and they deal with a roster drastically smaller than most teams they suit up against.

All that being said, former Alabama great Andrew Zow is back at the helm for Montevallo, entering his fourth season as the head coach. Zow and Montevallo will hope to reap the rewards of a roster three years in the making. With a number of the Bulldogs skill players returning, a year older and a year wiser, if the Bulldogs can control the line of scrimmage, it should make for an interesting and exciting fall in Montevallo.

starting quarterback, and the coaching staff is excited to reap the rewards of the confidence they placed in Oden as an athletic but scrawny freshman.

Oden has a great arm, and can make just about any throw he needs to make.

The Montevallo offense will, in large part, go as Oden goes.

Running Back

Resident pickup truck Undraez Lilly is back and will carry the lion share of the carries out of the backfield. Standing at roughly 6 feet in height and weighing in at over 225 pounds, Lilly, a senior, is incredibly difficult to bring down when he gets a head of steam. A grind-it-out, Zac Oden returns under center for downfield runner, Lilly will provide Montevallo yet again. The junior is a nice counterbalance to Oden’s arm entering his third year as the Bulldogs strength and will force defenses to

Quarterback

MONTEVALLO HIGH SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 21

@ Locust Fork

Aug. 28

Francis Marion

Sept. 4

Oak Grove*

Sept. 11

@ Holt*

Sept. 18

Sipsey Valley*

Sept. 25

@ Ashville

Oct. 2

@ West Blocton*

Oct. 9

Bibb County*

Oct. 16

BYE

Oct. 23

@ Northside*

Oct. 29

@ Billingsley

* Region game

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

59

MONTEVALLO HIGH SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

1

Daqwan Bryant

WR/DB Sophomore

16 Kaleb Williamson

WR/DB Sophomore

44 Jonathan Fowler

TE/LB

Senior

2

Kerry Mack

RB/DB

Senior

17 Jonah Best

WR/LB

50 Matthew Allen

OL/DL

Junior

3

Demetrius Smith

TE/DL

Sophomore

18 Jontae King

WR/DB Junior

52 Kiyon Brown

OL/DL

Sophomore

4

Treshawn Brown

WR/DB Junior

20 Markezz Stevens

TE/DL

Senior

52 Boston Bush

OL/DL

Freshman

5

Undraez Lilly

RB/LB

Senior

21 Tyler Olds

RB/LB

Freshman

54 Cameron Conwell

OL/DL

Freshman

6

Jamal Figueroa

WR/D

Senior

22 Johnathan Grisham K/P

Sophomore

55 Zach Carter

OL/DL

Senior

7

Zac Oden

QB

Junior

23 Caleb Cottingham

RB/LB

Junior

57 Taylor Hall

OL/DL

Sophomore

8

Jackson Hughes

RB/LB

Junior

24 Blake Smith

WR/DB Senior

58 Will Howell

OL/DL

Freshman

9

Ahmad Edwards

WR/LB

Sophomore

Freshman

25 Diego Martinez

K/P

Junior

59 Austin Parker

OL/DL

Freshman

10 Tavarius Holman

WR/DB Sophomore

28 Zac Brantley

RB/LB

Freshman

64 Nick Norris

OL/DL

Junior

11 Avery Anfield

WR/DB Freshman

32 Austin Franklin

TE/LB

Freshman

65 Cory Cutts

OL/DL

13 Deqee Anderson

WR/DB Junior

33 Christian Merritte-Webb RB/LB Junior

72 Elijah Merritte-Webb OL/DL

14 Jay Sullens

QB/DB

Freshman

34 Marjalon Henderson WR/DB Senior

73 Colin Gammon

OL/DL

Junior

15 Levi Layton

TE/DL

Senior

42 Hunter Nabors

74 Coty Jones

OL/DL

Junior

pay attention to him on every play.

Caleb Cottingham will join Lilly in the backfield, who returns for his junior season after breaking his ankle last fall. Cottingham is the elusive, smaller foil to Lilly’s raw power.

Receivers

Ahmad Edwards and Daqwan Bryant will be the main targets of Oden in Zow’s spread offense. Edwards, a rangy 6-foottall sophomore and classmate Bryant, a smaller, quicker wide out, endured a trial by fire in their freshman seasons, playing big time varsity minutes due to a lack of depth. The experience will only help the two moving forward, as both look to contribute at a more efficient clip this season. Senior Blake Smith and junior Jamal Figueroa, who broke his collarbone in the spring of 2013 and did not play last season, will join them.

HB/LB

Offensive Line

Senior

double duty, as will Cutts on occasion.

Levi Layton, Markezz Stevens and Nick Norris will also play into the rotation across the front for the Bulldogs. As with the rest of the team, both sides of the line need to stay healthy to give their talented backfield the chance to make plays.

Montevallo loses two seniors off of the offensive line, but returns Cory Cutts, Zach Carter and Matthew Allen. Cutts and Carter are seniors while Allen is a junior, and the three will lead the Bulldogs in the trenches. The two open lineman jobs will likely be The Bulldogs roster in filled by Colin Gammon 2014 had just 32 names on it. Montevallo is a 4A and Taylor Hall, with Coty school, and that number Jones and Kiyon Brown gave the Bulldogs just one factoring into the rotation more player on their roster than Hope Christian, the as well.

32

Linebackers

Lilly is back to hold down the fort from his middle linebacker position.

Quick enough for his size to wreak havoc in 8-man ACSC team out of the backfield or handle a Pelham, had. coverage assignment, he is the leader for Montevallo’s defense. Hunter Nabors, a There will be some familiar faces up front in Montevallo’s 4-3 senior baseball player, has not played defense, as is the case with most schools football since his freshman season with smaller rosters. Carter will pull when he saw significant varsity

Defensive Line

GOOD LUCK Bulldogs!

60

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Senior Freshman

Bulldogs Football minutes but has decided to return for his senior season, and Zow and the coaching staff are thrilled to have him back. The third linebacker job is still up for grabs.

Secondary

Edwards, Smith and Cottingham will see significant time in the secondary.

Treshawn Brown, who earned a starting position late last season and has come on strong once again this summer for Zow, and KJ Mack, who

sat out last season as a transfer, will join the three two-way players. The secondary is relatively young and will rely on multiple kids playing both sides of the ball, but has the raw talent to be effective.

Special Teams

Diego Martinez returns for his junior season to kick for Montevallo. A slender kid with a fat foot, Martinez is a serviceable weapon from the kicking position. The Bulldogs are still trying

to sort out who will handle the punting duties, but Bryant will be in charge of handling the kick and punt returning duties.

Players to Watch

Zac Oden, QB. Undraez Lilly, RB/LB. Daqwan Bryant, WR/DB/KR.

Key Losses

Brian Hodge, Michael McKenzie, Michael Arnold, Cortez Williams, Keondre Bailey.

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

61

Warren Shader

Oak Mountain Eagles

L

ast season was Oak Mountain’s coming out party, simple as that. In the first two seasons under head coach Cris Bell, the Eagles had teetered on the verge of success, but hadn’t quite gotten over the hump, and had amassed an 11-10 record over 2012-13. Then 2014 happened, and while sports writers like me opined that Oak Mountain would win one, maybe two region games in the 7A Region 3 death trap, the Eagles churned out a 9-1 regular season behind an efficient, option-

62

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Marvin Gentry

based offense, and were only a few plays away from making it to the 7A semifinals.

Now, a year later, the Eagles will not sneak up on anyone, as they trumpeted their arrival onto the big stage in a major way last season, but with 2014 7A Coach of the Year Bell and a number of important position players returning, Oak Mountain is one of the early favorites to end up with the best season in the county.

Quarterback Warren

Shader

is

back,

which

means the Eagles’ offense will be as maddening for opposing coaches to defend as it was a season ago. Shader threw and ran for more than 1,000 yards each last season and is as pure of an option quarterback as Bell could hope to find in the state. Shader is not particularly big and not particularly fast in the open field, but he is shifty, and an absolute wizard running the option. His junior season highlight tape is one long juke. He sees the field exceptionally well and can turn nooks of space into large chunks of yards at the drop of a hat. He also has a great

AHSAA 7A, REGION 3 2014: 10-2 (6-1) Head Coach: Cris Bell (4th year, 21-12 record) Assistants: Rusty Frisch, Steward Carlisle, Austin Karcher, Vance Smith, Riley White, Stuart Morrison, Tommy Youngblood, Chris Forrest, Wade Lyon, Derek Irons, Brandon Lee, Chris McGaha, John Milton

Avery Holsomback

feel for the game, and knows exactly when to pitch it out on the option or turn it up field himself. With Shader under center yet again, look for the offense to be churning at full steam from the get-go.

season, and rounds out a potent Eagle backfield.

Wide Receiver

Oak Mountain is fortunate to have Reid Golson returning as a senior.

Golson is a dependable wide out with solid hands and runs his routes Josh Gaines is gone, crisply. He will be paired but Gaines was hurt for with Garrett DeAraujo, almost the entirety of a junior converted from last season and the Eagles have adjusted to his The Eagles won 10 games defensive back, Nathan absence. One of the two in 2014, the most in school Jones, a sophomore, firsthistory. year football player Noah backs who shouldered the Egan, a junior who has running load last season focused his time prior after Gaines went down was Daniel Salchert, a junior who to this on the basketball court, and will see significant backfield time. Payton Youngblood, starting safety Salchert is a small, quick scatback who will moonlight as a receiver type, who can glance off tacklers when needed. efficiently. Coleman Reeves, a senior will be the other running back.

Reeves saw action a fair amount last Besides returning second team All-

Running Back

10

Offensive Line

Last region title: None Last playoff game: 2014 OAK MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 21

BYE

Aug. 28

Hillcrest

Sept. 4

@ Vestavia*

Sept. 11

Hoover*

Sept. 18

@ Tuscaloosa County*

Sept. 25

@ Briarwood

Oct. 2

Hewitt-Trussville*

Oct. 9

@ Mountain Brook*

Oct. 16

Spain Park*

Oct. 23

Thompson*

Oct. 29

@ Pell City

* Region game

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

63

OAK MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

1

Nick Carney

K/P

Junior

29 Justin Evans

RB

Sophomore

59 Josh Stanford

OL

Sophomore

2

Rob Fuller

DB

Senior

30 Jake Tice

LB

Sophomore

61 Jameson Ellet

DL

Sophomore

3

Warren Shader

QB

Senior

31 Parker Guyton

WR

Senior

62 Eli Lombardo

OL

Junior

4

Reid Golson

WR

Senior

32 Kai Christenberry

DB

Senior

63 Connor Tempin

DL

Junior

5

Gene Hurst

QB

Sophomore

33 Spencer Hughes

LB

Junior

64 Jacob Feenker

OL

Sophomore

6

Srini Athan

HB

Senior

34 Connor Wilson

HB

Sophomore

65 Connor Harkins

OL

Senior

7

Noah Egan

WR

Junior

35 Coleman Reeves

RB

Senior

66 Juan Palacios

OL

Junior

8

Wyatt Legas

QB

Junior

36 Jared Buxton

DE

Senior

68 Ruben Nunez

OL

Sophomore

9

Nathan Jones

WR

Sophomore

37 Barrett Blakely

LB

Sophomore

70 Jason Vise

OL

Senior

10 Avery Holsomback

LB

Senior

38 Davis Manning

DB

Junior

71 Greyson McClain

OL

Junior

11 Mitchell Jones

DB

Senior

39 Zach Pierce

DE

Senior

72 Isaiah Godwin-Evans OL

Junior

12 Logan Webb

QB

Senior

40 Grayson Alexander

WR

Junior

74 Madden McDougal

OL

Sophomore

13 Carson Bobo

QB

Sophomore

41 Connor Kelley

LB

Sophomore

77 Fuller Herring

OL

Sophomore

14 Jackson Murphy

OLB

Sophomore

42 Max McGlaughlin

SS

Sophomore

78 Alex King

OL/LS

Senior

15 Connor Webb

DB

Sophomore

43 Kolby Tishler

WR

Senior

79 Nick Washington

OL

Sophomore

16 Dalton Bradford

DB

Senior

44 Jacob Jasinski

OLB

Senior

80 Cole Johnson

TE

Senior

17 Mingyu Le

RB

Junior

45 Will Sayers

LB

Senior

81 Preston Christopher WR

18 Thomas Pechman

DB

Junior

46 Josh Jones

LB

Senior

82 David Smith

WR

Sophomore

19 Patyon Youngblood

DB

Senior

47 Brett Cruce

DB

Sophomore

83 Ben Echols

WR

Sophomore

20 Hall Morton

DB

Senior

48 Bryson Laymon

TE

Senior

84 Ben Handley

TE/DE

Sophomore

21 Art Smith

DB

Junior

49 AJ Fleet

DE

Junior

85 Jack Simmons

WR

Sophomore

22 JD Adams

LB

Junior

50 Justice Hammond

OL

Senior

86 Matt Piper

WR

Sophomore

22 Ryan Childress

WR

Sophomore

51 Daniel Perkins

OL

Junior

87 Darren Lanier

WR

Sophomore

23 Hunter Martinez

DB

Junior

52 Max Webb

LB

Sophomore

88 Matthew Pflaum

TE

Junior

24 Zach Nelson

DB

Sophomore

53 Carey Jackson

OL

Sophomore

92 Peter Kolar

LB

Sophomore

25 Ethan Duncan

RB

Sophomore

54 William Robertson

OL/LB

Junior

96 Trey Meadows

DE

Junior

Senior

26 Daniel Salchert

RB

Junior

55 Devin Stern

OL

Sophomore

97 Armond Lloyd

NT

Senior

27 Cameron Langley

DB

Senior

56 Jordan Davis

DE

Sophomore

98 Micah Hayes

DE

Sophomore

28 Jaylin Gaines

HB

Junior

57 Nick Feenker

OL

Junior

99 Whit Jackson

DT

Junior

29 Jackson Sauers

DB

Junior

58 Ben Wilke

OL

Sophomore

State center Justice Hammond, the offensive line will have fresh faces everywhere. Brothers Jacob and Nick Feenker, a sophomore and a junior respectively, along with senior Alex King, junior Greyson McClain, junior linebacker convert William Roberson and sophomore Ben Wilke will all be

battling to join Hammond on the line.

Hammond will need to make sure this group meshes early, as the Eagles option-style offense needs an adept line to operate effectively.

Defensive Line

a pair of seniors, return to lead the way up front for Bell’s 4-3 defense.

Zach Pierce has had a great summer, according to Bell, and will look to earn time this year as will Jordan Davis, Jason Vice, Whit Jackson and Daniel Perkins.

Armond Lloyd and Avery Holsomback,

“A Reputation of Excellence” since 1991

GOOD LUCK EAGLES! 64

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

EAGLES Football Linebacker

Josh Jones is back as the only linebacker returning from last year’s corps. Jones, a senior, plays middle linebacker while the outside slots are still filling themselves out. Spencer Hughes, Cameron Langley, Mingyu Le and first year senior Jacob Jasinski are all battling for time. Jasinski is a lacrosse convert and is a gifted athlete that Bell and the coaching staff are glad to have in the mix.

Secondary

Payton Youngblood is back at free safety and so is Mitchell Jones at corner. Youngblood is a three-sport stud, excelling on the basketball court and the track as well, and has the type of size and speed to draw significant attention from opposing quarterbacks.

Hall Morton will spend time opposite Jones, and Davis Manning, Thomas Pechman and Kai Christenberry will also rotate into the defensive backfield.

Special Teams

for Oak Mountain this year, while John Carroll transfer Nick Carney and Jackson Murphy, who plays outside linebacker as well, will split kicking duties.

Players to Watch

Warren Shader, QB. Daniel Salchert, RB/KR. Justice Hammond, OL. Payton Youngblood, FS.

Key Losses

Josh Gaines, Riley Fowler, Harold Shader will handle the punting duties Shader, Chris Hill.

Want to know who scored during the big game?

Visit 280Reporter.com for a complete recap from Friday night’s game.

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

65

Pelham Panthers

I

t’s a new day at Pelham High School. Tom Causey comes to Pelham with 15 years of head coaching experience under his belt, with his most recent job being an eight-year stint at Demopolis where he won a state championship in 2009. He takes over a Pelham roster that is, in a word, young. Causey brings with him a wealth of experience

66

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Marvin Gentry

and knowledge to a roster lacking in both, and will need to be patient as he applies his brand of spread offense to a team that spent half of last season running an option attack before switching to the spread. The Panthers are young and do not have a ton of size, but Causey is a proven coach who will take this team to the cusp of its potential.

Quarterback

With the exit of former head coach Brett Burnett came the predictable exit of his son and former starting quarterback, Logan Burnett. With Burnett now at Bessemer Academy for his senior season, the future at the quarterback position is hazy. Elisha Hudson, a junior, is the frontrunner

AHSAA 6A, REGION 5 2014: 3-7 (2-5) Head Coach: Tom Causey (First year) Assistants: Jeremy Sullivan, Chris Cournoyer, Jason Haithcock, Stephen Campbell, Sean Anderson, Ed Brown, Anthony Jacks, David White, Clay Massey Last region title: 2006 Last playoff game: 2013 PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE

Connor Christian

for the job, moving into the role from his wide receiver slot last season.

Challenging Hudson is Matthew Rye, a freshman who has impressed the coaching staff throughout the summer. Hudson is a dual-threat quarterback who can make a number of throws, but needs to continue to develop his footwork in order to be a successful passer.

backs. Giovanny Aidan is one of the few returning seniors, who played in an unexpectedly large role last season after senior stud Moregan Sharp went down with an injury. Aidan also plays soccer, and since the soccer team had its most successful year in school history back in the spring, making it to the 6A Final Four, he got less football work than the other backs.

Nicholas Blackburn, a sophomore, has also shown the coaching staff The running back job is another that a knack for finding space and has will likely be split between a few good vision in the open field. Aidan

Running Back

DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 21

Helena (Exhibition)

Aug. 28

@ Thompson

Sept. 4

@ Homewood*

Sept. 11

Jackson-Olin*

Sept. 18

@ Walker*

Sept. 25

Northridge

Sept. 2

Hueytown*

Oct. 9

Briarwood Christian*

Oct. 16

@ John Carroll Catholic

Oct. 23

Minor*

Oct. 30

@ Gardendale

* Region game

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

67

68

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

and Blackburn look to be 1A and 1B guys heading into the fall, with a pair of freshman, Brandon Sledge and Jackson Weaver, as backups.

player who has been a mainstay on the baseball team and is an athlete that figures to be a part of Pelham’s offensive plan.

Receivers

Offensive Line

In Causey’s spread offense attack, the Pelham is very young, and nowhere Panthers will utilize four receivers is that youth felt more than across at all times. JT Reed the front of the offense and Jalen Smith are and defense. Whit Wood, both seniors who will a junior, is the only hold down the outside returner on the offensive receiving positions and line and will play right New Pelham head coach will be counted on to Tom Causey totes a 113tackle. Hunter Motes will provide leadership on 63 career record as a play right guard, Will the offensive side of the head coach entering the Pierce will take over at ball. Cody Verner will fill 2015 season, including a center, Jarrett McLaren one of the slot receiver 5A state championship in will be at left guard and 2009 with Demopolis. positions, while Seth Carson McKinney will Wright looked to have the work at left tackle. All job opposite him before four of the new faces are he broke his collarbone in the spring sophomores. The line will be one of game. As Wright has been on the the places where Pelham’s youth is mend, Vidal Solito and Kasey Clark, felt the most. a pair of freshman, have worked at that slot position. Causey and the coaching staff are also excited about Across the front of Causey’s 4-2-5 the addition of JM Long, a first year defense will be a horde of new faces

113

Defensive Line

as well. Junior Jere Spiller will play defensive end while Colby Thomas, a senior, will line up at defensive tackle to provide returning experience up front. Both will be relied on to help lead the new cast surrounding them. As of now, Roderick Hall, a sophomore, will fill the other defensive tackle position while Blake Hester will line up across from Spiller at the other defensive end position. Brock Higdon and Alex Montgomery will work in the defensive line rotation as well.

Linebackers

The linebacker position is one of the few places on the field where Pelham has some bankable experience and depth. Jon Drake and Conner Christian, a junior and a senior respectively, both saw a ton of reps last season at the linebacker and will direct traffic from the inside linebacker spots. In Causey’s 4-2-5 defensive scheme, the third safety acts as a spur linebacker, and that position will be filled by Malik Copeland, a returning senior. Aidan, Carter

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

69

Parker and Ryan Jewel will add depth at the linebacker position.

Secondary

Edward Gipson will be one of the starters at safety and is only a freshman. He has the athleticism the Panthers are looking for, and he will be joined by Copeland dropping into coverage as needed. Peyton Chenault, a returning senior, will play the other safety position and both Smith and Reed will stay on the outside of the field at the cornerback positions. The secondary has a chance to provide a solid blanket of coverage behind a deep and talented linebacker corps.

70

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Seth Wright

Special Teams

Jose Jimenez-Lopez, a junior, looks to retain both the kicking and punting duties. Jimenez-Lopez is a soccer player with a big foot who has the ability to switch the fields as a punter and provide scoring as a kicker. Greg Blue can also kick and will serve as a backup.

Players to Watch

WR/CB JT Reed, LB Conner Christian, WR/CB Jalen Smith, LB/S Malik Copeland, RB/LB Giovanni Aidan

Key Losses

Moregan Sharp, RJ McCall, Jadie Patterson 2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

71

Want to know who scored during the big game Friday night?

Visit PelhamReporter.com for complete results from Friday night’s action.

Pelham 72

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

1

Nicholas Blackburn RB

Sophomore

24 Brandon Sledge

Slot

Freshman

51 Bryant Niles

DL

Senior

2

Jalen Smith

WR

Senior

25 James Hollingsworth DB

Junior

52 Carter Parker

LB

Freshman

3

Malik Copeland

LB

Senior

26 Kelvin Fields

DB

Senior

54 Ceasar Villasenor

OL

Junior

4

Connor Christian

LB

Senior

27 Trevor Jones

WR

Freshman

55 Whit Wood

OL

Junior

5

Giovanny Aidan

RB

Senior

28 Dorian Tolbert

RB

Freshman

56 Will Pierce

OL

Junior

6

Vidal Solito

Slot

Junior

29 Gregory Lowe

DB

Freshman

57 Carson Mckinney

OL

Sophomore

7

Elisha Hudson

QB

Junior

30 Edward Gipson

DB

Freshman

58 Damarius Ellis

DL

Freshman

8

JT Reed

WR

Senior

31 Zach Cherry

DB

Freshman

59 Jarret McLaren

OL

Sophomore

9

Freshman

Position Year

Seth Wright

Slot

Junior

32 Jaylen Cook

DB

Freshman

60 Dakota McLaren

OL

10 Rodney Pettway

DB

Junior

33 Reece Coston

LB

Freshman

62 Caleb Boutwell

OL

Sophomore

11 Jose Jimenez

K

Junior

34 Garrett Fox

WR

Freshman

64 Colby Thomas

DL

Senior

12 Ladre Tabb

DB

Sophomore

35 Josh Walton

DB

Freshman

65 Hunter Motes

OL

Sophomore

13 Tyler Hawkins

DB

Sophomore

36 Ben Rushton

DB

Freshman

66 Alex Montgomery

DL

Junior

14 Matthew Rye

QB

Freshman

37 Gage Deloach

DB

Freshman

68 Sina Vatany

OL

Freshman

15 Cody Verner

Slot

Senior

38 Joseph Chimento

LB

Freshman

70 Roderick Hall

DL

Sophomore

16 Grayson Dill

WR

Freshman

39 Jordan Copeland

DB

Freshman

71 Gino Ramos

OL

Freshman

17 Edwin Patricio

DB

Junior

40 Ethan Deveaux

LB

Freshman

75 Brock Higdon

DL

Freshman

18 Seth Thomas

WR

Freshman

42 Griffin Knight

LB

Freshman

77 Braden Lee

OL

Freshman

19 Jackson Weaver

DB

Freshman

44 Jon Drake

LB

Junior

82 Kasey Clark

Slot

Freshman

20 Gregory Blue

K

Freshman

45 Jordan Moss

DB

Freshman

87 John Michael Long

Slot

Junior

21 Peyton Chenault

DB

Senior

48 Ryan Jewel

LB

Freshman

88 Donnie Ball

DB

Freshman

22 Colton Borders

DB

Freshman

49 Josmar Lopez

DL

Sophomore

99 Blake Hester

DL

Sophomore

23 Connor Hammond

DB

Sophomore

50 Jerry Spillers

DL

Junior

GOOD LUCK pANTHERS! 2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

73

panthers Football

74

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

F

V

8 / 21 8 / 28 9/4 9 / 11 9 / 18 9 / 25 10 / 2 10 / 9 10 / 16 10 / 23 10 / 30

P

E

O

O

H A A H A H H H A H A

JAMBOREE

HELENA THOMPSON HOMEWOOD JACKSON-OLIN WALKER NORTHRIDGE HUEYTOWN BRIARWOOD JOHN CARROLL MINOR GARDENDALE

L

H

A

M

B

A

L

T

Jv

REGION REGION / YOUTH NT. REGION REGION REGION REGION REGION / SR. NT.

8 / 31 9/8 9 / 14 9 / 21 9 / 28 10 / 5 10 / 12 10 / 19 10 / 26

L THOMPSON HOMEWOOD JACKSON-OLIN WALKER HELENA HUEYTOWN BRIARWOOD JOHN CARROLL MINOR

H H A H A A A H A

6 PM 6 PM 6 PM 6 PM 5:30 PM 6 PM 6 PM 6:30 PM 6 PM

ALL GAMES AT 7 PM. P

E

L

H

A

M

H

I

G

H

A T

H

L

E

T

I

C

S

.

C

O

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2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

75

Heath Childers

Shelby County Wildcats

S

helby County won more games in 2014 than it did in the previous two years combined.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the bar was not set very high, as they had only won two games the previous two years, and eclipsed that mark only just, posting a 3-7 record in 2014. The name of the game for second year head coach Heath

76

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Baker Ellis and Contributed

Childers and his coaching staff this year is to incorporate more of a passing threat into their Wing-T offense. With three running backs in the backfield alongside the quarterback, the Wing-T is at its most potent when able to utilize misdirection and counters to confuse the defense. Unfortunately, when the defense stacks eight or nine men in the box, the run-heavy offense can be held

in check, which was the case for most of the season for the Wildcats. A year later, Shelby County will look to the air more often to counterbalance their run-heavy style.

Quarterback

Junior Mason Blythe is returning with one year of starting experience under his belt. Blythe is a big kid, standing at

AHSAA 5A, REGION 3 2014: 3-7 (2-4) Head Coach: Heath Childers (2nd year, 3-7 record) Assistants: Shane Beasley, John Watkins, Dusty Cleckler, Mike Harrison, Randell Reaves, Chris Perkins, Tyrin Johnson Last region title: 2008 Last playoff game: 2009 SHELBY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE 6-foot-4-inches and weighing in at 230 pounds. Capable of making any throw on the field, his arm strength is not in question. Making the quarterback decision interesting is sophomore upstart Chadwyn Russ, who has made the quarterback job a two-man race due to his insatiable work ethic and quickness. Childers moved him to backup quarterback last year as a freshman, and a year later his arm strength has improved drastically since. Childers is waiting for one of them to claim the job, and whoever does will be expected to produce more through the air this year than in years past.

Running Back

Workhorse Austin Tollenson is gone, but he leaves behind a veritable stable of backs in his place. Chief among them is senior Jamarius Mayfield, Tolleson’s running mate in the backfield from a year ago. Jamarius Mayfield’s cousin Kevontae Mayfield and Trent Sullivan will see most of the action from the fullback positions.

While the Wildcats want to put the ball in the air more this year, the run is still their bread and butter. The Mayfield cousins and Sullivan, along with Mack Slaughter, Chance McNeal, Robbie Higgins and Lamont Bush will carry

DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 21

Jemison

Aug. 28

@ Helena

Sept. 4

@ Central of Clay County*

Sept. 11

Tallassee*

Sept. 18

@ Marbury*

Sept. 25

@ Calera

Oct. 2

Beauregard*

Oct. 9

@ Sylacauga*

Oct. 16

Talladega*

Oct. 23

BYE

Oct. 29

Tarrant

* Region game

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

77

25% off one time use per patient

the load for the offense.

Receivers

Get the ball to Deon Carter. The 6-foot-1-inch senior is exceptionally long and lean. He has breakaway speed and has the subtle ability to make people miss while making it look easy.

In Shelby County’s spring game, he had two receptions for 87 The Wildcats averaged 17.8 points per game in yards. Childers and the Wildcats 2014, which was more than coaching staff believe he has the 2 points per game higher ability to open up games for them than their average in 2013. in a way no one else can, if they can get him the ball. Addison Couch, a junior, will rotate in with Carter, as their Wing-T formation generally just utilizes one receiver. Slaughter is a more than capable receiver and was Shelby County’s most productive target in 2014 before being moved to the

17.8

78

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

backfield, and will work out of the backfield to catch as well this season.

Offensive Line

Returning senior identical twins Jacob and Jared Humphrey will once again anchor the line for the Wildcats from the center and tackle positions, respectively. The two will need to help lead group of lineman who are either seniors or very young to help protect whichever young quarterback claims the job. Rigo Flores and Dalton Purcell, a senior and junior guard respectively, will also be called on for leadership up front, as will Isaac Parker and senior tight end/tackle David Watkins. Childers believes the offensive line is a strong unit, they just have to believe they are.

Defensive Line

Up front for Shelby County in their 4-4 split defense will be Flores and Cody Rogers working at the defensive end positions, and Dontavious Mayfield as well as the Humphrey 2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

79

SHELBY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

1

Deon Carter

WR/S

Senior

24 Trent Sullivan

FB/LB

Sophomore

55 Patrick Wilkins

OL/DL

Sophomore

2

Kevontae Mayfield

RB/LB

Junior

25 Jeremiah Crenshaw FB

Freshman

56 Jacob Humphrey

OL/DL

Senior

3

Jamarius Mayfield

RB

Senior

27 Jacquan Blue

FB/DL

Senior

59 Dalton Brooks

OL

Freshman

5

Jeremiah Pennington LB

Senior

32 Nick Horton

LB

Senior

60 Dawson Brooks

OL

Freshman

6

Alex Driskell

WR/DB Senior

33 Antonio Sanchez

DB

Sophomore

63 Chad Reach

OL/DL

Sophomore

7

Camden Davis

WR

34 Isaac Parker

OL/LB

Senior

65 Jared Humphrey

OL/DL

Senior

8

Addison Couch

WR/DB Junior

36 Aaron Stagner

WR/DB Senior

70 Jacoby Thomas

OL

Sophomore

9

Austin Lucas

LB

Sophomore

40 Dylan Brasher

WR/LB

Junior

71 Brady Curtis

OL

Senior

10 Mason Blythe

QB

Junior

41 Austin Dunn

WR

Freshman

76 Rigo Arredondo-Flores OL/DL Senior

Freshman

11 Austin Scott

QB

Freshman

44 Nicholas Chapple

DL

Junior

78 Dontavius Mayfield

DL

Sophomore

12 Chadwyn Russ

QB/DB

Sophomore

45 Taylor Wilkins

S

Freshman

81 Luis Lagos

K

Junior

13 Mack Slaughter

RB/LB/DB Sen.

47 Austin Hatcher

WR/LB

Sophomore

82 Charlie Taylor

WR

Freshman

15 Chase Glover

WR/DB Sophomore

48 Tyler Holmes

LB

Senior

83 Ian Bellenger

WR

Sophomore

16 Nevada Wages

WR

Freshman

50 Dalton Purcell

OL

Junior

84 Chase Franklin

LB

Freshman

17 Lamont Bush

RB

Sophomore

51 Trent Davis

OL/DL

Junior

85 David Watkins

TE/DL

Senior

21 Robbie Higgins

RB/LB/DB Sen.

52 Cody Rogers

OL/DL

Senior

88 Patrick Kreider

DB

Junior

23 Chance McNeal

RB/LB/DB Junior

54 Kelby Jennings

OL/DL

Senior

twins rotating in at the defensive tackle positions. The Wildcats have a number of bodies to throw on the defensive line in Jaquan Blue, Nick Chapple, Kelby Jennings, Watkins and Trent Davis, and Childers will most likely use a good number of them to help keep his offensive line fresh.

Linebackers

In Shelby County’s defense, the inside linebackers are in charge of lining up the defense before each play, and

Mason Blythe

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callATM.com

STATE CERTIFIED #10658 • ISA Certified Arborist #WE-0817A

GOOD LUCK wildcats!

80

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Wildcats Football that responsibility will fall to junior Nick Horton and seniors Jeremiah Pennington and Isaac Parker. Familiar faces Kevontae Mayfield, Slaughter, Higgins and McNeal will fill the outside linebacker positions and be tasked with stopping the run as well as dropping into coverage.

Secondary

to line up and play the cornerback positions like they want to. Higgins and Slaughter will line up at corner some this season as well, as they can morph back and forth uidly from the outside linebacker position to corner and back again. The sophomore Russ has also shown promise at corner, and Childers is likely to use him as well.

Special Teams

duties. Luis Lagos, a junior with a strong leg and a stronger work ethic, has continued to improve from his sophomore campaign and will handle the kicking duties.

Key Losses

RB Austin Tolleson, OL/DL Walker Wages, DB Austin Childers

Players to Watch

Carter will play safety and serve as the failsafe in charge of running down and Shelby County will utilize a spread WR Deon Carter, RB Jamarius Mayfield, stopping any potential game-breaking punt formation, and whoever is playing QB Mason Blythe, QB Chadwyn Russ plays. He gives the Wildcats the option quarterback handles the punting

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

81

Spain Park Jaguars

L

ast season, Spain Park started the year as a top-five team in 7A, and climbed to as high as No. 3 in the third week of the season after starting out hot at 3-0. Then, the wheels proceeded to fall off as the Jaguars dropped three consecutive games, including a heartbreaking 64-63, four-overtime

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Contributed

loss to Hewitt-Trussville at home, and a 28-point blowout loss at Hoover two weeks later. Spain Park couldn’t recover, and missed the playoffs, finishing fifth in a tough Region 3.

Now, a year later, Shawn Raney is back for his third year as the head coach, and looks to take this Jaguar bunch to the heights people hoped for when Spain Park coaxed him away

CIA 82

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

from his defensive coordinator job at Hoover three years ago. Raney is a proven, defensive-minded coach who has experience in the college ranks as well as the high school level. The 2014 Jaguars couldn’t find a way to put a full game together when it mattered most, but look for Raney and company to fix that issue this season behind the play of some veteran talent and a

AHSAA 7A, REGION 3 2014: 6-4 (3-4) Head Coach: Shawn Raney (3rd year, 14-7 record) Assistants: Matt Thompson, Bart Sessions, Chris Bell, Jason Hamlin, Marty Rozell, Ryan Thompson, Brian Carter, Eric Gibbons, Brian Maner Perry Young

few fresh faces.

Quarterback

is a natural leader. The quarterback position and the battle taking place for playing time is a story to watch develop on this Jaguar team.

238

Mason Duke is gone, which leaves a void under center. The job is currently a two-man race, with senior Joey Spain Park gave up 238 Whoever claims the job Beatty and junior Hunter points in 2014. Shoring under center will rest Howell battling for the up the defensive side of easy knowing senior spot. The younger Howell the ball will be top priority running back Wade for the defensive-minded is bigger, about 6-feetStreeter is behind them.

Raney and company in 2-inches tall and 205 2015.

Streeter, who rushed pounds, and can sling it. for over 1,000 yards last Beatty is an intelligent season, is an explosive player, who had a great spring game athlete who should see some college against Briarwood, has impressed offers start rolling in soon. He will be the coaching staff all summer and paired with Larry Wooden, a junior

Running Back

Last region title: 2013 Last playoff game: 2013 SPAIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 21

@ Austin

Aug. 28

Hueytown

Sept. 4

@ Thompson*

Sept. 11

Tuscaloosa*

Sept. 18

@ Hewitt-Trussville*

Sept. 25

BYE

Oct. 1

@ Hoover*

Oct. 9

Vestavia*

Oct. 16

@ Oak Mountain*

Oct. 23

Mountain Brook*

Oct. 30

Bessemer City

* Region game

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

83

Houston Hollis

lead wide out role. Bridge Suber, a senior, has seen some time at receiver and will be expected to help lead the unit. Thomas Jordan saw time last season as a sophomore, and Parker Kelly is back, a utility athlete who can line up at H-back, tight end or out wide. Kelly hurt his knee in week six last season and missed the rest of the The Jaguars have some age at year, but is healthy now. Will Greene receiver, but not much experience. is also back after missing all of last The loss of Derek Williams hurts, but year with a knee injury as well. This there some kids ready to step into the unit will need to stay healthy and who has matured physically in the last season and is taller and lighter than Streeter. Both are very athletic backs who will see a ton of carries and need to help move the offense as the quarterback situation plays itself out.

Receiver

84

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

produce to help whoever is lining up under center.

Offensive Line

Three returning lineman will anchor the offensive line. Three-year starting center Grey Best is back for his senior campaign, and next to him will be Bredt Stover, a returning starter at guard, who is a junior. Raney and company have also moved Johnathan Mote over from the defensive line to the offensive side of the ball to help

Wade Streeter

replace some graduated seniors and will play tackle. Will Mullins, a junior, will also start somewhere on the line.

The fifth offensive line spot has not been claimed, and the coaching staff is waiting for someone to step up and take it.

Defensive Line

This is the most experienced, and perhaps the deepest unit the Jaguars will roll out in 2015. Three-year starter and All-State honorable mention

Jonah Tibbs is back at defensive end, which is great news for the defense.

He will play opposite Will Dailey, the other returning defensive end. On the interior will be Markell Clarke, a transfer from Dacula, Ga., who is listed at 6-feet tall and 280 pounds, and Douglas Henze, a returning junior who started last season as well.

Damon Wright, a junior, will also see ample time at the defensive end position as well. Raney’s background is almost exclusively on the defensive

side, from his playing days to his coaching career. Having such a stout front line will allow him to rest a little easier.

Linebackers

Perry Young is back for his senior campaign, and the three-year starter has drawn ample attention from Division I programs, according to Raney, and is back as the weakside linebacker. Young is not that big for a DI backer, but is as explosive as they 2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

85

SPAIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

1

Chase Young

DB

Senior

25 Larry Wooden

RB

Junior

62 Josh Foster

OL

Junior

1

Josh Denson

WR

Sophomore

26 Logan Shultz

DB

Junior

64 David Kimani

OL

Senior

2

Landon Shoemaker WR

Junior

27 Jack Connell

DB

Junior

65 Kurt Greer

OL

Senior

2

Zach Evans

DB

Sophomore

28 Thomas Jordan

WR

Junior

66 Devon Robinson

DL

Sophomore

3

James Mason

DB

Junior

30 Crosby Gray

K

Senior

67 David Shannon

OL

Sophomore

3

D’Arie Johnson

RB

Sophomore

31 Evan Justin

WR

Sophomore

68 Ryan Campbell

OL

Sophomore

4

Wade Streeter

RB

Senior

32 Robert Cook

LB

Sophomore

69 Adbulrahman Deeb

OL

Sophomore

4

Jaden Jenkins

DB

Sophomore

33 Omar Angel

WR

Sophomore

70 Soloman Davidson

OL

Senior

5

Parker Kelly

TE

Senior

34 Houston Hollis

LB

Junior

71 Casen Browning

OL

Sophomore

5

Emmanuel Holsey

DB

Sophomore

35 DeAndre Thompkins RB

Senior

73 LJ Murray

OL

Junior

6

Perry Young

LB

Senior

36 Christian Douglas

RB

Senior

76 Taylor Cox

OL

Senior

6

Jalen McMillian

WR

Sophomore

37 Peyton Maner

DB

Junior

77 Mark Muir

DL

Sophomore

7

Darrius Stringer

DB

Senior

38 Chester Hutcherson LB

Senior

78 James Schweer

DL

Sophomore

7

Braxton Barker

QB

Sophomore

39 Hayden Callegan

K

Sophomore

79 Shams Halani

OL

Junior

8

Joey Beatty

QB

Senior

40 Hays Cole

LB

Sophomore

80 Ryan Griffin

WR

Sophomore

8

Clay Christian

DB

Sophomore

41 Rayfe Richey

LB

Junior

81 William Mee

WR

Junior

9

Jordan Jolly

TE

Senior

42 Josiah Johnson

LB

Junior

82 Harsh Pandya

WR

Sophomore

9

Ronald Carl

DB

Sophomore

43 Barrett Bennett

DB

Junior

83 Tyrece Mickens

TE

Sophomore

WR

Senior

44 Tyler Sumpter

K

Senior

84 Michael Allen

TE

Junior Sophomore

10 Bridge Suber 10 Isiah Bonilla

DB

Sophomore

45 Carmetrius Walker

RB

Junior

85 Luke Blackmon

WR

11 Damarius Farmer

DB

Junior

46 Luke Silver

LB

Senior

86 Justice Canady

WR

Junior

12 Hunter Howell

QB

Junior

47 Caleb Foster

LB

Sophomore

87 Christian Jonas

WR

Sophomore Senior

12 Thomas Branin

DB

Sophomore

48 Zachary Robinson

LB

Sophomore

88 Will Greene

TE

13 Josh Mosley

RB

Senior

49 Nicholas Cotumaccio LB

Sophomore

89 Michael Avery

DL

Senior

14 Carson Davis

QB

Senior

50 Will Mullins

OL

Junior

90 Will Dailey

DE

Senior

15 Bryan Sanderson

DB

Senior

51 Johnathan Mote

OL

Senior

91 Jacob Pughsley

DE

Sophomore

16 Jake Long

WR

Sophomore

52 Grey Best

OL

Senior

92 Douglas Henze

DL

Junior

17 Jermaine Stringer

DB

Senior

53 Martin Daugherty

OL

Senior

93 Brandon Daza

DL

Junior

18 Nicholas Dixon

WR

Sophomore

54 KeSean Bates

LB

Junior

94 Jonah Tibbs

DL

Senior

19 Tre Robinson

DB

Senior

55 Alexander Kassouf

OL

Junior

95 Damon Wright

DL

Junior

20 Cole Starr

K

Sophomore

56 Brett Cocke

DL

Senior

96 Ike Schulkamp

DL

Junior

21 Cameron Toyer

DB

Junior

57 Bredt Stover

OL

Junior

97 Kalik Mallard

DL

Junior

22 Brandon Simmons

WR

Junior

58 Markell Clark

DL

Senior

98 Bailey DeFalco

DL

Senior

23 Jo Jo Dennis

WR

Sophomore

59 Darrian Stringer

OL

Sophomore

99 Jalynn Muhammad

DL

Sophomore

24 Carson Hall

LB

Junior

60 Burrell Boswell

OL

Junior

“A Reputation of Excellence” since 1991

86

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

GOOD LUCK Jaguars!

Jaguars Football come, and will be tasked with leading the defense. Houston Hollis will play middle linebacker as a junior. Josiah Johnson will see time, as will Luke Silver. Rayfe Ritchey and Chester Hutcherson will work in the nickel slot in Raney’s defense, and are a junior and a senior respectively.

Secondary

Like the receiver position, there is age here, just no experience.

Chase Young, a senior wide receiver convert, will be at corner as will James Mason, who is battling for a spot along with Damarius Farmer. At safety will be some combination of Bryan Sanderson, Darrius Stringer, Cameron Toyer and Tre Robinson.

Special Teams

from Troy to come on as punter/ kicker, and was an All-State honorable mention last season as a punter. Both Gray and Sumpter have a boot, and will be used in some combination to fill the kicking duties.

Players to Watch

Wade Streeter, RB. Perry Young, LB. Joey Beatty, QB. Hunter Howell, QB.

The secondary is depleted, since Michael Jackson has graduated and Spain Park has two weapons on is now playing at the University of special teams in Crosby Gray and Mason Duke, Michael Jackson, Derek Miami, and AJ Smiley is also gone. Tyler Sumpter. Sumpter has an offer Williams.

Key Losses

Want to know who scored during the big game?

Visit 280Reporter.com for a complete recap from Friday night’s game.

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

87

Carlos Stephens

Thompson Warriors

W

ell, this should be interesting.

Everyone knows what happened in Alabaster a season ago. Winless, at 0-10 in 2014, with an average margin of defeat of 20.5 points per game, last fall was a nightmare for the Warriors.

A year later, the mood has changed

88

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Emily Klein

drastically at Thompson. The Alabaster Board of Education tapped Mark Freeman, the former Bessemer Academy and Spanish Fort coaching legend, to lead Thompson’s daunting rebuilding process back in December, and he has got the school and the community of Alabaster absolutely buzzing. Freeman has hired a murderer’s row of assistant coaches, including Mark Reaves and

Merritt Bowden from perennial state power Hoover, defensive gurus Kevin Todd from Shades Valley and Shawn DeFoor, who came with Freeman from Spanish Fort, along with former Briarwood Christian and Alabama great Tim Castille, who has spent the last few seasons as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban.

Freeman’s coaching accolades have

AHSAA 7A, REGION 3 2014: 0-10 (0-7) Head Coach: Mark Freeman (First year) Assistants: Mark Reaves, Shawn DeFoor, Merrit Bowden, Kevin Todd, Tim Castille, Greg Crager, Durrell Fuqua, Rod Foster, Mike O’Berry, Nick Woodley, Vincent Pitts been covered at length leading up to this Briarwood Christian Lions the last season. A 164-37 career coaching record, two seasons, but has transferred to the six state titles, five undefeated seasons. Alabaster City School system for his The man flat out knows how to win senior campaign. Lott is a dual-threat football games, and with kid, can make any throw someone of his caliber and on the field and is a natural football smarts prowling leader. He stands at a the Warrior sidelines, healthy 6-feet-2-inches tall it’s only a matter of time and tips the scales at more before he makes this team than 217 pounds, and his competitive.

Hudl page lists his 40 time All that being said, how In 201 career games at 4.56 seconds. He has been much will this affect the as a head coach, new interception prone at times Thompson head coach immediate future, the 2015 throughout his career, and Mark Freeman has version of a team that one amassed a winning has a mammoth of a task year ago never won a game, percentage of 82 percent, ahead of him leading this and still finds themselves winning 164 games.

Warrior offense, but lead it in one of the toughest he will, and that fact alone regions in the state? Well, will have the Warriors let’s take a look. resting a little easier.

82

Quarterback Walker

Lott

quarterbacked

the

Running Back

Freeman and the Warriors’ coaching

Last region title: 1997 Last playoff game: 2006 THOMPSON HIGH SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 21

Wetumpka

Aug. 28

Pelham

Sept. 4

Spain Park*

Sept. 11

Mountain Brook*

Sept. 18

@ Hoover*

Sept. 25

BYE

Oct. 2

Vestavia*

Oct. 9

@ Hewitt-Trussville*

Oct. 16

Tuscaloosa County*

Oct. 23

@ Oak Mountain*

Oct. 29

@ Chelsea

* Region game

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

89

Want to know who scored during the big game?

Visit AlabasterReporter.com for a complete recap from Friday night’s game.

Ryan Martin

staff are excited about the options at running back in 2015.

Thompson will likely use three senior running backs at different times throughout games. Frank Mwakajumba and Darius Morton are two of the seniors, and stand about 5-feet-10-inches and 6-feet tall, respectively. Morton was hurt for some of the summer, but Freeman was very impressed with his spring work, and the two will split carries alongside classmate Carlos Stephens, last season’s return specialist.

Tenth grader Jo-Jo Ford has also had an impressive summer, and the coaching staff is excited about his development.

Wide Receiver

One of the biggest question marks entering the 2015 season is who, exactly, will Lott throw to. The coaching staff is still waiting for a few receivers to step up and claim the top spots in Freeman’s spread offense attack, and that process is still sorting itself out. Jordan Haywood, a senior, and Nolan Burke, a senior converted defensive back, have had impressive summers and look to be the leaders for Lott’s attention during the year. Who else will see consistent playing time at the receiver positions remains to be seen.

Offensive Line

The offensive line takes a hit with the loss of leader Melvin

90

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Owens. Donavyn Hicks is back for his senior season at tackle, and will be expected to lead the unit responsible for keeping Lott upright along with fellow returning starter, CJ King, at guard. Tyler Coach and Josh Owens, a junior and a senior who saw time last season, will join Hicks and King on the line. Freeman and the offensive coaching staff are working a few different kids at center to see who will complete the unit up front.

Defensive Line

Thompson will switch to a 3-4 defense under Freeman, as opposed to the 4-3 scheme it ran last season. Anchoring the front of Freeman’s 3-4 defensive scheme will be senior TJ Rayam. Rayam, who won the heavyweight wrestling state championship for Class 7A last season, is not only big, but also quick. He has good hands and footwork to match, and is the son of former University of Alabama defensive lineman Thomas Rayam. The position is in his blood, and he will be a nightmare for opposing coaches to stop. He will be the only returner up front, and will likely be joined by Kamari Perry and 10th grader Mackie McNeal, who have both impressed the coaching staff with their work.

Linebacker 2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

91

THOMPSON HIGH SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

1

Derrick Shaw

OLB

Senior

33 Darian Marcus

DB

Sophomore

70 Jake Burnette

OL

2

Kirkland Smith

DB

Senior

34 Joseph Ford

H/RB

Sophomore

71 Jackson Tanner

OL

Sophomore

3

Carlos Stephens

RB

Senior

35 Kevshon Hobson

DB

Sophomore

72 Cody Brown

OL

Junior

4

Darius Morton

RB

Senior

36 Myles Brown

DB

Sophomore

73 CJ King

DL

Senior

5

Ty Paul

OLB

Senior

37 Freddie McSherdon DB

Junior

75 TJ Rayam

DL

Senior

6

Dominic Whitehead

WR

Senior

38 Justin Carter

DB

Sophomore

76 Donovynn Hicks

OL

Senior

7

Ryan Martin

WR

Senior

40 Kai Bonds

DE

Junior

77 Caleb Randall

OL

Sophomore

8

Nolen Burke

WR

Senior

41 Paul Kellogg

DB

Junior

79 Tyler Couch

OL

Junior

9

Chris Lewis

HB

Junior

42 Gracein Hall

DE

Senior

80 Sam Holmes

WR

Sophomore

10 Jordan Haywood

WR

Senior

43 Alex Gamble

OLB

Junior

81 Jarvan Hawkins

DB

Senior

11 Austin Davis

DB

Junior

44 Seth Whitlock

OL

Sophomore

82 Jarius Grimsley

DB

Sophomore

12 Walker Lott

QB

Senior

45 Cody Hodges

ILB

Senior

83 Matthew Walker

WR

Sophomore

13 Josh Huner

QB

Sophomore

46 Stewart Hodges

ILB

Sophomore

84 Alondee Vasser

WR

Sophomore

14 Alijah Steele

WR

Senior

47 Payton Whiteside

HB

Senior

85 Dimitri Davis

K

Senior

15 Michael Freeman

WR

Senior

48 Viktor Turek

DE

Sophomore

86 Colin Hayes

DB

Sophomore

17 Terrell Manzano

DB

Senior

49 Travis Rogers

HB

Senior

87 Taylor Poskey

WR

Sophomore

19 Jalen Rayam

OLB

Sophomore

50 Josh Owens

OL

Senior

88 Moe Edwards

WR

Junior

20 Hunter Tangle

QB

Sophomore

51 Evan Pearman

OL

Sophomore

89 Cooper Murphy

WR

Sophomore

21 Frank Mwakajumba

RB

Senior

52 Ibronima Bah

DE

Junior

90 Mackie McNeal

DE

Sophomore

22 Chris Lewis

DB

Junior

53 Luke Nichols

OL

Junior

91 Larrice Bryant

NG

Junior

Sophomore

23 Corey Burroughs

DB

Junior

54 CJ King

OL

Senior

92 Domonique Dollerson NG

Sophomore

24 Quincy Stafford

DB

Junior

55 TY Cooper

DE

Senior

93 Logan Brown

K

Junior

25 Jabari Alexander

DB

Senior

56 Josh Clinkscale

ILB

Sophomore

94 Blake Foster

DE

Sophomore

26 Emmanuel Tait

DB

Senior

57 Max Lowery

OLB

Sophomore

95 Nick Owens

NG

Junior

27 Don Buckananon

ILB

Junior

58 Garet Mason

OL

Junior

96 Josh Wheeler

K

Junior

28 KJ Robertson

OLB

Sophomore

59 Zach Bicknell

ILB

Junior

97 Tate Pickle

NG

Junior

29 Nick Mobley

ILB

Junior

61 Nick Treace

OL

Junior

98 Braxston Ragland

K

Senior

30 Grant Bivins

OLB

Sophomore

64 Landon Howell

OL

Sophomore

99 Kamari Perry

NG

Junior

31 Evan Clarke

ILB

Sophomore

67 Skylier Haynie

OL

Junior

32 Brandon Hornkohl

DB

Sophomore

69 Hunter Booth

OL

Junior

The linebacking unit will look very different this season, with the only holdover from the previous regime being senior Cody Hodges. Ty Paul, who played the fourth defensive lineman spot last season, will drop back to play outside backer this season, and senior Derrick Shaw and junior stud Nick Mobley will round out the group. How quickly this unit can mesh will correlate directly into how effective the defense is.

Secondary

Potentially the most talented unit the Warriors will roll out this season,

Austin Davis and Emmanuel Tait will lead the way in the defensive backfield.

Tait will usually, if not always, be the fastest kid on the field, and the defending 110 and 300-meter hurdle 7A state champion will be a great safety blanket from his cornerback position.

Davis, a junior, has moved to Thompson from in-county Helena after last season, and has impressed the coaching staff tremendously. Seniors Jabari Alexander and Kirkland Smith will most likely join Tait and Davis.

Special Teams

Thompson is still in the process of figuring out who will punt and kick, since three-year do-it-all kicker David Buckelew has graduated. The special teams positions are still up in the air at this point, and will be ironed out as the season gets under way.

Players to Watch

Walker Lott, QB. TJ Rayam, DE. Emmanuel Tait, CB

Key Losses

Maxwell Daniels, Melvin Owens, Luke Moore.

GOOD LUCK Warriors!

92

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Warriors Football

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

93

Aremee Calloway

Vincent Yellow Jackets

J

ason Hill enters his third season as Vincent’s head coach and is coming off a season that saw his Yellow Jackets only win four games, but make an appearance in the 2A playoffs. Now, Hill faces some unique challenges with his 2015 roster. Gone are Jace Green and Jacorey Roper, two of the best

94

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Baker Ellis

athletes Vincent has had in the recent past, along with Anthony Roberson and Tavius Smith. What Hill does have is a roster filled with versatile, multi-purpose athletes who will need to step into big time roles in order for this otherwise young team to stay competitive and earn a trip back to the playoffs.

Quarterback

Late in the summer the news broke that do-it-all athlete Ar’shon Willis was transferring out of Vincent.

That’s a huge blow to the Yellow Jackets on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Willis was set to most likely take over the starting job full-time, but now Hill and his staff have had to recalibrate.

AHSAA 2A, REGION 4 2014: 4-7 (3-3) Head Coach: Jason Hill (3rd year, 10-11 record) Assistants: David Box, Mark Glausier, Whit Whitfield, Ted Gipson, Shawn Martin, Ryan Halla, Owen Butts

Jordan Smith

Running Back

Matthew Swift, Kaleb Allen and Robbie Albright are the three names Hayden Gann and Aremee Calloway battling for the position. Swift is will carry the load in the backfield a senior, while Allen for Vincent. Gann, a and Albright are just returning senior, badly freshmen, and all three hurt his ankle in the are new to the position, spring game and had a while Swift is new to light summer, so will need the game. Hill will most Jason Hill is entering his to reestablish himself likely want to utilize third season as the Vincent this fall. Calloway has head coach. He has a 10Swift elsewhere if at all 11 record heading into his the potential to be a true possible and hopefully third year. workhorse.

Standing begin to build toward a at 5-feet-10-inches and successful future with weighing in at 225 one of his two skilled, but green pounds, he is a gifted athlete who can freshmen. be incredibly difficult to tackle when

3

he wants to be.

Last region title: 2006 Last playoff game: 2014 VINCENT HIGH SCHOOL 2015 SCHEDULE Aug. 21

@ West Blocton

Aug. 28

Corner

Sept. 4

@ Holy Spirit*

Sept. 11

OPEN

Sept. 18

@ Fayetteville*

Sept. 25

BB Comer

Oct. 2

Thorsby*

Oct. 9

@ Francis Marion*

Oct. 16

Pickens County*

Oct. 23

RC Hatch*

Oct. 29

@ Talladega Central

* Region game

Want to know who scored during the big game?

Visit ShelbyCountyReporter.com for complete results from Friday night’s action.

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

95

VINCENT HIGH SCHOOL 2015 ROSTER No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

Position Year

No. Name

2

Josef Greene

WR/FS

Junior

20 Jacob Carlton

WR/DB Junior

56 Austin Kirk

OL/LB

Sophomore

4

Matthew Swift

QB/LB

Senior

21 JT Youngblood

RB/LB

58 Chase Marasckin

OL/DL

Freshman

5

Doug Bowman

WR/LB

Junior

22 Tony Donald

WR/DB Junior

61 Cole Holston

OL/DL

Senior

7

Aremee Calloway

RB/LB

Junior

25 Keith Martin

WR/DB Sophomore

65 Ty Hall

OL/DL

Sophomore

8

Cole Fincher

WR/DB Sophomore

26 Dontrell Bruno

WR/DB Sophomore

68 Cody Pate

OL/DE

Senior

9

Robbie Albright

8

Position Year

TE/DE

Freshman

40 Joseph Williams

WR/DB Freshman

74 Chandler Howell

OL/DL

Sophomore

11 Zack Martin

K

Freshman

44 Walter Rowser

RB/LB

Sophomore

78 Josh Huffstutler

OL/DL

Junior

12 Jordan Smith

TE/DE

Senior

51 Brett Burrage

OL/DE

Junior

88 Stanley Cooper

WR/DB Sophomore

91 Blake Horne

WR/DB Freshman

14 Lawrence Rivers

WR/DB Sophomore

54 Chris Hardie

OL/DL

Freshman

18 Dusty Davis

QB/FS

55 Zeb McCord

OL/DL

Junior

8

other two lineman positions haven’t been claimed yet, but sophomore Ty Hall and Josh Huffstutler, along with freshman Chris Hardie, will likely fill those spots.

Defensive Line

Zack Martin

Receivers

The Yellow Jackets will use four receivers primarily to make up for the hole left by Jace Greene. Cole Fincher, Josef Greene, Jordan Smith.

Fincher is a rising sophomore who saw time as a freshman and has really impressed the staff with his on-thefield intelligence and work ethic.

Josef, Jace’s little brother, does not have the breakaway speed that made his older brother so formidable, but as a junior is already bigger than his brother. Smith, a tight end, will provide athleticism and leadership

for the receiving corps when needed as well.

Offensive Line

The offensive line will be the determining factor for how far this team goes. Six-foot-4-inch, 285-pound Zeb McCord will anchor the offensive line for Vincent this season. With some of the best feet on the team, independent of size, McCord will need to plug up the line to keep whoever is behind him upright. Cody Pate, a three-year returning starter, and Cole Holston also return to help provide leadership up front. The

The team defensive MVP from last year, Smith, is back at defensive end.

Smith had 76 tackles, 14 of which were for loss, in 2014, and is back looking for a similar season again. The other three defensive line positions will be filled by committee to keep the lineman fresh, but Brett Burrage, a junior, and Pate will most likely rotate at the other defensive end position while McCord and Holston will play both ways as well.

Linebackers

Familiar names fill the linebacking corps as well. Calloway is the most athletically capable linebacker the Yellow Jackets have, and Vincent will need him to bring a true linebacker mentality to every game in order for the Yellow Jackets defense to be successful. Robbie Albright, one of the freshman Hill and his staff are so high on, will see time at linebacker after working in at defensive end last season as an eighth-grader. Hayden Gann, Calloway’s running back partner, will also see significant time

GOOD LUCK yellow jackets!

96

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Yellow Jackets Football on the defensive side of the ball.

Secondary

Youth is the name of the game in the secondary, a unit which will feature Josef Greene at one of the safety slots, as well as Fincher and Tony Donald at the cornerback positions.

Kaleb Allen will work in as well. This is one of the places Willis will be sorely missed, as he was a first team All-State defensive athlete in 2014 and only saw six games of action on defense. The secondary will have to adjust, and the young players simply have to step up.

Special Teams

Zack Martin is entering his third season as the starting kicker for Vincent, but only his first year of high school. He locked down the kicking job as a seventh grader and has never looked back, winning a game in the final seconds last season against BB Comer. Matthew Swift, the senior in his first year with the team, RB/LB Aremee Calloway, WR/DB Jace Greene, Jacorey Roper, Anthony has proven to be a natural punter who Josef Greene, TE/DE Jordan Smith, Roberson, Tavius Smith, Vec will handle those obligations.

OL/DL Zeb McCord Hamilton. Ar’shon Willis.

Players to Watch

Key Losses

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

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STATE RECORDS SHELBY COUNTY

AHSAA Football Individual Records

OFFENSE - MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES, Season 47, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 3rd

OFFENSE - MOST POINTS SCORED, Season 204, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 2001 - 26th

OFFENSE - MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES, Career 88, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-2007 - 8th 55, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1995-97 - 29th

OFFENSE - MOST POINTS SCORED, Career 620, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 - 4th

OFFENSE - LONGEST TOUCHDOWN PASS 99 yards, Joe Craddock, Briarwood, 2002

OFFENSE - MOST TOUCHDOWNS SCORED, Season 34, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 2001 - 37th OFFENSE - MOST TOUCHDOWNS SCORED, Career 102, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 - 6th

OFFENSE - MOST PASS RECEPTIONS, Season 70, Montez Billings, Pelham, 2002 - 30th 70, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998 - 30th

OFFENSE - LONGEST FIELD GOAL 60 yards, Michael Proctor, Pelham vs. Mt. Brook, 1991 - 1st 51 yards, Jason Lang, Pelham vs. Shades Valley, 1994 - 34th

OFFENSE - MOST PASS RECEPTIONS, Career 243, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 - 3rd OFFENSE - CAREER TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS 41, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 - 11th

OFFENSE - MOST EXTRA POINTS KICKED, Season 68, Graham Wilson, Briarwood (of 73 attempts), 1998 - 13th

OFFENSE - MOST YARDS RECEIVING, Season 1,305, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998 - 13th 1,170, Shannon Hartsfield, Briarwood, 1990 - 37th 1,060, Bill Flowers, Pelham, 1999 - 58th

OFFENSE - MOST EXTRA POINTS KICKED, Career 180, Graham Wilson, Briarwood, 1997-99 - 8th OFFENSE - MOST EXTRA POINTS KICKED, Consecutive 53, Michael Proctor, Pelham, 1989-91 - 14th

OFFENSE - MOST YARDS RECEIVING, Career 4,122, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 (243 catches) - 3rd

OFFENSE - MOST YARDS RUSHING, Season 2,281, Shontua Ray, Montevallo, 1997 (11 games) - 37th OFFENSE - MOST YARDS RUSHING, Career 5,144, Arthur Johnson, Thompson, 1980-82 - 26th

OFFENSE - TOTAL OFFENSE, Career 9,544, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2003 - 5th 9,164, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 7th

OFFENSE - MOST YARDS PASSING, Game 408, Tyler Watts, Pelham vs. Vestavia Hills, 1995 - 34th

OFFENSE - TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS, Season 53, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 4th

OFFENSE - MOST YARDS PASSING, Season 3,469, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 7th 2,834, Parker Anderson, Pelham, 1999 - 34th 2,501, Bart Yancey, Briarwood, 1990 - 57th 2,484, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1997 - 60th 2,056, Jeff Flannery, Briarwood, 1998 - 101st

OFFENSE - ALL-PURPOSE YARDS, Season 4,079, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 4th 2,430, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1999 - 32nd OFFENSE - ALL-PURPOSE YARDS, Career 9,544, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2003 - 8th 9,164, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 13th

OFFENSE - MOST YARDS PASSING, Career 7,968, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 11th 6,838, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1994-97 - 20th

DEFENSE - MOST INTERCEPTIONS, Game 4, Brandon Salser, Chelsea vs. Isabella, 1989 - T-2nd DEFENSE - MOST TACKLES, Season 285, Matthew Forester, Briarwood, 1998 - 1st

OFFENSE - MOST PASSES ATTEMPTED, Game 55, Mason Duke, Spain Park vs. Oxford, 2013 - 7th 53, Nick Mullens, Spain Park vs. Austin, 2012 - 10th

DEFENSE - MOST TACKLES, Career 612, Matthew Forester, Briarwood, 1996-98 - 2nd

OFFENSE - MOST PASSES ATTEMPTED, Season 361, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 16th 342, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1997 - 24th 335, Bart Yancey, Briarwood, 1990 - 26th 303, Parker Anderson, Pelham, 1999 - 47th

AHSAA Football Team Records MOST CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITHOUT A LOSS 45, Shelby County (43-0-2), 1961-66 - 6th

OFFENSE - MOST PASSES COMPLETED, Game 32, Mason Duke, Spain Park vs. Oxford, 2013 - 8th 31, Nick Mullens, Spain Park vs. Austin, 2012 - 10th

OFFENSE - MOST POINTS SCORED, Season 582, Briarwood Chrisitan (15-0), 1998 - 45th

OFFENSE - MOST PASSES ATTEMPTED, Career 1,008, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1994-97 - 6th 966, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 11th

OFFENSE - MOST POINTS SCORED, Game (Both teams) 117, Pelham (77) vs. Jackson-Olin (40), 2006 - 11th 114, Vincent (72) vs. Isabella (42), 2011 - 14th

OFFENSE - MOST PASSES COMPLETED, Season 228, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 14th 204, Parker Anderson, Pelham, 1999 - 24th 200, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1997 - 28th

OFFENSE - MOST PASS ATTEMPTS, Season 342, Pelham, 1997 - 10th OFFENSE - MOST COMPLETIONS, Season 200, Pelham (342 attempts), 1997 - 12th

OFFENSE - MOST PASSES COMPLETED, Career 594, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 7th 519, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1994-97 - 11th

Thompson ’82

98

Coosa Valley ’84

Briarwood ’98

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

Shelby Academy ’98

Briarwood ’99

Briarwood ’03

Shelby Academy ’06

Coosa Valley ’10

KNOW what t o d o in c ase of

SUSPECTED CONCUSSION A concussion is an injury caused by a blow to the head in which the brain moves rapidly and may collide with the inside of the skull.

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:

n Should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY/ACTIVITY n Should be urgently assessed medically n Should not be left alone n Should not drive a motor vehicle

www.ChildrensAL.org/concussion In case of medical emergency, call 911 or go directly to your local ER

2015 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL

99

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