New Albany Football

Bulldogs born to run in 2020

FAST FACTS

Division: 1-4A 2019 Record: 8-4, 3-1 (Playoffs: lost in second round)

PLA YER S TO WAT CH

Isaiah Cohran - WR/DB (Senior) - Played in 6 games due to injury, 23 Receptions for 458 yards, 20 yards per reception, 14 Carries for 90 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs

CJ Hill - RB (Junior) - Rushed for 1581 yards, 19 TDs, (8) 100 yard games, 8 Receptions for 67 yards, 1 TD

Mason Simmons - WR/DB (Senior) - 22 Receptions for 451 yards, 20.5 yards per reception, 1 Punt Return TD, 5 INTs, 30 Tackles

AI Nugent - RB/LB (Senior) - Rushed for 1922 yards, 29 TDs, (10) 100 yard games, 12 Receptions for 244 yards, 2 TDs, 94 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 1 INT (Stats from last season @ Myrtle)

Shamarquces Smith - LB (Senior) - Played in 7 Games due to injury, 48 Tackle, 4 Tackles for loss, 1 Sack, 3 Forced Fumbles

OFFEN SE

New Albany’s already potent rushing attack got an injection during the offseason as A.I. Nugent transferred over from Myrtle and joins CJ Hill on the Bulldog backfield. The RB duo combined for over 3,500 yards and 51 TDs last season.

Hill led the Bulldogs in rushing in 2019 and scored six rushing touchdowns and had one TD reception in the first round playoff win over Shannon.

The New Albany offense is returning eight starters including an offensive line which brings back four starters from last season. The line is anchored by the All-Division right tackle Adam Conlee.

“Wide receiver will be played by a committee of talented players including All-Division selections Isaiah Cohran, Cameron Knox, and Mason Simmons,” said New Albany coach Cody Stubblefield. “We also look for Micah Reed to be a solid contributor at the WR position. The quarterback position is still being decided but is currently led by Joe Mathis (Jr.) and John Stacks (So.).”

Cohran is a big play athlete that is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball. He was injured in the sixth game of the year against Amory and missed all the division contests for the Bulldogs. DEFEN SE

The 2020 Defense returns eight starters from last season. Among those returning is an experienced secondary including Simmons, Ramaryon Crawford (Sr.) and Knox. Artaveion High (Sr.), a long time contributor to the basketball program will also debut at corner.

“Our team’s leading tackler, Jackson Formsma (Sr.) with 79 tackles in 2019 will return and be joined by Lewis Creekmore (Sr.) at linebacker,” Stubblefield said. “Shamarques Smith (Sr.) and Nugent will play at outside linebacker and be the edge players on the New Albany defense. At defensive line you see a mix of up and coming younger talent along with some veterans that will play both offensive and defensive line.”

SPE CIAL TEAM S

Caleb McDonald (Sr.) returns as New Albany’s punter and kicker. Wright Miskelly (Jr.) and Brian Romero (Sr.) will also compete for an opportunity to kick for the Bulldogs this season. Simmons and Cohran will handle the kickoff and punt returns for the Bulldogs and ninth-grader Ethan Conlee is working out as the long snapper according to Stubblefield.

X-FACTOR

“At New Albany we just want the opportunity to play,” Stubblefield said. “We’re a team led by upperclassmen who have stuck together, worked hard and elevated our program to a new Head Coach Cody Stubblefield (Third season at New Albany)

Ass istant Coaches: Josh Curbow, Trent Hammond, Jake McDonald, Kendall Murphy, Shawn Sanks, Collin Stubble- field

Athletic Trainer: Drew Davis

level. This is a season we’d like to remember at New Albany for more than just COVID-19.”

SCHE DULE ANAL YSIS

The Bulldogs will once again compete in a tough Division 1-4A with Corinth, North Pontotoc, Ripley and Tishomingo County. Non-division games will provide early tests as New Albany has road games at Pontotoc and Amory while hosting Booneville and Hernando in September.

COA CH SPEA K

“I want to see a group of guys who will push to take over games this season. We have the potential to have a great year if we continue to work hard and leave it all on the field. I expect our defense under incoming defensive coordinator Trent Hammond to play fast and with a chip on their shoulder. I expect our offense to lean on the experience of our offensive line and the ability of our running game. When you add the explosiveness that our receivers bring to the table you could see a lot of points on the scoreboard.” - Cody Stubblefield