BACK ON THE GRIDIRON

Transcription

2012 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
PREP BLITZ
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012
BACK ON THE GRIDIRON
Check out this year’s
Super 8 Seniors, Pages 12-13.
OPELIKA-AUBURN
NEWS
PHOTOS BY VASHA HUNT/OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS
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AUBURN HIGH TIGERS
◆
3
Auburn looks to avoid one-and-done trend
BY JASON GALLOWAY
At A Glance
[email protected]
The losses couldn’t hurt much
worse than Auburn High’s firstround playoff games the last
two seasons.
In an overtime loss to CarverMontgomery in 2010, a fumble
on the Wolverines’ 7-yard line
squandered a chance for the Tigers to win the game in regulation. Last season was arguably
even worse, when Auburn took
a 7-point lead with less than a
minute to go before a botched
kickoff, a quick score and a 2point conversion had Duck
Samford Stadium wondering
how it had slipped away.
This season is about proving
these first-round losses aren’t a
new trend for a team that won
four in a row from 2006-09.
“They’re both games we probably should have won. We had it
at the end, we had a chance to
put it away, and we just didn’t,”
Auburn head coach Tim Carter
said. “It’s very difficult to sit in
here and talk about what we’ve
accomplished in a sense of failure because when you finish a
season 8-2, which we’ve done
the last two years, you’ve won
the majority of your football
games against good people.
“But the reality is, the playoffs
is a second season, and that’s
what we haven’t done well in.
My first four years here we won
our first-round game every
year, and some of those teams
weren’t nearly as good as the
last two teams that have lost in
the first round.”
Auburn will have to improve
with only seven returning starters.
Gone are talented running
backs Marcus Harris and Patrey Hardnett, most of the offensive line — including overpowering tackles Clay Machen
(South Alabama) and Caleb
Peterson (North Carolina)
— top wide receiver Cody Core
(Ole Miss) and defensive leader Mitchell Roland (Troy) at
VASHA HUNT/OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS
Auburn linebacker Reuben Foster works with teammates during practice
Aug. 14. Foster, ranked as the second-best high school player in the
nation, moved to Auburn from Troup County (Ga.) High in April.
to play, they’re going to want to
start,” senior quarterback Cameron Echols-Luper said. “They
» Nickname: Tigers
may not be as athletic, but
» Colors: Blue and white
they’re going to fight their butts
» Stadium: Duck Samford
off to get that role.”
(8,310)
The dual-threat, efficient
» Location: Intersection of
Echols-Luper, a three-year startGlenn Avenue and East Univerer under center for the Tigers, is
sity Drive
a big reason why Auburn’s of» Admission: $7
fense can still be expected to
» Parking: $2 behind staproduce like it has in the past
dium, free across East Univerand a big reason why the Tigers
sity and Glenn
are ranked way up at No. 3 in
» Radio: WTGZ (93.9 FM) &
the Class 6A ASWA preseason
WAUD (1230 AM)
poll.
» Home kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Defense, though, is where Au» Last playoff appearance:
burn looks to make the most
2011
improvement.
linebacker.
The Tigers gave up 43 points
“It’s going to be difficult, but in each of their losses last seaat the same time I know a lot son. Only four starters return
of these guys are going to want on that side of the ball, but the
Game Night Guide
WR Daijon MacKlein, RB Marcus
Harris, RB Patrey Hardnett, OT
» Head coach: Tim Carter, 7th
Clay Machen, OT Caleb Peterson,
year (56-15), 11th overall (74-39)
OG Jeffery Bass, OG McKinley
» Assistant coaches:
Weldon, C Parker Corbin, FB/TE
Jason Davis, Mike Glisson, Willie
Drew Snydor, DT Josh Brown, LB
Hutchinson, Anthony Jeter, Rob
Mitchell Roland, LB Sam Stark,
McKinnell, Gary Pegues, Jamie
S Deion Anderson, CB TaMarcus
Rice, Avery Warner
Warren
» 2011 record: 8-2 (5-1 region);
» Outlook: Although Auburn
lost, 43-42, to Fairhope in 6A first
only returns seven starters,
round
adding Reuben Foster — ranked
» Offense: Spread
as the nation’s No. 2 overall
» Defense: 4-3
recruit — should greatly help a
» Returning offensive startdefense that gave up 43 points
ers (3): QB Cameron Echolsin each of its two losses last
Luper (Sr., 6-0, 190); WR Blaise
season. Cameron Echols-Luper
Taylor (Jr., 5-8, 155); OT Will Boler
returns to start his third season
(Sr., 6-0, 265)
at quarterback, and the Tigers
» Returning defensive starthave proven their offense can
ers (4): DE Crew Bennett (Sr.,
succeed even when they replace
6-1, 225); LB Parker Heideman
a number of key players. As the
(Sr., 6-2, 200); CB Antreal Allen
state’s preseason No. 3 team in
(Jr., 5-10, 168); S Selwyn Torbert
Class 6A, Auburn should have
(Jr., 6-1, 192)
high expectations to take back
» Other contributors: RB
the region title from Central and
Cameron Reese (Sr., 5-6, 165);
make a deep postseason run.
RB Gevon Jones (Sr., 5-9, 165);
FB Tez Brooks (Jr., 5-11, 195); C
2012 Schedule
Christian Reyes (Jr., 5-10, 230);
» Aug. 31 at Valley
WR Dymikel Holmes (Sr., 6-0,
» Sept. 6 at Jeff Davis *
170); DE Rashaan Evans (Jr., 6-3,
» Sept. 14 vs. Smiths Station *
215); DE Darian Yancy (Jr., 6-2,
» Sept. 21 vs. Sidney Lanier *
210); NG Michael Turner (Jr., 5-11,
» Sept. 28 at Gadsden City
260); LB Austin Williams (Sr.,
» Oct. 5 vs. Carver-Mont. *
5-10, 195); Harrison Riggs (Sr.,
» Oct. 12 at Central *
6-0, 200); S Delwyn Torbert (Jr.,
» Oct. 18 at Lee-Montgomery *
6-1, 185); CB Zay Lockhart (Sr.,
» Oct. 26 vs. Opelika *
6-1, 172); LB Reuben Foster (Sr.,
» Nov. 2 vs. East Limestone
6-2, 228)
*Class 6A-Region 3 games
» Key losses: WR Cody Core,
addition of senior middle linebacker Reuben Foster — the No.
2 overall recruit in the country
— doesn’t even count as part of
that short list.
Foster transferred from Troup
County High in LaGrange, Ga.,
to Auburn in April and should
instantly elevate the Tigers’ defensive efforts.
“He’s a motivator,” Carter said
of Foster. “He helps raise other
kids’ level of play. They want
to play up to his standard, and
that’s a positive.
“He gives you a force de-
fensively on the inside. That’s
something we were a little concerned with (now that Roland is
gone).”
The five-star linebacker has
impressedthecoachingstaffand
other players since he moved to
Auburn, but Foster said he’s also
been impressed with his teammates, who will try to steal back
the Class 6A-Region 3 title from
Central — which won it last year
— after winning three in a row
from 2008-10.
“I see motivation,” Foster said.
“They’re ready.”
4
◆
OPELIKA BULLDOGS
OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS
◆
www.oanow.com
Inexperienced Bulldogs try to rally together
BY JASON GALLOWAY
[email protected]
Opelika enters the 2012 season without a star player.
For head coach Brian Blackmon, that’s not necessarily a
bad thing.
In fact, he believes it’s a great
situation to be in.
“That’s the great thing about
this team — we don’t have an
elite, marquee player on this
football team today that we
look at and say, ‘This is our
guy,’” Blackmon said. “But
what we do have is 11 guys who
are all high-quality kids and
good ballplayers, so that they’ll
all play together and they’re
not concerned about one guy
winning the game for us. I
think we have a better chance
of success.
“Some teams, when you don’t
have that guy, they kind of rally
around each other and everybody’s expecting everybody to
put a little bit in to help win the
Opelika
head
coach
Brian
Blackmon
works
with
sophomore
quarterback
Matthew
Christian
during practice
game.”
Getting to the point where Aug. 8.
everyone can chip in may not
new quarterback — sophomore
185)
At A Glance
be the easiest task.
»
Other
contributors:
DE
Matthew Christian. There are
The Bulldogs only return five
» Head coach: Brian Blackmon,
Xavier Graham (Sr., 6-2, 215); DL
many question marks on both
starters from a year ago. Inex- 4th year (18-11)
Aaron Reese (Sr., 6-0, 254); DE
sides of the ball, and inexperience
perience likely stands as the
» Assistant coaches: Buster
Abram
Williams
(Sr.,
6-1,
205);
SS
could
be an issue early on in the
greatest obstacle for Opelika Daniel, Alex Dowdell, Adam
Brandon
Taylor
(Sr.,
6-0,
185);
LB
season.
Opelika does, though,
this season, especially at the Massey, Bryan Moore, Mike
Cartavious Washington (Sr., 5-9,
have many seniors starting for the
quarterback position.
Murray, Lamar Prescott, Erik
Sophomore Matthew Chris- Speakman, Brandon Johnson Ben 200); OL Deandre Wilson (Sr., 6-5, first time who only have one more
350); CB Aldrecous Wilson (Jr.,
year to make their impact on the
tian and junior B.J.White — nei- Landers, Jimmy Johnson, Kenny
5-10,
155);
S
Stephen
Roberts
(Jr.,
program.
ther have ever started a varsity Prescott
5-11, 180); CB Deshaun Pulliam
game — battled for the starting
» 2011 record: 7-3 (4-2 region); (Sr., 5-8, 170); LB Marquise Wright
quarterback job throughout
2012 Schedule
lost, 49-31, to Daphne in 6A first
(Jr., 6-0, 210); TE Jakell Mitchell
fall practice until Christian
» Aug. 31 at Benjamin Russell
round
(Jr., 6-2, 205); WR Eligha Singlewas named the starter last
» Sept. 7 vs. Lee-Montgomery *
» Offense: Spread
ton
(Sr.,
5-11,
158);
WR
Marquise
week.
» Sept. 14 vs. Central *
» Defense: 4-2-5
Fulton
(Jr.,
6-0,
180)
“Neither one of those guys
» Sept. 22 at Carver-Mont. *
» Returning offensive start»
Key
losses:
DL
Jamarlo
Alhas started a 6A game. That
» Sept. 28 vs. Valley
ford, DL Torey Agee, RB D’Marius
makes for some sleepless ers (3): OL Greg Johnson (Sr.,
» Oct. 4 at Sidney Lanier *
6-2,
265);
OL
Jarrett
Carson
(Sr.,
Howard, RB Cameron Hill, DB
nights,” Blackmon said. “We
» Oct. 12 at Smiths Station *
6-0,
255);
OL
T.J.
Tribble
(Sr.,
6-2,
Vashon
Landers,
TE
Tony
Philpot
felt (Christian) had really good
» Oct. 19 vs. Jeff Davis *
285)
»
Outlook:
Opelika
put
together
composure, and he commands
»
Oct. 26 at Auburn *
»
Returning
defensive
startits
best
season
since
2008
last
the offense really good. Watch» Nov. 1 at Hoover
ing tape, he’s just played a ers (2): DL Martin Scott (Sr., 5-9, year, but the Bulldogs now lose
17 starters and have to break in a
little bit better. … We just felt 235); S Malcom Briggs (Jr., 5-10,
like right now Matthew gives
us a little better chance to
An offensive line with five starters — the only three on should be a helpful commodity
win.”
seniors and three returning the offensive side of the ball — for the young signal caller.
Game Night Guide
» Nickname: Bulldogs
» Colors: Red and black
» Stadium: Bulldog Stadium
(6,500)
» Location: ½ mile north of
Hwy 431/29 intersection, past
the school on the left
» Admission: $7
» Parking: Free
» Radio: WKKR (97.7 FM)
» Last playoff appearance:
2011
Blackmon said he expects the
offensive and defensive lines
— which start seniors at every
position — to be the strength of
Opelika’s team and take pressure off some of the younger
players at other positions.
“Watching the past seniors, it
seems like when you become a
senior, you immediately take
over the role of being a leader,”
said senior offensive lineman
Jarrett Carson. “I think being a
senior now, I have to (lead) as
much as I can.”
Of the 13 seniors the Bulldogs
plan on starting this season,
only three started in 2011 as
juniors.
There’s something impressive
about that, Blackmon said. He
said his team is full of players
who are finally getting the opportunity that they’ve worked
year in and year out to achieve.
“When you look at the number of guys that we have starting as seniors that waited until
they were a senior to start, that
says something about the quality of their character,” Blackmon said. “Most guys nowadays, if they’re not a starter by
the time they’re a junior, they’re
looking for another school to
go to. These guys have hung
around and worked hard and
been given an opportunity.
“I think they’re hungry.
I’m really excited about seeing their progress as this year
unfolds.”
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6
◆
CENTRAL RED DEVILS
OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS
◆
www.oanow.com
Red Devils hope to reload in 2012 season
BY JASON GALLOWAY
[email protected]
It’s not easy for a high school
coach when roughly half his
starting lineup from a year ago
is preparing to play on college
campuses.
It becomes even tougher
when one of those losses is a
quarterback getting ready for
his first season in the SEC.
That’s the challenge Central
head coach Woodrow Lowe faces heading into the Red Devils’
Class 6A-Region 3 title defense
in 2012.
Good thing the former NFL
linebacker had been anticipating the situation long before
this fall.
“Like I’ve always said and always will say, in the high school,
6A football in the state of Alabama, the thing that you’ve got
to remember is that it’s about
development,” he said. “You’ve
got to develop players to be
starters their junior year. It’s
about development.
“It’s kind of a revamping year,
but we had some good guys on
second team last year that are
coming along.”
When most high school players only have a one-to-two-year
window of relevant production,
Lowe understands there always
needs to be younger players
waiting in the wings.
There may be no better example of that than senior Cameron Fraser, the Red Devils’
6-foot-6 tackle who didn’t begin playing football until 10th
grade, started his first game last
season and has since committed to South Florida.
“It’s going to be difficult because most of (last year’s seniors) were leaders on this
team,” Fraser said, “but I think
we have a great young talent pool to pull from. We’ve
had a bunch of ninth graders
who have been playing with
us.”
Until those players break out
into contributors like Central
Game Night Guide
» Nickname: Red Devils
» Stadium: Garrett-Harrison
(8,500)
» Location: Summerville
Road & U.S. Hyw 80 in Phenix
City
» Admission: $7
» Parking: $3 at stadium
» Radio: Magic 98.3 FM
(CST)
2011
“You’ve got to always try to
keep the program going and
keep refueling.”
Woodrow Lowe,
Central head coach
advanced to the state semifinals for the first time since the
VASHA HUNT/OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS Red Devils won the state chamCentral head coach Woodrow Lowe runs drills during practice Aug. 10. The Red Devils will try to defend their pionship in 1993 with Lowe as
region title with just eight starters returning.
an assistant.
“I don’t have a magic crysquarterback Jonathan Wallace,
» Other contributors: WR
At A Glance
tal ball or anything like that.
Khaled Berklin (Jr.); QB Jamal
who has received high praise from
Last year was last year. It’s a
» Head coach: Woodrow Lowe,
Howard (Jr.); TE Timothy Sweetcoaches in his first fall camp at
new season,” Lowe said. “We
3rd year (20-5), 7th overall (39ing (Sr.); OT Chauncey Collins
Auburn
University.
Central
may
tell our kids right now it’s their
27)
(Jr.); LB Robert Turner (Jr.); S
not have the athleticism of a year
time. We’ve got a tradition here.
» Assistant coaches: Joel
Christian Campbell (Jr.); DT Jaitlin ago, but the Red Devils also have
The guys that were here before
Babb, Matt Bell, Bryce Ciancio,
Smith (Sr.); S Joseph Ray (Jr.);
them, they left a great legacy for
some talent waiting in the wings
Adrian Lyles, Rob Morales, Ray
LB Akil Perry (Sr.); OLB Kendrick
them to continue. We leave it
and should be very competitive
Vickers, Keith Wicker, Brandon
Hillian (Jr.)
up to them whether they want
Avery, Scotty King
» Key losses: QB Jonathan Wal- this season.
to buy in.
» 2011 record: 11-3 (5-1 region); lace, RB Gerald Walker, RB Trent
“If they don’t buy in, they
lost, 45-12, to Prattville in 6A
Miles, WR Skyler Moore, C Paul
2012 Schedule
won’t
be in there.”
semifinals
Waldrop, TE Jonathan Curry, LT
» Aug. 30 vs. Russell County
But from a young age, Cen» Offense: Multiple
B.J. Hunter, LB Luke Wilson, OLB
tral’s players are groomed to
» Sept. 7 vs. Carver-Mont. *
» Defense: Multiple
Reggie Brown, DE Zach Dean, OLB
buy in.
»
Sept.
14
at
Opelika
*
» Returning offensive startTrevous Horton, S Anthony Ford,
After all, as Lowe says, the
» Sept. 21 at Lee-Montgomery *
ers (5): LT Cameron Fraser (Sr.);
CB Justin Wiley, NG Ellis Smith
players are what define the
»
Sept.
28
vs.
East
Coweta
(Ga.)
RG Jeremiah Payne (Sr.); LG Jeron
» Outlook: Central surprised
coach.
» Oct. 5 at Jeff Davis *
Jones (Jr.); RB Deon Hall (Sr.); WR many by advancing all the way to
“If you’ve got good play»
Oct.
12
vs.
Auburn
*
Traveon Samuel (So.)
the semifinals last year before hiters, you’re going to be a good
» Oct. 19 vs. Sidney Lanier *
» Returning defensive startting a wall against eventual-state
coach,” Lowe said. “If you don’t
» Oct. 26 at Smiths Station *
ers (3): DT Derek King (Sr.); DB
champion Prattville. The Red Devhave good players, by the same
» Nov. 2 vs. Stanhope Elmore
Chris James (Jr.); OLB Cedric
ils lost a ton of senior talent from
token, you’re going to have a
that team, including dual-threat
Chambers (Sr.)
*Class 6A-Region 3 game
bad head coach.
“You’ve got to always try to
expects, though, many outside how the Red Devils will follow
Central won a region title for keep the program going and
the program are left wondering up the success of last season.
the first time since 2001 and keep refueling.”
SMITHS STATION PANTHERS
◆
7
Growing pains over for confident Smiths Station
BY JASON GALLOWAY
[email protected]
It was hard to expect much out
of Smiths Station last season.
Looking at the facts — replacing 20 starters, playing a tough
schedule with plenty of tough
region games — it was difficult
to picture a scenario with the
Panthers in the postseason.
Like head coach Mark Rose
said, it could have been a disaster.
“I’ve been in this a long time.
I’ve never started a team that
young anywhere I’ve ever
been,” Rose said. “They took
what could have been a disastrous season, and they worked
so hard. We were one play from
the playoffs. We lost in overtime
to Dothan. If we win that game,
we’re in the playoffs.
“It’s obvious we weren’t far off
last year.”
Not only did the Panthers
avoid a catastrophe last year,
they played sophomores like
they were seniors and now enter
2012 wise beyond their years.
Two running backs that can
run 4.4 40-yard dashes, a quarterback now with 10 starts
under his belt, a leading receiver that was also the team’s
second-leading tackler and a
host of players who were keys to
winning two of three overtime
games in one season.
Those are some highlights of
Smiths Station’s class that just
began its junior season — a
time when most players are jittery about playing their first
meaningful minutes on a Friday
night.
“At this level, you’re never used
to guys getting experience until
their junior year,” Rose said. “It
sort of puts them experiencewise like seniors going into this
year.You can work out and practice and everything, but there’s
nothing like game experience,
so we’re excited about that.”
The players can see the difference.
Although they were confident
Game Night Guide
» Nickname: Panthers
» Colors: Black and silver
» Stadium: Panther Stadium
» Location: Lee Road 298,
one block west of Lee Road 298Lee Road 430 junction
» Admission: $7
» Parking: Free
» Radio: WMXA (96.7 FM)
(CST)
2010
end Doniaven Kilpatrick said,
feels different.
“Last year, I had confidence
in my team, but we were young,
we only had eight seniors starting on both sides of the ball,” he
said. “This year, we have seniors
starting and juniors that started
as sophomores, so they have a
whole year of experience ahead
of them and behind them.
“I feel a lot more comfortable
with our team this year than I
Smiths Station junior quarterback Jerrell Gilmore passes downfield during practice Aug. 17. Gilmore was one did in the past.”
Smith Station’s 4-6 record last
of many sophomores who started for the Panthers last season.
year gave Rose just his second
losing season in 14 years as a
including an upset victory over
» Returning defensive
At A Glance
head coach.
starters (6): WLB Tim Hester;
Valley in Week 10, to end last
» Head coach: Mark Rose, 5th
As his coaching colleagues alMLB AnFernee Moffet; FS Woods; season, and they enter 2012 much
year (19-23), 15th overall (117-39)
ready
know, Rose gets the best
DE
Doniaven
Kilpatrick;
CB
Trey
more experienced. Expectations
» Assistant coaches: Clinton
out of the players that come
Harris;
CB
Marshall
for
Smiths
Station
will
be
to
make
Britton, Roy Brown, Randy
through his program.
» Other contributors: RG
the playoffs, but that’s something
Daniels, Rusty Davis, Johnny
Kilpatrick and other seniors
Dujuan Simmons (So.); Devan
that will be difficult with a number
Faulk, Cody Fluornoy, Jared
said
players are competing evMiller (Jr.); RT Ladarius Wilson
of good teams in the region.
Harrelson, Adam Johnson, Jeff
ery day and working before
(So.);
TE
Levi
White
(Jr.);
FB
Carrero, Cencade Pennington,
and after practice to get better,
Chris Logan (Jr.); FB/LB Amonte
Tommy Sanders
2012
Schedule
stronger and faster.
» 2011 record: 4-6 (2-4 region) Caban (So.); John Kittrell (Jr.);
Rose said that’s all he can ask
»
Aug.
31
at
Enterprise
DE Brandon Holland (Sr.); DT
» Offense: Multiple
of
them.
»
Sept.
7
at
Sidney
Lanier
*
Wimberly (Jr.); SS Marcus Mattox;
» Defense: 4-3
“We took about two days off
»
Sept
14
at
Auburn
*
LB
Tyler
Holland
» Returning offensive
and then we were back in the
» Sept. 21 vs. Jeff Davis *
» Key losses: FB Brock
starters (7): QB Jerrell Gilmore
weight
room after the season
» Sept. 28 at Beauregard
Hightower, RG Jared Williams
(Jr.); RB Devonte Marshall (Jr.)/
was
over,”
Rose said. “This has
» Oct. 5 vs. Lee-Montgomery *
» Outlook: Smiths Station’s
J.J. Dancy (Jr.); LT Jacob Smith
been a great group, a great off»
Oct.
12
vs.
Opelika
*
4-6 record a year ago wasn’t all
(Sr.); LG Zack Sidman (Sr.); WR
season. They’re really focused.
» Oct. 19 at Carver-Mont. *
Johnny Woods (Jr.)/Kelvin McTyre that bad considering the Panthers
It’s been absolutely 100 percent
» Oct. 26 vs. Central *
were replacing 20 starters from
(Sr.); WR Dee Canada (Sr.)/
on workouts all summer… I
» Nov. 2 vs. Valley *
their 2010 playoff team. They
Ladarian Heath (Jr.); RT Justin
think the chemistry is great. I
won three of their last five games,
Wimberly (Jr.)
think our guys are really hungry.
and certainly didn’t cut any pletely naïve to the fact that a likely last season.
“They’ve just done everything
corners, they also weren’t com- deep playoff run was rather unThis year, senior defensive I asked and then some.”
8
◆
VALLEY RAMS
OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS
◆
www.oanow.com
Rams try to regroup after coach steps down
BY JASON GALLOWAY
[email protected]
Matthew Wells’ job heading
into this football season was a
tough one.
He was Valley’s fourth coach
since 2008, was taking over
the program with only seven
returning starters and had to
navigate through a schedule
that included three Class 6A
teams.
Now, Marshon Harper’s job is
even tougher.
Since Wells took a leave of
absence last week for personal
reasons just five months after
being named the head coach
and athletic director, Harper
— who now takes over as the
interim coach for the season
— has to deal with all the aforementioned challenges on top of
regrouping a team that lost its
head coach just nine days before the season opener against
Auburn High.
But Valley, which plays Auburn, Opelika and Smiths Station this fall, still has high expectations once again in 2012.
To reach them, the Rams will
have to replace its entire offensive line, which was lost to
graduation.
Quarterback Josh Meigs returns, but the turnover up front
has given a fresh, youthful feel
to the offense.
The Opelika-Auburn News
was unable to reach Harper for
comment after he was named
the interim coach, but the OA News did talk to Wells about
the upcoming season before he
took his leave of absence.
“We lost almost everybody,”
said Wells, who was the co-offensive coordinator for the
Rams last season. “You think
that you go 9-3, you really don’t
have to rebuild a whole lot. We
were regional champions last
year, and we had a good team.
But we lost so many good kids,
it really is like a rebuilding situation.”
Early in the season, Valley’s
At A Glance
» Head coach: Marshon
Harper, first season
» Assistant coaches: Chad
Adams (DC/ILB), Adam Hunter
(QBs/OC), Stan Burnett (WRs),
Wells (OL), Jamario Walker
(OLBs), Ryan Smith (DL)
» 2011 record: 9-3 (7-0 region); lost, 31-16, to Spanish Fort
in 5A second round
» Defense: 3-4/multiple
» Returning offensive starters (3): QB Josh Meigs, FB Cedric
Chambers, WR Houston Barnes
» Returning defensive starters (4): DL Red Barnes, DL Bo
Grant, LB DeVontray Garrett, DB
Christian Patton
» Other contributors: C Jake
Thomas, RB Ke’onte Stringer, CB
Terron Barker
» Key losses: OL Jaylen Ware,
OL Carlton Ashford, OL Eli Reardon, OL Steven Ray, OL Cliff Autry,
OL Russell Wallace, WR Desmond
“You think that you go 9-3,
you really don’t have to rebuild a whole lot. We were regional champions last year,
and we had a good team. But
we lost so many good kids,
it really is like a rebuilding
situation.”
Matthew Wells,
Former Valley head coach
blueprint won’t be much different than most teams. Wells said
he expects the Rams’ defense
to be their strength and anticipates it will lead the way until
the offense finds its rhythm.
ButWells said he has no doubt
the offense will come around,
at some point in the season.
When it does, he said, it will be
Meigs leading the way.
According to a press release
sent out by Chambers County
Reece, RB Brodrick Jones, LB
Courtney Cammon
» Outlook: Learning how to adjust to a brand new head could be
tough for Valley. Matthew Wells,
who was named the Rams’ head
coach and athletic director in
March, took a leave of absence for
personal reasons last week and
will not return as the head coach.
That leaves Marshon Harper, a
long-time Valley assistant, to lead
a team that went 9-3 last season
but only returns seven starters.
2012 Schedule
» Aug. 31 vs. Auburn
» Sept. 7 vs. Rehobeth *
» Sept. 14 at Carroll *
» Sept. 21 vs. Ben Russell *
» Sept. 28 at Opelika
» Oct. 5 at Eufaula *
» Oct. 12 vs. BTW *
» Oct. 19 vs. Russell County *
» Oct. 26 at Marbury *
» Nov. 2 at Smiths Station
Game Night Guide
» Nickname: Rams
» Colors: Orange and blue
» Stadium: Rams Stadium
(5,000)
» Location: Exit 77 off 1-85,
turn right on Fob James Drive,
right at first light, right onto
Sportsplex Road
» Admission: $6
» Parking: $5
» Radio: 100.9 FM
(CST)
2011
Schools, Harper will be the interim coach until a full search
for a new coach is conducted
after the season.
Wells and Chambers County
Schools Superintendent Kelli
Moore Tucker both said Wells
will not return as the head Valley quarterback Josh Meigs throws downfield in passing drills during
coach.
practice Aug. 16.
TALLASSEE TIGERS & BTW GOLDEN EAGLES
Tallassee Tigers
Tigers ‘hungry’ to prove their merit
BY JUSTIN LEE
For the Opelika-Auburn News
New Tallassee head coach Mike Battles joined
the Tigers in February after four years of coaching at Bibb County, and after an offseason of
workouts and practices, the first-year coach is
already getting acclimated to his new team.
“We’re about as far
along
as we can be,”
Game
said Battles. “The kids
Night Guide
have worked extremely
» Nickname:
hard. The coaches have
Tigers
worked hard.”
» Colors: Purple
In Battles’ first year on
and gold
the job, the Tigers are go» Stadium: Hot
ing to stake their success
O’Brien Stadium
on two of the most sim» Location: Hwy.
ple and proven winning
14, a mile west of
factors in football: senior
school
leadership and strength
» Admission: $6
up front.
» Parking: Free
“The core of our of» Radio: WTLS
fense is going to be our
(1300 AM)
offensive line,” said Bat» Home kickoff
tles. “We have an entire
time: 7 p.m.
offensive line made up
» Last playoff
of seniors. It really starts
appearance: 2011
there. Those are the guys
that are going to have to
step up and have some good senior leadership.
Any time you have a good offensive line the rest
of it tends to work out.”
Meanwhile, Battles is looking to younger players to put points on the board for the Tallassee
offense in 2012 and beyond.
“We’ve got a good senior class, but a lot of our
skill people are going to be sophomores and
juniors,” said Battles. “If you look to right now,
they’re good players. If you look to the future, we
hope they get to be even better players. That’s always a positive when you’re able to come in and
you’ve got a lot of guys you’re going to be able to
work with for two or three years.”
Tallassee returns both of its quarterbacks that
shared time as starters a year ago in Jed Scott
and Seth Golden, and stud wide receiver and
Division-I prospect Dijon Paschal is back in
the fold again as well. Battles hopes that those
returning players and a host of fresh faces can
make his first season with the purple and gold a
successful one.
“They’re hungry,” said Battles. “We’ve got a
good senior class, and they’re starting to show
some good leadership. This entire community
— the school and everybody — is just hungry to
get out there and win some ballgames.”
Senior wide receiver Dijon Paschal will be new Tallassee head coach Mike Battles Jr.’s
most dangerous offensive weapon this season.
At A Glance
starters (4): LB Taylor
Marshall (Sr., 6-0, 210);
» Head coach: Mike
S Cornelius Mitchell (Sr.,
Battles, 1st year (0-0),
5-9, 175); CB C.J. Hooks
16th overall (117-55)
(Sr.,
5-8, 155); CB Braxton
Hancock
(Jr., 5-9, 170)
Dustin Cook, Will Glaze,
» Other contributors:
Danny Worley, Larry
Hudson, Eric Cable, Scott QB Seth Golden (Jr., 5-6,
146), RB D.J. Rivers (Jr.,
Justiss, Brad Elam, John
5-7, 160), C Hunter Dennis
Goodman
» 2011 record: 4-7 (4-3 (Sr., 5-9, 200), OL Tracy
Harris (Sr., 5-8, 200), OL
region); lost, 57-25, to
Greenville in 5A first round Will Davis (Sr., 5-11, 210)
» Outlook: Tallassee
» Offense: Pro-style
has a new head coach and
» Defense: 3-4
» Returning offensive new region in 2012, and it
starters (5): QB Jed Cart- could take some time for
er (Sr., 5-9, 154); WR Dijon the Tigers to get adjusted.
Paschal (Sr., 6-2, 180); RB Tallassee has plenty of
talent to compete with
Herman McKenzie (So.,
5-9, 170); OL Corbin Ham- some of Class 4A-Region
monds (Sr., 6-3, 265); OL 2’s best teams, but realistically it could be a few
Jesse Rowlen (Sr., 6-1,
seasons before the Tigers
230)
» Returning defensive are chasing region titles.
For now, the Tigers just
need to make the transition as best they can and
try to restore a winning
atmosphere in Tallassee.
2012 Schedule
» Aug. 31 vs. BTW
» Sept. 7 vs. Bullock
County *
» Sept. 14 at Charles
Henderson *
» Sept. 21 vs.
Headland *
» Sept. 28 at Dadeville
» Oct. 5 at Ashford *
» Oct. 12 vs. Alabama
Christian *
» Oct. 19 at St. James *
» Oct. 25 at
Beauregard *
» Nov. 2 vs Elmore
County
* Class 4A-Region 2
games
◆
BTW
Golden Eagles
At A Glance
» Head coach: Maurice Heard,
2nd year (1-9)
» Assistant coaches: Terrance
Bogan, Leon Day, Derrick Holland,
Anthony Jones, Harry Mose,Xavier
Smith,Tracey Stacey,Jerome Temple
» 2011 record: 1-9 (0-7 region)
» Defense: 4-4
» Returning offensive starters
(4): RB Kelvin Key (Jr.); OLWalter
Hairston (Jr.); TE Brandon Chesson
(Sr.), QB Dontavious Moore (Sr.)
» Returning defensive starters
(7): DLWalter Hairston (Jr.); LB Kelvin Beason (Sr.); OLB Chesson (Sr.);
LB John Dubos (Sr.); OLB Taquavius
Marshall (Sr.); FS Dontavious Moore
(Sr.); DLTyrell Williams (Jr.)
» Other contributors: DB/WR
Jamus Sanders (Jr.),WR/DB Ricky
Holston (Sr.), DB/WR Jyromari Ray
(Sr.), DE Jason Williams (So.), C/DL
Courtney Gibson (So.), OL/DL Quintavius Jackson (Jr.), DB/WR Rashun
Fitzpatrick (So.)
» Key losses: DE Erick Butler,WR
Jonathan Dorsey
2012 Schedule
» Aug. 31 at Tallassee
» Sept. 7 at Eufaula *
» Sept. 14 vs. Benjamin Russell *
» Sept. 21 vs. Carroll *
» Sept. 28 at Bullock County
» Oct. 5 vs. Rehobeth *
» Oct. 12 at Valley *
» Oct. 19 vs. Marbury *
» Oct. 26 at Russell County *
» Nov. 2 vs. Lee-Montgomery
Game Night Guide
» Nickname: Golden Eagles
» Colors: Purple and gold
» Stadium: Eagle Star Stadium
(4,000)
» Location: Behind school on MLK
Highway in Tuskegee
» Admission: $6
» Parking: $2
» Radio: None
» Home kickoff: 7 p.m.
» Last playoff appearance: 1992
9
10
◆
BEAUREGARD HORNETS
OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS
◆
www.oanow.com
Hornets ready for 1-2 punch to start season
BY RYAN WOOD
Game Night Guide
[email protected]
Not long ago, the opening two
weeks of Beauregard’s football
schedule would’ve left the program shaking throughout its
offseason.
Even now, head coach Smitty
Grider knows his team is in for
one heck of a one-two punch to
start the fall.
First up is Handley, the defending Class 3A champion
after an undefeated 2011. In
Week 2, it’s Charles Henderson,
which has built a solid reputation in Class 5A over the past
few years.
“We need to play well early,”
Grider said. “That’s the biggest
thing.”
Grider admitted the Hornets’
schedule is tough early. But the
difference between this year
and the past, he said, is a mindset that the team won’t back
down.
Even if that doesn’t mean a
2-0 start, Grider said his team
has built the confidence to persevere. And, most importantly, Beauregard players battle in one-on-one drills during practice Aug. 9.
Beauregard believes it has the
ability to start 2-0 against anyers (5): ILB Dake Rivers, CB Talton
body — including that loaded At A Glance
Burns, OLB Courtney Collins,
schedule.
» Head coach: Smitty Grider,
NG Kiante Reynolds, CB Mike
“I think the mindset has defi- 7th season (44-23); 8th overall
McDonald
nitely changed here,” Grider (49-28)
» Other contributors: S Ryan
said. “The last two years are
» Assistant coaches: Evan
Johnson,
S Charles Motley, DE
proof of that. When I first came, Braun, Rob Carter, DeWayne DrakRandy
Kimbrel,
DE Justin Greatif we lost a game or got behind eford, Bryan Eason, A.J. Kehoe,
house,
RB
Reggie
Collier, WR Trey
early, it was almost a disaster.
Robert Langford, Josh McClendon, Collins
“Now they have the confi- Wade Thorn, Rick Wade, Travis
» Key losses: S Josh Spence,
dence that, if you lose a game Baxley
S
Dalton
Pritchett, LB Dre Finley,
you can bounce back the next
» 2011 record: 10-2 (6-1 reDE
Devion
Wimbley, DE Charles
week and win, and all our goals
gion); lost, 44-14, to Jackson in 4A Turner, WR Shaquille Williams, K
are still ahead of us.”
Clint Walker
That confidence doesn’t make second round
»
Offense:
Spread
» Outlook: Beauregard starts
the schedule any easier. And
»
Defense:
3-4
its
season with one heck of a
after losing several key players
» Returning offensive starters one-two punch, with matchups
from a team that finished 10-2
against powerhouses Handley and
last season, Grider has plenty (6): QB David Winslett, OL Chase
of question marks about his Lawlor, OL Tristan Bissonnette, OL Charles Henderson. Get past those
Jacob Gates, OL Travis Yarbrough, two games in one piece, and the
team.
Hornets could be off to another
The biggest key, he said, is RB Eddie Washington
strong season. Beauregard lost a
» Returning defensive startto keep the chains moving on
offense. Even with some inexperience, Grider doesn’t plan fast-paced spread attack.
to one tired defense. It’s flirton slowing down Beauregard’s
Lack of first downs will lead ing with trouble. Grider knows
» Nickname: Hornets
» Colors: Blue and gold
» Stadium: Hornet Field
» Location: Hwy. 51 South,
behind school
» Admission: $7
» Parking: $3
» Radio: 95.9 FM
2011
“I think the mindset has definitely changed here. The last
two years are proof of that.
When I first came, if we lost
a game or got behind early,
it was almost a disaster. Now
they have the confidence that,
if you lose a game you can
bounce back the next week
and win, and all our goals
are still ahead of us.”
Smitty Grider,
Beauregard head coach
“We’re going to push the
tempo,” Grider said. “We feel
lot of talent from last year’s team
like that’s the advantage we
that finished 10-2, especially in the
have. We’re not going to slow
middle of its defense. But the Horthe game down, we’re going to
nets return plenty of experience
push the tempo.
from that team — including start“But we have to maintain
ing quarterback David Winslett
possession.”
and inside linebacker Dake Rivers
If the offense does that —
— to be confident it can have a
particularly in the early weeks,
successful 2012.
when what Grider called a talented defense gains experience
2012 Schedule
— expectations are high for Be» Aug. 31 at Handley
auregard.
» Sept. 7 vs. Charles Henderson
The foundation has been laid
» Sept. 14 vs. Bullock County
for Grider’s program. It’s taken
» Sept. 21 vs. Ashford
seven years, but he’s pleased
» Sept. 28 vs. Smiths Station
with where the journey has led.
» Oct. 5 at Headland
Ultimately, Grider said his
» Oct. 12 vs. St. James
team has one more stop to go.
» Oct. 19 at Alabama Christ. Aca.
“Our kids fully expect to
» Oct. 26 vs. Tallassee
play at Jordan-Hare Stadium,”
» Nov. 2 at Loachapoka
Grider said. “I think that’s the
goal. I’m not going to say it’s
not a successful season if it
things could get out of hand in doesn’t happen, but that’s the
a hurry.
goal.”
DADEVILLE TIGERS
◆
11
Success just part of Tigers’ culture nowadays
BY MIKE SZVETITZ
[email protected]
The culture has definitely
changed at Dadeville.
The Tigers’ accent up the 4A
rankings has been well documented. In 2008, they became
the first team in the history of the
AHSAA to go from 0-10 to 10-0.
Since that winless 2007 season, Dadeville boasts a 45-5
record, including back-to-back
12-1 seasons (2010 and 2011),
while reaching the third round
of the playoffs both those years
as well.
The Tigers have a four-year
home winning streak (34 in a
row), with their last loss at Tiger
Stadium coming against Elmore
County on Oct. 26, 2007. Also,
Dadeville has won 26 consecutive regular-season games, with
its last regular-season loss coming against Trinity on Sept. 19,
2009.
And because of that success,
Dadeville has not only been
consistently ranked in the top 10
in the state, it’s also putting out
a high number of quality players, including Auburn University signee Darrion Hutcherson
and current senior Rod Crayton,
who is ranked the 19th-best defensive tackle in the country by
Rivals.com.
It’s also helped in numbers.
This year, Dadeville head
coach Richard White said he’ll
dress out the most players he’s
ever had in his 13 years at the
school.
White said 116 players signed
up to play spring football — 88
finished. Some more dropped
off over the summer, but White
said they’ll have anywhere between 70-72 players on the roster this year.
“Success brings success,”
White said. “And that’s natural.
“When you win, (others) want
to be a part of it.”
This year, White expects the
winning to continue, even
though Class 4A-Region 3 has
beefed up a bit with the addi-
Game Night Guide
» Nickname: Tigers
» Colors: Black and gold
» Stadium: Tiger Stadium
(3,000)
» Location: ½ mile off of Hwy.
280, behind the school
» Admission: $7
» Parking: Free
» Radio: WRFS (1050 AM)
2011
Dadeville has switched to a 34 defense to take advantage of
Crayton’s skill at nose tackle, as
well as to mask its lack of depth
on the defensive line.
“We can’t run a four-man front,
because we don’t have enough
depth,” White said. “We have
some linebackers and hybrid
players — safety and linebackers
— who can run, so we changed
it
up.”
Dadeville quarterback Kaleb Beck looks downfield during practice Aug. 21. The Tigers have won 26 straight
Crayton
will also help with
regular-season games dating back to 2009.
freeing others up.
“You’re going to have to have
310); DB Foster; FS Toler; OLB
Crayton anchoring the defensive
At A Glance
a
really good center or double
Damarius Gilbert (Sr. 5-11, 175);
line and a senior quarterback
» Head coach: Richard White,
team him,” White said of CrayDB Roger Hicks (Jr., (5-8, 150); LB entering his second year as the
13th year (90-48)
ton. “He’s just so strong. I have
Tamarcus Russell (Jr., 5-8, 185);
starter, consistency on both sides
» Assistant coaches: Cody
yet to see a center who can
LB
DJ
Morgan
(Jr.
5-10,
190)
of
the
ball
should
be
evident.
Keene, Patrick Browning, Chris
handle him one-on-one. That’s
» Other contributors: DE
Building a cohesive offensive line
Tolbert, Brad Ford, Fred Ford,
the
benefit of having a guy that
Anferneey Jennings (So., 6-3,
is a priority for head coach RichJesse Foster, Matt Harrison,
good, he’ll draw a double team
230);
RB/LB
Airion
Robinson
(Sr.,
ard White, as is keeping his team
Rodney Taylor
which will free other guys up.”
5-6, 190); OL Josh Matherne (So., from becoming complacent after
» 2011 record: 12-1 (7-0
Offensively, quarterback Kaleb
6-2, 225); DE/OL Malik Harris (Sr., the recent success.
region), lost in third round of 4A
Beck
is expected to improve on
6-1, 210); C Sedrick Harkins (So.,
playoffs to UMS-Wright
his
promising
junior season.
6-0, 215); OL Tim Tinsley (Jr., 5-10,
» Offense: Spread
2012
Schedule
“He progressed nicely through220); WR/FS Malik Tolbert (Jr.,
» Defense: 3-4
out the year,” White said. “Last
» Aug. 30 vs. Reeltown
6-1, 175)
» Returning offensive startyear in his first start against Reel»
Sept.
7
at
Elmore
County
*
» Key losses: TE Darrion
ers (8): RB CJ Tolbert (Jr., 5-9,
town, he was like deer-in-the»
Sept.
14
vs.
Holtville
*
Hutcherson; DT Rashard Black180), QB Kaleb Beck (Sr., 5-11,
headlights.Then he settled down
» Sept. 21 at Childerburg *
185); WR Jamal Crayton (Sr., 5-9, well; LT Nick Johnson; WR Ezekiel
and
you could see a progression
» Sept. 28 vs. Tallassee
Heard; OL Andrew Ford
170); WR Jesse Foster (Jr., 5-9,
as
he
went through the season.
» Oct. 5 vs. Dallas County *
» Outlook: With 15 returning
185); WR Terry Toler (Sr., 6-5,
“The few tweaks we made of» Oct. 12 at Beulah *
210); WR Tevin Goodman (Sr., 5-9, starters, Dadeville is poised to
fensively, he’s catching on. We’ve
» Oct. 19 vs. Handley *
continue its success in Class 4A.
180); OL Justin Canada (Jr., 6-0,
taken some of the decision» Oct. 26 at Clay County-Cen200); OL Elander Moss (So., 5-10, The Tigers are fresh off their secmaking out of his hands, so he
ond consecutive 12-1 season, with tral *
190)
can just use his athletic ability.
» Nov. 2 at Russell County
back-to-back third-round playoff
» Returning defensive startHe’s a smart kid — a 4.0 student
ers (7): DT Rod Crayton (Sr., 6-1,
berths. With four-star recruit Rod
— but I don’t want him thinking
too much. We want him just to
tions of Handley and Central of
Defense will be a focal point Crayton (6-foot-1, 310 pounds) go out there and make plays and
Clay County.
this season for the Tigers, as anchors the front seven.
not try to over-think it.”
12
◆
SUPER 8 SENIORS
OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS
◆
www.oanow.com
Rod Crayton, Dadeville, DT
Cameron Echols-Luper,
Auburn High, QB
» Height/Weight: 6-1, 290
» Bench: 450 lbs (eight reps)
» Half-bench: 600 lbs (four reps)
» Squat: 700 lbs (five reps)
» 2011 stats: 162 tackles (103 solo), 10 sacks, 3 FF, 2 FR, 40 QB hurries
» College offers: Arkansas, LSU, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Michigan,
Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Memphis
» Coach’s take: “I’ve been coaching 23 or 24 years, and I’ve never seen
a stronger kid than he is. It’s unbelievable what he can do in the weight
room… It’s going to be very important for him to step up and be a leader. If
he’ll do what he’s supposed to do, I firmly believe some of these younger
guys will step up.”
» Bench: 315 lbs
» 40-time: 4.38
» 2011 stats: 53 percent passing, 2,339
total yards (1,652 passing, 687 rushing), 25
total touchdowns (17 passing, 8 rushing), 1
INT
» College: Committed to Texas A&M
» Coach’s take: “Anytime you’ve got a
quarterback that can run a 10.6 (100-meter
dash) and throws the ball effectively, I think
it’s quite a thing to defense. With us not being
a traditional I-football team, and having this
guy in the shotgun and running the option
mixed with the passing game, I think it makes
it very difficult to account for everyone.”
Dadeville head coach Richard White
SUPER 8 SENIORS
◆
13
Reuben Foster,Auburn High, LB
» Bench: 280 lbs
» Squat: 485 lbs
» 40-time: 4.64
» 2011 stats (at Troup County (Ga.)
High): 185 tackles, 14 sacks
» College: Committed to Auburn
» Coach’s take: “(He has) a combination
of size and speed, and instincts. He
recognizes things. He’s very decisive on
the football field. He seems to see things
quickly and he attacks it. He looks to make
contact on every play. He’s got a very
violent nature on the football field. He’s got
that Mike Singletary intensity
out there, and that’s what you like to
see.”
Quay Boyd, LaFayette, QB
Cameron Fraser, Central, OL
» Bench press: 315 lbs
» Squat: 495 lbs
» 40-time: 5.3
» College: Committed to South Florida
» Coach’s take: “He is an amazing prospect. I think he’s been a good
leader so far. He’s a kid that’s found his niche in this game. He’s got some
of the tools. He’s a big guy. His room for improvement is staggering. He still
has tremendous potential. The sky’s the limit.”
Central head coach Woodrow Lowe
Courtney Collins, Beauregard, LB
» 40-time: 4.6
» 2011 stats: 123 Tackles (21 for loss), 4.5
sacks, 2 fumble recoveries
» College offers: Middle Tennessee State,
Northern Iowa
» Coach’s take: “His explosiveness and his
speed — he’s probably overall the strongest
kid we have on the team. He’s so explosive
it’s hard to describe. He can make so many
things happen because he’s so strong. He can
play in space, we can put him on the line of
scrimmage and he can take on an offensive
lineman and win, he can run to the ball and
make something happen with his feet — he’s
just got so many tools that he offers us the
ability to do different things with him.”
Beauregard head coach Smitty Grider
Shavar Holliday,
Lanett, QB
» Height/Weight:
6-0, 175
» 40-time: 4.5
» Bench: 250
» Vertical: 35 inches
» 2011 stats: 91of-167 passing (54.5
percent), 1,147 yards,
18 TDs, 9 INTs, 82
carries, 549 yards, 6
TDs
» College: Committed
to Northern Iowa
» Coach’s take:
“Shavar has unlimited
potential. The sky’s the
limit for Shavar. He can
be as good as he wants
to be… He’s a very good
athlete. As an athlete,
he makes plays that a
normal quarterback
would not make. He’s a
hard worker.”
Lanett head coach
Cliff Story
» 40-time: 4.7
» Bench: 225
» Vertical: 35 inches
» 2011 stats: 101-of-186 passing (54.3 percent), 1,571
yards, 19 TDs, 7 INTs, 95 carries, 469 yards, 5 TDs, 2
receiving TDs
» Colleges interested: Auburn, Alabama, LSU,
Mississippi State, Tennessee, Middle Tennessee State
» Coach’s take: “With Quay, he just has that ability
to keep the play alive, to find the open receiver… He’s
a playmaker. There was one play he made where he
kept the play alive and threw the ball 60 yards back
across the field for a touchdown. That’s just the kind of
stuff he brings. You don’t see high school quarterbacks
nowadays that can throw the ball back across the grain.
He’s just got that natural ability to make those throws.”
LaFayette head coach Steve Coker
Dijon Paschal, Tallassee, WR
» Bench: 265 lbs
» 40-time: 4.4
» 2011 stats: 58 carries, 473 yards, 4
TDs, 24 catches, 203 yards, 3 TDs, 6-of-17
passing, 64 yards, 25 yards per punt return,
3 TDs, 25 yards per kick return
» College offers: Arkansas State,
Southern Miss, Troy, South Alabama
» Coach’s take: “He’s special. He is
a tremendous athlete, and he’s a great
person. He’s a game-breaker. Every time he
touches the ball, there’s a chance he can go
the distance. He puts defenses in binds. You
better always know where he is. He’s got
great athletic ability, great instincts, he’s
got hands — he’s just the total package.”
Tallassee head coach Mike Battles Jr.
14
◆
BEULAH BOBCATS
OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS
◆
www.oanow.com
Players buying into new coach, mentality
BY JASON GALLOWAY
[email protected]
When Craig Hall took over as
Beulah’s head football coach in
March, he spewed confidence
when talking about turning the
Bobcats into a contender.
Forget last year’s 1-9 record.
Never mind about jumping
from Class 3A to Class 4A.
It didn’t matter that his new
team was now in the same region as powerhouses Dadeville,
Handley and Central of Clay
County.
And after five months on the
job, nothing has changed.
If anything, he feels even
better about turning around a
team that broke a school record
by allowing 436 points in 10
games last season.
“You’ve got to have expectations,” he said. “I’m going to say
it again — there is no reason
why Beulah High School cannot be a successful program. I
mean that. The kids are working hard, there’s enough athletic
ability for us to be successful.
“The administration, (Superintendent) Dr. (Stephen) Nowlin has made a commitment for
this program to be successful,
and he demands it to be successful. That’s why they hired
me.”
To be fair, last year was likely
not a great gauge of Beulah’s
potential.
The Bobcats’ season was littered with injuries, derailing a
team that was already extremely young and short on depth.
Heading into 2012, many juniors already have experience
as starters — including running
back Trevon Brown, who has
started since he was a freshman — and players have talked
about being more motivated
heading into this season.
“Everybody’s ready,” senior
defensive end Brandon Ewell
said. “They’re willing to do
whatever it takes right now to
be able to change (the culture).
It used to be everybody was
Game Night Guide
» Nickname: Bobcats
» Stadium: Bobcat Stadium
(3,000)
» Location: Behind school on
Lee Road 270
» Admission: $6
» Parking: Free
» Radio: None
2007
“I tell the kids all the time…
don’t feel like you’re second
rate to anybody.”
Craig Hall,
Beulah head coach
be changed. … I can trust him,
talk about anything. He’s like a
second dad.”
Ewell and other players said
the entire team has gotten
stronger this summer, something Hall said needs to keep
improving if the Bobcats are
going to get to where they want
to be.
It’s obvious Hall has gained an
impressive amount of respect
from his players in the first few
New Beulah head coach Craig Hall watches over practice Aug. 21. The Bobcats are making the jump from Class
months on the job. Completely
3A to Class 4A this season.
buying in to a new coach can
often take at least an entire sea— including last year’s 1-9 mark
he’s confident that time will come
At A Glance
son, but that doesn’t seem to
sooner
rather
than
later.
— but heads into 2012 with the
» Head coach: Craig Hall, 1st
be the situation at Beulah. Hall
excitement
of
a
new
head
coach
year (0-0), 1st overall (0-0)
even said that of the programs
2012 Schedule
» Assistants: Eddie Daniel, Jeff and a more experienced starting
he’s
been a part of rebuildlineup that was filled with sopho» Aug. 31 vs. Notasulga
Lamb, Stan Pepper, Mike Davis,
ing,
this
one has not been the
» Sept. 7 at Childersburg *
Matt Johnson, Jeff Butts, Charles mores last season. The bad news
toughest.
is the Bobcats moved up from
» Sept. 14 vs. Dallas County *
Graves
“Why not us? Our kids just
Class 3A to Class 4A this season,
» Sept. 21 at Elmore County *
» 2011 record: 1-9 (1-6 region)
have to believe in it,” Hall said.
putting them in a region with
» Sept. 28 at Ranburne
“I tell the kids all the time …
powerhouses
Dadeville, Handley
» Oct. 5 vs. Holtville *
don’t feel like you’re second
» Oct. 12 vs. Dadeville *
» Key contributors: RB Trevon and Central of Clay County. The
rate to anybody. The only way
schedule will be even tougher
» Oct. 19 at Central of Clay
Brown (Jr.); DE Brandon Ewell
I know how to overcome that
than last year’s treacherous 3A
County *
(Sr.); QB Dustin Hudmon (So.);
is like anything else — it’s by
road was for Beulah. New head
» Oct. 26 at Handley *
QB Derrick Newell (Sr.)
sweat, hard work and those
coach Craig Hall has a long way to
» Nov. 2 vs. Wadley
» Outlook: Beulah has now
kids paying a price to put that
go to turn the Bobcats around, but
had four straight losing seasons
jersey on.
“And they have. I’m telling
here 30-45 minutes late. Now
“The first day (Hall) came, we talked for about four hours. you, they have. I couldn’t be
they’re here an hour early.
he called me in (his office) and He asked me what needed to more proud of them.”
REELTOWN REBELS
◆
15
Rebels, Stewart looking for bounce-back year
BY TIM COTTRELL
For The Opelika-Auburn News
At most high schools,
an 8-4 season would be
cause for celebration.
Most high school aren’t
Reeltown.
“We had a lot of sophomores last year that
weren’t ready for the type
of ball we play and the
type of teams we play,”
head coach Jackie O’Neal
said. “They hung in there
and had a decent year.
Eight-and-four by a lot
of people’s standards is
a great year. By our standards and what we’re
used to, 8-4 was a pretty
bad year.”
Especially so when you
consider the Rebels were
coming off a three-year
run of 39-5, which included a state championship
(2009) and another finals
appearance (2010).
But the 2012 team features significantly more
experience, and O’Neal
is especially excited for
the return of halfback Tywone Stewart, who had
rushed for almost 1,000
yards in just more than
five games before going
down with an injury last
year.
“We were running the
ball exceptionally well,”
O’Neal said. “When he
went down it really hurt
our rushing attack. We
didn’t have that kid who
could make people miss
and make things happen in space. We’ve got
some other kids that can
do things, but he’ll be our
go-to guy.
“He’s had a great offseason. He realizes this
is it for him as far as high
school goes … so he’s
looking to have a breakout year.”
With three starters back
At A Glance
» Returning defensive starters (4): CB
to think it won’t be right back at the top of the
Micael Hall-Long (Sr., 5-11, 160), CB Stewart, DE
region — and possibly in Jordan-Hare Stadium in
» Head coach: Jackie O’Neal, 25th year (209Norris, NT Stephens
December.
94)
» Other contributors: OG/DE Zach Giddens
» Assistants: Travis Lee, Michael Jones, Will
(Jr., 5-9, 190), LB Markiece Williams (So., 5-9,
2012 Schedule
Solomon, Michael Thigpen, Freddie Langford,
220), OT Brandon Williams (Jr., 5-10, 180)
» Aug. 30 at Dadeville
David Gray, Cory O’Neal, Ira Shaw
» Key losses: RB/SE/LB Kemond Gauntt,
» Sept. 7 at Horseshoe Bend*
» 2011 record: 8-4 (5-2 region), lost, 37-14, to SE/S Ladrae Reynolds, TE/LB Markeice Smith,
»
Sept. 14 vs. Lanett*
Tanner in 2A second round
OT/DT Ladarius Denmark, FB/DT Ardarius Kelley
»
Sept. 21 vs. Randolph County*
» Offense: Wishbone
» Outlook: The Rebels were bound to come
» Sept. 28 vs. Loachapoka
» Defense: 50-front
back to earth in 2011 after an outstanding run
» Oct. 5 at Prattville Christian*
» Returning offensive starters (6): OT
the previous three seasons, but head coach
» Oct. 12 vs. Montgomery Academy*
Jestavia Norris (Sr., 6-1, 190), OG Jayson
Jackie O’Neal believes that with a bit more health
» Oct. 19 at Isabella*
Stephens (Sr., 6-0, 270), C Blake Baker (Jr., 5-9,
the Rebels would’ve remained in the thick of the
» Oct. 26 at LaFayette*
220), QB Cody Spivey (Jr., 6-2, 150), HB Jim
state title hunt. A more experienced team returns
» Nov. 1 vs. Notasulga
Parks (Sr., 5-6, 152), HB Tywone Stewart (Sr., 5-8, in 2012, and as long as Reeltown can find some
170)
help along the defensive line there’s no reason
Game Night Guide
» Nickname: Rebels
» Colors: Blue and
white
» Stadium: Nix-Webster Stadium (3,000)
» Location: Behind
school at intersection of
Hwy. 49 and Hwy. 120
» Admission: $6
» Parking: Free
» Radio: WACQ (1130
AM)
» Home kickoff time:
7 p.m.
on the offensive line
and backfield mate Jim
Parks returning, Stewart
should have plenty of
chances to make things
happen.
The Rebels also caught a
break with Lineville moving out of the region after
combiningwithlong-time
rival Clay County to form
Central of Clay County, as
well as the exit of Woodland from the region, although O’Neal considers
it a mixed blessing.
“I like to play the good
ballclubs,” O’Neal said.
“(Woodland and Lineville) are the types of teams
you gauge your team
on. You learn a lot more
about your team against
those guys than when
you’re beating a team 400. When we played those
guys it was a great ballgame and a playoff atmosphere.”
Reeltown’s biggest area
of concern heading into
the 2012 season comes in
an unfamiliar place — the
defense.
“We’re looking for anybody to step up for us
on the defensive line,”
O’Neal said. “We lost two
great tackles (Ardarius
Kelley and Ladarius Denmark). We don’t have the
quality of players to fill
their shoes right now,
so we’re trying to do it
with numbers. Hopefully
as the year progresses
somebody will separate
themselves from the
pack. That was a point of
emphasis in the spring,
finding numbers. (Kelley
and Denmark) had been
playing three years for
us.”
However, O’Neal feels
the Rebels will be ready
to get back into the state
championship hunt after
a one-year absence.
“Overall, I think that
we have the potential to
have a good ballclub,”
he said. “I think we can
line up and play 11-on-11
with anybody. It’s going
to come down to getting
some depth.”
O’Neal will also be looking for leadership, and he
thinks he has the players
to provide it.
“It’s going to boil down
to Jestavia Norris and
Tywone Stewart,” O’Neal
said. “They’ve got more
on-the-field playing time
than anyone. Maybe Jayson Stephens and Jim
Parks are ready to step it
up this year, too.”
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16
◆
LAFAYETTE BULLDOGS
OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS
◆
www.oanow.com
Senior-heavy Bulldogs chomping at the bit
BY MIKE SZVETITZ
Game Night Guide
[email protected]
When Steve Coker first got to
LaFayette prior to the 2010 season, he looked at his roster.
Sophomores. A lot of them.
But he knew once that group
— which played a lot that season on its way to a 1-9 record
— would only get better and
more experienced.
As juniors, they led the Bulldogs to a 7-4 record and their
first playoff appearance since
2005.
Now, with 16 seniors who
have been there since the beginning, Coker is expecting
bigger and better things.
“Those same guys were sophomores my first year and have
been coming up,” Coker said. “I
think experience was big in the
turnaround. And we’re hoping
for even more this year with
them as seniors.
“When I got here, I said if we
can keep all these kids healthy
and eligible, we knew we’d
have something as they got
older.”
Senior quarterback Quay
Boyd, who’s going into his third
season the starter, will be the
measuring stick for that once
inexperienced
sophomore
class.
Boyd hit his stride last season, throwing for close to 1,800
yards and 17 touchdowns while
rushing for more than 500 yards
and five more scores.
This year, Coker expects
more.
“He’s very versatile. We rely
on him a lot with his arm,” the
head coach said of his 6-foot-4
signal-caller. “He’s a big kid and
keeps play alive. That’s what we
rely on a lot.”
But it’s not just Boyd who is
expected to highlight the Bulldogs’ offense.
Senior wide receiver Joe Vines
will get plenty of opportunities
as well.
“Joe is also a big playmaker
for us,” Coker said. “He’s kind
» Nickname: Bulldogs
» Stadium: Bulldog Stadium
(3,500)
» Location: First Ave., in LaFayette, a mile east of Hwy. 431
» Admission: $6
» Parking: Free
» Radio: None
2011
“We’ve got some holes to fill,
but hopefully we got some
kids in the right places to fill
those voids. Our front should
be a strength. We have some
experience up front. We’re
hoping that our front will
kind of help our weakness in
the secondary.”
JIMMY RHYNE/OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS FILE
LaFayette looks to continue the success of last year’s team, which made the playoffs for the first time since
2005.
Steve Coker,
LaFayette head coach
this season, Coker admitted
the Bulldogs will need some
younger players to step up
and fill roles. Especially in the
secondary.
Three starters from last year’s
defensive backfield graduated,
leaving some gaps on that side
of the ball.
“We’ve stressed to the younger kids how big it is for them
to step up,” Coker said. “Of
2012 Schedule
course, we’re looking to our
» Aug. 31 vs. Loachapoka
seniors, but our younger kids
» Sept. 7 at Lanett *
know how important it is for
» Sept. 14 at Randolph County *
them (to play well).”
» Sept. 21 vs. Prattville Christ. *
LaFayette’s strength on de» Sept. 28 vs. Abbeville
fense will be its front seven,
» Oct. 5 vs. Horseshoe Bend *
namely its defensive line.
» Oct. 12 at Isabella *
“We’ve got some holes to fill,
» Oct. 19 at Montgomery
but hopefully we got some kids
Academy *
in the right places to fill those
» Oct. 26 vs. Reeltown *
voids,” Coker said. “Our front
» Nov. 2 at Bullock County
should be a strength. We have
some experience up front.
“We’re hoping that our front
of our go-to guy. He’s going to develop some schemes to get
But as much as LaFay- will kind of help our weakness
get his touches. We’ve got to Joe the football.”
ette will rely on its seniors in the secondary.”
6-0, 245); DL Torres Vines; LB
At A Glance
TeQuarri Whitlow (Jr., 5-11, 230);
» Head coach: Steve Coker, 3rd
DB Joe Vines; DB J. Whitlow
year (8-13)
» Other contributors: DL
» Assistant coaches: Jonah
Aquandous Ware (So., 5-7, 295);
House, Don Turner, Michael
WR/DB Jakevious Tolbert (Sr., 5-7,
Bratcher, Michael Pattillo, Obadiah 162); LB Mitchell Ross (Sr., 5-10,
Threadgill, Corey Thornton
168)
» 2011 record: 7-4 (4-3 region),
» Key losses: WR/DB DaSharlost in first round of 2A playoffs to rio Abner; LB/RB Leston Cook;
Red Bay
WR/DB TyMichael Little; WR/DB
» Offense: Spread
Emmanuel Higgins; OL/DL Kenny
» Defense: 4-3
Baker
» Returning offensive start» Outlook: A year after leading
ers (7): RB Stephen Bledsoe (Sr., LaFayette to the playoffs for the
5-8, 163); QB Quay Boyd (Sr., 6-4, first time since 2005, Steve Coker
202); WR Joe Vines (Sr., 5-9, 178); expects even more from his team
RT Kwavian Terry (Sr., 5-11, 207);
this season. With 16 seniors, most
RG Kelsey Finley (Jr., 5-8, 284); LT of who have been playing for
Torres Vines (Sr., 5-11, 218); WR
the Bulldogs since their sophoJaQuanteiz Whitlow (Sr., 6-0, 182) more seasons, the potential for
» Returning defensive startanother postseason run is there.
Senior quarterback Quay Boyd
ers (5): DL Cameron Toles (Sr.,
and senior wideout Joe Vines will
lead LaFayette on offense, while a
strong defensive front will anchor
the Bulldogs on that side of the
ball. If Coker can fill some holes
in the secondary, the Bulldogs
should be able to make the playoffs for the second consecutive
season.
LANETT PANTHERS
◆
17
Story expects ‘big things’ from Panthers this year
BY MIKE SZVETITZ
[email protected]
Cliff Story had declared a
team summer workout drill a
tie.
His players, however, wanted
a winner.
So Story, in his fourth year as
Lanett’s head coach, left it up
to his team to figure it out as he
walked off the field.
Then, Story stood in the
doorway to the Panthers’ locker room and watched as his
squad went back to work on a
tire drill, determined to declare
a victor.
“It was a proud moment
for me,” Story said. “In our
coaches meeting that’s all I
talked about, the fact that they
wanted to have a winner and
they weren’t just OK with a
tie.
“Because as a coach, you
want them to buy into what
you’re teaching them and you
want them to come together. It
put a smile on my face because
now they got it.”
It’s been a struggle for the
Panthers to “get it” since Story
arrived in 2009.
The Panthers, who went
12-1 and made it to the third
round of the Class 2A playoffs
in 2007, hit some hard times in
Lanett quarterback Shavar Hollliday will be looked on to lead the
the first two seasons of Story’s Panthers this season.
tenure.
In his first season, Lanett
Panthers will be quarterback
went 6-5, then followed that up Game Night Guide
Shavar Holliday, one of the
with a 1-9 record in 2010.
Opelika-Auburn News’ Super 8
» Nickname: Panthers
But Story stuck with his plan
Seniors.
of building character, work
Holliday, who transferred to
» Stadium: Panther Stadium
ethic and team work. It started (5,000)
Lanett before last season from
to pay off last season, as Lanett
Handley, has come into his
» Location: Exit 79 off of I-85;
improved on its record to finish left onto Hwy. 29; left on Hwy.
own this offseason, according
4-6.
to Story. And the Lanett head
50; right at stadium
This year, Story is expecting
coach can’t wait to show him
» Admission: $6
even bigger things. A lot bigoff this season.
» Parking: Free
ger.
“I really had to sit him down
» Radio: WRLA 1520 AM
“My first couple years, I was
over the summer and talk to
working on building character (CST)
him about responsibility of a
and team,” he said. “And now
leader,” Story said of Holliday.
they’ve got that. All the prob- 2009
“When he first came to us, I
lems I’ve had in previous years,
had to groom him over the
we don’t have them now.
work.”
summer and talk to him about
“They’re buying into the
And leading the way for the how a quarterback is supposed
At A Glance
» Key losses: LB/TE Shaq
Jones; OL Josh Wells
» Outlook: With 15 returning
starters and another year in Cliff
Story’s program, the Panthers
are expected to improve on last
season’s 4-6 record. They have
one of the top athletes in the area
in senior quarterback Shavar
Holliday, while also boasting four
returning offensive linemen. Story
expects big things from Holliday
and his entire team, which plays
a tough Class 2A-Region 5 schedule. If Holliday can stay healthy,
Story believes he’ll be one of the
top — if not the top — player in
the area this year.
» Head coach: Cliff Story, 4th
year (11-20)
» Assistant coaches: Marcus
Pollard, Kelly Farrar, Chip Seal,
Charlie Williams, Roy Goodman,
James Wise
» 2011 record: 4-6 (2-5 region)
» Defense: 4-3
» Returning offensive starters (8): QB Shavar Holliday (Sr.
6-1, 185); RB Antonio Goss (Sr.,
5-9, 170); WR Jalen Washington
(Jr., 6-1, 195); LT Tim Varner (Sr.,
5-11, 206); LG Quantavious Rea
(Jr., 6-0, 260); C John Hand (Sr.,
6-0, 255); RG Reginald Fatterwhite (Sr., 6-1, 270); WR Desmond
Stevenson (Sr., 5-11, 178)
2012 Schedule
» Returning defensive start» Aug. 31 vs. Autaugaville
ers (7): DE Jamal Spence (Sr.,
» Sept. 7 vs. LaFayette *
6-4, 195); NG Shedarious Barnes
» Sept. 14 at Reeltown *
(So., 5-11, 270); DT Tymiakal
» Sept. 21 at Montgomery
Howell (Fr., 5-11, 210); CB Marlon
Bridges (So., 5-10, 170); LB Bran- Academy *
» Sept. 27 at Notasulga
don Winston (Jr., 5-10, 180); LB
» Oct. 5 vs. Isabella *
Zanquanarious Washington (Sr.,
» Oct. 12 at Randolph County *
6-2, 236); LB Jalen Washington
» Oct. 19 vs. Prattville
» Other contributors: QB/
WR/CB Romello Murphy (Sr., 5-9, Christian *
» Oct. 26 vs. Horseshoe Bend *
160); WR/SS Kendrick Ray (Jr.,
» Nov. 2 OPEN
6-2, 190); RB/CB Charlie Dunn Jr.
(Sr., 5-9, 160)
to look and what he’s supposed
to do.”
Holliday — who threw for
close to 1,000 yards as a junior
and 14 touchdowns, as well as
rushing for 491 and five more
scores — has answered the call,
according to Story.
And then some.
“I’m really expecting a lot
out of him this year,” Story said. “He’s been shredding it in 7-on-7 games this
summer.
“He’ll probably be player of
the year in this area if he stays
healthy.”
Story said he’s going to open
up the passing game more this
season, as he expects the Panthers to throw it some 20 times
a game, up from 10 the previous seasons.
And with four returning seniors on the offensive line and
two veteran wideouts, Story is
confident that plan of attack
will pay dividends.
Defensively, seven returning
starters are back, including all
but one defensive lineman.
“What I like the most (about
the defense), is they have really
developed a bond and a closeness,” Story said. “They really
understand the importance of
doing what we ask them to do
100 percent. And they’ve also
been able to get everyone else
to buy in.
“I’m expecting big things out
of the whole team.”
18
◆
LOACHAPOKA INDIANS
OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS
◆
www.oanow.com
More experienced Indians ready for new season
BY MIKE SZVETITZ
Game Night Guide
[email protected]
Individual records have never
appealed to Jerome Tate.
In his 18 years at Loachapoka,
the Indians’ head coach has
never been about anything other than team and community
success.
Individual accolades are just
the byproduct of a successful
program — a team — not just
one man.
So as Tate sits just one win
away from win No. 126 — a victory that would break Smiths
Station’s E.L. “Moose” Godwin’s
all-time Lee County record —
the veteran coach cuts right to
the heart of hit true goal.
“If I could do just one thing
— if I could give the people of
Loachapoka a state championship — that would mean more to
me than any individual record,”
Tate said. “I’ve never thought
about any records, and that’s as
sincere as I can be.
“My main thing is, I’d love to
be able to say we put a trophy in
the trophy case for the people of
Loachapoka.”
Now, don’t misunderstand.
Tate’s not saying that this year’s
squad — which returns 12 starters from last year’s 4-7 team —
will win a state championship.
He’s not predicting that.
He’s just admitting what would
mean more.
“If I break a record this year,
I’m sure someone would come
along and beat it down the line,”
Tate said. “But if you win a state
championship, no one can take
that away. I’m not predicting a
state championship, or anything
like that, I’m just saying that
a state championship would
mean more to me because of
what it would mean for the people of Loachapoka.”
But the Lee County wins record would leave a significant
legacy at Loachapoka when Tate
eventually stepped down from
his post. And the fact that a new
coach would come in with the
Loachapoka
quarterback
Jywan
Moss works
through
drills during
practice
Aug. 15.
At A Glance
(6): CB Moss; OLB Deon Roberts
(Jr., 5-8, 150); ILB DeQuenton Red» Head coach: Jerome Tate,
den (Sr., 6-0, 215); DE Jaquavious
18th year (125-70)
Jackson (Jr., 5-10, 175); SS Juwan
» Assistant coaches: Mason
Turk (Jr., 5-8, 170); OLB Victor MurWilson, Terry Murph, Wendell
ray (Jr., 6-0, 170)
Washington, Mike Perry, Anthony
» Other contributors: DL Keion
Edwards, Damian Sinclair, Tracy
Glaze (So., 5-10, 305); DL Devante
Simpson
Goodman (So., 5-8, 280); DB
» 2011 record: 4-7, (4-3 region)
Kendarius Pitts (Jr., 5-11, 140); OT
lost, 41-0, in first round of 1A playNicholas Grant (Sr., 5-10, 185); OG
offs to Brantley
Jeffery Nowlin (So., 5-10, 250)
» Key losses: RB Kevin Dowdell
» Defense: 8-man front
» Outlook: Loachapoka head
» Returning offensive starters coach Jerome Tate is one win
(6): QB Jywon Moss (Sr., 6-0, 175); away from setting the all-time
WR Wakeem Huguley (Jr., 5-8, 147); Lee County wins record (126), but
OG Deion Cox (Sr., 6-0, 250); OG
that’s not his focus this season.
John Harvey (Sr., 5-10, 200); WR
Tate wants to get Loachapoka back
Demarius Pitts (Jr., 5-8, 145); C
to where it used to be as one of the
Jahhari Culbreath (Jr., 6-0, 185)
top Class 1A schools in the state.
» Returning defensive starters Last year’s squad got into the play-
understanding that excellence
and success is expected gives
Tate some contentment.
“If I set a record, when I retire,
I want to leave something for the
new coach to come and work toward,” Tate said. “He’d have to
go to work, because it would be
what’s expected of whoever was
the coach at Loachapoka.
“And that’s what I want to
leave.”
Helping Tate get to that milestone win will be a team that he
says is hungry for success.
A team that’s older, wiser and
more experienced than last
year.
“The kids worked extremely
hard over the summer,” Tate
said. “There’s nothing like experience. Last year, we were very
inexperienced. At any given
time we had seven sophomores
offs by winning its last two games,
keeping the streak of postseason
appearances alive at 10 in a row.
Tate expects to make it 11 straight
this year, but hopefully not as “by
the skin of its teeth” as last season.
2012 Schedule
» Aug. 31 at LaFayette
» Sept. 7 vs. Notasulga *
» Sept. 14 at St. Jude *
» Sept. 21 vs. Verbena *
» Sept. 28 at Reeltown
» Oct. 5 at Winterboro *
» Oct. 12 vs. Fayetteville *
» Oct. 19 at Wadley *
» Oct. 26 vs. Talladega County
Central *
» Nov. 2 vs. Beauregard
on the field — if not more.”
However, the Indians still
made the playoffs last season
for the 10th consecutive year,
despite the inexperience, winning the final two region games
to get in.
“We don’t like the way we
made it in, but we got in,” Tate
said. “We had to fight our way in.
To make it in 10 years straight,
that’s saying something.
» Nickname: Indians
» Colors: Red and white
» Stadium: Loachapoka Field
(2,000)
» Location: On Lee Road 61,
a mile south of Hwy. 14 on left
behind the school
» Admission: $6
» Parking: Free
» Radio: None
2011
“I think the kids didn’t want
to be the class that didn’t go to
the playoffs during that stretch.
Those two ballgames we had to
win to get in the playoffs were
the best games we played all
year.”
To make it 11 years in a row,
the Indians will have to rely on
their quarterback and their defense.
Senior quarterback Jywon
Moss, who is going into his third
year as the starter, will lead the
offense, according to Tate.
“He needs to step up more this
year,” Tate said. “He had an outstanding sophomore year where
he extended plays. Last year, I
think he tried to do a little too
much. He tried to put a lot on his
shoulders. This year, he needs to
take what the defense gives us
and do a better job of extending
plays like his sophomore year.”
Defensively, Tate is also expecting more.
“That’s been a big emphasis
with us,” the head coach said.
“I’m not going to sit here and
fool myself or fool anybody
else, but when you lose some of
the players we’ve had, we won’t
match up as athletically and as
talented as we used to, but the
guys are working hard to be as
good as we can be.
“We have more experience
than last year. Hopefully, that
will translate to getting back
to the style of defense we once
played.”
LYMAN WARD RANGERS & CHAMBERS ACA. REBELS
Lyman Ward Rangers
At A Glance
one-win season, head coach
Dwayne Thomas is expecting
» Head coach: Dwayne
better things in his second
Thomas, 2nd year (1-9)
year with the Rangers. He says
this year’s squad will have a lot
Michael Ransaw, Stanley
of speed and ability to make
Winslet,Terry Oliver, DJ Baker,
plays, while relying on six reJustin Fetner
turning starters on both sides
» 2011 record: 1-9
of the ball.Thomas will also
have help at the quarterback
» Defense: 4-4
position with a transfer from
Texas, Charlie Bunten.The
starters (6): TE Verez Phil6-foot-4, 210-pound signallips (Sr., 6-1, 245); QB Dillon
caller is expected, according to
McMullen (Sr., 6-3, 185); FB
Thomas, to help in the passing
Malcolm Griffth (Sr., 5-11, 260);
game.“I think he’ll be a good
OLAlex Bush (Jr., 5-11, 260);
fit for us,” said Thomas, who
WR Jared Gustin (Sr., 5-9, 155);
plans on running an I-formaWR Matthew Henderson (Sr.,
tion offense with some of the
6-3, 190)
spin offense mixed in.
starters (6): OLB McMullen;
DT Griffth; DT Phillips; CB Gus- 2012 Schedule
» Aug. 17 Open
tin; DT Bush; OLB Henderson
» Aug. 24 vs. Macon-East
(L, 61-43)
WR/CB Jeon Abram (Jr., 5-9,
» Aug. 31 at Tuscaloosa
165); QB Charlie Bunten (Jr.,
Academy *
6-4, 210)
» Sept. 7 vs. Pike Liberal Arts
» Outlook: Coming off a
» Sept. 14 at Cornerstone
Christian
» Sept. 21 vs. Bessemer
Academy *
» Sept. 28 at Glenwood *
» Oct. 5 vs. Kingwood *
» Oct. 12 at Lee-Scott *
» Oct. 19 at Abbeville
Christian
» Oct. 26 vs. Edgewood
Academy
*AISAAAA-Region 1 games
Game Night Guide
» Nickname: Rangers
» Stadium: Cadet Stadium
» Location: Camp Hill, at
intersection of Hwy. 280 and
Hwy. 50.
» Admission: $5
» Parking: Free
» Radio: None
7 p.m.
1970
◆
19
Chambers Academy
Rebels
At A Glance
» Head coach: Shenan
Motley, first year (0-0).
Matt Smith, Ricky Daniels
» 2011 Record: 6-5, lost
in first round to Sumter
Academy
» Offense: Wishbone
» Defense: 4-3
starters (1): WR Russ
Whaley (Sr., 6-0, 175)
starters (2): DT Austin
Harmon (Jr., 6-3, 190), CB
Whaley
QB Cord Dodgen (Jr., 5-11,
160), OL Corey Bolt (Jr.,
5-11, 200), RB Darius Tinley
(Jr., 5-11, 165), RB Corey
Richardson (So., 5-10, 160)
» Key losses: TE/DE
Sean Amason, DB Andrew
Hall
» Outlook: Many new
coaches inheriting such an
inexperienced team would
seek to lower expectations,
but Motley sees reason for
optimism with the Rebels
this season. He says the
team has taken well to his
system, and has worked
harder than ever before
in the offseason to make
this a successful season.
However, with only three
returning starters and two
seniors, signs point to this
being a rebuilding year for
Chambers. Motley will have
a chance to build for next
season with a big junior
class.
2012 Schedule
» Aug. 17 vs. Eastwood
(L, 16-0)
» Aug. 24 vs. Crenshaw
(L, 50-0)
» Aug. 31 vs. Abbeville*
» Sept. 7 at Ashford*
» Sept. 14 at Meadowview
» Sept. 21 vs. Sparta
» Sept. 28 vs.
Cornerstone*
» Oct. 4 at Lakeside*
» Oct. 12 vs. Restoration*
» Oct. 19 at SMCA*
» Oct. 26 at Coosa Valley
*AISA Class A-Region 1
games
Game Night Guide
» Nickname: Rebels
» Colors: Blue and silver
» Stadium: Torbert Field
» Location: U.S. 431
North, approximately 15
miles north of Opelika
» Admission: $5
» Parking: Free
» Radio: 100.9 WCJM FM
(selected games)
7 p.m.
» Last playoff
appearance: 2011
20
◆
NOTASULGA BLUE DEVILS & BALLARD EAGLES
OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS
◆
www.oanow.com
Notasulga Blue Devils
After ‘learning experience,’ Blue Devils thinking big
BY TIM COTTRELL
For The Opelika-Auburn News
Four games into last season,
James Lucas’ team was 4-0
and seemed well on its way
to making his prediction of
a state championship come
true.
Things went downhill quickly.
Suspensions to four key starters and a series of injuries saw
Notasulga lose six of its last
seven games and finish with a
losing record.
“The team did good (in handling the adversity),” Lucas
said. “I think it was more of
a learning experience for the
coaching staff. It taught us we
have to have depth. At the 1A
level, there’s only so many guys
you can have, so you have to
learn to have athletes you can
place in different spots and
so forth. We’ve spent the time
since last season trying to build
Game
Night Guide
» Nickname: Blue Devils
» Colors: Blue and white
» Stadium: Blue Devils Stadium (2,500)
» Location: Behind School off
of County Road 54, ½ mile off of
Hwy. 14.
» Admission: $6
» Parking: $2
» Radio: None
2011
depth.”
As Lucas noted, it won’t be
easy to do so on bodies alone.
Lucas said the Blue Devils are
only capable of dressing out 35
based on the equipment available, a number he believes he’ll
hit this year.
But the Blue Devils gained
valuable experience filling in
At A Glance
» Head coach: James Lucas,
third year (10-12)
» Assistant coaches: Terry
Welch, Michael Sims, Stephen
Rogers, Brian Ware, Brandon
Lucas, Darryl Eaves
» 2011 Record: 5-6 (4-3
region), lost, 24-8, to Geneva
County in first round
» Offense: Spread
» Defense: 4-3
» Returning offensive starters (9): QB Cedarius Alexander
(Sr. 6-0, 170), RB Marlon Page (Sr.
5-9, 160), FB Justin Lucas (Sr.,
the gaps caused by the injuries
and suspensions.
“(There was) more progress
for our younger guys and our
younger athletes,” Lucas said.
“My starting quarterback in the
first round of the playoffs was
Ballard Christian Eagles: 8-Man
Eagles look to duplicate success
BY JUSTIN LEE
Ballard Christian head coach
Buddy Hammock would have
liked to have spent his time
leading up to the 2012 season thinking of how his Eagles
could continue their winning
ways in the ICSGA, but he first
had to figure out how to field a
team at all.
Even after a successful campaign a year ago, which saw the
Eagles finish near-perfect in
the regular season and 2 points
short of the ICSGA title game,
Ballard Christian’s return to
defend their region championship came into question when
the Eagles’ roster numbers
dwindled in the offseason.
“We dressed 21 last year,
Game Night Guide
» Nickname: Eagles
» Stadium: Sluder Field
» Location: On Moores Mill
Road in Auburn next to Believers
Church
» Admission: $5
» Radio: None
6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m.
2011
and we ended up losing 12 of
them,” said Hammock. “That’s
pretty hard.”
The Eagles’ roster was gutted
when several players left for
public and private schools in
the area, on top of the usual at-
trition due to graduation.
Ballard Christian’s season was
saved when an 8-man team
from Phenix City, Georgia-Alabama Christian School, was
unable to field a team. A hardship waiver from the ICSGA allowed six of their players to join
the Ballard Christian squad, essentially merging the two teams
just weeks before the start of
the regular season.
Braxton Nelson will take over
at quarterback for all-everything Jud Scott, who combined
for more than 3,500 yards of total offense and 52 touchdowns
last year as a senior, while Jarrett
Scott — Jud’s younger brother
— will play running back and
could also take snaps out of the
“Wild Eagle” formation.
5-10, 170), WR Bishop Burnett (Sr., Scott, CB Darien Lucas, OG/DT
6-2, 200), C Bruce Taylor (Sr. 5-7,
Farad Rahman, TE/DE Robert Key
170), OT Randy Robinson (So., 511, 170), OT Shakeel Abdullah (Jr., 2012 Schedule
6-1, 220), WR Alex Woodard (So.,
» Aug. 31 at Beulah
6-1, 190), WR Martavious Brown
» Sept. 7 at Loachapoka*
(Jr., 6-0, 150)
» Sept. 14 vs. Verbena*
» Returning defensive start» Sept. 21 at Fayetteville*
ers (6): OLB D-Juan Williams (Sr.,
» Sept. 28 vs. Lanett
5-6, 155), MLB Lucas, CB Page, SS
» Oct. 5 vs. Talladega County
Alexander, FS Brown, OLB Burnett
Central*
» Other contributors: RB/CB
» Oct. 12 at St. Jude*
Anfernee Dukes (So., 5-5, 155),
» Oct. 19 vs. Winterboro*
WR/FS Sidney Jernigan (Sr. 5-6,
» Oct. 26 at Wadley*
150), DT Michael Momon (Sr., 5-8,
» Nov. 1 at Reeltown
145)
» Key losses: WR/FS Rakeem
a freshman. My starting center
was a freshman. I feel like they
gained a lot of experience going into that atmosphere as a
freshman, and I feel like that
experience is going to play a
big part this year as we get into
At A Glance
» Head coach: Buddy Hammock,
5th year (33-12)
» Assistant coaches: Mike Cahill,
Josh Childree,Jason Scott, Eric
Strong
» 2011 record: 9-2 (4-0): lost,
40-38, in semifinals to Community
Christian School
» Defense: 3-3-2
» Returning offensive starters
(3): RB Jarrett Scott (Fr., 6-0, 185);
C Isaac Cowan (Jr., 6-1, 260); OL
Elijah Justice (Sr., 6-3, 250)
» Returning defensive starters
(3): LB Scott; DL Baylor Nichols (Jr.,
6-7, 200); LB Braxton Nelson (So.,
6-0, 155)
» Other contributors: QB
Nelson, OL/DL Matthew Ford (Jr.,
6-1, 220); OL/DLJoe Rumfelt (So.,
5-11, 175); WR Dalton Starling (Fr.,
5-10, 145); RB Dustin Bailey (Sr., 5-8,
175); TE/DL Garrett Dumler (Sr., 6-1,
155); RB/DB Chandler Nielson (Jr.,
that heavy schedule we have
this year.”
Plenty of experience returns
to face that tough schedule, as
15 starters are back as well as
numerous players with significant game experience.
5-10, 150)
» Key losses: QB Jud Scott,WR
Chase Higgins, OL Caleb Christian,
DB Gabe Rumfelt, DL Emory Nichols
2012 Schedule
» Aug. 24 vs. Evangel Family
Christian Academy (W, 46-37)
» Aug. 31 at Westside Christian
Academy *
» Sept. 7 vs.Wiregrass Kings
» Sept. 14 vs. Harvester Christian
Academy
» Sept. 21 at Colonial Hills
Christian
» Sept. 28 vs. Evangel Christian
Academy
» Oct. 5 vs. Lafayette Christian
School *
» Oct. 12 at CrossPointe Christian
Academy *
» Oct. 19 vs. Heritage Christian
School
» Oct. 26 at Life Christian
Academy *
* ICSGA Region Game
SPRINGWOOD WILDCATS
◆
21
Big changeover leads to opportunity for Wildcats
BY JUSTIN LEE
At A Glance
Springwood seemed to
be clicking on all cylinders
toward the end of last season, boasting a 10-1 regular-season record just a
year removed from a run
to the state title game.
That’s when the Wildcats were upset in the first
round of the playoffs by
Escambia, ending their
march back to the state
championship before it
could even get started.
“We had a good bunch,
and we played Glenwood
the last game of the season and got a couple of
key players banged up,”
said Springwood head
coach Ronnie Sikes.“They
tried to play the next week
and just were not effective
and we didn’t advance
in the playoffs. I think a
lot of people thought we
would have a rematch
with Edgewood (in the
state title game), but it
just didn’t happen.”
Things might seem to
have only gone downhill for Springwood since
then as the 2012 season
begins. The Wildcats lost
their entire defense to
Game Night Guide
» Nickname: Wildcats
» Colors: Red, black
and white
» Stadium: Wildcat
Stadium (2,000)
» Location: Exit 79 off
I-85, left on Broad Ave/US
29/AL 15, left on Cherry
Drive
» Admission: $5
» Parking: Free
» Radio: WCJM 100.9
FM
7 p.m. (CST)
» Head coach: Ronnie
Sikes, 4th year (27-9), 22nd
overall (162-85)
Galen Brown, John Brown,
Thomas Hill, Jake Key, Matt
Livingston
» 2011 record: 10-2 (6-1
region), lost, 62-42, in Class
AA first round to Escambia
» Defense: 4-3
starters (3): OL Cole
Moore (Sr., 6-3, 240); OL
Russell Woodham (Sr., 5-9,
170); WR Kaleb Northington
(Sr., 6-1, 175)
starters (0)
QB Brandon Hall (Sr., 6-0,
170); WR Justin McDiarmid
(Jr., 5-8, 130); RB Michael
Vo (So., 5-7, 165); FB Connor Gillespie (Sr., 6-0, 210);
LB Tyler Damiano (Sr., 5-10,
188); TE Michael Hall (Jr.,
6-2, 180)
» Key losses: QB Trevor
McCullough, RB Keon
Brown, FB Wesley Willis, WR
Dillon Harper, WR Monta
Booker
» Outlook: Springwood
may be coming out of the
gates slow in 2012, and it
might be a while before
the Wildcats pick up much
steam. After two great
seasons under Ronnie Sikes
in 2010 and 2011, Springwood is just undermanned
in 2012, and the only
answer for the Wildcats is
to gather experience and
try to stay healthy. All signs
point to a rebuilding year
for Springwood in 2012, but
if the Wildcats can accomplish some of their goals
this season, they could be
contenders again as soon
as 2013.
2012 Schedule
» Aug. 23 at EMCA
(L, 35-21) *
» Aug. 31 vs. Edgewood *
» Sept. 7 at Evangel *
» Sept. 13 vs. Lee-Scott
» Sept. 21 at Hooper
» Sept. 28 vs. South
Montgomery *
» Oct. 5 vs. Autauga *
» Oct. 12 at Coosa Valley *
» Oct. 19 vs. Crenshaw *
» Oct. 26 at Lakeside
*Class AA-Region 1 games
Springwood takes the field against rival Chambers last
season. The Wildcats lost all but three starters to graduation
from last year’s 10-2 team.
graduation and return
“We’ve had good leaderjust three starters on of- ship out of Tyler Damiano
fense — and two of those and Kaleb Northington,”
three are playing at new said Sikes. “In any propositions within the of- gram — whether it’s Aufense this year.
burn University or the
And with just 17 var- NFL — you’ve got to have
sity players on the some leadership.
Springwood roster, a few
“We’re not blessed to
untimely injuries could have 50 kids, but we’ve
potentially hurt the Wild- got some that are concats even more.
fident and they want to
“If we have injuries that win. If things go our way,
we can’t control, we’re we’ll be successful.”
going to get down there
The Wildcats will be rearound 16 or 15,” said vamped with fresh faces
Sikes. “It gets tough, espe- across the board on decially in special teams.”
fense and at almost every
Still, there’s plenty of skill position on offense,
hope for the Wildcats in but the new guard will
2012 and beyond. Spring- hope to match the same
wood may be fielding success Springwood had
a team full of first-year in recent years before
starters, but most of the them.
players on the roster have
“The guys know how
been a part of successful to win,” said Sikes. “I exSpringwood seasons over pect them to fight for four
the past two years.
quarters, and not quit.”
GOOD
LUCK
to all our area teams!
Tallapoosa River Electric Cooperative
800.332.8732 • Lafayette, AL
22
◆
LEE-SCOTT ACADEMY WARRIORS
OPELIKA-AUBURN NEWS
◆
www.oanow.com
LSA looking to build on success with spread offense
BY JASON GALLOWAY
At A Glance
Dunbar, OLB Judson Scott, OLB
Taylor Young, DE Ryan Price, CB
» Head coach: Robert Maddox,
Kyle Smith, WR Jack Folmar
7th season (31-32), 17th overall
» Outlook: Lee-Scott had a
(104-88)
bounce-back year after going
» Assistant coaches: Steven
3-7 in 2010. Now with 19 starters
Kilcrease, Shane Tapley, Kelly
returning and plenty of playmakPool, Jon Kitchens, Mike Rabren
ers on both sides of the ball, the
» 2011 record: 7-4 (4-2 region);
Warriors are looking to make even
lost, 21-10, to Morgan in Class
more noise this year and advance
AAA first round
past the first round of the playoffs
» Offense: Spread
for the first time since 2002.
The schedule gets even tougher
» Returning offensive startthan last season, though, with
ers (10): C Ryan Leonard (Sr.,
Bessemer Academy — last year’s
6-0, 197); G Austin Clanton (Sr.,
Class AAA state champions
6-0, 204); G Caleb Bethune (Sr.,
— and Tuscaloosa Academy join6-2, 222); G Chandler Scott (Jr.,
ing Region 1.
5-9, 192); TE Nick Buskill (Sr., 6-1,
195); RB/WR Holt Ingalls (Sr., 60, 180); WR/QB MarQuen Mitchell 2012 Schedule
» Aug. 24 vs. Tuscaloosa Acad(Sr., 6-0, 185); QB Jeremy Joseph
emy (L, 34-0) *
(Jr., 6-6, 225); RB/WR David
» Aug. 31 vs. Pike Liberal
Ruffin (Sr., 6-0, 192); WR Jackson
» Sept. 7 at Bessemer
Harris (Sr., 5-10, 180)
Academy *
» Returning defensive start» Sept. 13 at Springwood
ers (9): DB Ingalls; DE Buskill;
» Sept. 21 vs. Glenwood *
LB/DL Chris Wilson (Sr., 5-11);
» Sept. 28 at Kingwood *
LB/DL Bethune; DB Mitchell;
» Oct. 5 vs. East Memorial
DB/LB Ruffin; DL Clanton; DL
» Oct. 12 vs. Lyman Ward *
Scott; DE/LB Leonard
» Oct. 19 at Macon-East *
» Other contributors: TE/OLB
» Oct. 25 at Hooper
Thomas DeGrange (Jr., 6-0, 185)
*Class AAA-Region 1 game
» Key losses: TE Thomas
[email protected]
Holt Ingalls couldn’t recall the
offense he ran as a sophomore
at Lee-Scott in 2010.
His mental lapse could be because it’s been nearly two years
since the wide receiver/running
back had to worry about its terminology and its demands for
perfect execution.
More likely, Ingalls chose to
erase it from his memory.
“We had the personnel for the
spread,” Ingalls said — referring to the offense the Warriors
switched to last season — before turning to teammate Caleb
Bethune, “and I didn’t like that.
… What offense was that? Triple
option? I didn’t like that.
“It’s just hard to run. You can’t
make any mistakes.”
It gives credence to a theory
Lee-Scott head coach Robert
Maddox compares to the movie
Field of Dreams — and that famous line, “If you build it, they
will come.”
Maddox has always loved the
triple option, but after realizing
through his team’s 3-7 season
two years ago that the Warriors’
personnel wasn’t big enough to
play that smash-mouth style,
he opted for something more
popular.
“I think high school kids today, it’s a perception thing,”
Maddox said. “If they feel like
they’re doing what’s being done
on Saturday, they’re kind of vicariously putting themselves in
a position where they’re playing
college football… If you give
the perception you’re doing
what colleges do, they’ll come
out for football. I’ve noticed an
increase in numbers of our kids
ready to play because of it.
“The same thing happened
when I was at Auburn High
School. My first year we had
37 kids out for football. Second year, we had about 50,
and then after that we went
from one offense to the spread,
and we ended up 85, 90 and
Lee-Scott junior quarterback Jeremy Joseph drops to pass during
practice Aug. 14. Joseph is one of the Warriors’ 19 returning starters.
100, and look what’s going on
now.”
The bottom line, Maddox
said, is that kids like that style
and play better because of it.
Lee-Scott flipped its regularseason record from 3-7 to 7-3
after the switch to the spread,
and this year — with nearly every starter returning on both
sides of the ball — the Warriors
plan on being even better.
Senior MarQuen Mitchell —
who starts at receiver, defensive
back and also plays a touch of
quarterback — returns as LeeScott’s most explosive weapon,
junior Jeremy Johnson is back
behind center after a developmental sophomore year, twoway star David Ruffin returns
after a mid-season concussion
and Ingalls — who also starts
at defensive back — will play a
key part in that offense he undoubtedly prefers.
In all, 19 starters return, and
they’re motivated to make up
for losing three of their last four
games, including a first-round
playoff loss to Morgan Academy.
“I felt like we kind of peaked
early and just kind of fizzled for
whatever reason,” Maddox said.
“Usually a team gets better as
the year progresses. We soared
early and then we just kind of
glided after that. We must not
let that happen again.”
If this summer is any indicator, the Warriors likely won’t
have the same problem in
2012.
“This group has worked harder this summer than any group
I’ve had … probably since I’ve
been coaching high school
football,” Maddox said. “They
bugged me to come in and
open up so they could do extra
Game Night Guide
» Nickname: Warriors
» Colors: Navy, red and white
» Stadium: Jud Scott Field
(2,500)
» Location: In Auburn, at the
end of Gatewood Drive, behind
Village Mall.
» Admission: $5
» Parking: Free
» Radio: To be determined
2011
work in the weight room. I’ve
been up here more this summer than ever just because the
guys want to be here.
“That’s unusual, but that’s a
benefit. I think that’s going to
pay off later.”
GLENWOOD GATORS
◆
23
Gators desperate for their ‘next breath’
BY JUSTIN LEE
Game Night Guide
This season, the Glenwood
Gators and head coach Jason Allen do not want to wait
around until the playoffs to
start playing championshipcaliber football.
Glenwood limped into the
postseason with a 6-5 regularseason record a year ago before putting together a run that
lifted the Gators all the way to
the AISA Class AAA state title
game.
With 19 seniors returning for
Glenwood, the Gators seem
poised to start things the right
way in 2012.
“It’s a different team, a different season and different
kids,” said Allen. “Hopefully
we won’t struggle during the
regular season as bad as we
did last year, especially early
on.”
A faster start could lead to an
even more successful season
for the Gators, who are hoping
to carry over some momentum
to this year from last season’s
run to the state championship
game.
“It does put a target on
you for other teams,” said
Allen.
“But at the same time those
guys that were here last year
and were a part of that and are
coming back, they understand
now what it takes to get there.
It’s a lot of sacrifice, a lot of
long hours, a lot of work, a lot
of film study. It’s a lot of things.
But this group understands
that and I think they want that.
They want to have that same
success.”
That desire for success has
been so strong for the Gators
that the Glenwood players and
coaching staff had to put it into
words. Written on bracelets
worn by players and posted
on signs around the team field
house are the words “Next
Breath.”
“What that means to us
» Nickname: Gators
» Colors: Orange and white
» Stadium: The Swamp
(3,000)
» Location: Behind school
on Summerville Road in Phenix
City
» Admission: $5
» Parking: Free
» Radio: None
(CST)
2011
Glenwood head coach Jason Allen talks to his team during practice Aug. 21. The Gators were the AISA Class
AAA runner-up last year and enter this season ranked No. 3.
“I think they’re hungry. I
think they’re really hungry
for success. They want to
win. They don’t like being
failures and they don’t like
not living up to expectations.”
Jason Allen,
Glenwood head coach
and commitment out of these
kids that it takes to be a winner.”
In 2012, the preseason No.
3 Gators are looking to start
things differently than a year
ago, but their goal is that
2012 Schedule
their ultimate destination
remains the same in a trip
» Aug. 24 at Bessemer (W,
to the state championship
17-14)
game.
» Aug. 31 at Evangel Christian
“I think they’re hungry,” said
Academy
Allen.
» Sept. 7 vs. Kingwood
“I think they’re really hungry
Christian *
for
success. They want to win.
» Sept. 14 at Edgewood Academy
They
don’t like being failures
» Sept. 21 at Lee-Scott
and they don’t like not living
Academy *
up to expectations. If any» Sept. 28 vs. Lyman Ward *
thing, a lot of them got to see
» Oct. 4 at Macon-East Acadthat last year because we were
emy *
picked to have a really good
» Oct. 12 vs. Tuscaloosa
team last year and we limped
Academy *
into the playoffs with five
» Oct. 19 vs. Hooper Academy
losses. Then we actually put
» Oct. 26 vs. Crenshaw Christian
our foot on the gas and got it
*Class AAA-Region 1 games
going.
“I think these guys see that
is that our kids have got to win as bad as they want to Allen. “We feel like if we do and they don’t want to make
want to prepare and want to take their next breath,” said that then we’ll get the sacrifice those same mistakes.”
At A Glance
Zeigler (Sr., 5-11, 180); RB Dylan
Denneyl; OL James Whatley (Sr.,
» Head coach: Jason Allen, 3rd
5-11, 200); OL Alryk Perry (Sr., 6-1,
year (14-11)
225); OL Bradley Exum (Sr., 6-4,
» Assistant coaches: Dusty
285); OL Frank Warren, Jr. (Sr., 6Perdue, Josh McConnell, Brett
6, 320); DB Isaiah Bettis (Jr., 5-11,
Wink, Ed King, John Roberson
160); DL Terris Thompson (Sr.,
» 2011 record: 8-6 (3-3 region); 6-2, 255); DL Trotter Barringer
lost, 35-21, in Class AAA state title (Sr., 6-4, 190); DB Jake Wilson
game to Bessemer
(Sr., 5-10, 170)
» Offense: Wing-T
» Key losses: RB Xavier Bond,
» Defense: 4-2-5
RB Deion Goshay, WR/DB Chase
» Returning offensive startSilvani, RB/DB Will Allison, OL/DL
ers (4): QB Brandon Daley (Sr.,
Kyle Langston, OL/DL Eric Lynn,
6-0, 170); TE Zach Kelley (Sr., 6-1, OL/DL Wesley Bowers, LB Judson
210); FB Luke Dougherty (Sr., 6-0, Neel
235); OL Chad Silvani (Jr., 6-4,
» Outlook: The 2012 sched245)
ule doesn’t start easy for the
» Returning defensive startdefending state runners-up, as
ers (3): LB Logan Kiker (Sr., 5-9,
Glenwood travels to Edgwood
190); DB Tanner Knowles (Sr.,
and rival Lee-Scott just weeks
5-11, 165); DB Dylan Denney (Jr.,
after their season-opening bout
5-11, 165)
with Bessemer. The Gators may
» Other contributors: WR
stumble out of the starting blocks
Michael Swann (Sr., 6-2, 170); Will as a new group finds its identity,
but Glenwood has proven that it’s
capable of putting things together
for a playoff run by the end of the
season, and they’re poised to be
contenders once again in 2012.
Advanced Orthopedic Services…
Saturday Clinic for
High School Athletes
Caring for you means
caring about you.
The Orthopaedic Clinic is the host location
for the region’s leading board-certified
orthopedic surgeons, certified athletic trainers
and physical therapists who provide total sports
injury care to area high school athletes.
SATURDAY CLINIC, which opens at 8:00 a.m.,
is conducted each Saturday beginning August 25, and will run
through the end of the high school football season. Saturday Clinic
is hosted by The Orthopaedic Clinic at its Opelika location.
Athletes must be accompanied by or have written
parent/guardian consent prior to evaluation and treatment.
A division of The Orthopaedic Clinic
w w w. t h e o r t h o c l i n i c . c o m
Opelika: (334) 749-8303 • SportsMed: (334) 742-6408

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