2016 GRIDIRON GUIDE
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NeColby Maxwell, BRHS
AUGUST 2016
Margarius Buchanan, DHS
Raymond Graham, Coosa
Drew Hill, HBS
NEW YEAR, NEW STORYLINES Five stories to watch in the 2016 high school football season STAFF REPORT TPI Staff
yard receiver Tyreke Stone, shutdown corner Isaiah Hicks, and the list goes on. Jennings went down early in 2015, which enabled Margarius Buchanan to step in at the quarterback position as he finished with 1,399 yards passing, 1,538 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns in the Tigers’ up-tempo offense. With Buchanan returning, the Tigers hope to pick up where they left off. The athletes, as always, will be there for the Tigers, but will have to step up quickly in a region that includes the return of longtime rival Tallassee.
The 2016 high school football season is upon us, but teams around the Tallapoosa County area are prepared for the changes coming this year. With new region alignments, new coaches and, of course, new players, teams around the Lake Martin area will have to adjust quickly to ensure success on the gridiron. Here are five of the top storylines to watch in Reeltown under new management 2016. With the retirement of legendary coach Jackie O’Neal, Reeltown will move forward under a new Will Dadeville rebuild or reload? coach in Matt Johnson. Like all high school teams, Dadeville lost key Familiarity with existing staff members should players from last season, but few lost as many for- make for an easier transition, as well as scheme mer All-State athletes as the Tigers. changes that Johnson dubbed “minor.” The Rebels are hoping to maintain that same kind Alabama signee Shawndarius Jennings, 1,000-
of smashmouth style that worked so well under O’Neal for decades. If Johnson can establish his style early on, things could go smoothly for the Rebels.
Wildcats replacing large senior class The Wildcats will have to replace 27 seniors from last season’s 12-2 squad that finished in the Class 6A semifinals. Among those seniors were key players like Murray State signee Tyre Gray, who led Benjamin Russell with 1,848 yards and 31 touchdowns from the quarterback position. Not only will the Wildcats have to find a new signal-caller, they will have to replace some key pieces on the offensive line and defense. Fortunately for Benjamin Russell, it returns an 1,800-yard rusher in running back NeColby See STORYLINES • Page 23