Recipe for success Tigers combine experience and play-making
Inside: See previews on all local high school teams including: Hartselle • Brewer Priceville • Danville Falkville • Decatur Austin • West Morgan Decatur Heritage August 26, 2015 • A special supplement to the Hartselle Enquirer
2 • Hartselle Living
ON THE COVER
THE TEAMS
HARTSELLE: Hartselle using combination of experience and play-making ability, 4
BREWER: Brewer looks to gain momentum with new coach Geoff Walters, 13
DANVILLE: After a year at DHS, LouAllen is ready for more strategic football, 18
FALKVILLE: Blue Devils look for record-breaking season, 24
PRICEVILLE: Priceville hopes to use large group of seniors, 29
AUSTIN: Austin works hard after seasons of near misses, 33
DECATUR: Raiders hope to have success past quarterfinals,
WEST MORGAN: Rebels look forward with new coach, 37
DECATUR HERITAGE: Eagles ready to make progress, 38
Hartselle senior Tobias Mitchell prepares for the upcoming season during practice. The Tigers are expecting success from their combination of experience and play-making ability this season.
STAFF President and Publisher Randy Garrison Advertising Pam Gray Ann Kirby Contributors Clif Knight Joy Haynes Caleb Suggs Richard Hollingsworth Todd Barker Kelly Miller Office Staff April Thompson Katie Sparkman
CONTACT US Hartselle Newspapers, LLC 407 Chestnut St. NW P.O. Box 929 Hartselle, AL 35640 256-773-6566 Fax: 256-773-1953 sports@hartselleenquirer.com Lifetouch Photography provided some team photos in this edition Football 2015 is a special news supplement for the Hartselle Enquirer. It is produced prior to each football season. For more information or additional copies, please call 256-773-6566. www.hartselleenquirer.com Copyright 2014 by Hartselle Newspapers, LLC
AUGUST 26, 2015
EXTRAS Cheerleaders Hartselle – 11 Brewer – 16 Danville – 23 Falkville – 27 DHCA – 39 2015 Rule Changes – 17 Past state champions – 23 FOOTBALL 2015
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FOOTBALL 2015
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2015 HARTSELLE HIGH SCHOOL
Recipe for success Hartselle has a winning combination of experience and play-making ability STORY BY CALEB SUGGS
W
hen you live in Hartselle, you live in a city of tradition, and when you play a sport in Hartselle, the expectation is to win a state championship. Each year as summer ends and school and fall begin, the focus of everyone in the town turns toward football season. Fans pack the bleachers of J.P. Cain Stadium to watch the Tigers do battle against stiff competition week in and week out as they fight to fulfill the expectations of playing for Hartselle. For the past two years, the Tigers have been fighting an uphill battle. Head coach Bob Godsey was sure to emphasize the AUGUST 26, 2015
youth of his team over the past couple seasons. “We lost a lot of seniors going into 2013, and we pretty much had to start over, especially offensively,” Godsey said. “Then last year we had a better direction, but we were still very young.” Now, Godsey and the Tigers are more confident as they return many starters on both sides of the ball, including five players who have started for three years. “When you look at our most successful seasons, we always had a good crop of older, experienced players and then had a few young guys, and this team is more like FOOTBALL 2015
those teams,” Godsey said. Godsey made to sure to emphasize, though, that no matter how old or young the team is, it doesn’t matter unless that team can make plays. “These past few years our teams were young, but they could make plays,” Godsey said. “Its comforting now to have experience, but it might not be later if they can’t make plays.”
Quarterback
When Jake Tiffin was thrown into the HARTSELLE, continued on page 6
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HARTSELLE, from 5
starting position as a sophomore in 2013 he had to grow up fast. Now he leads the Tigers as a three-year starting senior and he looks to build off a strong junior season. Godsey believed Tiffin had a good junior season, and he believes Tiffin can get even better this year. Tiffin has showed great poise and leadership throughout fall camp and hopes to continue throughout the season.
Running back
Going into last season, the Tigers had a big question mark at running back as they looked to replace senior Masio Stover and junior transfer D’andre Mack. However, the question was soon answered as freshman Taylor Easterling emerged as the goto back for the Tigers. Easterling had to grow up fast as he played all 11 games for the Tigers and improved each week as his load increased. Now Easterling looks to have an even better sophomore season as he had a chance to go through the winter offseason program and add some muscle.
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2015 Hartselle Tigers 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 15 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 21 22 23 24 25 26
Riley Wood RB Jordan Stover RB Brayden Leslie CB Zeth Malcom RB, FS Jake Tiffin QB Keondre Swoopes RB, CB Collin Blackwood K Taylor Easterling RB, P Gunnar Wiggins Lane Anders SS, WR Mac Meyer Zane Green SB Jaxon Peebles CB Kaleb Hall WR Trevor Oakes QB Luke Godsey QB Tobias Mitchell WR, DE Britt Gillette QB Bo Nosal Gage Johnston MLB Caleb Finn SS, FS Stone Powell OLB Trent Sivley WR Doug Durbin CB Jacob Pittman Houston Wright QB Auston Howard WR Colin Springer Andy Lamb SS Seth Garner WR, TE Connor Landers MLB Adam Hampton MLB Connor Burks WR Cole Letson MLB Lance Compton FB
10 11 9 12 12 9 12 10 9 12 9 12 12 9 11 9 12 So 11 12 12 9 12 9 9 10 10 9 9 11 11 9 10 11 12
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26 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 55 56 56 59 59 60 62 63
Tyler Cartee WR Tykeem Williams Zach Hillman CB Andrew Nuss SS Ethan Cowart DE Grayson Bray Garrett Wade WR Seth Mayfield MLB Will Lawrimore MLB Lijah Rollins WR Braxton Peck Nic Steele RB Denny Urbina David Hayes DE, LS Isaac Cagle CB Jackson Terry OLB Conner Tumlinson WR Zach Stringer DE Matt Milner G Larsen Osborne MLB Cesar Romero CB Brandon Slayton MLB Josh Hannah MLB Caleb Meyer DE Cole Steele T, G Austin Parker DE J.M. Caparas T Scout Alexander OLB Mihyail Orr G Zeb Green C Alec Lovett Landon Engle DE Cade Holmes C, G Gavin Jared Tyler Lackey NG
9 64 10 65 10 66 11 67 12 68 9 68 10 70 10 71 10 72 10 73 9 74 11 75 12 76 9 77 10 78 10 79 9 81 10 82 10 83 10 84 10 85 10 86 11 87 11 88 10 89 11 90 9 91 12 93 12 94 9 95 9 97 12 97 11 98 9 99 11
Austin Boardman LB, MLB Andrew Blankenship Cailee Prince NG Walker Thompson G Bailey Chandler Logan Miller G, T Thomas Mcconnell G Cameron Armstrong G Harry Driggers G Zane Craven Scott Hames Austin Orr G Jake Johnson C, G Josh Allen G Shamaud Swope NG Austin Miller NG Paxton Preuitt WR Will Stephenson WR Hilton Anderson TE Kyle Hamlett WR Chris Segars Mitch Grammer MLB Hunter Montgomery WR Chandler Briggs WR Jose Aguilar Davis Harris Eason Mizell Blake Lovett WR Thomas Mccleskey Jonathan Mosley NG Cody Salem K Jojo Mcconnell Andrew Demastus Ramiro Zavala
11 9 11 11 10 12 11 9 10 9 9 9 10 10 10 9 10 9 9 12 10 10 12 11 9 9 9 9 10 12 12 9 9 10
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The Tigers are still looking for that all-important No. 2 back to emerge, so fans can look for senior Zeth Malcolm to spell Easterling until someone does.
Wide receiver
If one thing is for sure, it is that quarterback Tiffin will have plenty of options to throw to this season. The Tigers will have to replace star play makers Jaylan and Ja’mal Jackson as well as senior leader Travis Crow, but that shouldn’t be a problem. Five seniors will rotate for the Tigers this year. Zeth Malcolm and Tobias Mitchell will both enter their third year of starting at receiver. Both will play inside at the slot while the latter offers a large 6’5” target for Tiffin to hit. Kyle Hamlett will also see significant action this year. Hamlett was a starter for two games last season before a sickness forced him to sit out the remainder of the season. “What happened was unfortunate,” Godsey said. “We felt like he was going to have a good season before what happened, but we hope he can pick up where he left off this year.” Also returning are Zane Green and Jaxon Peebles, two guys who saw limited action
AUGUST 26, 2015
last year and now look to have a bigger role this year.
Welch, who was described as a hard working warrior and the glue that held the offensive line together. Returning for Fullback the Tigers are Cade Holmes, a Teams cannot run a readthree-year starting junior who option spread offense without will switch from left tackle to a lead blocker. In 2013, the Tigers used mainly a tight end. center to try and make up for Last year, they split it between the loss of Welch, and Walker Thompson who will start his tight end and fullback. This second year year, the at left Tigers guard. The 2015 Hartselle Schedule will use Tigers will mainly a Aug. 21 at Pinson Valley look to sefullback Aug. 28 at Brewer niors Logan as senior Sept. 4 Athens* Sept. 18 at Decatur* Miller and Gage Sept. 25 Grissom (HC) Mihyail Orr Johnston Oct. 2 Muscle Shoals* to fill the will Oct. 9 at Cullman* Oct. 16 Florence* other voids. return Oct. 23 at Austin* Miller will this year. Oct. 29 Hazel Green start at Johnston right tackle, All games will begin at 7 p.m. switched * - Denotes region game while Orr to fullwill play back last right guard. year and The other position is still up saw plenty of action. Now he for grabs, but look for junior looks to increase his load this Austin Parker or sophomore year as a full-time starter. Jake Johnson to solidify it.
Offensive line
Perhaps the most important position on the field is the one no one talks about. If a team doesn’t have a good offensive line, it’s hard for that team to have a good offense. The Tigers will have to replace three guys up front including three-year starter Mykel
Defensive Line
On the other side of the trenches, the Tigers will also have to replace a few guys. Defensive end Chance Walker and nose guard Kris Doss were undersized for their position but were warriors who gave everything they had
FOOTBALL 2015
every play. The Tigers will return junior defensive end Caleb Meyer who started all 11 games last year as a sophomore. The Tigers will look to junior Cole Letson to fill the other end position. The allimportant nose guard position in the Tigers 3-3-5 defense is still up for grabs with no clearcut leader at this point.
Linebacker
Linebacker should be a strong unit this year. They will have to replace leading tackler Holden Langston as well as Dustin Stephenson. However, the Tigers will return mike linebacker Connor Landers as well as outside linebacker Scout Alexander. So far, sophomore Will Lawrimore has shown the most promise to fill the other position coming out of fall camp. However, the competition is still wide open.
Ponies
Hartselle’s patented 3-3-5 position will be the most experienced for the Tigers this fall. Both Lane Anders and Caleb Finn are seniors who will enter their third year as starters. The duo has played in 22 consecutive games and will look to lead a fast and physical Hartselle defense this year.
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From left, are quarterback Jake Tiffin, head coach Bob Godsey, quarterback Trevor Oakes, coach Will Lang and quarterback Luke Godsey.
Cornerback
The Tigers will have to make major adjustments as they look to replace three-year starting cornerbacks Jaylan and Ja’mal Jackson. Senior all-purpose player Zeth Malcolm will once again play corner this year after spending last year as a safety. The other cornerback position is still up for grabs as senior
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Trent Sivley and Junior Andrew Nuss battle for the spot. “They’re in a pretty good competition right now,” Godsey said. “We may use both of them; we may only use one; only time will tell.” Whoever takes it will have big shoes to fill going into this season.
FOOTBALL 2015
Safety
The lone safety on the defense has yet to be decided so far. Zeth Malcolm started there last year but has switched to cornerback this year. So far, the competition has been fierce. Sophomore Riley Wood has emerged as the leading candidate so far, but that could easily change.
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Specialists
Taylor Easterling will once again punt for the Tigers this year. There is still a competition among seniors Collin Blackwood and Cody Salem and junior Beau Nosal for the starting kicker job. Zeth Malcolm will handle return duties.
Overview
This year’s Hartselle team should be a good one, but only
AUGUST 26, 2015
time will tell. They are much bigger this year and more experienced than the past few years. The Tigers will have stiff competition to overcome in region play including Decatur, Cullman, Florence and Muscle Shoals. If the Tigers can overcome the Region 8 gauntlet, then they should be ready for a deep playoff run. The Tigers opened the season Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. against the Pinson Valley Indians.
FOOTBALL 2015
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FOOTBALL 2015
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FOOTBALL 2015
AUGUST 26, 2015
2015 BREWER PATRIOTS
New coach, new attitude Brewer looks to gain momentum with new coach Geoff Walters STORY BY CALEB SUGGS
T
hings in Brewer have been rough going for a long time. The Patriots have been trying to get their program going for some time now, but they have had a hard time as they continually have to battle some of the state’s toughest competition. Coach Dan Styles had the program going in the right direction for the past three years, but now he is gone, and in steps Geoff Walters, a veteran coach with years of experience. Walters spent 11 years coaching in Georgia before BREWER continued on page 14
AUGUST 26, 2015
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BREWER, from 13 returning to Alabama to become the head coach of Shelby County in 1999 where he would stay for five years. Walters would then move on to be head coach of Sylacauga becoming the offensive coordinator at Briarwood Christian in 2005. Briarwood would be his last pre-Brewer stop in 2010 when he moved to Memphis, Tenn., to become head coach of Evangelical Christian school. Now he has come to Brewer, and he is eager to turn this program around. “Evangelical was nice with a lot of great people and players,” Walters said “but Alabama is home, and I just felt that God was leading me to Brewer.” Reshaping the program won’t be easy especially since Walters just arrived in June. “Its not going to happen overnight,” Walters said “but I think we can build into something strong.” Walters will have a few pieces to work with in building his program. Quarterback
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2015 Brewer Patriots 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 27 31 33 34
Caleb Humphries Aaron Mcdugald Blake Borden D.J. Anderson Zack Self Isaac Childs Zach Kodra Hunter Swafford Cole Weaver Jared Holmes Tanner Cobb Timmy Pettey Paxton Cedotal Will Caudle Kolten Brown Levi Cagle Sean Honeycutt Gavin Artis Greg Johnson D.J. Hyatt Briley Ramey Nick Edge Brayden Tucker Baxley Collins Chance Brooks Gavin Young
FOOTBALL 2015
WR DB WR DB DB DB WR QB RB WR WR WR K LB DB LB WR LB RB WR LB WR DB LB DE DB
12 12 11 9 10 9 10 12 11 11 9 12 12 12 10 10 12 12 11 10 9 10 10 11 12 9
35 36 40 44 50 51 52 53 54 55 58 59 60 61 63 66 68 70 71 72 77 82 83 88 89 94
Noah Steffen Aron Borden Weston Greene Jonathan Holmes Pete Sharp Hunter Morgan T.J. Baker Silas Slate Jaylynn Iracheta Austin Borden Carter Morrow Donald Newcomb Hunter Jordan Logan Bailey Coen Hill Tucker Maxwell Clay Lemons Tristan Finch Will Hudson Houston Borden Jordan Flack Ryan Pitts Lane Adcock Brennen Garrett Austin Wren J.Robbins
DL DB DB/K WR/ LB DE OL OL OL DE DL OL OL OL DE DL OL OL OL OL OL OL K/ Mgt. LB WR
10 11 12 11 12 10 10 9 9 12 10 12 11 10 12 10 11 11 9 9 10 12 10 10 12
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it comes in just the second week of the season. Hunter Swafford and running back Cole Weaver will However, Walters doesn’t feel any added pressure return this season. Also returning on offense, this on his team. season will be receiver Caleb Humphries and offen“I love games like that,” Walters said, “All the sive lineman Pete Sharp. pressure is on them. No one expects us to win, so we On defense, the key players this year will be linehave nothing to lose. We can just go out there and backer Gavin Artis, defensive lineman Austin Borsee what we can do against what I think is a top five den, defensive end Greg Johnson and safety Baxley Collins, who may also play linebacker at times. Both team in 6A.” This season will be a work in progress as Walters Sharp and Borden will play on both sides of the line and his staff feel out what players can do and look to this year. Greg Johnson will look to bring speed to establish their systems. Walters’s feels confident his the defensive end position this year as he spent last players can establish a strong attitude season playing as a running back. and tradition this season and maybe Walters has been very impressed 2015 Brewer Schedule even shock a few people along the with the young Patriots in his short way. Aug. 20 at Grissom time there so far. Aug. 28 Hartselle The Patriot community is certainly “I am really impressed with their Sept. 4 Scottsboro* excited for the future of the program. work ethic,” Walters said, “they Sept. 11 Fort Payne* “This community needs something want this program to succeed and Sept. 18 at Southside* Sept. 25 Decatur to rally behind,” Walters said, “and that is real important.” Oct. 2 at Arab* I think our team can be that someSuccess won’t come easy, though, Oct. 10 OPEN thing.” as the Patriots will face a gauntOct. 16 Albertville* Oct. 23 at Lee* With a new coach, new facilities let of tough competition including Oct. 30 at Sparkman and a new attitude, Brewer hopes to Fort Payne, Sparkman, Decatur make a huge splash this year. and Hartselle. The showdown with All games will begin at 7 p.m. * - Denotes region game Hartselle will be especially tough as
AUGUST 26, 2015
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2015 RULE CHANGES
Full-speed contact limited F ootball teams in the AHSAA opened practice this week with some new regulations in place concerning live contact designed to reduce injuries. Fred Riley, head football coach and athletic director at Davidson High School in Mobile, said, “No big deal.” He wasn’t trying to be cavalier – quite the contrary. He said schools had already been following that protocol for years. After much study, the AHSAA introduced some football practice guideline recommendations in 2013 that limited the amount of full-speed contact student-athletes undergo each week during practice. Those guidelines were cited for reducing injuries in a study by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) last winter when the national governing body of high schools announced its own recommendations. The AHSAA Central Board of Control, on the recommendation of the AHSAA Medical Advisory Committee and Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA) last spring, adopted the recommendations as bylaws – thus insuring that all schools follow these guidelines in their practice regimen each week from preseason until the end of the season. The guidelines give specific limits concerning full-speed contact beginning with Week 1 of the preseason right up to the first game and then states limits once the season begins. Riley said his school has been limiting full-speed contact in practice for the last 11 years. And he has been amazed at the results. “The biggest thing is that we
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really don’t have an issue,” Riley said. “You know a lot of the new practice protocol (of the AHSAA) going into place we have been doing for years. We were ahead of the curve. We haven’t gone to the ground in a practice in 11 years with full contact and a full-fledged winner no more than about two days a week.” He said his players have had only six concussions in that time span. “Of the six concussions we have had, four came in games and most were the result of a knee hitting a helmet in a pile in a scrum and not as a head-to-head thing,” Riley added. “That just doesn’t happen very often.” The AHSAA protocol limits fullspeed contact to just 90 minutes per player during the first week of practice. Teams are in shorts and helmets the first two days, in shoulder pads and helmets on day three for no more than 90 minutes total practice time, and in shoulder pads and helmets on day four for no more than 120 minutes. On the fifth practice day, one full-speed contact practice, in full gear, is allowed not to exceed 90 minutes. At no time can schools have back-to-back days of two-a-day practices. Week 2 allows alternating days of full-speed contact practice, not to exceed a combined total of 120 minutes of full-speed contact is allowed. In addition, one intra-squad scrimmage is allowed. During Week 3, alternating days of full-speed practice, not to exceed 120 minutes of full contact is allowed. One interscholastic scrimmage or contest is allowed in Week 3. During Week 4 through end of
the season, a total of 90 minutes of full-speed contact practice per week is allowed. Loachapoka High School football coach and athletic director Jerome Tate says he fully supports the practice regulations. “I think the AHSAA is way ahead of other states in what we are doing as far as safety for our kids with our concussion awareness,” Tate said. “And now the cardiac arrest training and other stuff the AHSAA does (for us) is preparing us even more. I think it is very important for coaches, especially when you are dealing with young lives, to be aware of what is going on, what the rules are and what you can and cannot do.” He chuckles when he remembers his own days as a high school football player. “Those olden days of being able to push you until your drop, they are long gone. So you have to be conscious of what you are doing out there all of the time.” Alvin Briggs, Director of the AHSADCA, said member-school coaches have long been supportive of anything that can make the game of football safer. He pointed out that more than 11,000 coaches and administrators took the NFHS Concussion Aware-
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ness course online prior to 2013 and have been practicing full-speed contact limits for many years. “Our coaches have shown tremendous support of these guidelines,” he said. Riley said he wasn’t surprised that Alabama’s high school coaches ranked third nationally for the NFHS in completing the concussion awareness course offered. “The only reason we weren’t first is because some states were more populated than us would be my guess,” Riley said. “This has always been a state that cares. From the time I played high school sports, I was coached by professionals.” “Kids now grow up in an era where everybody thinks they are a coach. I mean everyone has a shirt with the word “coach” on the back and that makes them a coach. That’s not how it is at the high school level.” “The true professionals in this state are the ones that do it for a living in our schools, and it has always been that way. I have been coached by professional people all my entire life- people who know what they are supposed to do and who stay on top of the cutting edge educationally. They always have been and it just keeps getting better and better.”
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EVANS FLORIST
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FOOTBALL 2015
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2015 DANVILLE HAWKS
Hawks focus on depth After a year at DHS, LouAllen is ready for more strategic football STORY BY JOY HAYNES
T
he Danville Hawks have a game plan this season, which is to play smart and get the best they can out of their small numbers. Head coach Josh LouAllen said a hurry-up offense is taxing on a team where most athletes are playing on both sides of the ball. “Back when I was playing, a typical game had only about 90 snaps,” LouAllen said. “Now there’s about 120 in each game with the popularity of the hurry-
AUGUST 26, 2015
up offense. That’s had to play on both sides of the ball with many of our guys playing both ways. We are trying to focus on getting breathers to our guys and letting younger players step in for a little while. That will add depth and give them experience, but it’s something we are having to work on.” Danville is returning several key players with a group of 14 seniors this year. The Hawks only lost five players to graduation, all FOOTBALL 2015
of which started in some capacity. Graduates include lineman Logan Barkley, defensive backs Jason Haynes and Austin Clemons, punter and receiver Noah Hogan and the team’s leading tackler and rusher Drake Sapp. Sapp rushed for 747 yards on 134 carries last season with seven touchdowns and an average of 5.6 yards per carry. Haynes was the team’s leading receiver with 15 DANVILLE, continued on page 20
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DANVILLE, from 19 receptions totaling 200 yards and one touchdown. “We are losing some starters, but we have a good group returning,” LouAllen said. “We have now had 12 months together to learn each other and progress.” Returning starters include linebackers Tyler Thompson, Isaiah Moore and Matt McCormic; tight end Jacob Holder; running back Ryan Self, offensive linemen Chris Mahr and Luke Jacobs; and defensive backs Jackson Lockleer and Sawyer Hood. Rising senior quarterback Colton McCay rushed for 602 yards with nine touchdowns last season. He also completed 39 passes for a total of 462 yards and one touchdown. Other leading rushers include Self, Lockleer, Peyton Colburn and Kane Hogan. Leading receivers include Self, Holder, Hood and Lockleer. LouAllen said they are off to a much better start this season than last season. “Last year we were so far behind with the completely new offense and defense since I was hired in on such short notice last year,” LouAllen said. “I only had a few weeks before the season started, so we had to add a lot as we went, and I don’t think everyone was fully grasping the concept of my offense until week six. We had already had 19 practice days this summer whereas we had only had four practices at
2015 Danville Hawks 9 10 14 15 17 18 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 33 44 50 52 54
Ryan Stover Colton McCay JD Hale Tyler Thompson Landon Tidwell Cody Cribbs Peyton Colburn Jared Cooper Sawyer Hood Jacob Holder Alex Riley Isaiah Moore Jacob Morhead Zach Baker Jacob Leonard Jackson Locklear Ryan Self Jonathan Morgan Justin Greenhaw Chris Mahr
12 QB,SS 12 12 MLB 12 11 QB,FS 10 RB,OLB 11 12 CB,TE 12 TE,MLB 12 OLB 12 12 RB,MLB 10 CB,WR WR,CB 12 11 RB,OLB 11 T,DT T,NG
11 12
56 57 64 66 75 78 81
Luke Jacobs Dalton Parker Ryan Boothby Parker Hale Austin Champion Rodney Johnson Landon Upton Ben Cheatham Brandon Mccormick Buford Hubbard Dylan Sartin Kane Hogan Leo Soto Logan Jaep Matt Borden Matt Praytor Parker Hale Trevor Flowers Zac Martin
C,DE
TE
12 11 12 12 12 11 9
T,G
12 11
FB
11 10
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G 12 T 10 LB,MLB 10
this time last year. They’re really getting over the learning curve we had last year.” LouAllen said he heard from several people that the team was looking more competitive closer to the end of the season last year when they played their toughest opponents despite their tough start. “We faced three of our most competitive opponents HAWKS, continued on page 22
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HAWKS, from 20 during the last four games of the season last year, but I still heard a lot of good feedback from those weeks,” LouAllen said. “People said they were noticing that we were making progress throughout the season. We hope to continue on that same level again and only get better from there as we face our tough schedule again. We face some very high caliber opponents in our region of Fayette, Cordova, Hamilton, Haleyville, Carbon Hill and Curry.” The Hawks lifted four days a week throughout last season, leaving them a much stronger team this year. They were able to work with Diamond Pro to get a $50,000 personalized weight room last year. LouAllen said their strength is not their only gain this season. “We have seen huge gain this summer,” LouAllen said. “We competed in a couple seven-on-sevens and invited several teams to run scripts that were kind of like play dates. We have worked on making corrections by looking over film. I thought we did well against the variance spread, which we have usually struggled with. I can tell we are getting smarter football players rather than just smart kids, so we hope we can use that to add more plays that will complement those smarts. That’s been the focus of the summer.” Two key players will be returning to their positions of influence this year. Thompson is back after a nonfootball-related injury last season. LouAllen said the linebacker was on pace for an outstanding season last year until he got hurt. Moore also had a great year last year, and he will play a vital role on the Hawks’ defense. The Hawks have several new faces on the sidelines this season with many additions to the coaching staff. Heath Saint is the new PAGE 22
2015 Danville Schedule Aug. 20 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30
West Morgan at Cold Springs Vinemont* at Carbon Hill* Fayette County* at Priceville at Curry* Cordova* at Hamilton* Haleyville* Falkville
All games will begin at 7 p.m. * - Denotes region game
defensive coordinator, Nick Riley is the offensive and defensive line coach and Nakita Stover is the wider receiver coach. JJ Hill is returning as the defensive back coach and technology specialist, and Homer Jones took a position as the middle school coach after being the varsity defensive coordiFOOTBALL 2015
nator previously. “Our new coaching staff has been a tremendous help,” LouAllen said. “They have been here through the entire summer, and they have already made big improvements to the playbook and the team. We did about three months work in one day, and now we will be more multiple on the defense.” The team has also began to form a sense of pride they recently hadn’t shown. “They’re really coming together and getting behind their team,” LouAllen said. “They have started their own traditions out of some of the improvements we are making to the locker room and field house. They’re really pulling together to be a well-rounded team that is proud of who they are and what they are doing.” AUGUST 26, 2015
PAST STATE CHAMPIONS 2014—6A-Clay-Chalkville; 5A- St. Paul’s; 4A- Leeds; 3A- Madison Academy; 2A- Fyffe; 1A- Maplesville 2013—6A-Hoover; 5A-Spanish Fort; 4A-Oneonta; 3A-Madison Academy; 2A-Tanner; 1A-Pickens County 2012—6A-Hoover; 5A-Spanish Fort; 4A-UMS-Wright; 3A-Madison Academy; 2A-Tanner; 1A-Brantley 2011—6A-Prattville; 5A-Hartselle; 4A-Jackson; 3A-Handley; 2A-Elba; 1A-Marion County 2010—6A-Daphne; 5A-Spanish Fort; 4A-Thomasville; 3A-Leeds; 2A-Leroy; 1A-Sweet Water 2009—6A-Hoover; 5A-Demopolis; 4A-Cherokee County; 3A-Piedmont; 2A-Reeltown; 1A-Brantley 2008—6A-Prattville; 5A-Vigor; 4A-UMS-Wright; 3A-Leeds; 2A-Leroy; 1A-Sweet Water 2007—6A-Prattville; 5A-St. Paul’s; 4A-CentralTuscaloosa; 3A-Cordova; 2A-Leroy; 1A-Sweet Water 2006—6A-Prattville; 5A-Athens; 4A-Guntersville; 3A-Pike County; 2A-Leroy; 1A-Sweet Water 2005—6A-Hoover; 5A-Homewood; 4A-UMS-Wright; 3A-Pike County; 2A-Clay County; 1A-Addison 2004—6A-Hoover; 5A-Homewood; 4A-Demopolis; 3A-Oneonta; 2A-Leroy; 1A-Sweet Water 2003—6A-Hoover; 5A-Briarwood; 4A-Trinity; 3A-Pike County; 2A-Randolph County; 1A-Parrish 2002—6A-Hoover; 5A-Homewood; 4A-UMS-Wright; 3A-T. R. Miller; 2A-Southern Choctaw; 1A-Clay County 2001—6A-Daphne; 5A-Benjamin Russell; 4A-UMSWright; 3A-Hokes Bluff; 2A-Gordo; 1A-Reeltown. 2000—6A-Hoover; 5A-Homewood; 4A-T. R. Miller; 3A-Aliceville; 2A-Clay County; 1A-Hazlewood. 1999—6A-Clay-Chalkville; 5A-Etowah; 4A-Deshler; 3A-Briarwood Christian; 2A-Southern Choctaw; 1A-Courtland. 1998—6A-Vestavia Hills; 5A-Blount; 4A-Deshler; 3A-Briarwood Christian; 2A-Southern Choctaw;
AUGUST 26, 2015
1A-Brantley. 1997—6A-Tuscaloosa County; 5A-Blount; 4A-Alexandria; 3A-Aliceville; 2A-Luverne; 1A-Billingsley. 1996—6A-Jeff Davis; 5A-Blount; 4A-Fayette County; 3A-Colbert County; 2A-Clay County; 1A-Maplesville 1995—6A-Central-Tuscaloosa; 5A-Homewood; 4A-Alexandria; 3A-Cordova; 2A-Clay County; 1A-Courtland 1994--6A-Anniston; 5A-Greenville; 4A-T.R. Miller; 3A-Colbert County; 2A-Clay County; 1A-Carrollton. 1993--6A-Central-Phenix City; 5A-Oxford; 4A-North Jackson; 3A-Colbert County; A-St. Clair County; 1A- Brantley. 1992--6A-Robert E. Lee; 5A-Blount; 4A-Daleville; 3A-Elba; 2A-Hazlewood; 1A-Billingsley 1991-6A-Robert E. Lee; 5A-Gadsden; 4A-T.R. Miller; 3A-Luverne; 2A-Hazlewood; 1A-McKenzie 1990-6A-Jess Lanier; 5A-Blount; 4A-Deshler; 3A-Dallas County; 2A-Hazlewood; 1A-Courtland 1989-6A-Anniston; 5A-Oxford; 4A-Pike County; 3A-Elba; 2A-Hazlewood; 1A-Courtland 1988-6A-Vigor; 5A-Oxford; 4A-Pike County; 3A-Thomasville; 2A-Hazlewood; 1A-Courtland 1987-6A-Vigor; 5A-Greenville; 4A-Elmore County; 3A-UMS Prep; 2A-Reeltown; 1A-Montgomery Academy 1986-6A-Robert E. Lee; 5A-Gadsden; 4A-Litchfield; 3A-Crossville; 2A-Cottonwood; 1A-Sweet Water 1985-6A-Northview; 5A-Colbert County; 4A-Alexandria; 3A-Gordo; 2A-Hazelwood; 1A-Sand Rock 1984-6A-Prattville; 5A-Emma Sansom; 4A-T. R. Miller; 3A-Lamar County; 2A-Millport; 1A-Valley Head 1983-4A-Murphy; 3A-Escambia County; 2A-Oak Grove;
FOOTBALL 2015
1A-Millport 1982-4A-Enterprise & W.A. Berry, co-champions; 3A-Thompson; 2A-Hazlewood; 1A-Sweet Water 1981-4A-Northview; 3A-Eufaula; 2A-Dadeville; A-Hazlewood 1980-4A-Vestavia Hills, 3A-Henderson; 2A-Gordo; 1A-Akron 1979-4A-Enterprise; 3A-Jackson & Colbert County, cochampions; 2A-Stevenson; 1A-Sweet Water 1978-4A-Jefferson Davis; 3A-Eufaula; 2A-Elmore County; 1A-Sweet Water 1977-4A-W. A. Berry; 3A-Andalusia; 2A-Stevenson; 1A-Ohatchee 1976-4A-Mountain Brook; 3A-Andalusia and Athens, co-champions; 2A-Elmore County; 1A-Addison 1975-4A-Mountain Brook; 3A-Athens; 2A-Hazlewood; 1A-Ranburne 1974-4A-Homewood; 3A-Escambia County; 2A-Lauderdale County; 1A-Carrollton 1973-4A-Banks; 3A-John Carroll; 2A-Glencoe; 1A-Marion County 1972-4A-Banks; 3A-Colbert Co.; 2A-Oneonta; 1A-Marion County 1971-4A-Decatur; 3A-Tarrant; 2A-Abbeville & Oneonta, co-champions; 1A-Marion County 1970-4A-Robert E. Lee; 3A-Valley; 2A-Addison; 1A-Hazlewood 1969-4A-Robert E. Lee; 3A-Sylacauga; 2A-T. R. Miller; 1A-Excel 1968-4A-Sidney Lanier; 3A-Russellville; 2A-Gordo; 1A-Lowndes Academy 1967-4A-Sidney Lanier; 3A-Russellville; 2A-Lamar County; 1A-Marengo County 1966-4A-Sidney Lanier
PAGE 23
2015 FALKVILLE BLUE DEVILS
Stronger, faster, bigger Blue Devils report best off season in four years, looks for record-breaking seaSTORY BY JOY HAYNES
F
alkville head coach Joel Schrenk said Falkville had their best offseason in his fourth season at the school. The Blue Devils are stronger, faster and bigger than they were last year, and they are much improved on defense. Schrenk said they focused on growing through the summer rather than scheming. “We started hard Nov. 3, and we have had great results,” Schrenk said. “We did well at the two seven-on-sevens we participated in, and we have really been working on the fundamentals. We’ve seen gains physically more than
PAGE 24
I’ve seen us grow in the last four years.” Four seniors graduated, including running back and linebacker Patrick Knowles and offensive and defensive linemen Jordan Smith, Tylor Roy and Collin Eason. They have a huge senior class with 13 seniors this year. Several key players are returning, including second team All-State quarterback Ryan Sullivan, who was injured in the third game of last season. Devon Reed and Caleb Vinson are returning to running back where they have a lot of skill and experience. All four receivers
FOOTBALL 2015
are back along with most of the offence, including Logan Vinson and Garth Enochs. Sullivan completed 118 passes for a total of 1,303 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also led the team in rushes with 662 yards on 86 carries with six touchdowns. Knowles rushed for 513 yards and five touchdowns on 85 carries last season and caught 33 passes for 378 yards and one touchdown. Other leading rushers included Caleb Vinson and Reed. Logan Vinson led the Blue Devils in receptions with 55 catches for 565 yards and five touchdowns. Enochs caught
AUGUST 26, 2015
30 passes for 353 yards and five touchdowns, and Holmes caught 23 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns. The defense is also in good shape with the entire secondary returning. Returning starters include Brian Holmes, Zach Brown, Andy Dove, Bryan White, Tyler Robinson, AJ Robinson, Caleb Vincent and Reed. Defensive leaders included Holmes, Knowles, Caleb Vinson, Brown, Nick Widner, Eason and Daniel Lockhart. “We have more depth than last year, and we have our greatest chance of getting as close as we can to a twoplatoon team,” Schrenk said. “A small team like ours doesn’t usually get that chance, but we have plenty of experience returning with a large senior class. We also have a large freshman class on reserve.”
2015 Falkville Blue Devils 2 3 4 5 7 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 22 25 28 32 40 42
Caleb Vinson QB, MLB Logan Vinson WR, CB Garth Enochs WR, CB Aaron Dove MLB, TE James Garner CB Tyler Robinson MLB Trustin Pylate Jackson Nichols Zach Brown Ryan Sullivan QB, SS Devin Reed RB, OLB Bryan Holmes MLB, TE Andy Dove CB, QB Bryan White FS Fred Walls Cody Bryson Austin Smith MLB AJ Robinson TE, MLB
10 12 12 9 9 11 9 10 11 12 12 12 12 12 9 9 9 11
44 55 60 61 63 64 67 70 71 72 73 80 85
Cole Ashebranner Nick Widner G, NG Jonathan Carroll DT JP Garrison Taylor Davis T, DE Justin Aguero C, G Lucas Townsend T, DE Nathan Macdonald G Newt Whitworth Blake Eason T, DE Jordan Pace G, NG Isaac Russell Payton Carroll WR, SS
11 12 12 10 12 10 12 9 9 11 10 10 11
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PAGE 25
BLUE DEVILS, from 25 The Blue Devils also have plenty of newcomers who are showing promise. Jimmy Allen, Zach Bryant, Newt Whitworth and Peyton Carroll are some of the newest contributors. Brown will be punting, and Sullivan and Tyler Robinson will split kicking duties. Schrenk said the team has really improved their ability to play fast, but their offensive and defensive lines are largely untested. “I’m sure we will struggle with depth like any small school does, but we are in a good position this year,” Schrenk said. “I feel good about this season if we can manage to stay healthy. We still need to make some improvements and stay good on offense. We are working towards a playoff position and winning more games than we ever have before.” Falkville’s regional opponents PAGE 26
2015 Falkville Schedule Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30
Phil Campbell at Decatur Heritage* at Addison* Cold Springs* West Morgan* at Sumiton Christian* Tarrant* at Southeastern* Tanner* at Danville
* - Denotes region game All games will begin at 7 p.m.
on this schedule. We want to win each game, each week and each day. That takes making progress every time we are together.” Schrenk has several coaches helping him on the Blue Devils’ staff, including wide receiver and corner back coach Jace Wilemon, running back and linebacker coach Josh Scott, offensive and defensive line coach Joe McGill, junior high coach Jonathan Lacey and all-around coach Billy Eason. Schrenk calls both ways and works with quarterbacks and safeties.
include Tanner, Cold Springs, Sumiton Christian, Tarrant, Southeastern and Addison. Other scheduled opponents include Phil Campbell, Decatur Heritage Christian Academy, West Morgan and Danville. “Tanner is almost always a regional favorite, but we have some other tough teams to face this year,” Schrenk said. “Cold Springs’ quarterback is already committed to Alabama. We will have to battle every week. We will face six teams that made it to playoffs last year FOOTBALL 2015
AUGUST 26, 2015
AUGUST 26, 2015
FOOTBALL 2015
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AUGUST 26, 2015
2015 PRICEVILLE BULLDOGS
All in the timing Priceville hopes to utilize their large group of seniors to find success
P
riceville High School’s varsity football team hopes to be peaking at the right time and maybe just in time. Twenty-two seniors lead this team, with 13 securing starting positions to begin the season. The coaching staff, as a whole, continues to talk of what might have been last year. After rolling off two straight blow-out wins, injuries sidelined several key players, most notably, the junior standout quarterback Kaleb Barker. The talk has quickly switched over to looking forward, with Priceville hopes resting on crank-
ing up the offensive tempo again. Head coach Dirk Strunk has said this team has unlimited potential if they learn to play together and take one play at a time, especially now that all the injured are back at full strength. The coaches continued their positive talk about this season, speaking of their quality athletes all over the field that replaced the 17 seniors lost to last year’s graduation. Strunk spoke highly of this team’s hard work and dedication in the weight room during the summer months. The Bulldogs played in several seven-on-seven BULLDOGS, continued on page 30
AUGUST 26, 2015
FOOTBALL 2015
PAGE 29
BULLDOGS, from 29
“We have great depth at receiver, and that will help us play fast, Strunk said. I expect people to be surprised at the competitions, including a trip to the beach, where they quality line play on both offense and competed well, highlighted by knockdefense, and by our quarterback.” ing out a 7A opponent. Strunk went on 2015 Priceville Schedule Barker will look to add to his cato say that this is one of the fastest and reer stats of 4,100 yards passing, Aug. 20 at Sylvania strongest teams he has coached since Aug. 27 at West Morgan 1,700 yards rushing and 70 combined arriving at Priceville five years ago. Sept. 4 at JB Pennington* touchdowns. Another asset to the The Priceville community has seen Sept. 11 North Jackson* Bulldog offense will be senior Aaron Sept. 18 at Westminster Chr.* this group of athletes before. Ten of Sept. 25 Danville Cartee. He returns to his familiar these year’s starters have played toOct. 2 Oneonta* position at running back, hoping to gether for many years and in several Oct. 9 at Good Hope* add more yards to his career totals as Oct. 16 Locust Fork* sports. These players expect to win well. He received honorable mention Oct. 23 at DAR* and have won together before. When Oct. 30 West Point for his 1,000-yard season last year, asked what makes this group different, playing running back and quarterAll games will begin at 7 p.m. the coaching staff kept using the word back. * Denotes region game “fast” to explain the offense and deThe question many Bulldog fans fense. Strunk says their key to success ask is about the defense. Fans are on offense is to “play fast and limit hopeful that, along with a stronger and faster team, the mistakes that make for a long down and distance.” defense can make stops and stay off the field more. Pricev-
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FOOTBALL 2015
AUGUST 26, 2015
2015 Priceville Bulldogs 1 2 4 5 7 10 12 14 15 17 18 22 23 24 27 28 29 32 34 34 37 42 43
ille’s defense has struggled for a number of years, keeping the program from winning key games and reaching the playoffs. Coach Josh Sawyer said this group gives us a better
AUGUST 26, 2015
Heath Mann SB, RB Sr. Kaleb Barker QB Sr. Blake Shear RB, FS Jr. Elijah Cole WR, CB Sr. Brock Payne QB, FS Fr. Dylan Cross WR, CB Jr. Parker Gwin WR, CB Sr. David Strunk CB, QB Fr. Trea Cole WR, CB Sr. Eli Freeman WR, CB Jr. Drew Colbert OLB Sr. Aaron Cartee RB Sr. Kyle Haynes SS, RB Sr. Jared McKelvy OLB Sr. Michael Morris RB, FB Jr. Hunter Huckaby FB Sr. Greg Blaylock Sr. Brandon Terry SS, OLB Sr. Jonathan Wray Rusher Clemons RB, WR So. Tyler Green Sr. Steven Vo So. Aaron Wells CB Jr.
44 45 50 52 57 59 63 65 66 72 73 74 75 78 79 80 80 81 81 82 86 89
Wesley Johnson MLB Bryan Parker DE Wells Coleman G, DE, DT Dalton Davis G, DE Tyler Horn T, G, DE Travis Weaver G, DT Cam Leeth DE, G Matt Dugger T Daniel Necaise DT Matthew Eubanks DT, G Keaton Israel G Jonathan Harkins G, DE Peyton Scott T, G, C Garrett Hopkins T, G, DE Austin Powers Chad Shelton CB, WR Tyler Shaneyfelt WR, CB Nick Belling K Weston Bodley MLB, DE Chase Stoler FS, WR Eli Mann WR, FS Tyler Wade CB, SB
Jr. Sr. So. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Fr. So. So. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr.
chance to make stops with a stronger and more athletic front line. The linebackers have experience and speed, which should help with run support. Overall, the defense looks solid with a mix of underclassmen and a few seniors.
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FOOTBALL 2015
AUGUST 26, 2015
2015 AUSTIN BLACK BEARS
Fighting back Austin works on finishing after two seasons of near misses STORY BY CALEB SUGGS
I
f there is any phrase that describes the Austin Black Bears recently its “close but no cigar,” which describes the Black Bears’ last two seasons all too well. The past two seasons, the Black Bears have gone a collective 6-14, going 4-6 in 2013 and 2-8 in 2014. However, Austin has not had bad teams. Each year Austin has fielded good teams as the Black Bears competed for four quarters in every game they played. They even came within five points of beating 2014 Region 8 champion, the Florence Falcons, a team who beat the other three finalists in Region 8 by a combined 61 points. The problem the Black Bears have had is they can’t seem to pull it out at the end, but head coach Jeremy Perkins believes that is going to change this year.
AUGUST 26, 2015
“We lost a lot of close games last year,” Perkins said. “We’ve been good enough to compete in every game, but now we have to be good enough to win every game. I think we’re close to turning that corner.” The Black Bears will be in better shape this season. Last season they had to replace many seniors, including fouryear starting quarterback Chris Sparkman. Now Austin heads into this season with plenty of retiring starters on both sides of the ball and fans can look for quarterback Victor Garth to take hold of the offense again for a second season with running backs TC Lowe and Kylan Torain behind him. Garth will have returning receiver Eric Washington to help make up for the loss of leading receiver Josh Pierson. The Bears will also return offensive lineman Deonte Brown, FOOTBALL 2015
2015 Austin Schedule Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30
Spain Park at Buckhorn at Decatur* Muscle Shoals* at Cullman* Huntsville Florence* OPEN at Athens (HC)* Hartselle* at Bob Jones
All games will start at 7 p.m. *Denotes region game
Rhett Tucker, Chandler Love. Brown is a big plus to have back as he is Division I prospect who is committed to The University of Alabama. On defense, the Black Bears will miss the talents of linebacker Jacoby Stevenson and defensive back Cici Simpson. However, they will have plenty of players returning. Fans can look for Carlos Conley and Marcus Webb to anchor the deAUSTIN, continued on page 34
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AUSTIN, from 33 fensive line. Rashuan Ayers will also be back to split time at both defensive end and linebacker. Linebacker Kevin Turner will lead the defense once again. The secondary should be a strong suit for the Black Bears this season as they return cornerback Tyrese Swoopes, free safety Rorrick Stewart and bandit Marcus Sankey. Austin will have plenty of new players step up this season including Malieq Senior and Jaquan Pledger on offense as well as Jakiese Smiley and Deondre Bass on defense. The road to the playoffs will not be easy as they will have to go through possibly the toughest region in Alabama, which includes Hartselle, Decatur, Muscle Shoals and Florence. Perkins knows of the challenges that await. “Our schedule is not easy,” Perkins said. “Whether it’s region or non-region, it doesn’t matter. It’s a grind every week.” We just have to find the guys that will work and make plays, and we will be alright.” The Black Bears are hungry to get back to the playoffs this year, and their drive may just get them there.
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2015 Austin Black Bears 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 45 46 47
Rorrick Steward Eric Washington Caymon Brown Ivan Torres Alex Grays Malieq Senior Antonio Robinson Montez Felcher Victor Garth Collin Moses Jalik Jaggwe Paxton Montgomery Seven Johnson Jackson Hale Trayvon Petty Maurice Gray Sam Watkins Juan Ventura Asa Martin TC Lowe Dewan Holland Tyrese Swopes Kylan Torain Roman Young Marcus Sankey Santana Robinson Bryson Cosby Jacob Brown Zac Lindsey Rahsun Ayers Jakeise Smiley Toney Norman Jaquan Pledger Bennie Miland Kiyan Tapscott Tyreise Rice Zack Gholston Ben Williamson Dykerious Allen Dawson Howell Drew Mattox Jeffrey Fuqua Marucs Webb
DB WR DB DB DB WR RB WR QB RB WR QB WR DB DB WR QB K RB RB RB DB RB DB DB RB DB DB LB LB LB RB RB DB DB DB LB DB LB DB LB DB DE
12 12 11 12 11 11 10 12 12 10 11 10 12 10 12 10 10 12 10 12 10 11 12 11 12 10 11 10 12 12 12 10 11 11 10 10 10 10 11 10 10 10 12
49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 64 67 68 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 83 84 85 86 87 88 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99
Austin Blankenship Tyrese Kirk Jackson Jones Jarvis Foster Chrisean Robinson Anthony Boyd Cameran Ledbetter Rodney Fossett Horace Boykin Jamell Washington Kevin Turner Grant Blakely Jacob Mishalanie Tyson Cosby Blake Holt Chandler Love Nicholas Loaeza Justin Morgan Deonte Brown Rhett Tucker Logan Lee Darryl Pointer Marquice Robinson Javian Conley DJ Rector Malique Mullins Josh King Ryan Prewitt Gabriel Roper Isaiah Washington Tanner Lane Jon Bond Brooks Blaxton Matthew Goodwin Walker Pritchett Kyle Cowley Thomas Birt Daniel Keeton DeAndre Bass Carlos Conley Colby Johnson Tyus Phillips Cameron Kirkes
DB LB LB LB LB LB LB DL DB DB LB OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL OL DL OL OL OL TE WR WR DE TE P TE WR DL DL DB DL DE DL DL DE
10 10 10 12 11 10 11 10 11 10 12 10 12 11 10 12 10 10 12 11 10 10 10 10 12 11 10 11 10 10 12 10 10 10 10 10 12 11 11 12 10 10 11
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AUGUST 26, 2015
2015 DECATUR RED RAIDERS
Time for Raiders to reload Raiders hope to ride the success of last season past state quarterfinals
STORY BY CALEB SUGGS
T
he Red Raiders are back this season and hungry to build off last year’s very successful season, which included a run to the state quarterfinals.
AUGUST 26, 2015
Head coach Jere Adcock is excited for the possibilities his team has this season. “We don’t use the term, rebuild, around here, because I don’t like that word,” Adcock said. “All we do is reload.”
It wont be easy, however, as Decatur will have to replace some key starters. Receivers Devin Sanders and Jayan Stevenson are two key players that will be gone this season. Also gone will be tight end Jack Underwood. However, it is on the defensive side of the ball that the Raiders will be hurt the most. Seven starters will be lost on defense including three-year starting cornerbacks Tay Hayes and Terry Green. Also gone is linebacker Trey Hayes who started every year of his high school career. Last year the Red Raiders defense was one of the best in 6A, but now they
FOOTBALL 2015
must start over. However, Adcock believes they have the pieces for them to still be good. Returning on defense will be linebacker John Riehl, defensive lineman Cameron Elliot and Lecorbin Sales and safety Shaunn Deloney. Players expected to step up this year will be defensive lineman Cedric Pointer and Jackson Gonzalez, linebackers Jacquez Green and Joshua Marsh and defensive backs Michael Bolden, Tyric Langford, and Alec Marks. Offense for the Raiders will be in better shape this season as they return eight starters. The offense will RAIDERS continued on page 36
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2015 Decatur Red Raiders 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 45
RB Tyrie Buchanan QB/DB Alec Marks LB John Riehl DB/RB Tyric Langford QB Walker Jones WR Barrett Jones LB Jujuan Long DB Shaunn Deloney WR Tyrique Purvis DB Chris Hanson Rollyn Tainatongo LB QB/P Griffin McCollum RB Scott Litrell RB Ladarious Woods WR Stone McCurry WR Charlie Cushing DE Cedric Pointer LB Joshua Marsh DB Michael Bolden WR Jahmaudi Goode DB Devin McGuire RB Beua Claborn RB Isaac Huguley DE Tobias Miller DE Dalvin Crayton Nathan Henderson TE DB Caleb Reynolds LB Jackson Burrow DE Quinton Fletcher DE Cameron Elliot Demarcus Miland LB K Jeff Kirkland RB Jalen Martin DB Isiah Scott RB Collin Smiley Remington Presley RB LaBruntae Davenport DB TE Tyler Bates Malik Merriweather DE LB Jacquez Green
12 11 11 11 10 11 11 12 11 10 10 12 12 11 10 11 11 10 12 10 12 11 10 12 12 10 10 11 11 12 10 11 11 10 10 10 10 11 10 11
46 47 48 49 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 60 61 62 65 67 68 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 89 91 92 94
Malachi Elam Jordan Freeman Lamar Sykes Keishuan Creel Dakota McNutt Jon Richards Tyler Richey Jose Lxchajal Tyler Nave Ricky Roman Hicks Pettey Luke Truitt Alex Peterson Desomond West Robert Frazier Alex Herndon Mac Johnson Edgar Godinez Lawson Dement Carlos Emerson Ben Berry Jackson Gonzalez Jorge Garcia Logan Roberts Logan Truitt Carson O’Connor Thomas Meadows Michael Morrow Alex Ocampo Braxton Smith Paul Megehee Jospeh Baker Wyatt Brewington Ali Abdullahpour Michael Limbaugh Wade Fox Davis Earley Lecorbin Sales
WR LB WR WR LB OL DE OL LB DE DT OL/DT OL OL OL OL OL OL/DT OL OL OL DT DT OL OL DT WR TE WR WR WR TE WR TE K DE DT DT
11 10 12 10 11 12 11 11 11 11 11 12 11 11 12 11 10 12 10 12 12 12 10 10 10 10 12 12 12 10 12 12 11 12 12 11 12 12
RAIDERS, from 35 be led by returning quarterback Griffin McCollum and anchored by five senior returning linemen Luke Truitt, Carlos Emerson, Ben Berry, Robert Frazier and Edgar Godinez. Also returning will be running backs Tyrie Buchanan and Scott Littrell, who will also split time at fullback. The wide receiver position was hit the hardest, but Adcock believes he has some young guys that can step up. The group will be lead by junior Tyrique Purvis, who came on last year at the end. PAGE 36
He offers a large target to hit, and coaches have been raving about his performance in spring and summer. The Raiders will return tight end Tyler Bates, but look for Joseph Baker and Ali Abdullahpour to contend for playing time. Adcock believes his team is very talented. They will have to be in order to survive the class 6A Region 8 gauntlet, which has been nicknamed the “SEC West” of AHSAA football. “There is no way to single
still expects his team to do out just one game or one great with goals that include team that is most impora region title and a deep tant,” Adcock said.“ There playoff run. are too many good teams “We have to get past the whether its Florence, Muscle quarterfinals,” Adcock said. Shoals, Austin, or Hartselle, “That is just the one hump it doesn’t matter. “In this we cant seem to get over, region, you can be a really good team and still not make but I think this team is very capable of it.” the playoffs- there are no The road will be long easy wins.” and difficult, but it Decatur If region play wasn’t thinks they have what it tough enough, the Raiders takes. will also have to play strong non-region opponents Homewood, Bob 2015 Red Raiders Schedule Jones and Oxford. This area is the one Aug. 21 at Homewood concern for Adcock Aug. 28 Bob Jones Sept. 4 Austin* as he worries about Sept. 11 at Athens* the team’s lack of Sept. 18 Hartselle* depth. Sept. . 25 at Brewer Oct. 2 OPEN “We just have to Oct. 9 at Muscle Shoals* stay healthy,” Adcock Oct. 16 Cullman* said. “It’s very imporOct. 23 at Florence* Oct. 29 Oxford tant for us to be successful.” All games will begin at 7 p.m. However, Adcock *Denotes region game
FOOTBALL 2015
AUGUST 26, 2015
2015 WEST MORGAN REBELS
It’s a brand new day Rebels look to turn around past seasons with new coach John Ritter STORY BY CALEB SUGGS
T
o say the past three years have been tough for the Rebels of West Morgan would be an understatement as they have gone 2-28 in three seasons with a 1-9 finish last year. However, things are beginning to look up as West Morgan has brought in young and energetic football coach John Ritter to take the reigns of the program. Ritter has plenty of experience as he started out as an assistant on the Athens Golden Eagles before moving to Muscle Shoals in 2008. He then became the head coach of Red Bay in 2012 where he led them to a 16-7 record in two seasons and had two playoff appearances. He then spent the past two years as the defensive coordi-
AUGUST 26, 2015
2015 Rebels Schedule Aug. 20 Aug. 27 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30
at Danville Priceville* Madison Academy* at Colbert County* Sheffield* at Falkville* at Lexington* at Clements* Lauderdale County* Colbert Heights* at East Lawrence*
All games start at 7 p.m. *Denotes region game
nator for the Deshler Tigers where he helped them to a 13-2 record and a runner up in the state 4A championship in 2014. Now he looks to return the Rebels to their winning ways. “This program is built on tradiFOOTBALL 2015
tion,” Ritter said. “It has gotten away from that recently, and it’s my job to bring it back.” Ritter will have a few pieces to work with this year. Offensive lineman Austin Guyse and Joseph Meer’s will both be returning this year. Jaye Terry, at wide receiver, will also be back this year. Sophomore Gabe Peluso will take the reigns at quarterback this season. On defense, Matthew Roland and Nick Smith will both be back at cornerback. However, Ritter will be forced to play many young players this season, which could make things tough with the schedule they have. The Rebels will be forced to contend with 3A powerhouses such as Colbert County and Madison REBELS, continued on page 38
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REBELS, from 37 Academy. Ritter is fully aware of the challenges that await. “Madison Academy has won three straight state championships, and we get them in week three,” Ritter said. “It won’t be easy, but we will just have to give it our best and see what we can do.” Ritter still fully expects his team to come out on the positive side this season. “Our expectations are a region and state title,” Ritter said. “That will be our expectations every year. It will take some work to get there, but that is what we strive for.” Ritter’s confidence has certainly worked wonders already, and the season has not even started. Players, students, teachers and fans are all excited to see what this program can accomplish. “This community is rallying behind us,” Ritter said.“ Everyone is excited to see what we can do.” Reviving this program will not be an easy task, but Ritter feels like he can do it. “I feel like I am the man for the job, and I think I can really build this program back.” Ritter has certainly gotten things going in the right direction so far. Now he hopes things will continue throughout the season to help give the Rebels some momentum. Whatever happens it should make for some good football.
2015 DECATUR HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY EAGLES
Turning the corner Eagles ready to make progress this season during Meek’s fifth year at DHCA
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lowly but surely the Decatur Heritage Christian Academy is turning its football program into something special. That is really something considering the football program has only been around for seven years. One can chalk that up to hard work and good coaching. When the Decatur Heritage Eagles decided to start a football program, they knew they didn’t just want it to be another 1A program, but they wanted to turn it into something good. Their program got a huge boost in 2010 when Steve Meek was brought in to coach the Eagles. Meek had just retired as the head coach of the PAGE 38
Austin Black Bears and had also done previous stints at Opelika, Lawrence County, and Bob Jones, so it was a huge addition to the Eagles. Meek thinks it was also a huge opportunity for himself. “This is my fifth year at DHCA,” Meek said. “I retired from Austin High School in 2010, and Steve Atchley called me to ask if I’d be interested in coming to talk about coaching here. I fell in love with the school as soon as I walked in and have enjoyed coming to work every day since. There’s something about the Christian atmosphere at DHCA that makes this a wonderful experience.” FOOTBALL 2015
2015 Decatur Heritage Schedule Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 10 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 29
Falkville at Shoals Christian* Waterloo* at Vina* at Tharptown at Coosa Christian* R.A. Hubbard* at Hackleburg* Phillips* Woodville
All games begin at 7 p.m. *Denotes region game
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Meek has also helped put together a great coaching staff that feels the exact same way that he does. “Our coaching staff is amazing,” Meek said. “They are all volunteers who work all day, then come here to help me coach, putting in countless hours. There is a good mix of young and experienced coaches, and they all love the game and are good Christian role models.” Meek has done a good job of steadily building the program up as they went 2-8 in 2011, 5-5 in 2012, 5-5 in 2013, and 6-5 in 2014 with a playoff berth. Last season, which was the best the Eagles had yet, the Eagles were very good on offense and got better and better on defense as the season went on.
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This year they should get even better as they had many underclassmen that played and only lost three seniors off last year’s squad. The Eagles will return on offense quarterback Grayson Wakefield; wide receivers Dakota Hunter Garrett Buckner, Trace Lentz and Juff Hunter; running back Jackson Keith; and offensive linemen Merrick Stafford, Collin Stafford, Luke Bolan, Parker Sparkman and Garrett Buckner. On defense the Eagles will have back Lentz at linebacker; Buckner, at defensive back; Sterling Holland at defensive back and linebacker; Jeremiah Hall at linebacker; Jonathan Cimino and Trent Smith at defensive end; Jackson Keith at defensive end; Kyle Lasch at linebacker;
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and Thomas Letson and Parker Sparkman at defensive linemen. Having all these starters back should be very helpful as they prepare for a tough schedule that includes Hackleburg, Phillips, R.A. Hubbard, Shoals Christian, Vina and Waterloo. Making the playoffs last season was huge for the Decatur Heritage program. Now the players are working hard to make it even father this season. Meek is confident that they can achieve their goal. “ They have worked hard this summer and so far in practice, and hopefully will compete each week,” Meek said. Only time will tell as the Eagles prepare for the 2015 season.
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