2023 High School Football Preview

AnewdayfortheRedRaiders

AaironSavage takeschargeas newDecaturHigh footballcoach

HighSchoolFootballPreview

Wednesday,August23,2023

Savagetime

FormerAuburnstar justRedRaiders’sixth headcoachin90years

ByDavidElwell ForTheDaily

Alotofhistoryandtraditionsurrounds DecaturHighfootball.

ItstartswhenyouwalkinsideOgle Stadium,whichisnamedafterH.L. “Shorty”Ogle,Decatur’swinningest footballcoach.

Thenthere’sEarlWebbFieldhouse, whichisnamedaftertheheadcoach wholedtheRedRaiderstoaplayoffstate championshipin1971.

Justinsidethefieldhouseentranceis theofficefortheheadcoach.Forthefirst timesince1995,ithasanewoccupant.

AaironSavage,37,takesoverfromthe retiredJereAdcock,whofinishedwith 187winsin27seasons.

Theofficeisnotgrandbyanystretchof theimagination.There’sroomforadesk, acoupleofchairsandabookcasewhere thecenterpieceareAuburnandDecatur helmets.Asignabovethehelmetssays: GoodPlayersInspireThemselves.Great PlayersInspireOthers.

“Itremindsmeofmydormroomin SewellHallatAuburn,”Savagesaid. “Wehadbunkbedsinthecornerand therewasn’tmuchroomforanything else.”

Savage’sroommateatAuburnin 2005wasfellowdefensivebackJerraud Powers,whostarredfortheDecatur RedRaidersandlaterplayedintheNFL, includinginoneSuperBowl.

Today,PowersisaDecaturalum excitedabouthisformercollegeteammateleadinghishighschool’sfootball program.

“Aaironunderstandsthevaluesand traditionsofaplacelikeDecatur,” Powerssaid.“Heunderstandswhatit takestowinandcaresaboutdoingthings therightway.”

SavageisDecatur’ssixthheadfootball coachin90years.That’snotatypo.In ninedecades,Decaturhashadjustsix headfootballcoaches.

ThelineofsuccessiongoesfromOgle

AustinBlackBears

Layoftheland

AustinisinClass7A,Region4with Albertville,BobJones,Florence,Grissom,Huntsville,JamesClemensand Sparkman.

Headcoach

Austinentersits14thseasonunder JeremyPerkins.TheBlackBearsare 90-57underPerkinswithnineplayoff appearances.

Lastseason

Austin(7-4,6-1)wontheClass7A,

Region4championshipandadvanced tothe7Astateplayoffs.

Wordstogrowon

“Wehavethepotentialtobereally good,”Perkinssaid.“We’vegotalot oftalent,nowit’saboutjustputtingit together.”

Quarterback

Austinwillhavetoreplacetwo-year starterDe’AirYoung.

TheBlackBearsaredowntosenior JuddBaileyandjuniorJLDavis,bothof

whomPerkinssaidhehasalotofconfidencein.

“Thoseguyshavebeengettingequal repsalloffseason,”saidPerkins.“We thinkwecanwinwithboth.”

Offense

JuniorrunningbacksGavinFuquaand KennethJoshuaJr.arebackaftercontributingassophomores.UnderPerkins, theBlackBearshavespitoutonestellarrunningbackafteranotherandthe Fuqua/Joshuaduohasachancetorank withthebest.

“Theysteppeduplastyearandwe expectthemtohaveanevenbiggerrole andgreaterimpactfortheoffensethis year,”Perkinssaid.

SeniorNickCraytonwillleadthe receivingcorps.Craytonhas“racked upcollegeoffers,”Perkinssaid,andhas “improvedineveryaspect.”

JaxonPotterisalsobackatreceiverand willlooktohaveanevenbiggerrolein theoffense.

SeniorMauriceJones,arguablythe

AustinheadcoachJeremyPerkinsentershis14thseasonwiththeBlackBears. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

DecaturRedRaiders

Layoftheland

Welcometoaseasonofchangeforthe Decatur RedRaiders.

Itstartsatthetopwithnewhead c oachAaironSavage.HefollowsJere A dcock,whoretiredafter27seasons asheadcoachwith187wins,21playoff appearancesandsevenregular-season championships(fourregion,threepre2000 areatitles).

Therewillalsobealotofnewfaces on thefieldforSavage’sfirstteam.Last year’steamincluded17seniorstarters.

Headcoach

ThisisSavage’sfirsttimeasahead coach.TheformerAuburnplayerhas beenacollegeassistantcoachatnine schools.Hewasahighschoolassistant coachatValdostaHighinGeorgiain2013.

Lastseason

Itwasahugebouncebackseasonfor theRedRaiders.Afterthreeseasonswith acombined8-23recordandoneplayoff game,Decaturwent9-3andrecorded itsfirstplayoffvictorysince2018.The

RedRaidersopenedtheseasonwithsix straightwinsandwererankedashighas No.8in6A.

Thethreelossesincludedregioncontestsvs.MuscleShoalsandHartselleand aplayofflosstoGardendale.Thosethree teamswereacombined32-7andeach teamadvancedtotheClass6Aplayoff quarterfinals.

Wordstogrowon

“It’sreallygoodtoseethesekidscome inhereeverydayandworkhardtoget

better.I’mexcitedtoplaysomefootball,”Savagesaid.

Quarterback

Therehasbeenatwo-waybattlet o replacethree-yearstarterEllisDickman.TheDaily’sClass5A-7APlayerof theYearaccountedfor2,423yardsand 27touchdowns.

ThetopcandidatestoreplaceDickmanareseniorBradinDupperandjunior

SEERAIDERS,G21

Senior BradinDupperiscompetingfortheRedRaiders’startingquarterbackjob. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

HartselleTigers

Layoftheland

HartselleisinClass6A,Region7with Athens,Columbia,Cullman,Decatur andMuscleShoals.

Headcoach

Hartselleentersitsfourthseasonunder headcoachBryanMoore.TheTigersare 29-6withtworegionchampionshipsand threeplayoffappearancesunderMoore.

Lastseason

Hartselle(12-1,5-0)finishedfirstin Class6A,Region7andadvancedtothe quarterfinalsofthe6Astateplayoffs.

Wordstogrowon

Hartsellelostseveralstartersfromlast year,includingnineonoffense,butthe Tigersarereadytoreloadagainin2023.

“Whatourguysneedtounderstandis thatit’snot2021or‘22.It’s2023,awhole differentyear,”Mooresaid.“Wehaveto havenewguysstepupandIthinkwe’ve hadthat,notjustonthefield,butfrom aleadershipstandpointaswell.

“Thecoolthingisthattheseguyshave beendevelopedandmoldedforthis moment.Wewantourguystobe17or18, juniorsandseniors,whentheybecome starters.That’swhatcoach(Bob)Godsey didbeforeherethathadsomuchsuccess andwe’retryingtocontinuethat.”

Quarterback

Forthesixthseasoninarow,Hartselle willhaveadifferentstartingquarterback. SeniorLandonBlackwoodtakesover forJackSmith,whothrewforover2,000 yardsaseasonago.Blackwoodisthe youngerbrotherofJTBlackwood,the Daily’s2021PlayeroftheYearwhoalso threwforover2,000yards.

“Iwouldlovetohaveareturning starteratquarterback,butatthesame timeeachonethat’scamethroughhas kindofbestedtheonebeforehim,” Mooresaid.

LandonBlackwoodspentlastyearas astartingreceiverinadditiontobackup quarterbackrole.Likethequarterbacks beforehim,hehasbeengroomedforthis role.

“Landonhasbeenaroundforfour years.Heknowstheoffenselikethe backofhishand,”Mooresaid.“He’s accurateandknowswheretogowith thefootball.”

JuniorNoahLeewillbethebackup and,likeBlackwoodandSmithbefore him,willalsogetrepselsewhereinthe offense.

Offense

TheTigershaveaveraged41points pergameeachofthelasttwoseasons. However,thisyeartheyreturnjusttwo starters.

Thegoodnewsisoneofthosewillbe seniorrunningbackRIFletcher.Fletcher had2,124all-purposeyards,including 1,306rushing,aseasonagowith24total touchdownsandhasmultipleDivisionI collegeoffers.

Fletcherwillmovearoundtheoffense

SEETIGERS,G25

HARTSELLEROSTER

HartsellequarterbackLandonBlackwoodwillbetheTigers’sixthstartingquarterbackinasmany seasons. [PHOTOSBYJERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

Hartselle’sPeytonSteeleisareturningstarteratsafetyfortheTigers.

HartselleheadcoachBryanMooreisentering hisfourthseasonwiththeTigers.He’s29-6in threeseasonssofar.

FromPageG3

(1933-1963,209wins),toWesThompson(1964-1966),Webb(1967-1980,96 wins),SteveRivers(1981-1995,103wins) andAdcock(1996-2022,187wins).

ThompsonservedonOgle’scoaching staff.RivershadbeenonWebb’sstaff. AdcockworkedforRivers.Thatmeans thisistheprogram’sfirstcoaching changewithoutanypreviouslinktothe RedRaiderssinceWebbcamein1967. The1967Raidersweretheschool’sfirst integratedteam.

Savage’sjourneytoDecaturcovered alongandwindingroad.Itstartedasa youngsterinAlbany,Georgia.Thenit advancedtoeightyearsatAuburnasa playerandthencoach.

Afterstopsasanassistantcoachat eightothercolleges,Savagefeelsathome inhisnewoffice.

“ItseemslikeIhavebeenbrought hereforareason,”Savagesaid.“It’san opportunityformetobearolemodeland makeanimpactlikeallthegreatcoaches thathavebeenherebefore.

“Attheendoftheday,allthatmatters isthekids.Footballisjustthetoolthat bringsustogether.”

Footballhasbeenatoolguidingmost ofSavage’slife.Hisfather,Alphonso, isaretiredpostalworkerandownsa barbershopinAlbany.Hislatemother, Adrienne,wasafourth-gradeteacher.

“Iwasblessedtogrowupinatwoparenthome,”Savagesaid.“Westill livedinacommunitywhereitwaseither sportsorgangs.Myparentsallowedus toplayeverysportwewantedtoplay.”

Savage’solderbrother,Antwone,was astarathleteatAlbany’sWestoverHigh School.Heevenplayedforanelitetravel

basketballteamcalledtheAtlantaCeltics,butfootballwashispathtocollege.

TheolderSavagecommittedtoplay receiveratAuburnforheadcoachTerry Bowdenin1998.Bowdenwasousted duringthe1998season.Afterthathappened,Savageneverheardfromthe Tigers.HeinsteadsignedwithOklahoma andwasastarontheSooners’2000 nationalchampionshipteam.

“Ithoughtbasketballwasmysport,” AaironSavagesaid.“Iwantedtoplayfor theAtlantaCelticsandgetsomeofthat

Adidasmerchandise,butIdidn’tmake thecut.Theydidn’twanta5-9guard.

“That’swhenIdecidedthatfootball wasmypathtocollege.IvisitedAuburn ataprospectcampandfellinlovewith theplace.Itwasano-brainerafterthey mademeanoffer.”

TommyTubervillewastheAuburn

headcoach.Afteraredshirtseasonin 2005,Savagebecameastarin2006 whentheTigerswent11-2.Thedefensive

NewDecaturcoachAaironSavage,though injurieslimitedhisplayingcareeratAuburn, collectedtwodegreesfromtheschool. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

NewDecaturheadcoachAaironSavage(2)andDecaturnativeJerraudPowers(8)wereroommatesandteammatesatAuburnin2005. [COURTESY PHOTO]

DecaturHeritageEagles

Layoftheland

DecaturHeritageisinClass1A,Region 7 withAppalachian,CedarBluff,Coosa Christian,Gaylesville,ValleyHeadand Woodville.

Head coach

DecaturHeritageentersitssecond seasonunderNikitaStover.TheEagles went 4-6in2022.

Last season

DecaturHeritage(4-6,2-4)finished sixth inClass1A,Region7.

Wordstogrowon

Stoverisenteringhissecondseason

DECATURHERITAGEROSTER

asheadcoachatDecaturHeritage.The Eagleswent4-6inhisfirstseason,but therecordcanbemisleading.Theteam, whichfeaturedfewseniorsandahost ofunderclassmen,lostfourgamesby10 pointsorless.

“Wehadseveralgamesthatcame downtothelastminuteand30seconds,”

Stoversaid.“Wewerejustsuchayoung teamthatwestruggledtofinish.There’s asenseofhungertogooutandprove ourselvesthisyear.”

Quarterback

TheEagleshavetoreplaceBoSolley, anhonorablementionAll-Stateplayer

whothrewfor1,989yardsand22touchdownslastseasonandranfor522yards andfivescores.

NashThomas,asophomore,willbethe newstarterwithJordanDavis,afreshmanrightbehind.

“Nashisourguyrightnowbutw e wanttobringJordanalongbecauseif he canplay,thatallowsustomoveNashall overthefieldatotherpositions,”Stover said.

Offense

Amongthenumerousplayerscoming backthisyearwillberunningbac

Nikita StoverisinhissecondseasonasDecaturHeritage’scoach. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

SavariusEvanswhorushedfor825yards andsixtouchdownslastseasonasan eighth-grader.Stoversaidhebelieves Evansis“oneofthebetterrunningbacks innorthAlabama.”

Alsobackistheteam’sleading receiverJaxonThomas,whocaught 39passesfor646yardsandsixtouchdowns,whilerushingfor422yardsand fivetouchdowns.

Daniel“Bubba”Taylorwillalsobe backatrunningback,whileHarrison Hardywillplayreceiver.XavierJohnsonandJohnOwenVinsonwillalsoplay receiver.ConnorSivleywillbeatight end.

JakeBelcher,TreyLetsonwillreturn alongtheoffensiveline.JonathanBowlingandSamCochranwillplayaswell.

Defense

SavariusEvansalsoreturnson defenseatlinebackerwhereherecorded 62tacklesandtwointerceptions.Jaxon Thomasalsoreturnsinthesecondary afterrecording61tackles.

JaydenCooperandNashThomaswill playsafety,whileDylanGermanyand

IanWickmirewillplayatlinebacker. LukeMcGeeplayedoffensivean d defensivelinelastyear,butwillpla y solelydefensethisyear.SamCochra n willsplittimeontheoffensivean d defensiveline,aswillJonathanBowling.

Must-seegames

DecaturHeritageplaysValleyHea d andCoosaChristian,lastyear’stoptwo regionteams,onSept.8andSept.15 , respectively.

Finalword

“Ifeellikeleadershipwassomethingthatwestruggledwithlastyear,” Stoversaid.“We’vehadsomeguy s reallystepupthisoffseason.Guyslik e JacobBelcher,TreyLetsonandJonathanBowlingareallworkinglikethey’re seniors,andIthinkit’sgoingtomake a bigdifference.

“Wehadalotofyoungguysste p uplastyearandthatyearofgrowthi s soimportant,”Stoversaid.“AsIsai d before,wewereyoungandwestruggled tocloseoutgames.Butwe’vebeenprioritizingfinishingand,oncetheseguys figurethatout,Ithinkthey’regoingto seehowgoodtheycanbe.”

—CalebSuggs

Decatur Heritageis“prioritizingfinishing”thisyear,coachNikitaStoversays. [JERONIMONISA/ DECATUR DAILY]

JuddBaileyisoneoftheplayerscompetingfor thestartingquarterbackspot.

AUSTINROSTER

BEARS

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BlackBears’topreceiverfromlastyear, hasmovedtodefensiveback,butcould stillseesomeactiononoffense.

Alongtheoffensiveline,Perkinssaid there’salotofcompetition.SeniorsNigel CarterandJamariMoodyarereturningstarters,whilejuniorJosiahFlood willstepintoastartingrole.Freshman JacobiPhillipsisalsoexpectedtosecure astartingrole.Thefinalspotisstillup

forgrabs.

MaddoxMitchellwillreturnatthe fullbackposition.

Defense

Perkinssaidthedefensivebackfield, specificallycornerback,wasaweaknessaseasonago,andtheteamhasmade movestoimprovethat.

Jones,atopreceiverin2022,hasmade theswitchtocornerbackin2023.

“He’llstillplaysomereceiver,but we’reexcitedaboutwhathecandofor usatcorner,”Perkinssaid.

SeniorEthanWynnwillplayatthe othercornerspot.Wynnswitchedfrom offensetodefenseinthemiddleoflast yearandplayedakeyroledownthe stretch.

SeniorsBraylonPaytonandEaston Palmerbothreturnasstartersatsafety.

LinebackerSolomonLyleanddefensivelinemanAchilliesWoodswillalso helpleadthedefense.

PerkinssaidLyleis“arguablyourbest defensiveplayer,”whileWoods,like Crayton,has“alsorackedupcollege offers”thisoffseason.

JeremiahCarterandKam’RonPowell, bothseniors,willplaytheothertwolinebackerspots.

RecoWillingham,CortaviousMason andNathanTaylorwillplaydefensiveline.

Must-seegames

Austinopenstheseasonathome againstrivalHartselleonAug.25and travelstoDecaturaweeklaterforthe RiverCityRivalry.

Finalword

Austinhasfoundsuccesswithinits regioninClass7A,buthasstillyetto defeattheteamsoutoftheBirmingham areaandadvancepastthefirstroundof theplayoffs.

“Themoveto7Awasn’tashockto us.Whenwewere6A,ournon-region gameswere7Ateamsthatarenowin ourregion,”Perkinssaid.“Wherewe’ve hadtroublemakingtheadjustmentis competingwiththe7Aregionoutof Birmingham.

“They’reourAchilles’heelrightnow. We’vehadsomeopportunities,butit’s anobstaclewehaven’tbeenabletoget past,”Perkinsadded.“We’vebeendoing everythingwecantohelpusgetover thathumpandwhenwedo,it’sgoingto propelus.”

—CalebSuggs

Austin’sGavinFuqua(20)willbehalfofajuniorrunningbackduo,alongwithKennethJoshua,thatwillleadtheBlackBearsin2023.

Austin’sJLDavisisoneoftheplayerscompeting

BrewerPatriots

Layoftheland

BrewerisinClass5A,Region8with Ardmore,EastLimestone,Fairview, LawrenceCounty,RussellvilleandWest Point.

Headcoach

Brewerentersitsthirdseasonunder headcoachMattPlunkett.ThePatriots are7-14withatriptotheplayoffs.

Lastseason

Brewer(5-6,3-3)finishedthirdin Class5A,Region8andadvancedtothe 5Astateplayoffs.

Wordstogrowon

“Ifeellikethisisthebestgroupof kidsthatwe’regoingtoputonthefield sinceI’vebeenhere,”Plunkettsaid.“I feellikewe’rebetterateveryposition

thanwewerelastyearandwewerea 5-6team.Ourgoalthisyearistotake thenextstep.”

Quarterback

ThePatriotswillturntojuniorCason Odentobetheteam’squarterback.

“He’stheguyleadingourteam.He’s earneditandwelovehim,”Plunkett said.“He’s6-5,200pounds,canmake everythrowonthefield,butthebiggest thingisourkidsrespondtohim.They havehisback.”

Offense

Alongtheoffensiveline,Brewerwill startfoursophomoresandaseniorwith afifthsophomorewhocanplayaswell.

TimHunteristheseniorandwillplay rightguard.LoganDukeplayedall10 gamesatcenterlastseasonasafreshman,

buthecouldplayleftguardaswell.Ifso, MasonLawrencewillstartatcenter.If Dukestartsatcenter,JesusGonzalezwill playleftguard.IsaiahShackelfordwill playrighttackleandWayneHortonwill playlefttackle.PlunkettsaidHortonis “ourbellcowandverytalented.Thesky’s thelimit.”

Plunkettsaidthestrengthofthe offensewillbetheskillplayers.

Atreceiver,thePatriotscoulduse anyofsevenguys.Thosesevenare seniorWillClemons,juniorAustyn Holmes,juniorWalkerLatham,sophomoreHunterKnighton,juniorQuamine Anderson,freshmanCamBallingerand juniorTalonComfort.

Atrunningback,thePatriotswill rotateseniorDJBurney,juniorCJ WatsonandseniorJulianNicholson.

Plunkettsaidrotatingguysis

importantasseveralwillplaybothways. Defense

Whileheexpectstheoffensetobe good,Plunkettsaidthestrengthofthe teamwillbethedefense.

“Anytimeyoucanputthreesenior linebackersoutthere,tomethatshould bethestrengthoftheteam,”hesaid.

“We’regoingtoputalotontheirshouldersandweexpectthemtoholddown themiddleofthefield.”

ThosethreelinebackersareConnor Kirbyatmikelinebacker,AndresAvila andDJBurney.

Thedefensivelineisyoungbut experienced.

WayneHortonandBeauYancey arebackafterstartingeverygamelast

Brewer’sWalkerLathamreturnsatreceiverthisseason. [TRISTANHOLMES/FORTHEDECATURDAILY]

BradCheatham,ATC•KaitlynCowart,ATC•SteveDavis,ATC•JohnGaines,ATC

JonHammontree,ATC•JeremyMann,ATC•BryanMcClendon,ATC

NathanParrott,ATC•ShelleyThrower,ATC•AllenWalters,ATC•RobertWinkler,ATC

FalkvilleBlueDevils

Layoftheland

FalkvilleisinClass2A,Region8with Hatton,Lexington,RedBay,Sheffield, Tanner andTharptown.

Head coach

Falkvilleentersitsthirdseasonunder headcoachSethWard.TheBlueDevils are 11-11withoneplayoffappearancein two seasonsunderWard.

Last season

Falkville(7-5,4-2)finishedsecondin Class2A,Region8andadvancedtothe second roundofthe2Astateplayoffs.

Wordstogrowon

Despitelosingseveralkeyplayers, Falkville islookingtoreloadquickly.

“Wehaveadeep10th-gradeclassand there’s alotoftalentcomingup,”Ward said.“Obviouslytheylackvarsityexperience.Butwe’reexcitedaboutwhatthey can do.”

Quarterback

Falkvillehastoreplacequarterback

CadenBurnett,whothrewfor2,180 yardsand27touchdownsandrushedfor 558yardsandninetouchdowns.

ReplacinghimwillbeLandonPowers, ajunior.Inadditiontobeingthebackup quarterbacklastyear,Powershasstarted atotherpositions.He’salsostartedafew gamesatquarterbackduetoinjury.

Nowhe’sthemainguy.

“He’soneofthemosttalentedplayers thatI’veeverhadattheposition,”Ward said.“He’sdoneagoodjobofunderstandingwhathisroleisnow.He’sthe quarterbackandthat’saveryimportant position.Youhavealotofeyesonyou.

“He’sdevelopedandwe’reexcited aboutwhathecando.Thesky’sthelimit really.”

Offense

InadditiontoBurnett,Falkvillewill havetoreplaceIsaiahWarnick,theDaily’s20221A-4Aplayeroftheyearwho had1,129yardsreceivingand17touchdownsonoffenseand11interceptionson defense.

“Wehavesomereallytalentedskill

guys,butthey’reyoung,”Wardsaid.

KoleFitzgeraldisthetopreturning receiverandwillalsospendtimeinthe backfield.DenverComstockisatalented runningbackwhoshowedflashesbefore

gettinghurtearlyaseasonago.He’snow healthyandwillspendtimeatbothrunningbackandreceiver.

SEEBLUEDEVILS,G19

FalkvilleheadcoachSethWardisinhisthirdseasonwiththeBlueDevils. [JERONIMONISA/DECATUR DAILY]

BLUEDEVILS

RyanChilders,LoganFowlerandJackson Edmonsonwillalsoplayatreceiver. MalachiCollettwillplayrunningback.

TheBlueDevilsalsolostfourstarters alongtheoffensiveline,however,they d oreturnTreyHemmingandBryant Owens, whobothplayedalot.

JacobJacksonwillfillinanotherspot afterhittingtheweightroomhardthis offseason.Thefinaltwospotsarestill up forgrabs.

Wardsaidtheoffensivelineisstilla “puzzle tofigureout.”

Defense

AsbigaslosingWarnickwason o ffense,itmightbejustasbadon defense.

“Losingsomeonethatintercepted11 passes,ledthecountryatonepoint,is tough,” Wardsaid.

ThedefensivelinewillfeaturearotationofguysincludingTreyHemming, B ryantOwens,JacksonDabbs,Elijah Halbrooks andCedricBeavers.

Fitzgeraldreturnsatmiddlelinebacker a ftertakingoverinthemiddleofthe season lastyear.

“Wemovedhimtherelastyear.He lookssmalltoplaythere,buthe’sjust instinctive.Heknowshowtogomake tackles,”Wardsaid.

JacksonEdmonsonandMalachiCollett willplaylinebacker,aswillLeviLynn. Lynnledtheteamintacklesaseasonago.

BrodyBennett,RyanChilders,Logan andDawsonFowlerwillplayinthe secondary.

Must-seegames

FalkvilletravelstoDanvilletotakeon theHawksinanannualrivalrygameon Sept.1.TheBlueDevilswillhostTanner onSept.15.

OnSept.22,FalkvilletravelstoHatton.

FALKVILLEROSTER

In2022,theBlueDevils’gamevs.th e Hornetsdecidedsecondandthird place intheregion.

Finalword

“It’sanewteam.Ifwe’relookingfor CadenorIsaiahtomakeaplay,we’reout ofluck,”Wardsaid.“Someoftheseguys willhavetolearntobetheguyandIthink wehaveguysthatarecapableofthat. ... It’sgoingtobedifferent.We’regoing to lookdifferent,we’regoingtoscoredifferent,butthat’sthefunofcoaching . Takingwhatyouhaveandfiguringout howtomakeitwork.”

—CalebSuggs

KoleFitzgeraldisFalkville’stopreturning receiverandalsoplaysmiddlelinebacker.

[PHOTOSBYJERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

LandonPowerstakesoverasFalkville’sstarting quarterbackthisyear.

PATRIOTS

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seasonasfreshmen.SophomoreDakota Crawfordwillplayintheotherstarting role.

Inthesecondary,Nicholson,Clemons andsophomoreCorbinRaineswillplay atsafety.Comfort,TrentCowleyand MicahEdwardswillplaycornerback. Cowleystartedeverygamelastseason asasophomoreandisexpectedtobethe “lockdown”cornerforthePatriots.

Must-seegames

Breweropenstheseasonwiththree roadgames,includingatrivalArabon Sept.1.

BREWERROSTER

ThePatriotshostRussellvillean d FairviewonOct.6and13,respectively.

Thosetwoteamsfinishedfirstan d secondaheadofBrewerintheregio n lastseason.

Finalword

Afterimprovingfrom2-8to5- 6 betweenPlunkett’sfirstandsecondseasons,thePatriotsarelookingforaneven biggerjumpinyearthree. Theultimategoalistoposttheschool’s firstplayoffvictory.

“Wewanttowinaplayoffgame.Our guysarehungryforthatandwe’redoing everythingwecantoachievethat, ” Plunkettsaid.

—CalebSuggs

RAIDERS

ZaynePointer.

Offense

Forthelastseveralseasons,theRed Raidershavelinedupinthespread formationbutstillfeaturedaphysical runningattack.

It’sdifficulttoimaginetheRedRaidersgoinginanewdirectioninSavage’s firstseason.Whenaskedtodescribehis offense,Savagesays“onethatprotects thefootball.”

Lookforballsecuritytoplayabigpart indecidingDupperorPointerwillbeat quarterback.

SeniorDaytonSwoopesgivestheRed Raiderssomeexperienceatrunning back.Intheearlypartofthe2022season, SwoopesbecamethestarterwhenthenseniorRyanKirkwentdownwithan injurythatcosthimahandfulofgames.

Anotherseniorplaymakertowatch isWyattSmithatreceiver.Hewasa 6-foot-5tightendlastseason.Hecould havemoreopportunitiestolineupat widereceiverthisseason.

HowwelltheRedRaidersmovethe footballdependsontheoffensiveline. Experiencereturnsinthelinewith seniorsCrawfordFite,ReevesHardin andLukeBouchillonandsophomore HarrisPenley.

Theoffensivecoordinatordutieswill besplitbetweennewassistanthead coachDamianDorseyandRileyAdcock, JereAdcock’sson.TuckerDoddisthe

DECATURROSTER

newoffensivelinecoach.

RyanWatsoniscoachingrunning backsandAustinDuppercoachesthe tightends.

Defense

Therearealotofchangesondefense. Startwithnewdefensivecoordinator GregWillard,whocomesoverfrom Austin.

Lastseason’sdepthchartfeatured seniorsatallbuttwopositions.The returningstartersshouldbeinthemiddle oftheactionbasedontheirpositions. SeniorKolbyBrownisbackatnoseguard. SeniorTommyCazieristhemiddlelinebacker.SeniorChandlerMooreshould alsoplayabigroleondefense.

VeteranDecaturassistantKevin

Lockhartiscoachingthedefensiveline. MarquaviousKingiscoachingtheoutsidelinebackers.ZachMeadowscoaches theinsidelinebackersandisalsothespecialteamscoordinator.

Must-seegames

StartwiththeseasonopeneratOgle Stadiumvs.MaeJemison.Itwillbethe firstseasonopenersince1995withoutAdcockleadingtheRedRaiders.In 1995,BillClintonwaspresident,the AtlantaBraveswontheWorldSeries andNebraskawonafootballnational championship.

Thesecondgameoftheseasonisa homegamevs.Austin.Lastseason, DecaturbeatAustin28-14tosnapthe BlackBears’seven-gamewinningstreak

overtheRedRaiders.

Finalword

“I’mexcitedtoseethisteamgroweach day.We’reayoungteamwithnotalotof experience,”Savagesaid.“Ifeellikewe havethepieces.Wejustneedtofigure outthebestwaytofitthemtogether.”

—DavidElwell

Decaturhopestopostconsecutivewinningseasonsforthefirsttimeinmorethanadecade. [PHOTOSBYJERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

TommyCazierisDecatur’smiddlelinebacker.

AthensGoldenEagles

Layoftheland

AthensisinClass6A,Region7with Columbia,Cullman,Decatur,Hartselle andMuscleShoals.

Headcoach

Athensentersitseighthseasonunder headcoachCodyGross.TheGolden Eaglesare40-35withfourplayoff appearancesunderGross.

Lastseason

Athens(5-5,1-4)finishedfifthinClass 6A,Region7.

Wordstogrowon

Afterplayingseveralunderclassmenlastyear,theGoldenEaglesreturn aplethoraofseniorsandjuniorswith startingexperience.

“WhenIfirststartedatAthens,coach (Jere)Adcock(atDecatur)toldmethat howevermanysophomoresyoustartis howmanygamesyoulose,”Grosssaid. “There’salotoftruthinthat,because youdon’thavetheexperiencewhen you’reafreshmanorsophomoreand you’re15or16yearsoldplayingagainst 17-and18-year-olds.

“Wefeellikewe’remoreexperienced thisseason,andit’sgoingtomakea difference.”

Quarterback

AthensreturnsquarterbackBrogan Gross.Thejunior,whoisCody’sson, entershissecondseasonasastarterafter throwingfor1,845yardsand20touchdownsin10gameslastseason.

“Hestarted10gameslastyearandone asafreshmanandplayedperiodicallyas afreshman,”CodyGrosssaid.“Iprobablythrewhiminsometoughspotsthat weren’tfairtoafreshman,somethingI wouldn’thavedonetoanyoneelse’skid. He’sbeeninafieldhousesincehewas bornandhasgrownupwantingtoplay thisrole.”

Offense

Athensreturnsitstopoffensive weaponfromaseasonagoinseniorJayshonRidgle.Ridglecaught63passesfor 880yardsand11touchdownsin2022.

RidglerecentlycommittedtoSouth AlabamaandholdsmultipleDivisionI offers.

SEEGOLDENEAGLES,G23

ATHENSROSTER

AthensquarterbackBroganGrossreturnsasajuniorstarterafterstartingeverygameasa sophomore.

JayshonRidgle,aSouthAlabamacommit,willbeAthens’topoffensiveweaponthisseason. [PHOTOSBYJERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

“He’sastatechampioninthehurdles, i ndoorandoutdoor,runsa10.8100 meterandpower-cleans305pounds,” Grosssaid.“He’skindofafreak.”

SeniorJohnsonSpeeglealsoreturns. A startersincehissophomoreyear, Speeglecaught22passesfor294yards a ndthreetouchdownsbeforegetting h urtin2022.CaidenDumas,another s eniorwhohasstartedsincehewasa sophomore,willbethethirdreceiver.

Atrunningback,theGoldenEagles willusethreeseniors:SilasJones,John M cintyreandRobertBorden.Borden andMcintyreplayedlinebackerin2022, w hileJonesisaspeedsterwhowasn’t o ntheteamlastseason.Grosssaidall threebringadifferentstyleofrunning thefootball.

SeniorDanielSharpreturnsatthe f ullback/H-backpositionwherehe’s startedsincehewasasophomore.

AlongtheoffensivelinetheGolden E agleswilleithergowithaseniorand fourjuniorsorasenior,threejuniorsand a sophomore.

AtlefttacklewillbeSpencerDowland, a juniorwithoffersfromAuburn,Florida

StateandOleMiss,amongothers.

JuniorJebShinkunaswillstartat center,juniorBenDaviswillplayright tackleandseniorBraxtonLandtroop willplayatoneoftheguardspots.The lastguardspotisbetweenjuniorTyler MasseyandsophomorePrattJohnsey.

Defense

Grosssaidthedefensivelinewillbe thekeytothedefense’ssuccess.

Atnoseguard,seniorsJaylonWoods andAIMoorearecompetingforthe startingspot,butbothwillplay.Junior JeromeMalonereturnsatdefensiveend andjuniorColbyWilliamswillstartat theotherdefensiveendposition.

Linebackeristhemostexperienced

position,Grosssaid,andapositionthat needs“someguystogrowup.”

SeniorFosterWoodruffwasanoutsidelinebackerwhohasmovedto insidelinebacker.SophomoresGavin RodriguezandBennySeibertarealso inthemixatinsidelinebacker.Atoutsidelinebacker,JakeMcDonaldmoves fromhissafetyspotandseniorMalcolm Hortonwillplaytheotherspot.Gross saidHortonisthesecondfastestplayer ontheteambehindRidgle.

Inthesecondary,seniorDavidChristopherandjuniorWalkerHarrisonboth returnatsafety.Harrisonledtheteam intacklesaseasonagowith105.

Atcornerback,seniorTreyJohnston returns,whilejuniorJacksonBaileywill

startattheotherspot.

Must-seegames

Inthefirstfourgames,Athensplaysat EastLimestoneonAug.24,athomevs. BobJonesonSept.1,athomevs.DecaturonSept.8andatMuscleShoalson Sept.15.Thelattertwoarebothregion games.

Finalword

“Withfourplayoffspotsandonlysix teamsintheregion,themarginforerror isslim,”Grosssaid.“Eachgamematters andwe’repreparedforthatgrindin g schedule.”

—CalebSuggs

Athenswonitsfinalthreegameslastyear. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

b ackrecorded53tacklesandhadone interception.

SavageandPowerswereboth u nanimousselectionstotheSECAllFreshmanteam.Thelistofotherplayers onthatteamthatseasonincludedelite quarterbacks TimTebowofFloridaand Matthew StaffordofGeorgia.

ExpectationswerehighforAuburnand Savagein2007.TheTigerswent9-4,but injuries limitedSavagetosevengames.

Theinjurybugcontinuedthatnext s pring.Savagesufferedasevereknee i njuryduringspringdrillsthatforced himtositoutthe2008season.During summerworkoutsin2009,SavagerupturedanAchilles’tendon.Thatcosthim a secondstraightseason.

“Iwasdamagedgoods.Mysports dreamsweredefinitelywatereddown, b utIcouldn’tfeelsorryformyself,” Savagesaid.“Auburndidn’towemea t hing.Itwasuptometodecidewhat wasnext.Icouldgiveuporgetmycollege degree.”

WhileSavageworkedhardtoovercometheinjuries,healsoworkedhard i ntheclassroom.Hegraduatedfrom

Auburnandreceivedamaster’sdegree inexercisescience.Histwodiplomasare displayedonthewallinhisoffice.

“Yougotocollegetochangeyourlife,” Savagesaid.“Iftheinjuriesweren’t goingtoallowmetodoitonthefootball field,Ihadtodoitintheclassroom.”

TheNCAAawardedSavageasixth seasonofeligibilityforthe2010season. Heplayedsevengamesinwhatturned outtobeAuburn’s14-0nationalchampionshipseasonunderthen-headcoach GeneChizik.SavageandHeismanTrophy-winningquarterbackCamNewton bothworeNo.2forAuburnthatseason.

SavagethenjoinedtheAuburncoachingstaffasagraduateassistantfortwo seasons.WhenChizikwasletgoafterthe 3-92012season,Savagewaswithouta job.

“Iwenttothenationalcoach’sconventionandsawCoachTubervillethere,” Savagesaid.“Hisadvicewastocoachat asmanyplacesandmeetasmanypeople asyoucouldtobuildanetwork.”

AfterAuburn,SavagecoachedatValdostaHighSchoolinGeorgia.Thenhe returnedtothecollegegameatGeorgia Tech,ArkansasTech,GeorgiaState, NorthernIowa,Army,Louisiana-Lafayette,Arkansas-PineBluffandWestern Illinois.

In2015,SavagemarriedColeighDanielleBrock,whomhemetatAuburn. WhendaughtersAleighandAricame along,theconstantmovesbecamean issue.ThesolutionwasforMrs.Savage andthegirlstoliveclosetoColeigh’s mother.ThatbroughtthemtoDecatur.

TheSavagesboughtahouseheretwo yearsago.She’saphysicaltherapist withadoctorofphysicaltherapydegree workinginDecaturwhileSavagewas ontheroadcoachingfootballathisnext careerstop.

DecaturhiredSavagetomakean impactonthefootballprogram.Thenew jobhasmadeabigimpactontheSavage family.Savageisnowlikemostfathers

wholeaveforworkinthemorningand comehomelaterintheday.Thetimes oflongseparationsareinthepast.I t hasbeenanadjustmentforsomeofthe family.

“Everytimethegaragedoorgoesup beforeIIeave,AleighaskswhenI’ m cominghome,”Savagesaid.

Themovetobeingahighschoolhead coachwasnotonSavage’scareerradar. Anopportunitytocoachfootballinhis adoptedhometownwasneverathought, buthe’sgladitcametobe.

“Inevercouldhavedreamedofi t workingoutlikeitdid,”Savagesaid . “ThatmakesmefeellikeIhavebee n broughthereforareason.”

AaironSavagesayscoachingatDecaturhasmadeabigimpactonhisfamily.Hiswife,Coleigh DanielleBrock,anddaughtersAri,2,andAleigh,3,alreadylivedinDecatur. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

a swillLincolnBryant,whoalsoplays r unningback.Mooresaidbothare “amazing athletes.”

StinnettHagemannsawplentyof actionlastyearasfullbackandtightend and nowwillstepupasthestarter.

Atreceiver,HartsellelostIzayah F letcherandEliTidwellwho,Moore s aid,were“twoofthebesttoever playatHartselle.”Blackwoodwasthe t hirdreceiver,butwillnowplayat quarterback.

Hartsellewillrelyonmultipleguysto filltheholesleft.ThoseincludeJayden Morris,JaceMeadows,TrammelHurley, BradyHolt,NoahLeeandMarkusTapscott,thelatterofwhichisa6-foot-6 b asketballplayerthathasreturnedto football.

Alongtheoffensivelinethestarters w illbeScoutArpattackle,Harrison T apscottatcenter,JaydenShekellat g uard,JaylynGrissomatguardand E lliottHawesattackle.Thelinewill average 290-300pounds.

Defense

Alongthedefensiveline,juniorPorter Simmonsreturnsasastarter.Simmons

hasstartedsincehewasafreshman. SeniorChristianBaulding,atransfer fromJamesClemens,willplaynose guardanddefensiveend,whilejunior AndrewCarroll,anothertransfer,will playaswell.

Atlinebacker,JakeHaynesreturnsto leadthedefense.JustinMetzwillplay

theotherlinebackerspot,whileJameson Falcianiwillplayahybridlinebacker/ defensiveend.

Inthesecondary,JakalebGoodwin andDrakeBordenbothreturnasstartingcornerbacks.PeytonSteelereturns atsafety.

JacePreuittandColeMiles,willplay

thehybridoutsidelinebacker/stron

safetyspotwithEthanArnoldinthemix aswell.

Mooresaidthedefensewillrotatein severalyoungguysfordepth.

“Thebestpartofwherewe’reatnow isoursophomoreclass,whichhasnever lostagamejuniorhightoJV,istalented andreadytoplay,”Mooresaid.“Those guyswilllayerintothedefenseandgive ussomegreatdepth.Wefeellikewe can go21-22deepondefense.”

Must-seegames

HartselleopenstheseasononAug. 25 atrivalAustin.TheTigersalsohavebig rivalrygamesathomeagainstCullman onSept.8andathomeagainstMuscle

ShoalsonOct.6,thelatterofwhich has decidedtheregioneachofthelasttw o seasons.

Finalword

“Wehavehighexpectationsever y yearnomatterwhowehavereturning. Weexpecttowinandthat’sthemarkof agreatprogramandteam,”Mooresaid.

“Sometimesyoumightgetateamthat’s notastalented,buttheyfindawayto winbecausethat’salltheyknowhow to do.”

—CalebSuggs

Hartselle’sRiFletcherreturnsthisseasonafteramassing2,124all-purposeyardswith24total touchdownsin2022. [CALEBSUGGS/DECATURDAILY]

WestLimestoneWildcats

Layoftheland

WestLimestonehopestogetbackto theplayoffsafterfallingshortthepast twoseasons.Class4A,Region7opponentsincludeBrooks,Central-Florence, Deshler,EastLawrence,Rogers,West Morgan andWilson.

Head coach

ShelbyDavisentershissixthseason withamarkof30-23(16-17intheregion a nd2-1inoneplayoffappearance)as West Limestone’scoach.

Last season

“Rollercoaster”or“see-saw”could d escribethe2022WestLimestone Wildcats.Theystartedtheseason2-0 beforelosingtwoinarow,winningthree straightandthenlosingtheirlastthree tobalanceoutat5-5.TheWildcatslost theirfirsttworegiongames,wontheir n exttwoandthendroppedtheirfinal three toendat2-5.

Wordstogrowon

“Wespentallsummerworkingand, d efensively,Ifeellikewe’reprobably aheadofschedulethanwewereatthis timelastyear,”Davissaid.“Lastyearwe justhadfourguysthatstartedthefirst gameoftheyearondefensethatactually finishedtheyearondefense.Wehadso many injuries.”

Quarterback

SeniorCadenCarpenterreturnsasthe starter.

“He’sabaseballkidandhedecidedhe

WESTLIMESTONEROSTER

wantedtocomeplay,”Davissaid.“We spentsometimethissummerdoing some7-on-7stufftryingtogethimup tospeed.”

SniderhighlightedjuniorPrestonMooreamongotheroptionsatthe position.

“He’sabigstrongkid,”Snidersaid. “He’smoreofarunner.

“Youmayseesomeotherfacespopup backthereandrunalittleWildcat.”

Offense

ScoringwasnotanissuefortheWildcats,whoaveraged30pointspercontest in2022.Severalseniors,includingthree ontheoffensiveline,return.

“AustinClark,LandonAdamsand PaytonRidgeway,“Davissaid,“Those arebigkids.They’vebeenintheprogram forsixyearsnowthatI’vebeenhere. We’reexcitedaboutthoseguys.”

Thelinewilltrytocreateholesfor seniorrunningbackEastonSmith.

Anothersenior,WalkerWynn,will provideabigtargetatreceiver.

“Biglongkid.He’s6-5,6-6,”Davis saidofWynn.

Defense

Thedefenseyieldednearly32points pergamelastseason.Moore,insidelinebackerandtheteam’sleadingtackler, willbepartoftheWildcats’effortsto improve.Smithwillalsocontributeat linebacker.SeniorJeremiahMcLemore bringsexperiencetothelinealongwith seniorAlexMartinezinthesecondary. SeniorReiVasquezandsophomoreJT Wintercouldalsoplayasignificantrole.

Must-seegames

Matchupsincluderoadgamesagainst countyrivalsArdmore(Friday)and Clements(Sept.1)starttheseason. DefendingregionchampionDeshler (Sept.8)followsinanotherroadcontest. Anothercountyrival,EastLimestone (homegameonSept.29)alsohighlights theschedule.WestLimestonewillhost WestMorganonOct.13.

Finalword

“Ijustthinkthatifyoucanrunthe footballandcontrolthegameandplay gooddefenseyoucanwinmorethanyou lose,”Davissaid.

—SirvellCarter

WestLimestone’sShelbyDavisisenteringhissixthseasonasheadcoachoftheWildcats. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

ArdmoreTigers

Layoftheland

Ardmoregraduated17seniorslastyear andhasnineseniorsforthe2023season.

“Youcanpinpointoneortwoasmaybe ourleadersonourfootballteambut... we’vegottohavealargenumberof kidsstepupandgrowasoneforusto besuccessful,”third-yearcoachJonathanSnidersaid.“Wecan’trelyonjust acouple(to)leadit.”

TheTigersareinClass5A,Region8 withBrewer,EastLimestone,Fairview, LawrenceCounty,RussellvilleandWest Point.

Headcoach

Sniderwas10-11(5-7intheregion)in hisfirsttwoseasons.Hesaidthe2022 campaigntaughthimvaluablelessonson howtobuildtheprogram.

“LastyearwasayearthatIlearned alotasaheadcoachbetweenyearone andyeartwoandgoingintothispastoffseason,”Snidersaid.“Iwasoneofthose guysthat...‘Hey,ifitworkedyearone, it’sgoingtoworkyeartwo.’Itdoesn’t worklikethat.Youhavetoadjusttoyour personnel.Inhighschoolfootball,it’sa revolvingdoor.Wechangedsomethings thisoffseason.We’rehopingthatitends uppayingoffforus.”

Lastseason

Ardmorewas3-2overalland2-0in regionplaybeforedroppingitslastfive games.Againstlocalteams,theTigers beatBrewer,LawrenceCountyandElkmontandlosttoWestLimestone,West MorganandEastLimestone.TheTigers finishedonewinshyofreachingthe playoffsin2022bylosing49-22atEast Limestoneintheregionfinale.

Wordstogrowon

“Yougo3-7andyournumberskeep risingsoyoufeellikeyourkidshave reallyboughtintowhattheyseewe’re tryingtodo,”Snidersaidofanincreased rostersize.Enteringpreseasonpractice, theTigershad68playersinninth-12th gradecomparedtofinishingwith59last year.“Sonowwe’vejustgottoexecute everythingonthegrasswhenitcomesto practiceandFridaynights.”

Quarterback

atquarterback.

“We’reevaluatingandseeingwhat eachcandobest,”Snidersaid.“Doyou playamultiplequarterbacksystem?Do youstickwithoneandfindotherspots forthoseotherkidstobeat?Itmaybe threeorfourgamesinbeforewedecide onone.Wemayplaydualquarterbacks throughthewholeyear.We’retryingto figureitoutasastaff...thebestbuttons topush.”

ARDMOREROSTER

JonathanSniderisbackforhisthirdseasonasheadcoachatArdmore.. [JIMMEADOWS/FORTHEDECATURDAILY]

WestMorganRebels

Layoftheland

WestMorganisinClass4A,Region7 withBrooks,Central-Florence,Deshler, EastLawrence,Rogers,WestLimestone andWilson.

Headcoach

WestMorganentersitsthirdseason underDrewPhillips.TheRebelsare15-7 withaplayoffappearanceunderPhillips.

Lastseason

WestMorgan(10-2,6-1)finished secondinClass4A,Region7and advancedtothesecondroundofthe4A stateplayoffs.

Wordstogrowon

Aftera5-5seasoninPhillips’firstyear, WestMorganhada10-2recordin2022.

TheRebelsreturnalotofkeyplayersin 2023andwon’tbeflyingundertheradar liketheywerein2022.

“Wejusttrytokeeptunnelvision andnotworryabouttheexpectations ofeveryonearoundus,”Phillipssaid. “Weappreciatethesupportwehave,but whenitgetsdowntoit,whatmattersis what’sinthelockerroom.”

SEEREBELS,G29

WESTMORGANROSTER

WestMorganheadcoachDrewPhillipsis enteringhisthirdseasonwiththeRebelsafter leadingthemtoa10-2recordin2022. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

WestMorgan’sJalenFletcherreturnsasaseniorin2023afteramassing2,107all-purposeyardsin2022with24totaltouchdowns. [TRISTANHOLMES/ FORTHEDECATURDAILY]

WestMorganquarterbackBraxtonPeters(14)isenteringhisthirdseasonasastarterforthe Rebels. [KEVINTAYLOR/TIMESDAILY]

Quarterback

QuarterbackBraxtonPetersisback afterbeingresponsiblefor18totaltouchdowns.ItwillbePeters’thirdseasonas starterandPhillipssaidthatthesenior has improveddramaticallyasapasser.

“He’sreallysteppedupasapasserand I thinkthat’sgoingtohelpusopenupour offense,” Phillipssaid.

Offense

SeniorrunningbackJalenFletcheris b ackafterahistoricjuniorseason.In 2 022,thesecond-teamClass4AAllS tateselectionhad2,107all-purpose yardswith24touchdowns.Herushed for 17TDs,hadfourreceiving,returned t wopuntsandonekickoffforscores. Heaveraged176yardspergameand9.6 yards pertouch.

Phillipssaidtheteamisworkingon movinghimaroundthisyearbetween runningbackandreceiversohecanbe even moredangerousintheoffense.

JeremyStrong,atalentedplayer, accordingtoPhillips,willplayrunning backandreceiveraswell.

Ja’MauryBurgessisbackatreceiver

asisTiarriusMosley.KaylinDanielswill alsoplayatreceiver.

Alongtheoffensiveline,WileyGarrisonwillreturnatguard,MelvinCarrillo atcenterandJacobieFletcher.

Theotherspotscouldgotoany numberofguysthatincludeDaniel Davis,KrishawnGoode,MaddoxMaples,

EastonHutto,ConnorRikardandZavian Martin.

Defense

Alongwithhisroleatreceiver,Burgess willalsostartinthedefensivebackfield. WesBradford,astartingsafetyaseason ago,willalsobeback.

TyshonTuckerandShoneTapScott willfillrolesinthesecondaryaswell.

TyJonesisbackatinsidelinebacke r afteranAll-Statehonorablementio n seasonin2022.LouSegarreturnsa t outsidelinebackerasdoesShaMarvion Mosely.

Manyofthesameguysthatrotat e alongtheoffensiveline,willplaydefensivelineaswell.

Must-seegames

WestMorgan’sgamevs.Deshle r decidedtheregionin2022,andwilllikely againin2023.Thatgamewilltake place onOct.6atWestMorgan.

TheRebelswillopenregionplaya t BrooksonSept.8.

Finalword

Afterabreakoutyearthatsawth e Rebelswin10gamesandnarrowlyloseto eventualstatefinalistCherokeeCounty intheplayoffs,WestMorganispoise d foranevenbiggerseasonin2023.

“Whatisbenefittingusiswehave a lotofguysthathaveplayedinsomebig games,”Phillipssaid.“Ifeellikethat’s goingtoallowustoplayfast,physical anddisciplined.”

—CalebSuggs

WestMorgan’sJeremyStrongisbackin2023afterplayingbothoffenseanddefenselastyear. [CALEBSUGGS/DECATURDAILY]

DanvilleHawks

Layoftheland

DanvilleisinClass3A,Region7with A sbury,BrindleeMountain,J.B.Penn ington,MadisonAcademy,Susan Moore andVinemont.

Head coach

AndroWilliamsentershisthirdseason atDanville.TheHawksare8-13under Williams withoneplayoffappearance.

Last season

Danville(3-8,3-3)finishedfourthin Class3A,Region7andadvancedtothe 3A stateplayoffs.

Wordstogrowon

Withjusttwoseniorslastyearand nonethisyear,theDanvilleHawksare buildingayoungteamfromtheground up.

“It’sauniquesituation,”Williams s aid.“Lastyear,wewereyoungand, t hisyear,we’restillyoung.Depth w asanissuelastyearandwewereso youngmentally.Wefeellikewe’reina betterpositionthisyearinbothofthose spots.”

Quarterback

SophomoreJaceGlennmovesinto the startingquarterbackroleafterserving asabackuplastseason.Hesawtime lateintheseasonthatgavehimvaluable experience.Eighth-graderShaunHarris ispushingGlennhardforplayingtime, Williamssaid.BenEllenburg,lastseason’sstarter,willserveasabackupas well asseetimeatreceiver.

Offense

Atrunningback,theHawkswillusea varietyofguys,includingjuniorsChristianRodriguez,TalanCrossandCody Barber alongwitheighth-graderColby Reed.

BenEllenburgwillplayatslotreceiver w ithBarber.AveryMuhammedand HoustonMcCleskywillseetimeonthe outside.

AlongtheoffensivelinejuniorsCaden a ndColeFlowers,RyderReevesand L andonHanserdwillstart.Mitchell Owens andGabrielOcampoarebattling for thefifthspot.

Defense

HanserdandMitchellOwensreturn asstarters,alongwithFrankieAldridge.

Inaddition,CadenFlowers,Reevesand Ocampowillprovidesomevaluabledepth.

SophomoreJohnSalviaandfreshman JordanFetnerwillgetthestartatoutsidelinebacker.ChristianRodriquez,Eli ShellandMatthewTidwellwillseetime atmiddlelinebacker.

BenEllenburgreturnsasastarteratfree safety.GlennandHarriswillalsoseetime atsafety.AveryMuhammedandCody Barberwillstartatcornerback.

Must-seegames

Danvilleopenstheseasonwithhome gamesvs.LawrenceCountyandarivalry gamevs.Falkville.

Finalword

“Ithinkwesortoflimpedintoth e playoffslastyear,butgiveourguy s credit,wewereayoungteamandwewon thegameswehadtowintogetin,”Williamssaid.“Thisyearwefeellikewe’re inabetterpositiontowinevenmore.”

—CalebSuggs

DANVILLEROSTER

DanvilleheadcoachAndroWilliamsisenteringhisthirdseasonwiththeHawks. [JERONIMO NISA/DECATURDAILY]

Danville’sColeFlowersreachestotackleaJ.P.Penningtonplayerduringagamelastseason. [TRISTANHOLMES/FORTHEDECATURDAILY]

BenEllenburg,Danville’sstartingquarterbacklastyear,willseetimeatreceiverthisseason.

[TRISTANHOLMES/FORTHEDECATURDAILY]

THEMORGANCOUNTYBOARDOFEDUCATION

WishesYouGoodLuck

ONYOUR2023FALLSEASON!

SeatedL-R:BoardViceChairmanPaulHolmes(Eva)-TracieTurrentine(Superintendent)

-BoardChairmanJohnHolley(UnionHill/Lacey’sSpring)

StandingL-R:AdamGlenn(Danville)-MikeTarpley(Falkville)-BillyRhodes(WestMorgan)

-ChrisHumphries(Cotaco/Brewer/MCSTechPark)-JimmyDobbs(Priceville/Sparkman)

TannerRattlers

Layoftheland

Tannerappearedheadedtoitsthird s traightplayoffberthin2022.However,injuriesandsuspensionsderailed theteamandathree-gamelosingstreak c losedtheseasonandtheRattlers missedthepostseason.

TheRattlersagainwillcompetein C lass2A,Region8againstFalkville, Hatton,Lexington,RedBay,Sheffield andTharptown.

Head coach

OscarBondswas20-32overall,12-18 i nregionplayand1-2inthepostseasonduringhisfirstfiveyearsasTanner coach.BondsisseekingtoleadtheRattlerstotheplayoffsforthethirdtimein fouryearsandashotattheirfirstregion titlesince2016.

Last season

Tannerstarted3-1(2-0intheregion) butwent1-4(0-4)fromthere.

“Injuriesplayedabigpart,”Bonds s aid.“Welostsixstartersthatplayed bothwayssothat’sabigblow.(Lackof)

disciplineandaccountability...when thingsaren’tgoingthewayitshould. Wehadguyswhogotsuspended.We justhadalotofguysgodowninand outthroughouttheseason.Wewere kindofbangedupforthefirsttimeina longtime.Freakinjuries.”

Wordstogrowon

“We’llbeseniorheavythisyear,” Bondssaidaspracticebegan.“Wepossiblycouldstart10seniorsonoffense thisyearwithasophomore.Rightnow, we’vegoteightseniorsthatstarton defensewiththreesophomores.”

Quarterback

SeniorKarlParhamreturnstoleadthe offense.Lastyear,Tannerscoredalmost 38pointspergamedespitetotalingonly 47pointsinthreestraightlossestoend theseason.

“He’saprettysolidquarterbackthat canruntheballaswell,”Bondssaid. HeaddedthatheexpectsParhamtobe moredecisivethisyear.“I’dliketosee himpullitdownandrunalittlemore.

TANNERROSTER

He’sthefastestplayeronourteam.He’s the(2023Class1A-3A)60-meterindoor statechamp.”

Offense

SeniorSkylarTownsendwillbeParham’sleadingweaponinthepassing game.

“I’mlookingforhimtohaveastrong season,”BondssaidofTownsend. “Prettymuchamatchupnightmare (fordefenders).Cangoupandgetitat thehighestpoint.Rangykid.Greatball skills.”

SeniorsTailinHallandDerickMalone, juniorDeQualonMaloneandsophomore EndymionTyuswillalsobecountedon inthereceivingcorps.

SeniorrunningbackElinneausJacksonreturnsafterplayingonlyfou r gameslastseasonduetoinjury.SophomoreKianJackson,projectedastheonly non-seniorstarteronoffense,willalso getsignificantcarries.

“Isawhimmaturealotfromfinishinghisfreshmanseasontonow,”Bonds saidofKian.

Bondsexpectsthesenior-ladenlin e withAbertlotoGonzalez(center) , JamariMalone(rightguard),Terrel l Green(righttackle),DarrellHowar d (leftguard),Tre’junLett(lefttackle)to bethestrengthoftheteam.

Oscar BondsisenteringhissixthseasonasheadcoachoftheRattlers. [DANBUSEY/DECATURDAILY]

ElkmontRedDevils

Layoftheland

ElkmontwillcompeteinClass3A, Region8withClements,Colbert Heights,ColbertCounty,Lauderdale County,MarsHillandPhilCampbell.

Inrecentyearswinshavebeentough tocomebyfortheRedDevils,whose mostrecentplayoffappearanceand winningseasonoccurredin2014.That year,theteamwent8-3overalland5-2 inClass4A,Region8(thirdplace).That group,ledbycoachSeanHolt,lostin thefirstroundtoHaleyville.Theteam’s lastregionwinonthefieldwasin2017, 40-12,atEastLawrence.ElkmontcollectedaforfeitvictoryoverDeshlerin 2018.

Headcoach

ChrisBunioentershissecondseason asheadcoach.

Lastseason

Elkmontfinished1-9(0-6inthe region)withaneight-gamelosing streak.TheRedDevils’winwas20-16 atBrindleeMountainonAug.26.

Wordstogrowon

“Weonlylostfourseniorsandonly twoofthoseguysstartedbothwayslast year,”Buniosaid.“Wereturnpretty muchourwholeteam.Alotoftheseguys

ELKMONTROSTER

Friday.They’vegottensomanylivereps withJVgamesandvarsitygameslast year.”

Quarterback

SeniorColeHoltreturnsasthestarter.

“He’stheepitomeofaleader,”Bunio said.“He’llplayleftguardifItoldhim to.He’sjustareallyhardworker.Oneof themostpositivekidsontheteam.He’s relentless.Heputshisownpressuresand expectationsonhimself.”

Offense

Returningplayersincludesophomore linemanJeremiahMay.

“JeremiahMayhasreallystepped upasaleader,”Buniosaid.“Notjust physicallyintermsofhisworkethicbut verballyaswell.Ifyoucometoaworkoutorpractice,you’llhearJeremiahMay correctingsomebody,teachingsomebody,motivatingsomebody.”

SeniorBrysonBroadway,juniorEvan MayandsophomoreLincolnDonerwill

beoptionsatrunningback.Sophomore NoahHolt,Cole’sbrother,willstepinat tightendalongwithJohnson.

“Wedidn’treallyhaveanytightend setslastyear,”Buniosaid.“Wejust didn’t…haveaguythatwasbigenough butalsoathleticenoughtodoitbutNoah …hassproutupalittlebit.Hegotten tallerandhe’sdefinitelyputonsome muscle.Sowe’regoingtouseseveral tightendsetsthisyear.”

SeniorBrandonFarrisandjuniorEthan Adamsarereturningstartersatwide receiver.

JuniorhalfbackJakeGuthrie’sversatilitywillbevaluableforElkmont.

“He’llrunblock,passblock,gooutfor routesandevencarrythefootballalittle bit,”Buniosaid.

Defense

SeniordefensiveendMatthewJohnson andsophomoreinsidelinebackerLandon Waleswillleadthedefense.

“Sincethebeginningofthe

offseason,thisguy(Johnson)hasputon like30poundsofmuscleandhehasreally boughtinwithwhatwe’vebeendoing, holdinghimselfaccountableandholding histeammatesaccountable,”Buniosaid.

“Hehasjustworkedreally,reallyhard theselastsix,sevenmonths.

“(Wales)hasn’treallymissedany workouts,”Buniosaid.“He’sbeento severalfootballcampsthissummer.He’s reallytriedtofocusonbecomingabetter athleteandfootballplayer.”

Must-seegames

ElkmontwilltraveltoSheffieldin theseasonopenerThursday.TheRed Devilswillbeginregionplayhosting PhilCampbellonSept.8.Homegames againstLimestoneCountyrivalsArdmore(Sept.29)andClements(Oct.13) alsohighlighttheschedule.

Finalword

“They’remoreconfidentTheytalk more.Theycommunicatewell.They’re playingfaster,”Buniosaid.“They’re notbeingaspassiveastheywerelast year.They’rebeingmoreassertive witheverythingwedo.They’relearninghowtonotonlyenjoycompeting butembracingcompetingwithothers.I wouldsayeverybodyisprettypumped andexcited.” —SirvellCarter

Elkmont’sColeHolt(11),BrysonBroadway(8),coachChrisBunio,MatthewJohnson(30)andJacksonLong(77)arehopingtheRedDevilsfindmoreimprovementthisyear. [CONTRIBUTED]

LawrenceCountyRedDevils

Layoftheland

LawrenceCountyisinClass5A, Region8withRussellville,Fairview, Brewer,EastLimestone,WestPointand Ardmore.

Headcoach

TheRedDevilsareembarkingon theirthirdseasonunderTrentWalker. LawrenceCountyhasgone3-17under Walker.

Lastseason

LastseasonLawrenceCounty(3-7, 0-6)finishedseventhinClass5A,Region 8.

Wordstogrowon

“Takingthenextstepforwardwehave guysthathavealotofvarsitysnaps,” Walkersaid.“Sonowthatwehavethe experience,theexecutionshouldgo upintermsofhowweperformonall sidesoftheball.Wefeellikewearein abetterpositiontofocusonperfecting ourcraft.”

Quarterback

Lastyear,thingswerelookingupfor theRedDevilsaftertheirseason-openingwinagainstDanvillebutquicklytook

aturnfortheworse.Intheirthirdgame, startingquarterbackParkerFrostwent downwithashoulderinjury.Replacing himwasJackBoyll.Nowbothplayersare battlingforthestartingposition.

“Parker’sagreatathletewhohas learnedhowtoplayquarterback.He’s mobileinsideandoutsideofthepocket. He’slearnedtobemoreofaquarterback makingreadsandgoingthroughprogressions,”Walkersaid.“Jackhasthe quarterbackmindset,hereliesonhisarm andaccuracy.He’saguywhocarriesthat gunslingermoxie,arisingsophomore whoisdevelopingandstrengtheninghis toolset.Bothcerebral,smartguysthat arebothverycoachableandteachable.”

Offense

The“three-headedmonster”ofLawrenceCounty’srunningbackposition willgettomakeitsmark.Walkersaid thestartingjobhasnotbeensecured, butitisbetweenDrewGatlinandArnold AlexanderwithSuttonPhilipsalsobeing considered.

“Drewisaslender,tallertypeslasher. Justagooddudewhoplaysdefense. He’sjustaverynaturalathleticfootball player,”Walkersaid.“Arnoldisvery athletic,lowerandmorecompact.He’s

lower,strongerandweighsmoresohe cankindofhidebehindtheoffensive lineman,breaktacklesandgettothe edge,andoncehegetstherehe’sgot greatspeed.”

ReturningfortheRedDevilsisthe county’stopreceivingbackinBraylon Damewhorecorded560yardswithfive touchdowns.Alsoreturningthisyear isCooperWilkerson,whomadethe all-countyfirstteamasanoffensive lineman.

TheRedDevilswillhavetoreplace kickerEricGordonthisyear.

Theoffensivelinemenstandtobea focalpointintheoffense,accordingto Walkersaid.

“CooperWilkersonisaguywhowas votedcaptainoflastyear’steam,”

SEEREDDEVILS,G35

LAWRENCECOUNTYROSTER

TrentWalkerbeginshisthirdseasonasLawrenceCounty’sheadcoach. LawrenceCountyreceiverKaidenWeartriestooutrunadefender.

TURDAILY]

Walkersaid.“Heplayscenterfor usandmakesatonofcallsatthe lineofscrimmage.He’sreallythe heartbeatandleadsthatgroup. EliLongisourlefttacklewho didn’tgettoplaylastyear.He hadtowaitalongtimetogetback onthegrass.He’shavingareally goodfallanddoingagoodjobat lefttackleandweusehimsomeat defensivetackleaswell.”

Defense

LawrenceCountywillhaveto replaceitshonorablementionAllStatelinebackerinWyattDutton, whohad140tackleslastyear.

“He’sourbiggestpieceto replace.HewasourMr.Everythingondefense(and)alsohad somehugeoffensiveplayslast year,”Walkersaid.“Hewasone ofourmaincoressowewillhave toreplacehisproduction.”

ReplacinghimisseniorZander Billings,whohasplayedreceiver anddefensiveend.

“We’retryingtofindtheright

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movementsandpiecestoaccount fortheproductionwelosti n WyattDutton,”Walkersaid.“So weput(Billings)inthatposition andhetookitgladly.He’saguy who’sunprovenouttherebuthe haspotential.”

Thedefensivelinewillmirro r theoffensiveline.

Must-seegames

WalkerpointedtowardLawrenceCounty’shomecomin g gameagainstArdmoreasth e gametowatch.Hesaidthesquads havetwoverysimilarrostersand hesaidhebelievesitcoulddictate therestoftheseason.

Finalword

“Werealisticallyfeellikew e haveachancethisyear.Ifwe can beatArdmore,wefeellikew e couldgetBrewerandHanceville andgetthreeinarow,”Walke r said.“Wehaveachanceto swing itbackthisyear.Therearesome goodteamsandgoodprogram s infrontofus,butwefeellikewe couldwinthisyear.”

—ZaneTurner

LawrenceCounty’sRyderMcGregorrunspastWestPointdefendersonan85-yardkickoffreturnforatouchdown last season.[DEANGELOMCDANIEL/FORTHEDECATURDAILY]

HattonHornets

Layoftheland

TheHornetsareinClass2A,Region8 withFalkville,Lexington,RedBay,Sheffield, TannerandTharptown.

Head coach

DentonBowlingisinhiseighthseason a tHatton.TheHornetsare39-49 w iththreeplayoffappearancesunder Bowling.

Last season

Hatton(7-3,4-2)finishedthirdin2A, Region8andadvancedtothe2Astate playoffs.

Wordstogrowon

Afterreachingthe2Astateplayoffs lastyearwithalargegroupofseniors, theHornetsareinarebuildingprocess with anewgroupofplayers.

“Wegottoreplacealotasfaras p layersgo,”Bowlingsaid.“Welosta quarterback, lostsomelinebackers,and t hosearetworeallyimportantpositionsinthegameoffootball.Ontopof

that,welosearunningback,acoupleof receiversandacoupleofoffensivelinemen.Yougottofindsomebodytostep upandreplacethat.That’stheexpectationgoingin,ishopefullywecanstart offfast,butIbelieveinrealisticexpectationsandIthinkit’sgoingtotakeus timetogetacclimatedtowhatwewant totrytoachievebothoffensivelyand defensively.”

Quarterback

All-countyquarterbackBrileyKerby wrappeduphiscareerinHattonlast yearandleftabigholetofill.Kerby threwfor797yardsand11touchdowns lastyear.Healsorushedfor910yards and10touchdowns.Bowlingsaidthat hisstartingquarterbackhasnotbeen determined,butitisbetweentwocompetitors:sophomoreTaseanLoveand juniorKenyonSuggs.Bothhadrepsat widereceiverin2022andwillnowgetto beontheotherendofthepassinggame.

SEEHORNETS,G37

HATTONROSTER

Hatton’s AlexBrackinwillbefullysettledatlinebackerthisyear.

Hatton’sTaseanLoveisoneoftheplayerscompetingfortheopenquarterbackposition.

Lastyear,Lovemadetheall-county team withhisworkatreceiverwith 272 yardsandsixtouchdowns.

“Bothofthemareversatileathletes,oneofthemisalittleolder,but bothareinexperiencedatthevarsity level,”Bowlingsaid.“Tasean’sgot a littlebitofexperiencebutboth ofthemareuniqueinwhatthey’re abletodoandtheirabilitytohelp the team.”

Offense

All-countyrunningbackand linebackerCarsenReedgraduated. Reed rushedfor1,921yardswith36 touchdownsin2022.Bowlingsaid t heywillhavearunningbackby committeethisyearastheHornets h aven’tlockeddownareplacem entforReed.Hesaidtheyhada few playersinmind,includingK.D. Porter,KarvieonBlackandTerrion Clopton.

Ontheoffensiveline,theHornetswillhavetoreplacetwooftheir t hreeall-countylinemen.Braden S taffordwillhavetobereplaced

afterherecorded27pancakeblocks lastyear.SowillJacobFountain, whohad12pancakeblockslast year.However,KoleMcMillianwill retakehispositionontheoffensive lineafterfinishinglastyearwith11 pancakeblocks.

AlsodepartinglastyearwasJace Terry.

Defense

TwoofthefourofHatton’sallcountydefensiveplayersreturn. All-countydefensivelineman WestonBurney,whohad43tackles, 8.5tacklesforloss,sevenquarterbackhurries,asackandthree fumbleslastyear,movestolinebacker.All-countylinemanTrace Hillalsoreturns.Hehad43tackles, 10tacklesforlossand2.5sackslast year.Alsomakinganappearancefor thefirsttimeasalinebackerislast year’srunningback,AlexBrackin.

MicahHarvillewillhavetobe replaced.Hehad65tackles,8.5 tacklesforloss,asackandaforced fumble.Stafford,whomadeallcountyatdefensivelinemanbut graduated,finishedwith47tackles, 10.5tacklesforloss,threehurries,a sackandtwoforcedfumbles.

LinebackerJasperCrumptonand freesafetyWilSteadmanaretwo otherHornetswhodepartedlast yearondefense.

Must-seegames

Bowlingpointedtothegames againstEastLawrenceandClass3A Geraldineasgamestowatch.The gameagainstEastLawrencehas becomearivalrygame,according toBowling.HealsosaidGeraldine wouldbehardtobeatasitisa3A teamthatmadelastyear’splayoff quarterfinals.

Finalword

“Ihopethatwe’vegotsomeguys tostepupandfillthevoidasitpertainstoleadership,”Bowlingsaid. “We’vehadsomegoodleadersinthe past,we’vemadetheplayoffstwo yearsinarowbuthaven’tmadeit overthatfirstroundhumpyet. We’vehadsomereallytoughdraws, weputourselvesinpositiontoget thosedraws,butwehaven’tfinished gameswe’veneededtofinish.Ithink thegoalsomeofmyguyshaveisto hostthefirstroundoftheplayoffs.”

—ZaneTurner

ClementsColts

Layoftheland

In2022,Clementsfailedtoachieve back-to-backpostseasonappearances a ndafourthpostseasonberthinfive s easons.Hopesofaresurgencecould dependonaveteranoffensivelineand solidifyingadefensethatallowednearly 44pointspergame.TheColtscompete i nClass3A,Region8againstColbert C ounty,ColbertHeights,Elkmont, LauderdaleCounty,MarsHillandPhil Campbell.

Head coach

MichaelParker,19-34inhisfirstfive seasons,hasledClementstotheposts easonthreetimes.TheColtsarea combined 0-3inthoseappearances.

Last season

Clementsopenedwitha48-34home winoverHollyPondbutdroppeditsnext sixgamesandeightofitslastnineoverall tofinish2-8witha1-5regionrecord.The ColtsbeatvisitingElkmont46-18forthe

CLEMENTSROSTER

regionvictory.

Wordstogrowon

“Fouroutoffiveoftheoffensiveline (are)comingback,”Parkersaid.“We’re tryingtobuildtheoffensearoundthem andusetheirexperiencetoouradvantage.We’veputalotoftimeinour defense.I’vegotanewdefensivecoordinator.Amajorityofthesummerhas beengearedmoretowardthedefense. Wehadtomakesomechangesthere.I’m hopingthetimewespentthissummer willbenefitusalot.”

Quarterback

SeniorJaydenGilbertreturnsforhis

fourthyearasthestarter.SeniorCole DosstransferredfromArdmoreandwill provideanotheroptionattheposition.

“He’sgainedalotofmusclemassin theweightroom,”ParkersaidofGilbert. “He’sgottenfaster.He’sbeenastarter formesincetheninthgrade.He’sabig plusforourprogram.

“(Doss)spinsthefootballpretty good,”Parkeradded.“Hereadsthe defenselikewewanthimto.”

Offense

SeniorsJacobPeoples,CaydenTurner, AlfonsoGutierrezandKolbieTurnerwill starttogetherforthethirdyearinarow ontheoffensiveline.JuniorTimothy

GallienandsophomoreLukeWisewill competeforplayingtimeattheotherline position.

SophomoreBradyTurnerandbrothers Tyree,asenior,andDavinHolloway, a sophomore,willbeoptionsatreceiver.

JuniorsDominicHoltandChrisRodgers areexpectedtosharetheloadatrunning back.

Defense

Changeshavebeenmadetorevam p thedefensewithBobbyEarlGreen e takingoverascoordinator.

“Ithadtobeimproved,”Parkersaid.

“Wegaveupwaytoomanypointslast year.Weaveraged(27.6)pointsagame (onoffense)andwent2-8.Imadeacommitmenttomeandtotheprogramthat weweregoingtogetbetterondefense thisoffseason.We’vereallyworkedhard onthat.(Greeneis)...doinganoutstandingjob.I’mgoingtojumpoverthereand

Michael ParkerisenteringhissixthseasonasheadcoachoftheColts. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

Defense

Tannerallowedanaverageof36points in2022,surrendering46ormorepoints insixofitsninegames,butBondsanticipatessignificantimprovementfromthe unit.

JamariMalone,HowardandLettwill startonthedefensiveline.

“IexpectustohavethebestD-linein 2A,”Bondssaid.

SophomoreMaikyhMitchell,Ben Cobb,seniorNickGarth(movedfrom runningback)and2022leadingtackler KCHale(senior)areprojectedtostart atlinebacker.TownsendandTyuswill startatcornerbackwithParhamandHall atsafety.

Must-seegames

TanneropensatLauderdaleCounty (Thursday)inanon-regiongame. TheRattlershaveregionmatchupsat Falkville(Sept.15),Hatton(Oct.6)and 2022regionchampLexington(Oct.13) andwillhostRedBayonOct.20.

Finalword

“Everythinghasaplusbehindit,” Bondssaidoflastseason’sadversities. “Someofthoseyoungerguysgotsome experience.”

—SirvellCarter

ARDMORE

FromPageG27

Offense

Ardmorescored20.6pointspergame in2022andsufferedtwoshutouts: 49-0toWestMorganand21-0atWest Point.SnidersaidDurham,senioroffensivelinemanMikeBroadwayandjunior widereceiverJaretDouthitwillbeleadersonoffense.JuniorSkylerJeanand sophomoreNoahStaffordjoinDouthit asreceivers.SeniorBrodieWisemoved fromtightendtorunningback.

Defense

AdefensiveimprovementwillbepivotaltoArdmore’ssuccess.Itallowed 31.4pointspergamelastseason,nearly eightpoints(23.8)morethanthepreviousseason.Inlosingitslastfivegames theTigersgaveup40-pluspointsinfour ofthemand49inthefinalthree.

“We’vegotreturningstarters(juniors)

TavienCannonandDevlinJarrettinthe secondary,”Snidersaid.“MorganMiles (senior)atlinebacker,IsaiahRandolph (senior)defensiveline.”

JeanandStaffordwillalsogetplaying timeinthesecondary.

Durham(linebacker)andDouthit (defensiveback)areamongtheplayers whowillseeactiononbothsidesofthe ball.

Must-seegames

Ardmoreopenstheseasonagainst WestLimestone(Friday),atWest Morgan(Sept.1)andBrewer(Sept.8, regionopener).TheTigersvisit2022 regionrunnerupFairviewonOct.6and defendingregionchampionRussellville(Oct.20).EastLimestonewillvisit theTigersonOct.27tocaptheregion schedule.

Finalword

“We’restilltryingtoevaluatesome ofouryouthbecausewedohavesome

reallygoodplayersinourfreshman class,”Snidersaid.“Aretheygoingtobe ready?Doweworkthemintowherethey canplayarole?Cantheybeastarter? There’sjustalotofquestionsthat... maybeevenafterweplayacoupleof

helphimonthatsideoftheballtoo.”

SophomorecornerbackReidPutman leadstheunit.Gilbertwillcontribute atsafetyandtheHollowayswilladd depthinthesecondary.Peoplesand CaydenTurnerwillstartatlinebacker. Gallien,WiseandfreshmanJoseDiaz willbeapartoftherotationofplayers usedontheline.

Must-seegames

Clementswillopenitsseasonat HollyPondonFriday.TheColtswill hostWestLimestoneonSept.1before theirregionopenerversusvisiting LauderdaleCounty.Elkmontwillhost ClementsonOct.13.

Finalword

“We’reat36rightnow,”Parker saidoftherostersize,whichisup fromabout30lastyear.“Andthat wasthetotalrosternotcountingthe injuriesthatwehad.SometimesIwas outthere(lastseason)practicingwith 24,25kids.Itgottoughlastyear.I’m

hopingmaybewecangetsomepeople inandoutofthegame,getsomerest forthemthisyearandmaybepreserve ourselvesalittlebitbetterthanwhat wedidlastyear.”

—SirvellCarter

gameswemaynotgetouranswertilthat point.We’vegotmorekids...sowedo havesomecompetitionatspotstohelp usbebetter,hopefully.”

—SirvellCarter

ArdmorequarterbackAlexKingthrowsapassduringtheFCA’s7-on-7tournamentatPointMallard thissummer. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

Tanner’sSkylarTownsend(8)isexpectedtobeakeyplayerfortheRattlersthisseason. [CALEB SUGGS/DECATURDAILY]

PricevilleBulldogs

PRICEVILLEROSTER

Layoftheland

PricevilleisinClass4A,Region8 withDAR,MadisonCounty,NewHope, NorthJackson,Randolph,St.JohnPaul IIandWestminsterChristian.

Headcoach

Pricevilleentersitsfifthseason underheadcoachChrisFoster.The Bulldogsare35-11underFosterwitha regionchampionshipandthreeplayoff appearances.

Lastseason

Priceville(11-1,7-0)finishedfirstin Class4A,Region8andadvancedtothe secondroundofthe4Astateplayoffs.

Wordstogrowon

Afteroneeight-winseasonpriorto Foster’sarrival,Pricevillehasthree underFoster,including10and11wins thepasttwoyears.

“Ithinkwhat’simportantnowisjust maintainingthatlevelofconsistency,” Fostersaid.“We’vedonealotofgreat things.Lastyearwemadetheplayoffs inback-to-backyearsforthefirsttime andnowwewanttoseeifwecanmake itthreeinarow.”

Quarterback

WiththedepartureofJacksonPrickett, PricevillewillturntoJakeEnglandtobe theteam’sstartingquarterback.

EnglandisatransferfromHartselle whomovedinthissummer.

Offense

InFoster’srun-heavyoffense,the Bulldogshaveproducedsometop-tier runningbacks.

Thisseason,Pricevillehastoreplace MasonCartee,whorushedforover1,600 yardsandhad26totaltouchdownsin 2022.

Now,BlitzClemonslookstobethe nextstarrunningbackfortheBulldogs afterrushingfor804yardsandseven touchdownsaseasonago.

RileyWaggwillalsoplayatrunning back,specificallythewingbackposition inFoster’soffense.

Theoffensivelinewillbethestrength oftheteamwiththreestartersreturning,includingseniorBrodyOliver,who Fostersaidwillanchortheline.Isaiah Mendoza,JonathanBarrientosand TristanAkridgeareotherseniorsalong theoffensiveline.

Defense

Ondefense,theBulldogsarereplacing eightof11starters,includingJakeLanglois,wholedtheteamwith81tackles. BrodyCollinswillreplaceLangloisat middlelinebacker.

Inthesecondary,ReeseYoungand

PricevilleheadcoachChrisFosterisenteringhisfifthseasonasheadcoachoftheBulldogs. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

JakeEnglandwillbePriceville’squarterbackthisyear. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

RileyWaggwillplayatsafety.EnglandandTyde Borden couldalsoseetimeinthesecondary. Alongthedefensiveline,theBulldogscould rotate manyofthesameguysasoffense.

Fosterisnostrangertorotatingguysbothways as theBulldogswilllooktogettheirbest11onthe field onoffenseanddefense.

Must-see games

Pricevilleopenstheseasonwithtwotough non-region gamesatPlainviewonFridayandvs. Fairview onSept.1.

TheBulldogs’lastregular-seasongameisagainst regionfoeRandolphathomeonOct.27.Thatgame decided theregionchampionshiplastseason.

Final word

“Iwouldsaythisisdefinitelytheyoungestteam I’vehadsofar,”Fostersaid.“Findingnewleadershiphasbeenprioritynumberonethissummer. Theseniorclassthatwelosthadalotofgoodleaders init.

“Wecanfindkidsthatcanrunfast,canblock andtackle.Butfindingkidsthatarecomfortable l eading,that’sultimatelywhatwilldefineour success.”

CalebSuggs

BackRow:CouncilmanPatrickDean,CouncilmanMelvinDuranIII,CouncilmanAshleyEngland, CouncilmanCharlesBlack,FrontRow:CouncilmanTommyPerry,MayorSamHeflin

Priceville’sBlitzClemonswillbecountedontobethetoprunningbackthisseason. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

EastLawrenceEagles

Layoftheland

EastLawrenceisinClass4A,Region7 withBrooks,Central-Florence,Deshler, Rogers,WestLimestone,WestMorgan and Wilson.

Head coach

MacHamptonisinhisfirstseason a sheadcoachoftheEagles,replacing S eanHolt,whocoachedtheteamfor two years.

Last season

EastLawrence(0-10,0-7)finished eighth in4A,Region7.

Wordstogrowon

Afterano-winseasonlastyear,the Eagles arelookingtobuildonwhatthey already have.

“Wearegoingtowatchalotoffilm, andwearegoingtopracticeatanintense p ace.Iwantthedefensewherethey chasetheball,Iwantittobewhereit’s a naturalinstinctwheretheyjustchase theball,”Hamptonsaid.“Iwanttobe aggressiveupfrontwiththeD-lineand O-linebecauseitstartsinthetrenches. I amalinemanandalinecoachbytrade sothatisreallybigtome.Ibelieveyou have gottorunthefootballandhavegot to stoptherun.”

Quarterback

AftertheEaglesgraduatedstarting q uarterbackWalkerLetsonlastyear, a djustmentshavetobemadeandthe Eaglesarestillmakingthemtofindthe b estfit,Hamptonsaid.Hesaidjunior B rylanWhiteandfreshmanCayne McClureareinthehuntforthestarting job.

“Brylanismoreofapocketpasserand Cayneismoreofanathlete,shiftykind of guy,”Hamptonsaid.“Theyjustboth haveaparticularskillsetthatwebelieve t hattheycouldhelpcontributeatthe quarterback slot.”

Offense

Second-teamall-countyrunningback K ameronPittwillbethestarter.Pitt had124carriesfor436yardswithfour touchdowns lastyearasajunior.

“He’sagreatkid,tough,hard-nosed, he hasincreased(hisstrength)themost outofanyplayerintheweightroom,” Hamptonsaid.“He’sasenior,heleads

byexampleandhe’sjustagreatkidto haveontheprogram.”

JaylanSmithwillalsobeinhislast season.Theall-countyrunningback finishedlastyearwith73carriesfor543 yardsandthreetouchdowns.Heaveraged7.4yardspercarry.Healsohad

EASTLAWRENCEROSTER

MacHampton,anEastLawrencegraduate,wasnamedheadcoachoftheEaglesonMarch6. [CALEBSUGGS/DECATURDAILY]

1 2catchesfor161yardsandone touchdown.

QuintezMcCoy,theall-county w idereceiver,willalsohavetobe replacedthisyearafterhefinished l astyearwithninecatchesfor178 yardsandtwotouchdowns.Healso rushed for173yardsandtwotouchdowns.All-countyoffensivelineman Daekwon Burginalsograduatedlast year andwillneedtobereplaced.

Otherplayersthathavedeparted f romtheEaglesincludeHayden Grubbs andCalebSmith.

Defense

Withanewcoachcomesnew a djustments,andthatisthecase with thedefense.

“Thedefenseremainstobeseen. W ehavepotentialatallpositions t obesolid.Theykeepworking,” Hampton said.“Iftheykeepgetting b etterandlearningwehavesome guysthathavethepotentialtostand out.”

McCoywillalsohavetobe replacedondefense,wherehewas

alsoall-countyatdefensiveback. Hefinishedlastyearwith24tackles andtwoforcedfumbles.Hampton saidmanyofhisplayerswillhave toplaytwopositionssoitislikely someEagleswillplaybothoffense anddefense.

Must-seegames

TheseasonopeneragainstWinstonCounty,facingasmallerschool withplayoffexperience,couldgive EastLawrenceanopportunityto breakitslosingstreak.TheEagles’ late-seasonrivalrygameagainst WestMorganwillalsobeagameto watch.

Finalword

“IgraduatedfromEastLawrencein‘98soitmeanssomething tome.WehadprettydecentfootballherewhenIwashere,things werejustgood,”Hamptonsaid.“I wantmykidstoexperiencewhatI experienced.Ijustwanteveryone’s involvement,fromthecommunity totheplayers.Iwantthemtoenjoy itandhelpgetthatwinningculture back.”

—ZaneTurner

KameronPittisexpectedtostartatrunningbackfortheEaglesthisseason. [ZANETURNER/DECATURDAILY]

EastLimestoneIndians

Layoftheland

EastLimestonehasreachedtheplayoffsthreestraightyearsandfourofits lastfiveseasonswiththelastpostseason win overBoazin2018.

TheIndiansareinClass5A,Region8 withArdmore,Brewer,Fairview,Lawr enceCounty,RussellvilleandWest Point.

Head coach

ClintWoodfinisinhissecondyearas head coach.

Last season

EastLimestonefinished5-6(3-3, fourthintheregion).TheIndiansstarted the regularseason4-0,including3-0in region play,toreachtheplayoffsbefore losing atArabinthefirstround.

Wordstogrowon

“Ourguysexpecttogetintotheplayoffs,”Woodfinsaid.“Theyknowhowto fight. That’satraitofourculture,really thecommunityhere.Ourguysarepretty tough guys.Theydon’tquitatanything they do.Expectationsarehigh.”

Quarterback

JakeCochranwillbethestarter. W oodfinhasbeenimpressedwiththe junior’s offseasonpreparation.

“HehasprogressedbetterthanI thoughthewouldatthispoint,”Woodfin

said.“Heknowstheoffenseasgood asanyoneI’veeverhad.Iputinanew offense(whenItookoverascoach).The learningcurvewasreallybig.”

Offense

SeniorwidereceiverRomanSchrimsherreturnsasaleadingtargetalong

withjuniorGarrettRitterandsophomoreBrysonGrissom.SeniorTravis BettertonandjuniorDonavinDuBose willanchoranexperiencedoffensiveline. SophomoreWillDixonwillalsohavean opportunitytocontributethere.

SophomoreXavierEdwardswillstart atrunningback.

“He’sabigphysicalkid,”Woodfin saidofEdwards.“Oneofthestrongest kidswehave.Oneofourhardestworkers.Greatculturesareformedwhenyour bestplayersaresomeofyourhardest workersandhe’sdefinitelyoneofour best.We’regoingtoexpecthimtodoa lotfromtheoffensivesideandhopefully someonthedefensiveside.”

Defense

Schrimsher(defensiveback)andjunior linebackerHaydenBonvillewillleadthe defensewithRitter,GrissomandsophomoreCalebClickchippingin.

Must-seegames

EastLimestonewillhostAthensinthe seasonopener.TheIndianswilltravel toBrewer,whichbeatthem27-21last season.EastLimestoneralliedfroma 21-0deficitlateinthethirdquarterto tieit21-21.Three-timedefendingRegion 8championRussellvillecomestotown

EASTLIMESTONEROSTER

Sept.22.TheTigersare18-0inth e regionduringthatstretch.TheIndians willplayatArdmoreintheregionfinale.

Finalword

“Wedon’tlookpastthefirstgame,” Woodfinsaid.“WhichisAthens.Which isabigrival.We’reexcitedaboutthat. That’sgoingtobeabigcrowd.Alotof excitement,especiallywiththatbeing ourfirsthomegame.Ithinkit’llbe a greatwaytokicktheyearoff.”

—SirvellCarter

EastLimestonequarterbackJakeCochran(right)hasimpressedcoachClintWoodfin. [CALEB SUGGS/DECATURDAILY]

Clint WoodfinisenteringhissecondseasonasheadcoachatEastLimestoneafterleadingthe Indians totheplayoffsinyearone. [JIMMEADOWS/FORTHEDECATURDAILY]

EastLimestonepunterJanStotzpreparesto kicktheballduringagamelastseason. [KEVIN TAYLOR/TIMESDAILY]

Austin

Aug.25 vs.Hartselle

Sept.1 atDecatur

Sept.8atSparkman*

Sept.15vs.Florence*

Sept.22vs.Albertville*

Sept.29atGardendale

Oct.6 atGrissom*-x

Oct.13vs.JamesClemens*

Oct.20vs.BobJones*

Oct.27atHuntsville*-x

Nov.3 open

x-gamestobeplayedatAlabamaA&M.

Decatur

Aug.25vs.MaeJemison

Sept.1 vs.Austin

Sept.8 atAthens*

Sept.15vs.Cullman*

Sept.22atHazelGreen

Sept.29 open

Oct.6 vs.Columbia*

Oct.13atMuscleShoals*

Oct.20vs.Hartselle*

Oct.27 atBuckhorn

Nov.3 atScottsboro

Hartselle

Aug.25 atAustin

Sept.1atJackson-Olin

Sept.8 vs.Cullman*

Sept.15atColumbia*

Sept.22vs.GadsdenCity

Sept.29 vs.Oxford

Oct.6vs.MuscleShoals*

Oct.13 vs.Athens*

Oct.20 atDecatur*

Oct.27 open

Nov.3 atBobJones

DecaturHeritage

Aug.25 vs.Section

Sept.1 atCarbonHill

Sept.8vs.ValleyHead*

Sept.15atCoosaChristian*

Sept.22vs.CedarBluff*

Sept.29atNewHope

Oct.6atAppalachian*

Oct.13vs.Woodville*

Oct.20vs.Gaylesville*

Oct.27 open

Nov.3vs.ColbertHeights

HomegamesatWestMorgan.

WestMorgan

Aug.25 atRandolph

Sept.1 vs.Ardmore

Sept.8 atBrooks*

Sept.15vs.Central-Florence*

Sept.22 atRogers*

Sept.29 open

Oct.6 vs.Deshler*

Oct.13atWestLimestone*

Oct.20atEastLawrence*

Oct.27 vs.Wilson*

Nov.3 atHaleyville

Priceville

Aug.25 atPlainview

Sept.1 vs.Fairview

Sept.8atMadisonCo.*

Sept.15 atDAR*

Sept.22vs.NewHope*

Sept.29vs.Scottsboro

Oct.6atSt.JohnPaulII*

Oct.13vs.NorthJackson*

Oct.20atWestminster

Christian*

Oct.27vs.Randolph*

Nov.3 open

Brewer

Aug.25 atHanceville

Sept.1 atArab

Sept.8 atArdmore*

Sept.15vs.EastLimestone*

Sept.22vs.LawrenceCo.*

Sept.29 atSardis

Oct.6vs.Russellville*

Oct.13 vs.Fairview*

Oct.20 open

Oct.27atWestPoint*

Nov.3 vs.Danville

Danville

Aug.25vs.LawrenceCo.

Sept.1 vs.Falkville

Sept.8atSusanMoore*

Sept.15atJ.B.Pennington*

Sept.22vs.MadisonAcademy*

Sept.29 open

Oct.6atShoalsChristian

Oct.13 vs.Asbury*

Oct.20vs.Vinemont*

Oct.27atBrindleeMountain*

Nov.3 atBrewer

Falkville

Aug.25 vs.Vinemont

Sept.1 atDanville

Sept.8 atSheffield*

Sept.15 vs.Tanner*

Sept.22 atHatton*

Sept.29 open

Oct.6 vs.Lexington*

Oct.13 atRedBay*

Oct.20 atAddison

Oct.27atTharptown*

Nov.3vs.WinstonCo.

LawrenceCounty

Aug.25 atDanville

Sept.1vs.Guntersville

Sept.8vs.Russellville*

Sept.15vs.Ardmore*

Sept.22 atBrewer*

Sept.29atHanceville

Oct.6 atWestPoint*

Oct.13vs.EastLimestone*

Oct.20 atFairview*

Oct.27 open

Nov.3 vs.Wilson

Hatton

Aug.25 atWilson

Sept.1 vs.Columbia

Sept.8 open

Sept.15atTharptown*

Sept.22vs.Falkville*

Sept.29atEastLawrence

Oct.6 vs.Tanner*

Oct.13 atSheffield*

Oct.20vs.Lexington*

Oct.27 atRedBay*

Nov.2 vs.Geraldine

EastLawrence

Aug.25 open

Sept.1atWinstonCo.

Ardmore

Aug.25vs.WestLimestone

Sept.1atWestMorgan

Sept.8 vs.Brewer*

Sept.15atLawrenceCo.*

Sept.22 open

Sept.29 atElkmont

Oct.6 atFairview*

Oct.13vs.WestPoint*

Oct.20atRussellville*

Oct.27vs.EastLimestone*

Nov.3vs.Central-Florence

EastLimestone

Aug.24 vs.Athens

Sept.1atCentral-Florence

Sept.8 vs.Fairview*

Sept.15 atBrewer*

Sept.22vs.Russellville*

Sept.29atWestLimestone

Oct.6 open

Oct.13atLawrenceCo.*

Oct.20vs.WestPoint*

Oct.27 atArdmore*

Nov.2vs.MaeJemison

WestLimestone

Aug.25 atArdmore

Sept.1 atClements

Sept.8 atDeshler*

Sept.15 vs.Brooks*

Sept.22atEastLawrence*

Sept.29vs.EastLimestone

Oct.6 atWilson*

Oct.13vs.WestMorgan*

Oct.20vs.Central-Florence*

Oct.27 vs.Rogers*

Nov.3 open

Elkmont

Aug.24 atSheffield

Sept.1vs.BrindleeMountain

Sept.8vs.PhilCampbell*

Sept.15atLauderdaleCo.*

Sept.22atMarsHill*

Sept.29 vs.Ardmore

Oct.6vs.ColbertHeights*

Oct.13vs.Clements*

Oct.20 open

Oct.27atColbertCo.*

Nov.3atSt.JohnPaulII

Clements

Aug.25 atHollyPond

Sept.1vs.WestLimestone

Sept.8vs.LauderdaleCo.*

Sept.15vs.MarsHill*

Sept.8 vs.Rogers*

Sept.15 atDeshler*

Sept.22vs.WestLimestone*

Sept.29 vs.Hatton

Oct.6 atBrooks*

Oct.13 atWilson*

Oct.20vs.WestMorgan*

Oct.27atCentral-Florence*

Nov.3 vs.Hanceville

Athens

Aug.24atEastLimestone

Sept.1vs.BobJones

Sept.8 vs.Decatur*

Sept.15atMuscleShoals*

Sept.22vs.MaeJemison

Sept.29 open

Oct.6 atCullman*

Oct.13 atHartselle*

Oct.20vs.Columbia*

Oct.27 atFortPayne

Nov.3vs.Russellville

Sept.22atColbertHeights*

Sept.29 atDAR

Oct.6 vs.MarionCo.

Oct.13 atElkmont*

Oct.20vs.ColbertCo.*

Oct.27atPhilCampbell*

Nov.3 open

Tanner

Aug.24atLauderdaleCo.

Sept.1atMaeJemison

Sept.8vs.Tharptown*

Sept.15 atFalkville*

Sept.22vs.Sheffield*

Sept.29vs.Columbia

Oct.6 atHatton*

Oct.13 atLexington*

Oct.20 vs.RedBay*

Oct.27vs.Booneville(Miss.)

Nov.3 open

Topfourteamsineachregion qualifyfortheplayoffs.

Decaturfanshopethe2023seasonwillagainfittheRedRaiderstoaT. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

Predictingsuccessforlocalteamsin2023

CALEBSUGGS

2022wasabanneryearforMorgan Countyteamswitheightofthenine schoolsreachingthestateplayoffs. Could2023bringsimilarsuccess?And whataboutabounce-backyearforLawrenceandLimestonecounties?

Here’salookateachregionwith recordsfromlastseasonandourpicks makingtheplayoffs.Notethatfour teamsfromeachregionwillmakethe playoffs:

Class7A,Region4

Austin(7-4,6-1),JamesClemens (4-6,4-3),BobJones(5-6,4-3),Florence(8-3,6-1),Sparkman(5-5,3-4), Huntsville(6-5,4-3),Grissom(3-7,16),Albertville(1-9,0-7).

Austinshookoffan0-2startlast seasontowinsevenstraightandwin itssecondregionchampionshipinClass 7A.Despitelosingtwo-yearstarting quarterbackDe’AirYoung,theBlack Bearsaretalentedandexperiencedand shouldbeevenbetterthisyear.

Prediction: Austin(winner),Florence, BobJones,JamesClemens.

Class6A,Region8

Hartselle(12-1,5-0),MuscleShoals (11-2,4-1),Cullman(7-4,2-3),Decatur (9-3,3-2),Athens(5-5,1-4),Columbia (0-10,0-7).

Hartselleonceagainfinishedwithan undefeatedregularseasonlastyearand wonitssecondstraightregionchampionship.TheTigersarereplacingeight startersonoffense,butthere’snoreason todoubttheirabilitytoreloadunder coachBryanMoore,who’s29-6inthree seasonsatHartselle.

Decaturfinishedthirdintheregion lastseason,buttheRedRaidershavea newcoachandlostasignificantnumber ofseniors.

Athensisprimedforbounce-back seasonwithseniorswithmultipleyears ofstartingexperienceatnearlyevery position.

Prediction: Hartselle(winner),Muscle Shoals,Athens,Decatur.

Class5A,Region8

Russellville(7-5,6-0),Fairview(7-4, 5-1),Brewer(5-6,3-3),EastLimestone (5-6,3-3),WestPoint(3-7,3-3),Ardmore(3-7,2-4).LawrenceCounty(3-7, 0-6).

Russellvillehasdominatedtheregion inrecentyearssotheGoldenTigersare No.1untilthey’renot. Therestofthespotsareallupfor grabs.

Fairviewhashadplentyofrecentsuccess,reachingthesemifinalsin2021and finishingsecondintheregionlastyear. BrewerandEastLimestonebothfinishedstrongdownthestretchlastseason

TheHartselleTigerswillattempttowintheirthirdconsecutiveregionchampionshipthisvseason. [TRISTANHOLMES/FORTHEDECATURDAILY]

Plunkett andEastLimestoneisentering itssecondseasonunderClintWoodfin, who wasn’tmadeheadcoachuntilright beforetheseasonin2022.Bothteams should beevenbetterin2023.

TrentWalkerisinhisthirdseasonat Lawrence County.TheRedDevilswent fromzerowinsin2021tothreein2022 andnowhaveaslewofjuniorsthatall started asfreshmen.

Thisregioncouldbeoneofthemost exciting totrack.

Prediction: Russellville(winner),East Limestone, Brewer,Fairview.

Class 4A,Region8

Deshler(12-1,7-0),WestMorgan (10-2. 6-1),Rogers(7-4,4-3),CentralFlorence(6-5,4-3),Brooks(6-4,4-3), WestLimestone(5-5,2-5),Wilson(1-9, 1-6), EastLawrence(0-10.0-7).

Afterfinishingsecondintheregionin 2022thankstoacloselosstoDeshler,the regionisWestMorgan’sforthetaking in 2023.Atonoftalentisbackforcoach D rewPhillips’thirdseason,including third-yearstartingquarterbackBraxton PetersandAll-StaterunningbackJalen F letcher.WithDeshlerlosingalarge classofseniors,theonlythingthatmight stop theRebelsisthemselves.

Prediction: WestMorgan(winner), Deshler, Brooks,Rogers.

Class 4A,Region7

Priceville(11-1,7-0),Randolph(10-3, 6-1),WestminsterChristian(6-5,5-2), MadisonCounty(4-7,4-3),St.JohnPaul II(4-6,2-5),NewHope(4-6,2-5),North Jackson (2-8,2-5).DAR(1-9,0-7).

Pricevilledidn’ttakelongtoassert i tselfinitsnewregion,winningthe c hampionshipin2022.Priceville’s tough,hard-nosedstyleprovedtough t odealwithfortheotherpass-happy teams intheregion.

TheBulldogswillbethetopcontender, althoughRandolphwillonceagainbea t oughchallenge.AWestminsterteam w ithanexplosiveoffensecouldalso make aplayfortheregion’stopspot.

Prediction: Priceville(winner),Westminster, Randolph,MadisonCounty.

Class 3A,Region8

MarsHill(10-2,6-0),Lauderdale County(7-5,5-1),ColbertCounty(7-5, 4-2),PhilCampbell(7-4,3-3),Colbert Heights(4-6,2-4),Clements(2-8,1-5), Elkmont (1-9,0-6).

MarsHillcontinuestomoveupin

classificationsandalsocontinuesto dominateeveryregionit’sin.Thisseason shouldbenodifferent.

Prediction: MarsHill(winner),LauderdaleCounty,ColbertCounty,Phil Campbell.

Class3A,Region7

MadisonAcademy(9-3,6-0),J.B. Pennington(9-2,5-1),Vinemont(5-6, 3-3),Danville(3-8,3-3),SusanMoore (3-7,3-3),BrindleeMountain(2-8,1-5), Asbury(1-9,0-6).

MadisonAcademytookquickadvantageofthemovedowntoClass3A,easily

winningtheregion.Danvilleonlywon threegames,butitwasthethreethe teamneeded.TheHawksreachedthe playoffsdespitehavingjusttwoseniors.

Prediction: MadisonAcademy,J.B. Pennington,Danville,Vinemont.

Class2A,Region8

Lexington(9-3,6-0),Falkville(7-5, 4-2),Hatton(7-3,4-2),RedBay(6-5, 3-3),Sheffield(5-5,2-4),Tanner(4-5, 2-4),Tharptown(2-8.0-6).

Lexingtonwaslastyear’sregion winner,buttheGoldenBearsgraduatedseveralseniorsandalsohaveanew

coach.

FalkvilleandHattonbothlostke y players,butalsobothhavesomegreat youngtalent.

Tannerislookingforabounce-back seasonafterinjuriesandothercircumstancesderailedwhatcouldhavebeen a greatseason.QuarterbackKarlParham andreceiverSkylarTownsendareboth backandadefensethatsurrendere d 36pointspergameshouldbemuc h improved.

Prediction: Tanner(winner),Hatton, Lexington,Falkville.

Class1A,Region7

ValleyHead(10-2,6-0),CoosaChristian(9-5,5-1),Appalachian(5-6,4-2), CedarBluff(4-7,2-4),Gaylesville(3-6, 2-4),DecaturHeritage(4-6,2-4) , Woodville(2-8,0-6).

Youthandinexperienceplague d DecaturHeritagelastseasoninNikit a Stover’sfirstyearasheadcoach.Th e Eaglesstruggledtofinishgames,losing fourby10pointsorless.

Thisseason,DecaturHeritageshould bebackwhereitbelongs,competing for aregionchampionship.

Winningwon’tbeeasy,however .

ValleyHeadwonlastyearandrunnerupCoosaChristianwasaplayawa y fromreachingthe1Astatechampionshipgame.

Prediction: CoosaChristian(winner), DecaturHeritage,ValleyHead , Appalachian.

—caleb.suggs@decaturdaily.comor

256-340-2395.Twitter@CalebSuggs2

ThePricevilleBulldogsarehopingtowintheirsecondstraightregiontitlethisseason. [JERONIMONISA/DECATURDAILY]

WestMorgan’sBraxtonPeters(14)willtrytoleadtheRebelstoaregionchampionshipthisseason. [TRISTANHOLMES/FORTHEDECATURDAILY]