Prep Football 2010

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The Anniston Star

prep football Sunday, August 15, 2010

Hit the books

With kickoff just 11 days away, we know you don’t have the time to get to every practice. We’ve done all the studying. Now all you have to do is cram for the kickoff with T he Star’s 2010 high school football preview.

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The Anniston Star

Page 2 Sunday, August 15, 2010

abl T e of contents County

Alexandria Anniston Donoho Jacksonville Jacksonville Chr. Ohatchee Oxford Piedmont Pleasnat Valley Saks Weaver Wellborn White Plains

5 3 11 15 16 6 9 10 24 14 18 19 13

Area ASD Cherokee County Clay County Cleburne County Handley Lincoln Lineville Munford Ragland Ranburne Randolph County Spring Garden Talladega TC Central Wadley Woodland

21 18 4 29 6 28 7 7 27 21 23 20 12 20 22 12

From the editor

Nothing shortened about this Cliff’s Notes version You’re old enough to where your wants don’t matter anymore.

If I had a nickle for every time I’ve heard that during the years, I wouldn’t have to be sitting here writing you this story.

Thankfully, though, I very seldom ever hear that here at The Star.

In my professional life, I want lots of Bran things. And thankfully Strickland for the good people Sports Editor that I work with, they let me have a lot of them.

This was one of them.

In the past, the date of our high school football preview has bounced around more than a Super Happy Fun Ball.

At one time it came out a week before the season started.

Then it came out on the Wednesday and Thursday before the season started.

And if you recall last year, it was in your hands nearly a month before the first kickoff.

Like a bald version of Goldylocks, I found fault with all of the aforementioned dates.

Too soon, not soon enough, kinda

but not really ... this, however, is just right — and it ties into our theme for this upcoming season.

By having this section hit your coffee table two weeks before kickoff, it gives the casual fan plenty of time to stay on top of things reading one or two per day, if they so choose to be up-to-date on the entire coverage area.

But for the diehard fan, it works, too.

Fall jamborees will kick off around the area on Thursday and finish up on Friday.

Now, you have the most up-to-date information we can give you, so you can go into the preseason with a working knowledge of not only your team, but maybe even your team’s jamboree opponents.

And the best part — just like many sleepless nights I spent during college after working here at the paper — it’s easily digestible information complete with charts and such ... just like those trusty Cliff’s Notes.

Being a journalist and a lover of literature, I know I shouldn’t be advocating a Reader’s Digest version of anything, but I’ll glady advocate this.

Bran Strickland is the sports editor for The Star. He can be reached at 256235-3570 or follow him on Twitter @bran_strickland

3 32 31 30 26 25 17

CLASS 6A 1. Hoover (35)

14-1

429

2. Prattville (1)

12-3

319

3. Davidson

10-3

247

4. Vestavia Hills

9-2

243

5. Gadsden City

11-3

216

6. Spain Park

10-3

170

7. Auburn

13-1

148

8. Bob Jones

11-2

73

9. McGill-Toolen

7-4

64

10. Clay-Chalkville

8-3

58

Others receiving votes Florence (9-3) 33, Enterprise (7-4) 31, Daphne (6-7) 7, Homewood (5-5) 6, Fairhope (111) 5, Oxford (8-3) 3.

CLASS 5A 1. Russellville (15)

12-3

350

2. Demopolis (15)

12-3

333

3. McAdory (4)

11-2

284

4. Spanish Fort (1)

11-3

263

5. Hueytown*

5-5

182

6. Hartselle

10-3

166

7. Vigor (1)

8-4

152

8. Cullman

12-1

96

9. Briarwood Chr.

9-4

95

10. Tallassee

8-3

30

Others receiving votes LeFlore (9-4) 22, Eufaula (6-5) 21, Muscle Shoals (9-3) 14, Athens (8-4) 12, Pleasant Grove (6-5) 12, Walker (9-3) 12, Greenville (11-1) 4, Fort Payne (8-3) 1, Shelby Co. (9-2) 1, St. Paul’s (6-4) 1, Valley (7-4) 1. *-Class 6A in 2009

CLASS 4A

F e at u r e s Games to Watch Last word Playoff Bracket with tiebreakers Composite schedule Stadiums map Region alignment and predictions Preseason Dandy Dozen

ASWA Preseason polls

New things and things you should know

1. UMS-Wright (25)

10-3

377

2. Jackson (5)

13-2

319

3. Thomasville (3)

10-2

302

4. Deshler (1)

12-2

225

5. N. Jackson

9-4

177

6. Cherokee Co. (1)

15-0

161

7. Straughn*

9-4

156

8. Bibb Co. (1)

12-1

76

9. Anniston

7-5

66

10. Calera

8-3

63

Others receiving votes Fayette Co. (8-4) 53, Midfield (11-2) 33, Andalusia (6-5) 19, Dadeville-* (10-2) 12, Cleburne Co. (3-7) 8, W.S. Neal (2-8) 4, Brooks (8-3) 1. *-Class 3A in 2009

Twitter In the world of Twitter, you can find almost anything to follow ... including your favorite high school football talk.

Follow prep sports writer Nick Birdsong @ birds_word. He’ll give you updates from the nitty gritty, down to random things that cross his mind.

You can also follow sports editor Bran Strickland (@bran_strickland). You’ll get college football, NASCAR and random other sports, but you’ll get a big helping of high school football, too.

If Friday night scores are more your thing, @starprepsports will keep you on top of things with live in-game updates.

CLASS 3A

FAcebook With seemingly everybody in the world on Facebook — except for Nick Birdsong (we’re trying) — it’s easier than ever to keep up with the goings on of The Star sports department.

Aside from news updates, you’ll get a taste of what tickles our fancy: from stories that appear in our daily section to other good reads we find perusing the world wide web, you can get a little bit of everything ... all you have to do is become a fan.

Search for us under Anniston Star Sports.

Bird’s word What would high school football season be without our weekly pick ‘em contest?

It’s back once again this year with the prophet of pigskin, Nick Birdsong, doing his best to limit the number of Bird Beaters to zilch.

The contest will be brought to you this season by Martin’s Family Clothing.

1. Leeds (17)

11-3

361

2. Cordova (12)

13-2

304

3. T.R. Miller (4)

10-2

289

4. Piedmont (2)

13-2

258

5. Hamilton

11-2

173

6. Clay County *

13-2

163

7. Handley**(1)

13-1

158

8. Madison Acad.

12-1

77

9. Luverne

10-4

59

10. Trinity

11-1

53

Others receiving votes Pike Co. (9-1) 50, Plainview-** (6-5) 25, Hokes Bluff-** (5-5) 18, Opp-** (7-5) 17, Washington Co. -* (10-3) 15, Glencoe (9-3) 14, Saks-** (8-4) 10, Pisgah (8-3) 4, Gordo (7-5) 3, Excel-* (6-5) 1. *-Class 2A in 2009; **-Class 4A in 2009.

CLASS 2A 1. Reeltown (33)

14-1

423

2. Leroy (3)

10-3

330

3. Elba

11-1

242

4. Ider

11-2

216

5. Cottonwood

6-4

189

6. Westbrook Chr.

9-3

161

7. Fyffe

8-3

151

8. Tanner

10-2

132

9. Lineville

9-3

88

10. Lamar Co.

13-1

56

Others receiving votes Red Bay (5-6) 47, Wicksburg-* (3-7) 5, American Chr. (4-6) 3, Colbert Hts.-* (7-4) 2, Millry (8-3) 2, Billingsley (4-6) 1, Goshen (8-4) 1, J.U. Blacksher-**(5-5) 1, Lexington (10-2) 1, Sand Rock (6-4) 1. *-Class 3A in 2009; **-Class 1A in 2009

Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star

CLASS 1A

Cooling off Anniston’s Quinton Royal cools off during an intense summer workout.

The linebacker will be a key player in a defense that could lead the Bulldogs to a Region title.

about the cover The cover illustration was conceptualized, designed and executed by Star sports editor Bran Strickland, with special thanks to copy editors/designers John Dietrich and Keivn Jeffers and Managing Editor Anthony Cook.

Online only While you can get lots of prep coverage in the daily product, for some content this season, you’ll only be able to find it and participate through www.annistonstar.com.

This year we will be launching the Peerless Grille Team of the Week, which will be decided solely by you, the fans.

Also, www.annistonstar.com will feature dedicated team pages for each school in the coverage area. It will be your one-stop location for team sched-

ules, rosters, photos, not to mention a way to follow all the stories we produce about your favorite team. The launch of the pages will coincide with the kickoff of the prep football regular season.

Lastly, there will be a webcast each with Star Sports Editor Bran Strickland and prep writer Nick Birdsong. Their experience in front of the camera is limited, but their charisma and knowledge are strong.

Be sure to tune in.

1. Sweet Water (28)1

11-2

408

2. Linden (7)

12-1

340

3. Brantley (1)

14-1

268

4. R.A. Hubbard

11-3

202

5. Maplesville

10-2

191

6. Addison*

4-6

169

7. Pickens Co.*

12-2

106

8. Loachapoka

11-2

93

9. Hackleburg

14-1

85

10. Cedar Bluff

8-4

50

Others receiving votes Winterboro (8-4) 32, Gaston (9-4) 27, McKenzie (10-2) 27, Lynn (9-3) 20, Parrish (7-4) 17, Appalachian (10-3) 12, Gaylesville (6-5) 5. *-Class 2A in 2009.

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The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 3

Games to watch Week 1 Because it’s the opener and people want excitement, the slate is filled with good games, but most of them don’t mean anything — with the exception of one.

Because of the nine-team alignment, White Plains at Glencoe (on Aug. 26) is a region game and is one that could very likely be pointed to at the end of the season as one that earned one of the two teams a playoff berth.

Honorable mentions: Oxford at Carrollton (Ga.), Leeds at Alexandria, Lineville at Cleburne County

Week 2 This year’s Oxford at Gadsden City game will put as many college-bound athletes on the field as an all-star game. Outside of just a good game, the game has really turned into a decent rivalry.

Honorable mentions: Cleburne Co. at Anniston, St. Jude at TC Central

Week 3 We hate to do this in back-to-back weeks, but make your way to Clay-Chalkville at oxford. The showdown of running back Darrin Reaves vs. linebacker Kwon Alexander is worth the price of admission.

Honorable mentions: Anniston at Alexandria, Clay County at Leeds

Week 4 The storyline for Alexandria at Jacksonville is quite simple — the Golden Eagles pulled off quite possibly the upset of the year in Death Valley, so Alexandria will be looking to make amends for that loss. Addresses for Christmas cards will not be exchanged.

Honorable mentions: Handley at Clay County; Lineville at Lanett, Spring Garden at Gaston

Week 5 Region 4 might have been the toughest in Class 4A, and ended with a three-way tie for second. Two of those teams will meet up in the Anniston at Lincoln game, and the Bulldogs will certainly be looking for revenge.

Honorable mentions: Clay County at Lineville, Auburn at Oxford, Handley at Sweet Water

Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star/File

Despite the turmoil surrounding the coaching situation, the Anniston Bulldogs are poised for a strong season.

Week 6

All together now

With Reeltown in the mix this season, it’s going to take an upset of monumental proportions to pry the region championship out of its hands. However, Woodland at Lineville might very well be for the next best thing, playing at home in the first round of the playoffs.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Alexandria at Cleburne Co., Parkway Christian at Jacksonville Christian

Anniston getting behind new coach Eddie Bullock

Week 7 The Class 3A defending champs get a road trip — but not just any road trip — in the Piedmont at Gulf Shores game. And if you want an extra day of fun and sun, remember this game is being played on a Thursday, Oct. 7 HONORABLE MENTIONS: Lincoln at Calera, Wellborn at Clay County, JCA at Ragland

BY NICK BIRDSONG

P

nbirdsong@annistonstar.com

robably more than any other team that reached the second round of last year’s playoffs, things have changed at Anniston.

The biggest change was the abrupt and unexpected firing of former head coach Alex Wilson on May 26th. The dismissal of Wilson — who’d completed his third season at the helm last fall — came late, coming after the Bulldogs had already completed spring training and just a day before he was due to receive tenure. It also followed two consecutive trips to the playoffs.

The Anniston Board of Education named Edddie Bullock as Wilson’s successor but did so on an interim basis, handing over the reigns to the alumnus on a one-year trial June 21.

Bullock was able to retain only two assistants from the previous regime, and due to timing of the coaching change, he has struggled to find certified assistants, relying heavily upon a staff comprised largely of experienced and willing volunteers.

It’s a situation that is far from ideal — and which as late as July left them without a bona fide offensive coordinator, though Bullock said he has someone in mind if the particulars can be worked out.

Yet with all that will be different for Anniston in the upcoming season, enough remains the same that Anniston might be expected to reach higher heights in 2010.

It helps that Bullock is no newcomer to the program.

Prior to being named head coach, he was an assistant on the Bulldogs’ staff for 10 years, the past five as the defensive coordinator.

His oversight throughout the turmoil has been a constant, right down to keeping the team together when many had thoughts of leaving.

Once he was named coach, the players frustrated by Wilson’s firing were all calmed down and he was able to get everyone on board within two weeks.

Week 8 These two county schools were separated by classification in 2009, but will be renewing acquaintance as they now share a region, so make sure to catch the first clash in Saks at Piedmont.

HONORABLE MENTION: Wellborn at Handley

Anniston Bulldogs 2009 Record: 7-5, lost to Bibb County in the second round of the playoffs Head coach: Eddie Bullock, first year as head coach, spent 10 previous seasons as an assistant.

Offensive leader: Josiah Atkins, 6-1, 175, QB — Atkins is a rare fourth-year starter who accounted for more than 2,100 yards of offense last season, with 1,722 through the air and 450 on the ground.

Defensive leader: Quinton Royal, 5-8, 190, LB; Corey Johnson, 6-4, 205, DE — Royal was the Bulldogs’ leading tackler a season ago, with 161 tackles, and should be even better this season. Johnson had six sacks as a junior and is being recruited by Division I schools.

Key special teams contributor: ATH Shaquille Ashford, 6-0, 170 Vocal leader: Atkins Quote: “One team, one mindset, one heartbeat.”

— Bullock

Week 9 It’s hard not to pick Munford-Lincoln, but Handley at Leeds is just far too tempting. The speed at which these two teams play the game is a little above everyone else.

Conventional wisdom says it would cancel itself out, but that doesn’t mean it will be any less exciting.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Munford at Lincoln, Lineville at Reeltown, Jacksonville at Anniston

Week 10 We’ve tried not to let storylines dictate our selections, but in the case of Wadley at Randolph County, how can you not? RCHS coach Randy Sparks built up Wadley from nothing and now went just a bit down the road to the Tigers. Hard feelings? There shouldn’t be. Imagine what Wadley would have been if he’d never come.

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Cherokee Co. at Piedmont, Anniston at Briarwood Christian (10/28)

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4

The Anniston Star

Page 4 Sunday, August 15, 2010

Shawncey’s time to shine Clay County quarterback latest in line of Panthers’ stars

BY NICK BIRDSONG

T

nbirdsong@annistonstar.com

here’s a poster from the pinnacle of Clay County’s football program where one of the teams from their record 55-game winning streak is running out before the start of a game.

If you look closely you can see a small child standing next to his mom as part of the human tunnel formed

by Panthers’ supporters to welcome the players onto the field.

The boy, no older than 3 our 4 at the time, was Shawncey Simmons.

He was on hand to watch as his older brother, former Clay County star Stanford Simmons, who won a pair of state titles, was named a Parade All-American who went on to play at Auburn.

“They represented well,” Shawncey said, recalling his early memories of the teams his brother played on.

“They never really threw the ball that much. They just smacked people in the mouth every play.

“It was hard-nosed football. That’s what Clay County is known for.”

Now, all grown up, it’s Shawncey’s turn to add to the legend of the Panthers. Heading into his junior season, the 6-foot, 182-pounder will be Panthers’ starting quarterback. He’ll make the move from wide receiver, much like Quamain Simmons did in 2008, when he led Clay County to a state semifinals appearance.

Shawncey flew under the radar last season as the Panthers marched to 13-2 record, winning a Class 2A, Region 5 title on their way to the Class 2A state championship game.

Clay County Panthers 2009 record: 13-2, lost 16-8 to Reel-

town in the Class 2A state championship game.

Head coach: Kris Herron Offensive leaders: Shawncey Simmons, 6-0, 182, QB; Dexter Sims, 6-1, 255, OL — Simmons made his splash in the state title game with a 60-yard touchdown that tied the game in the third quarter. He averaged close to six yards per carry out of the backfield and 18 yards per catch as a wide receiver. He’ll switch to quarterback this season. Sims is a veteran at the line position and will be essential to their rushing and passing attacks.

Defensive leaders: Justin Watts, 5-8, 190, LB; Leo Rivas, 6-1, 240, DT — Watts was second on the team behind firstteam all-state choice Ben Endress with 56 tackles in 2009. Rivas was tied for fourth with 36 stops and forced a fumble.

Key special teams contributor: The Panthers are working two or three players at kickoff and punt return duties to give Simmons a breather.

Vocal leader: Sims and Rivas are senior linemen who have a wealth of experience and encouragement to offer their teammates.

Quote: “Do What We Do. We can’t worry about the other teams. We’re just going to do what we do and hopefully it’ll be good enough.” — Herron

Please see Clay County ❙ Page 5

Anniston Continued from Page 3 “We’re still a work in progress,” Bullock said. “We all feel more or less like we’ve got something to prove. A lot of people want to see if I’m qualified to coach these guys.

“I’ve told them that if we go out there on the field and execute, that’ll blot out a lot of the negativity. We just have to control the things we can control.”

According to the account of seniors Josiah Atkins and Quinton Royal, Bullock has increased the overall intensity from years past — and Wilson ran a pretty tight ship.

“Last year, with coach Wilson, if you missed a workout and had an excuse, he’d let it go,” said Royal, the Bulldogs’ leading tackler with 161 stops last season.

“With coach Bullock, even if you’ve got an excuse, he don’t care.

“You’ve still got to make that up.”

Atkins will once again guide the Bulldogs’ offense.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound dualthreat quarterback has virtually grown up under center since starting four games as a freshman.

He was a first-team allcounty choice as a junior after throwing for 1,722 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushing for 450 yards and another five scores.

In Bullock’s slightly tweaked offense, the coach said he and his staff are seeking to simplify things and minimize the number of reads Atkins has to make, which the satff is hoping will maximize

Atkins’ playmaking capabilities.

“We’re putting in the work,” Atkins said. “I’m confident in our wide receiver corp, our running back corp. My confidence in them is real high right now.”

“Coach is always getting on me about being a leader. He’s always telling me about learning to become a leader both on and off the field, and that my leadership is what’s going to make everything come together.”

Atkins will be aided by senior receiver Jordaneous Woolverton (20 catches, 515 yards and three touchdowns) and promising junior running back Troymaine Pope among others at the skill positions.

Standout offensive linemen Dontavious Blair, Darius Billingsley and Marcus Jackson will help keep the heat off Atkins.

The 5-foot-8, 190-pound Royal will lead the defense from his middle linebacker slot. He was one of a slew of Bulldogs on that side of the ball who could sign college scholarships come February.

Corey Johnson, a 6-4, 205pound defensive end, recorded six sacks during an allcounty season as a junior and holds offers from Memphis, South Alabama, Alabama A&M and South Alabama.

Corderrius Murphy will likely take on the opposing team’s top receiver.

With all that’s gone on, one thing the Bulldogs haven’t lost sight of is the potential their team possesses.

“All we talk about is how good we can be,” Royal said.

Nick Birdsong covers prep sports for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3575.

“Last year ... if you missed a workout and had an excuse, he’d let it go. With coach Bullock, even if you’ve got an excuse, he don’t care.”

— Anniston LB Quinton Royal comparing the styles of current coach Eddie Bullock and former coach Alex Wilson

CONGRATULATIONS! To our football players, cheerleaders, and band members for your accomplishments

Jake Mobley

Ridge Andrews

Josiah D. Atkins

Haley Welch

Wellborn High School From Wanda Mobley

Pleasant Valley High School From Paw-Paw and Maw-Maw

Anniston High School From Paula Atkins and Lorenzo Pointer

Weaver High School Have a great Senior year!

Grandma, Mom, Jeff, Alex, and Alyssa

Cassie Tims

JaQual Symone Miles

Kacey Laine Jacobs

White Plains High School From Tina and Lane Tims

Anniston High School From Lawernce and Earldine Gable

Skylar, Lindsay, and Zachary Simpson Wellborn High School

White Plains High School

From Hilda Gregory and Ed Simpson

We Love You! Eddie and Shaney Jacobs

Varsity Captain

WE ARE SO PROUD!

5

The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 5

clay county Continued from Page 4

Next in line

Simmons caught seven passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns to lead the runfirst, -second and most likely -third Panthers in receiving as a sophomore.

He showed glimpses of his gifts in the title game, taking over the quarterback duties in Clay County’s version of the popular Wildcat package on offense after three-time first-team all-state running back J.D. Williams went out with a concussion in the first quarter.

Shawncey scored the Panthers’ only touchdown on a magical 60-yard run against Reeltown with 3:06 left in the third quarter to even the score before the Panthers eventually fell 16-8.

“Being put in that position on that stage, he did a tremendous job,” Clay County coach Kris Herron said of Shawncey. “He was very promising as a sophomore. He was thrown into that situation against Reeltown and made some plays. He knows that he can play.”

Shawncey said he was “scared, nervous and happy at the same time”.

Herron is in his second year at the helm after replacing Danny Horn, who guided the Panthers to six titles in 20 years before departing Ashland for Benjamin Russell.

Herron said it was evident that Shawncey would be the Panthers’ next quarterback even before spring practices began. He took plenty of snaps at the position in practice last year, though he never played it in games.

Herron said Shawncey can sling the ball deep but is more accurate throwing shortto-intermediate passes and using his athleticism in the open field.

Much like Zach Jordan a year ago, Shawncey will be depended upon to manage games for a team that only threw the ball 89 times in 15 games in 2009.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence in Shawnc-

“We’ve got a lot of confidence in Shawncey. He’s shown what he can do and he practices hard.”

— Clay County lineman Dexter Sims on Shawncey Simmons ey,” senior linemen Dexter Sims said. “He’s shown what he can do and he practices hard.

We’ve got to block well for him to give him time to throw the ball and when he runs so he can score.”

Clay County has deviated at times from the wishbone attack they’ve become known for and mixed in some I-formation and option sets to adjust to their personnel in recent years.

However, Herron said, they could look more like the Panthers of yesteryear with senior Justin Watts, sophomores Michael Howard and Travis Smith and juniors Glen Ackles and Colby Hilyer all expected to see carries.

Ten of the Panthers’ starters will be playing a new position in 2010. They’ll also have to replace five starters on defense.

But this is Clay County. Herron said they’ve got a roster of 46. Forty-three of them grew up in Ashland.

Expectations remain high with this decidedly young team, even with Clay County playing in a Class 3A region that includes two other regions champions from last year in Handley — down from 4A — and Leeds.

“We want to be one of the best teams to ever pass through Clay County,” Shawncey said.

Now it’s his turn to make it happen.

Nick Birdsong covers prep sports for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3575.

Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star

Alexandria’s Dar Harper, left, and DeAnte Owens will share the load in the backfield this season for the Valley Cubs.

Tailgating Headquarters

Valley Cubs hoping two backs are better than one

By Joe Medley

I

jmedley@annistonstar.com

ALEXANDRIA t means something to be part of the next backfield at Alexandria. Just think of those who took handoffs for the Valley Cubs.

There was Tony Young, then the tandem of David Taylor and Bernie Howard.

There was Dexter Mallory, followed by the tandem of Mac and Scott Campbell.

There was Hurtis Woodruff, Billy Gunter and Chris Evans, who worked in tandem with Brandon Alldredge and Chris Findley.

2009 record: 8-4, lost in second round to Midfield Then came Terrell StewHead coach: Frank Tucker, fourth year. art and Jaron Johnson, The Offensive leaders: DeAnte Owens, 5-10, 175, RB; Star’s 4A-6A player of the and Dar Harper, 5-8, 155, RB — They combined for year for 2009. almost 700 yards last season while in support roles “It’s a good tradition,” for Jaron Johnson. Owens and Harper are expected Alexandria senior running to operate more as a tandem. back DeAnte Owens said.

Defensive leader: Cedric Bailey, 5-11, 225, DT “It’s kind of a lot of trust, — Had 41 tackles in 2009. because they have to trust Key special teams contributor: Rajulio Ortega, you to carry the ball and 5-11, 210, K and P. make sure you can follow Vocal leader: Bailey and Blake Turner, OT, have what they did.” stepped up, but the Valley Cubs are looking for more The succession goes from others. on in 2010, with Owens — Quote: “We’re counting on our summer of work.

Johnson’s tandem partner Our kids have worked pretty hard this summer, and in 2009 — and Dar Harper, that’s what we’re going to rely on. Hopefully, the only there’s a twist. work we’ve done this summer will pay off come Fourth-year Alexandria game time.” — Tucker coach Frank Tucker expects this season’s backfield to be more balanced in terms of carries.

“I plan on using both Dar Harper and DeAnte,” said Tucker, who served 19 years as an assistant, including nine as offensive coordinator under late Alexandria legend Larry Ginn. “... If you’ve got two good tailbacks, they complement each other. Hopefully, that’ll be what we have this year.”

Savings

Alexandria Valley Cubs

Please see alexandria ❙ Page 6

“The offense is geared around the tailback, and we’ve just been fortunate that a tailback has shown up every year.”

— Alexandria coach Frank Tucker

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HWY. 431 ALEXANDRIA

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NORTH NOBLE ANNISTON

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COGSWELL AVE. PELL CITY

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The Anniston Star

Page 6 Sunday, August 15, 2010

Different but not decimated Handley looks to rebound after losing key players

BY NICK BIRDSONG nbirdsong@annistonstar.com

Trent Penny/The Anniston Star/File

Ohatchee linebacker Josh Van Akin, making a tackle on Piedmont’s Chase Childers, said he’s enjoying the changes at Ohatchee being brought by new coach Jason Howard.

Akin to change Howard’s arrival has Indians feeling optimistic

By Joe Medley

J

jmedley@annistonstar.com

OHATCHEE osh Van Akin has seen a lot of change at Ohatchee.

From Ray Crump to Chad Cochran to now Jason Howard, Van Akin and the older Indians players have seen three head coaches.

So going from tight end to offensive guard to tailback in less than a year? That’s just life on The Creek for players such as Van Akin.

“We’ll be all right,” he said.

But rolling with constant change is never easy, and that will be the challenge in Howard’s first season as his alma mater’s head coach.

Howard knows it as well as anyone. He went through three basketball coaches during his days as a threesport athlete at Ohatchee.

“By my senior year, we had no direction,” said Howard, who came to Ohatchee after leading Spring Garden to its most successful run in football. “We went through all three, and all three had different philosophies. We really hadn’t grown up in a system or anything.”

The same holds true for Ohatchee’s most veteran players. They ran some spread offense under Crump and Cochran, but Cochran switched to the option.

In comes Howard, who runs a hybrid wing-T as his base offense.

“When kids are familiar with a system, they have something to fall back on,” Howard said. “That’s what they don’t have here.”

It means position changes for players such as Van Akin, who moved to guard during spring practice. He’s since moved to tailback, a position he played earlier in his football career, because of an offseason shoulder injury to Caleb Vice.

Zach Mitchell has moved from quarterback to running back.

Brady Kelly, the Indians’ lone returning starter on the offensive line, has moved from center to guard.

Riley Curvin moved from running back to wing back/wide receiver.

“We’ve tried to keep some things that they’re used to,” Howard said. “Defensively, we’ve kept a base package that they’re used to. We’re going to keep that base defense.

“We’re just not going to stunt out of it as much. We’re going to try to be more sound in just our base.”

Howard had a spring practice and 7-on-7 camp with his new team — which helped the transition — but the Indians have had to adjust to more than new Xs and Os. A new coach means a new approach to offseason programs and discipline.

“One of the big things is we’re trying to place some accountability on these kids,” Howard said. “You’ve got to be here. If you’re not here, you’re going to be punished for it. You’re going to have run.

Alexandria Continued from Page 5 Owens and Harper saw extensive action in 2009.

Owens played mainly at the wingback position and carried 44 times for 373 yards. His 8.48 yards per carry average shows how well he played the changeup role when defenses keyed on Johnson.

Harper spelled Johnson at tailback and carried 76 times for 323 yards and a 4.25-yard-per-carry aver-

Ohatchee Indians • 2009 record: (1-9) • Head coach: Jason Howard, first year at Ohatchee, 8th year as a head coach.

• Offensive leader: Josh Van Akin, 6-0, 205, RB. Played tight end in 2009.

• Defensive leader: Van Akin, MLB. Played DE and LB in 2009 and was an all-county pick.

• Key special teams contributor: Ty Dulaney, P. Punting and field position were crucial to Howard’s system at Spring Garden, where Jake Scott made several big and timely kicks.

• Vocal leader: QB Riley Allen leads the offense, and LB/WB Riley Curvin gets everybody fired up.

• Quote: “We want intensity. We want to bring everything we’ve got all the time, and we want to have a focus on whatever we do. We want to have a certain intensity about us.” — Howard

“Getting stronger in the summer is part of getting better in the fall, and that’s been one of the hard things is just that accountability part.”

Howard said the Indians have adjusted well, and circumstances help. Ohatchee hasn’t made the playoffs since 2003 and finished 1-9 in 2009.

A team hungry to win buys in.

Howard also allowed for some continuity by retaining Glenn Toney — the former Saks head coach — and son Randall Toney from Cochran’s staff.

There’s also a lot of new blood in the program. The Indians got down to 17 varsity players in 2009, and they had 36 headed into fall camp.

There’s new blood on the staff, as well. Howard hired former Weaver standout David Beegle and ex-Alexandria star Will Ginn, son of the late coaching great Larry Ginn.

As for Howard, he’s the kind of new blood that gets the blood flowing.

“He gets you more fired up than any coach I’ve ever had,” Van Akin said. “He’s hyped up about everything.”

Joe Medley is The Star’s sports columnist. He can be reached at 235-3576.

age.

Tucker said Owens and Harper are shifty types with quick feet.

“They don’t run over you,” he said. “They run past you and around you.

“I don’t think we’ll have that single-back threat, but, hopefully, we can be more dangerous with two capable backs.”

Alexandria runs a hybrid of the wing-T, with two backs. One lines up to the outside of the tight end and presents a misdirection threat. Misdirection can maximize the shifti-

ness and quickness of Owens and Harper, hence balancing their use.

“One key to our success at tailback is our wingbacks,” Tucker said.

“When we’ve got good wingbacks — like, when we had Chris Evans, we had Brandon Alldredge, when we had Mac Campbell, we had Scott Campbell — it’s helped our tailbacks.”

Of course, Harper and Owens will need other positions to come through, starting at quarterback.

Tucker said he has looked at Justin Bowen and Tevin Riggins as possible

They’re all gone.

Ladarius Phillips isn’t walking through the lockerroom door anymore at Handley.

Neither is Darius Finley nor Taylon Hunter.

Phillips, a 6-foot, 265-pound running back, bruised opposing defenses for more than 3,000 yards and 50 touchdowns during his career and was a first-team selection to the ASWA Class 4A AllState squad as a senior. Now, he’s at Auburn.

Finley, who was chosen to The Star’s All-Area team, was the mastermind under center for the Tigers, who went a combined 25-3 the past two seasons. The 6-foot-2 standout threw 17 touchdowns as a senior. Now, he’s at Shorter College in Georgia.

Hunter was an honorable mention to the allstate team. He had nearly 80 tackles — nine for loss — forced and recovered a fumble, recorded a sack and picked off a pass as a versatile key to the Tigers’ defense. Now, he’s at Southern Illinois.

So with those losses — and the departure of allstate honorable mentions Cory Smith and Xavier Brooks — a little regression could be expected.

Instead, what’s left behind might be enough to not only recoup and regroup, but also exceed the success of their predecessors.

Coming into the offseason, seventh-year coach Mike Battles and his staff knew they had holes to fill. They also knew they had a group of young guns lying back at their disposal, ready to be released — albeit in a different fashion.

“Last year we were a pretty power-oriented team,” Battles said. “In short-yardage situations we’d just hand (Phillips) the ball and put the biggest guys we could to block in front of him. We can’t do that this year.

“We ran a lot of option stuff in the spring. We’re just going to adjust what we do to what we have, ... but we’re still going to block and we’re still going to tackle.”

The Tigers ended spring with an impressive 54-20 victory against defending 4A state champion Cherokee County.

If Handley traverses deep into the postseason again, they’ll have to do by making it through a nightmarish Class 3A, Region 3 schedule.

It includes 2008 Class 3A champ Leeds, 2009 Class 2A runner-up Clay County and Wellborn, which reached the playoffs in its first season under coach Jeff Smith last year.

The Tigers should be stacked in the backfield again with senior Bryant Johnson and juniors Chris Dillard and junior Breyon Deberry.

The trio will garner much of the carries that were handled by Phillips, Shaquille Trammell and Justin Brown last year.

Sophomores Trae Kyles and Shabeer Holiday will compete for the starting quarterback job.

“We won’t use two quarterbacks,” Battles said.

Please see handley ❙ Page 7

Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star

Seventh-year Handley coach Mike Battles said his team will have to adjust to fill the holes created by former Tigers Ladarius Phillips, Darius Finley and Taylon Hunter.

replacements for departed senior Hunter Kelley.

Tucker also needs to replace three offensive linemen, including center and valedictorian Conner Read.

“There’s a lot of new,” Tucker said.

What’s not new is the tradition for running backs, one of Alexandria’s top crops.

“The offense is geared around the tailback, and we’ve just been fortunate that a tailback has shown up every year,” Tucker said. “... I think we’ve had a 1,000-yard rusher every year, going back to the early ’90s.”

Harper said he can’t wait for the chance he and Owens have to be the next 1,000-yard rusher in The Valley.

“It’s great,” he said. “I’ve been around ball all my life, and I’ve been growing up around Alexandria all my life. I get to actually start for the varsity team now.

“DeAnte and I have been playing together since midget ball, so it’s pretty cool that we’re going to be the two running backs now.”

Joe Medley is The Star’s sports columnist. He can be reached at 256235-3576.

7

The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 7

Glenn again returns to lead Aggies

By Bran Strickland bstrickland@annistonstar.com

F

LINEVILLE ootball games in the state of Alabama don’t get much bigger than the Clay Bowl. Like Alabama vs.

Auburn on a high school scale, the annual Clay County-Lineville game is talked about year-round, and few times does the rivalry disappoint.

Last year, however, there was more than disappointment. There was despair.

On Lineville’s second offensive play of the game, its star player, Jonathan Glenn, injured his knee and with that, the hope for that special kind of season every high school team dreams about went down the drain.

Glenn is back, and with him, those special hopes are back in Lineville, too.

“It doesn’t even enter my mind that he’s had a hurt knee,” Lineville coach Steve Giddens said. “He played basketball, went through spring training and played baseball … he’s 100 percent.”

While Glenn’s injury was the last thing the Aggies needed — in that game where they lost 14-0 or in the 2009 record: 9-3, lost in overall picture — the unforthe second round of playoffs tunate circumstances could to Ider 20-13. pay off in the bigger picture Head coach: Steve Gidfor a larger-than-average dens. class of 13 seniors.

Offensive leader: JonaIn Glenn’s absence, there than Glenn, Sr., RB — After was no one player available missing most of the 2009 to carry his gargantuan load. season with an injury, Glenn In doing the best they could, returns with no ill effects of the Aggies developed a cast the knee injury. of players with more experiDefensive leader: Scott ence than they would have Curlee, Sr. NT — This will had otherwise. be Curlee’s fourth year to Add to that the fact that start on the defensive line Lineville had already been for the Aggies. in a situation three years Quote: “One play. We talk ago where it was forced to about it a lot — one play, play freshmen, and what we’ve got to win this play, the Aggies have is a problem because there may not be many teams would take off another one.” — Giddens. their hands.

“We’ve certainly got a lot of experience, I’ll give you that,” Giddens said. “We’ve got guys that have started two and three years. Early on they lost more than they won, and last year made it to the second round and won nine games …

“Our problem is they all pretty much play the same position. We’ve got wideout/running back types.”

Contrasting the bevy of skill players with Lineville’s lack of depth on a slightly undersized offensive line is Giddens’ problem — how to best use the situation will force him to get creative.

Lineville has long been known for its tailbacks and gritty style of play, using the wishbone and I-Formation to deep playoff runs.

However, in the recent past and possibly now this year, the Aggies could dabble a little bit outside of their norm.

As for knowing right now, either Giddens doesn’t know or isn’t telling.

“We just sort of try to figure out what we want to do,” he said.

“Do you want to be an I-Formation or wishbone team that pounds people, or do you want to spread out and use more skill people that can run routes and catch balls?”

The wondering part comes on with the offensive line.

Giddens knows the line is capable of running the blocking schemes required for power formations — he watched the group go to the second round of the playoffs and win nine games without its first-string tailback.

However, the wear and tear of what they hope to be a 10-plus game season could be tough.

And while not being a group of big, bulky linemen, what they lack in being able to power opponents off the ball they make up for in quickness, an advantage in spread formations.

“You just wonder,” Giddens said.

The time to wonder is about over. The Aggies will play Wadley in a jamboree, then will start a stronger-than-average nonregion schedule with 4A Cleburne County (the other two nonregion opponents are Clay County and Handley).

But with time running out, Giddens said that’s exactly what his team needs — somebody different to tackle every day.

“Our guys, we practice hard,” he said. “But you’re waiting for the game to get here because some of our guys have done that for three years.”

Bran Strickland is the sports editor for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3570.

Lineville Aggies

Consolidated News Service

New Munford coach Will Wagnon brings championship pedigree, coming from Cherokee County.

System shock Munford changing style under former Centre assistant

By Heather Baggett hbaggett@dailyhome.com

W

MUNFORD ith a new coach and more than 60 players out for football, there is an excitement surrounding the Munford Lions in 2010.

New coach Will Wagnon is left with the task of teaching his system to the players, which means the players and coaches are putting in a lot of work entering the 2010 season.

“To the new guys who’ve never played football, it’s real new,” Wagnon said. “But even to the guys that played last year, the things that I do, my system is different than what they’ve done in the past. Everything is new to everybody.

“Techniques are new. What you call things are new. It’s been tough for the new guys, but it’s been tough for the old guys. The thing that you can see in football players is that the old guys can catch on quicker than the new guys.”

The Lions have several players returning from last year’s squad, as well as a lot of new players, including a new quarterback in Deonte Allen and running back in Jonathan Parker.

Wagnon has changed the defensive scheme, and hopes having more players means most players will not have to play both ways.

“I feel our strongest point on the football team is our defensive front seven,” Wagnon said. “In the 3-4 scheme our defensive front seven may be the best part of our football

team right now. A lot of the situation last year was guys were going both ways.

“This year we’re going to try to have a separate group on defense and a separate group on offense.

That way you can’t take a break on a play because you won’t need a break because all you’re playing is defense.

“We’re going to have some guys who are going to have to go both ways, but we’re trying to limit going both ways in order to have both guys knowing exactly what to do and give maximum effort.”

The Lions are also learning a new offense as well.

“We’re going to try to throw it and run it about the same,” Wagnon said. “This is something that’s new to the guys. They’ve picked it up well.

They’re not exactly where they need to be, but we’re getting there.

“Right now we’re pretty solid at quarterback. We’ve got who we want at quarterback. It’s just a matter of getting him to where he needs to be in the season. He is a newcomer.”

Entering his first year as coach, Wagnon said he and his team won’t be satisfied just calling this season a rebuilding year.

“A lot of people in their first season, they want to get their system in place and really not worry about wins and losses,” he said. “Maybe we shouldn’t worry so much about wins and losses, but the problem I have is this senior class has been working so hard for me since I’ve been here.

We’re trying to win football games this year. We’re not trying to just get better every week. We’re going to try to win ballgames.

“I had a meeting with the seniors right after spring training and our one major goal this season is to make the playoffs. Whatever the record has to be to make the playoffs, that’s what we want to do. They’ve worked for it.

“We’re going to try to win every ballgame we can. We’re going to try to get better each week. But at the same time, we’re not just going to just scrap this season because it’s the first year because these guys have worked too hard. So we’re out to win as many as we can.”

Wagnon said the excitement surrounding the team this year has resulted in a lot of hard work put in by the players and coaches.

“They’re real excited,” he said.

“That’s one of the reasons we’re going out to win every ballgame this season. They’re working hard. They’re trying to do everything we ask them to do.”

While the excitement is there, the expectation to win every game hasn’t reached Munford yet. Wagnon, who came to Munford from Cherokee County, said he wants to change that.

“When you get used to something, you expect it,” Wagnon said. “When you expect something, it kind of makes it a little easier. I’m talking about winning. At Cherokee county we won 30 out of our last 31 ballgames when I was there. When you do that, it makes it easier.

“The situation here, it’s not like they went 0-10 every year. They’ve won some ballgames. It’s expecting to win every game no matter who the opponent is. At Cherokee County, you could bring the Dallas Cowboys out there and they would expect to win.”

handley Continued from Page 6

Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star/File

Handley’s Courtland Gates will be a key contributor in the secondary for the Tigers as they move down to Class 3A.

“One will step up the other one will be the backup.

“They’re both good athletes and capable of different positions. The other one isn’t going to sit on the bench and watch. They’ll play somewhere else.”

Senior Lance Henderson will take Hunter’s spot on the linebacker corp. Battles said the secondary — which will include Johnson, Dexter Reese, Jeremy Higgins and Courtland Gates — is the strength of the defense.

Despite their youth, this year’s pack of Tigers has seen plenty of game action.

It was often their job to hold onto the big leads the big-name players built up, and no one accused Handley of faltering late in games last year.

“That last few years, we’ve been fortunate,” Battles said. “We lost some good players but we’ve also still got some good players.

“Now, it’s just a matter of preparing them to play.”

Nick Birdsong covers prep sports for The Star.

He can be reached at 235-3575.

Krista Walker/The Anniston Star/File

Lineville tailback Jonathan Glenn is back for the Aggies and eager to lead them to a Class 2A, Region 5 title.

The Anniston Star

Page 8 Sunday, August 15, 2010

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9

The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 9

Photos by Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star/File (top); Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star/File (bottom)

TOP: Oxford junior defensive back Trae Elston will lead a Yellow Jackets secondary and could also see major time at receiver to replenish what was lost.

BOTTOM: Brent Anderson and the Yellow Jackets have lost in the first round of the state playoffs each of the past two years, both in painful fashion.

Talent to the top Oxford hoping to ride bevy of D-I prospects past first-round slump

Big O’s Fab Five The Yellow Jackets look to have a host of players in the coming year who could sign with major Division I programs.

Seniors Name

Ht.

Allan Carson 6-1 Status: Committed to Tennessee.

BY NICK BIRDSONG Wt.

Pos.

308

DT

Bobby McCain 5-11 177 CB Offers include: Auburn, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Memphis, Navy and Southern Miss Juniors Kwon Alexander 6-2 210 LB Offers include: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Illinois, LSU, Mississippi State, UCLA. Trae Elston 6-0 177 S Offers include: Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Texas Tech and UCLA. Michael Flint 6-4 303 OT Offers include: Alabama, Auburn, UCLA, Arkansas, Florida and Florida State Source: Staff reports and Rivals.com

nbirsdsong@annistonstar.com

I

OXFORD t doesn’t matter who you ask, Oxford’s football team wants to be doing one thing come the second week of November — still playing. If the Yellow Jackets are, it’ll mean they’ll have advanced beyond the first round of the state playoffs, the point at which they’ve fallen the past two seasons.

The Yellow Jackets finished in the top two of Class 6A, Region 7 play in each of the past two years, but lost home games before their faithful at Lamar Field, losing to Bob Jones in 2008 and Decatur a year ago.

Oxford will enter the season unranked but received votes in the Alabama Sports Writers Association preseason poll.

The Yellow Jackets posses one of the most starstudded rosters in the state, with at least five players who could or have signed Division I scholarships — juniors Kwon Alexander (linebacker), Trae Elston (safety) and Michael Flint (offensive lineman) and seniors Bobby McCain (defensive

back) and Allan Carson (defensive tackle).

However, despite their recent postseason struggles and the hype surrounding the talent this season, the Yellow Jackets aren’t in panic mode.

“Our goal is the same as it is every year,” third-year coach John Grass said. “We talk about getting better every day, being the best football player we can be every day and being the best team we can be every week.

“Make the playoffs. Get in the playoffs and then you’ve got a chance, being the very very best team we can be by the end of the season.”

Grass said he knows that a deep playoff run is something his team must build up to.

“A 10-week season is a long season and there’s a lot of room for improvement,” Grass said. “We don’t want to start fast and then not improve and then hit that lull in the middle of the season.

“What we want to do is be clicking on all cylinders when the playoffs get here. Hopefully, be healthy. I think this football team wants to do that. They want to advance in the playoffs.”

Please see Oxford ❙ Page 10

10

The Anniston Star

Page 10 Sunday, August 15, 2010

T he next one in line?

Three quarterbacks locked in a heated race to become Smith’s next prize pupil

BY NICK BIRDSONG nbirdsong@annistonstar.com

I

PIEDMONT f anyone in Calhoun County — make that the state — can coach and develop talent at the quarterback position, it’s Piedmont coach Steve Smith.

Just check out the track record of the coach who began his head coaching career at Cedar Bluff.

First there was Cole Peace, who took his talents to Division I Toledo. Later there was Troy signal-caller Jamie Hampton, who started five games for the Trojans in 2008 before redshirting last season.

Smith spotted each player’s talent as mere underclassmen and groomed them into sought-after college recruits.

Last year, he pulled off the biggest achievement of his career with his most prized pupil — three-year starter Chase Childers.

Childers, a 5-foot-8, 190pounder whom Smith took under his wing as a youngster, guided the Bulldogs to a 13-2 record and the school’s first state football championship with a 35-28 win against Cordova.

For Childers, the champion— Piedmont coach Steve Smith ship punctuated a three-year run, during which he amassed on his QB situation a 33-8 record as a starter. He reached at least the third round of the postseason in each year he started and won The Star’s Class 1A-3A Calhoun County Player of the Year award as a junior and senior.

So when you hear Smith speak of the confidence he has in the capabilities of all three of the players vying for the starting quarterback position, and his plans to use all three of them in some shape, you have to believe him.

“They’ve all been playing really well in passing camps and have shown progress over the course of the summer,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we played three different guys at that position.”

Junior Chris Strott and sophomores Cade Bradley and Jamie Major are in a three-man heat for the job. Each brings a different quality to the table and could see time in the Bulldogs’ spread attack throughout the season.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we played three different guys at that position.”

Pictured: Piedmont coach Steve Smith and quarterback Chris Strott.

Please see piedmont ❙ Page 11

Trent Penny/The Anniston Star

oxford Continued from Page 9 The Yellow Jackets will be as tested as much as anybody in their first three games of the season.

They start the season by traveling to play Carrolton (Ga.), a traditional power in AAA play in Georgia. In Week 2, they go on the road to visit Region foe Gadsden City.

The Titans reached the state semifinals a year ago, where they were downed 35-0 by state champions Hoover. They defeated the Yellow Jackets 28-0 along the way.

In Week 3, Oxford will host No. 10 ClayChalkville, a team Oxford bested by one point in a triple-overtime thriller at home a year ago.

“If we can win those first three games, we’ll be great,” first-year starting quarterback Jackson Stephens said. “We’ll know that we can compete with anybody in the state. It’ll be tough but we can do it.

“We want to win state, and we’ve got the talent to do it.”

Stephens completed 44 of 73 passes for 577 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions while backing up Jarid Moore as sophomore.

Alexander, who was a first-team all-county selection with more than 130 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season, might be the most talented of an ultra-talented bunch.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder holds offers from more than 20 schools, including Auburn and Alabama. The Army-All-American said he’s focused on what lies ahead instead of behind.

Expect him to lead what should be a stout defensive unit, which returns seven starters from last year’s team. They’ve retooled some upfront with the absence of tackle Jared Morse (Vanderbilt) and end Dimitri Orr (Gulf Coast Community College) but have their entire linebacker corp and secondary back.

“It hurt the first two years,” Alexander said.

“But then I just thought about the fact that we had two more years left. We’re going to try to win it this year and next year.

“We’ve got to stop the run better. We struggled with that last year.”

Stephens attended position-specific training at camps in places such as San Diego and the Nike Training Camp in Tuscaloosa.

However, Stephens said his biggest improvement has been grasping the offense better from making reads, including understanding where his wide receivers are supposed to be and the blocking assignments of his offensive line.

Expect senior Brent Anderson to get the majority of the carries out of the backfield for the Yellow Jackets, along with Gary Mason and Coty Spurling. All three could play defense as well, Grass said.

Junior Justin Morgan would’ve been their top returning receiver, averaging 21 yards per catch on 11 receptions last year, but he transferred to Pell City in the spring.

The Yellow Jackets still boast solid corp of

Oxford Yellow Jackets 2009 record: 8-3, lost to Decatur 14-7 in the first round of the playoffs.

Head coach: John Grass, 3rd year at Oxford.

Offensive leaderss: Jackson Stephens, 6-3, 200, QB; Brent Anderson, 5-10, 180, RB; Michael Flint 6-4, 303, OL — Stephens will take over the full-time starting duties for the Yellow Jackets after sharing time with Jarid Moore last year. Stephens completed 44 of 73 attempts for six touchdowns and three interceptions as a sophomore. Anderson scored 12 touchdowns and gained 963 yards on 188 carries. Flint made himself known on the national recruiting scene and holds offers from virtually every major Division I school in the South.

Defensive leaders: Allan Carson, 6-1, 308, DL; Kwon Alexander; 6-2, 210, LB; Bobby McCain, 5-11, 177, DB; Trae Elston, 6-0, 177, S — Carson is a rare blend of size and speed at the tackle position and is already committed to Tennessee. Alexander had a breakout season as a sophomore and has already been chosen as a US-Army All-American before his junior season began. He had more than 130 tackles last season, while Elston has impressed college recruiters with his 4.4 speed in the 40 and sideline-to-sideline range.

McCain will sign a Division I scholarship in February and is widely regarded as one of the top 10 defensive backs in the state.

Senator Del Marsh is proud to support our area high school athletic teams!

“I wish all teams a safe and successful season!”

- Del Marsh

November 2nd Re-elect

receivers that’ll include Elston, McCain, Jarrius Orr, Jared Shake, Jared Waits, Deandre Williams and Jay Yaronon.

Grass said the young team he had last season matured through the trials it went through.

If Oxford continues at the same rate in 2010, it’ll be prepared to make a deep run in the playoffs.

“We want to play the best. There’s not anybody on our schedule that we can’t beat,” Grass said. “And there’s not anybody on our schedule that can’t beat us. We’ve got to be ready to play every week.”

Nick Birdsong covers prep sports for The Star.

He can be reached at 256-235-3575.

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11

The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 11

Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star

Thanks to a season-ending win against Skyline that snapped a 22-game losing streak and a new region alignment, the Donoho football team is talking about the playoffs.

Starting on the right foot Season-ending win against Skyline has Donoho imagining a return to glory for 2010

W

By Joe Medley

jmedley@annistonstar.com

illiam Nunnelley fondly remembers when Donoho went unbeaten through the 2006 regular season and those postgame walks through the stands.

At Donoho, players exit the field through the stands on the way to their lockerroom in the school’s gymnasium. They hear fan feedback, and Donoho fans said what the players wanted to hear in 2006.

“You could tell, they expected us to win,” Nunnelley said.

Nunnelley and his teammates got a taste of that after the 2009 finale. They beat Skyline at home to finish 1-9 and end a 21-game losing streak.

A reminder of how good times feel helped Donoho’s numbers for 2010. The Falcons entered fall camp with 20 varsity players — up from 14 at one point in 2009 — and 28 junior varsity players.

Throw in a favorable realignment, and the Falcons are thinking beyond a mere taste of winning.

“I set my standards kind of high for what I want, and the boys are the same thing,” Donoho coach Shannon Felder said. “Some people say, ‘If you all win three games, it’s a good season.’ It hasn’t been a good season.

“We want to make the playoffs.”

What a difference a win makes, and it didn’t end with the 33-23 victory against Skyline in the 2009 finale.

Donoho beat Skyline again in their spring game.

So the Falcons enter 2010 on a winning streak, of sorts. It sure beats the very real other kind of streak they endured for more than two seasons.

Realignment also helped to wipe the slate clean.

Donoho no longer clashes with TC Central, Loachapoka, Wadley and Winterboro.

Now in Class 1A, Region 6, the Falcons will play Appalachian, Coosa Christian, Jacksonville Christian, Jefferson Christian, Parkway Christian, Ragland and St. Bernard. Only Appalachian and Coosa Christian finished 2009 with winning records.

An even deeper look offers more encouragement.

“A lot of the teams that were really strong and powerful were losing a lot of players,” Felder said. “Looking at the region, I was thinking we could make the playoffs.

“I’m not saying we’re going to win the region, but I felt that there was enough stuff in place for us to make the playoffs.”

So optimism once again wears maroon and black.

What’s more, seniors such as Nunnelley make up about a third of the varsity team. They’re old enough to remember when Donoho won a lot, and the younger players now know how it feels to win.

“We’ve been working a whole lot harder,” said Nunnelley, who threw two touchdown passes against Skyline in 2009. “It lets us know we can win.

“Last year, we didn’t quite believe we can win. This year, it’s a different atmosphere.”

The Falcons began to feel it while walking through the stands after beating Skyline.

“People used to say, ‘Good game’ or ‘You tried hard’ or something,” Nunnelley said. “Then they were like, ecstatic. ‘I can’t believe it! You guys won!’

“I have to admit, that’s probably the best I’ve felt in a long time after a game.”

Joe Medley is The Star’s sports columnist. He can be reached at 256-235-3576.

Donoho Falcons 2009 record: (1-9) Head coach: Shannon Felder, seventh year Offensive leader: William Nunnelley, 5-10, 165, QB — Passed for 683 yards, rushed for 196 yards and accounted for seven touchdowns in 2009.

Defensive leader: Garrison Morgan, 5-10, 165, LB — Had 79 tackles and one fumble recovery in 2009.

Key special teams contributor: Will Montgomery, 5-11, 167, punter and return man — He played several positions at different times in 2009, including quarterback, halfback, tight end and wide receiver on offense, plus safety and outside linebacker on defense, so his versatility will be needed on special teams.

Vocal leader: Donoho has six seniors, all of whom step up at different times.

Quote: “Our theme this year is finish. We want to try and finish everything this year.” — Felder.

“I set my standards kind of high for what I want, and the boys are the same thing.

Some people say, ‘If you all win three games, it’s a good season.’ It hasn’t been a good season.”

— Donoho football coach Shannon Felder

piedmont Continued from Page 10

Piedmont Bulldogs 2009 Record: 13-2, defeated Cordova 35-28 in overtime to win the Class 3A state championship.

Head coach: Steve Smith Offensive leader: Jamaal Johnson, 6-2, 180, WR/RB; Jamie Major, 6-1, 195, RB/QB, Noah Willis, 6-2, 185, WR — Johnson is the Bulldogs’ leading returning rusher and receiver, having carried the ball 60 times for 397 yards and four touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 247 yards and three scores a year ago.

Major, who rushed for 256 yards and six touchdowns, could also see time at quarterback. Noah Willis caught 14 passes for 199 yards. He could have a breakthrough season.

Defensive leader: Mickey Jackson, 6-1, 308, DT; Johnson; Major; Dalton Riffie,

5-11, 185 LB, Major; Marquez Gamble, 5-10, 250, DE — Jackson and Johnson were both first-team all-state selections. Jackson 90 tackles — 19 for loss — and made 11 sacks. Johnson recorded 124 tackles, six interceptions and nine pass breakups from his position in the secondary.

Riffie had 79 stops. Major led the team in tackles with 133 to earn first-team all-county honors as a freshman.

Key special teams contributor: Kicker Chris Strott — Strott was 32-for-38 on PATs and 2-for-3 on field goals.

Vocal leader: Jackson — He isn’t the most talkative guy in the world, but he speaks up when needed.

Quote: “2010: Do it Again (Call and response). That’s how we break it down each time.” — Smith.

The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Strott brings a calming presence to the field and is able to keep an even temperament as he directs drives. Bradley is more a traditional dropback passer and brings a big arm, having been a starting pitcher on the Bulldogs’ baseball team this past spring.

“It’s been good,” said Strott of the experience gained during the summer.

“Playing against different competition on the varsity level, that gets you ready for the real season.”

Major is the best athlete of the bunch.

He made his presence felt last season on the defensive side of the ball, lodging 133 tackles as a freshman and earning all-county honors. Smith described the 6-1, 200-pounder as an “intense physical presence” who took snaps at quarterback in practice last year but never saw any game time at the spot.

“Playing linebacker helps you be able to read and recognize weak spots in the defense,” Major said.

Despite their differing styles, the Bulldogs won’t have to limit the playbook to accentuate just the strengths of whomever is in the game.

“If you see Jamie in the game, you immediately think he’s going to run it, but Jamie’s an above-average passer.” Smith said. “Cade can handle the pressure as well and Chris can tuck it in and run, too.

“We feel comfortable with any one of them out there making decisions.”

On offense, they’ll be without firstteam all-state running back Christian Cantrell (Tennessee Tech) and offensive

Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star/File

Piedmont’s Jamaal Johnson (3), an ASWA All-State pick last season, returns to lead the defensive unit. lineman Seth Reedy (Southern Miss).

They’ll replace Cantrell with talented senior Derrick Jackson, and Major should get his fair share of carries, too.

Jamaal Johnson — a 6-2, 180-pound all-state pick at safety a year ago — will also see time in the backfield while getting significant action at wide receiver.

Expect wideout Noah Willis to be a key factor on the offensive side of the ball as well.

Defensively, they’ll be anchored by tackle Mickey Jackson. The 6-1, 308pound bruiser had 30 tackles for loss

while earning all-state honors as a junior last year.

He and Johnson are the only threeyear starters in a senior class that goes about a dozen deep.

The Bulldogs will likely be in the thick of things in a nine-team Class 3A, Region 6 race that’ll include Saks — down from 4A — Weaver, White Plains, Glencoe, Hokes Bluff, Ashville, Susan Moore and J.B. Pennington.

Nick Birdsong covers prep sports for The Star. He can be reached at 256-2353575.

12

The Anniston Star

Page 12 Sunday, August 15, 2010

Back to the roots Talladega looking to return to ‘Talladega football’

By LaVonte Young lyoung@dailyhome.com

B

TALLADEGA uilding a foundation for a program starts in the summer, and that is what the Talladega Tigers were looking to do this offseason. Second-year coach Chris Mahand said he is impressed with the way the team worked this summer and he is looking forward to what the season will have in store for the Tigers.

“I have been real pleased and impressed with the work that the kids have put in this summer,” Mahand said. “They put in the work to be successful. We definitely had a great turnout as far as weight training, so we are ready to get the season started.”

This season the Tigers have high goals, as they look to do something no Talladega team has done in 15 years.

“Our basic goal is just to play good Talladega football,” Mahand said.

“We also want to make the playoffs for the first time since 1995.”

Mahand said chemistry is going to be more apparent on the field when you watch this version of Talladega. This summer the Tigers underwent a grueling training program, which brought the guys closer.

“One thing that I am going to enjoy about this team is that they are going to enjoy playing with each other,” Mahand said.

— Talladega coach “They have worked Chris Mahand so hard this summer together. Anybody that could not make their weight training will not be allowed to play.”

Mahand said he thinks there will be a noticeable difference in the product the Tigers put on the field this season. He thinks a difference in their work ethic and strength should calculate into wins.

“I see the excitement of the boys,” Mahand said. “I see a difference in their strength level. I see a difference in their work ethic.

“They are going to play together, they are going to look more organized and they are going to look like they know they are doing a whole lot better this year.”

At some points during the 2009 season, the Tigers’ offense looked dismal to say the least, as they only averaged 7.9 points per game. This year, the Tigers’ offense will turn to dual-threat quarterback Semaj Richardson to orchestrate the offense.

“He definitely can be a game-changer for us,” Mahand said. “It is a big help for me to have Semaj up under center.

“If we can keep him healthy, he can be a gamebreaker for us. He can turn a 5-yard gain into a touchdown or turn a broken pass route into a 20-yard gain.”

Mahand said he thinks that having a year in the offense is going to make his team more consistent.

“The boys have more of an idea of what we are trying to do offensively,” Mahand said. “The more that you rep it, they will feel more comfortable doing it. That’s going to make a big difference in our offense this year.

“The boys are going to have the luxury of running it for a year, blocking-wise and scheme-wise. I think that is going to help us out a lot.”

The defense also struggled last season, as it allowed opponents to score 40 or more points six times in 2009.

One of the things the Tigers are going to do to stop teams is have everybody swarming around the football on every play.

“Defensively we are going to be stronger,” Mahand said. “We are going to fly to the ball. That is the biggest thing that I am going to concentrate on. It is hard to make a mistake on defense when you have 11 people flying to the football.

“That is the biggest thing that I am going to work on.

I want 11 people around the football, not 10, not nine, but 11. That is going to counter a lot of mistakes that we might make.”

“Our basic goal is just to play good Talladega football. We also want to make the playoffs for the first time since 1995.”

Trent Penny/The Anniston Star

Woodland quarterback Trey Fetner will be the key cog if the Bearcats are to claim a region title.

Armed & ready Woodland hoping to be carried far by Fetner’s skills

BY NICK BIRDSONG

F

nbirdsong@annistonstar.com

our college coaches — three from SEC schools — contacted Woodland coach Larry Strain about Trey Fetner the day he enrolled at the school.

And recruiters from all over the country haven’t ceased their pursuit of Fetner’s signature in the year and months since he made the move from rival Wadley, located across Randolph County.

Samford heads the list of in-state schools that have expressed interest in landing the quarterback come National Signing Day in February.

Strain listed Vanderbilt, Wake Forrest, Boston College, Kent State and Arkansas State among the out-of-state suitors. Fetner said he has already been offered a scholarship by the Ivy League school Cornell.

In his first year for the Bobcats, Fetner lead the orange and blue to a 6-5 mark, including a third-place finish in Class 2A, Region 5 behind state finalist Clay County and Lineville. Woodland’s season ended in a 26-0 road loss to Westbrook Christian in the first round of the state playoffs.

Fetner completed of 119 of 261 passes for 1,611 yards and 13 touchdowns, throwing 16 interceptions. He also rushed for 612 yards and eight touchdowns on 111 carries.

He backed up his stellar play on the field in the fall with a string of stellar performances on the national summer camp circuit, just as he had following his sophomore season.

The highlight was earning second place at the Schuman National Underclassmen Combine.

“I’ve never had a college coach call from one of those camps that didn’t say he had the best arm, the best footwork,” Strain said. “They all say he’s one of the best they’ve seen on the field at their camps.”

But he does have one shortcoming — literally.

Fetner stands 6-feet and 1/2 an inch and weighs 200 pounds. His weight is prototypical for a high school prospect. However, it’s his height — or lack thereof — that has many FBS schools shying away from recruiting him heavily at quarterback.

“They’re saying you’ve got to be 6-2 or 6-2 1/2 ,” Strain said. “I think Troy said they wanted someone who is 6-3.

“No one is concerned about his work ethic, his morals and his character. They all say he’s got that.”

What he and his teammates want is something no Woodland team has obtained — a state championship.

The Bobcats started last season strong. They jumped out to a strong start but faltered late, losing their final three games by a combined score of 83-14.

Fetner said off-the-field issues led to a lack of unity — and thus lackluster performances — late in the season.

He and the rest of his senior classmates made it a point of emphasis to right those wrongs prior to the start of summer workouts, said Fetner, who admitted to not handling the criticism that comes with being a name transfer and needing to be more of a vocal leader.

“We can’t let small things take our focus away,” Fetner

Woodland Bobcats 2009 record: 6-5, lost to Westbrook Christian in the first round of the playoffs.

Head coach: Larry Strain Offensive leader: Trey Fetner, 6-0, 200, QB — Fetner threw for more than 1,600 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for eight more. He holds an offer from Cornell.

Defensive leader: Cody Gay, 5-10, 170, LB. Key special teams contributor: Colton McManus, PK — McManus will be depended upon to provide consistency in the kicking the game.

Vocal leader: Colin Napier, 5-11, 220 DL/OG — Napier is the most vocal of all the Bobcats seniors and is well-liked in the locker room, Strain said. His attitude dictates that of the whole team.

Quote: “How will you finish?” — The Bobcats finished 2009 with three losses by a combined margin of 60-plus points.

said. “We told every single guy in (spring meetings), ‘If you’re not 100 percent into this, you might as well leave because we don’t need you.’”

Ninety-four players came out for football this past spring, a remarkable feat for a 2A school.

Fetner’s receiving corp — which will consist of Stephen Strain, Corey Spradlin and Curt Brown — will be among those most heavily relied upon in their spreadstyle offense. Expect linebacker Cody Gay to be the defensive catalyst.

With a region that includes defending state champion Reeltown, as well as Lineville, Lanett, Horseshoe Bend and Randolph County, the Bobcats can’t afford not to have everyone on the same page.

“We’ve got a tough schedule,” Fetner said. “We know every Friday night we’re going to be facing a team with better athletes than us, who may be bigger, stronger and faster, but it doesn’t matter because of the work we’ve put in.”

Nick Birdsong covers prep sport for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3575.

Bob Crisp/Consolidated News Service

The Talladega Tigers say that a tough summer session has them stronger and more unified.

13

The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 13

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Photo by Trent Penny/The Anniston Star/File; Illustration by Bran Strickland/The Anniston Star

White Plains’ Brock Wright, who graduated in the spring, will be a tough player to replace for the Wildcats. The do-it-all senior was a running back, safety and special teams performer in 2009.

White Plains looking to replace do-it-all senior

By Joe Medley jmedley@annistonstar.com

W

WHITE PLAINS hite Plains coach Heath Harmon has found that replacing Mr. Wright means finding lots of Mr. Rights.

Departed senior Brock Wright did a lot for the Wildcats. On offense, he ran the dive and pitch in the option, and he caught passes. On defense, he covered as a safety and walked up to play the run like a linebacker.

On special teams, Wright 2009 record: 5-5 returned punts.

Head coach: Heath Harmon, third year at Harmon must pencil a lot White Plains, 9th year as a head coach. of names in those slots this Offensive leader: Konnor Amis, 5-11, 175, preseason, which means he’s QB. Threw for 415 yards and five touchdowns. replacing a special player.

Defensive leader: Tyler “Dirt” Jones, 5-10, Then again, White Plains’ 175, MLB. Returning starter. program has progressed in his Key special teams contributor: Dylan Rantwo-plus years, so it doesn’t rely dall, 5-8, 145, PR. Looks to fill multiple roles upon one player to do so much once held by Brock Wright. anymore.

Vocal leader: “Dirt and Konnor are both “We’ve got more answers at leaders, but they’re pictures of kids who lead different positions,” he said. by being vocal and kids who lead by example.

White Plains enters HarDirt can be described as kind of crazy, but it’s mon’s third season with 44 always appropriate and it’s never fake. Konplayers in grades 9-12, up from nor leads by doing.” the low 30s a year ago and closQuote: “We base everything we do on a er to his goal of 45 in grades 10story where this group needs to build a wall.

12. The growth comes despite a It comes out of Nehemiah 4. I tell the kids, dearth of juniors. when we talked about building a football Within those numbers are program at White Plains, people laugh. The answers for all of the queslaughing is over now. The novelty is over, and tions left by losing Wright, who now it’s time to produce. No matter what, did much to help the Wildcats we’re going build it.” — Harmon through their first two years under a new coach.

Harmon first must replace Wright’s leadership.

“He was just a good vocal and example leader, just the way he practiced, going hard all the time,” linebacker Tyler “Dirt” Jones said.

Jones and quarterback Konnor Amis look to step in, Amis as the lead-by-example guy. Jones is the vocal guy and “a little crazy,” Harmon said.

The more Jones talks, the more he stokes others — and himself. He once got so fired up at a pep rally that he pulled a belt from a teammate’s waist and used it to make his fullthroated, raspy-voiced point.

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14

The Anniston Star

Page 14 Sunday, August 15, 2010

Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star/File

Saks’ Shed Long is one of a group of seniors for the Wildcats, who are looking for their fourth consecutive berth in the AHSAA playoffs, which would be a program record.

Laying a solid foundation Saks’ seniors could set program record with fourth consecutive playoff appearance

BY NICK BIRDSONG nbirdsong@annistonstar.com

I

SAKS f you follow Saks football this season, you might have the opportunity to witness the building blocks of a legacy being laid. If the Wildcats reach the state football playoffs this season it will be the fourth consecutive season, they will have done so, making the class of 2010 the first senior class to have reached the postseason every year in its career.

“We’re talking about building a tradition,” sixth-year coach Clint Smith said. “It all started with a group of seniors we had three years ago in ’07 who decided they weren’t going to accept anything less than the best.

“They won a region championship, and the senior class after them followed in their footsteps.”

Saks went 8-4 in 2009, losing 43-14 in the second round to state semifinalist Handley on the road in Roanoke.

You could argue that no one emerged with a more favorable situation than the Wildcats after the AHSAA biennial reclassification this past spring.

They went a combined 14-6 in the regular season the past two years while playing a Class 4A, Region 6 schedule that included the aforementioned Handley as well as Lincoln, Anniston and Cleburne County, all of whom have produced high-level Division I recruits in recent years.

This season, they’ll drop down to Class 3A, where they do battle with defending 3A state champion Piedmont, Calhoun County competition White Plains and Weaver, as well as Ashville, Glencoe, Hokes Bluff and J.B. Pennington and Susan Moore — two other schools demoted from Class 4A. “We can make it back to the playoffs,” senior running back Brandon Johnson said. “But we’re not taking anybody for granted. Obviously, Piedmont is the state champions and we’ve got to play them. White Plains and Hokes Bluffs are good teams. Right now, we’re focused on the first game, which is against Ashville.

“We’ve still got a tough region. We aren’t taking any-

one for granted.”

The Wildcats return plenty of talent from last year’s squad, including Johnson, a 5-foot-8, 155-pound speed demon. He rushed for more than a 1,000 yards to earn first-team all-county honors as a junior.

In the spring, he placed third in the state in the 200meter dash, running a 22.3, and said he’s been clocked at a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash. Senior Shed Long is the Wildcats’ most dangerous inside rusher.

Expect Lavontae Young and Mike Looney to be viable options out wide when the Wildcats take it to the air.

Running their Wing-T attack will be junior quarterback Cordarius Cooper. Cooper started 10 games as a sophomore after taking over for R.J. Sturkie in the third game of the season. The 5-foot-10, 164-pounder possessed all the character and confidence of a team leader, even from the moment he took over under center.

“I’ve always been a leader,” Cooper said. “I was a sophomore but the older players looked up to me. I was the quarterback. They needed me to make plays.”

Smith attributed the team’s success to the continuity among the coaching staff, as the Wildcats have been able to keep roughly the same staff throughout his tenure.

Saks followed up a 1-9 season in Smith’s first year with a 3-7 mark in his second fall on the sidelines.

“In those first couple years we had to teach kids how to compete,” Smith said. “We were in just about every game but we had to figure out how to win them in the end.

“Now, we’re getting those wins and winning is contagious.”

Talking with Johnson — one of the team’s vocal leaders — during practice a week ago, he looked back on what they’d already achieved while looking forward to what they might achieve this season.

“It’s very important for us to become the first class to make it to the four years in a row,” he said. “We want to end our senior year off on a high note and keep it going so that they can keep it going next year and the year after that.”

Nick Birdsong covers prep sports for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3575.

Saks Wildcats 2009 record: 8-4, lost 43-14 to Handley in the second round of the playoffs.

Head coach: Clint Smith Offensive leader: Cordarius Cooper, QB 5-10, 164; Brandon Johnson, 5-8, 155, RB; Shaquille Ackles, 6-0, 185 OL — Cooper’s leadership skills shined brightest last year, when he emerged as a starter as sophomore and carried the Wildcats two rounds into the playoffs. Johnson has 4.4 40-yard dash speed and was a 1,000-yard rusher as a junior. Ackles’ quickness and ability to pull will be useful in their Wing-T offense.

Defensive leader: Mark Wilson, 6-2, 200 LB, 5-9, 170 Shed Long, LB, De’Angelo Hannah, 5-10, 185 DL — Wilson is a force at linebacker in the vain of former standout Mytez Madden.

Long’s physicality is a presence on each side of the ball, and Hannah was an all-county selection a season ago.

Key special teams contributor: K Josh Wilson Vocal leader: Johnson, Wilson, Long and Ackles.

Quote: “Be dependable.” — Smith

“It’s very important for us to become the first class to make it to the four years in a row.”

— Saks senior running back Brandon Johnson

White Plains Continued from Page 13 Harmon said he likes Jones’ fiery approach.

“It’s always appropriate, and it’s never fake,” he said.

As for Wright’s many places among the Xs and Os, Harmon will look to young talents such as freshman Dylan Randall in the slot and C.J. Burns at fullback.

“Dylan Randall is a guy, to me, that you would look at that could do it all,” Harmon said.

Harmon said he also sees potential with Jonathan Bradshaw in the slot and Jones at fullback.

The change in personnel around a veteran quarterback could mean a different balance for White Plains’ offense.

“I think coach Harmon wants to try to pass it a little more this year,” Amis said. “We passed it a lot more in the spring game than we did last year. Hopefully, we’ll get to do that this year, too.”

On defense, Harmon will look to sophomore safety Zach Cunningham, a baseball standout and newcomer to the football team.

“When we first saw him, we put some pressure on him because we kind of immediately thought, ‘That’s going to be our Brock,’” Harmon said.

Bradshaw and Randall also look to play big roles in the Wildcats’ defensive backfield.

“He was just a good vocal and example leader, just the way he practiced, going hard all the time.”

— Tyler “Dirt” Jones on Brock Wright

As for kick returns, Harmon is looking at Randall to return punts and Burns to return kickoffs.

White Plains looks to continue to improve after going 2-8 in Harmon’s first year and 5-5 in 2009. The Wildcats came one win shy of the playoffs.

“Just make the playoffs and do the best we can,” Amis said. “It’s really the same goal as last year, since we didn’t fulfill it. We’re going to strive even harder this year to make the playoffs.”

Joe Medley is The Star’s sports columnist. He can be reached at 256-235-3576.

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15

The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 15

Option’s options

Jacksonville Golden Eagles 2009 record: 7-4, lost in the first round of the playoffs to Midfield, 28-19.

Head coach: Roland Houston Offensive leader: Taylor Warner, 6-4, 280, Jr., OL; Cordero Little, 5-9, 200, Jr. RB Defensive leader: Emmanuel Holyfield, OLB. Vocal leader: Warner, for going beyond his responsibility, Houston said.

Key special teams contributor: That area is currently undecided.

Motto: “We used ‘We Believe’ last year, and I just decided we’re going to stick with it.” — Houston

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Jacksonville’s Cordero Little (above) is only one of the returners in the backfield for Jacksonville. Golden Eagles coach Roland Houston (below) said he thinks the returning runners will compensate for a lack of returning linemen.

178438

Experienced backs, quicker line could help to open up Eagles’ ‘O’

By Bran Strickland bstrickland@annistonstar.com

I

JACKSONVILLE n the world of high school football, it seems the rich always get richer. And the blue-collar folks, well, they just continue to rob from Peter to pay Paul and get by any way they can.

While its mascot has a tint of a precious metal, Jacksonville isn’t among the high-falutin of high school football. The Golden Eagles are a hard-working, no nonsense team, just like the image of their coach Roland Houston, a throwback to the days when the spread of choice was Miracle Whip.

Last season, Houston and the Golden Eagles had one of the biggest offensive lines around, but their backfield was almost all sophomores.

This season, all but one of those big linemen is gone, but all but one of that talented backfield returns a year older, and bigger, stronger and faster.

Houston could moan and complain about things being one year away from every offensive coordinator’s dream — and he’d have every right.

But he doesn’t. Houston, instead, spins the situation into a positive.

“We’re losing a little bit as far as punch off the ball,” he said, “but we’re gaining a little bit as far as our options for what we do.”

And what Houston and his bunch do is the option — the triple-option style the Jacksonville State Gamecocks were known for while Houston was an assistant coach on Bill Burgess’ staff.

And inside that offensive set this year, they’ll have plenty of options.

For the first time in his seven-year tenure at Jacksonville, Houston has a quarterback with experience as a starter, Jackson Pearson.

Corderro Little, Tyler Ross and Emmanuel Holyfield are back, too, all sharing time in the backfield. Put it all together, and there’s only one way to describe it.

“It’s like a three-headed monster,” Ross said.

“If you hit the fullback, well, there’s another running back, and if you take that, there might be some trickery. We’ve got a good crop of wide receivers coming back.

“Hopefully, it will all balance out.”

The balance of it all comes to a whole unselfish team perspective.

To make room in the backfield, Coryell Elston has moved to defensive line. Ross has taken over the tailback duties, and Little moves from tailback to fullback. While running without a blocker — and blocking more than in years past — might have created a steep learning curve for some, Little isn’t among them.

“It’s basically the same,” he said. “Now, you just get to run over more people.”

While positions are changing all around behind him, Pearson’s role at quarterback is

Professional and Experienced Physicians and Staff Where We Listen and Care Board-Certified Physicians firm. With the complexities of the option, there was a learning curve for the junior, but with a year of experience under his belt, he said, he’s made vast improvements.

“Last year it took me the first games before I could even read it,” Pearson said. “But now with the repetition of the option, we’ve gotten it down pat and can read it, we know everything those defensive ends are going to do.”

While Jacksonville doesn’t have the overall size it had last season, there’s still size. Taylor Warner is the lone holdover from the mammoth bodies of last season. At 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, the junior is getting interest from colleges and leaving little to the imagination of where the Golden Eagles will run when they need tough yardage.

With so many juniors, it’s hard not to look forward past this season and into the next, when this talented group will be playing their final days in high school. But it’s not hard for Houston — he’ll leave the speculation to the prognosticators.

The Golden Eagles’ focus this season is on this season, the first game against John Carroll and taking pride in how far they’ve come.

“I think the big difference is just pitching the football,” Houston said of the staple of the option attack. “Now, it’s natural to them. Even our No. 2 quarterbacks are doing a good job pitching the football. Now an option is just second nature.

“Option for us is like that passing team that throws that short out route consistently all the time, and is good with it.”

Bran Strickland is the sports editor for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3570.

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The Anniston Star

Page 16 Sunday, August 15, 2010

By hook and Crook

After being thrust into spotlight, Thunder QB now looked upon to lead with high expectations

By Bran Strickland bstrickland@annistonstar.com

B

Terry Lamb/The Anniston Star/File

“I know there’ll be big expectations for me, but I’ve got big expectations for myself and for this team.”

— Matt Crook, JCA quarterback

JACKSONVILLE eing the star quarterback was never really on Matt Crook’s radar.

After all, heading into the 2009 season, Jacksonville Christian already had a quarterback.

Well, that was until it didn’t anymore.

After a transfer back into the public school ranks left the Thunder without a signal-caller late into the preseason, long-time JCA coach Tommy Miller went into the locker room and picked one out.

“I didn’t know what to think when coach Miller told me,” Crook said. “But they supported me, and I went out there and ended up loving it.

“I really had a blast.”

While it was during the summer that Crook became the team’s quarterback, it wasn’t until the fall that he added the adjective of “star” to the equation.

With Piedmont quarterback Chase Childers, the state’s Bryant-Jordan award winner, taking the Calhoun County Class 1A-3A Player of the Year award, Crook said “he was real surprised” when he slipped into the vacant spot as the team’s quarterback — especially after learning of it by being called to the principal’s office.

“I really didn’t know what he was going to say,” Crook said of Miller, who doubles as the school’s administrator.

But after throwing for 1,111 yards and 14 touchdowns, he shouldn’t have been. But considering the expectations set forth for him at the beginning of the season, well, it was a shock to everyone.

“He didn’t have a lot of time to get ready,” Miller said.

“He really surprised me with the way he played.”

Without a full year to prepare, Crook ended up scoring the Thunder’s first touchdown of the year, and scored many more through the air and on the ground, leading JCA to a near-miss of a playoff berth, falling just one win short.

But this year, there’ll be no question of his ability, so all the pressure will be on him to perform — if it weren’t already.

To ease his transition at the position last year, Crook had talented players around him. Payton Green was the team’s leading rusher and 6-foot-6 Jacob Bollinger was the team’s leading receiver.

Each of those players is gone, leaving a lot of the load squarely on Crook’s shoulders.

“I do, I expect a lot out of him this year,” Miller said.

“He’s going to have to lead, and he does a real good job of leading out there on the field.”

While the Thunder might not have that tall target to look for on deep balls and third-down situations, Crook said he has confidence in the receivers he has around him this year.

JCA Thunder 2009 record: 4-6, did not reach playoffs Head coach: Tommy Miller Offensive leader: Matt Crook, QB; Dillon Mason, OL — Crook threw for 1,111 yards and 14 touchdowns on his way to a first-team All-Calhoun County selection.

Defensive leader: David Parris, LB; Caleb Prickett, CB/S. Key special teams contributor: Aaron McCormick — Plays coverage and kicks off. Currently in a battle to handle extra points.

Vocal leader: Dillon Mason and Ward Reid, who returns to the team this season after missing the final five games of 2009 and getting injured and then contracting staph infection.

Cameron Bryant, who saw time at running back last year, will also be back to fill the void left by Green.

The running game will be big for the Thunder, and that might be where Crook will excel this season.

“At Oxford back through the years, when coach Burgess was there and they ran the wishbone so good,” Miller said, “… I just thought they ran the option just exceptional down there, and Matt reminds me of those guys.”

Just like Oxford used to do so often during Burgess’ tenure, Crook has his eyes set on the same goal as those old-time Yellow Jackets.

“This year, I’ve got another year under my belt,” he said. “I know there’ll be big expectations for me, but I’ve got big expectations for myself and for this team.

“Last year I had to learn, this year will be different — it won’t be like I’m starting at one. … this year, our mindset is making the playoffs.”

Bran Strickland is the sports editor for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3570.

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Kwon Alexander Oxford • 6-2, 210, LB Alexander holds more than 20 Division I offers following a sophomore season in which he amassed 132.5 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

t h e A n n i s t o n STa r ’ s 2 0 1 0 p r e s e a s o n

DANDY DOZEN Sunday, August 15, 2010 • Page 17

Trae Elston Oxford Jr., 6-0, 177, DB Elston’s size and speed have made him a nationallevel recruit along with Alexander and offensive lineman Michael Flint. He showed his sidelineto-sideline range with 65 stops from his safety slot.

Josiah Atkins • Anniston, Sr., 6-1, 175, QB Atkins was a first-team all-county choice last year and is one of the most electrifying playmakers through the air and on the ground. Threw for more than 1,700 yards and rushed for 450 as a junior.

Mickey Jackson Piedmont Sr., 6-1, 308, DT Jackson was a first-team allstate selection last season. He had 90 tackles and 11 sacks. Holds offers from Memphis, UAB, Southern Miss and La. Tech.

Jamie Major Piedmont, So., 6-1, 200, LB

Delrickus Rhoden • Wellborn, 5-11, 175, Sr., RB

The lone sophomore of the 12 is well-deserving of the notoriety. He led the Bulldogs in tackles as a freshman with 133 on their way to a 3A state championship and has been noted as one of the country’s top 100 players to watch in his class by one national outlet.

Bobby McCain Oxford Sr., 5-10, 177, DB McCain has shined on both sides of the ball on the summer circuit against top competition. He’ll have his choice of schools to choose from with Auburn, Tennessee and Mississippi State all in the mix.

Rhoden makes a return trip to the The Star’s Dandy Dozen squad. Rhoden rushed for 1,533 yards and 17 touchdowns to lead the Panthers to the playoffs after back-to-back 1-9 seasons.

Trey Fetner Woodland Sr., 6-0, 200 Fetner has made a name for himself at quarterback camps near and far. He passed for 1,600 yards as a junior and holds an offer from the Ivy League’s Cornell.

Desmond Wills • Lincoln, Sr., 6-1, 215, LB Wills could be the next Golden Bears star to follow Jonathan George and D.J. Howard to a big-time college football program.

He holds an offer from Kentucky.

Jamaal Johnson • Piedmont, Sr., 6-2, 180, S

Allan Carson • Oxford, Sr., 6-1, 308, DT

Brandon Johnson • Saks, Sr., 5-8, 155 RB

Also a first-team all-state choice, Jackson led Piedmont with six interceptions last season. Memphis and Southern Miss have already offered him.

Carson committed to Tennessee in July and should be the anchor on the Yellow Jackets’ defensive line.

Johnson, who runs a legit 4.3-4.4 in the 40-yard dash, rushed for more than 1,000 yards in his all-county season as junior.

Photos by Trent Penny, Stephen Gross, Bill Wilson and Bob Crisp • The Anniston Star and Consolidated News Service

The Anniston Star

Page 18 Sunday, August 15, 2010

Refuse to feel their

losses

Cherokee County ready for another run

By Kevin Jeffers kjeffers@annistonstar.com

C Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star

Weaver coach Daryl Hamby returned from coaching basketball at Gadsden State to lead the Bearcats in 2010.

Gimme no more Weaver focusing on being more competitive after winless year

By Joe Medley jmedley@annistonstar.com

D

WEAVER aryl Hamby says he doesn’t have a favorite sport, just a favorite thing about sports. It’s something he thrived on when he was Weaver’s boys basketball coach and something he’ll draw upon as Weaver’s football coach.

“It’s about competition,” he said.

Hamby and his new/old team are on the same page about that. Coming off an 0-10 season, the Bearcats want to be better competition for the teams they play.

It wasn’t hard for Hamby to find a theme that will resonate.

“These guys don’t like being everybody’s homecoming game,” he said.

Hamby knows what it’s like to be on the other side. He enjoyed winning while serving as an assistant coach under Larry Ginn at Alexandria from 1991-99.

He also experienced winning as Weaver’s basketball coach and as an assistant football coach during Roland Houston’s later years and Paul Farlow’s early years on the job. From 2002-05, the Bearcats went 39-9.

But some of Weaver’s better athletes either graduated or fell out of the picture for different reasons, and Weaver fell on hard times. Farlow’s struggles last season were owed in part to quarterback Matt Craig transferring to Piedmont, and running back Quinnata Jones was academically ineligible.

It probably didn’t help that Hamby wasn’t around. He left Weaver for a year to serve as an assistant basketball coach under Todd Ginn at Gadsden State.

Hamby said he needed a break from almost year-round coaching.

“Last year was the first time I had ever gotten a fall break,” he said. “I really enjoyed it with my family. We went to Washington, D.C., and had a real good time. And my time with Todd up in Gadsden was fabulous.”

Hamby said he had planned a two-year break, but Farlow was let go. Weaver principal Frances Shipp asked Hamby to come back and coach football.

His players noticed the change.

“He told us he wasn’t going to take no crap,” senior tight end/linebacker Drew Dunn said. “He’s going to come in, work us hard, and we’re going to win some games this year, simple as that.”

Jones is eligible this season and projects as a big cog in Weaver’s offense.

“He makes sure we get our workouts in,” Jones said earlier this month. “... You try to skip practice, and he’ll come to your house and get you. He came to my house today and got me.”

How will the change translate into results in the first year?

Tough to say.

Realignment put Weaver in the same Class 3A region with Saks, Hokes Bluff and Ashville, all having bumped down from 4A. There’s also defending 3A champion Piedmont, up-andcomer White Plains, plus 2009 playoff participants Glencoe and Susan Moore.

Hamby said the goal is to get better each game, but Jones is more specific.

“We’re going to do pretty good this year,” he said. “We’re going make it to the playoffs.”

Joe Medley is The Star’s sports columnist. He can be reached at 256-235-3576.

Weaver Bearcats 2009 record: 0-10 Head coach: Daryl Hamby, first year.

Offensive leader: Quinnata Jones, 5-11, 220, RB — Was ineligible in 2009.

Defensive leader: Tevin Heath, 6-3, 220, DT — Played some DE and offense in 2009.

Key special teams contributor: Tevin Hawkins, 6-1, 165, PR and KOR — A freshman with good speed.

Vocal leader: Drew Dunn, senior TE and LB, “leads not only by example, but he’s vocal at the right times.

He’s always a positive kid.” — Hamby.

Quote: “We’re everybody’s homecoming right now.

That’s something that, hopefully, will make us work harder.” — Hamby.

CENTRE oty Blanchard is gone. You might think that’d be all there is to know about the 2010 Cherokee County Warriors, the defending Class 4A state champions, and that’s understandable.

After all, it’s close to impossible for a team replace this kind of season: 2,916 yards and 35 touchdowns passing, 1,161 yards and 20 touchdowns rushing, good enough to win the state’s prestigious Mr. Football award.

But the Warriors, led by 10th-year coach Tripp Curry, are optimistic, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

When asked who would carry the torch of all the great talent the team lost to graduation (Blanchard, Gabriel Chambers, Desmond Brown and D.J. Fife, just to name a few), Curry made it clear that his three best players are his three starting defensive linemen: Zeph Fife, Hudson Grimes and Matt Hill.

“All three are tremendous ballplayers,” Curry said. “They all can get after the ball.”

Curry also mentioned his returning inside linebacker, junior Patrick Lowe.

“We’re pretty solid in the middle,” Curry said. “We have a lot of experience coming back there.”

Grimes, a senior being recruited by the likes of Tennessee, Clemson and Southern Miss among others, has taken it upon himself to be the leader on a defense that some saw as the Achilles’ heel of last season’s team.

“Everybody’s got to do their job,” Grimes said. “We have a lot more people coming back on defense than offense, that’s for sure.

“But I think our offense is going to be alright.

I don’t think we’re going to have to win games because of defense.”

Indeed, when folks around here think of Cherokee County football, they think of offense, which Blanchard orchestrated beautifully out of the spread the past few seasons. The spread remains, but the man behind center will change.

Senior Brett Burgess, a starting safety on last season’s team, will take over at quarterback. Of course, Burgess gets asked a lot about how he plans on replacing Blanchard.

“Yeah, I’ve heard that before,“ Burgess said.

“We just want to get to as close as last year’s offense as we can be.

“We’re not going to be the same kind of team, but we’ve got different strengths that last year’s team didn’t have, and we’re going to try to exploit those.”

Burgess will play behind an experienced offensive line, which will start four seniors. And he’s up to the challenge of replacing a local legend. He even gets advice from Blanchard from time to time, calling him with questions.

Please see cherokee Co. ❙ Page 20

Cherokee Co. Warriors 2009 record: 15-0, beat Jackson 31-27 in Class 4A state championship game Head coach: Tripp Curry, 10th season Offensive leader: Brett Burgess, QB — Burgess, who teammates call a tremendous athlete, draws the short straw of trying to replace the best player in the state last season, Coty Blanchard. The first game of the season will be Burgess’ first starting at quarterback, but his team and his coach are confident in his abilities.

Defensive leader: Hudson Grimes, DL — The 6-2, 265-pound defensive end anchors what Curry considers to be the strength of the team, the front three of the team’s 3-4 defense.

Key special teams contributor: Issac Jones, K — Most of Jones’ kicking duties last season came from all the extra points the Warriors needed. He has experience.

Vocal leader: Curry said seniors Burgess and Grimes have been vocal leaders through the summer.

Quote: “One thing that we don’t ever want to do is lose our tempo. I think our kids are going to get after it no matter who we play.

I’m excited about that, and as long as the kids get after it and give you everything they’ve got, you’re going to win every ball game you should and a few that you’re not.” — Curry Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star/File

Daryl Hamby has experience leading Weaver, having coached them in basketball from 2002-05.

“These guys don’t like being everybody’s homecoming game.”

— Weaver coach Daryl Hamby

19

The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 19

Back in the habit

Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star/File

After just more than a year on the job, Wellborn coach Jeff Smith is hoping through hard work in the weightroom and on the field the Panthers will be an improved team.

After surprising playoff run in 2009, Wellborn raising expectations for 2010

By Joe Medley jmedley@annistonstar.com

E

WELLBORN ach Wellborn football player began preseason practice with an 8x11 sheet of paper taped to his locker.

The paper contained a quote from Vince Lombardi.

The first paragraph from the late Green Bay Packers’ coaching legend clues one into how the Panthers see themselves these days — or, at least, how second-year coach and Wellborn grad Jeff Smith wants them to see themselves.

“Winning is not a sometime thing. It’s an all-thetime thing,” the first paragraph reads. “You don’t win once in a while. You don’t do things right once in a while. You do them right all the time. Winning is a habit.”

It’s pretty amazing what last season’s playoff berth has done for the Panthers.

It followed a span that saw Wellborn win a total of 10 games in five years, including four 1-9 seasons, and the playoff berth launched a postgame celebration unlike anything seen on The Hill in years.

“We thought we’d get a couple of wins and then we’d come back the next year and make the playoffs,” said senior Delrickus Rhoden, who rushed for more than 1,500 yards in 2009. “But last year, we did a whole lot better than we expected.”

There are reasons to think the Panthers can build on their 4-7 record and playoff berth of 2009. Including Rhoden, they return nine starters on offense and seven on defense.

There are also new challenges, starting with realignment.

The Panthers now reside in one of Class 3A’s south regions, along with the likes of Handley, Leeds and Clay County.

All of those programs have achieved relevance, something Wellborn had for many years. The Panthers feel as though they belong again.

“We’re going into this season with more confidence that we can win, and we’re going to win,” junior Dalton Screws said. “That’s how we’re going to go into every game, whether it’s (new region foes) Beulah or Handley.”

That statement reflects an improved outlook, but how much have the Panthers improved on the field?

“We’re definitely better (than last year),” Smith said. “We’re bigger. We’re faster. We’re stronger. We’re in better shape, and we’re more football-smart than we were. We’ve got more kids out.”

Wellborn finished the 2009 season with 41 play-

Wellborn Panthers 2009 record: 4-7, lost to Susan Moore in first round Head coach: Jeff Smith, second season at Wellborn and 14th year as a head coach.

Offensive leader: Delrickus Rhoden, 5-9, 175, RB. Rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2009.

Defensive leader: Dalton Screws, 5-11, 160, S. Led the Panthers with 112 tackles in 2009. Also had four interceptions.

Key special teams contributor: Rhoden, who returned kickoff and punts in 2009.

Vocal leader: Middle linebacker Bobby White and offensive tackle Landon Johnson keep things upbeat.

Quote: “The theme for this year is, ‘Who wants it?’ We always say that. If you want it, you’ve got to work for it and take it. It’s not going to be given to you.” — Smith

ers after Smith promoted some from the junior high ranks. They had 44 varsity players headed into fall camp.

That’s up from 16 when Smith took the job 13 months ago.

A year later, Wellborn’s players talk differently, which Smith wants. That’s why he copied a Lombardi quote given to him by an uncle and aunt upon his 1987 Wellborn graduation and taped it to the Panthers’ lockers.

“Now you hear the kids talk about winning state championships and playing at Jordan-Hare Stadium or Bryant-Denny,” Smith said. “Get them out there, working them hard, and they start talking about it.

“I don’t believe you can win one unless you’re talking about it and working toward that goal.”

Joe Medley is The Star’s sports columnist. He can be reached at 256-235-3576.

“We’re going into this season with more confidence that we can win, and we’re going to win.”

— Dalton Screws, Wellborn junior

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The Anniston Star

Page 20 Sunday, August 15, 2010

No way to know With talented but still green players, TC tough to gauge

By LaVonte Young lyoung@dailyhome.com

D

Trent Penny/The Anniston Star

Spring Garden will have a new head coach, but the Panthers are still expecting to reach the playoffs.

New face, old face Spring Garden has old hand replacing Howard

By Kevin Jeffers kjeffers@annistonstar.com

T

SPRING GARDEN hough the 2010 Spring Garden Panthers will have a new head coach for the first time since 2002, there’s been virtually no transition. That’s because the man taking over is a man the players know well.

John McKay, a longtime Spring Garden assistant, takes over for Jason Howard, who took the head coaching job at Ohatchee.

McKay coached many of the varsity players before as the junior high coach, and that level of comfort isn’t lost on the McKay players.

“It’s just like playing junior high for us,” senior linebacker Justin Holcombe said. “It’s like with Florida State and Jimbo Fisher. Our coach was just sitting here waiting.”

As important as it is for his young players to have a smooth transition, the 37-yearold McKay said he certainly appreciates that he’ll be with players he’s coached for a while now.

“I’m thrilled about that. It’s been great,” McKay said. “All of these young men have played for me and I’ve taught them all in school. It’s been a very positive experience.”

McKay teaches sixth grade, and said he starts building his bonds with players at that young age.

“It’s a really good age to get that with them, early on in the classroom,” McKay said.

McKay said he won’t change any of the system or schemes that Howard left behind.

“We’ve been running the same system since these kids were in the seventh grade,” McKay said. “There is no transition as far as what we’re doing, and they’re all used to me.”

Two players McKay won’t have are two of the best Spring Garden has seen in recent memory — Jake Scott and running back

Trey Littlefield, who each graduated.

Kaleb Morris, who picked up a lot of Littlefield’s carries last season, returns and will handle the starting duties. At 6-feet, 190 pounds, he’s a bruiser like Littlefield was.

“He’s a big back,” McKay said. “He’s got a few moves, but he’s a big, power back like Trey was for us. He’ll carry a lot of that load.”

Sophomore Forrest Livingston will also handle some carries from the fullback position. McKay describes the 6-footer as a 2009 record: 6-6, lost to Gaston, 14-13, in “very intense player.” second round of state playoffs “He’s gritty,” McKay Head coach: John McKay, 1st year said. “He’s a football guy, Offensive leader: Tyler Smart, QB — through and through.”

Smart started after Reece Johnson’s seaIn fact, whenever son-ending injury last year, so the senior McKay mentions a player, has some experience under his belt. not long afterward he says Defensive leader: Justin Holcombe, LB, the word “gritty.” It’s kind and Dillon Maddox, LB — The pair forms of the way Spring Garden what McKay thinks is a solid linebacking players are bred. corps.

“We want them to be Key special teams contributer: Justin vocal and intense,” McKay Morgan, DL — The Panthers don’t have a said. kicker returning, but McKay noted Morgan The Panthers are comas being someone who could make his ing off back-to-back playoff impact felt on special teams. berths after five consecuVocal leader: Smart, who also starts on tive seasons with no postdefense at cornerback, is a vocal player season. from both sides of the ball.

Getting back will be Quote: “I’m just trying to keep that made even tougher after bond going that I’ve had with them. Thank the AHSAA’s realignment goodness we already had a good system in put the Panthers in the place.” — McKay same region as Gaylesville, Cedar Bluff, Gaston and Valley Head, each of whom has a playoff pedigree.

“We just want to keep building on to what we’ve done the past two or three years,” McKay said. “We hope to keep that going, but we’re in a very tough region. It’s a rough region.

“But I’m just trying to hold them accountable, and keep building what we’ve started.”

Contact Kevin Jeffers at 256-235-3585.

HOWELL’S COVE eShon Burney said he really doesn’t know what to expect from the TC Central football team. Burney, who enters his second season as the coach at TC Central, has a team filled with talent and inexperience.

“It is still a little bit of a mystery,” Burney said. “With the new faces in, we just want to make sure they’re comfortable in what they are doing. We are not going to try to overwhelm them with a lot of stuff and make sure they are in the right position.

“The potential of this team is very good, but you are dealing with inexperience and dealing with youth. You really don’t know what you are going to get from them game to game, let alone from practice to practice.

“That’s the things that we have been talking about — first and foremost being accountable, controlling the things that you can control, and that starts with being on time, giving good effort, and having a good attitude.”

Entering his second season, Burney said he feels his players know what to expect from him now. This summer his seniors worked extremely hard and went the extra mile, which made Burney proud.

“They understand what we are looking for in the drills, and you have seniors that are leading by example,” Burney said. “That’s what you need — you don’t need the rah-rah guys, you need guys that are going to stay after and run.

“The younger guys are going to see that and they are going to join in. They are doing this on their own because they are seniors and they want us to be successful.”

The Fighting Tigers have a talented core of seniors, which is led by all-state offensive lineman Terrell Garrett, who is one of the many Fighting Tigers who could play on Saturdays, according to Burney.

“He has only gained 20 pounds since football season and has gotten a lot stronger in the weight room,” Burney said. “Whoever gets this kid in college is getting a steal. Right now he is under the radar. He is 6-foot-4, 286 pounds and he is a great kid.

“Right now a couple of teams are looking at him, a couple of D-I schools are looking at him.

I think if he was able to go to some more camps this summer, he would truly be big-time.

“We have a couple of kids that we are hoping will sign scholarships in February. Not just Terrell, but Maurice (Duncan), Rory (Jackson), Cortez (Morris), and Tyrell Meadows.”

Spring Garden Panthers

Please see TC Central ❙ Page 24

Consolidated News Service photo

The TC Central Fighting Tigers are hoping their passing game can lead them back to the playoffs.

cherokee co.

Continued from Page 18

Trent Penny/The Anniston Star/File

Cherokee County coach Tripp Curry says his team still has championship aspirations.

Teammates acknowledge Burgess’ athleticism, and have rallied around the leadership he’s already shown during preseason drills and practice.

“Everybody loves Brett,” Grimes said.

“Brett’s always been ‘that’ athlete in our class. If we’re a bad team this year, it won’t be because of Brett.”

Also up to the challenge is Curry.

He said this is the most talent he’s lost at one time, and that some adjustment to the offense will have to be made to match who he has.

“We’ll have to limit some, and change

some things around,” Curry said. “We’re going to adapt to the players instead of making the players adapt to us. But we have to do that every year, so it will be no different.”

And to a degree, he’s as curious as the Warriors faithful are about what this new group of faces has in them.

“I don’t know what’s in store for this bunch until I see them play,” Curry said. “We could be very, very good, we could be decent ... It’s hard to say until you get out there. But our kids are going to be a formidable opponent I think.”

Blanchard — with the 34-6 career record as a starting quarterback — is gone. But the optimism of a state champion is still central in Centre.

Contact Kevin Jeffers at 256-235-3585.

21

The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 21

Hitting the road hard Alabama School for the Deaf beefing up its schedule for shot at national title

By Heather Baggett hbaggett@dailyhome.com

T Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star/File

Bulldogs running back Seth Hornsby (18) has a chance to finish his career as Ranburne’s all-time leading rusher.

Grinding

TALLADEGA he Silent Warriors of the Alabama School for the Deaf will be known as road warriors this fall. ASD opens the 2010 football season with three road games before playing host to Florida School for the Deaf on Sept. 18 for homecoming.

“I know it’s going to be tough when we’re having many away games,” ASD coach Paul Kulick said.

The Silent Warriors will have to do it with new faces in key places after losing quarterback Jonathan Henderson, running back Josh Snow, tight end Jerrod Cunningham and linemen Jacob Adams and Allen Parker.

Kulick said he is confident the younger players will step up and fill those spots this season.

“I am excited about this year’s football team,” Kulick said. “We have several key players coming back from last year’s 6-3 season, and, while we may be young and inexperienced at several positions, the boys have been in the system long enough to know what to do on both offense and defense.”

Snow wasn’t the only ball carrier for ASD last season. The school has become

known as a factory for speed, and it won’t be any different in 2010.

The Silent Warriors have five backs who will see playing time this fall. Tyler Perry, Kadarius Slaughter, Terrence McCree, Demetric Snider and Anthony RobinsonJones are all looking to carry the load.

Snider and Perry were as explosive as Snow a season ago, with each racking up yards each and every week. Snider rushed for 159 yards against Coffeeville, while Perry put up 94 yards against Model Secondary School for the Deaf.

But while ASD’s offense looks to spread the load, the defense looks to handle the spread better.

“We wanted to improve our defense when we’re facing (a team with) a spread offense, like Victory Christian and Coosa Christian,” Kulick said. “Herminio Gonzalez, who is our defensive coordinator, did an outstanding job adjusting the defense system for when we’re faced with a spread offense again.”

The Silent Warriors want to compete for the deaf school national championship.

“We want to be the best deaf football team in the nation and be very competitive against hearing schools on our schedule,” Kulick said. “I truly believe we can achieve those goals, if our boys continue to work hard.”

ASD kicks off the season at Jacksonville Christian on Aug. 27.

a f e w m o r e wins o u t

By Al Muskewitz

amuskewitz@annistonstar.com

C

had Young figures if his Ranburne football team could have spread a few points around last season, it would have had a season to remember.

The Bulldogs lost two games in overtime and four others in which they led entering the fourth quarter. Turn that around and instead of being 2-8 and wondering what might have been, they could have been 8-2 and playoffbound.

It was a heartwrenching experience, but one that led the team to adopt a two-syllable watchword for the 2010 season.

Finish.

“I know that was (Alabama coach Nick) Saban’s (mantra) ... but if we could’ve spread out seven more points, we could’ve won five more games,” Young said.

“We need to finish those games.”

The trend started early and propagated throughout the year. In the Bulldogs’ season opener, they had TC Central fourthand-forever late in the fourth quarter with a lead, but a roughing-the-passer penalty extended the drive and led to the Fighting Tigers scoring the tying touchdown, leading to an overtime loss.

Then there were games with Randolph County, Lanett, Beulah and Woodland that held similar fourth-quarter misfortune.

“We don’t think it was any tactical error, just some of those things that happen,” Young said. “You might have things like that happen two or three times during a season, but we had it several times.

“It was like getting beat on a walkoff home run five games in a row.

“If you were a Ranburne person who saw everything, you realized how good a team we had, but from the outside you see 2-8 and think, ‘They’re not too good.’”

Young said he figures there really were only two games that weren’t competitive, and one of those they were tied late in the second quarter. The other, they were done in by a rash of swine flu that swept through the roster.

The good news is the bulk of that talent pool that couldn’t seem to buy a break last season returns.

The Bulldogs must replace their quarterback, but they have seven starters back on offense. The defense returns all but the cornerbacks and two linemen.

Junior David Dake takes over at quarterback. He’ll have a veteran to work with in the backfield, as Seth Hornsby returns at running back.

Hornsby, also the anchor of the defense, has a chance to become the Bulldogs’ all-time leading rusher after going for more than 1,000 yards each of the past three seasons.

Dake watched the events of last season unfold as the Bulldogs’ tight end. He said he’s confident that with the proper attitude the team can experience a reversal of its misfortunes.

“If we go into the game with our mindset after the first half, I think we can do a whole lot better than we did last year,” he said. “Last year we just got really tired.

“I’m really confident we’ll do good this year. We just need the mindset that we can.”

Al Muskewitz is a sports writer for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3577.

Ranburne hoping it can turn close losses in 2009 into wins in 2010

Ranburne Bulldogs 2009 record: 2-8.

Head Coach: Chad Young (12th year) Offensive leader: David Dake, 6-1, 180, QB. Backup and JV quarterback last season, played tight end on the varsity.

Defensive Leader: Seth Hornsby, 6-0, 190, LB. Two-way player who has rushed for 1,000 yards each of the last three seasons.

Key Special Teams Contributor: This is a work in progress. The Bulldogs graduated their

kicker, punter and return specialist.

Vocal Leader: Brandon Gilliam, 5-9, 220, OT. The junior gets the troops going in the weight room when, getting close to his max, lets out a cheer that honors his mother.

QUOTE: “We lost two overtime games and last year and four others we had the lead in the fourth quarter. If we could’ve spread out seven more points, we could’ve won five more games.

We need to finish those games.” – Young

Brian Schoenhals/Consolidated News Service

The ASD Silent Warriors feel they have a shot at the deaf school national title.

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22

The Anniston Star

Page 22 Sunday, August 15, 2010

Trent Penny/The Anniston Star

New Wadley coach Jamie Abrams is familiar with the area, having been an assistant coach at Woodland during their state title run, and should keep the Bulldogs winning.

Keeping up appearances Wadley won’t fall much with new coach Abrams

By Jared Gravette Star sports correspondent

For a decade and a half, Randy Sparks was a mainstay on the sideline at Curtis Lynch Stadium on Friday nights.

But those days are gone, and a new era of Wadley football has begun.

After Sparks’ departure, one thing is certain — the Bulldogs’ new head man, Jamie Abrams, has big shoes to fill. But Abrams isn’t backing down.

He said he hopes to continue moving the Bulldogs’ program in the right direction. “(Sparks’) record speaks for itself,” Abrams said. “He won a lot of ballgames in his tenure at Wadley. Hopefully, we can keep some of that tradition going.

“The kids know how to win and they expect to win.”

Abrams comes to Wadley after spending the past five years coaching in Georgia — the last three as the defensive coordinator at South Paulding High School outside of Douglasville.

Abrams has some familiarity with

the Randolph County area, however. He helped Larry Strain at Woodland in 2004, when the Bearcats made it to the 2A state title game.

“I’ve always followed Randolph County football and Alabama high school football,” Abrams said. “It’s always been close to my heart.”

Despite his background in Randolph County, Abrams said he didn’t know much about Wadley when the job opened up, but he was quickly enamored.

“Being from the area, I still didn’t know a ton about Wadley,” Abrams said. “When I started doing some investigating into the community, the amount of community support and the amount of pride that they take in their athletic program is one of the things that drew me to the job.

“We were in a larger area, and there were other things for people to do over there. In Wadley on Friday night, there is nothing to do but come and watch the Bulldogs play.”

Coming off a 4-7 season that saw the Bulldogs bounced from the playoffs in the first round, expectations will not be at an

all-time high. Abrams said he is hoping to accomplish one thing throughout the year.

“Anytime there is a change and a shift in leadership, things aren’t going to be the same,” Abrams said. “My main thing is to get the players, the coaches and the community in Wadley to buy in 100 percent into what we are doing.”

The Bulldogs bring back a plethora of weapons from last year’s team.

Quarterback Ryan Siskey, running backs Cameron Staples and Quay Hunter, receivers Wesley Johnson and Skyler Humphries and offensive linemen Victor Ballard, Coty Tobin and Luke Fisher should provide a solid offensive attack.

On defense, the Bulldogs will be led by a solid linebacker corp of Chastin Battle, Cameron Staples and Kerry Staples.

Abrams said he thinks the Bulldogs can make strides this season if they stay fundamentally sound and get better week in and week out.

“Each day I have been here, we have gotten better,” Abrams said. “As long as we continue to improve and play hard, then I’ll be happy.”

Wadley Bulldogs 2009 record and result: 4-7, lost in first round to Linden Head coach: Jamie Abrams, 1st year Offensive leaders: QB Ryan Siskey and RB Cameron Staples Defensive leaders: Linebackers Chastin Battle and Kerry Staples Key special teams contributor: Skyler Humphries — “He is an excellent kicker.”

Vocal leader: Linebacker Kerry Staples — “One guy who is really hungry ... He didn’t get to play last year, so he has that extra fire. He’s not scared to get after anybody or get everyone on the right page.”

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23

The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 23

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With the arrival of Randy Sparks, several players at Randolph County say they’re more excited for the upcoming season and the chance to go out as a winning team.

Sparks’ plug Former Wadley coach has Tigers excited

BY NICK BIRDSONG nbirdsong@annistonstar.com

D

WEDOWEE — rew Benefield is going into his fourth season as the starting quarterback at Randolph County High School. The senior is on his third head coach in his career, having played under Pat Prestridge — the man who guided the Tigers to a Class 2A state championship in 2003 — as a freshman and Rick Coleman the previous two seasons.

In his final season as a prep player, Benefield will play under coach Randy Sparks, who spent the past decade and a half building Class 1A Wadley into a powerhouse that won at least 10 games seven times in an eight-year span and reached the playoffs 11 years in a row.

He signed on to begin the reconstruction project at Randolph County in April, taking a team that’s endured 3-7 records in 2008 and 2009.

Unlike many coaches who took over new jobs, Sparks didn’t have to make much effort to gain the respect of the batch of players he’d be inheriting. His record did enough convincing.

He also had an in with the Tigers’ on-thefield leader.

“I’ve known Drew a long time,” Sparks said.

“My family and his family have known each other long before I came over here. So, I knew him growing up.

“I’m a firm believer that if you respect your players, they’ll respect you and you’ll keep a good relationship.”

The feeling is mutual.

“I respected him a lot because of what he’s done in the past,” Benefield said. “He’s one of the best coaches around here. In the short time that he’s been here, he’s turned things around.

“The last two years, we’ve had about 25-26 guys. We had 41 out for summer workouts. I respect him even more now that he’s here.”

Sparks began his coaching duties with the Tigers just nine days before their spring game.

In their loss to Beulah, he said he noticed some glaring deficiencies — namely a lack of strength, confidence and mental and physical toughness.

He also saw potential.

Among other things, Sparks said he and his staff, which consists of assistant coach Matt Robinson and volunteers Mark Prestridge — Pat’s brother — and Allen Whaley, had to teach players the difference between being hurt and injured.

“It hurts when you get hit,” Sparks said.

“Being injured is when something is actually wrong, like you’ve got a broken bone.

“We’d never encourage any of our players to play injured. But you have to play through being hurt. Football is a painful game.”

The Tigers are willing to do almost anything not to have to endure another season like the ones they’ve had of late.

“I was excited, myself, when I found (Sparks) got the job,” senior wide receiver Roshun Pyant said. “He coached a couple of my cousins over at Wadley. We all know about what he’s done. We know he can come over here and turn it around.

“We don’t want to have another 3-7 season.

We want to have a good senior year.”

Aside from the sheer number of players on this year’s squad — Sparks said the Tigers could dress close to 45 for their opener against last year’s Class 2A state runner-up, Clay County — the biggest impact his arrival has had on the team is bringing back the joy and excitement of playing the game.

They’ll play Reeltown — the defending state 2A champion — Lanett, TC Central, Woodland and Wadley in the regular season as well.

“It’s a lot more fun with him,” Benefield said. “He livens practice up. The more fun the game is, the more kids are going to stay out.”

That’s the spark they’ve needed all along.

Nick Birdsong covers prep sports for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3575.

Randolph County Tigers 2009 record: 3-7, did not reach the playoffs.

Head coach: Randy Sparks Offensive leader: Drew Benefield, 6-3, 210, QB — Benefield is a rare four-year starter, and aside from having prototypical size and arm strength, has earned the respect and attention of all his teammates and should benefit from the coaching change.

Defensive leader: Nate Boyd, DE; Bill Miamen, CB — Sparks said whenever Boyd is on

the scout team defense, the first-team offense has trouble blocking him. He lauded Miamen’s intensity in the secondary.

Key special teams contributor: Austin MacGinnis, Kicker — Sparks said he’s a tremendous talent. He should be money from 40 yards and within.

Vocal leader: Boyd and Tyde Moore Quote: “We need to compete. That’s what we’ve been stressing.” — Sparks

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The Anniston Star

Page 24 Sunday, August 15, 2010

Final show for Mr. Bean Pleasant Valley running back hopes senior season is best yet

By Bran Strickland bstrickland@annistonstar.com

Stephe

n Gross

/The An

niston

Star

T

PLEASANT VALLEY hree years ago, few people in the stands had any idea who Kyle Bean was.

Oh, he’s a freshman. OK. And that was that. Well, until he touched the ball.

In the three years that have followed, Bean’s speed, quickness and stocky build have helped to pave the way for a different kind of Pleasant Valley football team: One that makes the playoffs, only 2009 excluded.

But while two out of three ain’t bad, Bean has his mind set on just one thing — going 3-for-4.

“We’re going to be back there,” the senior said.

And the 5-foot-9, 190-pounder should know, or at least he’ll hold the key to making it happen.

It was only the second game of his varsity career that Bean broke into triple-digit rushing yards. He continued to do that his freshman season, leading the Raiders all the way to their first playoffs berth in more than a decade.

“I kick myself in the butt for not bringing him up as an eighth grader,” Pleasant Valley coach Jeff Davis said. “He’d have made us better that year.”

His sophomore year he avoided the slump and continued to rack up yardage and touchdowns and helped to make it back-to-back playoff berths — even after the Raiders move up to 3A classification.

But as quick as he burst onto the scene as a freshman, his junior year was derailed. During practice the week before the opener against Ohatchee, Bean injured his right hamstring.

While he missed little time, it was still obvious he wasn’t the same running back.

It wasn’t until the final Class 3A, Region 5 game that Bean looked like the Kyle Bean of old, rushing for more than 100 yards and scoring four touchdowns. His return to form returned Pleasant Valley to the win column — for the first time all year.

“It was just one of those nagging injuries,” Davis said. “You could just tell that it just tore him up inside.”

Bean led the Raiders to a second win in the season finale and now hopes to keep the streak going into a new season with more than 3,500 career yards.

While last year wasn’t up to Bean’s typical standards, the weight of it couldn’t be lumped all on his injury. Honestly, it was no one’s fault — just the growing pains of playing 3A football.

After graduating double-digit linemen the year before, Pleasant Valley had a young line, even by junior high standards. This year they’re just young by varsity standards.

TC CEntral Continued from Page 20 The Fighting Tigers’ quest for their 12th region championship got a little bit tougher with the addition of St. Jude to the region.

“Donoho was going to be improved anyway, but they moved from 1A South to 1A North,” Burney said. “The people down in Montgomery saw fit to bring in a team that played in the 2A state playoffs and put them down in our region.”

One of the Fighting Tigers’ strengths this season might be their passing game. The Fighting Tigers looked impressive against Talladega, as they moved the ball with ease.

“This is the second time that we have thrown the ball this summer,” Burney said after the passing camp. “We haven’t had any passing camps to really go to. Reason being, we have kids that play three sports. They come out and play summer league basketball and then we have football in July.

“We have to be smart how we schedule it, so we won’t run them into the ground.”

The work ethic that the Fighting Tigers’ seniors displayed this summer has pleased the coach.

“My seniors Terrell Garrett, Rory Jackson, I don’t think they have missed two practices between them,” Burney said. “They have been here, they have been dedicated and they have done what we have asked them to do. I couldn’t be happier to have them.

“These are the kids that are staying and running after practice on their own because they want to be better. Big Maurice Duncan is still nursing that ankle injury. He has been hopping around. We want to make sure he is ready to go in the first game and we will be OK. “We just have to put the pieces of the puzzle together with the numbers being down like they are. Enrollment is down at the school. We just have to figure out when and how we are

TC Central Fightin’ Tigers 2009 record: 6-5, lost 48-13 to Maplesville in first round of state playoffs Head coach: DeShon Burney Offensive leader: Terrell Garrett, 6-4, 290, Sr., RT; Rory Jackson, 5-11, 180, Sr., RB — Garrett is drawing interest from Troy, UAB, Miles and Jacksonville State.

Defensive leader: Maurice Duncan, 6-1, 285, Sr. DL, Cory Morris, 6-0, 190, Fr., ILB. Key special teams contributor: Jackson handle the return duties, while Tevin Garrett will handle the kicking.

Vocal leader: While only an offensive lineman, Garrett helps to guide the line and keeps everyone else on their toes.

Motto: GATA (Get A Team Attitude.)

going to rest these guys in the game.

“We are going to get them in the best shape so they can play both sides, but I know having done that myself, they are going to have to rest sometimes.”

Consolidated News Service photo

TC Central coach DeShon Burney, center, has high hopes for 2010 after his Fighting Tigers reached the playoffs in his first season at the helm.

Pleasant Valley Raiders 2009 record: 2-8 Coach: Jeff Davis Offensive leaders: Josh White, 5-10, 175, Sr. QB, Kyle Bean, 5-10, 190, Sr., RB. Defensive leader: Evan Denham, LB — He is a player who understands the defense and what everybody is supposed to do. Davis calls him another coach on the field.

Vocal leader: White. Not just because he’s the quarterback, Davis said, but because he wants to win and do what it takes.

Quote: “My saying is one at a time. No matter what it is, whether it’s a play, or a sprint – whatever.

It doesn’t matter how many we’re going to run, because you can only run one at a time.” — Davis

All returning starters, the Raiders will start a ninth grader and three sophomores. Not veterans by any means, but you won’t hear Bean complain a bit. Actually, he goes out of his way to rave about the people who move bodies out of his way.

“They have been working extremely hard at practice I really love running behind them,” Bean said. “I can’t wait to see what they’re going to do on Friday night.

“I give them all the credit ... It’s all on them, I’m just the one running with the ball. They got to do all the hard work.”

Bean will be gone in just a year, possibly etching his name into the school’s record books for career rushing numbers along the way.

But no matter what kind of mark he leaves on the school’s statistics, he said it’s doesn’t compare at all to the man who’s helped him grow as a man on and off the field in the past few years.

“About as close as we can get,” Bean said of Davis. “All the great things he’s done for our school and our football team, it’s things I don’t think any other coach could have done, or even come close to doing.”

Bran Strickland is the sport editor for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3570.

25

The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 25

Blue Map Quest Every high school football team in Alabama dreams of winning a blue map, also known as the state championship trophy. The first step to winning the map is qualifying for the postseason. We’re still more than three months away from knowing all that for certain, so, until then, here’s the state’s new regions and how we think things will shake out.

Class 1A, Region 3

Class 1A, Region 6

Class 1A, Region 7

Fayetteville

2-8

88

307

2-5

64

193

Donoho

1-9

88

345

0-7

41

250

Gaston

9-4

409 281

6-1

298

112

Loachapoka

11-2

397

136

7-0

273

33

Appalachian

10-3

449

185

6-1

308

67

Cedar Bluff

8-4

366 204

5-2

231

88

Winterboro

8-4

324

146

6-1

194

73

Coosa Christian

9-2

394

211

6-1

251

88

Spring Garden

6-6

357 270

5-2

257

117

Wadley

4-7

229

261

4-3

165

123

Ragland

4-7

192

224

4-3

165

103

Gaylesville

6-5

296 214

4-3

188

133

TC Central

6-5

246

209

5-2

174

87

Jacksonville Chr.

4-6

264

263

3-4

185

184

Collinsville

6-4

307 194

4-3

210

148

Verbena

5-5

190

151

3-4

138

121

Parkway Christian

2-8

94

346

2-5

86

226

Valley Head

4-6

237 236

3-4

213

170

Notasulga

1-9

90

390

1-6

82

251

Jefferson Christian

1-9

68

468

1-6

50

313

Skyline

1-9

133 435

1-6

91

315

St. Jude

8-4

367

264

5-2

215

108

St. Bernard

0-8

61

312

0-7

61

268

Woodville

0-10

110 622

0-7

48

455

Any other year, it would seem Talladega County Central (6-5) would be favored to contend for the title among this group of squads, and the Fighting Tigers may do just that.

However, they’ll have to battle with the likes of eighth-ranked Loachapoka (11-2), a quarterfinalist, a year ago, county foe Winterboro (8-4), with what should be a high-powered offense, and St. Jude, which might have some of the best athletes the Montgomery area has to offer.

Appalachian went 10-3 and advanced to the third round of the state playoffs last season. The Eagles are the only team in the region that received any votes in the ASWA preseason poll. Expect a young and talented Ragland team (4-7), which reached the postseason a year ago, as well as Jacksonville Christian (4-6), which has knocked on the door the past two years to represent Calhoun County.

Class 2A, Region 5

Spring Garden will have to adjust to new head coach John McKay after longtime coach Jason Howard left for Ohatchee, his alma mater. Fortunately, they have the success of recent playoff runs to aid their efforts this season. No. 10 Cedar Bluff (8-4) and Gaston, led by Southern Miss. tight end commit Collin Jarbo look like the class of the region on paper heading into the season.

Class 2A, Region 6

Horseshoe Bend

5-5

207 245

3-4

131

172

Ohatchee

1-9

Lineville

9-3

267 104

6-1

192

42

Ider

Woodland

6-5

197 186

5-2

150

89

Fyffe

Lanett

6-5

199 207

4-3

122

Randolph County 3-7

201 328

2-5

66

Class 3A, Region 3

263

0-7

33

184

Leeds

11-3

376

155

7-0

201

60

11-2 369

161

6-1

219

8-3

348

134

6-1

267

80

Wellborn

4-7

174

242

4-3

136

134

79

B.B. Comer

3-7

193

293

2-5

138

197

120

N. Sand Mountain 2-8

168

322

1-6

99

253

Beulah

4-6

201

223

2-5

123

148

148

229

Sand Rock

6-4

240

165

3-4

145

146

Marbury

3-7

185

230

2-5

137

168

Ranburne

2-8

166 259

1-6

100

192

Westbrook Chr.

9-3

323

153

6-1

216

90

Handley

13-1

528

119

7-0

300

46

Reeltown

14-1

478 91

7-0

245

27

Section

1-9

116

357

0-7

55

283

Central Coosa

0-10

98

322

0-7

61

234

LaFayette

2-8

130 325

1-6

70

249

Pleasant Valley

2-8

183

297

1-6

128

233

Clay County

13-2

409

145

7-0

198

46

Victory Christian

9-2

370

142

6-1

244

91

With the top-ranked team in the state and defending champion Reeltown (14-1), No. 9 Lineville (9-3) and playoff squads Lanett (6-5) and Woodland (6-5), this might be the toughest region in the classification. Make no bones about it — playoffs spots will be scarce and every game will count big time. But don’t count out programs with healthy histories like Ranburne and Randolph County, now led by former Wadley coach Randy Sparks.

Ohatchee, led by alum and new coach Jason Howard, who brought winning to Spring Garden, will have its work cut out for it, as will Pleasant Valley, led by the muscle of back allcounty back Kyle Bean. Fourth-ranked Ider (11-2) was two games away from the state title game last season and No. 7 Fyffe (7-4) will look to reestablish its dominance after a rare first-round exit last season.

You might need legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer to introduce the matchups this region will produce. The region boasts three region champs, all of who made it at least to the state semifinals in 2009. Handley (13-1) is down from Class 4A, Leeds (11-3), the No. 1 team in the state, and Clay County (13-2), up from Class 2A following a trip to the state championship game, will all jockey for playoff positioning.

Throw in Jeff Smith’s Wellborn team, which includes running back Delrickus Rhoden, and it’s plain to see there’ll be no easy way to a postseason berth.

Class 3A, Region 6

Class 4A, Region 3

Class 4A, Region 6

Piedmont

13-2

438 219

6-1

178

74

Calera

8-3

397

332

6-1

274

173

Cleburne County

3-7

180

284

3-4 131

178

Glencoe

9-3

265 166

5-2

142

91

Holtville

5-5

216

205

4-3

174

110

Jacksonville

7-4

254

240

4-3 147

176

Saks

8-4

305 178

5-2

140

82

Elmore County

4-6

214

298

3-4

169

207

Locust Fork

3-7

128

296

1-6 84

236

White Plains

5-5

235 167

2-5

116

126

Childersburg

3-7

155

265

1-6

80

194

Alexandria

8-4

329

215

5-2 215

128

Weaver

0-10

107 411

0-7

64

278

Lincoln

7-4

253

211

5-2

177

117

Oneonta

8-3

362

218

5-2 225

112

J.B. Pennington

2-8

151 281

2-5

111

183

Munford

3-7

147

301

2-5

105

211

St. Clair County

5-5

209

187

3-4 143

146

Susan Moore

9-3

368 202

6-1

248

112

Beauregard

7-4

251

204

5-2

153

108

Anniston

7-5

217

187

5-2 150

82

Hokes Bluff

5-5

259 202

3-4

189

157

Dadeville

10-2

408

239

6-1

240

132

Springville

7-4

310

239

6-3 264

212

Ashville

0-10

58

0-7

25

289

412

Piedmont, the reigning state champion, is ranked No. 4 in the state to begin the season. The Bulldogs possess both the talent and the experience to make another run at a blue trophy. Saks and its Wing-T attack will also be dangerous, coming off an 8-4 season in which it advanced to the second round of the playoffs. The rest of the bunch, led by White Plains, Hokes Bluff (another team down from 3A) and Glencoe are also more than capable of competing and contending.

All eyes will be on quarterback Sharod Cochran of Lincoln (7-4) as the Golden Bears adjust to life without stud running back D.J. Howard, who’s now at Clemson. Linebacker Desmond Wills, an SEC recruit, should give him support on defense. Rival Munford (3-7) will depend on new coach Will Wagnon, the man responsible for Cherokee County’s offensive wizardry during its state title run a year ago to get them back on track.

The top four teams in this region could very easily hail from The Star’s coverage area. Anniston finished 7-5 last season and is ranked No. 9 to begin the season. The Bulldogs will be guided an all-county, four-year starter at quarterback in Josiah Atkins. Alexandria (8-4) is always tougher than a graduate-level statistics course with its bruising brand of football over the years. Jacksonville (7-4) reached the playoffs for the first time in a decade, and should once again have a balanced running attack. Cleburne County (3-7) may have one of the most talented offenses it’s had in years.

Class 4A, Region 7

Class 5A, Region 5

Class 6A, Region 7

Cherokee County 15-0

659 224

7-0

307

91

Briarwood

9-4

305 216

6-0

164

51

Gadsden City

11-3

431

182

6-1 221

53

Douglas

4-6

310 361

2-5

190

259

Shelby County

9-2

376 135

5-1

211

88

Oxford

8-3

273

165

5-2 203

127

North Jackson

9-4

509 266

5-2

298

91

Moody

6-5

175 256

3-3

85

143

Clay-Chalkville

8-3

315

198

5-2 209

127

Fairview

8-3

368 262

5-2

235

160

Sylacauga

7-3

318 137

3-3

161

114

Hewitt-Trussville

8-3

229

150

5-2 158

80

D.A.R.

6-4

314 241

3-4

173

220

Chelsea

2-8

225 294

1-6

138

191

Shades Valley

6-4

229

178

4-3 137

110

Guntersville

9-3

324 120

6-1

212

61

Talladega

0-10

79

367

0-6

51

204

Huffman

3-7

95

204

2-5 62

169

Butler

0-10

54

455

0-7

54

328

Erwin

6-4

196 226

5-3

160

171

Pell City

1-9

94

310

0-7 51

235

Crossville

3-7

260 379

2-5

158

227

Pinson Valley

1-9

86

1-6

52

192

Austin

4-6

178

228

3-5 125

167

Cherokee County can’t improve upon the 15-0 record and the Class 4A state championship they captured last December at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. However, the Warriors, ranked No. 6 in the preseason poll, will strive to replicate the success of last year’s team. Bret Burgess will replace Mr. Football award winner Coty Blanchard in coach Tripp Curry’s spread attack. Defensive tackle Matt Hill should be consistent on the frontlines. Fifth-ranked North Jackson (9-4), Fairview (8-3) and Guntersville, all made the playoffs last year.

274

Year No. 2 in the Chris Mahand era at Talladega will hopefully bring the Tigers their first victory under the coach who once led Class 1A T.C. Central to its first ever appearance in the state championship game in 2007. If it happens, The Tigers will have earn it in a region that includes No. 9 Briarwood Christian (9-4, Shelby County (9-2) and Pinson Valley, which is down from Class 6A.

The top three slots in this region should boil down to a race between Gadsden City (11-3), No. 10 Clay-Chalkville (8-3) and Oxford (8-3). The Yellow Jackets have finished second in the region to Gadsden City the past two seasons. They downed the Cougars in a triple-overtime bout at home last season and may have the most talented team John Grass has coached in his three seasons at the helm. The development of Oxford quarterback Jackson Stephens and their young receiving core in the spread offense will be essential for the Yellow Jackets. Much could be decided in Weeks 2 and 3, when Oxford travels to Gadsden City and hosts the Clay-Chalkville.

The Anniston Star

Page 26 Sunday, August 15, 2010

Looking for a game?

If you are looking for a game at a particular stadium in the area, then look no further.

4 411

5

23

15

19

431

53

411

17

18

280

78 20 24

2

10

11

27

28

22

70

3

29

8

78 7

16

20

20

12 14 21

25 1 13 6

30 431 26

280

9

John Dietrich/The Anniston Star

Listed by school name alphabetically 1. Alabama S.D.-Talladega From Oxford, take Alabama 21 south into Talladega. When Alabama 21 intersects Alabama 77 – just past the Dairy Queen on your right – stay on Alabama 77/Haynes Street.

Continue on Alabama 77, passing Wal-Mart, until it intersects with South Street East on the right. Turn right on South Street East. Stay on South Street East until Cherry Street intersects South Street East. Turn left onto Cherry and go two and one-half blocks to Gulsby Street. Turn right onto Gulsby. The football stadium is on your left.

2. Alexandria From US 431, turn east onto Post Oak Road. Pass Railroad Drive then turn right onto Stadium Drive. Parking is available just past Lou Scales Stadium.

3. Anniston From Quintard Avenue, turn east onto 17th Street and travel two blocks, crossing Leighton Avenue.

At the intersection of 17th Street and Christine Avenue, parking is available at the baseball field. Chink Lott Memorial Stadium is just north of the baseball field.

4. Cedar Bluff From Centre, follow Alabama 9/Alabama 68 across Weiss Lake.

Approaching Cedar Bluff, stay on Alabama 9 then turn left onto Sewell Ferry Road. Parking and football stadium are on the left.

5. Cherokee County-Centre From US 411, head north on Alabama 9 then turn right onto Warrior Drive. Follow Warrior Drive to school and football stadium.

6. Clay County-Ashland From US 431, at Hollis Crossroads turn south onto Alabama 9. Travel approximately 23 miles through Delta, Barfield and Lineville to Ashland. Leave the courthouse square headed west on Alabama 77. Turn left onto Third Street. School and

football stadium are two blocks away.

7. Cleburne County-Heflin From I-20, go north on Alabama 9 until it joins US 78. Take US 78 through Heflin then Alabama 46.

From Alabama 46 turn right onto County Road 84/Evans Bridge Road.

School will be on the right. Stadium is behind and below the school.

8. Donoho From Quintard Avenue, turn east onto 10th Street. Follow 10th Street, which becomes Henry Road, over the mountain and down until reaching the traffic light at Henry Road and Lakeshore Drive. Turn left onto Lakeshore Drive then left into the Donoho campus.

9. Handley-Roanoke From US 431, travel west on Field Street to the Old Lafayette Highway.

Turn right onto Old Lafayette Highway then left onto West Point Street.

Wright Stadium is approximately one-quarter mile from intersection of Old Lafayette Highway and West Point Street.

Delta and Barfield to Lineville.

School and football stadium are two blocks west of the intersection of Alabama 9 and Alabama 49. Follow signs to parking.

14. Munford From Oxford, follow Alabama 21 south into Munford. Turn right onto Main Street and go one block. Stadium will be on the left and the old high school building on the right.

15. Ohatchee From US 431, turn west onto Alabama 144. Travel approximately six miles to intersection of Alabama 144 and Main Street. Turn right onto Main Street. Cross the railroad tracks then immediately turn right. School, parking and football stadium are on the left.

20. Ranburne Leave I-20 at Exit 205. Travel south on Alabama 46 for approximately 14 miles. Football stadium and school are on the left.

21. Randolph Co.-Wedowee Enter Wedowee on US 431. Turn east onto Alabama 48. School is on the left. The football stadium is behind the school.

22. Saks From US 431, turn south onto Saks Road. Follow Saks Road approximately one mile. School and parking lot are on the left. Jack Stewart Stadium is behind the school.

23. Spring Garden

From US 431/Quintard Avenue, go west on US 78. Turn right onto Hale Street for most convenient parking.

From Piedmont, travel east on US 278 into Cherokee County. At the Spring Garden General Store, on the left, turn left onto County Road 27 and continue to a stop sign. Turn right onto County Road 29. School and football stadium are approximately one mile away on the right.

17. Piedmont

24. Talladega

16. Oxford

From Alabama 21, turn west onto George Douthit Drive. Go approximately one mile. Football stadium, parking and school are on the left.

From Alabama 21, turn north onto Alabama 200. Travel approximately one mile. School and football stadium are on the right. From US 278, turn south on Alabama 200.

School and football field are on the left.

11. Jacksonville Christian

18. Pleasant Valley

From Alabama 21, turn west onto Greenleaf Street. Go approximately one mile to Alexandria Road. Turn right. School and football field are on the left.

From Alabama 204, turn north onto Pleasant Valley Road at the West Point Grocery. Follow Pleasant Valley Road until it intersects with Mark Green Road. School, parking and football field are on the left.

From Oxford, take Alabama 21 south into Talladega. When Alabama 21 intersects Alabama 77 – just past the Dairy Queen on your right – stay on Alabama 77/Haynes Street.

Continue on Alabama 77, passing Wal-Mart, until it intersects with South Street East on the right. Turn right onto South Street East and stay on South Street East until Elm Street intersects South Street East. Turn left onto Elm and go two blocks to Cedar.

Cross Cedar. Mary Dumas Stadium is on the left. Parking is available south of the stadium.

19. Ragland

25. TCC-Howells Cove

From US 431 or Alabama 77, go west on Alabama 144, crossing Neely Henry Dam, into Ragland. Pass Ragland High School, on your left, and continue to a stop sign. At the stop sign continue straight ahead on County Road 26. Entrance to the Ragland Sports Complex is the first paved road on the left.

From I-20, take Alabama 77 south approximately eight miles to the intersection of Alabama 77 and Alabama 34. Turn right onto Alabama 34 and go approximately one mile to County Road 332. Turn left onto County Road 332. Follow County Road 332 until it intersects with Howell Cove Road. Turn left onto

10. Jacksonville

12. Lincoln From I-20, take Alabama 77 north approximately four miles. School and stadium, new this year, are on the left and clearly visible from Alabama 77.

13. Lineville From US 431, at Hollis Crossroads turn south onto Alabama 9. Travel approximately 17 miles through

Howell Cove Road. School and stadium are on the left.

26. Wadley Take US 431 to Roanoke. Turn west onto Alabama 22 for approximately 12 miles. Cross Tallapoosa River, entering Wadley, and turn right onto Alabama 77. Follow Alabama 77 approximately one mile.

School and football stadium are on the left.

27. Weaver From US 431, turn north onto Saks Road. Follow Saks Road approximately two miles, crossing Lenlock Lane and passing Fink’s Lake. Clairmont Drive is the second right turn past Fink’s Lake. Turn right onto Clairmont Drive and travel approximately one mile. Football stadium, parking and school are on the left.

28. Wellborn From Quintard Avenue, turn west onto Alabama 202. Follow Alabama 202 approximately three miles to Hunter Street. Turn right onto Hunter Street and go approximately onehalf mile, crossing railroad tracks, to intersection of Eulaton Road. Turn left onto Eulaton Road. Turn left onto Pinson Road. School and parking are on the left. Football stadium is beyond the school.

29. White Plains From Anniston or Oxford, follow Choccolocco Road north to the intersection of Choccolocco Road and Alabama 9. Turn left on Alabama 9 and travel approximately 200 yards to intersection of White Plains Road on the right. Turn right onto White Plains Road. White Plains Road turns left after one block. Parking and school are on the right. Football stadium is behind the parking lot.

30. Woodland Travel US 431 to Wedowee.

Turn east onto Alabama 48. Travel approximately nine miles to Woodland. School is on the right. Football stadium is behind the school.

27

The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 27

Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star/FIle

Ragland made the playoffs in 2009, though they were hammered by Gaston, 32-6, in the first round. This year, the Purple Devils say they’ll build on that.

Ragland ready to follow up playoff run with another

BY NICK BIRDSONG nbirdsong@annistonstar.com

T

RAGLAND he young bunch that makes up the core of Ragland’s varsity football team isn’t cocky, they’re just confident.

It’s more than mere youthful exuberance, which doesn’t know any better than to think they’re capable of accomplishing their goals this season.

It’s a firm resolve — founded upon the success of the past season — that has them settled on the idea that they’re going to do even better in 2010.

In 2009, The Purple Devils made the playoffs, finishing fourth in Class 1A, Region 5 play behind Appalachian, Coosa Christian and Victory Christian.

However, they met up with Gaston in the first round of the playoffs and were defeated handily by the Bulldogs, losing 32-6 on the road.

It was a noteworthy achievement for a squad that began the season 0-2 —with a 21-0 loss to Westbrook Christian in Rainbow City and a 3420 defeat to Victory Christian in the Purple Devils’ home opener.

Ragland won four of its next six but faltered late. They ended the season on a three-game skid, all losses by at least 16 points to Appalachian, West End and Gaston.

Nonetheless, they’re a year older and presumably 365 days bigger, stronger and faster, and they don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t be able to match — or move beyond — the mark they reached last year.

“This is a group that has an opportunity to compete and has the chance to have a good year,” Purple Devils coach Brian Mintz said.

Current Ragland players are excited about the opportunity to restore the program to its previous glory.

The Purple Devils made a run to the state semifinals in 2006.

One player in particular wants to leave a lasting impression — running back Devin Wilson.

Wilson, who also plays defensive end and linebacker, is one of six seniors on this team. He suffered a high ankle sprain late in the season in 2009 that he never fully recovered from.

“We definitely think about (the players who came before),” Wilson said. “They put us down a little bit.

But we know we’ve got to live up to the hype because a lot of people think we can be pretty good this season.

“We’ve been able to be decent a lot of years and we want to be able to do the same kind of damage.”

Wilson is one member of a trio of ball carriers who Mintz will rotate in and out of the single-back offense.

Devane Brewster is a tough inside runner while junior Nick Daniels is a nice package of power and speed.

They combined for more than 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.

“We’re going to keep defenses on their toes this year,” Brewster said.

“And we’re going to be able to pass the ball more this year.”

The Purple Devils could win a region that hasn’t changed apart from the addition of Donoho and the subtraction of Victory Christian.

“We’ve played our whole lives,” said Brewster, who started as an eighth-grader. “Everybody doubted us (last year), but we knew what we could do.”

Nick Birdsong covers prep sports for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3575.

“... we know we’ve got to live up to the hype because a lot of people think we can be pretty good this season. “ — Devin Wilson, Ragland running back

STEVE HURST ALABAMA STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 35

Proud Supporter of High School Athletics and Sportsmanship

Ragland Purple Devils 2009 record: 4-6, lost to Gaston 32-6 in the first round of the playoffs Head coach: Brian Mintz Offensive leader: Cole Bearden, 5-11, 240 OL; Nick Daniels, 5-8, 180, RB — Daniels led the Purple Devils with 592 rushing yards and six touchdowns on just 116 carries.

Defensive leader: Devin Wilson, DE/LB, 511, 180; John Mark Mintz, 6-2, 210, DE; Colton Eckles, 5-9, 165 LB/S — Wilson, who is fully healthy after suffering an injury late in the sea-

son, should add veteran leadership to a young and talented defense. Mintz’s size should make him a problem for opposing offensive fronts and Eckles averaged close to three tackles per game from his safety slot a year ago.

Key special teams contributor: Still looking Vocal leader: Bearden, Daniels, Wilson, Mintz and Eckles.

Quote: “Meet the bell — It’s a boxing analogy. You don’t want to be caught in the corner still sitting down when the game begins.”

— Coach Brian Mintz

Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to produce uncommon results.

www.electhurst.com pd. polt. adv. by Steve Hurst • 155 Quail Run Rd. Munford, AL 36268

28

The Anniston Star

Page 28 Sunday, August 15, 2010

His team now After tragedy thrust Chad Martin into taking the reigns, the coach is putting his stamp on Lincoln

By Al Muskewitz amuskewitz@annistonstar.com

When Lincoln hits the field for its season opener at Etowah, it will bring the most challenging year in the program’s history — and Chad Martin’s career — full circle.

It was during that game last year, almost to the day, that former Golden Bears head coach Keith Howard fell ill and later died, thrusting Martin into the top job and instantly accelerating his career track.

Helped by a veteran squad anchored by an all-state running back, Martin kept the team together well enough to post a 7-4 record.

It was Head Coaching 101 on the fly.

“This has definitely been a growing year for me at the professional level,” Martin said. “When you’re a coordinator and assistant coach, you make a lot of decisions, but not the final say so. Every decision made has to run through you and you have to put your stamp of approval on it.

“The burden of making right by the school and the program, that’s the biggest change from coordinator to the head coach.”

Make no mistake, this is Martin’s team now. He sets the schedule. He — Lincoln coach Chad Martin has the final say on the 18 spots the Golden Bears must fill in the starting lineup.

Actually, it’s been his team since Week 5 at Boaz. That’s when he realized, he said, he had to start coaching the way that would work for Chad Martin.

He has made “quite a few” changes, but it was mostly around the program, not on the field. The approach to offense and defense has remained the same, but he changed how the team practiced, the tempo at which it worked, organization on the field and the requirements and expectations for the players.

“I was trying to coach this team as though it was Keith’s team,” he said. “I can’t do that because Keith had it set up how Keith needed for him and us to be successful … We had to go to organization that fit me and our staff and our players that I knew in and out.

“The burden of making right by the school and the program, that’s the biggest change from coordinator to the head coach.”

Please see Lincoln ❙ Page 31 Bob Crips/Consolidated News Service/File

Look for aLL of the winners from our Best Of contest in the august 20 edition of

eScapes Find out which area businesses were voted as Calhoun County’s favorites. See which restaurants have the most loyal following. Know which medical professionals other area residents trust.

“ My friends at HEARINGLife are here for you so you can HEAR FOR LIFE.” PAT SUMMERALL, SPORTSCASTER

Do you ask people to repeat themselves? Do you turn up the radio or TV louder than others prefer? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, you may be suffering from hearing loss—and your local HEARINGLife can help.

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY, AND START HEARING LIFE AGAIN.

(256) 399-4312

www.hearinglife.com

• 1323 Hamrick Dr., Hwy 78 • Office Park East, Suite D • Oxford, AL 36203 • 308 6th St. S (Hwy 231) • Office Park East, Suite 102 • Oneonta, AL 35121 • 201 E. McKinney Ave., Suite C • Albertville, AL 35950 • 510 South 3rd St. • Gadsden, AL 35901 • 204 South River St. • Centre, AL 35960

29

The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 29

Look taking a

bac k in time

Trent Penny/The Anniston Star/File

Cleburne County coach Michael Shortt will be looking to return his Tigers to the Class 4A playoffs after a two-year absence, and the play of his fullbacks will be integral.

Like a staple of Tigers’ successful teams of the past, play of fullback will lead the way for offense in 2010

BY NICK BIRDSONG nbirdsong@annistonstar.com

Q

HEFLIN uick Cleburne County football lesson.

Whenever the Tigers have had really good teams in recent history, they’ve also had really good fullbacks.

The tradition dates back to the days of Richard Cantrell, who went on to play at JSU, and Damien Baker, who played at Troy in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Back then, the Tigers were reaching the state quarterfinals on a seemingly annual basis.

The Tigers went 3-7 in 2009, a season in which the team suffered from a swine flu outbreak in what was already going to be a rebuilding year going in.

They failed to reach the Class 4A state playoffs for the second consecutive year. Prior to 2008, The Tigers had reached the postseason in nine of the previous 10 seasons.

This year, however, could mark the return to playing games in November and maybe even into December. The Tigers have not one but two morethan-capable athletes at fullback in junior Chris Ervin and senior Braden Walker.

Ervin is a classic big back at 5-foot-10 and 237 pounds. He benches upward of 350 pounds and can do 20 reps at 225, a litmus test for a player’s brute strength.

The bruiser slimmed down from 247 this past summer and looked unlawfully nimble as he made tailback-like cuts to attack open holes on handoffs and ran routes out of the backfield. Walker is more svelte than his counterpart at 6-1, 218 pounds and said he’s feeling better than he ever has going into the final year of an injury-riddled career.

“Every time we had good fullbacks, we had very successful seasons,” Cleburne County coach Michael Shortt said. “Having a good fullback makes the tailback so much better.”

The bulk and brawn of Ervin and Walker, combined with the blazing speed of junior running back Rocky Hayes, could make for one of the best backfields in the area.

Hayes was the focal point of the Tigers’ offense a season ago, accumulating 1,200 yards of total offense. The 5-11, 170-pounder rushed for about 750 yards and had another 450 receiving.

With Ervin and Walker as a powerful 1-2 punch, teams will be almost forced to put eight men in

the box, leaving Hayes and senior receiver Benton Cooley with likely favorable matchups given their athleticism.

“I know he’s got my back,” Hayes said when asked of the benefit of playing alongside Ervin. “I know when I come out the game, he can step me up.”

Matt Norton will replace Chad Morehead at quarterback in the Tigers’ hybrid spread-T 2009 record: 3-7, did not reach the offense. playoffs.

The junior has stepped it up Head coach: Michael Shortt in the weight room this sumOffensive leaders: Matt Norton, mer, gaining 15 pounds of pure 6-4, 195, QB; Rocky Hayes, 5-11, muscle since the spring, when 170, RB; Ethan Eaves, 5-11, 237, OL he earned all-state honors as — Norton didn’t start last season, pitcher in baseball. but the junior looked like a polished The 6-4, 195-pound rightpocket passer with good mobility in hander looked fluid firing passpreseason practices. Hayes shined at es while rolling left in preseason a Clemson camp during the summer drills, flicking tight-spiraling and should be one of the more excit18-yard outs that hit receivers ing players to watch. Eaves is the in stride. leader on a line that could pave the In addition to the 6-foot, 200way for an impressive offensive unit. pound Cooley — who’ll likely Defensive leaders: Braden Walkbe Norton’s No. 1 target at wideer, 6-1, 218, LB; Lucas Carter, 6-5, 200, out — the Tigers will also have DE; Benton Cooley, 6-0, 200, LB/DB new additions in Trace Biggers — Walker is as healthy as he’s been and De’Andre Bynum on their in his career after struggling with receiving corp, as well as staple Alex Lee at tight end.

“We’re going to be a lot more explosive this season on offense,” Norton said.

The Tigers scored 14 points or less in five of their losses last season.

“We’ve got good receiving personnel, and the defense will definitely be better,” said Norton. “We want to get into the postseason and reach our potential really.”

Walker just doesn’t want to be that guy — or one of those guys, rather — who went down in Heflin history as a member of the only senior class in Shortt’s tenure to never have played in the playoffs.

“I don’t want to be that that guy that has to put his head down when they ask me about it,” Walker said.

“We’re not going to let that happen. We’re a lot better and we’re focused.”

Nick Birdsong covers prep sports for The Star. He can be reached at 256-235-3575.

Cleburne County Tigers

a torn labrum and various nagging injuries as a sophomore and junior.

Carter is the type of lean, athletic specimen on the end that colleges crave nowadays, and Cooley is as versatile a player as you’ll see on a high school field.

Key special teams contributor: K Blake Price — Shortt said the Tigers’ kicking game will be much improved.

He expects Price to be automatic on PATs. Vocal leader: Hayes, Cooley, Walker — Cooley and Walker are seniors and have stepped up in the locker room for the Tigers. Shortt said he’s challenged Hayes to be a leader despite being an underclassmen.

Quote: “All in. We need everybody in together.” — Shortt

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Former Tiger fullbacks Richard Cantrell, left, and Damian Baker were key to the Tigers’ history of playoff success.

We Support the Cleburne County Tigers!!

The Anniston Star

Page 30 Sunday, August 15, 2010

2010 prep schedules C alho u n C o u nt y schools Aug. 27

Sept. 3

Sept. 10

Sept. 17

Sept. 24

Oct. 1

Oct. 8

Oct. 15

Oct. 22

Oct. 29

ALEXANDRIA

Leeds Home

Oneonta Away

Anniston Home

Jacksonville Away

Boaz Away

Cleburne Co. Away

Springville Home

Locust Fork Away

St. Clair Co. Home

Lincoln Home

Anniston

E.B. Erwin Home (8/26)

Cleburne Co. Home

Alexandria Away

Springville Home

Lincoln Away

Locust Fork Away

St. Clair Co. Home

Oneonta Away

Jacksonville Home

Briarwood Away (10/28)

Donoho

Decatur Hert.

Home

Ragland Home

Jax Chr. Away

Coosa Chr. Home

Spring Garden Away

Appalachian Away

Parkway Chr. Away

Jefferson Chr. Home

St. Bernard Away

Woodville Home

Jacksonville

John Carroll Home

Locust Fork Home

Cleburne Co. Away

Alexandria Home

Munford Home

Springville Away

Oneonta Home

St. Clair Co. Away

Anniston Away

Pleasant Valley Away

JAX CHRISTIAN

ASD Home

Appalachian Away

Donoho Home

Jefferson Chr. Away

Vina Away

Parkway Chr. Home

Ragland Away

St. Bernard Home

Coosa Chr. Home

Meek Away

OHATCHEE

N. Sand Mtn. Away

Victory Chr. Home

Section Away

Decatur Hert.

Home

Fyffe Home

Pleasant Valley Away

Ider Home

Sand Rock Away

Westbrook Chr. Home

White Plains Home

OXFORD

Carrollton (Ga.) Away

Gadsden City Away

Clay-Chalkville Home

Austin Away (9/16)

Auburn Home

Pell City Home

Hewitt-Truss.

Away

Huffman Home

Shades Valley Home

C.-Phenix City Away

PIEDMONT

Hokes Bluff Home

Susan Moore Away

White Plains Home

J.B. Pennington Away

Glencoe Home

Weaver Away

Gulf Shores Away (10/7)

Saks Home

Ashville Away

Cherokee Co. Home

PL. VALLEY

Sand Rock Away

Westbrook Chr. Home

N. Sand Mtn. Away

Victory Chr. Home

Section Away

Ohatchee Home

Fyffe Away

White Plains Away

Ider Home

Jacksonville Home

SAKS

Ashville Home (8/26)

Hokes Bluff Away

Susan Moore Home

White Plains Away

J.B. Pennington Home

Glencoe Away

Weaver Home

Piedmont Away

OPEN

Clay County Away

WEAVER

Susan Moore Home

White Plains Away

J.B. Pennington Home

Glencoe Away

Wellborn Home

Piedmont Home

Saks Away

Ashville Home

Hokes Bluff Away

Coosa Chr. Away (10/28)

WELLBORN

Gaston Home

Central-Coosa Away

B.B. Comer Away

Leeds Home

Weaver Away

Beulah Home

Clay County Away

Handley Away

Marbury Home

Woodland Home

WHITE PLAINS

Glencoe Away (8/26)

Weaver Home

Piedmont Away

Saks Home

Ashville Away

Hokes Bluff Home

Susan Moore Away

Pleasant Valley Home

J.B. Pennington Home

Ohatchee Away

valley cubs

bulldogs

falcons

golden eagles

thunder

indians

yellow jackets

bulldogs

raiders

wildcats

bearcats

pa n t h e r s

wildcats

area schools ASD

silent warriors

Cherokee co. warriors

Clay County pa n t h e r s

CLEBURNE CO. tigers

HANDLEY tigers

LINCOLN

golden bears

LINEVILLE Aggies

MUNFORD Lions

RAGLAND

purple devils

RANBURNE bulldogs

RANDOLPH CO. tigers

Spring GARDEN pa n t h e r s

TALLADEGA tigers

TC CENTRAL

fighting tigers

WADLEY bulldogs

WOODLAND bobcats

Aug. 27

Sept. 3

Sept. 10

Sept. 17

Sept. 24

Oct. 1

Oct. 8

Oct. 15

Oct. 22

Oct. 29

Jax Christian Away

Decatur Hert.

Away

Indiana S.D. Away (9/11)

Florida S.D. Home (9/18)

Fayetteville Home

Akron Home

Rocky Bayou Chr. Away

Model Sec. S.D. Away (10/16)

Decatur Hert.

Home

Tharpton Away

Cedar Bluff Home (8/26)

Fairview Home

Crossville Away

Butler Home

Cleburne Co. Home

North Jackson Home

DAR Home

Douglas Away

Guntersville Away

Piedmont Away

Randolph Co. Away

Beulah Away

Leeds Away

Handley Home

Lineville Away

B.B. Comer Home

Wellborn Home

Marbury Away

Central-Coosa Home

Saks Home

Lineville Home

Anniston Away

Jacksonville Home

St. Clair Co. Away

Cherokee Co. Away

Alexandria Home

Locust Fork Home

Springville Away

Oneonta Home

Munford Away (10/28)

Heard Co. (Ga.) Away

B.B. Comer Home

Beulah Home

Clay Co. Away

Sweet Water Away

Marbury Home

Central-Coosa Away

Wellborn Home

Leeds Away

Lineville Home

Etowah Away (8/26)

Elmore Co. Home

Holtville Away

Beauregard Away

Anniston Home

Dadeville Home

Calera Away

Childersburg Home

Munford Home

Alexandria Away

Cleburne Co. Away

Ranburne Home

LaFayette Home

Lanett Away

Clay County Home

Woodland Home

Randolph Co. Away

Horseshoe Bend Home

Reeltown Away

Handley Away

Sylacauga Home

Holtville Home

Elmore Co. Away

Dadeville Away

Jacksonville Away

Beauregard Home

Childersburg Away

Calera Home

Lincoln Away

Cleburne Co. Home (10/28)

Fayetteville Away

Donoho Away

Jefferson Chr. Home

Parkway Chr. Away

Gaylesville Home

St. Bernard Away

J’ville Chr. Home

Coosa Chr. Away

Appalachian Home

Collinsville Home

Spring Garden Home

Lineville Away

Lanett Home

Woodland Away

Beulah Away

Randolph Co. Home

Horseshoe Bend Away

Reeltown Home

LaFayette Away

TC Central Home (10/28)

Clay County Home

LaFayette Away

Horseshoe Bend Away

Reeltown Home

TC Central Away

Ranburne Away

Lineville Home

Lanett Away

Woodland Home

Wadley Home

Ranburne Away

Collinsville Away

Valley Head Home

Gaston Away

Donoho Home

Gaylesville Away

Cedar Bluff Home

Woodville Home

Skyline Away

Sand Rock Home

Winterboro Home

Pinson Valley Away

Sylacauga Home

Shelby Co. Away

Woodlawn Away

Briarwood Chr. Home

Moody Home

Chelsea Away

Erwin Away

Carver-B’ham Home

Parrish Home

St. Jude Home

Winterboro Away

Wadley Home

Randolph Co. Home

Notasulga Away

Verbena Home

Fayetteville Away

Loachapoka Away

Ranburne Away (10/28)

Horseshoe Bend Away (8/26)

Verbena Away

Fayetteville Home

TC Central Away

Woodland Home

St. Jude Home

Winterboro Away

Loachapoka Home

Notasulga Home

Randolph Co. Away

Bowdon (Ga.) Home

Horseshoe Bend Home

Reeltown Away

Ranburne Home

Wadley Away

Lineville Away

Lanett Home

LaFayette Home

Randolph Co. Away

Wellborn Away

31

The Anniston Star

Sunday, August 15, 2010 Page 31 Football Tiebreakers For 2010

2010 universal playoff bracket

1. Resolve all two-team ties first, using tiebreaking factor (a).

2. If two or more teams are tied for one of the qualifying places in a sport, first resolve the tie for the highest of those places in the standings, then the next-highest place in the standings, etc.

3. To resolve the team rankings if more than two teams are tied, determine the highest-ranked team by applying the tiebreakers in the order listed, beginning with (aa). Until the highest-ranked team has been determined, no consideration will be given to determining the ranking of the other teams involved in that tie. After the highest-ranked team has been resolved, then the next highest-ranked team will be determined by applying the same tiebreakers, beginning with (a) or (aa) as necessary.

4. If a certain tiebreaker does not apply to the tie being resolved, apply the next tiebreaker in the order listed for that sport.

5. Forfeited contests count as losses. A team that intentionally forfeits a required game becomes ineligible for championship competition for the remainder of that classification period, plus the next classification period, in that sport.

6. If two area, region or section teams elect to play each other more than the required number of contests during the same season, the first contest played (or first at each site if two are required in a sport) will be used in computing standings, unless the State Office is otherwise notified in writing by both schools prior to the season.

7. Contests against teams that are not eligible for the championship program and contests in regular season tournaments are not used in figuring any tiebreakers.

For the championship playoffs, the region qualifiers in each class will be paired in a 32-team bracket with positions in the bracket (for all classifications) as follows:

Nov. 5

Nov. 12

Nov. 19

Nov. 26

Dec. 2-3

R2-1 R1-4

G-1 G-17

R1-2 R2-3

G-2 G-25

R4-1 R3-4

G-3 G-18

R3-2 R4-3

G-4 G-29

R1-1 R2-4

G-5 G-19

R2-2 R1-3

G-26

R3-1 R4-4

G-7 G-20

R4-2 R5-3

Tiebreaking factors

G-6

G-8 G-31

R6-1 R5-4

G-9 G-21

R5-2 R6-3

G-10 G-27

R8-1 R7-4

G-11 G-22

R7-2 R8-3

G-12 G-30

R5-1 R6-4

G-13 G-23

R6-2 R5-3

G-14 G-28

R7-1 R8-4

G-15 G-24

R8-2 R7-3

G-16

In the first round of play in 2010 for all classes, the team listed on the top of the bracket will be the host team.

If Two Teams Tie ... a) If two teams are tied for any place, the team that defeated the other in the required regular season game will be placed above the other tied team. The team that lost their head-to-head contest will qualify for the next-highest place.

If More Than Two Teams Tie ... b) If more than two teams are tied for any place, the team that defeated all the other tied teams in the required regular season games will be placed ahead of all the other tied teams. If more than two teams are tied for any place and one of the teams did not defeat all the other tied teams, the tie cannot be resolved by this factor. [NOTE, applicable in ‘b’ through ‘p’ — If two teams tie for the highest winning percentage ahead of all the other teams involved in the tie, apply the two-team tiebreaking factors for those two teams, beginning with (a) and the highest-ranked team will be placed ahead of all tied teams. Then, if needed, for all other teams involved in the original tie, apply tiebreaker (a) if only two teams remain and (b) if more than two teams remain.] c) If more than two teams are tied for any place, the team (or teams) that had the highest winning percentage against the No. 1 ranked team will be ranked ahead of all the other tied teams. If there is a three-way tie for first place, apply (f ) and the remaining tiebreakers in the order as needed. d) Apply (c) using percentage against the No. 2 ranked team. e) Apply (c) using percentage against the No. 3 ranked team. f ) Apply (c) using percentage against the No. 4 ranked team. g) Apply (c) using percentage against the No. 5 ranked team. h) Apply (c) using percentage against the No. 6 ranked team. i) Apply (c) using percentage against the No. 7 ranked team. j) Apply (c) using percentage against the No. 8 ranked team. k) The team with the best winning percentage against non-required common opponents. l) The team whose defeated non-region opponents in class and above have the most victories if all teams involved in the tie play an equal number of games. m) The team whose defeated opponents have the most victories if all teams involved in the tie play an equal number of games. n) The team whose defeated opponents have the most victories. o) The team with the most victories if all teams involved in the tie play an equal number of games. p) The team with the most victories. q) By flip of a coin.

lincoln

Anniston Army Depot

Continued from Page 28 “I’m big about not letting them get comfortable. When you get comfortable, you get complacent. They’ve adjusted well and improved going through the process. I’m so excited about the future.”

Everybody seems to be buying into it. The numbers are up — 74 players dress on the varsity squad — and Martin, who doubles as the school’s athletics director, reported the GPAs for the football team (2.89) and overall athletics department (2.91) are at all-time highs.

As Martin has matured through the process, so have his players.

Quarterback Sharrod Cochran handled the pressure of maintaining the community’s expectation of success as a newly installed sophomore starter last season, and this offseason, Martin said, has had “tremendous growth” to the degree of no comparison.

Defensive end Adam Holtman was a fourth-teamer going into Week 3.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior was thrust into the rotation by a series of injuries and hasn’t come off the field since.

“You only find out who you are and what you can accomplish when you face adversity,” Martin said.

“I guess last year taught me more about me as a person than anything else. … As hard as it is to revisit everything, I draw a lot from what happened last year and what Keith taught me through the years, and that’s what’s going to propel myself and the program forward.”

Martin suspects the trip back to Etowah this year will be fraught with emotion, but it will be

Brian Schoenhals/Consolidated News Service/File

Lincoln’s Rod Green is one back looking to fill the void left by D.J. Howard. an important trip nonetheless.

“I think it’s going to be tough,” he said. “But it will sort of help bring it full circle and closure to that lost feeling we had when we left there a year ago.

“I always think it’s going to be, for me, to reflect back on the last conversation we had.

It’ll be a lot for me to have closure.

“This was the place Keith pretty much handed me the reigns. This is my first year back and I think it will help me a lot personally in the healing process.”

Al Muskewitz is a sports writer for The Star.

He can be reached at 256-235-3577.

Lincoln Golden Bears 2009 record: 7-4, lost in first round of playoffs to Bibb County, 36-0 Head coach: Chad Martin, second year Offensive leader: Rakeem Truss, Sr., 5-6, 155, RB — He was the backup to top prospect D.J. Howard last season, so he didn’t have eye-popping stats, but he will play a major role this season and has been recognized as a field leader for his character and work ethic.

Defensive leader: DeMarco Willis, Sr., 5-10, 180, MLB — A heavy hitter, he led Lincoln in tackles last season.

Key special teams contributor: Logan Brown, Sr., 5-10, 185, K — Handles all the kickoffs and placements. He kicked three field

goals last season and missed only four PATs, and his kickoffs have impressive hang time.

Vocal leader: Desmond Wills, Sr., 6-1, 220, LB — A high-spirited prospect for the next level, he has been credited with keeping the players’ heads in the game.

Quote: “Our kids have really committed themselves to push harder than they have before.

“As far as me being able to promise them a number of wins, that’s not something we can measure by because you have no idea what can happen on any given Friday night. I know the things they’ve done will help them through their lives.” —Martin

FAIR Learn

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What Benefits- Services Are Available

And

How and Where 10 Sept 10 To Access Them

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Anniston Meeting Center All Branches of the Military, All Veterans and Their Families, and Survivors are Invited

The Anniston Star

Page 32 Sunday, August 15, 2010

The last word

by Nick Birdsong

Big fellas need some love, too I remember the first time I saw the kind of pros Piedmont’s Mickey Jackson and Oxford’s Allen Carson might become.

I was 18 years old and a part of the Poynter Institute’s high school journalism program. I told one of the presenters was St. Petersburg Times columnist Earnest Hooper, and I was interested in pursuing a career covering sports.

He immediately set me up with an opportunity to tag along with him at a Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice.

As soon as I go to the old One Buc Place, he introduced me to the rest of the beat reporters, and I even got a chance to meet former Buccaneers coach John Gruden (Dude somehow accurately quoted to me the effective male-to-female ratio at my alma mater, Florida A&M University.

How he knew, I don’t know).

Once the players came onto the practice field, I laid my youthful eyes upon a site that pulverized all of my preconceived notions and perceptions of what an athlete looks like.

I witnessed then-Bucs defensive tackles Warren Sapp and Anthony “Booger” McFarland running gassers (sprints) before the day’s drills got started.

They were big — between 6-feet and 6-2 and each was easily 300 pounds — but what I wouldn’t have believed until I saw it was that these guys were fast.

Not fast like a hefty dude nicknamed “Tiny” just because he’s light on his feet for a dude his size.

Sapp and McFarland were fast like I don’t think I nor any other male with average athleticism could beat them in a foot race.

It wasn’t just their formidable size. It was their rare ability to move it around with ease.

It wasn’t just their strength, but their skill in applying it.

On top of all that, they showed up every Sunday, rearing and ready wreck shop. With them up front, there was no need to blitz much, and the early 2000s Tampa Bay defense was nearly impossible to score on.

Located at polar ends of Calhoun County, Jackson and Carson — each listed at 6 -1, 308 pounds — are two such players. They’re two of the best nose tackles in the state, the Southeast, and probably the country.

Each has clocked a 5.1-second 40-yard dash. Like I said, next time you’re on a field, see if you can top that.

Jackson is coming off a junior season during which the Bulldogs went 13-2 and captured the Class 3A state championship. He was a first-team selection to the allstate squad and made The Star’s Dandy Dozen team.

Big Mick had 82 tackles, 30 for loss, and 11 sacks and holds offers from UAB, Southern Miss, Memphis and Louisiana Tech.

Carson verbally committed to Tennesee — the first school that offered him — in early July, turning away Kentucky and Illinois to head to Knoxville next fall.

Those are the same Volunteers that produced linemen such as Redskins’ standout Albert Haynesworth and former Jaguars standout John Henderson.

They know a player when they see one, and Carson is a player.

Anyone who has covered a high school football game can tell you the linemen, on each side of the ball, are the hardest cats to keep an eye on.

You don’t get the benefit of statistics from a school employee or a statistician.

Keeping the numbers is on you.

Throw in the fact almost every stat focuses on the ball carriers, and it’s easy to see why the little guys grab most of your attention, keeping the big guys away from the spotlight.

However, you can’t help but notice two-gap plugs with impressive wheels such as Carson and Jackson.

Last season, I saw Jackson reach over the top of a doubleteam to grab hold of an opposing quarterback’s jersey in the backfield and hold onto his jersey with two guys trying to push him backward — until Jackson’s teammates converged to complete the tackle for a loss.

In another game, I saw him pivot and chase down speedy quarterback Mitch Stults from behind to make a leaping tackle.

By God’s grace, Stults lived to play another down.

You can entertain yourself with Carson’s five-minute highlight clip from the “OxfordYellowJackets” YouTube page online. It’s all the proof you’ll need to see he’s more than a promising prospect.

I strongly suggest checking each of these guys out before the fall is over. It’ll certainly be the last time you can do it for less than $10.

Unless you know someone who can get you into a practice for free.

Nick Birdsong covers prep sports for The Star. He can be reached at 256-2353575 or nbirdsong@annistonstar.com

Located at polar ends of Calhoun County, Piedmont’s Mickey Jackson (pictured above) and Oxford’s Allen Carson (below) — each listed at 6 -1, 308 pounds — are two such players. They’re two of the best nose tackles in the state, the Southeast, and probably the country.

Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star/File