Fall Sports Preview 2018

Sports FALL

2018

PREVIEW

GULF COAST MEDIA ~ GULFCOASTNEWSTODAY.COM

FOOTBALL • VOLLEYBALL •CROSS COUNTRY

Baldwin County Tigers ~ Bayshore Christian Eagles ~ Bayside Academy Admirals Central Christian Saints ~ Coastal Community College Sun Chiefs Daphne Trojans ~ Elberta Warriors ~ Fairhope Pirates Foley Lions ~ Gulf Shores Dolphins ~ Robertsdale Golden Bears Snook Christian Eagles ~ Spanish Fort Toros ~ St. Michael Catholic Cardinals

2 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

2018 BALDWIN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 24

Murphy

HOME

Aug. 31

Gulf Shores

AWAY

Sept. 7

St. Paul’s

HOME

Sept. 14

Saraland

AWAY

Sept. 21

Blount

HOME

Sept. 28

Open

Oct. 5

Daphne

AWAY

Oct. 12

Spanish Fort

HOME

Oct. 19

Robertsdale

AWAY

Oct. 26

BC Rain

HOME

Nov. 2

Charles Henderson

AWAY

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Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 3

BALDWIN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

TIGERS

MEDIA DAY PHOTOS BY PATRICK HERRING

Albany Casey

Javis Atchison

Johnathan Norris

Tigers return hungry to tough Region 1 after just missing the playoffs by a whisker last year

By PATRICK HERRING GCM Sports

Nathan McDaniel and the Baldwin County High School Tigers cannot wait for the 2018 football season to arrive.

They’ve had a bitter taste in their mouths since a Nov. 3 loss to Daphne that ended the season of a 7-3 football team. Despite having a more than impressive record than numerous teams who made the playoffs, the Tigers were left at home due to their three losses coming in Class 6A regional play.

“We finally beat one of the ‘Big Four’ (Spanish Fort, Daphne, Saraland and Blount) in our region and it was huge for our guys,” McDaniel said. “But apparently we beat the wrong one.”

McDaniel has done an outstanding job reviving a once proud program.

In the first four years he has been on campus, he has won more games (21) than the last three head coaches had won combined (18) in the prior nine seasons.

“Winning games makes me more relaxed,” McDaniel said.

“It reinforces my confidence in the guys we’re putting on the field.”

Baldwin County returns a stout group of guys on the defensive side of the ball heading into 2018 with eight starters coming back, including their two starting safeties. Junior defensive end Albany Casey re-

sumes his starting role this season, but he spoke about how no starters are set in stone.

“We’ve progressed both offensively and defensively over last year’s team,” Casey said.

“We’re very competitive in everything we do, day in and day out. No starting spot is ever safe, and we all know that, so we come in and put in our best effort every day.”

Fellow front seven defender Jonathan Norris, a senior at the inside linebacker spot, echoed his teammate.

“The defense is gonna be tough,” Norris said.

“We’re a lot better than last year, and we really weren’t bad last year.”

On the other side of the ball, McDaniel talked about his new signal caller, junior Deimir Sewel.

“I think he has won the locker room,” McDaniel said of Sewel. “I’d like to see him in some live action situations, but from what we’ve seen from him so far, we think

he’s going to be really good.”

Sewel will have a nice security blanket when 6’3 receiver Javis Atchison is lined up on the outside. The senior receiver racked up 713 yards and seven touchdowns on just 30 receptions in 2017. The effort has netted him scholarship offers from Kansas, South Alabama and Southern Miss. He’s expected to make his decision any day now.

He had nothing but good things to say about his new quarterback.

“Deimir gets better every week,” Atchison said. “He’s a smart decision maker who’s going to be a weapon for our offense.”

Not to mention, the Tigers also get back a 1,000-yard rusher in junior James Stanley. The offense has the opportunity to be something special.

Baldwin County has an interesting schedule this season in that the game location alternates

perfectly between home and away for the whole year. They’ll open at home versus Murphy, then travel to Gulf Shores.

The Tigers host 5A State Champions and 6A newcomers St. Paul’s in Week Three before travelling to play at Saraland, who despite losing to Baldwin County still made a playoff run.

Blount comes to town the following week. The Leopards had a worse record than Baldwin County, but made the playoffs due to a headsup win over the Tigers.

A week of rest smack in the middle of the schedule will do McDaniel and his team some good, being able to reset and see where they are heading into the home stretch.

Weeks Seven and Eight feature a pair of Eastern Shore foes when the Tigers travel to Daphne and welcome Spanish Fort, respectively. Those two teams combined for a 19-5 record a year ago.

Head Coach Nathan McDaniel “We finally beat one of the ‘Big Four’ (Spanish Fort, Daphne, Saraland and Blount) in our region was huge for our guys. But apparently we beat the wrong one.”

PHOTO BY KENNY SMITH

Robertsdale will welcome Baldwin County for a Week Nine game, followed by B.C. Rain making the trip to Bay Minette to play the Tigers.

A road tilt against 5A Charles Henderson High School in Troy will close out the regular season for Baldwin County.

To his credit, McDaniel has yet to post a worse record than the year prior in his time at Baldwin County, going 4-6, 5-5, 5-5 and 7-3. This year should follow that trend. The team has a

healthy crop of returning starters with playmakers on both sides of the ball and one of the best coaches in the region.

A 7-3 regular season record is the likely outcome of their schedule, but there shouldn’t be a crazy three-way tie this time. So, giving this team of hungry players with a chip on their shoulder a playoff ticket spells trouble for their opponents.

The 2018 Tigers have a chance to be special and make a deep postseason run.

4 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

2018 BAYSIDE ACADEMY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Aug. 24

St. James Episcopal

HOME

Aug. 31

Faith Academy

AWAY

Sept. 7

Mobile Christian

HOME

Sept. 14

Thomasville

AWAY

Sept. 21

T.R. Miller

HOME

Sept. 28

Cottage Hill Christian

AWAY

Oct. 5

Flomaton

AWAY

Oct. 12

Excel

AWAY

Oct. 19

St. Michael Catholic

HOME

Oct. 26

Open

Nov. 2

Satsuma

HOME

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Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 5

BAYSIDE ACADEMY ADMIRALS

MEDIA DAY PHOTOS BY PATRICK HERRING

Jimbo Cassidy

Mac Douglas

Tucker Milteer

Admirals enter 2018 Region 1 waters with a shipload of seniors, all set on another playoff run

By PATRICK HERRING GCM Sports

Bayside Academy is facing a unique situation going into their 2018 season: they have a wealth of upperclassmen. The roster boasts a whopping 19 seniors, the most head coach Phil Lazenby has had in his 12 years with the program. Nine starters each from the offense and defense return after the Admirals only graduated three seniors last year.

Lazenby’s team saw a bit of a dip last season, going 5-6 after making a deep playoff run in 2016 and coming one game short of a state title the year before that.

What that means for the program, however, is that all of the players who were freshmen and sophomores for those two very successful seasons have seen what’s possible and what they need to do to get back there.

Starting quarterback Matt Kalifeh, a junior, returns to lead the offense. Lazneby expects him to do a little better job of managing the offense during his second campaign.

Looking to help him out on offense will be wide receiver Mac Douglas, who also moonlights as a middle linebacker.

He has grown with this team and noted the progress he’s seen.

“We improved every game last year and we’ve improved every day this

summer,” Douglas said.

Junior defensive end and offensive guard Jimbo Cassity is another returner who will play a significant role in the Admirals’ game plan. He has high hopes for the upcoming season.

“The senior class is really the strength of this team,” Cassity said.

“I really think the stars have aligned for us to go to the state champion-

ship this year.”

Tight end Tucker Milteer believes the team is better off just from not having to tweak the lineup.

“Not having to replace guys is huge,” Milteer said. “Just having a lot of the same guys in the same position is helpful.”

Bayside’s schedule is frontloaded with some tough matchups. Their

opener is at home versus St. James, an 8-4 playoff team that only beat the Admirals by a field goal a year ago. They then travel to play at 5A Faith Academy before a home showdown with Mobile Christian. The Leopards made it to the third round of the playoffs and beat Bayside by 10 in 2017.

Thomasville moved down to 3A from 4A

Head Coach Phil Lazenby Lazenby would love nothing more than for this senior-laden group of young men to make a return trip to the championship game to bookend a special high school career, albeit he’s surely hoping for a happier ending this go around.

this year and will host Bayside in Week 4; they went 7-4 last season.

The Admirals won't face another team that was above .500 in 2017 for the remainder of their schedule.

T.R. Miller comes to town before Bayside takes a three-game road trip to play at Cottage Hill, Flomaton and Excel.

The Admirals will play a home game in Week 9 against Region newcomer St. Michael.

While the first match likely won't come with much fanfare, this may be a rivalry in the making.

Bayside finally gets some rest in Week 10, which may be just what the doctor ordered if this team is playoff eligible by then. Following the bye, they host Satsuma in the final game of the season.

Cassity may have been on to something when

he mentioned the stars aligning. The schedule being so heavily loaded at the front should allow this team to build up some momentum and the seniors should have a good idea of how to play to their strengths.

Combine that with the late bye and you've potentially got a recipe for another playoff run.

Optimistically the Admirals can be 7-3 by season's end. And even with the glass being half empty, at 6-4 it is most likely two of the losses would be outside region play. A 6-2 record in the region would all but guarantee a playoff berth.

Lazenby would love nothing more than for this senior-laden group of young men to make a return trip to the championship game to bookend a special high school career, albeit he’s surely hoping for a happier ending this go around.

6 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

2018

Daphne

Trojans

2018 DAPHNE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Aug. 24

Theodore

HOME

Aug. 31

Spanish Fort

AWAY

Sept. 7

Saraland

HOME

Sept. 14

BC Rain

HOME

Sept. 21

Open

Sept. 28

Fairhope

AWAY

Oct. 5

Baldwin County

HOME

Oct. 12

Robertsdale

AWAY

Oct. 19

Gulf Shores

HOME

Oct. 26

St. Paul’s

AWAY

Nov. 2

Blount

AWAY

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Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 7

DAPHNE HIGH SCHOOL TROJANS Trojans seek 21st straight playoff season with deep playoff run Fort staff to take over coaching the defensive line. On the other side of Going into the third the trenches, King hired season of the Kevin Matthew Wells away King era at Daphne, the from Theodore to coach Trojans have compiled the offensive line. a 17-6 record with two “Winning in all asplayoff appearances, pects is one of the things extending the school’s we talk about here,” streak of consecutive King said. “Winning trips to the post season the offseason with the to 20. That’s an amazing players means bringing statistic, but with a proin the best coaches out gram like Daphne where there, and I think we've they won two state done that.” titles and a whopping 10 Two players who region championships should gain the most over that period of time, from Golson’s hire are King knows playoff apsenior quarterback Gage pearances won’t cut it.

Bonner and wide reThe Trojans need a deep ceiver C.J. Young. playoff run. There's “We’re going to have a almost a championship dynamic offense,” Bonor bust mentality surner said. “I don’t know rounding the program. what Daphne's passing Knowing last year’s record is, but I want to 8-3 record and early play- find out and I want to off exit wasn't up to par, break it.”

King went out and hired Young echoed his a number of new assisquarterback’s sentitants and coordinators. ment.

Zach Golson joins “We’re dedicated to the Trojan staff as new being the most explosive offensive coordinator offense in 6A football after a four-year stint this season,” Young said. with McGill-Toolen Wells is also making where he was a part waves with his new crop of the program’s three of players on the o-line straight championship according to center Mike game appearances. ForWeir. mer Robertsdale head “We’ve come together coach Brian Campbell as a unit,” Weir said. is on board as the run“We’re gelling a lot ning backs and special better thanks to coach teams coach. He was the Wells.” offensive coordinator at The entire offense Daphne under former will need to gel in order Daphne head coach to run Golson's offense.

Glenn Vickery.

King mentioned wanting The defensive backs to focus on tempo and will be coached by running as many plays former B.C. Rain head as possible on offense. coach Tellis Stone.

Defensively the TroKing also nabbed jans only return five former Daphne and starters, but one guy University of Alabama who is still on the roster teammate Atlas Heris guaranteed to bolster rion from the Spanish the defense: Christian

By PATRICK HERRING GCM Sports

Williams.

Williams is a 6-foot2, 175-pound cornerback who is rated as a 4-star prospect and the sixth-ranked player in the state according to 247Sports.com. He committed to Alabama in April and will be looking to prove his worth in his final season with the Trojans. He also has specific, clear-cut goals for the season.

“I want to make 50 tackles, get 10 picks and return four of them for touchdowns,” Williams said. Of course, the latter two will require quarterbacks to actually throw to his side of the field, something many will try to avoid doing.

Daphne opens the season at home against Theodore before traveling to Spanish Fort to open regional play against the defending region champs. They'll then play back to back home contests against a Saraland team that went 8-4 and B.C. Rain, who only won one game last year.

seven wins on the schedule, along with a toss-up game and two difficult matchups. At this point, Daphne making it to the playoffs almost seems like a given since they've made playing in November the norm over a twodecade span.

Given the wealth of talent King has surrounded himself with on his staff, this team should have a very high ceiling in 2018. Smart money says they go 7-3 and host a first-round playoff game. If they can win that game and play another at home, the Trojans may just shake up the postseason and get closer to returning to their championship glory of old.

MEDIA DAY PHOTOS BY PATRICK HERRING

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Gage Bonner

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Comprehensive Care For All of Your Senses.

Following their bye week, the Trojans will face their neighboring rival Fairhope on the road before returning home to face a Baldwin County team that is no longer a pushover.

A road game against Robertsdale preceeds their final home game against Gulf Shores.

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8 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

FAIRHOPE PIRATES 2018

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2018 FAIRHOPE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 24

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Aug. 31

Mary Montgomery

HOME

Sept. 6

Murphy

AWAY

Sept. 14

Theodore

HOME

Sept. 20

Davidson

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Sept. 28

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Oct. 12

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Alma Bryant

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McGill-Toolen

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Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 9

FAIRHOPE HIGH SCHOOL PIRATES

MEDIA DAY PHOTOS BY PATRICK HERRING

Aspen Pitt

Devin Mitchell

William Ryland

Pirates look to rebuild with few returning starters, but with experience in key spots

By PATRICK HERRING GCM Sports

One year ago the Fairhope Pirates football team completed just about the best turnaround season anyone could ask for, going 8-3 after finishing the previous season an abysmal 2-8. After reeling off eight straight wins, head coach Tim Carter’s team dropped the regular season finale and an opening round home playoff game. Carter and company are looking to build on the positives and negatives from that experience heading into 2018.

The team lost a wealth of experience and return only six starters from a year ago, four on offense and two on defense. Of the 90 players currently on the roster, a whopping 42 are sophomores.

“Defensively we lost nine players, three or

four of which were secondary guys,” Carter said. “So that’s an area we have to improve.”

Junior defensive end Aspen Pitt will be heavily leaned upon to anchor what will be an inexperienced group of young men. He believes this team can be as good as last year’s.

“We can do the same thing we did last year in making the playoffs,”

Pitt said. “(Going) 2-8 motivated us last year, and we can continue to let 2-8 motivate us.”

On the other side of the ball, the Pirates will lean on third-year starter Devin Mitchell under center. The senior racked up 1,825 yards and 15 touchdowns through the air last season and added 570 yards and six scores in the run game.

“I fell like my running ability is my biggest strength,” Mitchell said.

“I worked (during the offseason) on staying in the pocket longer and trusting my lineman. I love my linemen, they work hard.”

One of the linemen protecting Mitchell is senior left tackle William Ryland, who has the utmost faith in his quarterback.

“On the line, it’s all about five guys working together to protect the quarterback,” Ryland said. “We trust him, and he trusts us.”

Mitchell and the offensive line will get to see a good barometer of where they stand early with their opening contest coming on the road at Wetumpka, a team that went 13-2 a year ago, won their region and lost to Pinson Valley in the 6A championship game.

The Indians also tout a top dual-threat quarterback in 3-star prospect J.D. Martin who has scholarship offers from numerous schools, including Ole Miss.

“Wetumpka is a senior-laden team with maybe the best dualthreat quarterback in Alabama,” Carter said.

“And don’t think we haven’t reminded Devin of that every day.”

Mitchell is up to the challenge, though.

“Playing Wetumpka and J.D. gives me competition to see where I’m at,” Mitchell said.

“I’m excited for the challenge.”

Carter likes the idea of playing the Indians in the first week also.

“It’s almost like a playoff game, going up there and playing a tough team,” Carter said. “I like it because we have a lot of guys that need to grow up.”

The schedule is more kind in the following weeks as the Pirates host Mary Montgomery for the home opener before traveling to Murphy in week three. Those two opponents went a combined 3-17 last season.

Fairhope then plays

Head Coach Tim Carter “Defensively we lost nine players, three or four of which were secondary guys. So that’s an area we have to improve.”

Of the 90 players currently on the roster, a whopping 42 are sophomores.

host to one playoff team in the Theodore Bobcats before traveling to play another one, Davidson, the next week.

Following a week six bye, the squad will host another playoff team in neighboring rival Daphne. The Baker Hornets come to town the next week.

Road trips to a Foley team that went .500 last year and an Alma Bryant team that finished 3-7 will finish out the road slate for the Pirates.

Carter and his team will finish the season with what will basically be another playoff preview when they take on McGill-Toolen, the 7A runner-up from last year.

The 2017 Pirates exceeded expectations on the field, the 2018 team knows what they need to do in order to continue raising the bar, and that’s win a playoff game, something that hasn’t been done by Fairhope since 2014.

The schedule is certainly daunting, but a trip to the playoffs still seems well within the realm of possibility for this team. A 7-3 regular season would not be surprising. The fan base and program alike will be shooting to beat the mark from a year ago, which very well could happen if Carter’s young team grows up like he is asking them to.

10 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

2018

FOLEY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 24

Prattville

AWAY

Aug. 31

Thompson

HOME

Sept. 7

Theodore

AWAY

Sept. 14

Alma Bryant

AWAY

Sept. 21

Baker

HOME

Sept. 28

Open

Oct. 5

McGill-Toolen

AWAY

Oct. 12

Fairhope

HOME

Oct. 19

Mary Montgomery

AWAY

Oct. 26

Murphy

HOME

Nov. 2

Davidson

HOME

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Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 11

FOLEY HIGH SCHOOL LIONS Lions look at new starters, new coordinators’ approaches on both sides of the ball for 2018

By PATRICK HERRING GCM Sports

Foley High School is not far removed from being a top-tier team in 7A Region 1, but the Lions have not won a playoff game since 2014 and sport a 14-17 record under fourth-year head coach Tad Niblett. The man in charge knew some things needed to change, so he shook up the coaching staff, hiring two new coordinators and three new position coaches.

The Lions return only six starters from offense and defense combined heading into the 2018 season. The quarterback and four offensive linemen must be replaced,

leaving some big holes for Niblett to have to fill.

“What we like to ask our players is, ‘Do you care enough?’” Niblett said. “We harp on our competitive spirit, and we’ve got more guys trying to step up and lead this year.”

Stepping up to fill the void at quarterback is senior Clint White, who will be converting back from wide receiver after a two year stint at the position. He does, however, have experience throwing the ball.

“Clint is a big, strong quarterback,” Niblett said. “He likes contact, trying to hit guys straight on instead of getting out of the way, so that's not something we

MEDIA DAY PHOTOS BY PATRICK HERRING

Dalton Gideons

Drew McClellan

Trent Evans

Head Coach Tad Niblett

necessarily want from him at the quarterback position.”

Another positive for the offense is the return of junior wide receiver Dalton Gideons after he missed the latter part of last season due to injury.

“I’m very excited to get back after the injury,” Gideons said. “I just can’t wait to be out there making plays.”

On the defensive side, Niblett is more optimistic, and rightfully so, with a couple of return-

ing starters and some depth there.

“The defensive line is our deepest unit,” Niblett said. “We’ve got a lot of guys there who have playing time from last year.”

One of those players

is senior defensive end Drew McClellan.

“I’ve been trying to be more positive with our guys and be a leader for our defensive line,” McClellan said.

SEE LIONS, PAGE

Good Luck Foley Lions!

25

12 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

l p o h D s i e n r o h S s f 2 0 18 Gul 2018 GULF SHORES HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 24

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AWAY

Aug. 31

Baldwin County

HOME

Sept. 7

Robertsdale

AWAY

Sept. 14

Satellite Beach, Fla.

HOME

Sept. 21

St. Paul’s Episcopal

AWAY

Sept. 28

Open

Oct. 5

Saraland

AWAY

Oct. 12

Blount

HOME

Oct. 19

Daphne

AWAY

Oct. 26

Spanish Fort

HOME

Nov. 1

BC Rain

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Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 13

GULF SHORES HIGH SCHOOL

DOLPHINS Dolphins jump into second season with head coach Blake and several starters returning

By PATRICK HERRING GCM Sports

Gulf Shores enters the second year of Matt Blake’s tenure as head coach in much better shape than the first. A year ago, Blake became the head coach very late in the offseason and had little time to compile a staff and work with the players before the season started. This year, he and the team have a full spring and summer’s worth of work and are ready to tackle his sophomore campaign.

“We changed the culture in the weight room,” Blake said. “I’ve seen these kids’ bodies change after having a

full offseason program under their belts. We made huge strides.”

On offense, Blake said there are three guys vying for the starting spot at quarterback.

Whoever wins that job will be looking for senior wide receiver Jacob Knight early and often.

The young man talked about the influence Blake has brought with him to Gulf Shores. “(Coach) Blake forms relationships with his players, he’s really turned things around,” Knight said. “Winning is fun, finally being able to get some wins was good. Our confidence has improved since we’ve seen we can compete with some of these

MEDIA DAY PHOTOS BY PATRICK HERRING

Caden Goodrich

Jacob Knight

Jarrett Byrd

Head Coach Matt Blake

bigger schools, and even beat them.”

Defensively the Dolphins return seven starters, including their entire defensive backfield. Senior cornerback Caden Goodrich, spoke about his excitement

regarding the upcoming season.

“Having all of the guys back in the secondary is big for us,” Goodrich said. “I feel like we have the potential to upset some people.”

Satsuma will host

Gulf Shores to open the season. The Dolphins then play their home opener against what will likely be a hungry Baldwin County team that was surprisingly left out of the playoffs despite going 7-3 last

year. After that, they’ll go on the road again to play a Robertsdale squad playing under newly hired head coach Chase Smith who looks to turn around a team SEE DOLPHINS, PAGE

Good Luck Gulf Shores Dolphins!

25

14 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

2018 ROBERTSDALE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 24

Mary Montgomery

AWAY

Aug. 31

Blount

AWAY

Sept. 7

Gulf Shores

HOME

Sept. 14

Spanish Fort

AWAY

Sept. 21

Saraland

HOME

Sept. 28

Faith Academy

HOME

Oct. 5

BC Rain

AWAY

Oct. 12

Daphne

HOME

Oct. 19

Baldwin County

HOME

Oct. 26

Open

Nov. 1

St. Paul’s Episcopal

AWAY

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Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 15

ROBERTSDALE HIGH SCHOOL

GOLDEN BEARS

MEDIA DAY PHOTOS BY PATRICK HERRING

Robert Burnett

Tristion Stephens

Collin Laird

Golden Bears hope to return to winning season records under newly-hired Smith

By PATRICK HERRING GCM Sports

Following a tenure under former head coach Brian Campbell, the Robertsdale Golden Bears hope the newlyhired Chase Smith will be the man to turn the program around. Smith comes from the University of South Alabama where he served in various capacities on former head coach Joey Jones’ staff from 2011 to 2017.

He inherits a program that went 11-49 under the previous regime and has not been to the playoffs since 2004.

Despite the odds, 34-year-old Smith is excited for the opportunity he’s been given in his first head coaching role.

“The potential is sky high for these kids,” Smith said. “The challenge coming into a program like this one is giving the kids something to believe in. We don’t talk about the past, we’re moving forward.”

Excitement already seems to be building around the team, along with growing interest from the student body.

“We had 97 kids out there in the Spring,” Smith said. “You’re concerned with quality when you have numbers like that, but it’s a good problem to have.”

Smith is able to pull from his experience at USA to aid in building the program he envisions for Robertsdale.

“Recruiting definitely helped,” Smith said.

“Being able to see so many schools around the country, what they’re doing right, some things you’d like to do and some things you’d like to avoid, it’s invaluable.”

Offensively the Golden Bears only return three starters, however one of those starters is junior quarterback Tristion Stevens. He’s already envisioning improvement coming from the spread attack Smith is installing.

“I’ll get to run more,” Stevens said with a sly grin. “I want to try to extend plays better and find the open receivers downfield.”

Smith likes what he’s seen so far from his signal caller.

“Tristion is a leader by the way that he works,” Smith said. “He’s exactly what you’re looking for in a quarterback to manage your offense.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Smith inherits seven returning starters, including senior linebackers Robert Barnett and Collin Laird.

Barnett can see what his new coach is bringing to the table.

“Last year we had a lot of individuals,” Barnett said. “This year, we’re coming together more as a unit and as a team.”

Laird is excited about the new blood Smith has brought on board as far as his coaches and what their mentality is.

“The new coaching staff has brought more excitement,” Laird said.

“We’re going to be flying around the field, it’s very high energy.”

The latter senior also spoke to his new head coach’s teaching style. “(Coach Smith) brings a discipline in the way he coaches that we’ve never seen before,” Laird said.

“Coach Campbell was more laid back, kind of a player’s coach.”

Robertsdale wasn’t given any favors when the schedule was made, as the Smith era will begin with three of the first four games being played on the road. The Golden Bears open the season at Mary Mont-

gomery, who went 0-10 last year, before travelling to play a Blount team that made it to the first round of the playoffs.

The first home game under Smith will come against regional foe Gulf Shores, who is coming off of a 3-7 season in Matt Blake’s first year as head coach. After that, the Golden Bears hit the road again to play Spanish Fort, the defending region champions.

Four of the next five games will be at home for Robertsdale, with regional power Saraland visiting, followed

by Faith Academy. The Golden Bears then travel to play a B.C. Rain team whose only victory a year ago came when they visited Robertsdale.

Perennial power Daphne and a rejuvenated Baldwin County team round out the home slate.

After an oddly late bye in the ninth week, Smith’s first regular season will wrap up with a road tilt at new region foe and last season’s

Head Coach Chase Smith “The potential is sky high for these kids. The challenge coming into a program like this one is giving the kids something to believe in. We don’t talk about the past, we’re moving forward.”

5A state champions, St.Paul’s.

Fans of the Golden Bears need to temper their expectations heading into Smith’s inaugural campaign. No matter how good of a coach he is, how explosive the offense is or how stifling the defense may be, there will be growing pains.

This is Smith’s first head coaching gig. He’s learning the ropes of being the head guy just as all of his staff and players are learning under him.

Realistically, a .500 sea-

son is likely too high of a bar. A successful season would honestly be one in which the Golden Bears are able to match the win total of their last three seasons combined and pump out three victories.

That would be a good first step in the process for this program.

In five years, we may be talking about Robertsdale as a competitor in the top of 6A Region 1, but for now they’re going to have to fight to shake the title of regional bottom-dweller.

16 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

2018

SPANISH FORT HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 24

McGill-Toolen

AWAY

Aug. 31

Daphne

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Moss Point, MS

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Sept. 14

Robertsdale

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Sept. 21

BC Rain

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Sept. 28

Open

Oct. 5

St Paul’s

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Oct. 12

Baldwin County

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Oct. 19

Blount

HOME

Oct. 26

Gulf Shores

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Nov. 2

Saraland

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Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 17

SPANISH FORT HIGH SCHOOL

TOROS

MEDIA DAY PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HANICH

Christopher Tuberville

Conner Hegan

D J James

Spanish Fort has experience in key spots, but several starting spots to fill

By MICHAEL HANICH GCM Sports

High School Football season is just about a month away from kicking off. This is where teams make final adjustments needed to prepare for the long and rigorous training of two-a-days practices and review their team for the upcoming football season.

During football media days Monday session involving teams from Mobile County and the one team from Baldwin County in the Spanish Fort Toros.

Toros head coach Ben Blackmon, senior running back Conner Hegan, senior center Christopher Tuberville and senior cornerback D.J. James attended.

Blackmon addressed the main topics and viewpoints of the team going into this 2018 Football season. He also addressed the Toros’ success last season with an 11-2 record and going into the third round of the 6A state playoffs. The Toros were knocked out in the third round by the Wetumpka Indians with a rough score of 69-43.

Blackmon and the three senior leaders mentioned that the loss was a huge motivation for trying to strive for more.

Blackmon feels that the past couple of years in the playoffs and then the experience of his players will be a positive indication of how high the Toros could go this upcoming season.

“We’ve got a lot of returners back, nine on defense and five on offense.

Our kids have really, really worked all summer long, in the spring,” he said. “They’ve battled through some adversity through the year. Where we’re at right now, heading into August, we feel really good about ourselves.”

One of the biggest goals of the offseason was to find a starting quarterback as soon as possible. Last season, senior quarterback Jack Samsel passed for 2,365 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and nine interceptions on 150 completions (out of 218 attempts). The Toros believe they found that in Jackson Burkhalter, who transferred from St. Paul’s and also plays basketball and football.

Blackmon and Hegan mentioned the improvement in Burkhalter’s performance and passing abilities in the offseason, specifically in the 7-on-7 tournaments in the summer.

The Toros experienced an unexpected obstacle in the middle of the spring when Hegan tore his ACL on the first play of baseball. Blackmon mentioned Hegan’s injury saying, “Hopefully he’ll be back for us midseason. He’s working really hard in therapy.

He had surgery this offseason. Now we have to put forth our focus at the running-back position, (while he is out) for the first part of the season.”

The loss of Hegan is tremendous in the run game as he accounted for 1,354 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 120 carries. Senior Justin Lajesse is expected to take over but has seen limited action during last season with only 16 carries.

Even with Hegan’s absence, the offense will still be strong as the Toros return four of their returners from last year including Tuberville. Hegan highly complimented the offensive-line unit by saying, “We look really good,

our offensive line is one of the best in the state, if not, the best in the state with all the returning guys we’ve got. So pretty much whoever you got running the ball back there, they are going to get the yards they are going to get.”

The Toros will not have to worry too much about their defensive production as they have a ton of leadership and experience with nine returners from last year.

The defense did take a slight hit as they lose the consistent playing ability of Peyton Tyson and Destin Myers. The defense will be led by multiple seniors including cornerback D.J. James, who committed to the Mississippi State Bulldogs over the offseason. James’ tremendous ability as a lockdown cornerback and a vocal and passionate leader will be a huge driving force for the defense as coach Blackmon mentioned in the Media Days conference.

The defense will need

Head Coach Ben Blackmon “Our kids have really, really worked all summer long, in the spring. They’ve battled through some adversity through the year. Where we’re at right now, heading into August, we feel really good about ourselves.”

more impact at the defensive line this year.

They accounted for only 19 total sacks last season. Most of this was from the loss of Justin Thomas, who had just finished his first season with the LSU Tigers. For the defense to get better

and for the secondary to stay consistent, the defensive line will need to excel this upcoming season.

Other Baldwin teams took part in media days on Wednesday. More on 2018 football in upcoming editions.

18 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

ELBERTA HIGH SCHOOL

WARRIORS

MEDIA DAY PHOTOS BY PATRICK HERRING

AJ Cauci

Carter Stewart

Drew Ray

Warriors step into upper-class ring while continuing to build future program

By PATRICK HERRING GCM Sports

Year two is under way for head coach Greg Seibert and the fledgling Elberta Warriors football program. The school now houses ninth and 10th graders, adding a grade every year as the students move up. Seibert’s team now consists of about 65 kids between grades 7 and 10.

Seibert isn’t worried about having a younger crop of athletes, though.

He is focused more on what can be controlled.

“We’re not going to build a crutch on the teams we compete against having more upperclassmen than we do,” Seibert said. “We’re just working right now to build a high school culture for these young men in a place where they’re accustomed to moving on after middle school.”

Sophomore wide receiver and defensive back Drew Ray emphasized the sentiment of his coach.

“Just because they’re older and bigger than us doesn’t mean we can’t beat them,” Ray said.

The players are working out in middle school facilities, practicing on a middle school field and even going to school in a building which was designed for middle school age students.

“We’re focused on upgrading the facilities right now,” Seibert said.

“We have to work out in shifts for safety because the weight room won’t house all the players.”

That being said, the players aren’t letting the adversity get in the way of their growth and preparation.

“I’ve seen a lot more maturity in the second year, which comes with a level of comfort,” Seibert said. “I’m impressed with the way the guys hit the weight room this summer.”

Leadership is also a hurdle the young men must compete with being that they are the first crop of players in program history. Defensive back and wide receiver Carter Stewart touched on that topic.

“We haven’t had those seniors ahead of us to help us and teach us,” Stewart said. “So we make sure to be those kinds of mentors to the younger guys out there.”

These young men show maturity beyond their years, which is a

testament to Seibert and what he’s been able to instill in a short period of time.

Sophomore wide receiver A.J. Cauci has seen the growth firsthand.

“Every day we seem to be coming together more and more,” Cauci said.

“We’re having to grow up quick.”

The Warriors will play a majority of their games against 1A and 2A squads from around the region. They open with a home game against Pleasant Home, a team from Andalusia that posted a 5-6 record playing in 1A Region 2 a year ago.

Seibert believes the Warriors will be a 5A program when they’re officially classified by the Alabama High School Athletics Association in 2020, if the numbers hold.

Elberta’s sophomore season as a program will be filled with new challenges and adversity, but

2018 ELBERTA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 24

Pleasant Home

HOME

Aug. 31

Fruitdale

HOME

Sept. 7

Millry

AWAY

Sept. 14

Open

Sept. 21

Excel

HOME

Sept. 28

McIntosh

HOME

Oct. 5

Open

Oct. 12

Open

Oct. 19

St. Luke’s

Oct. 26

Open

Nov. 2

St. Michael Catholic

Seibert and his staff will use those experiences to continue to coach their young men up and build

Head Coach Greg Seibert “We’re not going to build a crutch on the teams we compete against having more upperclassmen than we do. We’re just working right now to build a high school culture for these young men in a place where they’re accustomed to moving on after middle school.”

for the future of War-

AWAY HOME riors football.

Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 19

2018 VARSITY FOOTBALL

Best Wishes for a great season!

GO EAGLES! SNOOK FARMS

Summerdale, AL

20 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

EAGLES 2018 SNOOK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Aug. 17

St. Patrick Catholic

AWAY

Aug. 24

Escambia Academy

AWAY

Aug. 31

Rocky Bayou Christian

HOME

Sept. 7

Sparta Academy

HOME

Sept. 14

Jackson (Ala.) Academy

AWAY

Sept. 21

South Walton

AWAY

Sept. 28

Freeport

AWAY

Oct. 5

Wilcox Academy

AWAY

Oct. 12

Abbeville (Ala.) Christian

HOME

Oct. 19

Crenshaw Christian

AWAY

Oct. 26

Northview

AWAY

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Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 21

SNOOK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

EAGLES Snook Eagles ready to fly into AISA

By JOHN UNDERWOOD john@gulfcoastmedia.com

FOLEY — A lot has changed since the Snook Christian Academy Eagles established a football program last season.

Coming into last season with barely 25 players on their roster (including fifth and sixth graders), the Eagles were able to jump out to a 3-0 record en route to a 5-5 inaugural season.

“We were able to surprise some people,” said Keith Smith, who enters his second season at the helm for the Eagles. “Since we had never played before, the teams we played really didn’t know what to expect from us. This year, everyone we play has at least seen film, so there won’t be any surprises.

It’s a bigger challenge for us, but hopefully it will be one that we will be up for.”

This season also marks the first time the Eagles will be playoff eligible, having joined the Alabama Independent Schools Association (AISA) in the offseason.

“I had an opportunity to attend a coaches’ conference in May,” Smith said. “I have to admit that I didn’t know a lot about AISA going in, but I was very impressed. It is a first-class organization.”

As an AISA Class A team, the Eagles will face six new opponents this season, including the defending Class AA champion Escambia Academy on Aug. 24, along with Class A regional opponents, Crenshaw Christian (Luverne) and Abbeville Christian, who both advanced past the first round in last year’s playoffs. Crenshaw advanced to the third round of the playoffs, losing to eventual state champion Patrician Academy. Additional regional opponents for the Eagles are Sparta Academy (Evergreen), Jackson Academy and Wilcox Academy (Camden).

“I don’t really know a lot about our regional opponents, but I know enough to know that we’re going to face a tough schedule,” Smith said. “All of the teams we face are established

JOHN UNDERWOOD / STAFF PHOTOS

programs that are all well-coached. It’s going to be a huge challenge for us to make the playoffs, but our players are excited about the opportunity of having something to play for, which is something we didn’t have last year.”

As a small school with a small roster, Snook Christian will face the obvious challenge of having to rebuild from a year ago, losing a good bit of its offensive production from a year ago, some to graduation and some to players who have moved out of the program.

“It’s been a big challenge for us to get players on the field to practice,” Smith said.

“We have nine or 10 players that we’re expecting to contribute this year, but we don’t have them on campus yet. We’re moving forward with the players that we have and we’re going to fill in some slots as we go along, hopefully before the season starts.”

The core of the Eagles’ offense will be up front, Smith said, with three seniors, guards Xavier Golden and Sam Johnson, and tackle Garrett Nelson, along with returning starters Lincoln Butts and Gavin Tooley, who started last season as sophomores and are expected to be leaders on and off the field this season as juniors.

“They have all been working hard in the weight room to get stronger,” he said. “Garrett started for us last year as a receiver and made the decision to move over to the offensive line to fill in a gap there. We’re expecting big things from all of our seniors and returning players.”

In addition, Smith said, Keldrick Koen at nose guard, also linebacker on defense; junior Garrett Phillips at tight end; sophomores Zane Rider, at tackle; and Wiley McGregor at tight end; and freshmen Ty Roper and Brady Long are also expected to contribute for the Eagles.

With a small roster, Smith said, most of the players are expected to contribute both offensively and defensively.

“Most of those players will contribute on defense as well, but we’re still in the process of shuffling some things around and are waiting to see where some other players are going to contribute defensively,” Smith said.

In addition to their new opponents, the Eagles will face five teams from last year’s schedule, starting with St. Patrick’s Catholic High in their opener on the road in Biloxi, Mississippi, their first win from a year ago, along with Rocky Bayou Christian of Niceville. The Eagles

will also revisit three Florida opponents that were counted as losses a year ago, South Walton, Freeport and Northview.

“We’re expecting all of our opponents to be a big challenge for us,” Smith said, “but hopefully we’ll be up to the challenge.”

Smith, who also serves as the team’s offensive coordinator, will return for his second season with most of the same core group of coaches from a year ago, including defensive coordi-

nator Jerome Roper, linebackers coach Ben Coxwell, defensive backs coach, former Foley Lion Raymond Lymon; and quarterbacks coach, Foley coaching legend Lester Smith, along with Alex Williams, defensive ends; Eric Whittle, receivers; Bobby Hunter, kickers; and Ben Kissinger, who will head up the junior high program while also serving as the school’s athletic director.

The Eagles will kick off the season on the

road Aug. 17 at St. Patrick’s Catholic High in Biloxi, Mississippi, then will face Escambia Academy in Atmore Aug. 24 before facing Rocky Bayou Christian at home (Summerdale Middle School) Sept. 7 with Homecoming set for Sept 14 versus Sparta Academy of Evergreen. All games are set to begin at 7 p.m. All home games, including senior night Oct. 12 against Abbeville, will be played at Summerdale Middle School.

22 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

2018

ST. MICHAEL CARDINALS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

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Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 23

ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC

CARDINALS

MEDIA DAY PHOTOS BY PATRICK HERRING

Garrett Seibt

Luke Ferrell

Michael Brown

Cardinals ready to launch first varsity season into tough 3A Region 1 field

By PATRICK HERRING GCM Sports

Everything the St. Michael Catholic High School football program has been building for will finally come to fruition. This team and the school itself are in just their third year of existence, and this season the team will play its first (almost) full slate of 3A competition in Region 1.

Head coach Scott Phelps, who has not coached a varsity football game since his last game as the coach of Robertsdale in 2011, will lead his players onto the field for seven Friday night football games, with two or three Thursday games still on the docket.

“These kids have never seen real football,” Phelps said. “They’re going to experience something they’ve never seen before.”

Just 12 players out of 42 on the roster will become the first senior class to leave the program, and they want to set a high standard.

On offense, the Cardinals must settle a competition at quarterback before the season opens.

Phelps mentioned that a senior and a sophomore are battling for the starting role. Whoever starts will have some experience in front of him.

“Our strength is up front,” Phelps said.

“We’ve got to be able to throw the ball on the perimeter.”

Senior offensive tackle Garrett Seibt has been with the team since day one and is ready for the upcoming season.

“I can’t wait to be on the field for that first Friday night game,” Seibt said. “There’s definitely a level of excitement you can’t really describe.”

Luke Ferrell, a senior who plays running back, expressed mixed emotions.

“I’m excited, but I’m scared,” Ferrell said.

“I’ve never played a varsity football game, and I’m a senior, so it’s definitely scary; but it has been a special experience to be a part of this first class.”

On the other side of the football, all of St. Michael’s linebackers from a year ago are still in place, including senior Michael Brown.

“We’ve come a long way from where we

started,” Brown said.

“It’s really exciting knowing this will be my first season playing real Friday night games.”

Phelps has clear goals in mind for his players, and he understands that expectations need to be realistic.

“We want to win a game,” Phelps said. “We want to win a region game. These seniors want to do that, they want to win the first game, and then they want to raise the bar higher.”

St. Michael will open the season with a road game at Florala, who went 3-7 last year under first-year head coach Scott Mason. The team will then have a week off before hosting Thomasville, who went to the playoffs in 2017.

The Cardinals will host T.R. Miller, a 5-5 team last season, before hitting the road again to play Flomaton, who went 3-6.

Open dates then sandwich a home game against Excel. The Panthers went 2-8 last year and will be under the direction of new head coach Cody Sellers.

Two more road games at Bayside and Mobile Christian round up the varsity slate before the team finishes out the season with a game against Elberta’s junior varsity squad.

As mentioned earlier, Phelps is still looking to add in a Thursday night game somewhere along the line.

This program went 3-6 in junior varsity play last year. Expecting anything more than that in the first year of varsity play is foolish. The Cardinals will be hardpressed to pull out that first varsity victory that is so desired.

Conventional wisdom says the team will win the two or three junior varsity games and maybe play the varsity

Head Coach Scott Phelps “These kids have never seen real football ... We want to win a game. We want to win a region game. These seniors want to do that, they want to win the first game, and then they want to raise the bar higher.”

teams close, but don’t expect a win just yet. That is in no way a knock on Phelps nor his staff nor

his players, it’s just an uphill battle to be an start-up football program in south Alabama.

24 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

Instant replay approved by AHSAA for officiating use this fall AHSAA.com MONTGOMERY — The AHSAA Central Board approved instant replay at its April meeting, allowing schools to choose whether they want to purchase an instant replay system. The system carries a $3,000 initial price tag. An estimated 15-to-25 schools will have an instant replay system installed in time for the 2018 season, which kicks off Aug. 23.

The AHSAA Central Board in Montgomery, the governing body approved the use of instant replay beginning this fall in Alabama high school football.

“The purpose of instant replay is to aid the officials in getting it right,” AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese said.

Several states, including New Jersey and Minnesota, have used or plan to use replay in championship games, but Alabama is believed to the first state to have instant replay available at all high school games.

National Federation rules do not allow instant replay for football, and the AHSAA has been granted a waiver to implement instant replay as an experiment for up to three years.

The AHSAA will partner with DVsport, a company that specializes in instant replay and will provide equipment to schools to facilitate in-game instant replay. Savarese said DVsport coordinates instant replay for many major sports organizations, including the SEC.

Savarese declined to say how much the system will cost individual schools, but indicated it will be minimal. The system will plug into the current video-taping capabilities of a team, and officials will likely access the video replay by using a handheld tablet, such as an iPad, on the field.

Replay is not mandated at all games, but many schools, skewing toward schools in larger classifications and affluent areas, are expected to buy the equipment.

In 2016, the AHSAA experimented with instant replay during two spring football games Westbrook Christian vs.

Brindlee Mountain and Blount vs. Baker. That test did not use DVsports’ system.

Schools can purchase

additional cameras, including pylon cameras, from DVsports. But officials conceded officials may be handicapped at schools using just one camera.

“It’s an experiment,” said Mark Jones, the AHSAA’s Director of Officials. “We’ll find things we may need to tweak or do better.”

The AHSAA’s first foray into instant re-

play proved successful this summer. In July’s annual North-South All-Star Game at Montgomery's Cramton Bowl, the AHSAA tested the instant replay system from DVsport, a company that specializes in instant replay and is the AHSAA's exclusive partner for instant replay.

There were two challenges in Thursday's

game, including one involving whether a player caught a pass inbounds. The replay confirmed both calls made by officials on the field.

At state championship games at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa or Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AHSAA officials will plug into the same system already used for college games in those stadiums.

Gulf Shores High School announces Dolphins’ second Hall of Fame Class 3 Sons and 4 Grand Children »» Assistant Kicking Coach @ GSHS 2000-2007 »» Developed Youth Sports Programs and Facilities Orange Beach »» Initiated Travel Team Baseball Tournaments »» Hosted the 1st High School Football Game in Orange Beach »» Initiated College Soccer games to The Orange beach Sport plex »» Hosted SEC Women’s Soccer Championship 2003 to Present »» Helped with formation of the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Sports Commission

GULF SHORES — There will be a reception at the GSHS Library on Friday August 31 at 4 p.m.

The inductees’ will be introduced and have an opportunity to speak.

The public is invited to attend. Then at 6:30 p.m. this Hall of Fame Class will be inducted before the football game at Micky Miller Stadium vs Baldwin County High School.

This Hall of Fame Class is in alphabetical order: Wing Brett (Volleyball Coach 1999-2011, Track Coach 2009-2011) »» 385 Career Wins as Head Volleyball Coach »» 3A Area Champion 1999, 2000, 2001 »» 3A South West Region Champion »» 4A Area Champion 2003, 2004 »» 5A Area Champion 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 »» 7 Elite 8 Appearances »» 2 State Semi Finals »» 2003 4A State Runner-up »» 2004 Coached South All Star Team (Won in 5 sets) »» 2007 Coached South All Star Team (Won in 4 sets) Brandon Ellis (Golf Team 1998-2002) »» Baldwin County Champion »» 3A State Team Championship Golf 2001 »» 3A State Individual State Champion 2001 »» 3A State Team Championship Golf 2002 »» 3A State Individual State Champion 2002 »» 3A State Team Runner-Up Golf 1999 & 2000 »» 3 Sectional Tournament Wins 2000, 2001, 2002 Logan Hickman (Football 2004-07) »» 3 year varsity Starter Gulf Shores High School »» All County GSHS 2005,

2006, 2007 »» Honorable mention AllState 2007 »» Sack & Tackle Leader GSHS 2006 and 2007 »» 4 Year Starter at The University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Senior year won the C-USA Conference Championship Finished the year with a record of 12-2 being ranked 19th in the nation.

Haley Hopkins (Softball & Volleyball 2004-08) »» 6 Year Varsity Softball Player (2003-2008), All County 2004-2008 »» Mobile Press Register Super 12 Team (2005-2008) »» 2007 5A State Champion Softball Team »» 2007 State Tournament MVP »» 2004 & 2006 State Champion Runner-Up »» State All-Tournament Team 2004, 2006, 2007 »» 4 Year Varsity Starter University of South Alabama »» 2012 Sunbelt Conference Champion »» 2012 1st NCAA playoff appearance Gary Johnston (Baseball and Football 2005-08) »» 4 Year Starter Varsity Baseball, All County 2006, 2007, 2008 »» 3 Year Starter Varsity Foot-

»» Graduate of Auburn University received Bachelor’s & Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education »» 2011 Teacher at Orange Beach Elementary School »» 2012 Published a children’s book, Good Morning Sun »» 2014 Teacher of the Year, Orange Beach Elementary School

»» 24 former players played baseball in at the Collegiate level »» 1 player drafted in Major League Baseball Draft »» Taught Special Education all 26 years of Service

Pat Wilkinson (Football 2001-05) »» First player in GSHS history to sign a Division I Football Harold Samples (Associate Scholarship, Marshall UniMember) versity »» 1988 First Full-Time Parks »» 2003-04 back to back & Rec Director, City of Gulf 1,000 yards receiving in a Shores season »» Initiated Basketball, Soccer, »» Caught 20 passes in a Swim & Football teams to the game, 2004 State Record City Rec. Program. »» (86) receptions, 2004 State »» Facilities such as BodenRecord, 1400 yards, 14 TD’s hamer Center, Sports ComRe Re Machen (Associate »» 2004 A part of the team ball, All County 2007, 2008 plex, George C. Meyer Tennis Member) which one the first region »» All State Football 2008, Center, Kids Park & Skate Park game in school history Re Re has supported Gulf North South All Star Game all developed under his Tenure. »» All State Football 2003, Shores Athletic Programs for Also added athletic fields to »» 3 Year Starter University of the past 15 years. Her love for 2004 Simms park & Meyer parks.

West Alabama the athletes and the games »» First team Junior College »» 2012 & 2013 All Gulf South are unconditional. Re Re said “ »» The Gulf Shores Sports All-America (Georgia Military) Conference Champions The Athletes are the one’s with Plex is a 100 plus facility that »» Currently holds All receivhas multi-purpose sporting the accomplishments. I have »» 2012 & 2013 All Gulf South facility for youth & adult sport ing records at Gulf Shores just been there … when BasConference High School »» 2013 Division II All American ketball, Softball, and Volleyball programs. »» Wide Receiver Coach GSHS teams went to the State play»» Under Harold’s tenure the 2012-13 offs..when the girls won the facility hosted: AHSAA State DJ Jones (Baseball & FootState softball championship… Track Meet, AHSAA Southern ball 2003-07) The nominees were when someone needed to Region Softball tournament, »» 4 Year Starter Varsity Base- talk…when a bus driver need NAIA Women’s softball, USSSA selected under the folball, All County 2004-2007 help in direction to an away World Series Baseball Tourna- lowing criteria: game…when a coach needed ment. »» 3 Year Starter Varsity Foot• Athletes and coaches tournament help…when a hot »» Inducted into the Baldwin ball, All County 2005-2007 are considered as canheaded parent needed cooling County Coaches Hall of Fame »» All State Baseball 2005, didates for the Hall off with my cup of Ice (I’m very 2001 2006, 2007 of Fame. Others who protective) She was there. »» Alabama State Record have made exemplary It meant a lot to her to have holder for Career Triples (31) contributions to Gulf Donnie Spohn (Head Basean annual award given in her ball Coach 1999-2013), »» GSHS Record for Batting Shores High School’s name for the most dedicated (Assistant Football Coach Avg. (.557) 2006 athletic program are multi-sport athlete. And I 1999-2016), (Assistant Ath»» GSHS Career Home Runs eligible for associate quote “I am thankful for all the letic Director 2009-16) (31), Season Record (16) 2007 students, coaches, parents, status. »» 274 Total Wins as Head »» 2007 Mobile Press Register officials, and administration • There is a ten-year Player of the Year for sharing a part of their lives Baseball Coach, School Rewaiting period from cord »» 2007 Alabama North South with me. Its all about the kids the date of graduation »» State Play-Offs 11 of 13 though…my kids. I Love them All Star Team, MVP before an athlete may years in Class 3A, 4A, 5A all. »» 2007 Signed with Auburn be considered. There AHSAA University is no waiting period »» 2007 11th Round MLB Draft Brandy Rhodes Reeves (Ten- »» 2003 Class 4A State Runfor coaches. ner-up Baseball nis 2001- 05) Selection of the Tampa Bay • Athletic abilities and Rays »» 4 Year Varsity Starter on the »» 2003 Coach of the Year, achievements during Alabama Sports Writer AsTennis Team the nominee’s school sociation »» 2003 Class 3A State Singles Danny Martin (Associate career will be the pri»» 2003 Coach of the Year, Champion Tennis Member) mary considerations.

Baldwin County Coaches As»» 2003 Class 3A State Dou»» 24 Years with the City of Service to the school sociation bles Champion Tennis Orange Beach Parks and Rec and community before »» 2016 Baldwin County Superintendent »» 2005 Senior Class Presiand after graduation Coaches Hall of Fame In»» Married to his wife Candace, dent are also considered. ductee

Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 25

North downs South 27-14 in 59th AHSAA North-South All-Star football game 2018 contest first to use instantreplay technology

held the 7-6 margin into intermission. Herron added his second score on a 1-yard run with 6:26 remaining to cut the margin to 21-14.

The North ran out all but eight seconds of the remaining time on its following drive.

The South, coached by Montgomery Catholic’s Aubrey Blackwell, had one more play up its sleeve as they took over on their own 7-yard line.

Tallassee’s Casey Baynes passed the Blount’s JaMarcus Powe-Mauldin in the flat, who ran for four yards before lateraling back to Baynes. Four laterals later, North linebacker Perry Kirby of Athens scooped up a fumble at the one-yard line and fell into the end zone for the North’s final

touchdown.

Wilson finished with 72 yards rushing on 14 carries and Young had 69 on 15 attempts to help the North pile up 211 total rushing yards.

Wilson was also 2-of-3 passing for 56 yards and West Morgan’s Gabe Peluso finished 4-of-5 for 47 yards. Carson Bobo of Oak Mountain had two catches for 46 yards and London Knight of Weaver had two for 37 yards.

Herron, the South MVP, finished as the game’s leading rusher with 111 yards on 18 tries. Leonard Gatson of Theodore picked up 46 on eight carries. Goshen quarterback Brock Snyder finished 9-of-15 passing for 66 yards, and Bayes was 5-of-10 for 14

yards.

The North made three interceptions, however, with Jaylen Washington of Leeds, Court Coley of Westbrook Christian and Kevin Shaw of Colbert Heights notching one interception for each player.

Gordo linebackers Collin Herring and Ridge Wood led the North with 11 and 9 tackles, respectively. Coley also had seven. Pacing the South defense was Jacobey Hawthorne of W.S. Neal with eight stops.

Jonathan Struggs of Jeff Davis and Ty Reynolds of Daphne had seven take downs each.

The South finished with 14 first downs and 239 total yards while the North had 18 first downs and 314 total yards.

AHSAA.com MONTGOMERY — The North scored 21 second-half points — including a wild and crazy touchdown on the last play of the game to beat the North 27-14 in the 59th AHSAA NorthSouth All-Star Football Game at Cramton Bowl Thursday night.

The game closed out the 2018 All-Star Sports Week competition with the North and South splitting the baseball, softball, basketball and cross-country all-star events. The North swept the volleyball, soccer and football games and finished 7-4 on the week.

The football victory

was the fourth in a row for the North and closed the South’s edge in the series overall to 30-272. The South’s last win came in 2014 in a 20-12 win. The North won the first game played in 1948 at Tuscaloosa, 33-0. The 2018 game was the first to be played officially using the AHSAA instant replay program provided by DVSports.

Two calls where challenged and both calls on the field were confirmed.

The AHSAA has permission from the NFHS to conduct up to a threeyear experiment using instant replay and will use it this fall for all schools who choose to

participate.

North MVP Keaton Wilson of Sylacauga scored two TDs on 1-yard runs. His first score at 8:35 of the second quarter gave the North, coached by Chris Musso of Locust Fork, a 6-0 lead. His second TD came with 2:35 left in the third period and erased a 7-6 South lead. His twopoint conversion gave the North 14-7 Lead.

Quenton Young of Clay-Chalkville dashed 11 yards for a score with two seconds left in the third period to up the margin to 21-7.

The South, which took its only lead of the game on Benjamin Russell running back Davede Herron’s 8-yard run and Fairhope kicker Cole Deeds’ extra point and

LIONS

we’re putting in now and the leadership on the team.”

Niblett certainly wasn't messing around when he went out and found Foley’s two nonregion opponents and had them back to back the first two weeks. The Lions will open on the road at Prattville, who is coming off of a disappointing 3-7 season and has a new head coach in Caleb Ross. However, Foley holds a 1-4 all-

time record against the “other” Lions.

In week two, Niblett’s squad will play host to Thompson, a team that went undefeated until a loss to Hoover in the semifinals of the playoffs to eventual state champion Hoover. The Warriors will be led on offense by Alabama commit Taulia Tagoviloa, a 4-star recruit who is the sixth-ranked pro-style quarterback in the country and the

eighth-ranked player in the state.

“I wanna know where we're at after two weeks’” Niblett said. “I want these guys to be able to compete against the best.”

Foley will then go on a two-game road trip to play at Theodore and Alma Bryant. They'll then return home to host Baker before their bye week.

The second half of their schedule may be

even more daunting with regional play against three playoff teams from 2017. The Lions travel to state runner-up McGill before hosting rival Fairhope.

A road trip to winless Mary Montgomery and a home bout against a Murphy squad that posted a 3-7 record will precede a big home tilt against a Davidson team that went to the playoffs a year ago.

With the schedule

shaping up to where both teams could realistically be 5-4, the Week 10 contest against the Warriors could have playoff implications for both teams.

If things go according to plan for Niblett and the Lions, this could be their year to return to the playoffs after a twoyear absence. Whether or not they’ll be able to capture the elusive playoff win remains to be seen.

play host to Spanish Fort, a playoff regular, and a B.C. Rain squad they beat by three scores a year ago.

The schedule did Blake and company no favors as they face five

consecutive playoff programs in late September and October.

Senior defensive lineman Jarrett Byrd isn’t bothered by the tall task at hand.

“I’m excited, the

schedule doesn’t scare me at all,” Byrd said.

“We’re ready to compete against anyone.”

That’s a good mentality to have, and an essential one for the Dolphins going into

2018.

There’s little doubt Coach Blake will eventually have some success in his rebuilding of the Gulf Shores program, but year two may be too soon to be hoping

for a playoff berth. Best case scenario, the Dolphins probably finish 5-5 and avoid a losing season. That would represent the best record for the program in five years.

CONTINUED FROM 11

Senior defensive back Trent Evans is back for the Lions also, and he is also working on setting an example.

“It’s about more than just us as individuals,” Evans said. “Everyone’s goal is to make it to the state championship, but it starts with the playoffs, and playoffs start with the preparation

DOLPHINS CONTINUED FROM 13

that lost all of their games in 2017.

In Week Four Gulf Shores will be visited by the Scorpions of Satellite Beach, Florida.

Blake says Satellite has an eerily similar geographic and communal makeup to Gulf Shores, being that it’s a small island community near some bigger rural destinations. They’re even in a somewhat similar position in terms of their standings within their region. The game will certainly make for an interesting non-region match.

The Dolphins will return to region play the following week when they play at last year’s 5A State Champion St. Paul’s, a newcomer to 6A Region 1. The bye week comes at the perfect time following this game.

After the off week, Gulf Shores hosts Saraland, who won a firstround playoff game in 2017. They’ll then host a Blount squad that made it to the playoffs, but went home after a round one loss.

Playoff perennial Daphne will be the Dolphins final road test of the season before they

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26 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

CROSS COUNTRY

Sport continues to grow as more high schools add XC to athletic programs GCM SPORTS “From 7 to 11.” That phrase describes a convenience store as well as the recent history of Cross Country in Baldwin County. Growth in the County is through the roof, said longtime Fairhope head coach Tim Yahr. “That growth has also been felt in the world of cross country as the competing teams have grown from 7 teams to 11 teams.”

This year’s Baldwin County Cross Country Championships will include 7A Fairhope and Foley; 6A teams Baldwin County, Daphne, Gulf Shores, Robertsdale and Spanish Fort; 3A Bayside Academy and St. Michael Catholic; 2A Elberta and 1A Bayshore Christian which is joining the Alabama High School Athletic

Schedule THURSDAY AUG. 23: Admiral’s Twilight Invite - Bayside’s Daphne Sport Campus SATURDAY SEPT. 1: Challenge of Champions – Mobile Langan Park THURSDAY SEPT. 6: Pirate Invitational – Fairhope High FRIDAY SEPT. 7: Azalea Classic – Mobile Fairgrounds SATURDAY SEPT. 15: Battle of the Bay – Loxley Park SATURDAY SEPT. 15: Wildcat Invitational – Pensacola, FL SATURDAY SEPT. 22: Gulf Coast Stampede – Pensacola, FL THURSDAY SEPT. 27: Warrior Challenge - Mobile Fairgrounds SATURDAY SEPT. 29: Daphne Invitational - Blakeley State Park SATURDAY OCT. 6: Jesse Owens Classic – Moulton, AL SUBMITTED PHOTOS

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The numbers are not done increasing either as soon Orange Beach High School will be operational and there are other private schools in

the county that could join the AHSAA. Enough of the history — who will wear the crown in 2018? The girls side looks to be controlled by Daphne.

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The Daphne ladies won their 6A section in 2017 and finished 6th in state 6A without one of their best runners — Mandaline Thomas. Thomas’ return combined with the facts that Daphne had zero seniors last season and the 2017 Baldwin County Champion Fairhope Pirates lost four of their five top runners to graduation points to Daphne High School's Lady Trojans as the definite favorite to win the girls’ crown in 2018. Other teams on the radar however definitely include Spanish Fort and Bayside teams which are always strong contenders and Baldwin County High has been on the rise consistently.

The boys’ side is a bit more murky. Fairhope’s boys won the county title last year and with four of their top seven returning they would have to top the pre-season list, but their early lead is a bit slim. Daphne’s boys (2017 6A section champions) and Bayside’s boys (No. 3 in State 3A for 2017) are close. Daphne has the No. 2 ranked County individual in Ethan Rowe and a group of four runners following that last year all clocked in around 18:15 at the Baldwin County Meet. Bayside only has one graduating from that 2017 third-ranked team in the State top 10 and he was their number four runner leaving plenty in the pantry to make them contenders in 2018.

SATURDAY OCT. 6: TR Miller Invitational – Brewton SATURDAY OCT. 6: Foley Invitational – Graham Creek SATURDAY OCT. 13: Faith Academy Boardwalk Challenge – Mobile, AL SATURDAY OCT. 13: All State Sugar Bowl CC Classic – New Orleans, AL City Park SATURDAY OCT. 20: Baldwin County Cross Country Championships – Loxley Park THURSDAY OCT. 25: Fairhope City Pier Race – Fairhope, AL SATURDAY OCT. 27: McT Relays – Mobile, AL THURSDAY NOV. 1: Sectional Championships – various for each division SATURDAY NOV. 10: State Championships – Moulton, AL Now on to the individuals competing for the top spot in 2018. These will be very competitive races as numerous athletes will be fighting to take home the crown.

The pre-season list of girls in alphabetical order are Ellie Brown (Fairhope), Ryley Grantham (Spanish Fort), Nicole Luther (Daphne), Alondra Rangel (Baldwin County), Mandaline Thomas (Daphne – 2015 and 2016 champion), Lauren West (Bayside).

The boys pre-season contenders for the 2018 title of boys County Cross Country Champion are (in alphabetical order) Myles Cook (Bayside), Ben Imperato (Gulf Shores), Saxon Kilpatrick (Fairhope), Ernest Ladd (Bayside-2016 champion), Cody Mooney (Fairhope), John Pyle (Fairhope), Ethan Rowe (Daphne), Bradley Schmidt (Bayside).

Plenty of other athletes are working hard this preseason and will

improve greatly to join this list of contenders later in the year.

Yahr said that with the county continuing to grow as it is, there are also most likely that some transfer students who will shake things up as well. It all adds up to a competitive 2018 for Baldwin County Cross Country season. Make your plans to cheer on your favorite team.

2018 XC schedule Check out AL.MileSplit. com/calendar for more details, including start times, on each of these races and more.

Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 27

ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CROSS COUNTRY 2018 Roster

2018 Schedule Mitchell Giedlin Yuriy Greenlay Betty Hemby Lydia Hoodless Gary Ickes Molly Mavrakos Luscher Mayhall Anna McBane Isaac McBane Emily McDonald Tripp Miller Robert Montgomery

Luke Berrios Nick Berrios Trista Black Dylan Blackinton Claire Blythe Andres Christensen Connor Cobb Edward Cowles Dyson Crooker John Davis Rory Dembowski Michael Garriz

Dominic Murphy Jack Phelps Connor Robitaille Hunter Stevens Ann Lyles Tapscott Ella Tapscott Gia Vollmer OG Wallace Hunter Williams Megan Williams

Aug. 25 Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 06 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Nov. 1 Nov. 10

Banana Relays Mobile Challenge of Champions Chickasaw Trails Invitational Battle of the Bay Gulf Coast Stampede Daphne Invitational TR Miller Challenge Boardwalk Challenge Baldwin County Championships Sectional Championships AHSAA State Championship

@ Faith Academy Sports Complex, Mobile @ Municipal (Langan) Park, Mobile @ Oakville Indian Mounds, Danville @ Loxley Municipal Park, Loxley @ Escambia County Horse Park, Pensacola @ Blakely State Park, Spanish Fort @ Brewton Middle School, Brewton @ Faith Academy Sports Complex, Mobile @ Loxley Municipal Park, Loxley @ Loxley Municipal Park, Loxley @ Oakville Indian Mounds, Danville

GULF SHORES HIGH CROSS COUNTRY 2018 Roster Boys Conrad Reetz – Senior Ben Imperato – Junior Trey Jennings – Junior Brady George – Junior Jake Gibbons – Sophomore Tony Papadelias – Sophomore

Sam Ingraham – Sophomore Caleb Colvin – Freshman Thrasher Steed – Freshman Jeffrey James – Freshman Hunter White Girls Kaily Werthem – Senior

Olivia Coker – Senior Ali Coburn – Sophomore Molly Malone – Sophomore Chloe Kowalski – Sophomore McKenzie Herbig – Freshman Amily Tiffany Jacey Hughes -8th Grade

2018 Schedule Aug. 23 Sept. 6 Sept. 15 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 18 Oct 25 Nov 1 Nov. 10

7:15 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

7:30 a.m.

8 a.m.

TBA TBA 4:30 p.m.

TBA TBA

Admiral’s Twilight Invite Pirate Invitational Battle of the Bay Daphne Invitational Foley Invitational Baldwin County Champ.

Fairhope Pier Race AHSAA 6A Section 1 AHSAA XC State Champ.

Bayside Academy Sports Complex Fairhope High Loxley Municipal Park Blakeley State Park Graham Creek – Foley TBA Fairhope Mobile Moulton, AL

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Gulf Shores Cross Country team

28 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

VOLLEYBALL

Bayside volleyball moves up to 4A with younger players balanced with experience GCM SPORTS DAPHNE — Bayside Academy’s Admirals won their 16th consecutive and 24th overall state title last year.

So, what else is new?

Well, their success, led by veteran head coach Ann Schilling is being rewarded with a new challenge. The Class 3A Admirals’ volleyball squad must now play larger programs in the Class 4A range under new AHSAA rules.

“That’s fine with us,” Schilling said. “We will definitely be young, but we still just want to compete with the best. We always have sought out the

best competition. Our tradition helps motivate the kids every year, but every season is new and we are looking forward to playing in 4A with some great teams.”

This year is also challenging with respect to experience as Bayside graduated some senior starters in key positions.

“We are young, but like I have said, ‘this is a very motivated group overall.’ We have experience, but not as much in every spot as maybe we had the last few years. I think more of our youth will show up on the defensive side of things.

A couple of freshmen, a couple of sophomores

will be getting a lot of playing time for us on the back row.”

Schilling said a key attribute of her past teams’ success was mental toughness and she expects that to be important again going forward.

“We will have to be mentally tough and prepared for the bigger teams,” she said.

“I think in most close games, the mental factor as well as fatigue mentally and physically can be the difference no matter who you go up against. I’m just hoping we can be a very aggressive-serving team and I look for our ball control

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Coach Ann Schilling and players during a timeout. to improve as the season goes on.

“So, we do have a different look right now than what we have had the last few seasons. We

are going to work to get better and build confidence and the experience will come one play at a time. One game at a time. We plan to be as

ready as we can be when the season starts. But no matter what, the plan is always to get better from there as the season progresses.”

2018 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULES Baldwin County High School Aug. 30 Aug. 31 Sept. 10 Sept. 11 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 25 Sept. 27 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 9 Oct. 11 Oct. 16

6 p.m.

TBA 5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

4 p.m.

Satsuma High School MGM Varsity Tournament Foley High School Spanish Fort High School Robertsdale High School Saraland High School Spanish Fort High School Gulf Shores High School Daphne High School Robertsdale High School Faith Academy School Satsuma High School Mary G. Montgomery High School

Elberta High School AWAY AWAY HOME HOME AWAY HOME AWAY HOME HOME HOME HOME HOME AWAY

Bayside Academy Aug. 23 Aug. 25 Aug. 30 Sept. 6 Sept. 11 Sept. 14 Sept. 17 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 18

4:30 p.m.

8 a.m.

6 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

TBA 5:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Neal, W.S. High School Blastoff at the Fort (spanish fort) Oak Mountain High School Spanish Fort High School Williamson High School Battle of the Bay Spanish Fort High School McGill-Toolen High School St. Paul’s Episcopal School Baker High School UMS-Wright Prep School McGill-Toolen High School St. Michael Catholic High School

HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME HOME HOME AWAY AWAY HOME HOME HOME HOME

Daphne High School Sept. 6 Sept. 20 Oct. 2 Oct. 4 Oct. 9

4:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Robertsdale High School Spanish Fort High School Baldwin County High School Robertsdale High School Spanish Fort High School

AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME HOME

Aug. 30 Aug. 31 Oct. 9 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 16

4:30 p.m.

TBA 5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Robertsdale High School Labor Day Invitational Buckhorn High School Foley High School Robertsdale High School Foley High School

HOME HOME HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY

Fairhope High School Aug. 30 4:30/5:30 p.m. Cottage Hill (JV/V) Aug. 31-­Sept. 1 TBA Juanita Bodie (V) Aug. 31-­Sept 1 TBA Gulf Shores Tournament (JV) Sept. 4 4:30/5:30 p.m. Elberta High School (JV/V) Sept. 4 6:30/7:30 p.m. Robertsdale high school (JV/V) Sept. 7-­8 TBA B2SB (V) Sept. 11 4:30/5:30 p.m. St. Pauls (JV/V) Sept. 13 4:30/5:30 p.m. St. Michael (JV/V) Sept. 15 TBA Battle of the Swamp (JV) Sept. 18 4:30/5:30 p.m. Gulf Shores High School (JV/V) Sept. 20 4:30/5:30 p.m. Murphy High School (JV/V) Sept. 25 4:30/5:30 p.m. McGill-Toolen High School (JV/V) Sept. 27 4:30/5:30 p.m. Bayshore (JV/V) Sept. 29 TBA UMS (JV) Oct. 4 4:30/5:30 p.m. Foley High School (JV/V) Oct. 5-6 TBA Baker JV Tournament (JV) Oct. 6 TBA Clinton MS (V) Oct. 11 5:30 p.m.

Robertsdale High School (V) Oct. 11 6:30 p.m.

Madison (V) Oct. 12-­13 TBA Shrimp Festival (V) Oct. 16 5 p.m.

Satsuma (SENIOR NIGHT) (V) oct. 18 4:30 p.m.

St. Luke’s (V) oct. 18 5:30 p.m.

Faith St. (V) Oct. 19-­20 TBA Spanish Fort V Tournament (V) Oct. 22-23 TBA Area Tournament (V) Oct. 25-27 TBA Super Regional Tournament (V) Oct. 31-Nov. 1 TBA State Tournament (V)

HOME AWAY AWAY HOME HOME HOME HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY TBA TBA TBA

Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 29

Foley High School Aug. 31 TBA Labor Day Invitational (JV/V) Aug. 31 TBA Foley Labor Day Classic (JV/V) Sept. 5 5/6 p.m.

Escambia High School (JV/V) Sept. 10 4:30/5:30 p.m. Baldwin County High School (JV/V) Sept. 11 4:30/5:30 p.m. McGill-Toolen High School (JV/V) Sept. 13 4:30 p.m.

Elberta High School (V) Sept. 17 4:30/5:30 p.m. Robertsdale High School (JV/V) Sept. 24 4:30/5:30 p.m. Murphy High School (JV/V) Oct. 2 4:30/5:30 p.m. Gulf Shores High School (JV/V) Oct. 3 5/6 p.m.

Escambia High School (JV/V) Oct. 4 4:30/5:30 p.m. Fairhope High School (JV/V) (Senior Night) Oct. 9 4:30/5:30 p.m. Buckhorn High School (JV/V) Oct. 9 6:30 p.m.

Elberta High School (V) Oct. 16 4:30/5:30 p.m. Robertsdale High School (JV/V) Oct. 16 6:30 p.m.

Elberta High School (V) Oct. 18 4:30/5:30 p.m. Gulf Shores High School (JV/V) Oct. 22-23 TBA Area Tournament (V) Oct. 25-27 TBA Super Regional Tournament (V) Oct. 31-Nov. 1 TBA State Tournament (V)

Bayshore Christian School HOME HOME HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY HOME AWAY HOME HOME HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY TBA TBA TBA

Gulf Shores High School Aug. 31 Sept. 11 Sept. 13 Sept. 25 Sept. 27 Oct. 2 Oct. 4

4 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Cup Multiplex Robertsdale High School Spanish Fort High School Robertsdale High School Baldwin County High School Foley High School Spanish Fort High School

AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME

Robertsdale High School Aug. 30 4:30 p.m.

Elberta High School (V) Aug. 31-Sept. 1 TBA MGM Tournament (V) Sept. 4 4:30 p.m.

Fairhope/Elberta (JV/V) Sept. 6 4:30/5:30 p.m. Daphne High School (JV/V) Sept. 7-8 TBA Fairhope Tournament (V) Sept. 11 4:30/5:30 p.m. Gulf Shores (JV/V) Sept. 13 4:30/5:30 p.m. Baldwin County High School (JV/V) Sept. 17 4:30/5:30 p.m. Foley High School (JV/V) Sept. 18 4:30/5:30 p.m. Spanish Fort High School (JV/V) Sept. 22 TBA Saraland/Satsuma Tournament (V) Sept. 25 4:30/5:30 p.m. Gulf Shores High School (JV/V) Sept. 27 4:30/5:30 p.m. Leflore High School (JV/V) Oct. 2 4:30/5:30 p.m. Spanish Fort High School (JV/V) Oct. 4 4:30/5:30 p.m. Daphne High School (JV/V) Oct. 6 TBA Battle of Old Shell Road (V) Oct. 9 4:30 p.m.

Faith Academy/BCHS (JV/V) Oct. 11 4:30 p.m.

Murphy/Fairhope/Madison Academy (V) Oct. 16 5:30 p.m.

Elberta/Foley (V) Oct. 18 4 p.m.

Saraland/MGM (V)

AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY HOME AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME HOME AWAY

8 a.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

TBA 5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

Blastoff at the Fort Spain Park High School Thompson High School St. Luke’s Episcopal School Bayside Academy Baldwin County High School Gulf Shores High School Bayside Academy Robertsdale High School Daphne High School Baldwin County High School McGill-Toolen High School Boaz Invitational Robertsdale High School Gulf Shores High School Daphne High School Albertville High School Buckhorn High School UMS-Wright Prep School

4:30 p.m.

Elberta (MS) TBA Fairhope Tournament (V) 4:30/5:30 p.m. Daphne High School (JV?V) TBA Battle of the Bay (V) 4:30 p.m.

Elberta (MS) 4:30/5:30 p.m. St. Michael (JV/V) 4:30 p.m.

Summerdale (MS) 4:30/5:30 p.m. Daphne High School/McGill (JV) 4:30/5:30 p.m. Fairhope High School (JV/V) 4:30 p.m.

Summerdale (MS) 4:30 p.m.

Summerdale (MS) TBA Battle of Old Shell Road (V) 4:30/5:30 p.m. Vancleave, MS (JV/V) TBA Spanish Fort Tournament (V)

HOME HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY

Central Christian School Aug. 17-18 Aug. 21 Aug. 23 Aug. 28 Aug. 30 Sept. 1 Sept. 4 Sept. 4 Sept. 6 Sept. 6 Sept. 7 Sept. 10 Sept. 11 Sept. 11 Sept. 14 Sept. 14 Sept. 17 Sept. 18 Sept. 27 Oct. 1 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 4 Oct. 4 Oct. 5 Oct. 6 Oct. 8 Oct. 9 Oct. 12-13 Oct. 16 Oct. 19-20

TBA West Floriday Volleyball Tournament (V) AWAY 4:30/5:30 p.m. East Hill Christian (JV/V) AWAY 5/6 p.m.

Pensacola Christian Academy (JV/V) HOME 4:30/5:30 p.m. Christian Collegiate (JV/V) AWAY 4:30/5:30 p.m. Lighthouse Baptist (JV/V) HOME 1/2 p.m.

Snook Christian (MS/V) HOME 5/6 p.m.

Trinitas Christian (JV/V) HOME 4:30 p.m.

Government Street (MS) AWAY 4:30/5:30 p.m. Aletheia Christian (JV/V) HOME 4:30 p.m.

North Mobile (MS) AWAY 4:30 p.m.

Knollwood Christian (MS) HOME 4:30/5:30 p.m. West Florida Baptist Academy (JV/V) HOME 4:30/5:30 p.m. Santa Rosa Christian (JV/V) AWAY 4:30 p.m.

Government Street (MS) HOME 4:30/5:30 p.m. East Hill Christian (JV/V) HOME 5 p.m.

Covenant Christian (MS) AWAY 4:30/5:30 p.m. Atmore Christian (JV/V) AWAY 5/6 p.m.

Pensacola Christian Academy (JV/V) AWAY 5/6 p.m.

Christian Collegiate (JV/V) HOME 4:30/5:30 p.m. Aletheia Christian (JV/V) AWAY 4:30 p.m.

Knollwood Christian (MS) AWAY 4:30/5:30 p.m. Atmore Christian (JV/V) HOME 4:30 p.m.

North Mobile Christian (MS) HOME 5/6 p.m.

West Florida Baptist Academy (JV/V) AWAY 5 p.m.

Covenant Christian (MS) HOME 1/2 p.m.

Escambia Academy (JV/V) HOME 4:30/5:30 p.m. Snook Christian (MS/V) (Senior Night) HOME 4:30/5:30 p.m. Lighthouse Baptist (JV/V) AWAY TBA Volleyball West Regional Tournament (V) HOME TBA Middle School Volleyball Tournament (MS) AWAY TBA Volleyball Final Four/JV Championship (JV/V) AWAY

St. Michael Catholic School Aug. 30 4:30/5:30 p.m. Gulf Shores High School (JV/V) AWAY Aug. 31-Sept. 1 TBA MGM Tournament (V) AWAY Sept. 4 4:30/5:30 p.m. Baldwin County High School (JV/V) HOME Sept. 6 4:30 p.m.

UMS-Wright (JV/V) AWAY Sept. 6 5:30 p.m.

Theodore (JV/V) AWAY Sept. 7-8 TBA Fairhope Tournament (V) AWAY Sept. 8 TBA McGill Tournament (JV) AWAY Sept. 11 4:30/5:30 p.m. Mobile Christian (JV/V) AWAY Sept. 13 4:30/5:30 p.m. Fairhope High School (JV/V) HOME Sept. 14-15 TBA Battle By the Bay (V) AWAY Sept. 14-15 TBA MGM JV Tournament (JV) AWAY Sept. 18 4:30/5:30 p.m. St. Luke’s (JV/V) AWAY Sept. 20 4:30/5:30 p.m. Bayshore Christian (JV/V) AWAY Sept. 22 TBA Saraland Tournament (V) AWAY Sept. 24 5 p.m.

Elberta High School (V) HOME Sept. 25 4:30/5:30 p.m. Bayside Academy (JV/V) HOME Sept. 27 4:30 p.m.

McGill Freshmen (JV) HOME Sept. 27 6:30 p.m.

Spanish Fort Freshmen (JV) HOME Sept. 29 TBA UMS Tournament (JV) AWAY Oct. 2 4:30/5:30 p.m. Mobile Christian (JV/V) HOME Oct. 3 4:30 p.m.

St. Paul’s Freshmen (JV) HOME Oct. 3 6:30 p.m.

Spanish Fort Freshmen (JV) HOME Oct. 9 4:30/5:30 p.m. St. Luke’s (JV/V) HOME Oct. 10 4:30 p.m.

Spanish Fort Freshmen (JV) AWAY Oct. 15 4:30/5:30 p.m. St. Paul’s (JV/V) AWAY Oct. 16 4:30/5:30 p.m. Gulf Shores High School (JV/V) (Senior Night) HOME Oct. 18 6 p.m.

Bayside Academy (V) AWAY Oct. 19-20 TBA Spanish Fort Tournament (V) AWAY Oct. 22-23 TBA Area Tournament (V) TBA Oct. 25-27 TBA Super Regional Tournament (V) TBA Oct. 31-Nov. 1 TBA State Tournament (V) TBA

Spanish Fort High School Aug. 25 Aug. 30 Aug. 30 Sept. 5 Sept. 6 Sept. 11 Sept. 13 Sept. 17 Sept. 18 Sept. 20 Sept. 25 Sept. 27 Sept. 29 Oct. 2 Oct. 4 Oct. 9 Oct. 11 Oct. 11 Oct. 18

Sept. 6 Sept. 8 Sept. 11 Sept. 14-15 Sept. 17 Sept. 20 Sept. 20 Sept. 25 Sept. 27 Sept. 27 Oct. 1 Oct. 6 Oct. 9 Oct. 19-20

HOME AWAY AWAY HOME HOME AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY HOME HOME AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY HOME HOME HOME

SUBMITTED PHOTO

30 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

COASTAL ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

SUN CHIEFS ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONFERENCE 2018-19 WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

GCM FILE PHOTOS

Aug. 25 Aug. 27 Aug. 30 Aug. 31 Sept. 4 Sept. 5 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 20 Sept. 24 Sept. 26 Sept. 28 Oct. 1 Oct. 2 Oct. 5 Oct. 6 Oct. 6 Oct. 9 Oct. 12 Oct. 12 Oct. 13 Oct. 13 Oct. 15 Oct. 15 Oct. 17 Oct. 19 Oct. 23 Oct. 26 Oct. 29

TBA 6 p.m.

6 p.m.

5 p.m.

6 p.m.

5 p.m.

6 p.m.

5 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

5 p.m.

6 p.m.

5 p.m.

6 p.m.

7 p.m.

Noon 10 a.m.

2 p.m.

6 p.m.

3 p.m.

5 p.m.

8 a.m.

10 a.m.

5 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

5 p.m.

5 p.m.

3 p.m.

5 p.m.

Wallace Community College-Selma Southern Union State Community College Gadsden State Community College * Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Gulf Coast State College Lawson State Community College Coastal Alabama - Brewton Bevill State Community College Wallace Community College-Selma Snead State Community College University of Mobile Gadsden State Community College Lawson State Community College Wallace Community College-Selma Frank Phillips College Odessa College Navarro College Huntingdon College Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Monroe Community College Vincennes University Wallace State Fall Bash Catawba Valley Community College Snead State Community College Gulf Coast State College Coastal Alabama - Brewton Bevill State Community College Southern Union State Community College University of Mobile Snead State Community College

AWAY HOME HOME HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY HOME HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY AWAY

AWAY AWAY

AWAY AWAY

AWAY HOME HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY

2018 GOLF SCHEDULE Sept. 9 Sept. 23 Oct. 28 Nov. 4

TBA TBA TBA TBA

Wallace State Invitational Cross Creek GC The Bulldog Preview Classic Harbor GC MGCCC Invitational Trojan Invitational Willow point

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

SAINTS Saints volleyball starts new era with former player Justine Crotts at helm

By TONY WHITEHEAD tony@gulfcoastmedia.com

ROBERTSDALE — Central Christian School’s volleyball team begins a new season with a new coach with a familiar name. Justine Crotts takes over the head coaching duties for the Lady Saints after her mother, long time CCS coach Renee Crotts stepped down. The new head coach both played for her mother and at the University of Mobile before more recently work-

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

CCS Saints seniors from left, Amberly Linton and Abbie Hedden.

2018 Lady Saints Volleyball Team ing as assistant varsity and the junior varsity coach.

“I was a little nervous

about taking over, but with each practice I feel more comfortable,” Justine said. “She (Renee)

was a great coach and I learned a lot from her as a player and working with her the last few

years.”

The 2018 Saints’ lineup will be young overall with two seniors returning in Abbie Hedden and Amberly Linton.

“We did lose my setter and a couple more play-

ers, but we did gain some good players, including two home-schoolers. So, I’m excited about this season and looking forward to seeing how well SEE SAINTS, PAGE

31

Gulf Coast Media • August 10, 2018 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • 31

Woodyard to skipper Saints 2018 soccer team ROBERSTDALE — The 2018 Central Christian soccer club will be relatively young with one senior in Nick Hehman, but they will return a solid core group with experience.

First-year head coach Christian Woodyard (Coach Lee to the players) takes the reins from former Saints head coach Dan Crotts.

Woodyard played at Robertsdale High and Faulkner University in Montgomery before returning to Baldwin County.

“We actually have some very talented players here and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do,” he said. “Some people may doubt these kids but I have no doubt we can play with some good teams this year.

We don’t have a great

SAINTS CONTINUED FROM 30

we can do.”

The Saints still compete in the West Division of the Panhandle Christian Conference, but the mix of teams on the West side has changed.

“It’s going to be a dif-

Roster 2018 PLAYERS: Sixth: Nicholas Blanton; Seventh: Maddox Brunson; Eighth: Cullen Havard; Ninth: Jared Matthes; Tenth: Chason Ward, Weston Enfinger; Eleventh: Brian Kelly, Caleb Blanton, Jacob Blanton; Jacob Mitchum; Joey Decker; John Samuel Meeker; Joshua Harris; Randal Hall; Roberto Bouchot: Twelfth: Nick Hehman COACHES: Michael Turner Athletic Director, Christian Woodyard (Coach Lee) Head Soccer Coach, Brandon HerringAssistant, Johnny Lopez-Assistant

SUBMITTED PHOTO

CCS Saints soccer team deal of depth because we are not a big school.

So, everybody will need to be ready to step in and help. And the enthusiasm is high.”

The Saints did lose some experienced starters to graduation, but that is part of the highschool game, the former Golden Bear added.

“I’m really happy overall with what I’m seeing. These players are working hard on the basics and they understand as long as we focus on passing well and maintaining possession, we will increase our chances of success.

I hope to emphasize a lot of high pressing and

possessing on the field.

But being able to adjust and play defense, too.”

The team will compete in the Panhandle Christian Conference’s West Division which looks different this year with some PCC realignment and some new teams coming into the league.

PHOTO BY RENEE BRUNSON

CCS Senior Nick Hehman

ferent group of teams than past years with some new teams coming in like Theodore and some moving into the East. Got a lot of work to do for sure, but it’s a good group. They are ready and willing to work hard and they know that’s what it’s going to take.”

SA I A D & ITE S ED C SA CCR A

School Starts August 20th

Facebook.com/ccssaints

Instagram.com/CCSSaints251

32 • 2018 FALL SPORTS PREVIEW • August 10, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media