The
A special publication of the Franklin County Times — Fall 2014
Game Plan
Season Previews on: Russellville Phil Campbell Red Bay Tharptown Vina
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The Game Plan CONTENTS 4 9 13 17 21
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Russellville
Golden Tigers
Russellville High School enters 2014 with Coach Mark Heaton at the helm for his first season as the head football coach for the Golden Tigers. Russellville is coming off of an uncharacteristic five-loss season in 2013 and Coach Heaton said he feels the team can turn things around this year. “We are going to be a physical team this year,” Heaton said. “We’ve seen that in our guys in the spring and the summer and that’s good for us because that’s not something you can coach.” Heaton said the Golden Tigers will have three or four seniors starting, but he isn’t worried about leadership or experience on the field. “We have a lot of guys that might not be seniors but that have a good amount of game experience,” Heaton said. Heaton is bringing an up-tempo spread offense to Russellville, but he says those terms are often misinterpreted. “We will play fast when we want to, when we need to,” Heaton said. “If we are having trouble establishing a rhythm and moving the ball consistently, then we will move into some of our hurry up stuff. “When people hear the word ‘spread’ they automatically think we are going to spread everything out and throw the ball most of the
time,” Heaton added. “We are going to be very balanced and actually most of our big passing plays will come from setting them up with the run.” Since the spring practices, Heaton said he has seen the team progress fundamentally and really focus on the small details he said are the most important. “During the spring and over the summer workouts we have stressed getting better from week to week,” Heaton said. “Once the season starts, we will focus on getting into our weekly rhythm and schedule and just try and get better each week.” Heaton is a big proponent of hard work and said he has had to work hard for everything he has accomplished in his life. “I was a walk-on in college and then coached at small schools and large schools,” Heaton said. “I’ve worked hard everywhere I’ve gone—I’ve had to in order to succeed. God has put a drive in me and I’m thankful for that because nothing good comes without hard work.” The hard work put in by Heaton and the Golden Tigers will be on display when Russellville visits Colbert County for their season opening jamboree Aug. 22 before hosting Deshler Aug. 29.
AHSAA Class 5A, Region 8 2013 Record: 4-6 COACH
Mark Heaton “I’ve worked hard everywhere I’ve gone—I’ve had to in order to succeed. God has put a drive in me and I’m thankful for that because nothing good comes without hard work.”
Story - MATT WILSON Photos - MATT WILSON
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No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6
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No. 8
Deyon Hill
Shemar Hamilton
Zack Garrison
Jacob Hamilton
Reed Smith
Austin Bohannon
JJ Johnson
No. 9
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Landon Ezzell
Austin Kitterman
Sid Willis
Payton Nichols
Lukas Hankins
Colin Garrison
Christian Foster
No. 16
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Cameron DeArman
Colby Tompkins
Kevin Partrich
Nate Franklin
Robert Hamilton
Khem West
Julio Zepeda
No. 1
No. 24
No. 25
No. 26
No. 29
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Connor Stults
Jeff Lloyd
Kyle Tidwell
Cody Boshell
Ben Chard
Logan Jones
Austin Bennett
No. 39
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Lewis Pano
Drake Hipps
Brady Isom
Tyler Stone
Cody Greenhill
Robby Curnutt
Slate Wallace
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No. 53
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Jared Thornton
John David Palmer
Arman Norris
Alex Fuller
John David Aycock
No. 57 Tyrone Wilson
Noah Daugherty
No. 59
No. 63
No. 64
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No. 71
Konner Bendall
Enrique Pascual
Jony Tomas
Andy Solares
Raul Mojica
Charlie Chard
Roman Cortez
No. 72
No. 73
No. 74
No. 75
No. 77
No. 78
No. 79
Hunter James
GabrielPedro Juan
Jacob Devaney
Hunter James
Jacob Aycock
Isaiah Valdez
Austin Stidham
No. 51
No. 58
Not Pictured: No. 19 Bruce Ambrosio, No. 28 Danny Rivera, No. 35 Marvin Betancourt, No. 37 Logan Wallace, No. 68 Jay Cook, No. 91 Luis Bahena
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No. 81
No. 82
Russ Carpenter
Danny Montiel
No. 86
No. 89
Blake Bendall
Francisco Andres
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The Game6Plan
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2014 Russellville Golden Tigers football schedule 8/29
Deshler
Home
J.O. Johnson
Home
9/11
Columbia
Away
9/19
Ardmore
Home
9/5
9/26
Sparkman
Home
10/3
East Limestone
Away
10/10
West Point
10/17
8
Lawrence County
Away
Home
10/24
Pope John Paul
Away
10/31
Cullman
Away The Game Plan
Phil Campbell As Ryan Swinney heads into his second year as the head coach of the Phil Campbell Bobcats, he is more than ready to see his alma mater succeed. Taking the job in 2013, Swinney wanted to see the program have some stability and he wanted to restore pride in the football program and school. It’s been almost a decade since the Bobcats have had a successful season and Swinney believes he can see his program turning the corner. “I’m really proud of how hard these guys have worked this summer to be successful,” Swinney said. “Physically, I think we are where we need to be. We just have to get over the hump mentally.” The Bobcats will head into the 2014 season in a better position to get over that hump than in previous seasons. When the AHSAA decided to create a seventh classification for the state’s largest schools, it had a ripple effect on all the other classifications. One of the effects it had was bumping the largest schools in 2A up to 3A. Many of those teams – Colbert Heights, Lexington, Sheffield – had been on the Bobcats’ schedule and were games the Bobcats knew going into the season they were going to have a hard time competing with. “Last year, when we looked at the schedule, we knew we were going to have a very hard time competing with those teams as well as Tanner [moved to a different 2A region],” Swinney said. But Swinney started pointing at the schedule written on the dry-erase board and said emphatically, “There is not a team up there we can’t compete with.”
Bobcats
“Before we can win consistently, we have to have some early success and believe we can win. Winning is contagious just like losing. Once we start having success, I think things will change around here.” One reason for Swinney’s optimism this year is his team’s depth and experience. “We are two-deep at just about every position,” Swinney said. “We are still young. We only have two senior starters, Cory Cheek and Casey Galloway, but all the guys that will start have played in varsity games. “The biggest thing we need to work on that is going to be priority number one is defense and tackling,” Swinney said. “We gave up too many big plays last year that could have been stopped at or near the line if we would just wrap up and tackle. “We just have to be a more physical team. It’s just that simple.” Swinney also believes experience at the quarterback position is going to be a positive for the Bobcats. “Tristan Godsey will start at quarterback,” Swinney said. “He was thrown into the fire last year because of injuries. He is battle-tested, he’s athletic and elusive. We can also move him around. Payton Thomas will play some quarterback as well. Payton has a very accurate arm.” Swinney also believes he has a good running back in Colton Baker. Two young players Swinney says have really impressed him in the spring and this summer are Noah Williams and Joe Hardy. The Bobcats open the season on August 22 hosting Falkville.
AHSAA Class 2A, Region 8 2013 Record: 0-10 COACH
Ryan Swinney “Before we can win consistently, we have to have some early success and believe we can win. Winning is contagious just like losing. Once we start having success, I think things will change around here.” Story - BART MOSS Photos - BART MOSS
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No. 1
No. 2
No. 4
No. 7
No. 12
No. 13
No. 15
Alston Tidwell
Eli Snider
Andrew Pennington
Tristan Godsey
Peyton Thomas
Zac Madden
Daniel Uptain
No. 16
No. 18
No. 20
No. 21
No. 22
No. 31
No. 35
Austin Riner
Joe Hardy
Colby Baker
Casey Galloway
Luke Baker
Matthew Stancil
Fredy Ordonez
No. 50
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No. 53
No. 55
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No. 67
Cory Cheek
Nick Swinney
Cade Tidwell
Logan Cole
Zack Winsted
Skyler Sutherland
Jonathan Steien
No. 68
No. 71
No. 76
No. 77
No. 84
No. 88
No. 89
Cameron Reynoso
Jordan Sharpston
Austin Hopson
Tristen Ergle
Spencer Adams
Noah Williams
Justin Baker
Not Pictured: No. 34 Brody Nix, No. 54 Johnny Strickland
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2014 Phil Campbell Bobcats football schedule 8/22
8/29
Sumiton Christian
Home
Away
9/5
Mars Hill
Home
9/13
Hatton
Away
9/19
Red Bay
Home
9/26
Phillips
Away
10/3
Tharptown
Away
10/10
Cherokee
Home
10/17
Sulligent
Away
10/24
OPEN
10/30 12
Falkville
Hackleburg
Home The Game Plan
Red Bay Tigers August 22, Fred Bostick Stadium will be all lit up as the Red Bay Tigers host Colbert Heights in the opening game of the 2014 fall football season. Tiger fans will not only get a look at the Red Bay varsity football team, they will also see a new face on the sideline. Red Bay’s new head football coach Michael Jackson will take over the helm of Friday night football after being hired back in June of this year to replace John Ritter who stepped down to take another coaching position. “I’m excited about being here,” Jackson said. “The people have been really great and eager to come out to help us do everything we need to do.” Red Bay, along with the other schools in the region, officially started football practice on August 4. This was the first time teams could practice in full gear in anticipation of their upcoming season. “Our kids have been working hard and we’re looking for great things from this group,” Jackson said. Even though the Tigers graduated some larger players, especially off the line, Jackson said he thinks each team has a different personality with different strengths. “I think the speed and quickness of this team can be exploited,” Jackson said. “We are going to be a little smaller than last year, but what we’re trying to concentrate on is some depth on our offensive and defensive linemen.” Jackson said Red Bay is a little thin up front right now, but as the season goes on, he hopes that a couple of guys with a good size that haven’t played a whole lot will be able to rotate in those positions. Coach Jackson said that Red Bay has not only shown improvements on the practice field – they have kicked things up
in the weight room as well. “The Red Bay facilities are really remarkable for a school this size, and I’m very excited about how the kids have approached the weight room,” Jackson said. “We’ve had major gains over the last couple of months, and we have a couple of linemen that have gone up 40 to 50 lbs. on the bench.” Jackson added the players know how important it is to be strong and in shape, especially this close to game time. Red Bay traveled to Colbert Heights several weeks ago in a 7-on-7 camp, where the coaches got an opportunity to see the Tigers in a competition atmosphere. “We were the smallest team over there, but we ended up getting into the semifinals in the tournament,” Jackson said. “I’m really excited about the way we performed over there.” This season, Region 8 will have a new lineup that includes Cherokee, Tharptown, Phil Campbell, Hatton, Sulligent, Mars Hill Bible School, and Red Bay. Before region play begins, the Red Bay Tiger football program will open their regular season at home on August 22 against Colbert Heights, a team they defeated by a score of 38-20 last season. Red Bay will host 4A Haleyville the following Friday night. “They were 10-2 last season and have a lot of their kids back, so it will be a good chance to see where we’re at,” Jackson said. “The challenge is getting ready to play game one and game two against the biggest schools we play all year. “Haleyville will be the biggest and probably the most talented school we see all year at one time. “It should give us a great measuring stick on what we need to work on to go into our region play.”
AHSAA Class 2A, Region 8 2013 Record: 8-3 COACH
Michael Jackson
“I’m excited about being here. Our kids have been working hard and we’re looking for great things from this group.”
Story - KEITH LEDBETTER Photos - KEITH LEDBETTER
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No. 1
No. 3
No. 5
No. 6
No. 7
No. 8
No. 9
Dekota Hester
Jade Pounds
Troy Borden
Luke Rooker
Payton Thorn
Reed Holt
Nick Thorn
No. 10
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No. 16
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No. 20
Daniel Wooten
Tate Ozbirn
Tyler Reach
Kaleb Burroughs
Max Bullen
Abdul Muzayad
Andrew Ray
No. 21
No. 24
No. 25
No. 52
No. 60
No. 62
No. 66
Bailey Turbyfill
Aaron Lewey
Blake Hester
Kurtlan Hiser
Zack Pounders
Lee Alan Page
Dylan Gresham
Not Pictured: No. 2 Austin Milam, No. 61 Bryson Farris, No. 68 Bryson Wallace
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No. 70
No. 72
Colby Knoblock
Jamal Anderson
No. 75
No. 77
Hunter Tyler
Chris Beerbower
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2014 Red Bay Tigers football schedule
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8/22
Colbert Heights
Home
8/29
Haleyville
Home
9/5
Cherokee
Away
9/12
Sulligent
Home
9/19
Phil Campbell
Away
9/26
Belmont
Away
10/3
Mars Hill Bible
10/10
Hatton
10/17
OPEN
Home
Away
10/24
Tharptown
Home
10/31
Marion County
Away The Game Plan
Tharptown There are going to be a lot of changes and challenges for the Tharptown Wildcats and head coach Bill Smith this season. First, the Wildcats will make the jump from 1A competition to 2A competition. Second, Smith will have to find someone to fill the leadership void left by Kelby Hallmark. Smith says his challenge in moving from 1A to 2A is to make his players understand that they can compete at that level. “This is the toughest schedule we’ve had since I’ve been at Tharptown,” Smith said. “It’s partly due to our moving to 2A and also keeping some strong 1A teams on the schedule like Phillips and Hackleburg. “We have played Phil Campbell and Cherokee before. We played toe-totoe with them. Our players know that. We’ve played bigger schools in other sports and have been successful. We can do the same in football if we keep focused and do our job.” Still, Smith knows that a successful start could be the key to their season. “We need to get off to a good start to gain some confidence moving forward,” Smith said. “We have a good chance to do that. If we can, I believe we can make the playoffs.” One of the reasons for that optimism is the offensive line. Tharptown returns several experienced players up front. Smith believes their size and experience along the offensive front will be critical to the success of his team. “I’m excited about our offensive line,” Smith said. “The right side of our line is going to be hard to deal with. We have some beef and strength along the line that should allow us to do some different things with our offense.” The challenge of replacing the leadership and stats produced by Hallmark is going to be up to the players. “I always looked at the dominant players like Kelby differently as a coach,” Smith said. “I had to convince other players that they could play without the dominate player. Kelby led by example and I think that is what a leader does. We have to find some players who
The Game Plan
Wildcats
are willing to step up into that leadership role and lead by example.” Smith said the quarterback position, the position being vacated by Hallmark, is up for grabs right now. Juniors Heath Hatton and Matthew Brasuell will battle for the position in fall practice. “Heath has more experience at the position but Matthew has shown glimpses of being able to handle the position as well,” he said. The Wildcats’ offense will look markedly different this year with more of an emphasis on power running. Running backs Tristan Smith, Mike Rice and Drake Lawson will carry the load, running behind the heft of the offensive line made up of Fidel Bonilla, Santos Lopez, Mikey Palmer, Jonah White and Shawn Hines. Smith said they could be using some double tight-end sets to take advantage of the skill sets of Mikey Rossen and Allen Gaston. The defense is an unknown quantity going into the 2014 season. Smith, who basically runs the offense, will add a new coach this year, Jason Murray, to handle the defense. “We are excited about having Coach Murray on the staff,” Smith said. “He will lead our defense. We have normally run a 3-4. We have adjusted to what people give us. The basic thinking on defense is we have to learn to tackle better. We give up too many points. We have to be more physical, control the line of scrimmage and take down the ball carrier at the point of attack.” Shawn Hines will lead the special teams unit. Hines returns as the team’s punter and kicker. Smith feels confident that Hines can help the team in those roles. “Shawn has a very strong leg,” Smith said. “He can change field position with his punts and, if he improves his accuracy, can score points when the offense stalls.” Smith believes the keys to a successful season are pretty simple. “We have to work very hard in the pre-season and build some momentum with a good start,” Smith explained. “If we do those two things I think we can have a very good year.”
AHSAA Class 2A, Region 8 2013 Record: 5-5 COACH
Bill Smith “We need to get off to a good start to gain some confidence moving forward. We have a good chance to do that. If we can, I believe we can make the playoffs.”
Story - BART MOSS Photos - BART MOSS
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No. 2
No. 3
Chris Freeman
No. 4
Morgan Sharp
No. 5
Nathan Chaney
Gueronimo Figueroa
No. 10
No. 11
No. 12
Carlos Perez
Heath Hatton
Matthew Brausell
No. 14
No. 20
No. 22
No. 24
No. 26
No. 30
No. 32
Mikey Rosson
Tristen Smith
Carlos Montes
Allen Gaston
Jacob Risley
Arturo Meneses
Mike Rice
No. 33
No. 50
No. 51
No. 54
No. 55
No. 58
No. 60
Eduardo Lopez
Jacob Bynom
Ezekial Gonzalez
Shawn Hines
DaShaun Figueroa
Santos Lopez
Orlando Diaz
No. 61
No. 62
No. 68
Tristan Love
Mikey Palmer
Warren Watson
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No. 72
No. 74
Jonah White
Fidel Bonilla
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19
2014 Tharptown Wildcats football schedule
20
8/29
Phillips
Away
9/5
Hackleburg
Away
9/12
Cherokee
Home
9/19
Sulligent
Away
9/26
Decatur Heritage
Away
10/3
Phil Campbell
Home
10/10
Mars Hill Bible
Away
10/17
Hatton
Home
10/24
Red Bay
Away
10/31
Hubbertville
Home The Game Plan
Vina After two straight winless seasons, something needed to change for the Vina Red Devils. Losing has a way of permeating a program and taking a hold of confidence and pride, and first year head coach for the Red Devils, Luke Childers, said he understands that and is ready to get things heading in the right direction. Childers is a 2006 graduate from Vina High School so he knows the importance of the football program to the small community, but he also knows that a losing culture is nothing he wants or expects to stick around in Vina. “I graduated from Vina and I’ve been an assistant with the team so I’m extremely nervous—I want to turn things around here,” Childers said. “At the same time I know there is a lot of support from the community and that’s important.” The casual observer might consider Childers’ plans and expectations to be too lofty and unreal, but Childers believes wholeheartedly that the football program at Vina can change and get better and he believes it can happen soon. “I think we’re going to win,” Childers said. “It’s as simple as that. I think we’re going to win and the team does too. We think we can win and we think we will win. “From day one when I came in here, I said anything less than a first-round playoff berth is no good.” The losing ways for Vina are well documented and Childers said it is something that starts to affect everything from confidence to support for one another. The Red Devil’s last win was in 2011 when Vina topped Tharptown 23-7. Childers said the main problem for the past two seasons was the lack of physicality, which leads to
The Game Plan
Red Devils a lack of confidence. “We’ve got to hit,” Childers said. “We’ve been soft for a few seasons now and I’m not afraid to say it, but we are going to change that. If we want to win and change things around here we are going to need confidence and we can get that from being physical.” Childers said the strength of the team this season is going to be with the offensive line and because of that he plans on running the ball right at the opposition. “At a program like this, most of the guys play both ways so we have to be in shape,” Childers said. “We are two-deep with most of the big guys and we just have to focus on being in shape and staying healthy.” Even through the tough past couple of seasons, Childers said the community has remained loyal and supportive and that doesn’t surprise him. “We’ve got a lot of great support in the community and that goes from the parents of the players to all the other folks around town that come out and support the team,” Childers said. “They’re all really helpful and we’ve had good crowds even with all the losing—that’s why I would like to win some games.” The Red Devils start their season at Tharptown for a jamboree game Aug. 21 before hosting the season opener against Southeastern Aug. 29. Childers said they are ready for the season and he expects good things. “I like the way our area stacks up for us,” Childers said. “And we’re not really young as far as our team goes. A lot of teams from small schools say they are young and inexperienced, but we aren’t really young. I think we can do some good things this year.”
AHSAA Class 1A, Region 8 2013 Record: 0-10 COACH
Luke Childers “I think we’re going to win. It’s as simple as that. I think we’re going to win and the team does too. We think we can win and we think we will win. From day one when I came in here, I said anything less than a firstround playoff berth is no good.” Story - MATT WILSON Photos - MATT WILSON
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No. 3
No. 11
No. 12
No. 13
James Barnes
Dakota Riley
Andrew Upton
Eli Hiser
Hunter Kennedy
No. 30
No. 31
No. 40
No. 51
No. 56
No. 61
Joseph Emerson
Austin Harper
Josh Cochran
Josh Epperson
Adam Ozbirn
Tyler Renfrow
Tanner Miller
No. 22
Chance Griffith
No. 10
No. 8
No. 7
Travis Smith
No. 62
No. 65
No. 66
No. 70
No. 80
No. 82
Zack Creekmore
Chris Brewer
Austin Petree
Dakota Lovett
Bradley Duncan
Ryder Steele
Not Pictured: No. 63 Hunter Lewis, No. 78 Jon Spencer
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2014 Vina Red Devils football schedule 8/30
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Southeastern
Home
9/5
Waterloo
Home
9/12
OPEN
9/18
Decatur Heritage
Away
9/26
Meek
Away
10/3
R.A. Hubbard
Home
10/10
Hackleburg
Away
10/17
Phillips
Home
10/24
Shoals Christian
Away
10/31
Holy Spirit Catholic
Home The Game Plan
Russellville Cheerleaders The members of the 2014-2015 RHS varsity cheerleading squad are: Back row (L to R): Chloe Pounders, Ashlee Davidson and Kaidin Pounders; Middle row (L to R): Jill Masterson, Amber Gibson, Bryanna Smith, Jessica McSpadden, MichaelAnn Blackburn and Devin Jones; Front row (L to R): Brooklyn Hall, Lynsi Bragwell, Hannah Prince (captain), Caitlyn Tompkins (co-captain), Kennedy Palmer and Dylan Bales (CHAMP mascot). Photo Contributed
Wishing Everyone a Winning Season!!
State Representative
Johnny Mack Morrow District 18 (Colbert & Franklin County) www.johnnymackmorrow.com Pd. Pol. Adv. by Johnny Mack Morrow Campaign 1895 Hwy 28 • Red Bay, Alabama 35582
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Phil Campbell Cheerleaders The 2014-15 Phil Campbell High School cheerleaders (left to right) top row- Abby Swinney, Haley M. Scott, Haley D. Scott, Jenny Reed middle row- Denver Elliott, Elizabeth Benford, Bethany Harris bottom row- Brook Scott, Courtney Baker, Chloe Brown, Meaghan Hardy Photo by BART MOSS
Red Bay Cheerleaders The members of the 2014-2015 RBHS varsity cheerleading squad are: Front row (L to R): Aubrey Ingle, Mary Katherine Markham, Co-Captain Clair Kennedy, Captain Emma Howard, Anna Mason, Paige Lewey, Jodi Page, Back row (L to R): Paige Hester, Elizabeth Markham, Carlie Lindley, Jordyn McKinney, Karla Robles, Bella Fowler. Photo by KEITH LEDBETTER
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The Game Plan
Tharptown Cheerleaders The members of the 2014-2015 THS varsity cheerleading squad are: Back row (L to R): Brittany Garner, Savannah Robinson, Charity Morgan and Sierra Robinson; Middle row (L to R): Debbie Gomez, Leah Borden and Blanca Aguirre; Front row (L to R): Brianna Hester and Lindsey Stancil. Photo by BART MOSS
Good Luck To All Area Teams!
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256-332-1122 906 S. Jackson Ave. • Russellville • sprymemorialchapel.com The Game Plan
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The Marching Hundred
Contributed
The Russellville High School Marching Hundred’s halftime performance for the 2014 season is titled “Legacy: 1944-2014” and will celebrate the Marching Hundred alumni for 70 years of excellence as they perform songs from decades past. Song selections include “March Grandioso”, “American Overture for Band”, Going Home – Amazing Grace”, “Lawrence of Arabia”, and a “Marching Hundred Salute” featuring “Grandioso/Battle Cry/Battle Hymn of the Republic”. The band is under the direction of Gary McNutt. Assistant directors are Scott Stephenson and Jeremy Willis. Members of the RHS Marching Hundred include: Drum Major: Anna C. Smith; Majorettes: Maria Bahena, Blaze Bishop, Shannea Flanagan (capt.), Alyssa Shackelford, Blake Williams; Tigerettes: Lauren Alford (capt.), Michaela Fish, Brookelynn Fisher, Kesciley Fletcher, Taylor Hollimon, Kayla Hughes, Savannah Mills (capt.), Stephanie Orrick, Hailey Peters, Peyton Vaughn, Morgan Willingham; Color Guard: Rachel Balding, Casey Brandenburg (capt.), Alison Bryant, Emili Crummie (capt.), Ariel Cummings, Evelynn Delgado, Yamilet Lopez, Brenda Moreno, Alex Pace, Morgan Rowland, Ashley Rose, Brenda Salgado, Jada Smith, Jocelyne Solares, Jennifer Stovall, Chelsea Suddith, Madison Thompson, Jaquelin Tristan, Grace Woodall, Callie Woods; Flutes: Maria Francisco, Mia Gann, Lisette Gonzalez, Dara Goggans,
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Katie Howard, Esthela Martinez, Leah Nix, Nichole Putman; Clarinets: Giovana Ambrosio, Lindsey Bolton, Leticia Diego, Aranza Flores, Alyssa Gentry, Jessica Itter, Patricia Juan, Cecilia McLemore, Stephanie Monterroso, Briana Palmer, Ana Perez, Zayra Perez, Kieran Smith, McCalah Uptain, Brianna Wood; Saxophones: Andrea Ashley-Sabastian, Adam Bendall, Richard Behena, Jesus Betancourt, Blake Bishop, Leslie Gonzalez, Rudy Huaracas, Omar Mojica, John Tyler Morgan, Francisco Pineda, Sebastian Villarreal, Dylan Winstead; Trumpets: Gabby Cook, Jorge Flores-Zavaleta, Drake Glenn, Preston Goad, Cody Hopson, Bernie Moussad, Nelda Otzoy, Kaylee Rickard, Christian Ruiz, Brett Suddith, Evan Swinney, Noemi Vargas; Mellophone: Odalys Gerardo-Rendon, Charlie Gordon, Melanie Ramirez; Trombones: Salvador Blanco, Wesley Cook, Joe Domingo, Dylan Glenn, Daniel Jenkins, Sam Johnson, Trent Shackelford; Baritones: Chance Fretwell, Angela Fuentes, Kimberly Lemus; Tubas: Austin Balding, Luke Patrick, Anthony Smith; Front Ensemble: Christian Aguirre, Hunter Briles, Kylynn Channel (capt.), Logan Forsythe, Stephanie Garcia, Sarah Harris, Irma Huaracas, Anna Beth Mitchell, Kelsey Montgomery, Elizabeth Pierce, Autumn Prince, Kelly Presley (capt.), Brenda Ruiz; Drum Line: Mazie Boyers, Jordan Cantrell, Lazaro Chavez-Flores, McKinley Copeland, Patrick Crummie, Katie Dubois, Carley Franks, Hunter Fuller, Andrew Guinn (capt.), Jess Guzman, Kaitlynn Hintz, Kevin Hughes, Christian King, Josh King, Ashton Moore, Shanley Pounders, Makayla Prince, Sierra Prince, Alexander Smith.
The Game Plan
The Phil Campbell Band Members of the 2014-2015 Phil Campbell High School Marching Bobcat Band include: Kaylee Allen, Gabbie Baker, Danielle Burns, Sydney Cameron, Chloe Campbell, Lauryn Clark, Will Clark, Brandon Clayton, Allison Harvey, Austin Hester, Colton Hughes, Joshua James, Jasmin Kinard, Amber Landers, Trinity Latham, Jacob Litteral, Bethany Litteral, Savannah Marbutt, Ashley McCulloch, Trent Motes, Isabella O’Neal, Scarlett Ozbirn, Ivy Ozbirn, Hannah Pharr, Ben Pierce, Colby Pounders, Juli Reeves, Caleb Rippee, Haley Scott, Reyna Shook, Mikayla Thrasher, Arturo Tunchez, and Aubrey Vandiver.
Photo by BART MOSS
The Red Bay Band
Members of the 2014-2015 Red Bay Band include: 6th grade: Carrie Borden, Kaleb Kent, McKenzie Young, Leah Williams, Lily Wright, Elizabeth Black, Mercadies Boatwright, Michael Payne; 7th grade: Myah Jackson, Mattee Berry, Madison Pounders, Christian Martin, Jade Walker, Savannah Bates, Ikeyia Terry, Harlee Brewer; 8th grade: Sarah Williams, Ashley Clements, Lauren Ehler, Addie Mauldin, Meagan Cain, Abbey Jones, Tayteonna Terry, Madison Fierro (majorette); 9th grade: Ethan Ray, Anna Jackson, Maggie Bates, Destiny Higgins, Lucas Harrison, Mary Elizabeth Moore (majorette), Brody Channel; 10th grade: Arriet Opulu, Eliza Williams (drum major), Taylor Cash, Tanner Rosenberg; 11th grade: Montana Gray (majorette); 12th grade: Brock Ray, Jason Byrd.
Photo by KEITH LEDBETTER
The Game Plan
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The Game Plan
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA
Bobby Wallace The University of North Alabama has been picked as the favorite to win the 2014 Gulf South Conference Football Championship in a pre-season poll of league coaches released Wednesday by the league office. After going 10-3 a year ago and winning a share of the 2013 GSC title, UNA received five five first-place votes and one second-place vote for 35 total points in the poll. The Lions were followed by Delta State in second place with two first-place votes and 30 points. Valdosta State was third (26), followed by West Alabama (21), West Georgia (17), Florida Tech (12) and Shorter (6). “To be picked to win the conference is a compliment to the rebuilding that has gone on here over the last two years,” said UNA Head Coach Bobby Wallace, who enters the 2014 season as the winningest football coach in Gulf South Conference history. “It’s a reflection on the senior class leadership we had last year, on the player’s who have been in the program buying-in and doing what we’ve asked them to do, and on the last two recruiting classes we have had leading into this year. “I’m proud for them that we have gotten recognized so quickly but the pre-season doesn’t mean anything,” Wallace said. “You have to play the games and where you are at the end of the season is what matters.” Wallace, set to start the third year of his second stint at UNA, inherited a squad in 2012 that returned just three starters. The Lions fought to a 5-5 finish that season then returned to the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the ninth time in the last 11 years in 2013, reaching the quarterfinals. UNA’s 10 all-time GSC football crowns are the most by any current or former league member in conference history. The 2014 poll marks the 11th time that the Lions have been the pre-season pick to win the GSC title. There were five UNA Lions named to the preseason All-GSC squad with two on offense and three on defense. Returning All-GSC Offensive Lineman Keith Jones of Birmingham, Ala., and junior receiver Lee Mayhall of Jackson, Tenn., were pre-season All-GSC picks on offense. On defense, UNA’s list of honorees includes sophomore defensive back Levi Fell of Muscle
The Game Plan
Shoals, Ala., sophomore defensive back Philbert Martial of Mobile, Ala., and senior defensive lineman Taylor Carney of Killen, Ala. Martial was the 2013 GSC Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year and Carney was a first-team All-GSC pick in 2013. In addition to being picked to win their 11th GSC football title, the Lions enter the 2014 season ranked 6th nationally by USA Today, 7th by Sporting News and 20th by Lindys. The Lions will be solid at the offensive skill positions entering the 2014 season, returning numerous standouts who helped the team average scoring 39.8 points per game last season. UNA returns starting quarterback Luke Wingo and experienced back-up Jacob Tucker, as well as running backs Lamonte Thompson and Diamond Simmons and receivers Lee Mayhall and Korey Jones. Wingo, a junior from Tuscaloosa, threw for 2,035 yards and 18 touchdowns last season and rushed for another 572 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has started 18 games for the Lions over the last two years. Tucker, a sophomore from Linden, Tenn., threw for 457 yards and two scores and rushed for 403 yards and nine TDs. Thompson, a junior from Florence, is a two-time AllGSC honoree and rushed for 801 yards and seven scores last season while Simmons, a junior from Hanceville, picked up 292 yards and scored three times. UNA returns four of its top five rushers from 2013. Mayhall and Jones, both juniors, combined for 62 catches for 958 yards and seven scores last season. UNA lost nine starters, including four All-Gulf South Conference performers, from its 2013 defense. The Lions should be solid again this season, however, with 18 returning lettermen led by All-American defensive lineman Taylor Carney of Killen, 2014 GSC Defensive Freshman of the Year Philbert Martial of Mobile and 2013 GSC Defensive Freshman of the Year Floyd Jones of Town Creek. The defensive front and secondary should be solid but filling the shoes of AllGSC linebackers Tavarius Wilson, Gabe Poe and Brion James will pose the biggest challenge for the Lions. This will be UNA’s 66th season of intercollegiate football since the program was revived at the school in 1949. UNA has an overall 431-254-16 record. The school’s 18 NCAA Division II Playoff appearances are tied for the most by any school in the division’s history and the Lions 31 all-time post-season wins rank second in Division II history. UNA enters the 2014 season as the winningest collegiate football program in the state of Alabama since 1990 in both total wins (204) and winning percentage (71.2). Over that period UNA has a 204-82-1 record and is the only one of the state’s 18 schools competing in intercollegiate football to have 200 wins over that 24-year span. The Lions open their 2014 season on the road at Mississippi College on Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. It will be the latest season-opening game for a UNA football team since 1975. It will also be UNA’s sixth road game in its last eight contests. The Lions played five of their last seven games on 2013 on the road, travelling more than 6,000 miles. -courtesy of UNA Sports Information Department
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UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Nick Saban 32
The Alabama Crimson Tide returns 13 starters and 51 lettermen for the 2014 season—with 25 lettermen and seven starters back on offense and 24 lettermen and five starters on defense, along with long snapper Cole Mazza on special teams. On the offensive side of the ball, the Crimson Tide must replace All-American AJ McCarron and his 36 career wins at the quarterback position as well as All-American left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio, but a solid nucleus returns to spark a potent offensive attack. Juniors Amari Cooper and T.J. Yeldon headline the skill positions and give Alabama the home-run threat both in the backfield and at wide receiver. The offensive line boasts three returning starters with junior center Ryan Kelley, senior right guard Austin Shepherd and senior left tackle Arie Kouandjio. Senior Brian Vogler and sophomore O.J. Howard give the Tide both in-line blocking and down-field threats at tight end. Seniors DeAndrew White and Christian Jones are joined by sophomore Chris Black to bolster the wide receiving corps. Sophomore Derrick Henry and junior Kenyan Drake provide the Crimson Tide with multiple explosive options in the backfield. The starting quarterback job is a wide-open race between senior Blake Sims, redshirt freshman Cooper Bateman, sophomore Alec Morris and incoming transfer Jake Coker, who arrives after three years at Florida State. The defense features at least one returning starter on each level, led by senior linebacker Trey DePriest, who has 25 career starts. DePriest is joined by junior Denzel Devall among returning starters in the linebacker corps, a group that must absorb the loss of Butkus Award winner C.J. Mosley and his 319 career tackles. DePriest leads all returning players with 149 career tackles and has a thorough knowledge of Alabama’s defense. Senior nose tackle Brandon Ivory anchors the defensive line that also could feature sophomore A’Shawn Robinson, who led the Crimson Tide with 5.5 sacks a year ago en route to Freshman All-American honors. Junior Landon Collins leads a secondary that has a good blend of experienced veterans and talented youngsters. Collins recorded 70 tackles with two interceptions a year ago and should be joined at safety by seniors Jarrick Williams and Nick Perry. Veterans Bradley Sylve, Eddie Jackson, Cyrus Jones, and Maurice Smith all saw time at cornerback in 2013 and will be joined by a pair of five-star incoming freshmen, Tony Brown and Alabama legacy Marlon Humphrey. Story by MATT WILSON
The Game Plan
AUBURN UNIVERSITY The Auburn Tigers had the biggest turnaround in SEC history in 2013 on their way to the National Championship Game where they came up short against the Florida State Seminoles. With Gus Malzahn at the helm, the Tigers were able to run a throwback brand of offense right at their opponents who were often times unable to stop what they knew was coming. But 2014 will be much different for the Tigers as Auburn is staring at the nation’s second toughest schedule including SEC opponents that will not be caught off-guard by the quick turnaround and blazing offense of a year ago. Offensively the Tigers return a good core of athletes that should help offset the loss of Tre Mason at running back and Greg Robinson at left tackle. Quarterback Nick Marshall will have a full off-season with Coach Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. That should help his development as a passer, something that was inconsistent at best a season ago. Returning at the running back position are Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant, the thunder and lightning of the backfield for the Tigers. But newcomer Racean Thomas, Mr. Football of Alabama last season, will push for a portion of the carries. Sammie Coates returns at wide receiver for the Tigers after a monster year in 2013 when he had over 900 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. Factor in Ricardo Louis and one of four junior college transfers, top receiver prospect D’haquille Williams and the passing threat for 2014 looks to be just as potent as the immensely successful rushing attack from 2013. Defensively the Tigers are coming into year two of Ellis Johnson’s 4-2-5 scheme, but Auburn’s defense will have to make a leap if they plan on matching the success of 2013. Losing Dee Ford on the defensive line leaves a hole, but
Gus Malzahn
one that should be filled by four and five-star recruits like Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams. The crucial star position in Johnson’s scheme needs to be taken with authority before the season kicks off and players such as Justin Garrett, victim to two foot injuries a year ago, look to take over the hybrid safety position. Offense and speed in general are hallmarks of Malzahn’s teams and this Auburn squad looks to improve and speed up even more in 2014, but the overall success of this team will depend on the defense being able to step up and the improved decision-making of Nick Marshall under center.
Story by MATT WILSON
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(S) C.J. Mosley (LB) Deion Belue (CB) Cyrus Kouandjio (LT) Kevin Norwood (WR) Ed Stinson (DE) Adrian Hubbard (LB) Cade Foster (PK) Coach says “We have to reestablish our identity as a team at Alabama. It’s going to take every player to have a tremendous amount of buy-in for us to beable to do that. I think you basically need to check your ego at the door, all of us in our organizations: players, coaches, everybody in our organization.You know, really trust and believe in the things that 2013 11-1, 7-1 in SEC—Second in SEC have helped us be successful. Have Western Division, lost to Oklahoma in enough humility to understand our role, what we need to do to help the team the Sugar Bowl be successful, and certainly have the willingness as a family and a group to Projected finish serve each other and help each other First in the Western Division so that we have the best opportunity to accomplish this.” Briefly Nick Saban The Crimson Tide ended their season on a disappointing note after losing Players say a heartbreaker to Auburn in the Iron Bowl on a last second kick-return and (On using the Auburn game as motifinishing their season with a loss to vation) “Well, we haven’t gotten to them Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. Another yet, but that’s going to motivate us top-tier recruiting class for Saban will because it was a dramatic loss for us have the Tide reloaded, but questions to them this past year, but it’s going to at quarterback might slow the process be…we’re going to see how the team comes together.” more than fans would like. ” Landon Collins Key players returning Amari Cooper (WR) Trey DePriest You might not know (LB) T.J. Yeldon (RB) Landon Collins If Alabama becomes bowl eligible this (DB) season, they will have made 61 bowl appearances, a recurring NCAA record Key losses A.J. McCarron (QB) HaHa Clinton-Dix for the Crimson Tide.
Herndon (WR) Kiero Small (FB) Chris Smith (DE) Robert Thomas (DT) Coach says There’s a lot of times you do things that prevent you from winning more so than the team that execute it. I’m not taking anything away from what the 2013 3-9, 0-8 in the SEC, 7th in the SEC other team does or anything like that. But as a coach, you have to be mindful Western Division of what did you do to prevent it. If you don’t have any answers, you have a Projected finish problem. If we can’t do it, don’t call it. 7th in the SEC Western Division Don’t try to get them to do it. Understand what our players can execute it. Briefly Brett Bielema Coach Brett Bielema returns for his second year as Head Coach for the Players say Razorbacks in the toughest division in the toughest conference in college foot- “Just knowing where this program ball. Bringing his specific brand of foot- is going. I knew under Coach Brett ball from his previous stint at Wisconsin Bielema and the guys he put around has proven to be difficult against faster, him as far as the staff, we’re taking this more athletic teams such as Auburn, program to a winning season. Just me Alabama, and LSU. Things don’t look to helping out, I understand what we’ve get much easier for the Razorbacks in been through the last two years. From Bielema’s second year and with teams my freshman year having an 11-win like Ole Miss and Mississippi State on season, I understand what it takes to the uptick which more than likely will win. Just coming back to be a leader see Arkansas ending up in the bottom and help my team win is what it was.” Trey Flowers, DE slot of the SEC West. Key players returning You might not know Adam Deacon (G) AJ Derby (TE) Trey Flowers (DE) Rohan Gaines (S) Alex The University of Arkansas joined the SEC in 1990 after decades in the Collins (RB) now-defunct Southwest Conference. It brought with it one of the best cheers Key losses Travis Swanson (C) Jevontee and nicknames in the country.
(WR) Robinson Therezie (DB) Cameron Artis-Payne (RB) Montravius Adams (DT) Reese Dismukes (C) Carl Lawson (DE) Ricardo Louis (WR) CJ Uzomah (TE) Key losses Tre Mason (RB) Dee Ford (DE) Greg Robinson (LT) Chris Davis (CB) Ryan Smith (DB) 2013 12-2, 7-1 in SEC—First in SEC Western Division, Won SEC Championship Game, 59-42 against Missouri, Lost BCS Championship Game 31-34 to Florida State Projected finish Second in SEC Western Division Briefly After one of the most astonishing turnarounds in college football history, Coach Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers look for an encore performance in 2014. Facing the second toughest schedule in all of college football, it will be tough for the Tigers to reach the inaugural Division I college football playoff as one of the top four teams in the nation. The Tigers won’t be surprising anyone this season and with key losses on the offensive and defensive lines as well as Tre Mason at running back, it looks to be a tough task for Malzahn to keep Auburn at the top of the pack. But until the SEC teams prove they can stop the smashmouth, hurry-up, no-huddle, juggernaut of an offense the Tigers bring to the field, Auburn will be favored to push for a spot in Atlanta. Key players returning Nick Marshall (QB) Sammie Coates
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Coach says “You know, last year we weren’t on anybody’s radar. We snuck up on a lot of people. This year we know we’re going to be circled. We talked about that with our players. But at the same time I feel like that’s good pressure. We’ve got our program back to where it should be, where people, you know, have us circled.” Gus Malzahn Players say “That (LSU) game bonded us as a team. We matured a lot after the loss. We could have rolled over and played dead, but we came out and played real well the week after on the road. I think doing that showed a lot of maturity as a team. Obviously it was a tough loss, but we were able to look past it and not let it ruin our season.” CJ Uzomah You might not know Auburn only has one mascot, the Tiger (Aubie), despite many people thinking the golden eagle is also the mascot. The eagle that is part of the Auburn culture and flies around the stadium just before kickoff of each home game comes from the Auburn battle cry, “War Eagle.”
2013 4-8, 3-5 SEC—Fifth in SEC Eastern Division Projected finish Fifth in SEC Eastern Division Briefly Head Coach Will Muschamp, once the darling of the college football coaching pool, is intense and demanding on the sidelines, but does he have the wherewithal to right the ship in 2014? Injuries plagued the Gators last season and inconsistencies on both sides of the ball lead to demoralizing losses along the way, including a loss to non-conference opponent Georgia Southern in the Swamp. Jeff Driskel will have a lot of expectations and pressure on him at quarterback this season and the Gators’ success looks to depend on his ability to play well and play a full season under center.
Coach says “There will be a lot of chatter about hot seat business. That’s part of it. The way you combat that is having a winning football team and winning football games, which is what we’re going to do. I got a lot of confidence in this team and staff. This is probably the most complete team we’ve had since I’ve been at the University of Florida in all three phases. Looking forward to getting this thing going. After three years, after evaluating last season, like you do after every year, looking at what you need to do to improve to take steps forward, we played consistently well on defense. We were very inconsistent the latter part of last season, which is disappointing. I feel like the things that went wrong certainly were fixable in our organization.” Will Muschamp
Players say “I don’t think you really want to put numbers expectations on yourself, you just want to go in and give your team a chance to win. Obviously we’re going to need more production from the offense to do that, and I think based off of the spring that we’ll be able to do that.” Key players returning Quarterback Jeff Driskel Jeff Driskel (QB) Kelvin Taylor (RB) DJ Humphries (OT) Dante Fowler (DE) Jonathan Bullard (DL) Antonio Morrison You might not know (LB) Vernon Hargreaves (CB) Cody Riggs Florida’s Cris Collinsworth, the color (DB) commentator on Sunday Night Football, Key losses Jonathan Harrison (C) Jon Halapio (OL) holds the NCAA and Gator records for Dominique Easley (DT) Ronald Powell the longest pass for a touchdown. The (LB) Marcus Roberson (CB) Loucheiz 99-yard TD pass to Derrick Gaffney came in a 48-3 win over Rice in 1977. Purifoy (CB)
The Game Plan
2010 Josh Harvey-Clemons (DB), Chris Conley 6-7 overall, 3-5 in the SEC – Third in (WR), David Andrews (C) the SEC Eastern Division Key losses Projected finish Aaron Murray (QB), Chris Burnette Second in the Eastern Division (OL), Kenarious Gates (LT), Arthur Lynch (TE), Garrison Smith (DE) Quantavious Jersington (DE) Coach says 2013 Extremely excited about this football 8-5, 5-3 in SEC Eastern Division—Lost team. I think we have a tremendous to Nebraska in Gator Bowl culture right now for work ethic. I think we have a tremendous culture of guys Projected finish wanting to lead in the right way. I think the Second in Eastern Division camaraderie of our staff is tremendous. I think that’s important. It kind of bleeds Briefly Coach Mark Richt enters his fourteenth down to the rest of the team.” Mark Richt year as Georgia’s head coach. 2014 starts with high expectations for the Bulldogs as Players say most seasons do in Athens, but a repeat “Last year we lost to Clemson by three of 2013’s lackluster results will have the or four points. This year we get the chance fanbase calling for Richt’s job—a famil- to redeem ourselves. They get to come to iar pattern nowadays at Georgia. The Athens and it’s the first game, so people Bulldogs went to the SEC Championship are going to be pumped up about that. game in 2012 and entered the 2013 Then, we have a bye week and then we season with high hopes of repeating that go play South Carolina and that’s always accomplishment, but the season opening a good game. That game is always for loss to Clemson proved to be a foreshad- bragging rights and a lot of guys from owing of what would come for Richt and Georgia are on the South Carolina team. Georgia. South Carolina will be the favor- The whole state of Georgia and state of ite to make it out of the East this season South Carolina get excited for that. To win and the 2013 East Champs, Missouri, will those two games against that state would be down this year, so maybe the Bulldogs be good for us.” will be able to get over the hump and Todd Gurley, RB return to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta. You might not know Key players returning Georgia is part of a rivalry with Auburn Todd Gurley (RB) Keith Marshall (RB) called the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.” Michael Bennett (WR) Ray Drew (DE), The two have played 117 times since the Ramik Wilson (LB), Jordan Jenkins (LB), first meeting in 1892. (WR), Odell Beckham (WR), Bolivar Hartnett (P) Coach says On his confidence in this season: “We’ll earn our way. I like us, and I like us in every game.” On losing 18 players in two years to the NFL: “I keep approaching the NFL about the opportunity to draft back some of the players they take.” 2013 10-3, 5-3 in the SEC Western On running back Leonard Fournette: Division—Outback Bowl win over Iowa “I think if you look at Michael Jordan, he could not have been coached to be Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan Projected finish accepted the role of expecting him to Third in SEC Western Division be better than any Les Miles Briefly Head Coach Les Miles must continue Players say to reload the talent-laden squad in his 10th year in Baton Rouge. Losing play- On the key of success being the ers to the NFL draft and to graduation offensive line: “Just focus. Just being is nothing new for the Bayou Bengals, prepared and doing everything that but losing their starting quarterback, we’ve been coached to do each and running back, and wide receiver might every week; taking one game at a time, staying healthy, and just really doing prove to a heavy burden in 2014. our homework. Each and every week is a battle, we face some of the greatest Key players returning Anthony Jennings (QB), La’El Collins athletes in the country in the SEC, so if (OL), Vadal Alexander (OL), Travin we prepare we’ll be OK.” La’El Collins, OL Dural (WR), Jermauria Rasco (DE), Danielle Hunter (DE), Kwon Alexander You might not know (LB), TreDavious White (CB), Jalen Collins (CB), Jalen Mills (CB), Ronald Although NCAA rules state that home teams dress in color and the visiting Martin (DB) team wears their white jerseys, LSU wears their white jerseys for every Key losses Zach Mettenberger (QB), Jeremy Hill game. (RB), Alfred Blue (RB), Jarvis Landry
The Game Plan
Key losses Raymond Sanders (RB), Donte Rumph (DT), Avery Williamson (MLB)
2013 2-10, 0-8 in SEC Eastern Division Projected finish Seventh in SEC Eastern Division Briefly It is going to be tough to make the Wildcats a quality football team even with second-year coach Mark Stoops amassing solid recruiting classes and trying to wrestle some of the fan support away from the basketball program. His first year at Kentucky wasn’t pretty, but with a top 40 recruiting class and a wide open style of offense, the Wildcats might be able to make some noise in the SEC in 2014. A real quality product is still probably a few years out for Stoops and company.
Coach says “I’m excited about this team. This team has worked extremely hard. They’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do. It’s been a short 18 months, but the players have worked hard. I think the area where we need to improve the most was leadership. I feel like our players have worked hard to be better leaders, to be more accountable, to be more dependable to their teammates and to the program. I think the other area is physically. We constantly talk about our program about recruiting and development. We’re certainly recruiting at a very high level.” Mark Stoops Players say “I feel like success for our team is going to a bowl game. That is my personal goal as a team for us. So I’m going to work my butt off trying to get us to a bowl game, and that will be a success for us.” Jordan Swindle, OR
Key players returning Max Smith (QB), JoJo Kemp (RB), You might not know Ryan Timmoons (WR), Zach West Head Coach Mark Stoops is the broth(OG), Darian Miller (OL), Alvin Dupree er of Bob Stoops, the head coach for (DE), Ashley Lowery (DB), Eric Dixon Oklahoma and Mike Stoops, the defen(DB) sive coordinator for Oklahoma. Lotus Burnaby (LB), Mike Marry (LB) Coach says “We talk a lot about buy-in percentage. In our three years there, two, going on the third, I think the buy-in percentage from our kids, staff, everyone in our building is at an all-time high. It’s not totally there. I don’t know that you ever get totally there. But we do feel like the percentage is at a point now where it should help us meet 2013 our expectations. 8-5, 3-5 in SEC Western Division— I think the leadership will be the key. Music City Bowl win over Georgia Tech We haven’t developed leadership within our locker room to the point that I am Projected finish totally happy with. We’re better than we Fifth in SEC Western Division were. I think Bo Wallace has matured quite nicely.” Briefly Hugh Freeze Hugh Freeze has been recruiting at an SEC level and the Rebels have made strides in the toughest division in colPlayers say lege football. However, competing against On pressure of being a dark horse in perennial powerhouses like Alabama, the SEC West: “Well no we don’t feel any Auburn, and LSU doesn’t do any favors pressure at all. We are confident that we for Ole Miss and success might be slow to can get into late game with those teams. come for Freeze. The revelry in the Grove That is our goal to get late into the fourth might have to focus on the Hotty Toddies quarter and see what happens. Like I instead of signature wins in 2014. said, we are a dark horse and we know that and we are working every day to try Key players returning and win an SEC Championship.” Bo Wallace (QB), I’Tavius Mathers Bo Wallace, QB (RB), Laquon Treadwell (WR), Laremy Tunsil (OT), CJ Johnson (DE), Robert You might not know Nkemdiche (DT), Isaac Gross (DL), Although still referred to as the Rebels, Denzel Nkemdiche (LB), Senquez Golson there has been controversy over the (CB), Cody Prewitt (DB) mascot and its possible racist overtones. During home games fans amass at the Key losses center of campus in the Grove and set Jeff Scott (RB), Donte Moncrief (WR), up tents, making for a carnival like atmoPierce Burton (OT), Ja-Mes Logan (WR), sphere.
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(OG), EJ Gaines (CB)
(RB), Gabe Jackson (OG), Denico Autry (DE), Deonte Skinner (LB), Moronte Gibbons (CB) Coach says “I think for us when you look at expectations on the season, I think how last season ended, with a lot of young guys coming back on our team, our team immediately 2013 put a lot of expectations on themselves. 12-2, 7-1 in SEC Eastern Division—Lost Right from day one of the workouts, the winter conditioning, of what they wanted to Auburn in SEC championship game, 2013 to accomplish this year, what they felt they Cotton Bowl win over Oklahoma State 7-6, 3-5 in SEC Western Division— could accomplish. So we’ve talked to them Projected finish Liberty Bowl win over Rice University about it, embraced all those expectations. Fourth in SEC Eastern Division Our expectations are to find a way to get Projected finish to Atlanta. ” Key players returning Fourth in SEC Western Division Dan Mullen Maty Mauk (QB), Russell Hansbrough Key players returning (RB), Bud Sasser (WR), Evan Boehm Players say Dak Prescott (QB), Josh Robinson (RB), (C) Shane Ray (DL), Matt Hoch (DL), Jameon Lewis (WR), Malcolm Johnson On what it takes to beat the top SEC Markus Golden (LB), Braylon Webb (DB) teams: “It’s going to be a big road. In the (TE), Robert Johnson (WR), Chris Jones (DL), Preston Brown (DE), Kaleb Eulls offseason, we train every day for games. Key losses (DL), Benardrick McKinney (LB), Matthew We’re just going to take one game at a time James Franklin (QB), Henry Josey (RB), Wells (LB), Jamerson Love (CB), Justin and just play hard. We’re going to try to L’Damian Washington (WR), Marcus capitalize on other teams’ mistakes.” Cox (CB) (WR), Max Copeland (OL), Justin Benardick McKinney, LB Lucas Key losses Britt (OL), Michael Sam (DE), Kony Ealy Tyler Russell (QB), LaDarius Perkins (DE), Andrew Wilson (LB), B.B. Loper (QB), Bruce Ellington (WR), Jadeveon Clowney (DE), Kelcy Quarles (DT), Jimmy Legree (CB), Vic Hampton (CB) Coach says On dealing with boosters and expectations in the SEC: “I think one of the head coach’s responsibilities is to get to know some of those big boosters. I certainly have got to know all of ours. The big donors in college are similar to like an owner in the NFL because they put the money up. The best part of it, they don’t’ tell us what to do, though. They’re sort of the 2013 owners from a distance. They don’t tell you 11-2, 6-2 in SEC Eastern Division— who to play, what plays to call, so forth.” Capital One Bowl win over Wisconsin Steve Spurrier Projected finish Players say First in SEC Eastern Division On relationship with coach Spurrier: “Coach is awesome. Every time someone Key players returning Mike Davis (RB), Shaq Roland (WR), asks me how it is playing for him, I say it’s Dylan Thompson (QB), AJ Cann (OL), just a blast. For me in high school, I played Brandon Shell (OL), Corey Robinson (OL), all sports so I never really concentrated Skai Moore (LB), Brison Williams (DB), specifically on football. When I got to South Carolina, I knew that he was a perfectionist, Kadetrix Marcus (DB) so that’s been awesome to be able to work Key losses with him. ” Holt Cummington (LB), Connor Shaw Dylon Thompson, QB Mike Evans (WR), Derel Walker (WR), Jake Matthews (OT), Steven Jenkins (LB), Steve Austin (LB), Toney Hurd (DB) Coach says “I think moving forward, being a part of this league, this being my third year into it, understanding a little bit more about the culture, about the recruiting process, about the facilities, and about the level of play. I think we’re headed in the right direction. We haven’t accomplished everything we’ve 2013 wanted to accomplish over the last couple of 9-4, 4-4 in SEC—Chick-Fil-A Bowl win years, but I think there’s no doubt that we’re over Duke University headed in the right direction. Our university is giving us the opportunity, the means and Projected finish the support to put us on that track to be Sixth in SEC Western Division extremely successful.” Key players returning Kevin Sumlin Cedric Ogbuehi (OT), Mike Matthews (C), Players say Jarvis Harrison (OG), Malcome Kennedy (WR), Trey Williams (RB), Tra Carson (RB), On improving the defense this season: Julien Obioha (DE), Gavin Stansbury (DL), “We’ve got to play better, that’s all we can Darian Claiborne (LB), Howard Matthews take from it. To give up as many points (DB), Deshazor Everett (DB), De’Vante as we did as a defense is embarrassing. We’re definitely going to come out stronger Harris (DB), Floyd Raven (DB) this year.” Key losses Deshazor Everett, DB Johnny Manziel (QB), Ben Malena (RB),
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2013 5-7, 2-6 in SEC Projected finish Sixth in SEC East
Coach says On dismissing Dorial Green-Beckham from the team: “We lost a really great player. I wish Dorial the best. The most important thing, you make mistakes, you have a chance to learn lessons, and I think he will. I think you can lose a player in the middle of August that you thought was going to be your best player. For us, we knew going into spring football our challenges there. We have three high-level running backs in our program right now. Guys that I think are high-level SEC running backs.” Gary Pinkel Players say On improving his passing game: “It’s definitely one of my main strengths. I went down there (to the Manning QB camp) feeling good, but when I came back I really felt a difference. This camp took me to the next level. I have already been working with some of the guys with some changes that I want to make this season.” Maty Mauk, QB Coach says “This year half of our roster will brandnew. With that that has brough a lot of positive energy, excitement, momentum that surrounds Tennessee football. So much momentum, not just from a program standpoint in terms of football, but from facility improvements, from recruiting, just the overall development that’s going on at Tennessee. We’ve had an influx of young talent and youthfulness. We were very fortunate to sign a signing class of 32, 14 of which were early enrollees, so that they were present during spring football That really helped in the overall development of our football program.” Butch Jones
Key players returning Josh Dobbs (QB), Marlin Lane (RB), Marquez North (WR), Pig Howard (WR), Players say AJ Johnson (LB), Curt Maggitt (LB), Brian On being back to play the first game of Randolph (DB), Cam Sutton (CB) the season: “It will be great. It’s not like playing in Neyland with all the fans, but I Key losses Rajion Neal (RB), Ja’Wuan James know it will be sold out for sure. Playing on (OT), Tiny Richardson (OT), James Stone Sunday will be a great opportunity for me (OG), Zach Fulton (OG), Daniel McCullers to get back out there and do my best for (DT), Nate Vandervort (DE) Jacques the team to help us get to victory.” Curt Maggitt, LB Smith (DE) Matthews (WR), Jonathan Krause (WR), Wesley Johnson (OT), Walker May (DE), Stewart Luper (OT), Chase Garnham (LB), Karl Butler (LB), Travis Trittholm (CB), Andre Hal (CB), Javon Marshall (S), Kenny Ladler (S), Carey Spear (K) Coach says “I think our opportunity to compete for an SEC East title is now. We want 2013 to make sure that we work extremely 9-4, 4-4 in SEC—BBVA Compass hard day in and day out to be men of Bowl win over Houston character, men of integrity. We’re going to play extremely hard.” Projected finish Derek Mason Third in SEC Eastern Division Players say Key players returning On Coach Mason as new coach: Patton Robinette (QB), Brian Kimbrow “Yeah, I was excited. He’s had a lot of (RB), Jerron Seymour (RB), Joe success at Stanford, you know, one of Townsend (C), Caleb Azubike (DE), the top defenses in the country. So right Darreon Herring (LB), Jake Sealand when the staff came in and did a little (LB), Kyle Woestmann (DE) different stuff with the offense. They’ve got the film out, so we can get right on it Key losses and get familiar with the defense.” Austyn Carta-Samuels (QB), Jordan Andrew Williamson, Safety
The Game Plan
The Game Plan
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2014-15 National Football League Schedules Week 1 Thursday, Sept. 4 Packers At Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 7 Bengals At Ravens Bills At Bears Redskins At Texans Titans At Chiefs Saints At Falcons Patriots At Dolphins Vikings At Rams Browns At Steelers Raiders At Jets Jaguars At Eagles Panthers At Buccaneers 49ers At Cowboys Colts At Broncos Monday, Sept. 8 Giants At Lions Chargers At Cardinals Week 2 Thursday, Sept. 11 Steelers At Ravens Sunday, Sept. 14 Falcons At Bengals Saints At Browns Patriots At Vikings Lions At Panthers Dolphins At Bills Cardinals At Giants Jaguars At Redskins Cowboys At Titans Seahawks At Chargers Rams At Buccaneers Jets At Packers Chiefs At Broncos Texans At Raiders Bears At 49ers Monday, September 15th Eagles At Colts Week 3 Thursday, Sept. 18 Buccaneers At Falcons Sunday, September 21 Ravens At Browns
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Packers At Lions Titans At Bengals Chargers At Bills Colts At Jaguars Raiders At Patriots Vikings At Saints Texans At Giants Redskins At Eagles Cowboys At Rams 49ers At Cardinals Chiefs At Dolphins Broncos At Seahawks Steelers At Panthers Monday, Sept. 22 Bears At Jets Week 4 Bye Week: Cardinals, Bengals, Browns, Broncos, Seahawks, Rams Thursday, Sept. 25 Giants At Redskins Sunday, Sept. 28 Titans At Colts Bills At Texans Packers At Bears Panthers At Ravens Falcons At Vikings Buccaneers At Steelers Dolphins At Raiders Lions At Jets Jaguars At Chargers Eagles At 49ers Saints At Cowboys Monday, September 29 Patriots At Chiefs Week 5 Bye Week: Dolphins, Raiders Thursday, Oct. 2 Vikings At Packers Sunday, Oct. 5 Bills At Lions Texans At Cowboys Bears At Panthers Steelers At Jaguars
Ravens At Colts Browns At Titans Rams At Eagles Falcons At Giants Buccaneers At Saints Cardinals At Broncos Chiefs At 49ers Jets At Chargers Bengals At Patriots Monday, Oct. 6 Seahawks At Redskins Week 6 Bye Week: Chiefs, Saints Thursday, Oct. 9 Colts At Texans Sunday, October 12 Lions At Vikings Packers At Dolphins Steelers At Browns Panthers At Bengals Patriots At Bills Bears At Falcons Broncos At Jets Jaguars At Titans Ravens At Buccaneers Chargers At Raiders Cowboys At Seahawks Redskins At Cardinals Giants At Eagles Monday, Oct. 13 49ers At Rams Week 7 Bye Week: Eagles, Buccaneers Thursday, Oct. 16 Jets At Patriots Sunday, Oct. 19 Saints At Lions Dolphins At Bears Vikings At Bills Falcons At Ravens Panthers At Packers Titans At Redskins Seahawks At Rams Browns At Jaguars Bengals At Colts Chiefs At Chargers
Cardinals At Raiders Giants At Cowboys 49ers At Broncos Monday, Oct. 20 Texans At Steelers Week 8 Bye Week: Giants, 49ers Thursday, Oct. 23 Chargers At Broncos Sunday, Oct. 26 Lions At Falcons Texans At Titans Seahawks At Panthers Ravens At Bengals Dolphins At Jaguars Rams At Chiefs Bears At Patriots Bills At Jets Vikings At Buccaneers Eagles At Cardinals Raiders At Browns Colts At Steelers Packers At Saints Monday, Oct. 27 Redskins At Cowboys Week 9 Bye Week: Falcons, Bills, Bears, Lions, Packers, Titans Thursday, Oct. 30 Saints At Panthers Sunday, Nov. 2 Buccaneers At Browns Jaguars At Bengals Cardinals At Cowboys Eagles At Texans Jets At Chiefs Chargers At Dolphins Redskins At Vikings Rams At 49ers Broncos At Patriots Raiders At Seahawks Ravens At Steelers Monday, Nov. 3 Colts At Giants
The Game Plan
2014-15 National Football League Schedules Week 10 Bye Week: Texans, Colts, Vikings, Patriots, Chargers, Redskins Thursday, Nov. 6 Browns At Bengals Sunday, Nov. 9 Titans At Ravens Chiefs At Bills Dolphins At Lions Cowboys At Jaguars 49ers At Saints Steelers At Jets Falcons At Buccaneers Broncos At Raiders Rams At Cardinals Giants At Seahawks Bears At Packers Monday, November 10 Panthers At Eagles Week 11 Bye Week: Ravens, Cowboys, Jaguars, Jets Thursday, Nov. 13 Bills At Dolphins Sunday, Nov. 16 Vikings At Bears Falcons At Panthers Texans At Browns Buccaneers At Redskins Broncos At Rams 49ers At Giants Bengals At Saints Seahawks At Chiefs Eagles At Packers Raiders At Chargers Lions At Cardinals Patriots At Colts Monday, Nov. 17 Steelers At Titans Week 12 Bye Week: Panthers, Steelers
The Game Plan
Thursday, Nov. 20 Chiefs At Raiders Sunday, Nov. 23 Jaguars At Colts Bengals At Texans Buccaneers At Bears Jets At Bills Browns At Falcons Packers At Vikings Titans At Eagles Lions At Patriots Rams At Chargers Cardinals At Seahawks Redskins At 49ers Dolphins At Broncos Cowboys At Giants Monday, Nov. 24 Ravens At Saints Week 13 Bye Week: No Teams On Bye Thursday, Nov. 27 Bears At Lions Eagles At Cowboys Seahawks At 49ers Sunday, Nov. 30 Raiders At Rams Bengals At Buccaneers Chargers At Ravens Browns At Bills Titans At Texans Redskins At Colts Giants At Jaguars Panthers At Vikings Saints At Steelers Cardinals At Falcons Patriots At Packers Broncos At Chiefs Monday, Dec. 1 Dolphins At Jets Week 14 Thursday, Dec. 4 Cowboys At Bears Sunday, Dec. 7 Buccaneers At Lions
Texans At Jaguars Colts At Browns Steelers At Bengals Ravens At Dolphins Rams At Redskins Jets At Vikings Panthers At Saints Giants At Titans Chiefs At Cardinals Bills At Broncos 49ers At Raiders Seahawks At Eagles Patriots At Chargers Monday, Dec. 8 Falcons At Packers Week 15 Thursday, Dec. 11 Cardinals At Rams Sunday, Dec. 14 Buccaneers At Panthers Packers At Bills Jaguars At Ravens Steelers At Falcons Bengals At Browns Redskins At Giants Vikings At Lions Texans At Colts Raiders At Chiefs Dolphins At Patriots Broncos At Chargers Jets At Titans 49ers At Seahawks Cowboys At Eagles Monday, Dec. 15 Saints At Bears Week 16 Thursday, Dec. 18 Titans At Jaguars Saturday, Dec. 20 Eagles At Redskins Chargers At 49ers Sunday, December 21st Browns At Panthers Lions At Bears Ravens At Texans
Vikings At Dolphins Falcons At Saints Patriots At Jets Chiefs At Steelers Packers At Buccaneers Giants At Rams Colts At Cowboys Bills At Raiders Seahawks At Cardinals Monday, Dec. 22 Broncos At Bengals Week 17 Sunday, Dec. 28 Lions At Packers Jaguars At Texans Chargers At Chiefs Cowboys At Redskins Bears At Vikings Bills At Patriots Eagles At Giants Bengals At Steelers Saints At Buccaneers Colts At Titans Browns At Ravens Panthers At Falcons Jets At Dolphins Rams At Seahawks Raiders At Broncos Cardinals At 49ers NFL Football Postseason Wild Card Round January 3-4, 2015 Divisional Round January 10-11, 2015 Championship Game January 18, 2015 Super Bowl XLIX February 1, 2015 University Of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
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State Senator Roger H. Bedford, Jr.
Your
Hard Working Senator, Still Working
For You!
Always Playing for the Home Team!!
Proven Record of: • Working Hard to Create New Jobs
• Promoting Rural Economic Development. • Improving our District through Construction and Road Projects Roger Bedford & Assoc. P.C. 256-332-6966 • 334-242-7862 • email: senbedford@aol.com om Paid for by Roger Bedford, P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653
The Game Plan
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The Game Plan
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The Game Plan
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The Game Plan
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The Game Plan
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The Game Plan
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The Game Plan
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State Senator Roger H. Bedford, Jr.
Your
Hard Working Senator, Still Working
For You!
Always Playing for the Home Team!!
Proven Record of: • Working Hard to Create New Jobs
• Promoting Rural Economic Development. • Improving our District through Construction and Road Projects Roger Bedford & Assoc. P.C. 256-332-6966 • 334-242-7862 • email: senbedford@aol.com om Paid for by Roger Bedford, P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653