Spartans recognized on all-state team

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Mountain Brook High School football team advanced to the Class 6A state championship game this season for the first time since 1996, finishing as the runner-up to Saraland.

As a result, several Spartans were recognized by the Alabama Sports Writers Association on the Class 6A all-state team.

Head coach Chris Yeager was named the 6A Coach of the Year after leading Mountain Brook to a third consecutive 12-win season. In his previous 16 seasons as the head coach, he led the Spartans to the state semifinals three times, including 2020 and 2021. But this year, Mountain Brook got to the state final and capped off a three-year stretch that included 36 wins.

Three Spartans were named to the first team after stellar seasons as well. Running back Cole Gamble was a finalist for Back of the Year and finished as one of the top running backs in the state across all classifications. He eclipsed 200 yards in three straight playoff games and finished with over 1,900 yards and 35 touchdowns.

Offensive lineman Davis Peterson was also a first-teamer, putting together a strong season of his own. He helped pave the way for that dominant Mountain Brook rushing attack, including posting more than 60 knockdowns and 40 pancakes on the season.

Linebacker Trent Wright suffered an injury toward the end of the state championship game, an unfortunate end to a tremendous year. He accumulated over 140 tackles and 10 tackles for loss on the season.

Wide receiver Clark Sanderson also was named honorable mention. He had a big game in the state championship, leading the Spartans with over 100 receiving yards. Sanderson racked up over 800 receiving yards for the season.