CHELSEA
HORNETS The Chelsea Hornets were three losses by three points or less away from being a nine-win team last season. Instead, the Hornets finished 4-7 overall with a a first-round playoff exit at the hands of eventual Class 6A State Champion Oxford. Now, the Hornets head into the 2020 season knowing what is possible, but also in a position of replacing a lot of last year’s talent during a summer in which they have little time in pads. This year’s team features 22 seniors and nine returning starters, but six of those returnees are on the defensive side of the ball, making the offense extremely inexperienced this year. Having to replace a starting quarterback, all starters on the offensive line and all starters at linebacker with spring practice canceled is cause for concern. But the coaching staff is expecting to see players step up once the pads are on.
TEAM INFORMATION CLASSIFICATION AHSAA Class 6A, Region 5 2019 RECORD 5-6 (3-3) HEAD COACH Dustin Goodwin RECORD 7-14 (Third year) ASSISTANT COACHES Zeb Ellison, Kyle Caldwell, Gerald Neaves, Lee Hibbs, Ted Darby, Kerry Gleaton, Dylan Seabolt, Stephen Clark, Lee Hibbs Jr. LAST REGION TITLE 2006 LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2019
MEET THE TEAM QUARTERBACK For the third year in a row, Goodwin will be looking for a new quarterback with the departure of Caleb Moore. Nic Neaves, a 6-foot, 155-pound senior was the backup last year and is going to get a strong look as the starter this season, while junior Cooper Griffin and sophomore Hayden Garrison will also battle at the position. All three of those athletes have been in Goodwin’s system for at least a year with Neaves and Cooper in it for two years. That’s key with Goodwin’s offensive philosophy, which is as good as the quarterback. Griffin is the younger brother of Turner Griffin, who was the starter on Goodwin’s first team with the Hornets two years ago, while Garrison has the best size of the three at 6-foot-3, 170 pounds.
RUNNING BACK A three-year starter, Collier Blair isn’t just back as one of the top running backs in the county this year, but he also returns as one of the strongest leaders. Now a senior, his special career will come to an end this season, and he returns a bulk of Chelsea’s offensive production. Last season, Blair posted 1,048 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 200 carries, while also adding 187 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the air. Depth is a concern at the position, especially with what will be an
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2020 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Adam Reaves
