Cougars ready to rebound from disappointing finish

By KYLE PARMLEY

The 2022 season was not expected to end the way it did for the Clay-Chalkville High School football team. The Cougars, fresh off a dominant season and a Class 6A state championship in 2021, were well on their way to achieving similar heights last fall.

Clay-Chalkville suffered one loss in the regular season, a three-point defeat to the eventual 7A champ Thompson, and rolled over most everyone else. But the Cougars suffered a shocking 7-6 loss to Parker in the first round of the state playoffs.

The fact that an 8-2 season feels like a bitter disappointment is a testament to how high the bar has been set at Clay. And head coach Drew Gilmer is just fine with those expectations.

“The standard is to win a state championship every year,” he said. “We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Gilmer has seen plenty of positive signs from the Cougars over the offseason that lead him to believe the 2023 team may have the capability to reach those lofty heights once again.

“This group seems different. It’s been fun watching them work,” he said.

Offense

Clay-Chalkville’s offense has been one of the most prolific in the state over the last decade. The Cougars averaged 37.7 points per game last fall and several of the players responsible for that are returning.

Stuart Floyd is back at Clay and will be the offensive coordinator this season, but he will be working with a new quarterback, albeit a familiar face.

Jaylen Mbakwe, a University of Alabama commit, will make the move from wide receiver to quarterback for the Cougars this fall, as he returns to a position he has not played regularly since middle school. Mbakwe has been one of the state’s top receivers the last couple seasons, and the Cougars will be relying on his athleticism and decision-making quite a bit.

“He’s done a really good job in the summer and spring developing the throwing game,” Gilmer said. “He’s done a really good job of making good decisions and is throwing the ball really well.”

Gilmer compared Mbakwe’s skillset to that of Tyrrell Pigrome, who starred for ClayChalkville during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Mbakwe will give Clay a dynamic threat in the backfield, capable of excelling on designed runs as well as making plays on the fly.

“That’s exciting that you’ve got a guy back there that when things break down, he can make things happen,” Gilmer said.

One drawback of moving Mbakwe to quarterback is removing an elite pass-catcher from the receiving corps. But Mbakwe will still have an established star in Mario Craver to connect with. Craver is a highly touted prospect who will now be catching passes from his former position mate.

Corey Barber transferred to Clay-Chalkville from Spain Park and will be a factor at receiver. Marlon Compton and tight end Jabari Staples will also be counted on as pass-catching options.

Aaron Osley returns as the Cougars’ top rusher, and Gilmer feels good about Bravis Cave Jr. and a few other young running backs to shoulder the rushing load.

Up front, Clay-Chalkville should be strong, with four players returning who have significant experience. Brady Phillips, Jac’Qawn McRoy, AJ Williams and Adrian Spivey will all start on the offensive line. Gilmer called it the “most mature and far-along” line that he has had at Clay at the outset of the season.

“This is a big group; they’re large humans,” Gilmer said. “The best thing for them is if we keep them in good position, it’s going to be fun to see.”

Defense

Clay-Chalkville’s defense was lights out a year ago, pitching four shutouts and allowing 20 points just once.

There’s plenty of experience returning as well, starting with senior standout linebacker DJ Barber..

“He does a good job of controlling the middle of our defense,” Gilmer said.

Barber is a recent Auburn commit and is the type of player that can fit into any type of defensive scheme, according to his coach.

“He has tremendous speed, but he’s a physical, old-school linebacker that can handle the run,” Gilmer said.

The secondary should also be a strength for the Cougars. Deion Gunn will play safety and guys like Jeremy Billingsley, Roderick Alexander and Tevis Metcalf will play at corner. Metcalf transferred in over the summer after playing at Pinson Valley last fall. Gilmer said Mbakwe could see some time at corner as well, depending on the situation.

Rod Ivey, another Pinson transfer, will be a productive outside linebacker as well. Along the line, NaKarius Allen and Randell Cole will be factors on an otherwise inexperienced group.

“We have a lot of speed on the edge, we just don’t have that big anchor body in the middle,” Gilmer said. “That’s why it’s even more important for DJ to be in that middle to anchor us down.”

Special Teams

After not having a kicker over the last few years, the Cougars should have one this fall. Antone Ellison has transferred in, after his family moved to the area from Colorado.