2020
PREPZONE
A publication of the Daily Mountain Eagle
PUBLISHER James Phillips ART DIRECTOR Malarie Brakefield CONTRIBUTORS Johnathan Bentley Jason Clark Randy Fielding Brian Hale Jeff Johnsey Matt Norris Jeffery Winborne ADVERTISING: Jake Aaron, Brenda Anthony, Zach Baker, Renee Holly, and Liz Steffan The 2020 Walker County Playbook is a publication of the Daily Mountain Eagle. P.O. Box 1469 Jasper, AL 35502 (205) 221-2840
FromTheStaff... James Phillips, Publisher In an effort to continue to provide the most comprehensive coverage of high school football in Walker County, the Daily Mountain Eagle is proud to release the 2020 DME PrepZone Playbook, a magazine devoted specifically to the upcoming high school football season. Inside the pages of your Playbook, you will find in-depth preview stories on every team in Walker County. Along with the previews of each team, we also feature players to watch in 2020, many historic facts on each team, photographs of the teams and each individual player expected to suit up this fall. The Daily Mountain Eagle is proud of the product that you are now holding in your hands. It marks our fifth year to release a Playbook. Our evolution in community sports journalism began with that first Playbook in 2016, and it has continued with the PrepZone branding of our high school football coverage in 2019. DME PrepZone will continue to prepare fans for the games each week with a video preview show as well as in-depth print previews. It will take fans to the field with live videos from several games each week, including a weekly halftime show to update scores. The brand will also wrap up each week with coverage in print from each game in the area as well as a professionally produced video show to talk about each game. Visit DMEPrepZone.com to see schedules, stats and live updates throughout each game. DME PrepZone will be even more important this season as many fans will choose to stay home instead of going to games and stadiums will have limited seating capacity due the COVID-19 pandemic. Our coverage will give those fans a glimpse into every game in our area throughout every game night. We hope you enjoy this Playbook, and we hope you keep turning to the DME for our award-winning and cutting edge coverage throughout the season.
© 2020 by the Daily Mountain Eagle
TABLE OF CONTENTS PG. 06 PG. 08 PG. 16 PG. 22 PG. 28 PG. 34 PG. 40 PG. 46
NELSON BRYAN & CROSS PRESENTS PRESEASON EAGLE ELITE JASPER VIKINGS DORA BULLDOGS CORDOVA BLUE DEVILS CARBON HILL BULLDOGS OAKMAN WILDCATS CURRY YELLOW JACKETS SUMITON CHRISTIAN EAGLES OnTheCover Photo courtesy of Heather Drummond Photography
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It’s easy to love the rain when you’re prepared for the storm. In Alabama, we love the rain. It gives us beautiful forests, a thriving agriculture and even helps power our hydro plants. But a thunderstorm is a different story, especially if the power goes out. Good thing Alabama Power is engineering and incorporating the latest technology to prevent outages and restore power faster than ever. As soon as it’s safe, our whole team works around the clock to get your lights back on. And we keep you informed about our progress. If you’ve got an outage, we’ve got you covered. Report online at AlabamaPower.com/reliable. Or call our 24/7 outage support line at 1-800-888-APCO (2726).
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DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
20 9
77
sacks
tackles
22 tackles for loss
2
14
forced fumbles
tackles for loss
3
forced fumbles
DEFENSIVE MVP A.J. ODOM OAKMAN, JR. LINEBACKER
*2019 season totals (11 games) Photo by randy fielding
DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM
Kevon Samuel #16, Jasper, db, jr.
kaedyn marchbanks #6, Oakman, DB, Jr.
stanley staten #15, Dora, DB, Jr.
brodie vinson #25, Jasper, dl, sr.
christian hyche #22, sumiton christian, dl, sr.
Alex Cain #7, Curry, DL, Sr.
Braxton Bunn #54, Carbon Hill, DL, Sr.
A.J. Odom #2, Oakman, LB, Jr.
jesse Miller #45, Dora, LB, Sr.
Connor Whitley #37, jasper, lb, sr.
Jordan Perrin #15, cordova, lb, sr.
Cristian Lopez #13, Oakman, ATH, sr.
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20
768
rushing yards
7.0
yards per rush
117
receiving yards
98.3
total yards per game
7 touchdowns
OFFENSIVE MVP DEVON DANIEL
*2019 season totals (9 games) Photo by Jason Clark
CARBON HILL, SOPH., RUNNING BACK OFFENSIVE FIRST TEAM
Clay Tittle #7, Carbon Hill, QB, Jr.
treyvon stewart #22, jasper, rb, jr.
aaron oswalt #24, curry, rb, sr.
devon daniel #2, carbon hill, rb. soph.
john tate o’rear #14, oakman, wr. sr.
corea Killings #2, cordova, wr, sr.
nick handley #53, oakman, ol, jr.
elijah kilpatrick #51, cordova, ol, Sr.
Andre Neal #45, jasper, te, sr.
khalija bell #61, dora, ol, sr.
preston reed #15, jasper, pk, jr.
darrien wilkerson #1, dora, ath, jr.
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Jasper
VIKINGS
For more coverage of the Vikings, visit mountaineagle.com/sports.
Enrollment: 601.75
Class 6A, Region 6
Stadium: Ki-Ro/Gambrell Field
schedule
JASPER WELCOMES NEW COACH, NEW REGION
Date
By Johnathan Bentley
P
Philip Bailey isn’t going to make excuses. The new Jasper High School football head coach knows what’s in store for the 2020 season. The Vikings face a gauntlet in Class 6A after two successful seasons in Class 5A. If that’s not enough, Jasper will have new faces across the field following the graduation of key contributors on both sides of the ball. “It’s a formidable challenge, but as a competitor, you ought to want that,” Bailey said. “You ought to want to compete against the very best — and we have an opportunity to do that. We’re excited about it.” Bailey spent the last two years as the Jasper offensive coordinator, leading a team that scored a staggering 40.3 points per game — the second-highest average in Jasper High School history. However, a lot of those weapons have moved on, including the bulk of the offensive line and a backfield duo that scored a total of 34 rushing touchdowns. “We had six seniors on the offensive line last year; four of those were starters. We have the opportunity for some new faces to step up. Dalton Dockins at guard is the one returning starter. New guys will have to step in to fill roles,” said Bailey, who mentioned Luke Skelton, Jasper Odom, Colin Langley and Taylor Eads as options up front. As far as skill players, Spencer Rosenfeld will be at quarterback with Treyvon Stewart at running back. Kevon Samuel, who starred at defensive back last year, will add receiving duties this season. JP Hollis, Maney Havis, Jaden Caldwell and Hayden Yerby will also be options. Brodie Vinson will lead the way on the defensive line, along with twins
Rocco and Brody Woods. Linebackers are led by seniors Connor Whitley and Andre Neal, while the defensive backfield includes Samuel, Cole Sargent and Preston Reed. “We will be young at spots, but we will do two things — we’re going to know where to go and we’ll play hard,” Bailey added. Several players will suit up on both sides of the ball this season, including Vinson (offensive and defensive line), Jody Hester (running back, receiver, linebacker and defensive end) and Reed (receiver, safety, punter and kicker). “We have to have our best people on the field,” Bailey said. Jasper opens the season on Thursday against Mars Hill, a Florence-area team that has played for the 1A state championship each of the last two years and is moving up to 2A this season. The region slate includes two teams that made the 6A state quarterfinals last year — Clay-Chalkville and Pinson Valley — as well as Mortimer Jordan, which advanced to the 5A quarterfinals in 2019. A Gardendale team coming off an 8-4 season and a Minor squad that made the playoffs last year are also on the region slate, along with Jackson-Olin, which won 10 games two years ago before going 3-7 last year. Non-region games are against Mars Hill, rival Cullman, Demopolis and Bessemer City. “We are in a tough region. I’ve heard people compare it to the SEC West, and it is. This is the cream of the crop,” Bailey said. “We’re not naive to who we have to play. We fully understand the level of competition. We know we have our work cut out for us.” Bailey knows there will be pressure to win, especially coming off back-to-
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DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
Aug. 20 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30
Location
Opponent Mars Hill Cullman Clay-Chalkville* OPEN Gardendale* Demopolis Minor* Jackson-Olin* Mortimer Jordan* Pinson Valley* Bessemer City
HOME AWAY HOME -------AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY HOME HOME
*denotes region game
results 2019: (11-1,7-0) W -W W W W (2OT) W W W W W < W L
Cullman OPEN Dora* at Corner* Hayden* at Central Clay* at West Point* Lawrence Co.* at Russellville* Hamilton* at Deshler < PLAYOFFS > Madison Academy Central Clay
21-19 -66-0 42-0 58-0 35-34 42-7 42-20 31-0 49-0 35-17 > 55-14 7-20
*denotes region game
LAST 10 COACHES
COACH
RECORD
YEARS
Philip Bailey Bryan Moore Heath Brunner John Holladay* Shane Smothers Bubba Davis Chris Yeager Danny Gambrell David Campbell Larry Blakeney
0-0 22-3 30-22 52-20 10-11 84-30 5-16 25-25 82-57 17-11-2
2020 2018-19 2013-17 2007-13 2005-06 1995-04 1993-94 1988-92 1975-87 1972-74
*Coached one game in 2013
AT A GLANCE 2019: 11-1 overall, 7-0 in Class 5A, Region 7 (first)
coach: Philip Bailey â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 0-0 overall At Jasper â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 0-0, entering first year
players to watch: DL Brodie Vinson DB Kevon Samuel LB Andre Neal QB Spencer Rosenfeld
key losses: RB Kaden Shelton LB Harrison Saunders DB Sheldrick Cherry QB Parker Sawyer
schedule: Jasper jumps into one of the toughest Class 6A regions in the state this year with a largely untested squad. Region opponents Clay-Chalkville and Pinson Valley advanced to the 6A state quarterfinals last year while Mortimer Jordan, which is also making the move from 5A , also made the quarterfinals. The Vikings will host Class 2A power Mars Hill and travel to rival Cullman in Week 2 before opening region play against ClayChalkville. Jasper added Class 6A playoff teams Demopolis and Bessemer City as non-region games.
overview: Jasper faces a new challenge in 2020 as the team makes the move to 6A after two dominant seasons in Class 5A. Offensive coordinator Philip Bailey steps into the role of head coach. The team must replace running backs Kaden Shelton and JC Collins, who combined for 34 touchdown last year, as well as quarterback Parker Sawyer, who transferred. The Vikings will also have to fill the shoes of All-State linebacker Harrison Saunders and its top two receivers. Returning leaders include Brodie Vinson, Kevon Samuel, Andre Neal and Connor Whitley.
key number: 1,927 Number of yards gained by running backs Kaden Shelton and J.C. Collins last year.
#37
CONNOR WHITLEY LB, Senior
Photo by Jeff Johnsey
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#22
TREYVON STEWART RB, Junior
Photo by Jeff Johnsey
back 11-win seasons in 5A. “It’s a privilege to be part of a program that has expectations. That’s the kind of program I want to coach at, and it’s the type of program (our players) want to play at. Most of the pressure is the pressure you put on yourself. We are going to do what we can do every day to be successful.” Jasper’s new head coach hopes the season will go on as normal, though there is a chance that the COVID-19 pandemic could interrupt the 2020 football campaign at some point. “It’s extremely important for a lot of reasons to play football. In my humble opinion, the benefits and the rewards of playing football outweigh the risks. I think we have to get back to some sense of normalcy. For our administration, the stance that they’ve taken (is) to do everything in our power that we can do for our kids to play football and have that experience, and to do it safely.” Bailey said, also addressing fans attending the game. “I would like to see fans back in the stands as long as we can do it safely. We will be socially distancing by household. There will be a lot of safeguards to keep fans safe. Anyone who may not feel comfortable being around a big crowd will have the chance to watch online.” Whitley, one of the seniors on this year’s team, relishes the chance to suit up for his senior season. “It’s a big deal to us. It’s our senior year. This sport has brought this community together for as long as I’ve been alive. Not being able to see people (like we normally do), takes a toll. This can really bring all of us back together,” Whitley said. •
Mon - Wed 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thu - Fri 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sat 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sun 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Locally Owned & Operated by the Pedraza Family
Voted as your #1 Mexican Restaurant in Walker County!
Readers’
Choice Awards
1841 2 nd Ave., Jasper
2020
387-0086
( on the courthouse square )
581 Hwy. 78, Sumiton
648-2600 ( by RadioShack )
HPPREPZONE H playbook 2020.indd 1 10 Los | Reyes 2020 PLAYBOOK
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8/13/20 11:56 AM
RECORD VS. 2020 OPPONENTS TEAM
RECORD
LAST GAME
Mars Hill Cullman Clay-Chalkville Gardendale Demopolis Minor Jackson-Olin Mortimer Jordan Pinson Valley Bessemer City
0-0 35-34-2 1-3 8-7 0-0 13-12 5-0 8-3 2-2 4-16
First Meeting 2019 2017 2017 First Meeting 2017 2015 2018 2017 1997
RECORD BY DECADE 2010-19, 76-37 | 2000-09, 73-38 1990-99, 72-39 | 1980-89, 45-57 | 1970-79, 69-36-2 1960-69, 42-55-2 | 1950-59, 60-27-9
Longest running rivalry Jasper has played Cullman 71 times. Jasper leads the series 35-34-2. Cullman won the first meeting 7-0 in 1920.
#45
ANDRE NEAL LB/TE, Senior
Photo by Jeff Johnsey
Best Wishes For A Great Season!
Readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
Choice Awards 2020
2403 Hwy. 78 E., Jasper, AL 35501 www.highpoint-furniture.com | 205.384.5990 DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
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Dan Morris, D.O.,
Orthopedic Surgeon
• Arthroscopy • ACL and Meniscus Repair • Rotator Cuff Repair • Knee, Hip and Shoulder Replacement • Fracture Care
1446 | 2020 Jones PREPZONE Dairy PLAYBOOK Road,DAILY Suite MOUNTAIN 100, EAGLE Jasper, AL 35501 | Call for an appointment! 205.221.4916
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JASPER
Vikings
BernardsStoreForMen.com 217 19th Street W., Jasper
(205) 384-6421
GOOD LUCK!
We hope you have a great season! DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
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JASPER
Vikings
AUBREY JONES #2, db, sR.
maney havis #3, wr, sr.
jp hollis #4, wr/db, jr.
jaden caldwell #5, wr, jr.
kevon samuel #6, db/wr, jr.
jr cain #9, db, sr.
spencer rosenfeld #10, qb, soph.
blake wilson #11, wr, sr.
john luke walker #12, qb, fr.
COREY SHEPHARD #13, wr, soph.
hayden yerby #14, wr, sr.
preston reed #15, wr/db/k, jr.
jonah walker #16, db, sr.
zach nalls #17, wr, sr.
stacy mccollum #18, rb, fr.
jamante westbrook #19, db, fr.
lucas higginbothom #20, lb, jr.
curtis cavett #21, db, sr.
TYLER LEWIS #22, lb, sR.
tyrese shelton #23, db, jr.
malik cook #24, db, sr.
brodie vinson #25, dl, sr.
mayson slaughter #27, db/rb, sr.
brandon robertson #28, fb, soph.
taylor dreher #31, db, fr.
cj willingham #32, rb, soph.
landon castillo #33, lb, soph.
CONNOR WHITLEY #37, lb, sR.
cole sargent #38, db, soph.
logan naramore #39, lb, soph.
jody hester #40, lb/fb/rb, jr.
ethan caldwell #41, db, soph.
stone phillips #42, lb, sr.
jc suchey #43, lb, fr.
andrew ross #44, db, soph.
andre neal #45, lb/TE, sr.
COOPER BROOKS #46, lb, fR.
luke sparkman #47, lb, sr.
jasper odom #50, ol, fr.
brodie riddlespergEr #52, lb, jr.
brodie woods #54, dl, sr.
trey reese #55, dl, soph.
colin langley #56, ol, soph.
jackson pavlovec #57, ol, sr.
rocco woods #59, dl, sr.
TAYLOR EADS #60, ol, soph.
ethan miller #62, ol, fr.
alex wilson #69, ol, fr.
luke skelton #72, ol, jr.
Braxton Stanley #73, dl, fr.
dalton dockins #74, ol, jr.
drake britt #76, ol, fr.
titus waldrop #80, wr, fr.
Garrett Busby #81, wr, fr.
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Vikings not pictured: #07, treyvon stewart, rb, jr. #08, dj fowler, db/wr, soph. #30, sam holland, db, fr. #35, Weston Lawson, FB, soph. #48, jaquan pratt, dl, jr. #49, moises sanchez, k, jr.
BROOKS HIGGINBOTHAM #82, wr, fR.
kobe mason #88, wr, soph.
caden hughs #90, dl, jr.
#51, malikah gilmore, dl, soph. #53, kaden mormon, ol, jr. #57, tyler guidry, ol, jr. #64, jeremy thomas, dl, fr. #83, andrew whitlock, fb, soph.
lee walker #99, lb, sr.
GO VIKINGS!
We want to give you a smile that makes a lasting impression! Contact us today!
205-384-4000
914 Hwy. 78 E., Jasper
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Dora
BULLDOGS
For more coverage of the Bulldogs, visit mountaineagle.com/sports. Class 4A, Region 6
Enrollment: 360.40
Stadium: Horace Roberts Field
schedule
NEW CLASS, EXPERIENCED HANDS DRIVES DORA REBOUND
T
Date
By W. Brian Hale
The 2019 season was one of injuries, attrition and hardship for the Dora Bulldogs. What started as a year of promise took a downward turn early in the year, leading to a 2-8 finish — leaving the Bulldogs hungry to bounce back in 2020. The silver lining to the otherwise dark cloud of last season was the experience gained by the underclassmen, which has given head coach Bart Lockhart and his staff the mind set that a turnaround is in the cards. “We don’t like to live in the past, but you have to be able to learn from the past. Last year, through things that were beyond our control and some things that we could control, we suffered attrition — and because of that, a lot of guys who were not ready to play varsity football as sophomores got on the field in a good region in Class 5A,” Lockhart said. “This offseason has been the most fun I’ve had coaching football. These guys are hungry — we haven’t been hungry since my first year at Dora. They’ve been at the bottom and they didn’t like how it felt. They want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.” Along with the experience gained by younger team members carried into 2020, the Bulldogs also benefit from a shift in classification, moving from Class 5A to 4A, which Lockhart feels will help his team.
“The move doesn’t give us an advantage — what it does is level the playing field after being the smallest Class 5A in the state. In 4A, we face team that have 50 players and six assistant coaches like we do,” Lockhart said. “Nothing’s going to be given to us, we still have to go out and earn it. Everybody in our new region and classification are going to be out to win and we have to do what it takes each week to make sure we walk off the field with the win.” Two of Dora’s senior leaders will look to make a big impact this season — lineman Khalija Bell and running back/ linebacker Jesse Miller. Miller stated he and his teammates felt a renewed sense of opportunity and purpose once they were allowed to begin preseason training together as a program — a spirit that has been everpresent throughout the workouts. “We knew what was going to define everybody is how they came back. We made sure we came back ready to earn it,” Miller said. “It’s how we handled it and how we’re still continuing to handle it. I think it also gives us a close bond with our community — we want to represent them and want them to share in our pride in representing our school.” Dora’s move to Class 4A, Region 6 will bring a new set of challenges in the quest for the program’s return to the playoffs. Perennial playoff team Oneonta, along with postseason
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Location
Opponent
Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30
Cordova Holt OPEN Hanceville* Oneonta* Corner Fultondale* Ashville* Good Hope* Etowah* West Blocton
HOME AWAY -------HOME HOME AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY HOME
*denotes region game
results 2019: (2-8, 0-7) W W L L L L L L L L
at Cordova vs. Carbon Hill at Jasper* vs. Hamilton* at Lawrence Co.* vs. Corner* vs. West Point* at Hayden* vs. Russellville* at Fayette Co.
27-15 42-14 0-66 21-28 14-37 0-28 21-28 6-21 6-16 7-27
*denotes region game
LAST 10 COACHES
COACH
RECORD
YEARS
Bart Lockhart Mike Cain Johnny Wright Dusty Goode Martin Glover Tony Johnson Johnny Wright Joe LaBue Royce Young Tim O’Neal
16-17 4-16 22-14 9-3 6-25 1-9 55-16 1-19 5-15 12-18
2017-20 2015-16 2012-14 2011 2008-10 2007 2001-06 1999-00 1997-98 1994-96
AT A GLANCE 2019: 2-8 overall, 0-7 in Class 5A, Region 7 (eighth)
coach: Bart Lockhart — 28-27 overall At Dora — 16-17, three years
players to watch: LB/RB Jesse Miller OL/DL Khalija Bell
key losses: RB/LB Ikei Hosea K/P Brady Spradlin OL/DL Bubba Henderson DB/WR Jamaal Harris
schedule: Formerly the smallest school in Class 5A, the Bulldogs move to the seven-team Class 4A, Region 6 — a move that Lockhart and his staff see as a positive one. Four of Dora’s region opponents — Etowah, Good Hope, Oneonta and Fultondale — clinched playoff berths. The Bulldogs open the year against Cordova in the 2020 installment of the county’s oldest rivalry and play non-region games with Corner, Holt and West Blocton.
overview: Injuries hit Dora early and often in 2019, leaving the team with a 2-8 finish. The blessing in disguise came in the number of younger players that earned significant playing time, which should figure prominently into the fortunes of 2020. Look for leaders to emerge as the season progresses and the playmakers continue to gain experience. The Bulldogs should make a return trip to the playoffs this season, with an extended run a possibility.
key number: 8 The number of years since a member of the Spradlin family was not kicking for Dora. All-State Second-Team selection Brady graduated in 2019 and was preceded by his All-State First-Team brother, Jack.
#1
DARRIEN WILKERSON ATH, Junior Photo by Matt Norris DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
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contenders Good Hope and Etowah present a strong challenge. Two programs who will join Class 4A for the first time, Fultondale and Hanceville, join Ashville to round-out the region slate. In non-region play, the Bulldogs kick-off the year hosting the county’s oldest rivalry against Cordova and travel to nearby Corner for another addition of the County Line Clash. Dora’s remaining two non-region opponents are Holt and West Blocton. •
#11
JAMARCUS GOODMON RB, Sophomore Photo by Matt Norris
Good Luck To ALL TeAms This seAson!
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RECORD VS. 2020 OPPONENTS TEAM
RECORD
LAST GAME
Cordova Holt Hanceville Oneonta Corner Fultondale Ashville Good Hope Etowah West Blocton
45-49-2 2-4 5-4-2 2-3 31-11-2 1-0 0-0 6-0 0-1 2-2
2019 2005 2003 2007 2019 1973 First Meeting 2017 1992 2013
RECORD BY DECADE 2010-19, 54-58 | 2000-09, 59-52 1990-99, 43-62 | 1980-89, 72-41 | 1970-79, 44-52-3 1960-69, 57-37-4 | 1950-59, 60-28-6
Longest running rivalry Dora has played Cordova 96 times. Cordova leads the series 49-45-2. The Blue Devils won the first game 32-0 in 1925.
#24
MICHAEL SMOOT DE, Junior
Photo by Matt Norris
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DORA
Bulldogs
GO DOGS!
JASPER LOCATION
DORA LOCATION
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CATERING & LOCAL DELIVERY TO OFFICES ALSO AVAILABLE
Jasper Location: Formerly Reece’s Drive-In • 221-2244 Dora Location: 7530 Old U.S. 78, Dora, AL 35062 • 648-9838
DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
DORA
Bulldogs
DARRIEN WILKERSON #1
aiden abbott #2
jayden mcdavid #3
darius clayton #4
dylan jeff #5
josue romano #6
brennan davis #7
elijah pruitt #8
ronald waldrop #9
LOGAN FOWLER #10
jamarcus goodmon #11
cole chapman #12
myles corley #13
stanley staten #15
xander stewart #16
garrett hogeland #18
kolbi walker #19
malik davis #20
ANTHONY GUIN #21
brayden williamson #22
seth heaton #23
michael smoot #24
malik harris #26
chris ford #27
mhaki satterfield #28
zach watson #30
jaden erbick #31
BRODIE WAID #32
luke manning #35
ty clayton #36
gavin roberts #38
jayden rouse #39
John Cain #43
william richardson #44
jesse miller #45
jacob graves #46
CRAIG WOOD #50
caden freeman #52
logan pugh #54
boone martin #56
grady goodwin #58
nasseaur jackson #59
sedrick dixon #60
khalija bell #61
cameron gosha #62
BRAXTON JEFFERSON #63
will reeves #64
caleb patterson #70
caleb ortiz #71
jackson pratt #75
cameron waid #79
drexl peppers #87
DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
not pictured: #25, Micah simes. #40, connor chapman #47, chris tyree #51, josh davidson #73, kaleb wade-little #84, sage harper
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Cordova
BLUE DEVILS
For more coverage of the Blue Devils, visit mountaineagle.com/sports. Class 5A, Region 5
Enrollment: 383.95
Stadium: Hudson-Kerby Field
NEW CORDOVA COACH PALMER ACCEPTS CHALLENGE
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By Johnathan Bentley
New coach. New classification. And a list of new opponents. Cordova enters the 2020 football season entering a new era. Now the largest county school, the Blue Devils tackle Class 5A for the first time with new head coach Justin Palmer. Palmer, a Hamilton native, returns to Alabama as a head coach after spending the last 10 years in Tennessee, where he led Shelbyville High School to an 11-win season last year. “I’m excited to be back in Alabama, especially at a school like Cordova with such a rich tradition,” Palmer, 34, said. “I’ve been impressed with the work the players have put in. I’m really excited to be the coach at Cordova. I’m hoping we get to have a season. There is a lot of uncertainty about what that’s going to look like and feel like. It seems like it changes every other day. I would love to go through the season with this team. I really like this group. I think we have the potential to be a pretty good football team.” Palmer, Cordova’s third coach in three years, has plans for the Blue Devils’ offense this year. Though the team will be breaking in a new quarterback and running back. “We are going to run the spread pistol. I like to get the ball to different guys. Cordova is no different than any other place I’ve been; there are lot of good players, a lot of talented guys. Forcing the defense to cover everybody is important. Having a balanced offense isn’t 50-50 run (and pass). Getting the ball to multiple guys, that’s balance to me,” Palmer said. “You’re balancing out how many touches your guys get.” On the defensive side, former Jasper assistant coach DJ Emerson is the coordinator. Emerson, a former teammate with Palmer at Hamilton, spent the last two years at Shelbyville as 22
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the defensive coordinator. “Defensively, we will be aggressive. I think that’s how you should play defense is to get after them,” Palmer added. Former Cordova stars Tim Simon and Jake Howton are part of the coaching staff again this year. “I’ve got some really good assistant coaches - a lot of guys who are from Cordova that are passionate about the football program, the school and the town,” Palmer said. Cordova opens the season with a pair of road games in the county — at Dora and at Carbon Hill — before opening region play against 2019 Class 5A state runner up Pleasant Grove. The schedule has a new look. The Blue Devils have never played their last five region opponents — Ramsay, Wenonah, Carver, Parker and Fairfield. “It’s not the traditional schedule that Cordova has had, but I think that it provides opportunities,” Palmer said. “We are playing against some really good teams with really good players. That gives our players a chance to show what they are capable of, especially guys who have aspirations of going to play at the next level. “If you can go against those guys and hold your own, when those college coaches turn the tape on, you are going to get attention. That’s a big goal for me is to get kids to the next level. So that’s how I would look at it, as a good opportunity for our guys to show what they can do.” Cordova’s opens the season on a five-game, regular-season winning streak. After starting 0-5 last year, the Blue Devils won their last five to earn a spot in the playoffs, losing to eventual 4A state runner up Jacksonville in the opening round. “Last year, at the start of the season, it was the first time playing for a lot of us,” senior Adam O’Rear said. “We didn’t really know what to expect before
DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
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schedule Date Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 17 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 8 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30
Location
Opponent Dora Carbon Hill Pleasant Grove* John Carroll* Ramsay* OPEN Wenonah* Carver-B’ham* Parker* Fairfield* Oakman
AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME AWAY -------HOME AWAY HOME HOME HOME
*denotes region game
results 2019 (5-6,3-3) L L L L L W W W W W < L
vs. Dora at Hamilton vs. Good Hope* at Fayette Co.* at Northside* at Oakman at Curry* vs. Oak Grove* vs. Haleyville* vs. West Point < PLAYOFFS > at Jacksonville
15-27 14-19 14-27 27-34 28-48 21-14 46-20 41-26 35-26 20-7 > 26-55
*denotes region game
LAST 10 COACHES
COACH
RECORD
YEARS
Justin Palmer Justin Jones Jimmy Gay Woody Smothers Pete Bush Scott Basden Heath Harmon Kevin Sparks Chris Hill Brian Maner
0-0 5-6 39-32 9-12 34-8 37-12 7-14 2-8 5-5 3-19
2020 2019 2013-18 2011-12 2008-10 2004-07 2002-03 2001 2000 1997-99
AT A GLANCE 2019: 5-6 overall, 3-3 in Class 4A, Region 5 (fourth)
coach: Justin Palmer — 36-21 overall At Cordova — 0-0, entering first year
players to watch: LB Blaze Nix LB Jordan Perrin WR Corea Killings OL/DL Elijah Kilpatrick
key losses: QB Kason Smith RB Justin Wallace DL/OL Dawson Pate
schedule: Cordova, now the largest school in Walker County, makes the jump to Class 5A for the first time in school history in 2020. The 5A, Region 5 schedule includes five opponents the Blue Devils are facing for the first time — Ramsay, Wenonah, Carver, Parker and Fairfield. Cordova opens region play in Week 3 against 2019 state runner up Pleasant Grove. The Blue Devils face three county foes in 2020, opening with Dora and Carbon Hill on the road and hosting Oakman in the regular-season finale.
overview: Cordova welcomes in a new coach for the second straight year. Justin Palmer takes over the program after a successful run at Shelbyville High School in Tennessee, where he guided the Eagles to an 11-win season last year. The Blue Devils will have to replace the bulk of their offense with the graduation of both running back Justin Wallace and quarterback Kason Smith. Cordova’s returning players bring momentum into the season. The Blue Devils ended last year’s regular season with five straight wins to earn a playoff spot, but will face a tougher challenge in Class 5A.
key number: 15 The number of years since Cordova was a 2A school. Cordova was the second smallest school in the county in 2005, behind only Parrish.
#22
MIGUEL LOPEZ WR/DB, Junior Photo by Jeff Johnsey
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#12
ADAM O’REAR WR/DB, Senior Photo by Jason Clark
a game or during a game. I think (in) those first five games we had to get settled down. By the sixth game, I felt like that when the momentum started coming. We started gaining more confidence.” “Everything started clicking at midseason,” fellow senior Blaze Nix said. “It just took some time for everything to hit on all cylinders.” Both players were excited to hit the field for practice this summer, especially after missing the spring. “It felt great to be back in it, to be back as a team,” O’Rear said. “During the lockdown it felt like it was never coming back, like my senior season was going to be online.” “You work out with these kids since middle school. That’s the longest I’ve been without seeing any of them,” Nix said. “You go a couple of months without seeing each other and then you come back together. It’s like a family.” Palmer is hoping the season isn’t sidetracked by the coronavirus pandemic, which wiped out spring sports and spring football practice. “(Football) is important to them. Just being together. Obviously, being with their buddies that they’ve grown up with. To take that away is tough. Coach Emerson and I played together and here we are at 34 years old and still together. Working together as friends. That’s because of high school football. Life-time friendships are formed right now. Guys need those,” Palmer said. “There is just that team aspect. (There is) nothing like being together as a team,” he said. “It teaches you so much and gives you a springboard for the rest of your life. It’s important and I really hope we get to have a season. “I think if we do it responsibly that it can be done. For places like Cordova, Friday night lights, that’s a big deal.” •
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DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
RECORD VS. 2020 OPPONENTS TEAM
RECORD
LAST GAME
Dora Carbon Hill Pleasant Grove John Carroll Ramsay Wenonah Carver-B’ham Parker Fairfield Oakman
49-45-2 45-31-3 1-1 7-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 45-16-2
2019 2019 2017 1958 First Meeting First Meeting First Meeting First Meeting First Meeting 2019
RECORD BY DECADE 2010-19, 63-52 | 2000-09, 75-45 1990-99, 74-44 | 1980-89, 70-42 | 1970-79, 73-30-1 1960-69, 60-32-7 | 1950-59, 71-22-3
Longest running rivalry Cordova has played Dora 96 times Cordova leads the series 49-45-2. The Blue Devils won the first meeting 32-0 in 1925.
#8
ELIJAH THOMAS RB/DB, Senior Photo by Jason Clark
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1800 4th Ave. S., Jasper, AL 35501
(205) 221-0343
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2020 PREPZONE PLAYBOOK
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CORDOVA
Blue Devils
hayden bates #0, te/dl, soph.
corea killings #1, wr/db, sr.
jalen armistad #2, wr/db, soph.
cody headrick #3, qb/db, soph.
jack gable #4, qb/lb, jr.
ashton nash #6, ol/dl, sr.
ikeylan stewart #7, rb/lb, jr.
elijah thomas #8, rb/db, sr.
jaxon husley #9, wr/db, soph.
jake kiser #10, rb/db, soph.
rider cross #11, qb/db, soph.
adam oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;rear #12, wr/db, sr.
connor cox #13, wr/db, sr.
cade narmore #14, wr/db, jr.
jordan perrin #15, te/lb, sr.
logan padgett #16, wr/db, sr.
zander mooney #17, wr/db, soph.
mason farely #18, wr/db, jr.
jacob kilgore #19, wr/db, sr.
kevin headrick #20, fb/lb, jr.
brannon lugo #21, wr/db, soph.
miquel lopez #22, wr/db, jr.
sam kilgore #23, wr/db, jr.
karlos patmon #24, rb/lb, jr.
gavin yerby #25, wr/db, soph.
brandon handley #26, wr/db, jr.
jonathan morehead #27, wr/lb, soph.
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CORDOVA
Blue Devils
braedon lugo #28, wr/lb, fr.
gabe gross #29, fb/lb, sr.
jay ferguson #30, wr/db, fr.
Malachi Montgomery #31, wr/db, soph.
blaze nix #32, fb/lb, sr.
david odom #33, rb/lb, fr.
landon roberts #34, wr/db, fr.
clayton kilpatrick #35, wr/lb, fr.
hayden woods #36, fb/lb, fr.
jayden clingan #42, wr/db, fr.
preston short #44, rb/lb, jr.
jameson robertson #48, wr/db, fr.
brodie blankenship #49, wr/db, fr.
victor camancho #50, ol/dl, jr.
elijah kilpatrick #51, ol/dl, sr.
brodie taft #52, ol/dl, sr.
levi oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;neal #53, ol/dl, jr.
jordan hendrix #54, ol/dl, sr.
matthew simmons #56, ol/dl, soph.
logan posten #57, ol/dl, fr.
ethan pair #62, ol/dl, fr.
bryant sanford #63, ol/dl, sr.
lane hartely #64, ol/dl, sr.
Chris Perrin #65, ol/dl, jr.
drew gurganus #66, ol/dl, jr.
logan burton #68, ol/dl, fr.
austin dill #72, ol/lb, soph.
alex sides #73, ol/dl, soph.
allen guthrie #74, ol/dl, jr.
hayden colburn #76, ol/dl, fr.
trace allen #77, ol/dl, fr.
sam bryant #78, ol/dl, fr.
eli clingan #80, wr/db, fr.
kaden williams #81, wr/lb, fr.
hunter snow #85, wr/db, fr.
not pictured: #40, braxton kitchens, ol/lb, fr. #45, aj freeman, fb/dl, fr.
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Carbon Hill
BULLDOGS
For more coverage of the Bulldogs, visit mountaineagle.com/sports. Class 3A, Region 6
Enrollment: 248.95
Stadium: G.W. Keith Stadium
schedule
SURGING BULLDOGS STRIVE FOR NEW HEIGHTS
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By W. Brian Hale
The past two seasons for Carbon Hill have changed the mind set regarding the program — the Bulldogs are by no means an automatic win on their opponents’ schedule. Carbon Hill followed its 5-5 season in 2018 by earning its first playoff bid since 1999 in 2019 — a sharp sign the team has left behind the days of long losing streaks and one-win seasons. Second-year head coach Chavis Williams said a new sense of excitement prevails both around his team and throughout the community, feeling his Bulldogs are in store for a special year. “We have a great opportunity with a new season, but due to the unique situation we have all been put through with the COVID pandemic, our team members are showing great leadership and making the best out of a bad situation. It has shown us each day is a gift,” Williams said. “We’ve got a lot of guys coming back from our team that made the playoffs last year, but our players will tell you we’re not satisfied with just that. It’s a step in the right direction, but our goals moving forward are bigger and better each day we take the field.” Offensively, the Bulldogs return junior quarterback Clay Tittle, while the offensive line, anchored by senior Connor Roden and multi-year starter Braxton Bunn, returns all five starters. Sophomore Devon Daniel adds experience at running back. Defensively, multi-time ASWA All-State linebacker Alex Atkins has graduated, while senior Haden Pare will miss some of the season due to preseason surgery. With a strong and
experienced defensive front, Williams feels confident the younger members of his defense will contribute early and often. “We have a couple of young guys that we feel very good about. We’re practicing a number of players in different positions to learn how they would best fit into our defensive system, and there’s been a lot of promise we’ve seen,” Williams said. “The beauty of the situation is that we have guys are receiving the opportunity to show what they can do — and they’re working hard at it. I think it will end up benefitting us.” Carbon Hill’s first playoff appearance in 20 years has changed the mind set and confidence of its players, with Tittle and Roden stating a new air of team unity has been present throughout preseason workouts. “I’ve been watching Carbon Hill football since I was little and never missed a game. There were a lot of years that we couldn’t even compete. Making the playoffs last year gave us the mentality that we were learning how to win,” Tittle said. “We’re going to continue to work and move our program in the right direction for years to come.” “Coach Williams has always said the seniors need to lay a foundation for future success — that’s a responsibility we take very seriously,” Roden said. “If we can get this young team back to the playoffs they would have some very positive experiences that can help them when they are in our position of leadership.” Staying in Class 3A, the Bulldogs
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DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
Location
Opponent
Aug. 20 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30
Curry Cordova Susan Moore* Vinemont* Holly Pond* OPEN J.B. Pennington* Oakman* Tarrant* Winfield* Brilliant
AWAY HOME HOME AWAY HOME -------HOME AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY
*denotes region game
results 2019: (4-7,3-4) L L W L L W L L W W < L
at Good Hope at Dora vs. Greene Co.* at Hale Co.* vs. Oakman* vs. Lamar Co.* at Winfield* at Gordo* vs. Holt* vs. Curry < PLAYOFFS > at Pike Road
9-28 14-42 35-29 13-33 7-27 34-20 12-33 7-56 28-23 21-20 > 0-45
*denotes region game
LAST 10 COACHES
COACH
RECORD
YEARS
Chavis Williams Scott Curd Woody Smothers Rodney Dollar Royce Young Grant Nichols Nichols/Oliver* Don Miles Wayne Wilkes Davey Reed
4-7 9-21 3-17 0-10 4-26 2-18 1-9 5-5 2-18 47-47
2019-20 2016-18 2014-15 2013 2010-12 2008-09 2007 2006 2004-05 1995-2003
*Grant Nichols, Shay Oliver shared duties
AT A GLANCE 2019: 4-7 overall, 3-4 in Class 3A, Region 4 (fourth)
coach: Chavis Williams —4-7 overall At Carbon Hill — 4-7, second year
players to watch: QB/DB Clay Tittle OL/DL Braxton Bunn OL/DL Conner Roden RB/LB Devin Daniel
key losses: LB/RB Alex Atkins QB/DB Kaleb Lawrence QB/DB Matthew Wallace RB/DL Kade Perry
schedule: Carbon Hill moves to Class 3A, Region 6, along with former Region 4 opponents Winfield and Oakman. 11-game winner Susan Moore will provide a tough challenge, while the rest of the region slate — Vinemont, Holly Pond, J.B. Pennington and Tarrant — are all teams that won three games or less in 2019. In nonregion action, the Bulldogs face incounty rivals Curry and Cordova and finish the season against Brilliant.
overview: Carbon Hill clinched its first playoff appearance since 1999 in Williams’ first season as head coach. Despite the loss of several playmakers from last year’s squad, the entire line returns to help provide a good foundation on both sides of the ball. Defensively, young players will have to step up with the graduation of All-State linebacker Alex Atkins and senior Haden Pare’s recovery from surgery, but Williams has built formidable Bulldog defenses. Prospects are good for Carbon Hill to make a return trip to the playoffs.
key number: 20 The number of years between Carbon Hill’s playoff appearances.
#7
CLAY TITTLE QB, Junior Photo by Jason Clark DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
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make the jump from Region 4 to 6 this year, keeping region opponents Winfield and Oakman on the schedule, while adding 11-game winner Susan Moore, Vinemont, Holly Pond, J.B. Pennington and Tarrant to the slate. Carbon Hill opens the season with a pair of matchups with in-county rivals Curry and Cordova in non-region play and travels to Brilliant to conclude the year. •
#2
HADEN PARE TE/LB, Senior Photo by Jason Clark
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1200 Birmingham Ave. Jasper, AL 35501 (205) 384-9503 | (205) 384-5533 30
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DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
Corridor X @ Industrial Blvd. • Jasper, AL
RECORD VS. 2020 OPPONENTS TEAM
RECORD
LAST GAME
Curry Cordova Susan Moore Vinemont Holly Pond J.B. Pennington Oakman Tarrant Winfield Brilliant
41-31 31-45-3 0-0 0-8 1-1 0-2 27-19-6 0-0 23-41 18-7
2019 2005 First Meeting 2011 2011 2009 2019 First Meeting 2019 1993
RECORD BY DECADE 2010-19, 20-81 | 2000-09, 26-74 1990-99, 42-62 | 1980-89, 62-44 | 1970-79, 47-53 1960-69, 45-47-8 | 1950-59, 67-28-4
Longest running rivalry Carbon Hill has played Curry 73 times. Carbon Hill leads the all-time series 42-31. The Bulldogs won the first meeting 33-0 in 1929.
#17
KORY MCGOUGH FB/LB, Junior Photo by Jason Clark
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CARBON HILL
Bulldogs
www.DM EPrepZon e.com Vis it u s on l i n e fo r sc h edu les , r eg ion sta n di n gs , u p-to-t h e -m i n ute sc ores a n d m ore! 32
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CARBON HILL
Bulldogs
cameron dejesus #1
devon daniel #2
tristen terry #3
ashton vaughn #4
xavier peoples #5
brayden gray #6
clay tittle #7
Zack Lawhorn #8
dalton perry #9
blake wright #10
haden pare #12
walker kimbrell #13
kory mcgough #17
josh dejesus #18
scotty cook #19
michael cagle #20
jacob simpson #21
eli kennedy #22
josh williams #23
blake madison #24
cannon harris #25
ISAIAH thompson #27
jacob connell #28
payton sargent #30
brady ingle #32
kaden leith #50
haven allred-mote #51
sylas grace #52
will manasco #53
braxton bunn #54
Derrian sanders #55
braden madison #58
kayin neels #60
Seth Woods #63
will callahan #64
carson tingle #65
connor roden #66
zane roberts #68
John norris #72
chug wager #73
sawyer thomas #74
joe washburn #77
aaron woods #78
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Oakman
WILDCATS
For more coverage of the Wildcats, visit mountaineagle.com/sports. Class 3A, Region 6
Enrollment: 282.90
Stadium: Hosea Collins Field
schedule
WILDCATS AIM FOR ANOTHER PLAYOFF APPEARANCE IN HALL’S SECOND YEAR
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Date
By W. Brian Hale
The Oakman Wildcats were just a few plays away from having a perfect regular season in 2019. Oakman’s five losses on the season — Gordo, Cordova, Winfield, Corner and its first round playoff defeat to St. James — were by a combined 18 points. Replacing a group of talented seniors from last year’s team will be a focus for head coach Ryan Hall and his staff, who feels the experience many of his younger players obtained in 2019 will help this season. “We had 14 players graduate — tremendous guys who played a lot of football for Oakman. We’re not going to replace that kind of production with one player, nor are we going to try,” Hall, who enters his second year at the helm of the program, said. “One thing that was unique about last season was that we played 15 ninth and tenth graders significantly. Eight of our sophomores also started at some point last year. Those factors work in our favor and has helped us build a strong group we feel very good about.” Offensively, the Wildcats will be bolstered by the return of four of their starting offensive lineman, led by senior Austin Wood. Oakman will look to fill the void left by ASWA Second Team selection Christian Hubbard with junior Sean Douglas, who rushed for over 180 yards against South Lamar in 2019, as well as junior Ryan Shepherd. Experience at receiver comes from
Derrick Hubbard and Jasper transfer Denzel Chatman. The battle for quarterback remains an open battle, with several candidates in the mix. “We’ve got five guys repping at quarterback at this time — we’re still trying to sort it out and we’re not in a hurry to sort it out. Tradition says that you should start one guy back there, but if you got four or five guys who can play we want to get them in there,” Hall said. “Our situation will be a bit different, but we’re excited about it. We’ve got some guys that can run, some that can throw and some who are good at both.” Defensively, Wood anchors the line and will be bolstered by pass-rush specialist AJ Odom at linebacker. In the secondary, look for Hubbard and Shepherd to have big impacts. Reclassification saw the Wildcats move from Class 3A Region 4 to Region 6, keeping Winfield and in-county rival Carbon Hill on the schedule. New opponents include teams that finished 2019 without a winning record in Holly Pond, J.B. Pennington, Vinemont and Tarrant, along with Susan Moore which went 11-1. In non-region play, former Region 4 opponent Gordo opens the season at Hosea Collins Field, along with in-county rivals Curry in Week 2 and Cordova in Week 11. Oakman’s nine-year playoff run has been a source of pride for the program, a tradition the Wildcat players
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DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30
Location
Opponent
HOME HOME HOME AWAY AWAY -------HOME HOME AWAY AWAY AWAY
Gordo Curry Holly Pond* Winfield* Pennington* OPEN Susan Moore* Carbon Hill* Vinemont* Tarrant* Cordova
*denotes region game
results 2019: (6-5, 5-2) W W L W L L W W W L (2OT) < L
vs. Curry vs. Holt* at Gordo* at Carbon Hill* vs. Cordova vs. Winfield* at Lamar Co.* at Hale Co.* vs. Greene Co.* at Corner < PLAYOFFS > at St. James
32-13 48-13 7-13 27-7 14-21 19-20 40-13 49-14 46-14 28-29 > 20-23
*denotes region game
LAST 10 COACHES
COACH
RECORD
YEARS
Ryan Hall Mark Hastings Mike Cain Fred Parnell Jeff Bonner Pat Prestridge Royce Young Sammy McGee Garry Holmes Hosea Collins
6-5 71-45 10-11 3-7 26-27 17-23 21-13 6-15 8-12 55-34
2019-20 2009-18 2007-08 2006 2001-05 1997-00 1994-96 1992-93 1990-91 1982-89
AT A GLANCE 2019: 6-5 overall, 5-2 in Class 3A, Region 4 (third)
coach: Ryan Hall — 6-5 overall At Oakman — 6-5, second year
players to watch: LB/TE A.J. Odom OL/DL Austin Wood WR/CB Derek Hubbard WR/DB Denzel Chatman
key losses: RB/LB Christian Hubbard QB Malachi Bridges OL/DL Kaleb Pedraza OL/DL Luke Johnson
schedule: Oakman makes the move from Class 3A, Region 4 to Region 6 with Carbon Hill and Winfield, adding new region opponents Susan Moore, Vinemont, J.B. Pennington, Holly Pond and Tarrant. The Wildcats open the year with a formidable foe in thirdround playoff contender Gordo and have non-region games against county rivals Curry and Cordova.
overview: 2019 was a year of close calls for Oakman, with a number of plays that easily could have garnered a region championship. Though a large number of players graduated from a stellar class, four lineman return to form a solid core to build upon this season. Jasper transfer Denzel Chatman brings experience at both receiver and cornerback, while the defense will be lead by 2019 Eagle Elite First Team pick Odom at linebacker. Hall stated that as many as five candidates are battling for the quarterback position — whoever emerges will benefit from good protection. The Wildcats should clinch their tenth consecutive playoff berth.
key number: 18
The number of points that separated Oakman from an undefeated regular season. The Wildcats’ biggest lost came in a 21-14 loss to Cordova.
#9
SEAN DOUGLAS RB/DB, Junior Photo by Jason Clark DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
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are dedicated to see continue. “Making the playoffs every year is very important. Coach Hall has done a great job in pushing us to keep this going for our school and our community,” Odom said. “As a team and as a family, we want to continue to make the postseason, and that can’t be done without hard work before and during the season.” “I’ve been watching Oakman football since I was very young. My brother and some of my best friends played here. I don’t want to let them down,” Wood said. “Coach Hall, my family, friends, teammates — I don’t want to let any of them down. It’s why I go out and try my best every day.” •
#13
CRISTIAN LOPEZ ATH, Senior
Photo by Jason Clark
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Serving Walker County For Over 50 Years - Since 1954
384-5571
collinsburkefuneralhome.com 303 Oakhill Rd. • Jasper 36
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2020 PREPZONE PLAYBOOK
DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
RECORD VS. 2020 OPPONENTS TEAM
RECORD
LAST GAME
Gordo Curry Holly Pond Winfield J.B. Pennington Susan Moore Carbon Hill Vinemont Tarrant Cordova
1-9 26-17-6 2-2 1-6 0-0 2-2 19-27-6 2-0 0-0 17-43-2
2019 2019 2015 2019 First Meeting 2015 2019 2015 First Meeting 2019
RECORD BY DECADE 2010-19, 76-41 | 2000-09, 42-62 1990-99, 50-55 | 1980-89, 70-39 | 1970-79, 36-57-3 1960-69, 58-36-5 | 1950-59, 41-42-12
#1
Longest running rivalry Oakman has played Berry 82 times. Oakman leads the series 45-32-5. Berry won the first meeting 19-0 in 1923.
Get all your local daily sports updates from Walker Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most trusted news source.
RYAN SHEPHERD RB/DB, Junior Photo by Jason Clark
Brian Hale SPORTS WRITER
SPORTS@MOUNTAINEAGLE.COM brian.hale@mountaineagle.com Johnathan Bentley
johnathan.bentley@mountaineagle.com
SPORTS EDITOR
Daily Mountain Eagle @DailyMtEagle
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OAKMAN
Wildcats
JA S P E R
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2 7 0 H w y. 5 Ja sp er, A L 3 8 7 -1 2 7 5
OAKMAN
ryan shepard #1, rb/lb, jr.
Wildcats
aj odom #2, wr/lb, jr.
baylor odom #3, qb/de, soph.
sean douglas #4, rb/s, jr.
jy henderson #5, wr/lb, jr.
kaedyn marchbanks #6, wr/s, jr.
derrick hubbard #7, wr/cb, jr.
denzel chatman #8, wr/cb, jr.
matthew smith #9, wr/cb, jr.
Andrew Blackston #10, wr/lb, soph.
chase moody #11, qb/s, sr.
will rainer #12, wr/cb, jr.
cristian lopez #13, qb/lb, sr.
john tate oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;rear #14, qb/s, sr.
jacob mauldin #16, wr/lb, fr.
luke martin #19, qb/lb, fr.
eli kilgore #20, rb/lb, fr.
pearson gurganus #22, rb/s, soph.
sam smith #23, wr/k, sr.
kris eckroth #25, wr/cb, fr.
logan smith #30, te/lb, fr.
aidan martin #31, rb/s, soph.
willie marshall #33, rb/lb, sr.
kasen dickerson #40, rb/de, fr.
Devin thomas #44, rb/cb, fr.
kane softley #50, ol/dl, sr.
trey thomas #51, ol/dl, jr.
jojo lopez #52, ol/dl, jr.
nick handley #53, ol/dl, jr.
austin wood #54, ol/dl, sr.
hunter davis #55, ol/dl, jr.
taz williams #60, ol/dl, sr.
gavin johnson #65, ol/dl, soph.
mason love #70, ol/dl, fr.
mckenzie miller #72, ol/dl, fr.
jack padbury #73, ol/dl, jr.
gage blanton #74, ol/dl, fr.
mike mcginnis #77, ol/dl, jr.
rick johnson #80, wr/cb, fr.
logan mcguff #81, te/lb, jr.
not pictured: #63, brody evans, ol/dl, jr.
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Curry
YELLOW JACKETS
For more coverage of the Yellow Jackets, visit mountaineagle.com/sports.
Enrollment: 366.55
Class 4A, Region 5
Stadium: Hudson-O’Rear Stadium
YELLOW JACKETS HOPE FOR TURNAROUND SEASON IN FOSHEE’S SECOND YEAR
C
By Johnathan Bentley and W. Brian Hale
Curry heads into the 2020 football season with optimism as veteran head coach Jeff Foshee enters his second year at the helm. The Yellow Jackets struggled last season, finishing 0-10, Foshee’s first winless season in his 17 years as a head coach. There is reason for to believe this year will be different as Curry brings back experience on both sides the ball heading into Thursday’s opener against Carbon Hill. The Yellow Jackets dropped a 21-20 game to the rival Bulldogs in the season finale last year. Curry brings a 14-game losing streak into the season. A win over Carbon Hill in the opener would give the Jackets a boost going into the rest of the season. “An early win does a lot for any team’s confidence. Going 0-10 last year and playing our hearts out in our final game against Carbon Hill only to come up one point short was pretty tough,” Foshee said. “We felt like last year we were in several ball games, and certainly had a good chance to win (against Carbon Hill). If the ball would’ve bounced a little different here and there, we would’ve been on the winning side.” Offensively, senior Chance Luker and sophomore Collin Page will take snaps under center, while senior Aaron Oswalt and sophomore Blake Miller will line up at running back. Seniors Carter Roberts and Nic Bankston anchor the line and senior Alex Cain will offer support both to the line and
the receiving corps at tight end. Defensively, seven starters return for the Yellow Jackets. “We’ve got seven starters back on defense, that ought to help — that experience. We still have a lot of young guys. We played two or three ninth graders last year who will be 10th graders this year. So we’re still fairly young on both sides of the ball,” Foshee said. Curry’s players are trying to change the mind set of a program that has made three playoff appearances since 2002, but it still looking for its first winning season since 1996. The seniors are helping to set a new standard. “We tell the younger members of the team that they have to work hard, train, do what our coaches ask us to do and try to make as few mistakes as you can,” Roberts said. “Being an upperclassman, we can’t skip workouts and miss practices — we have to be there everyday. It means doing things right and taking the direction of our coaches. That’s how we set a good example to the younger guys on the team,” Cain said. “It goes for how we carry ourselves off the field — not missing class and not staying out late during the week is just as important when showing leadership.” The Yellow Jackets saw few changes with the offseason reclassification and remain in Class 4A, Region 5. While Oak Grove, Fayette County, Haleyville and Northside appear again in region play, No. 7 Gordo (Class 3A in 2019) and
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DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
schedule Date
Location
Opponent
Aug. 20 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30
Carbon Hill Oakman Hamilton* Fayette Co.* OPEN Winston Co. Oak Grove* Northside* Haleyville* Gordo* West Point
HOME AWAY HOME AWAY -------HOME HOME AWAY HOME AWAY AWAY
*denotes region game
results 2019: (0-10, 0-6) L L L L L L L L L L
at Addison at Oakman vs. Oak Grove* vs. Fayette Co.* vs. Hanceville* at Haleyville* vs. Cordova* at Good Hope* at Northside* at Carbon Hill
0-37 13-32 28-49 23-48 22-50 6-15 20-46 6-42 0-34 20-21
*denotes region game
LAST 10 COACHES
COACH
RECORD
YEARS
Jeff Foshee Philip Smith Russell Funk Shay Oliver Tim Gillespie Eric Woodley J.D. Williams David Williams Chuck Ledbetter Mike Bates
0-10 12-29 1-9 16-45 4-16 3-17 8-33 26-30 5-15 28-16
2019-20 2015-18 2014 2008-13 2006-07 2004-05 2000-03 1995-99 1993-94 1989-92
AT A GLANCE 2019: 0-10 overall, 0-6 in Class 4A, Region 5 (seventh)
coach: Jeff Foshee — 105-82 overall At Curry — 0-10, entering second year
players to watch: QB Chance Luker QB Colin Page RB Caden Riley RB Aaron Oswalt
key losses: WR Ethan Wideman LB Levi Tidwell RB/LB Nate South
schedule: Curry stays in 4A, Region 5 with a heavy dose of last year’s opponents back on the schedule. The Yellow Jackets will play Carbon Hill in the opener after playing the Bulldogs in the season finale last year. After traveling to Oakman, Curry opens the region schedule at home against Hamilton. The Yellow Jackets have added a home game with Winston County to the schedule in Week 5. The back half of the schedule includes region front runners Northside and Gordo.
overview: Coach Jeff Foshee returns to Curry for his second season in 2020. The Yellow Jackets will have another tough road in Region 5. The team looks to break a 14-game losing streak entering the season. Curry will have to replace offensive weapon Ethan Wideman, who led the team in touchdowns last year. The Yellow Jackets have a pair of capable quarterback this season in Chance Luker and Colin Page to run the offense while the defense looks to improve on a unit that allowed 39 points per game in region play.
key number: 1 Point differential in each of the last two Curry-Carbon Hill games. Carbon Hill has won the last two matchups 21-20.
#33
CADEN RILEY RB, Junior
Photo by Jeff Johnsey
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playoff contender Hamilton (Class 5A in 2019) join the region after changing classifications. In non-region competition, Curry faces in-county rivals Carbon Hill and Oakman again, dropping Addison and Hanceville for Winston County and West Point. Foshee is hoping to see his Yellow Jackets take the field this season despite the coronavirus pandemic already shutting down high school football in three counties in south Alabama. “Football brings everybody together. Starting in mid-July and August, talk turns to football in Alabama. It’s what we do and part of who we are — it’s the reason why having a football season is important,” Foshee said. “The camaraderie and friendships you build with the guys that take the field with you is crucial — we need to get football back to create a sense of normalcy. The guys are anxious to get back on the field and do the things we do. I’ve been pleased so far with the attitude.” •
#9
COLIN PAGE
WR/DB, SOPHOMORE Photo by Randy Fielding
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RECORD VS. 2020 OPPONENTS TEAM
RECORD
LAST GAME
Carbon Hill Oakman Hamilton Fayette Co. Winston Co. Oak Grove Northside Haleyville Gordo West Point
31-42 17-27-6 1-11 2-8 24-25-2 3-5 5-3 12-17 0-2 6-9
2019 2019 2015 2019 1995 2019 2019 2019 1976 2017
RECORD BY DECADE 2010-19, 23-79 | 2000-09, 21-80 1990-99, 53-57 | 1980-89, 41-60 | 1970-79, 42-53 1960-69, 58-34-6 | 1950-59, 26-63-5
Longest running rivalry Curry has played Carbon Hill 73 times. Carbon Hill leads the series 42-31. The Bulldogs won the first meeting 33-0 in 1929.
#24
AARON OSWALT RB, Senior
Photo by Johnathan Bentley
HYUNDAI OF JASPER MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8 AM TO 7 PM | SATURDAY 8 AM – 6 PM SERVICE DEPARTMENT: MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 7:30 AM – 6 PM WWW.HYUNDAIOFJASPER.COM | 4011 OLD U.S. 78, JASPER, AL 35501 | (205) 282-4601 | (205)282-4427 DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
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CURRY
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Yellow Jackets
evan walker #1, jr.
cameron kknox #2, sr.
doubton mathis #3, fr.
chance luker #4, sr.
charles sason #5, soph.
nicholas williams #6, soph.
alex cain #7, sr.
wyatt cooke #8, jr.
colin page #9, soph.
jaden daniel #10, sr.
dakota kiker #11, jr.
brody hallman #12, sr.
ethan oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;rear #13, fr.
evan oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;rear #14, soph.
samuel mesa #15, soph.
damien mesa #16, sr.
silas alexander #17, sr.
browley crump #19, jr.
ethan farley #21, sr.
brayden davis #22, soph.
blake sargent #23, jr.
aaron oswalt #24, sr.
kody cooke #25, fr.
curtis morales #26, sr.
jackson kelley #28, jr.
noah davidson #29, soph.
caden riley #33, jr.
blake miller #35, soph.
isaac vincente #50, soph.
aaron leatherwood #51, sr.
nic bankston #52, sr.
destin browning #54, soph.
dakota farley #55, soph.
kolton hicks #56, jr.
jarrett tidwell #57, jr.
alex harris #58, jr.
ben pavlovec #62, fr.
garrett rice #64, soph.
lee wilson #66, fr.
eli mcneal #67, jr.
carter roberts #71, sr.
aiden somerset #74, fr.
cole bailey #75, sr.
ben sumerel #76, jr.
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Sumiton Christian
EAGLES
For more coverage of the Yellow Jackets, visit mountaineagle.com/sports. Class 1A, Region 7
Enrollment: 127.91
Stadium: David Campbell Field
SUMITON CHRISTIAN LOOKS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN POWELL’S SECOND YEAR
D
By Johnathan Bentley
David Powell’s first year at Sumiton Christian had its moments — just not enough of them. Now, the veteran coach enters his second season with plenty of optimism as the Eagles drop a classification from 2A to 1A, while facing more of an even playing field in Region 7. Sumiton Christian’s players and coaches have been focused on the season since practice opened this summer. Just having the chance to hit the field for practice was a shot in the arm for Powell, especially considering that spring practice was cancelled due to the coronavirus. “We didn’t know if we were going to get the opportunity to come back (to practice), and then we got that opportunity,” Powell said. “It was exciting for me. This is year 38. This is what I love to do. I love to coach and be back on the grass with the guys. That’s where you find your happiness. It’s been great. The guys have a great attitude. They are working hard and are excited to see what’s going to happen this year.” Powell, who was the head coach at Class 5A McAdory for 25 years, missed the playoffs for just the second time in his career last season. His return gives the Eagles some stability at head coach. Last year marked the fourth head coach in as many years. This year is the first time the Eagles have had the same head coach in consecutive years since 2015-16. “In my four years of varsity I’ve had four different coaches,” said senior Griffin Myers, who was called up to the varsity squad as an eighth grader. “I’m used to a coaching change. (Powell)
coming in was very smooth. He knew what he wanted. He had it laid out for us. We had a common goal.” Fellow senior Christian Hyche agreed. “(Powell) came in basically demanding respect. He was telling us, ‘This is what I want. This is how we are going to do it, and this is the success we’re going to have.’ Once he came in, we had the (same things) on our mind. It seemed like we clicked,” Hyche added. Myers and Hyche make up half of the Sumiton Christian’s senior class. Though the team loses do-it-all running back Jeremy Brown, the Eagles do return starting quarterback Jordon Robertson. “Our quarterback is back, and he had a solid year last year,” Powell said. “I think that’s a positive for the team. Our linebacker play was also good and those guys are back. The area of priority for me is the offensive line and the defensive line. Generally speaking, we are trying to build in a more aggressive approach. For us, that’s where it’s going to start and we will take it from there. We had a lot of good moments last year, but we didn’t do it consistently. The priority across the board, and it starts with me, is coaching aggressively and playing aggressively.” Sumiton Christian opens the season Friday against Victory Christian. The Eagles have to wait more than a month for their second home game, set for Oct. 2 against Gaylesville. The team has three teams that finished 0-10 last year on the schedule — Cherokee, Brindlee Mountain and Meek. Region foes Coosa Christian (1-9) and Gaylesville (2-8) also
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schedule Date Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30
Location
Opponent Victory Christian Cherokee OPEN Cedar Bluff* Woodville* Brindlee Mtn. Gaylesville* Appalachian* Coosa Chr.* Valley Head* Meek
HOME AWAY -------AWAY AWAY AWAY HOME HOME AWAY HOME HOME
*denotes region game
results 2019: (1-9, 0-6) L (OT) L L L L W L L L L
vs. Hanceville at Decatur Heritage at Sulligent* vs. Cold Springs* at Southeastern* vs. Meek vs. Tarrant* vs. Aliceville* at Winston County* at Victory Christian
26-32 6-42 28-38 12-50 6-42 28-6 12-42 0-26 7-46 16-28
*denotes region game
LAST 10 COACHES
COACH
RECORD
YEARS
David Powell Bart Black Mike McCarty Bart Lockhart Zach Holmes Greg Patterson David Ball Martin Glover David Campbell Billy Robison
1-9 1-9 4-6 12-10 6-13 14-26 1-9 29-16 50-27 1-18
2019-20 2018 2017 2015-16 2013-14 2009-12 2008 2004-07 1997-03 1995-96
AT A GLANCE 2019: 1-9 overall, 0-6 in Class 2A, Region 5 (seventh)
coach: David Powell — 221-85 overall At Sumiton Christian — 1-9, entering second year
players to watch: LB Griffin Myers DE Christian Hyche QB Jordon Robertson
key losses: RB Jeremy Brown WR J.C. Sheffield
schedule: After back-to-back 1-9 seasons Sumiton Christian drops a classification to 1A, meaning a shift in competition. The Eagles face just three region teams that had winning records last year — Cedar Bluff (7-4), Valley Head (6-5) and Appalachian (6-5). There are also three teams on the schedule that didn’t win a game last year — Brindlee Mountain, Meek and Cherokee. Four opponents — Cherokee, Meek, Coosa Christian and Woodville — are bringing in new coaches for 2020.
overview: Veteran coach David Powell enters his second season as the helm of the Eagles and takes aim at a playoff spot in Class 1A, Region 7. Though Sumiton Christian didn’t win a region game last year, a few key wins this season could land the Eagles back in the postseason for the first time since 2016. Sumiton Christian brings back quarterback Jordon Robertson and a group of four seniors — Josh Allred, Christian Hyche, Griffin Myers and Cameron Wright — but will have to find a replacement for versatile running back Jeremy Brown.
key number: 9 Consecutive region losses for the Eagles dating back to the 2018 season. It’s the longest region losing streak in school history.
#1
JORDON ROBERTSON QB, Junior Photo by Matt Norris DAILY MOUNTAIN EAGLE
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#12
GRIFFIN MYERS RB/LB, Senior Photo by Matt Norris
struggled. Powell said that looking at an opponents’ record from the previous year could be a mistake. “From year to year a few players can make a huge difference, especially in smaller classifications. A team that could struggle one year could be really good the next year because they picked up a couple of players. You really can’t go down that road because if a team that struggled one year doesn’t mean they are going to struggle the next year. You really have to focus on yourself and get the right mind set, and worry about getting better,” he said. Powell is optimistic that the football season goes forward despite the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. “In the South, in Alabama, football is really what makes people happy — playing football, watching football, talking about football. Alabama (high schools) have been back to practicing since June 1. The guidelines set forth by the AHSAA (the Alabama High School Athletic Association) have really been effective if you think about it,” Powell said. “There have been a few schools shut down. There have been a few outbreaks of a small number of players and a coach or two across the state. The scary part is now going back to the buildings, and all other students coming back in the classrooms and the hallways, That’s really the unknown. I think the mask requirement is going to help, but we really don’t know what’s ahead. But since June 1, I think it’s going pretty good. “This virus is not going away until we get a vaccine, so distancing, masks, cleanliness with your hands, those are pretty much a way of life in America … and that’s just how it is. You can’t let it get in your head and be a negative. You need to stay safe and keep your family safe.” •
RECORD VS. 2020 OPPONENTS TEAM
RECORD
LAST GAME
Victory Christian Cherokee Cedar Bluff Woodville Brindlee Mtn. Gaylesville Appalachian Coosa Christian Valley Head Meek
2-2 1-0 1-1 0-0 0-0 2-0 3-1 0-0 2-0 3-5
2019 2016 2001 First Meeting First Meeting 2001 2013 First Meeting 2001 2019
RECORD BY DECADE 2010-19, 38-63 | 2000-09, 56-53 | 1990-99, 25-38
Longest running rivalry Sumiton Christian has played Corner 12 times. Corner leads the series 10-2. Corner won the first game 21-0 in 2002.
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#22
CHRISTIAN HYCHE RB/DL, Senior Photo by Matt Norris
SUMITON CHRISTIAN
Eagles
jordon robertson #1
austin scobey #2
ashton mcclendon #3
Noah godwin #4
Yancy Young #6
sam nix #9
kannen defoor #10
eli moon #11
griffin myers #12
christian hyche #22
mitchell miller #23
soloman wood #26
kaden brown #30
sawyer irvin #32
tyler ingle #45
jake mcdonald #54
jameson nolan #60
jacob thompson #61
not pictured: #24, brody berger #40, jackson mangrum #55, cameron wright #68, jack aderholt #82, ashton whiton jonah hadder #62
wilson washington #67
colby jones #70, sr.
adyen whiton #75
ashton skalnik #76
ashton whiten #78
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