High School Football 2012 Preview by Consolidated Publishing Co.

2 / august 2012

>> 2012 football preview

whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside high school

>> Jacksonville Christian Academy / >> Jacksonville High School / >> Piedmont High School /

>> Pleasant Valley High School / >> Spring Garden High School / >> White Plains High School / anita kilgore// ABOVE: Piedmont High School varsity football head coach Steve Smith talks strategy with quarterbacks Cade Bradley and Tyler Lusk. >> See Piedmont Bulldogs on page 14. anita kilgore// BELOW: White Plains High School varsity football head coach Heath Harmon and quarterback Dale Reddick. >> See White Plains Wildcats on page 33.

page

college

>> Jacksonville State University / >> Auburn University /

page

>> University of Alabama / >> SEC Schedules /

page

38 page

on the cover

JHS Head coach Clint Smith // Photo by anita kilgore

to all area schools for a safe and successful 2012 season!

The Jacksonville Golden Eagles head into the 2012 football season with a new coach, new schemes and a new team. First year head coach Clint Smith has created quite a buzz in the city of Jacksonville.

>> 2012 football preview

august 2012 / 3

ANITA KILGORE // Jacksonville Christian Academy varsity football team, manager, and coaches.

Small Thunder team expects good attitude to bring big things By PAIGE RENTZ Consolidated News Service The Jacksonville Christian Academy football team is always on the small side, but this year its 18-man roster is shorter than usual. “We are very, very thin this year,” said head coach Tommy Miller. “We don’t have a lot of depth any year because of the size school we are, but this year we probably have less than we’ve ever had.” Of Miller’s 18 players, four of them are seventh and eighth graders. Miller said he’s got talent on his team. “We’ve got six or seven guys that are pretty good players, we just don’t have the numbers to fill in spots that we need filled in,” he said This means is that his

players have to work that much harder to keep the field manned and make it through four quarters. “We have had good practice,” he said. “I can’t complain about the attitude and effort they’ve put in so far.” Junior Tyler Morales, 16, said he pretty much plays the whole game. It can be tough, he said, but hard work at practice gets him and his teammates conditioned to handle playing offense, defense and special teams. “As long as you do your job, your teammates do their job,” he said, “it’s not that bad as long as you’re in condition.” Miller said that his sophomore quarterback Daylon Brackett is making good effort to step up and lead as head of the offense and noted senior

Seth Posey has stepping up to lead on the line. Coming off a 4-6 record in 2011, Posey said he expects the hard preseason work of the team to pay off in a pretty good season this year, despite a regional realignment that left the Thunder in what some speculate will be a tighter spot. “Some say it’s a tougher region, but we left a region with tough teams in it,” he said. Miller said he has no anticipations for his team in the coming weeks. “We’re going to take it one step at a time.” But his players are more willing to assess their prospects. “People look at us and say we’re the underdogs,” said Morales, “but as long as you play together, you can do anything.”

ANITA KILGORE // Head coach Tommy Miller talks strategy with quarterback

Daylon Brackett.

4 / august 2012

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JCA Cheerleaders start off bigger and better By PAIGE RENTZ Consolidated News Service The Jacksonville Christian Academy Cheerleading Squad has grown into a larger group and is ready to go this year. With a large squad of 15 girls (rather than the usual 12) and the addition of Bolt, the new mascot for the Thunder, sponsor Anna Messer is expecting a great year. Messer said she’s had a great deal of outside help from parents and former cheerleaders Brooke Lee and Courtney Coleman, who are helping to train the squad for building stunts. Currently the squad does not compete in competitions, but Messer said that could be in their future. Messer said her squad isn’t putting their energies into improving in any specific area. “We’re focusing on the Lord,” she said, “and everything else will fall into place.” Courtney Russaw, a 16-year-old senior, said she was looking forward to cheering on the football team as the fall season begins. “It’s just fun,” she said. Karoline Worman, 17, is new to the squad after sitting out last year because she moved to JCA from Jacksonville High School. As a senior, she wants to finish off her high school years participating in both cheering and volleyball. “I just hope we have a good year,” she said. “I’m excited because it’s my last sea-

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son and I really enjoy cheering every year. I’m excited to see the football team win some games,” said senior Maggie Ray, 18. Senior cheerleader Jordan Parker, 17, said she’s really looking forward to the addition of a mascot. “That should be fun, incorporating him into the games and stuff, getting everybody pumped Anna Messer up,” she said. “And I know the younger kids will love him.” Parker said she’s hoping for a smoother year this year, and said the squad is looking forward to giving God all the glory for their success “because it’s only through his grace that we’re out here today.” She pointed to 1 Timothy 4:12, which reads, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” “That’s my prayer for our squad this year and for the school,” she said.

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5 / august 2012

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ANITA KILGORE // 2012 JCA Varsity Cheerleaders. (Front row left to right) Maya Cunningham, Emma Howell,

Karoline Worman, Jordan Blake Parker, Maggie Ray, Courtney Russaw and Calley Compton. (Back row left to right) Danna-Leigh Swindall, Tristen Bowers, Elysabeth Morales, Chelsea Butler, Sierra Sharpe, Olivia Hurst, Rachel Russaw and Kaeli McCormack.

anita kilgore // JCA has a new mascot this year, BOLT, Caleb Williams.

thunder 2012 Schedule Aug 31 Sept 7 Sept 14 Sept 21 Sept 28 Oct. 5 Oct 12 Oct 19 Oct 26 Nov 2

Woodville (R) Collinsville (R) Donoho (R) Cedar Bluff (R) Spring Garden (R) Gaylesville (R) Valley Head (R) Coosa Christian (R) ASD Shades Mt. Christian

HOME home away home AWAY AWAY HOME away away home

anita kilgore // JCA senior football players and cheerleaders.

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6 / august 2012

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ANITA KILGORE // Jacksonville High School varsity football team

Golden Eagles head into season with excitement New coach, new schemes, new team

By Lori Tippets Sports Writer First year head coach Clint Smith has created quite a buzz in the city of Jacksonville. Excitement for the upcoming football season is apparent everywhere. The band is talking about it, the cheerleaders are talking about it, people in the community and most importantly, the players are all excited about the upcoming season. Many feel that this could be the year that Jacksonville makes it to the playoffs, something they haven’t done since 2009. Coach Smith knows that making the playoffs won’t be an easy task. He is in one of the toughest, if not the toughest region in all of the state’s football alignments.

The Class 4A Region 5 has the likes of Anniston, Cleburne County, Alexandria, Cherokee County, Hokes Bluff, Munford, Lincoln and Jacksonville. “There is a lot of tradition in this region,” said Smith. “We will be playing teams that are used to winning. Everybody in this region has either played for or won a state championship at some point in their school history. “We will be playing teams that expect to win every game. What we’ve got to do is we’ve got to go in with the mindset of playing the best we can play. We know if we can come out of this region and get into the playoffs we’ll be battle tested. We won’t see anything in the playoffs that we won’t see every week.” Even the non-region games

will be tough weeks for the Golden Eagles who will start off the season at Pleasant Valley. In week five Jacksonville will take on Weaver for homecoming and then will end the regular season at home against Coach Smith’s old team, Saks. Smith is used to winning. He has taken his former Saks team to the playoffs three of the last five years. He knows what it takes to win and he knows the challenges ahead of him. One of the biggest challenges facing Smith right now is working with a team that has 45 players, most of them new to the program. Smith is dealing with having to replace six to seven guys on both sides of the ball. continued on page 7

golden eagles 2012 Schedule Aug 30

Pleasant Valley

away

Sept 7

Hokes Bluff (R)

HOME

Sept 14

Cherokee County (R)

AWAY

Sept 21

Munford (R)

HOME

Sept 28

Weaver

HOME

Oct 5

Anniston (R)

AWAY

Oct 12

Lincoln (R)

away

Oct 19

Cleburne County (R)

HOME

Oct 26

Alexandria (R)

AWAY

Nov 2

Saks

home

>> 2012 football preview

august 2012 / 7

EAGLES: Will start the season on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Pleasant Valley from page 6

The Golden Eagles are not necessarily a young team, with 11 seniors and 18 juniors, but they are a very inexperienced team. One of the big questions for the Golden Eagles will be how junior Jackson Bell adapts at quarterback. Bell will be taking his first varsity snaps at quarterback. Backup to Bell will be Lavontae Lacount, another junior who saw time at quarterback last year when Forrest Pearson suffered a season ending injury. Returning starter Dominique Thomas will be at running back. Thomas is big and strong and the Eagles will rely heavily on him. Also in the backfield will be Savon Parker, another big running back who the Eagles will look to to get the job done. At receivers will be newcomers Payton and Tanner Sims, Andrew Clingan, Sid Thurmond, Miles Clark and returnee Elijah Cunningham. Seniors Donovan Cypress and Alex Rowan, two linemen who started last year will anchor the line with Kyle Reeves at center and Josh Barnes and Reid Hobbs at guard. On defense Coach Smith is looking for a lot of leadership from senior safety Jared Tippets. Tippets has the most experience of the seniors having played on special teams in the ninth grade and has started since the 10th grade. “Jared has played every year and brings a lot of experience,” said Smith. “He’s very knowledgeable of the game and makes good decisions. He’s like the quarterback of our defense. He has to make sure people are getting where they need to be. He’s done a great job with that. It’s been a big adjustment for him with this defense moving around a lot.” At the corners will be two other experienced players, Sid Thurmond and Elijah Cunningham. Senior Nate Whaley, another first time player will also play at the corner. At the linebacker position will be Lavontae LaCount, Andrew Clingan, Malik Reed, Savon Parker, Kevin Reese and Tanner Sims. The defensive line will be manned by senior Trey Morris at nose guard, Cameron Siders and Tristan Yates. Smith is expecting a lot from his defense as they have the experience, whereas there are no senior skill players on offense. “I’m looking for those guys to show a lot of leadership because we have so many new players and those guys have played and are more veteran players. I’m really looking for them to step up.” The players are trying to learn a new offense as Coach Smith runs the spread. “We have the ability to go really fast or go slow. We won’t go fast all the time but we have that capability. We’re going to run first but want to be multi-dimensional. “On defense we will be in a 3-5 attack style defense with lots of movement, lots of blitzes. We want to cause a lot of confusion for the opposing offense.” Coach Smith has the advantage of having brought four coaches with him from Saks to help the players learn his game plan. Jamison Edwards, the offensive co-coordinator has been with Smith for seven years and coaches the quarterbacks. Marcus Albright is the defensive co-coordinator. Albright played his senior year at Saks for Smith and then helped at Saks while he attended college. After a years stint at Oxford Albright came back to Saks. Cordell Hunt works with the special teams, the secondary and running backs. C.J. Boyd, who coached at Jacksonville before going to Saks, is back with the Golden Eagles coaching the offensive line and outside linebackers.

ANITA KILGORE // Jacksonville High School varsity football coaches. (Front) Head Coach Clint Smith. ( Back Row from left), Ed Canady, Marcus Albright, C.J. Boyd, Thomas Jamison Edwards and Cordell V. Hunt.

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8 / august 2012

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Jacksonville High cheerleaders ready to pump it up By Lori Tippets Sports Writer

Christy Vice, starting her 15th season as cheerleading sponsor at Jacksonville High School, has sensed the renewed excitement over football with the addition of new Head Coach Clint Smith. “There’s a sense of excitement and spirit and I hope it turns into Sponsor fans in the stands,” said Vice. Christy Vice Hoping to lead the fans into a flurry of cheers to encourage the football players are 12 JHS cheerleaders, seven of them in their first year of cheering. “We’ve had to step it up this year,” admits Vice. “With so many new and so many first timers we’ve had to go through and do a building, teaching cheers to people who were very new. It has taken a lot of patience from the returnees. We’ve had to break up into small groups with those who are returning helping out the new girls, but they’re eager to learn.” For the first time in several years the JHS cheerleaders attended the Universal Cheerleading Academy camp at Auburn University where the squad won

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superior ribbons in cheer and dance. At the three day camp the squad would break into classes to learn new cheers and chants, dances and had team building exercises. The cheerleaders had a lot of bonding time as they would spend a lot of time at the pool and hot tub when the day was over. This year’s captain is Natalie Gunter, in her second year of cheering with Co-captain Haley Turley who is in her third year. “Natalie has stepped up and taken charge,” said Vice of her captain. The two of them will work real well together. Where one is outspoken the other will make up in organization. They will do a great job.” New to cheerleading this year are two JHS soccer players, Kaila Green, a senior and sophomore Ashton Wells. In their first year as varsity cheerleaders are junior Pooja Revanna and sophomores Taylor Carter, Michelle Crow, Anna Sides and Ayeala Jackson. Second year returnees are juniors Madison Burroughs, Sarah Holcombe and Madison Murray. Vice says her squad is, “Eager to do well and is looking forward to a new year. This has a lot to do with Coach Smith and the excitement he’s bringing to the whole thing.”

ANITA KILGORE // Jacksonville High School varsity senior cheerleaders. (From left) Kaila Green, Natalie Gunter and Haley Turley.

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august 2012 / 9

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ANITA KILGORE // Jacksonville High School varsity cheerleading squad. (Front row from left) Sarah Holcombe, Kaila Green, Natalie Gunter, Haley Turley and Taylor Carter. (Back row from left) Ayeala Jackson, Madison Murray, Madison Burroughs, Anna Sides, Michelle Crow, Ashton Wells and Pooja Revanna.

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Experienced seniors to lead band BY LORI TIPPETS Sports Correspondent Jacksonville High School will showcase 100 members in their band this year, a number that is very high for a Class 4A school. Leading the way for the Golden Eagles will be a senior class that is 20 members strong in the band, to include drum majors Andrew Record and Daniel O’Donnell. Band director Jeff Gossett, who is starting his 21st year at JHS, 25th as a band director, knows he has something special with his senior class. “You can really tell the maturity in the program,” said Gossett of his band led by all the seniors. “They all have been with me pretty much the whole time. They just know what to do and they get it done. They don’t really even have to ask for permission, they just do it. When they leave there will be a huge hole because that much leadership will just be gone.”

Record and O’Donnell makes things run even smoother for Gossett and the band. This is the third year that Record has been drum major, almost unheard of in band circles. O’Donnell is entering his second year as drum major. “They are doing a fantastic job,” said Gossett of Record and O’Donnell. “They just come in and take over and do what they need to do. It’s a band director’s dream; it’s like having two assistants. Andrew has started arranging tunes for the band to play in the stands at football games and they come in and they make copies for the kids and make sure people have what they need. They also go out and line the field for me.” The theme for the Golden Eagles halftime show this year is “Some like it hot” from the old movie with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. The band will start out with “Heat Seeker” and then will move into a medley of three songs. The medley will feature the JHS Showstoppers, with the first song, “Burn it to the ground” featur-

ing the color guard, the second song will spotlight the dance line with “Hot Stuff” and finally the third song will feature the majorettes with “Great Balls of Fire.” The majorettes will entertain with fire batons. The band will close their halftime show with “Hot, Hot, Hot,” a Buster Poindexter tune from the 80’s. “The halftime show will be a lot of fun, it will be a lively show,” reports Gossett. “The kids love it; they are having a good time with it.” The show will also have special effects that are still being worked out. The band started band camp on July 30 and worked hard for two weeks. “The eighth graders came in cold and they really caught on and took off with it,” says Gossett. “They all work hard and have a good time being around each other. It’s so uncommon to see 100 kids that don’t bicker. They all get along so well.” Gossett says that for him he is always reminded about what his responsibility

is. “I never forget what my role is and the name, ‘Band Director’ fits because you’re not really pulling them along you show them where to go and they just do it. “You sell them on the point that this is a performance, you have to perform, and you have to practice.” The band will be debuting new uniforms, or at least the jacket, on hopefully the second home game. The band will be competing in the Weaver contest, the Oneonta contest and maybe even a later competition in the year, as well as participate in the JSU homecoming parade and the Christmas parade. Gossett, who keeps coming back year after year, says he does so because of his love for the kids. The feeling is reciprocated because the students keep coming back year after year to be led by Mr. Gossett. continued on page 11

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august 2012 / 11

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Member of the band are: ChastiAbernathy, Matthew Allen, Emily Ausborn, Erin Ballard, Nathan Ballard, Regina Barnard, Ashley Barry, Laura Barry, Cailley Blanks, Willow Blanks, Catherine Boudousquie, Philip Brandow, Abigail Bryan, Madison Burrell, William Butner, William Cain, Cristen Chandler, Eric Cline, Katherine Cline, William Cole, Daniel Davis, James Davis, Kennedy Delap, Erin Dempsey, John Dempsey, Alexander East, Anna Elam, Bryan Elam, Carson Franks, Lacy Fritner, Mikeal Giles, Michael Godwin, Edra Ha, Allsion Hamilton, John David Hamilton, John Heintzelman, Samantha Higgins, Lindsey Honaker, Ariel Hosmer, Thomas Hosmer, Kahlil Jackson, Jameisha Johnson, Lauren Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Elizabeth Keefer, Harley King, Brooke Kozinski, Evan Kozinski, Lakshmi Krishnaprasad, Claeb Kuntsmann, Brandy Lee, Jada Lowery, Mikayla Ludwig, Morgan Manners, Katherine McCutcheon, Landon McFall, Caitlin Minnick, Cailin

Mize, Morgan Moore, Kayla Moss, Hannah Nelson, Sarah Kathryn Norris, Daniel O’Donnell, Rhett Parris, Caroline Peevy, Giovanni Porter, Benjamin Pryor, Alexandria Ramsay, Andrew Record, Samantha Roberson, Shawn Roberson, Aniyah Robinson, Kenneth Satcher, Kenya Satcher, Savannah Satcher, Clay Smith, Alyce Sparrowhawk, Chandler Sparrowhawk, Benjamin Speer, Spencer Stephens, Matthew Stone, Cindy Tang, Maria Trifas, Rebecca Ulrich, Hannah Underhill, Christian Watts, Denard Whetsone, Christopher White, Jonathon Williams, Jacob Wilson, Paul Wright and Lillie Zech. The color guard consists of: Emilee Arledge, Alanna Austin, Shakia Clark, Kierra Davis, Kelsey Ervin, Zaria Gamble, Leah George, Gerryka Gilbert, Sydney Harden, Tarribian Harris, Ashley Haynes, Becky Heintzelman, Seryta Hervey, Mahlaisha Jones, Donnesha Little, Shantaylor Looney, Shakiah Michell, Victoria Paige, Destiny Parchman, Abby

Scheuling, Symbol Swain, Zahria Teague and Sara Welch. Members of the dance line are: Caley Cole, Haley Cotton, Harley Croft, Ambria Davis, Kiara Ervin, Brianna Graham, Kira Kingston, O. Brendell Nix, Shea O’Donnell, Lydia Pass, Mia Smith, ShaCoya Teague, Ashley Thomas and Celisa Walton. Section leaders for the band are: Flutes - Lakshmi Krishnaprasad, Cathy Boudousquie; Clarinets - Katie

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McCutcheon, Lillie Zech; Saxophones - Spencer Stephens, Matthew Allen, Denard Whetstone; Trumpets - Jake Wilson, Hannah Nelson, Emily Ausborn; Mellophone - Will Cole; Low Brass Shawn Roberson, Sarah Kate Norris, Carson Franks; Percussion - Brooke Kozinski, Jonathan Williams, Hannah Underhill; Color Guard - Victoria Paige, Becky Heintzelman; Majorettes - Caroline Peevy, Tia Pendleton; Danceline - Cailee Cole, Celisa Walton. Accidents happen. But with Alfa™, you don’t have to worry. With offices right in your community and claims service that customers rate among the best in the country, Alfa will have you back on the road in no time. Let us show you how we can save you money and frustration. Call Alfa®.

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lori tippets // ABOVE Jacksonville High School drum majors Andrew Record and Daniel O’Donnell lead the band into the stadium before last week’s jamboree game.

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12 / august 2012

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lori tippets // LEFT: The Golden Eagle Band .ABOVE: The 2012 Showstoppers

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august 2012 / 13

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2012 SEC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Team

Sept. 1

Sept. 8

Sept. 15

Sept. 22

Sept. 29

MICHIGAN Arlington, Texas

WESTERN KENTUCKY

ARKANSAS Fayetteville

FLORIDA ATLANTIC Tuscaloosa

OLE MISS Tuscaloosa

JACKSONVILLE STATE Fayetteville

LOUISIANAMONROE Little Rock

ALABAMA Fayetteville

RUTGERS Fayetteville

TEXAS A&M College Station

AUBURN

CLEMSON Atlanta

MISS. STATE Starkville

LOUISIANAMONROE Auburn

FLORIDA

BOWLING GREEN Gainesville

TEXAS A&M College Station

GEORGIA

BUFFALO Athens

MISSOURI Columbia

KENTUCKY

LOUISVILLE Louisville (Sept. 2)

KENT STATE Lexington

NORTH TEXAS Baton Rouge

WASHINGTON

ALABAMA

ARKANSAS

LSU

Tuscaloosa

Oct. 6

Oct. 13

Oct. 20

Oct. 27

Nov. 3

Nov. 10

Nov. 17

Nov. 24

MISSOURI Columbia

TENNESSEE Knoxville

MISSISSIPPI STATE Tuscaloosa

LSU Baton Rouge

TEXAS A&M Tuscaloosa

WESTERN CAROLINA Tuscaloosa

AUBURN Tuscaloosa

OLE MISS Little Rock

TULSA Fayetteville

SOUTH CAROLINA Columbia

MISSISSIPPI STATE Starkville

LSU Fayetteville (Nov. 23)

AUBURN Auburn

KENTUCKY Fayetteville

LSU Auburn

ARKANSAS Auburn

OLE MISS Oxford

VANDERBILT Nashville

TEXAS A&M Auburn

NEW MEXICO STATE Auburn

GEORGIA Auburn

ALABAMA A&M Auburn

ALABAMA Tuscaloosa

TENNESSEE Knoxville

KENTUCKY Gainesville

LSU Gainesville

VANDERBILT Nashville

SOUTH CAROLINA Gainesville

GEORGIA Jacksonville

MISSOURI Gainesville

LOUISIANALAFAYETTE Gainesville

JACKSONVILLE STATE Gainesville

FLORIDA STATE Tallahassee

FLORIDA ATLANTIC Athens

VANDERBILT Athens

TENNESSEE Athens

SOUTH CAROLINA Columbia

KENTUCKY Lexington

FLORIDA Jacksonville

OLE MISS Athens

AUBURN Auburn

GEORGIA SOUTHERN Athens

GEORGIA TECH Athens

FLORIDA Gainesville

SOUTH CAROLINA Lexington

MISSISSIPPI STATE Lexington

ARKANSAS Fayetteville

GEORGIA Lexington

MISSOURI Columbia

VANDERBILT Lexington

SAMFORD Lexington

TENNESSEE Knoxville

Baton Rouge

IDAHO Baton Rouge

AUBURN Auburn

TOWSON Baton Rouge

FLORIDA Gainesville

SOUTH CAROLINA Baton Rouge

TEXAS A&M College Station

UTEP

TEXAS

TULANE

Oxford

New Orleans

ALABAMA Tuscaloosa

TEXAS A&M Oxford

AUBURN Oxford

KENTUCKY Lexington

TENNESSEE Starkville

WESTERN KENTUCKY Lexington

ALABAMA Baton Rouge

MISSISSIPPI STATE Baton Rouge

OLE MISS Baton Rouge

ARKANSAS Fayetteville (Nov. 23)

ARKANSAS Little Rock

GEORGIA Athens

VANDERBILT Oxford

LSU Baton Rouge

MISSISSIPPI STATE Oxford

ALABAMA Tuscaloosa

TEXAS A&M Starkville

LSU Baton Rouge

ARKANSAS Starkville

OLE MISS Oxford

KENTUCKY Columbia

FLORIDA Gainesville

TENNESSEE Knoxville

SYRACUSE Columbia

TEXAS A&M College Station

ARKANSAS Columbia

WOFFORD Columbia

CLEMSON Clemson

OLE MISS

CENTRAL ARKANSAS Oxford

MISSISSIPPI STATE

JACKSON STATE Starkville

AUBURN Starkville

TROY Troy

SOUTH ALABAMA Starkville

SE LOUISIANA Columbia

GEORGIA Columbia

ARIZONA STATE Columbia

SOUTH CAROLINA Columbia, SC

CENTRAL FLORIDA Orlando

VANDERBILT Columbia

ALABAMA Columbia

VANDERBILT

EAST CAROLINA Columbia

UAB Columbia

MISSOURI Columbia, SC

KENTUCKY Lexington

GEORGIA Columbia

LSU Baton Rouge

FLORIDA Gainesville

TENNESSEE Columbia

FLORIDA Knoxville

AKRON Knoxville

GEORGIA Athens

MISSISSIPPI STATE Starkville

ALABAMA Knoxville

SOUTH CAROLINA Columbia

TROY Knoxville

MISSOURI Knoxville

VANDERBILT Nashville

KENTUCKY Knoxville

SMU Dallas

S.C. STATE College Station

ARKANSAS College Station

LSU College Station

AUBURN Auburn

MISSISSIPPI STATE Starkville

ALABAMA Tuscaloosa

SAM HOUSTON STATE College Station

MISSOURI College Station

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14 / august 2012

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anita kilgore // Piedmont High School varsity football team, coaches and cheerleaders

Piedmont looking for another state crown Coach Steve Smith anticipates a successful year

By rip donOvan Sports Correspondant Some 85 football seasons came and went at Piedmont before the Bulldogs claimed their first state championship in 2009. No one in Piedmont wants to wait that long for a second state title. Now, as the 2012 season rapidly approaches, Piedmont partisans are thinking another Class 3A championship banner could join the one already hanging at the school. Head football coach Steve Smith has done nothing to lessen expectations. “I will say without hesitation, we have the talent on this football team to play deep into the playoffs,” Smith said following a recent practice. “Now, me saying it doesn’t get us there. We have to, obviously, go about our business and do what we’re supposed to do because we’re going to have to earn it. Nobody’s going to give us anything. I feel very confident in our team when I say that I feel like it could be one of the very best teams that I’ve been the coach of.” This year, the Bulldogs will dress 66 players on Friday nights. Of that number, 22 are seniors and 22 are freshmen. The junior and sophomore classes combined account for the remaining 22. A number of experienced players return, particularly on defense. Smith said that level of experience has allowed Piedmont’s coaches to accelerate the pace at which components of the offense and defense have been installed. “You’ve got a lot of kids that are starting for the third year and then you’ve got Jamie (Major) and Marquez

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(Gamble) who are starting for their fourth year. … Some of these guys have been three-year starters and therefore they’ve played a ton of football. … They’ve played an extra season just in playoff games in the last three years,” said Smith. If there is truth to the football adage ‘Defense wins championships’, and Smith believes there is, Piedmont enters the season on a positive note.

“To be a championship caliber team, you have to play great defense. I feel like this could potentially be the best defensive team I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach,” said Smith. “We’ve got good size and strength and quickness on the front with lots of experience. We’ve got some really good linebackers and we’ve got a talented and fast secondary. That allows us to do some things and move some people around and give some people some different looks. Those ingredients all mesh together, give you an opportunity to create some big plays on the defensive side.” Early in Piedmont’s intra-squad scrimmage on August 17, the defense dominated. That most of the Bulldogs’ defensive players also practice as offensive players and know the plays may have helped. The offense is still working to replace three interior linemen lost to graduation and that contributed. Still, the defense gave every indication it could make any play that needed to be made. “At this point in time most teams will tell you their defense is ahead of their offense. I think in our case our offense has made some strides toward narrowing the gap but our defense certainly is what we’re going to hang our hat on here early in the season. … I think being able to play good defense will keep us around in the games and offensively we’ve got to continue to work and improve so that we can be able to put enough points on the board to win the game. I think that by the time the season gets

continued on page 15

15 / august 2012

>> 2012 football preview

in full swing our offense and defense will be complimenting each other well,” Smith predicted. There is also good news in the kicking game where Dillon Terry returns to kick field goals and extra points and Cade Bradley returns as punter. Smith also expects lots of production from special teams in the return game. Denard Spears and C.J. Savage will return punts. On kickoffs, Cody Daughtry, Darnell Jackson and Dreek Thompson will handle the returns. Before Smith’s arrival as head coach prior to the 2006 season, Piedmont had not been in the AHSAA playoffs in six years. In Smith’s six years at the helm, there have been six playoff appearances with at least two playoff victories in each of the last five seasons. One key to Smith’s success is his ability to identify, and willingness to play, younger players who can contribute. Gamble and Major are examples in this year’s senior class. Daughtry was that kind of player last year as was Thompson. In Smith’s first season at Piedmont, then-freshman Chase Childers was the quarterback who entered the game on Piedmont’s third possession. In Smith’s second year, freshman Mickey Jackson became a part of the rotation in the defensive line. “I think it just takes a kid that’s got that kind of competitive drive to them,” Smith said. “They’re not intimidated by their age. They don’t feel inferior because they’re young.” He finds them because he makes a point of being aware that they may be out there and he knows what attributes he’s seeking. “You can tell. I watch locker room demeanor and weight room attitude. Sometimes a young guy might be very talented but you’ll watch him, he’ll stay in the back on all the drills, he’ll stay in the back in the weight room,” Smith said. “Every now and then you get that one guy and he doesn’t care to jump out there first. A lot of times the mannerisms are going stand out to me.” While Smith is always on watch for a freshman or sophomore who can help the Bulldogs he also shows patience with late bloomers. The Bulldogs seemingly always benefit significantly from seniors of whom little was expected when they were younger. That happens because Smith is able to keep players on the squad, working consistently to improve, who become key contributors as seniors. “The thing that you sell to your players is, everybody’s got a part and a role. What has

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happened is … they’ve played a lot of games on Monday nights on the ‘B’ team level. We’ve tried to work them in on the varsity Friday nights when possible,” said Smith. “I think they realize that they get better at practice a lot times by going against our guys. So when their junior year, senior rolls around and they pop on the scene or something its not like they’ve been just sitting on their helmet for two years. They’ve been working hard and making strides and making progress, playing seven games or so on Monday night, maybe getting in five or six more on Friday night. They realize how hard they worked all year long in the weight room. I think they just want to be a part. The best characteristic about these kids I’ve had, they’re so unselfish.” There is no question in Smith’s mind that these late-bloomers are a key to Piedmont’s recent success. “I think that’s part of what makes us successful and that’s what helps you overcome significant graduation loss,” Smith said of those who have waited their turn, a phrase he considers inaccurate. “I hate to use the terminology ‘waiting their turn’ because I’m sure most of them if they could take a spot a year early that’s what they really want to do. They’re not waiting their turn willingly. They just maybe have somebody in front of them that’s a little bit better but they keep a great attitude and work hard. That’s what makes it so rewarding to me.” At Piedmont, hard work and improvement are rewarded. Maybe its an opportunity to give a starter a series of rest on the sideline while the reserve plays with the other starters. Maybe it’s a place on one of the special teams units. “I just think there’re some ways that (when) these kids continue to progress and improve that they know if they catch our eye in practice that they may get an opportunity on Friday nights,” Smith said. With Smith now in his seventh year as head football coach, no player on the current squad knows any way different than Smith’s way. “I think those kids that will be standing on the sidelines on Friday nights this year, they’ve watched it and they know that if they do what they’re supposed to do then next year they could be that guy,” Smith said. “I think that’s the difference in having a program and having a team. Not much has changed in how we do stuff in the last seven years. It’s just now you’ve got a group coming through that that’s all they know.”

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anita kilgore // Piedmont High School senior football players and cheerleaders.

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anita kilgore // Piedmont High School varsity football coaches. (Kneeling from left) James Blanchard, Head Coach Steve Smith, Oscar Bonds and Mark Mitchell. (Standing from left) Kevin Bedwell, Horace Bramblett, Matt Glover, Patrick Walker and Everett Kelley.

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18 / august 2012

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A new start to a new season

PHS cheerleaders get a new leader By eddie burkhalter News Editor, Piedmont Journal It’s not always easy being the new kid on the block. That goes for cheer coaches too. But for second grade teacher at Piedmont Elementary, Mandy Barber, who took over for outgoing Piedmont cheer Sandra Akin, the transition has been smooth. “I can see that the girls are well prepared for the new season and a new coach,” barber said. The Piedmont native, and six-year cheerleader, Barber was head cheerleader in her senior year at PHS. She said she loves the town and the school system, and is proud to BARBER

continued on page

ANITA KILGORE // PHS 2012 varsity cheerleaders. Back row left to right: Marley Harper, Tracie Donaldson, Sara Martin, Sara Beth Minton, Savannah Grimes and Savannah Tant. Front row left to right: Alexis Byers, Briania Wallace, Gena Prater and Kaci Johnson.

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New show, new instruments By eddie burkhalter News Editor, Piedmont Journal

It’s like building a skyscraper from scratch each year, the work of a band director and his performers, coming up with a new routine and laying a foundation of practice that ensures the finished product is what the director envisioned. Piedmont High School Band director Jamie Thomas said over the summer band members poured themselves into their practices, learning the new numbers and putting in those long, hot summer afternoons getting the steps and turns right. There will be about 75 Blue Knights taking the field on the first game, which is close to last year’s number, Thomas said. He’s been extremely impressed with their effort, and said he’s expecting a great year. “I think we’ve got a mature group of kids. There are still a lot of youngsters, but their work ethic, they way they’re coming to practice and practicing outside of school, I just see more effort overall from these kids,” Thomas said. The theme of this years’ halftime show is “The colors of music” and will feature songs like “Paint it black”, “Yellow submarine”, “Devil wears a blue dress” and a

fusion of “True colors” and “Somewhere over the rainbow”. And the hard work comes with a payoff. Recently, Thomas received a shipment of 12 new wind instruments, part of an overall plan to replace every school instrument in the band. Last year, the band received all new marching percussion and Thomas expects more to be coming throughout the school year. “The instruments we have now have been in the program for 25 years plus,” Thomas said. The board of education and Superintendent Matt Akin agreed to spend close to $70,000, Thomas said, in new instruments. “Whereas a lot of band programs are getting shut down or loosing funding, here we are buying $70,000 worth of instruments. It’s so refreshing to be where we are the schools and parents make that kind of commitment to make our band better. It’s be a big uplift for us.” Not simply happy with investing in athletics – the renovated football stadium – or in academics – the laptop initiative – the school board say fit to invest in the kids who spend hours every summer, under the hot sun, practicing what they love. “That’s the way our kids feel about it. They see the commitment being made to them as well. That’s the best thing about our school system: Everybody has bought

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into wanting our school system to be the best,” Thomas said. “The kids see people taking an interest in them, and wanting them to be better. It’s been good for the program all together.” ‘I’m so grateful for all the support our parents give us, and our school system. I can’t say enough about the board of education and Mr. Akin chipping in to make the instrument purchase a reality,” Thomas said. The inaugural Chief Ladiga Marching festival is scheduled to take place on The Field of THOMAS Champions Oct. 13. Already, six marching bands have signed on to attend the festival, and Thomas said he’s like to see at the most, 15 bands at the event. “Hopefully, we’re going to showcase some of the best bands in this area, including bands from Georgia. We’re hoping to get a good mix of Alabama and Georgia marching bands,” Thomas said. “This is something we want our community to become involved with.”

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CHEERLEADERS from page 18

anita kilgore // PHS marching band seniors. Allison Wood, Sarah McWhorter, Kendal Garrett, Skianna Smith, Hannah Brown, Tiffani Pike, Calla Pope, Lauren Fortenberry, Timmy Byers, Alyssandra Darrisaw, Hunter Mobley (Not pictured: Taylor Floyd)

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be able to teach and coach cheerleading in the place where she grew up. The 11 Varsity, 4 junior varsity and 16 Junior High cheerleaders spent the summer putting in the work necessary to make this season a good one, Barber said. All three squads attended Universal Cheerleading Association summer camps at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “All of the squads won several superior ribbons, and the Varsity Squad were named Cheer Champs and won third place for their dance routine,” Barber said. “We also had a two-day home camp for the competition squad.” The competition cheer squad also worked with former Piedmont cheerleader Taylor Ford over the summer to help prepare them for their competitions, Barber said. The first will be held Oct. 21 at Gadsden City High School. The varsity squad this year has nine returning varsity members and two new cheerleaders. Out of the four junior varsity squad members one is a returning member. And Barber isn’t the only new cheer coach at Piedmont this year. Piedmont High School math teacher Kim Hanson will be coaching the 16 cheerleaders on the junior high squad. “Mrs. Hanson and I are really excited about the year and working with such a great group of talented young ladies,” Barber said. “We are ready to cheer on the bulldogs.”

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Anita kilgore // Piedmont High School Blue Knights Marching Band

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anita kilgore // Blue Knights marching band dance line. Allison Wood, Sarah McWhorter, Hannah Brown, Tiffani Pike, Joyce Pleze, Lauren Fortenberry, Maddie Naugher and Skianna Smith. (Not pictured: Morgan Watkins)

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Bulldog color guard

anita kilgore // ABOVE Pleasant Valley cheerleaders for the 2021 season are, front row from left, Ashley Drury, Blakeli Bolt, captain, and Chelsea Ward. Middle row from left, Kayla Davis, Destiney Spears and Melinda Greenwood. Back row from left, Cameron Glass, co-captain, Dixie Smith, Brittany Yancey, Allie Battles, Megan Tillison, Destiny Barthel and Wes Sears, mascot.

anita kilgore // TOP Blue Knights marching band color guard, Tiffany Prater, Kendal Garrett, Felicia Bullock, Calla Pope, Kayla Brown, Morgan Wolfe, Mackenzie Hightower, Adrienne Garmon, Chole Barnes and Sydney Ford. RIGHT Blue Knights marching band drum major, Andrew Posey.

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Pleasant Valley has 12 members on the cheerleading squad this year, six of them sophomores. The upper classmen, four seniors and two juniors must have been working hard to bring the younger ones along as the Raiders captured the overall leadership award, all superior ribbons and the overall spirit stick at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) camp held at Panama City Beach, Fla., this past June. The squad competed in the overall extreme routine dance competition, cheer competition, and home pom evaluation.

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Because of their accomplishments the squad was invited to participate in the Capital One Bowl at Walt Disney World in December. Senior captain Blakeli Bolt, junior cocaptain Cameron Glass and mascot Wes Sears were selected All-Stars and invited to perform in the Varsity Spirit New Year’s Day London Parade. Sears received the overall excellent award for his routine as “Raider Ray.” Bolt says that captain Blakeli Bolt

continued on page 25

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Plenty of new faces dot Raiders’ lineup BY LORI TIPPETS Sports Correspondent

Pleasant Valley lost 12 players to graduation, many of them starters that played both ways. Numbers are about the same for the Raiders this year, with 40 out to play the game. Of that 40, over half – 24 – are new to the program this year. Head Coach Jeff Davis says that he has, “kids capable of being standouts,” and is anxious to see how his players perform on the field during a game situation. Back at quarterback this year will be junior Lucas Ford. “Lucas went through a lot of growing pains last year and he’s going to be that much better because of it,” says Davis. Senior Hunter Green will be back at fullback with Dalton Bean at tailback, Eddie Roe, flanker, and Dustin Andrews at tight end. Junior Jared Colvin will be starting his fourth season at right tackle, Ethan Lambert will be at center and a new face, Austin Parris will be at right guard. At left guard will be R.J. Aug 30 Jacksonville HOME Simpson and senior Garrett Preston, a back-up quarterSept 7 Ranburne (R) HOME back, will set up at split end. Sept 14 Vincent (R) AWAY Davis stated that the coachSept 21 Victory Christian (R) HOME ing staff, “feels really good about our defense. Right now Sept 28 White Plains AWAY we don’t know who is startOct 5 Fultondale (R) AWAY ing,” says Davis, “We have Oct 12 Ohatchee (R) HOME a number of kids who could Oct 19 Woodland (R) HOME play defense, some of them are playing other positions Oct 26 Wellborn (R) AWAY right now. Kids that we have Nov 2 Gaston AWAY on the field on defense we are asking them to learn two or three positions. That will benefit us especially late in the ball games.” If the Raiders were to start play today, Davis says you could see Ethan Lambert at the nose position, Colvin at defensive tackle, Austin Lambert, another new face, at one defensive end spot and Austin Tate at the other. “We are pretty deep at linebacker,” admits Davis, with Simpson, Parris, Nick Deerman, Dustin Andrews and Hunter Green. “Those guys are going to be the guys that we can play,” says Davis. “They are probably the biggest and strongest kids on our football team. Those guys will play a lot of football.” In the secondary will be Preston returning at safety, Roe will be back at one corner slot and “Steven Huddleston, Drew Lewiski and Dalton Turner will be in there somewhere,” according to Davis. “Lewiski and Huddleston both will play in the backfield at times. I feel good about that and the depth we have in the backfield that we can count on,” reports Davis. While there are many players that could be standouts for the Raiders this year, Davis points to a couple of players to look for. “Dustin Andrews at linebacker has the capability of taking over a football game. Austin Parris can dominate a football game and this is the first year that he has played. Austin Tate is as good of a defensive end as there is

Raiders 2012 Schedule

submitted photo // Pleasant Valley varsity football team, varsity cheerleaders and coaches.

in the state. “I’m anxious to see what our skill people do. We have enough guys at skill positions that we can spred the ball around and keep people off balance.” Davis feels that one reason that so many new faces came out this year has to do with the success that the baseball team had. “These boys are closer than what we’ve had over the years. They are closer knit. Most of them played baseball together. The baseball team had a very successful year last year and we are looking to build off their success.” Davis pointed to the ‘07 and ‘08 years when the baseball team won back-to-back area championships and the football team went 7-3 in ‘07 and 6-4 in ‘08. “Success breeds success,” said Davis. Davis has the same coaching staff coming back again this year; Darren Hamby, Robby Davis, Anthony Finley and Ronnie Preston. The coaching staff will be looking to get the Raiders to a better record than their 3-7 last year which Davis explained, “just wasn’t up to our standards.” The Raiders will be tested in a very competitive 2A Region 6 with Fultondale, which was voted No. 2 in the pre-season poll by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, Vincent, (No. 8), Wellborn and Woodland who also received votes, and Ohatchee, Ranburne and Victory Christian. The Raiders played Weaver in their jamboree then will start the season at home against cross town rival Jacksonville on August 31.

august 2012 / 25

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Small band, big sound

By Lori Tippets Sports News Writer What second year Pleasant Valley band director Haley Jackson wants to impress upon people is that even though her band is small, they have a big sound. The numbers in the band are up, from 20 last year to 24 this year, and the Raiders have also added a six member dance line. Even though the band is not as large as others in the area, Jackson is Drum major impressed with what she has seen so far. Andrew “For being so Epperson small, they have such a big sound,” explains Jackson. “I don’t want their size to fool anybody, they have a big sound.” Jackson is pleased with how the students are progressing. Having come in last year after replacing Pam Smith who had been at Pleasant Valley for years, Jackson was pleased with the way the students responded. The theme of the band this year will be “Rock.” While Jackson doesn’t want to

Raiders’ cheerleaders from page 23

brings a lot of leadership to the squad. Bolt has been involved in a lot of extra curricular activities, was the junior class president, has been involved with several clubs and is very responsible. Bolt describes her co-captain, Glass, as “breathtaking. Every squad at camp knew Cameron’s name. He is a great leader also.” Bolt says that her two captains have different personalities that work well for the squad. “The strength of the squad is stunting,” admits Bolt Bolt. “I hope they improve in a lot of areas and we can match up other talents with our stunting ability.” With so many new faces Bolt relies on the leadership of the older ones, and her captains, to help the younger ones grow. Co-captain Glass says that with so many new cheerleaders, “sometimes they get frustrated if something falls. We have to be there to say, hey guys, we got this, you can do it.” Blakely Bolt agreed with Glass adding, “We just tell them they are going to hit it. We keep encouraging them and put them in the mindset that they can.” Other members of the Pleasant Valley cheerleading squad this year are sophomores Destiny Barthell, Brittany Yancey, Megan Tillison, Dixie Smith, Melina Greenwood and Allie Battles, junior Kayla Davis and seniors Destiney Spears, Ashley Drury, and Chelsea Ward. reveal too much about her halftime show she has given a small hint saying that one of the songs will be a Bon Jovi tune. The band started practicing the third week of July and held its own camp with members of JSU’s Marching Southerners coming in to help. Sophomore Andrew Epperson will be the drum major for the Raiders. Epperson, along with Keith McIntyre, were both named to the District Honor band last year. “I really like working with them,” said Jackson of her band. “They are very good kids. Members of the band, in addition to Epperson and McIntyre are: Emerald Angerbauer, Madison Baswell, Cassidy Battles, Owen Battles, Destiny Conley, Abigail Epperson, Madison Gatson, Karie George, Tanis Henry, Demi Highfield, Christopher Hilley, Anna Holcombe, Thomas Lakins, Hannah Lively, Kortney Mobley, Genevieve Pate, Tyler Peck, Sabrina Rosenbaum, Eric Rush, Sarah Rush, Jesse Welch, Meghan Welch and Jaeson Never Williams. Cassidy Battles, Destiny Conley, Abigail Epperson, Hannah Lively, Kortney Mobley and Genevieve Pate are members of the dance line under the instruction of Rachel Glass.

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ANITA KILGORE // Spring Garden Varsity football team.

Spring Garden hoping to make playoffs Jason Howard returns to coach Panthers after two seasons at Ohatchee

By rip donOvan Sports Correspondant When a high school football coach says his team’s season could be as solid as a place in the playoffs and as poor as 1-9, odds are that he feels good about his starters and senses a severe shortage of depth. Jason Howard finds himself in just that position in his return to Spring Garden. Howard led the Panthers for seven years before spending the 2010 and 2011 seasons at Ohatchee, his alma mater. His 2008 and 2009 teams reached the playoffs, and earned opening round wins, so Howard knows what it takes to get the Panthers to the postseason. “It’s one of those weird seasons. If we keep everybody healthy and get a couple of breaks then I think we can make the playoffs. If we get banged up and have to start moving people around then it could fall all the way down to where we’re a 1-9, 2-8 type team,” Howard said last week. Injuries create the obvious problems of having to play less skilled or less experienced players as replacements. Then there are the additional problems of substitution patterns. “From the offensive side of it, for example, I feel like nine of the 11 positions we’re pretty solid for a 1A team but we have no subs. If we have one person go down, we may have to move three people to get our next best player on the field,” said Howard. Howard said should running backs Tyler Morgan or Forrest Livingston leave a game, the next choice for the

backfield would be lineman Craig Jones. Another lineman must change positions when Jones moves in order to bring the next best lineman into the game. “We’ve moved three people just to get that one spot. That’s the tough part. We’re practicing for it. Every day we shuffle people in and out of different positions, looking at a scenario of what do we do if somebody cramps and we have to get them out for a series,” Howard added. “’How are we going to have to sub on this?’ If we put Craig at fullback we’re going to have to change his jersey because he’s had a lineman number on and we couldn’t run any of our pass routes with him.” Ten seniors are playing football for the Panthers this year. From the ninth and tenth grades combined, Howard said there are only four players. “We’ve always had some kids that could back up kids that were ninth and tenth graders and we just don’t have that right now,” Howard noted. When numbers are small, those who are playing typically are two-way starters. In Spring Garden’s case, nine players will be starters on both offense and defense in the 2012 season. Then special teams positions must be filled. “We’ve got nine kids that play on both sides of the ball. Out of those nine kids, I’m going to say another five or six of them are on every special team,” Howard said. Will Penton and Will Ivey will play on “everything we’ve got,” according to their coach. Penton starts on offense, starts on defense, is the punter and kicks extra points. Ivey’s responsibilities include starting at quarter-

back and safety, holding on place kicks and serving as personal protector on punts. “Some of our bigger kids we try to get off the field and rest them. Our more athletic kids don’t ever come off the field,” said Howard. “We get Forrest off. We don’t have Forrest on any of our kicking game stuff. Now, he’s on our return team and our punt return but as far as kickoff team, extra point team, punt team, we get him off and give him a blow on it.” Howard’s philosophy on offense may include a few more passes but it will still be familiar to those who watched his previous Spring Garden teams. “We’re going to have to be one of those teams that have positive plays on every down and we just wear people down,” he said. “Our goal has always been two to three yards on first down, get us into a second-and-seven. Then get us into a third-and-three or third-and-four. … We’ve looked at everything as four downs. If we’re in third-andfour and get to fourth-and-one, we’re going to go for it.” When the Panthers have the ball, Ivey’s backfield mates will typically be Morgan at tailback and Livingston at fullback with Josh Hale at flanker. Zack Dobbs will anchor the line at center. Caleb Steward joins Jones at guard. B.J. Turner and Sam Parris are slated to start as the tackles. Jake Grogan will be the tight end and Penton the split end. On defense, Grogan and Jones are the ends with Steward and Turner the tackles. Livingston will be the

continued on page 27

august 2012 / 27

>> 2012 football preview middle linebacker. Alan Herter, a backup at tackle on offense, and Dylan Watson are the outside linebackers. Hale and Penton will be the cornerbacks. Morgan is the free safety and Ivey the strong safety. Howard got some encouraging results from Spring Garden’s jamboree games. Leevi Maddox, Hunter Crider, Hunter Bondie and Morgan Twilley each showed promise that they will be able to play effectively in reserve roles.

If work ethic and attitude count for anything, the Panthers should have a solid season. “They’ve all had good attitudes, They’ve all worked. I can’t say that I’ve been disappointed in anybody out there on the field. … There are days that as a collective they don’t work as hard as I want them to but that’s just part of football. For the most part, they do everything that I ask them to do and they’re good kids,” Howard concluded.

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Pump up the Panthers

ANITA KILGORE // left Varsity Spring Garden cheerleaders, (front row, from left) Kaylie Hill and Kayleigh Smith. On knees (middle row, left to right): Maddie Poole, Baylee Spoon, Dallas Smith, Miranda Casey and Haley Dobbs. Standing (back row, left to right): Darby Bryant, Kayla Holcomb, Pepper, Hayden Bates and Maddy Micha.

Spring Garden cheerleaders are ready for another season By Eddie burkhalter Consolidated News Service The Spring Garden panthers will have a reason to get fired up this football season, and it’s not just about what’s happening on the field. On the sidelines this year, the 11 members of the varsity Spring Garden cheer squad and 6 junior varsity cheerleaders will be keeping the home-side grandstands pumped up and in the mood for some football. Of those 11 varsity squad members, two are new to the squad, two were moved up from junior varsity and seven are returning varsity squad members. Three on the varsity squad are seniors, and

several are juniors, which is a good thing to have, said Varsity cheer coach for four years, Kelly Bates. Bates said her girls got in plenty of practice over the summer, attending a National Cheerleaders Association home camp in June. Making a return as the Panther’s mascot, Pepper, Jacqueline Haney has a year under her belt in that role. Hayden Bates is captain of the varsity squad, and Co-Captains are Miranda Casey and Kayleigh Smith. New cheers, new routines and new stunts: each year the cheerleaders add to their existing foundation, Bates said. “You have to be an athlete, and you have to have rhythm,” Bates said.

What makes the Spring Garden cheer squads special, Bates said, is that they have a clear focus on doing work that uplifts their community. “For the past three years we’ve

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adopted families at Christmas,” Bates said. “We’ve helped the elementary councilor during Red Ribbon Week, and we will again this year.” At the Terrapin Tri-County

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left ANITA KILGORE// Spring Garden varsity football coaches. (From left) Barrett Ragsdale, Head Coach Jason Howard, Damon McDonald and Tony Benefield. ABOVE Jacqueline Haney as ‘Pepper’. Jacqueline is a senior this year.

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White Plains works toward consistent program By PAIGE RENTZ Consolidated News Service The White Plains Wildcat Football Team is hoping to build on momentum it gained at the end of a rough 2011 season. “Last year was a pretty tough year,” said head coach Heath Harmon of his team’s 3-7 run. “We didn’t have as many kids out as we wanted to have.” But with his numbers up from the low 30s to 45, he’s hoping this year’s team will be able to build help some consistency into the program. “If these kids on this team

can stick with it, we will definitely be able to develop them into some good players; it just takes time,” he said. “Getting more kids out this year has been really big, really encouraging.” Harmon will have senior Dale Reddick back at quarterback for the second year. “He took a lot of bumps [last year] learning how to play the position, and we’re really excited about him,” Harmon said. “All that experience is going to help him this year.” Junior Johnny Bynum has come out this year to join the Wildcats, and Harmon said he’s an exciting player. He’ll play running back and

linebacker. “Johnny is very talented, and he’d just had a great attitude this year, and that’s been the key,” Harmon said. “You want your best players to have the best attitude and best work ethic because that kind of leads the team, and he’s had that.” With Bynum and Reddick anchoring the offense, Harmon feels he has some experience on the defensive line—including seniors Adam Smith and Jacob Nisbett—that will prove helpful in the coming season. Linebacker Patrick Bryan has stepped up for Harmon with a good preseason. “We felt like he could be a really good player, and we’ve

seen that with his physical plays,” said Harmon. Harmon pointed to junior Colton Reid as one of the team’s most improved players coming out of preseason and defensive back Joseph Dothard as a leader who will be the quarterback of the defense. The Wildcats’ three wins from last season all came at the end of their schedule, something Reddick thinks has built momentum for the team. Reddick said he and his teammates are excited about the coming season and feel like this is their year. “I’m looking forward to a lot of our skill guys and a lot of

our linemen making big plays,” he said. “We know what it takes to win, so we’re just going to have to put this thing together and make a program.” In his last year as a Wildcat, Smith said he’d like to see the team make the playoffs this season. “I think it’s a pretty good possibility.” Smith, who will be starting on both sides of the line, sees work the team has been putting in during the preseason paying off. “I think we’ll have a better team,” he said. “We’ve just got more people and everybody seems to be working pretty hard.”

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White Plains Cheerleaders work to rebuild

Squad’s ready for some football It’s a rebuilding year for the White Plains Varsity Cheerleading Squad. “It’s a young group,” said sponsor Kerry Shaw.” We have almost a whole new group from last year.” Shaw has five returning cheerleaders on her 11-member squad, which is slightly smaller than last year’s 13. The young group has been busy preparing for the season. They began summer workouts in July and started their Monday tumbling practices at the ACE Cheer Company facility in Gadsden. The girls have already planned all the pep rallies for the season and made all the signs for game nights. Junior Haley Rowe, one of the squad captains, said the pep rallies are always something to look forward to at White Plains. The pep rallies are themed, and the cheerleaders dress the part each week. Shaw said the girls try to find new themes from year to year. This year, they have planned a Redneck Day, Blackout Day, a breast cancer awareness Pink-out pep rally, a Star Wars/Sci-fi day, and Superhero Day for homecoming. “It’s just fun…the whole school gets into the dress-up thing each week,” she said. “We just have a good time getting out there and dancing. We do a different dance and cheer each week; we have a different theme, we play

different games, and we do different stunts.” Rowe and her fellow captain, junior Hannah Cronan, have been working to help bring the fresh crop of cheerleaders up to speed. “We learn dances faster than they do because we’re used to learning a new one every week,” said Cronan, “and we have to get them caught up with us.” Cronan said the aspect of being a cheerleader that she enjoys most is this process of “learning new stunts and tumbling and being able to put it together with new people.” Sophomore Stephanie Spoon, 15, is new to the squad, having transferred to White Plains from Jacksonville, where she previously cheered. She said she has found it more involved at White Plains, with more practices, more summer workouts and more sign-making. Freshman DeAnna White is stepping up to the varsity from the junior high squad. She said she enjoys the closeness among the girls who “are together 24-7” and looks forward to new aspects of varsity cheering like opportunities to perform more stunts. She said the workouts are the most challenging part, but the members of the squad “work at it and work at it until we get it.” Last year the squad went to nationals, said Shaw, but she expects her team to compete in some local competitions as they work on rebuilding this year. With one first-year senior, Shaw will likely have a core of returners next year.

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ANITA KIILGORE // ABOVE White Plains cheerleaders for the 2012 season are, front row from left, Laina Martin, Haley Rowe, captain, and Stephanie Spoon. Second row from left, Macy Pressley, Sarah Williams, Hannah Cronan and DeAnna White. Back row from left, Keterra Wheat, Riley Huey and Ariel Edwards.

wildcat 2012 Schedule

ANITA KIILGORE // ABOVE Cheer sponsor Kerry Shaw with senior cheerleader Arial Edwards.

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Band grows in members, talent By PAIGE RENTZ Consolidated News Service

Drum major Patton Lenard

The White Plains High School Blue Brigade Marching Band is looking forward to a bigger, better year as its marching season opens. Having grown from 28 to 42 members but only graduating one senior, the band features a core of seasoned marchers, said Director Wendy Etter. “We’re a growing program, but we have a more mature, more vetted group,” she said. Drum Major Patton Lenard, a 17-year-old senior, expects an improved year, he said, “because we’re bigger and we’ve grown in talent.” He said that the band will be building off the success that they had at last spring’s music performance assessment as veterans help bring the sizable new membership up to speed. “We’ve got a bunch of pretty quick-learning rookies, so that will help,” he said. Eighth grader Cameron Self, 13, is excited to be marching this year. Although he played in the stands last year, he served as a manager for the halftime show, handling set-up and take down of equipment on the field. The aspiring Marching Southerner can’t even see over the bass drum he plays, but he has big vision for his section this year. “I’m looking forward to going to the competition and hopefully getting superiors for the drum line,” he said. The band’s dance line has more

than doubled in size, growing from four members to 10. “We’re a lot better and the show’s a lot more upbeat and fun this year,” said sophomore member Danielle Zickafoose. “It’s going to be a great year.” The band will take on “Footloose” as its halftime show this season, opening with the title theme, performing “Holding out for a Hero” as the main production with the dance line, and rounding out the show with ballad “Almost Paradise” and closing song “I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man).” In the stands, said Etter, the band tries to play popular, upbeat music that will keep the atmosphere spirited for the game. The band’s halftime show, she said, is really its main focus because that’s what the group takes to competitions. Sophomore Kendall Campeau, 15, said the show would give the band an opportunity to really perform. Last year, the band traveled to New York to perform in the city’s Veterans Day Parade, but this year, she said, the focus will be on honing their show. “This year it’s just about being our best on the field,” she said. Campeau expects an ever better year than last year, she said. “There’s more spirit with everybody,” she said. “We’re more excited about everything.” She said a set of new uniforms are bright rather than faded and tailored to fit the marchers perfectly. “I just think that gives everybody a confidence boost on the field.”

courtesy photos DEBBIE BROWN// TOP PHOTO: Spring Garden Blue Brigade marching band headed by drum major Patton Lenard. TOP LEFT: Blue Brigade danceline. FAR LEFT: Blue Brigade colorguard. LEFT: Blue Brigade majorettes.

36 / august 2012

2012 football preview

jacksonville state university

Gamecocks face hurdles and challenges By lori tippets Sports Correspondent Meeting with the media earlier this month Jacksonville State Head Coach Jack Crowe said, “There are always hurdles and challenges with any football team. This one has its own.” One has only to look at the Gamecocks’ schedule to see the first hurdle and challenge that faces Jacksonville State. Like bookends, the first hurdles and challenges jump out in the first and last game of the season. Week one the Gamecocks travel to face pre-season No. 10 ranked Arkansas. The Gamecocks will finish up the regular season at No. 23 ranked Florida. Sandwiched in between is one of the toughest schedules the Gamecocks could face with non-conference opponent Chattanooga and then they travel to face pre-season Ohio Valley Conference favorite Eastern Kentucky. The schedule never gets easy as the Gamecocks have learned in the last two seasons. On any given day any team can beat any other team. Crowe is very upbeat and optimistic about the upcoming season saying, “We’ve got some of the best opportunity to develop that we’ve ever had. I think we have more talent on this campus right now than there has been since I’ve been here.” Crowe went on to say that this is one of the youngest overall groups of players that he has ever had with the average age 19.6. “We are puppies,” Crowe said. “Young folks use a term when they talk about good players saying, ‘He’s a dawg!’ and that’s affectionate. We’re fixing to find out if the players will bite.” One young player that has all the other players talking is Anniston’s Troymaine Pope, who was named the 4A Back of the Year and had 2,539 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior. “He (Pope) has created a buzz with the older players from the time he has walked in the door. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a buzz about a player like I’ve heard about him,” Crowe said.

lori tippets // Left Jacksonville State University head coach Jack Crowe. At right is quarterback Marquis Ivory.

In the JSU scrimmage on Fan Day, Pope had 62 yards with a 19-yard TD run. Other hurdles and challenges that face the JSU coaching staff, and this is a good one, is that they have two legitimate starting quarterbacks in senior Marques Ivory and junior Coty Blanchard. Blanchard took over for Ivory as the starting quarterback last year when Ivory went down in the first game with a broken leg. Ivory is back this year looking as strong as ever and is anxious to test out the leg. “Marques is our starting quarterback but we will get Coty into the game against Arkansas somehow,” said Crowe. “He is the best playmaker I’ve been around. Uniquely he has things that are really special.” In the scrimmage both quarterbacks took snaps. Blanchard was just back into camp after spending the summer in the Cape Cod baseball league. Both quarterbacks impressed the fans at the scrimmage. JSU will also have in the backfield

Washaun Ealey, a running back who came to JSU last year after spending two years at the University of Georgia. Ealey made his presence known quickly in the league rushing for 1,082 yards on 178 carries and was a first-team All-OVC pick. Ealey is working hard to be a team leader and to be prepared for the rigors of the hard schedule. “I’m trying to get right physically and mentally,” said Ealey. “I feel like if I miss a day of training I fall behind. I try to work out everyday. I’m trying to tune my body and be a team leader and lead by example.” Ealey said that he is trying to be a mentor to the younger players. “I’m trying to keep them level headed,” he said. Crowe feels that his offense has dynamic players. “You look for a triplet situation where you have a runner, a thrower and a catcher and with Washaun Ealey, a premier runner, and Alan Bonner, a premier receiver,

that becomes a foundation of saying we can make plays. You can make plays behind the line of scrimmage and down the field and you have a quarterback that can get all of this done.” Bonner, a senior, was the team’s top receiver last year with 33 catches for 582 yards and three touchdowns. Bonner says that all of the games will be tough this year but feels like the strength of the team this year is in having Ivory back. Crowe says that his offensive line is a “sprinkling of young people” but that they all have experience. Last year, three freshmen, who will be sophomores this year, played 80 per cent of the season; Blake Burks, Max Holcombe and Tarik Milner. Crowe feels that the offense may sometimes be carrying the burden of the team. “I’m convinced that we are going to be really good on defense one day…that day I would like to be soon,” said Crowe. “There’s not really a lot of pressure on the offense, there is more pressure on the defense. If they come together they’ll help us win a lot of games.” The biggest hurdle and challenge for the Gamecocks will be in a very young and inexperienced defense. JSU lost three of the four starters on the defensive line. The linebackers are also real young but will have the experience of Nick Johnson and Rashad Smith to help them out. Brooks Robinson, a senior, played in the defensive backfield for the Gamecocks last year. A leader, Robinson’s goal for the year is simple, “To win a championship. That or nothing.” Robinson also has this advice for younger players, “Give it your all.” There are hurdles and challenges facing the JSU football team this year. “We’ve continued to raise expectations of our program,” Crowe said. “Tradition pretty much says what the expectations are. I can pretty much say that this program has passed milestones along the way. Every year has been an incremental step forward.” This year looks to be no different for the Gamecocks. Hurdles and challenges can be overcome.

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2012 OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE AUSTIN PEAY

EASTERN ILLINOIS EASTERN KENTUCKY JACKSONVILLE STATE

Sept. 1

Sept. 8

@Western Kentucky 6:00 p.m.

@Virgnia Tech 12:30 p.m. (ESPN3)

Southern Illinois 6:30 p.m. (Aug. 30)

(OVC Digital Network)

@Purdue 2:30 p.m. (BTN)

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

@Central Michigan 6:00 p.m. (Aug. 30)

UT MARTIN

(OVC Digital Network)

@Illinois State 1:00 p.m.

@Coastal Carolina 5:00 p.m.

Network)

@Florida State 5:00 p.m. (ESPN3)

TENNESSEE TECH

Morehead State* 5:00 p.m.

Central Arkansas 6:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

Mars Hill College 6:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

Sept. 22

@Tennessee UT Martin* State* 6:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.

Chattanooga at Arkansas 6:00 p.m. (OVC Digital 6:00 p.m.

MURRAY STATE

TENNESSEE STATE

@Western Michigan 6:00 p.m.

Sept. 15

@Missouri State 7:00 p.m.

@Southern Illinois 6:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

Murray State* 6:30 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

@Memphis 6:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

@Northern Illinois 6:00 p.m.

@Oregon 2:00 p.m.

Oct. 13

@Eastern Illinois 1:30 p.m.

Murray State* 6:00 p.m.

@Eastern Kentucky* 2:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

Oct. 27

Nov. 3

Nov. 10

Nov. 17

Southeast Missouri* 4:00 p.m. (HC)

CulverStockton 1:00 p.m.

@Jacksonville State* 3:00 p.m.

Tennessee Tech* 1:00 p.m.

@Eastern Kentucky* 12:00 p.m.

@Tennessee Tech* 1:30 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

Southeast Missouri* 1:30 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

Eastern Illinois* 12:00 p.m.

@Southeast Missouri 1:00 p.m.

Murray State* 12:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

Jacksonville State* 1:30 p.m. (OVC Digital (HC)

Austin Peay* @UT Martin* 1:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m.

Jacksonville State* 5:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

UT Martin* 1:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

@Tennessee Austin Peay* @Tennessee State* 2:00 p.m. Tech* 1:00 p.m. (HC) 7:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

(OVC Digital Network)

@Eastern Kentucky* 5:00 p.m.

Southeast Missouri* 3:00 p.m.

@Tennessee Tech* 7:00 p.m.

@Eastern Illinois* 1:30 p.m.

Tennessee State* 3:00 p.m.

Murray State* 3:00 p.m. (HC)

Network)

(OVC Digital Network)

@Eastern Illinois* 6:30 p.m.

Tennessee Tech* 6:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

@Austin Peay* 6:00 p.m.

UT Martin* 3:00 p.m. (HC)

(OVC Digital Network)

@Southeast Missouri* 6:00 p.m.

ArkansasPine Bluff 6:00 p.m. (HC) @Murray State* 6:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

Southeastern @Austin Louisiana Peay* 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. (Sept. 13) (OVC Digital

Eastern Kentucky* 1:00 p.m.

Network)

(OVC Digital Network)

@Jacksonville State* 3:00 p.m.

UT Martin* 1:00 p.m. (HC)

(OVC Digital Network)

Tennessee State* 1:00 p.m.

@Eastern Kentucky* 12:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

@Austin Peay* 4:00 p.m.

Eastern Kentucky* 1:00 p.m.

@Eastern Illinois 1:30 p.m.

@Murray State* 1:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

Eastern Kentucky* 7:00 p.m.

@Tennessee State* 1:00 p.m.

Eastern Illinois* 1:30 p.m. (HC)

(OVC Digital Network)

Southeast Missouri* 1:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

Jacksonville State* 7:00 p.m.

@Murray State* 3:00 p.m.

@Florida TBA

(OVC Digital Network)

Eastern Illinois* 2:00 p.m. (HC)

@Central Arkansas 3:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

@UT Martin* Austin Peay* 12:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.

@Southeast @Jacksonville Tennessee Tech* State* Missouri* 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

Eastern Kentucky* 1:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

Tennessee State* 6:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

Tennessee @Jacksonville Tech* State* 6:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.

(Pac-12 Network) (OVC Digital Network)

(OVC Digital Network)

Oct. 20

(OVC Digital Network)

Network)

North Greenville 7:00 p.m. (Sept. 6)

Oct. 6

(OVC Digital Network)

Florida A&M Jackson State Austin Peay* @Bethune1:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Cookman 6:00 p.m. (OVC Digital (in Memphis) (OVC Digital 3:00 p.m. Network) Hampton 7:00 p.m. (Aug. 30)

Sept. 29

(OVC Digital Network)

@Southeast Missouri* 1:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

(OVC Digital Network)

@Murray State* 1:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

@UT Martin* 2:00 p.m. (OVC Digital Network)

UT Martin* 1:30 p.m.

@Austin Peay* 1:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

Jacksonville @Tennessee Tech State* 1:30 p.m. 12:00 p.m.

Tennessee State* 2:00 p.m.

(OVC Digital Network)

* - Denotes OVC Game; HC - Denotes Homecoming Game; Home Games in Bold; All Times Are Central and Subject to Change

GO GAMECOCKS!

The City of Jacksonville The Mayor & City Council Members

>> 2012 football preview

38 / august 2012

New-look Tigers will try to improve JOHN ZENOR Associated Press

AUBURN — These Auburn Tigers don’t bear much resemblance to Cam Newton’s version. The Tigers have undergone major changes since celebrating the new year in Atlanta, much less from the Newtonled national championship season two years ago. Gone are title game MVP Mike Dyer, Gus Malzahn’s celebrated fast-break offense and both coordinators. The huddle is back in style in Auburn. Whether it adds up to the winning continuing, well, that remains to be seen. The Tigers fell from 14-0 behind their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback to 8-5 with a revolving door of three signal callers, but did finish with a dominant performance against Virginia in the Chickfil-A Bowl on Dec. 31. Auburn returns to the Georgia Dome to open Sept. 1 against Clemson. The Tigers still don’t have an established quarterback, with Kiehl Frazier and Clint Moseley battling well into preseason camp for the starting nod. What they got this summer was plenty of reminders from strength coach Kevin Yoxall during workouts. “He made it real clear that 8-5 wasn’t good enough here at Auburn,” tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen said, “and I think everyone bought into that.” Buying in is just one step. Coach Gene Chizik continues trying to rebuild depth and climb the ladder in the Southeastern Conference’s Western Division — and a state that has produced the last three national champions. Auburn’s veterans can at least draw from that experience two years ago. Defensive tackle Jeff Whitaker could relate when he heard an interview with NFL star Ray Lewis recently. “He was talking about his first Super Bowl and how hard it is to get back,” Whitaker said. “It’s always hard to get back but for us, we saw what great looked like. We saw the camaraderie. We saw how we’re supposed to be a unit. That’s what we’re shooting for.” They’ll have to resolve some questions in the offensive backfield and improve the

Consolidated News Service

Auburn’s Corey Lemonier returns to defensive line.

defense to make up much ground on SEC West rivals Alabama, LSU and Arkansas. Frazier seems to have the edge over Moseley, a six-game starter who has been limited since the spring by a sore throwing shoulder. Frazier was used mostly as a Wildcat quarterback as a freshman, going 5-of-12 passing with a couple of interceptions. “Kiehl has gotten a lot better from last fall to where he’s at now,” tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen said. “Kiehl has taken that leadership role. I think last year being a true freshman trying to lead an offense, he wasn’t that comfortable with it. Now, he’s kind of assumed it’s an opportunity for him to take the reins of this offense. He’s gained everyone’s respect with what he’s done this offseason.” Dyer followed Malzahn to Arkansas State after being suspended for the bowl game after rushing for 2,335 yards his first two seasons. He has since been dismissed from that team. That leaves speedster Onterio McCalebb and the more balanced Tre Mason, the

SEC’s leader in kick returns. Much of Mason’s backfield work came in the bowl game when he had 64 yards and a touchdown. Offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler, a former Florida quarterbacks coach and Temple offensive coordinator, replaces Malzahn. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder brings a background that includes both SEC (Georgia) and NFL

(Atlanta Falcons) to try to turn around a unit that hasn’t ranked better than 53rd nationally in scoring or total defense over the past three seasons. The defense returns nine starters and the offense seven, but perhaps the most encouraging thing for Chizik is that others have been challenging for some of those jobs. “I think we’re in a much stronger position as a football team than we were a year ago,” Chizik said. “We’ve finally developed some depth and we’ve got a little bit of experience.” Nowhere are those qualities more evident than the defensive line. All four starters return, including defensive end Corey Lemonier, who had 9.5 sacks last season. Dee Ford is likely to take over on the opposite side over returning starter Nosa Egaue. Leading tackler Daren Bates is back at linebacker while cornerback Chris Davis also returns. Cornerback T’Sharvan Bell returns after starting the first 10 games in 2011 before sustaining a season-ending knee injury. The Tigers also return Ray Guy Award finalist Steven Clark at punter. Top wide receiver Emory Blake points out that the 2010 team also was picked to finish middle of the pack in the SEC West. “Our national championship year, nobody was really talking about us before the season,” Blake said. “And the year before that we went 8-5 as well. We have to put ourselves on the map, but we’re ready to do that.”

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august 2012 / 39

Tide reloaded, set for another run JOHN ZENOR Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA — The definition of a successful season for Alabama these days is no mystery. Undefeated with a national championship. Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban doesn’t mind grand ambitions, but emphasizes his squad can’t afford skipped steps or misdirected focus. That’s one reason tight end Michael Williams said that while anything less than a national title “is a failure,” but that’s the big picture. “You can’t think of it that way,” Williams said. “Take it one game at a time.” Especially with the first game being Michigan in Arlington, Texas. The Tide enters the season considered one of the championship front-runners, seeking to claim a third national title in four years and second straight. The veterans know from experience what a sense of entitlement and lack of focus can hurt even a loaded team (see Alabama, circa 2010). Saban and a number of players with the voice of experience say this team doesn’t suffer from the kind of overconfidence that led to a 10-3 disappointment two years ago. They’ve raved about the team’s attitude and work ethic during the summer. The words “defending national champion” might not be outlawed around the football offices, but they’re not encouraged either. “We’ve been around the coach so long, we won’t do like that 2010 season,” linebacker Nico Johnson said. “It pretty much taught us a lesson that we can’t look forward.” A quick look back: The Tide has gone 48-6 over the last four seasons. In college football where the roster turnover is so high, Saban has imported a string of highly-rated recruiting classes. The Crimson Tide has avoided any major drop-off in talent at a program where 10 wins are a letdown. The coach said this group probably fared better than any of his other teams on the preseason test that includes sprints and bench press. Saban has managed to apply his definition of success to his program: “Consistency in performance.” “Things don’t happen by accident,” he said. “You don’t win a game by accident. You don’t win a division by accident. You have to make it happen, and you have to make it happen by what you do every day.” Alabama must replace four first-round NFL draft picks before making another national title happen.

first-round picks. Lesser-known wideouts like Kevin Norwood, who had a career-best four catches for 78 yards in the national championship game, and Kenny Bell are joined by much-touted newcomers. McCarron is standing by his targets. “The rest of the country might not know what they can do, but I know,” said McCarron, who capped his first season as starter with MVP honors in the BCS championship game. “That’s all that matters to me. It doesn’t matter how many top 10 plays we get on ESPN. I know they’re making plays for me. “One of the proudest Consolidated News Service things for me is it’s not Alabama tight end Michael Williams ready to defend national championship. only one of the most skillful groups of receivers The defense lost an abundance of talent to the NFL, we’ve had since I’ve been including All-America safety Mark Barron, Butkus here, but they’re really good off the field. They’re all Award semifinalist Courtney Upshaw and finalist Dont’a levelheaded guys.” Hightower, along with both starting cornerbacks. Two of Alabama’s most recognizable players are now Johnson, C.J. Mosley and Trey DePriest are experi- anchoring the middle of the front lines. Outland Trophy enced linebackers and Adrian Hubbard is a strong pass winner Barrett Jones moved from left tackle to center, rusher who could replace Upshaw. Cornerbacks Dee filling the lone vacancy on the line and making way for Milliner and John Fulton and sophomore safeties Vinnie sophomore Cyrus Kouandjio. Sunseri and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix also have experience. Jones, guard Chance Warmack and right tackle D.J. “We lost some great players, but we’re still Alabama,” Fluker are all first-team preseason All-Southeastern linebacker C.J. Mosley said. “We always recruit great Conference picks. players and we’re going to have great players as backups Jesse Williams, who bench-pressed 600 pounds over and those guys have to step up and do their job.” the summer, is the noseguard after starting every game at The offense has fewer players to replace under new defensive end last season. coordinator Doug Nussmeier, who will operate a similar The Tide players hardly seem worried after the talent style to Jim McElwain. exodus. Quarterback AJ McCarron doesn’t have Doak Walker “We’re going to have a great defense,” defensive end Award winner Trent Richardson to hand off to, or expe- Damion Square said. “That’s why we recruit every year. rienced wide receivers to target. Gone are Marquis Maze Everybody talks about all the players that we lost, but and Darius Hanks, who weren’t stars but reliably played we recruited those guys, too, to replace some other great their roles. players that played at the University of Alabama. Rashad Eddie Lacy is trying to keep the backfield bonanza Johnson, Javier Arenas, Rolando McClain, just to name going after averaging 7.1 yards on 95 carries last season, a few. but sat out the spring recovering from surgery to repair a “We recruited some more guys that can compete at a turf toe injury. Richardson was a Heisman Trophy final- high level early.” ist last season and Mark Ingram won in 2009. Both were

40 / august 2012

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Best Wishes to All Area Teams During the 2012 Football Season! F&M Bank enjoys the tradition of supporting student athletes throughout our community. youth sports are an important part of our community... and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something we understand a thing or two about. From our team to yours, we proudly support our community and all area football teams!

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