Cornerstone

COOSA VALLEY REBELS

Winless since the 2018 season, the Coosa Valley Rebels have turned to legendary coach Vince DiLorenzo to help rebuild the program in 2021.

The coach of Coosa Valley’s 2010 state championship team, DiLorenzo is now back after coaching out of the state for 10 years, and he is ready to return the Rebels to greatness.

In his first stint as the team’s head coach, he led the Rebels to a 19-6 record in two seasons.

His work, however, will be cut out for him as he takes over a team that is 0-14 combined the last two seasons.

Despite the past few years, DiLorenzo has shown what is possible at Coosa Valley and expects to return the team to that prominence.

MEET THE TEAM

QUARTERBACK

The Rebels will have a battle on their hands at the quarterback position with senior transfer Canaan Johnson and sophomore Konner Steele looking to take control of the position. Steele is younger but got time last year at the position for the Rebels, while Johnson looks the part. Others could also push for the position once the team gets on the practice field, but whoever wins the job will have a lot on their shoulders as the team’s leader.

RUNNING BACK

One of the top returnees on the team this year will be Justin Tate. A senior, Tate was the team’s starting running back last year, which should give him and the rest of the offense a boost. Heading into fall practice, he is the lead back at the position, but others should emerge with numbers up and DiLorenzo still finding the right fits at each position.

RECEIVERS

One of the deepest positions will be at receiver with four seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen all battling to be the leaders. That likely means some will shift to a running back position or provide depth on both sides, but it’s a good problem to have. Seniors Hayden Dooley, Weston Dooley, Hunter Hill and Justin Tarwater should lead the way, while Lukas Bynum, Austin

Konner Steele

CLASSIFICATION

AISA Class A, Region 1

2020 RECORD

0-9 (0-5)

HEAD COACH Vince DiLorenzo

RECORD

0-0 (First year)

ASSISTANT COACHES

Mike Davenport, Reece Donahoo, Danny Smith

LAST REGION TITLE

2010

LAST PLAYOFF GAME

2018

Photo by Keith McCoy

Griffith and Connor Hebson should add steady juniors to the mix.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Up front, Coosa Valley won’t have enough to prevent linemen from playing on both sides, but they’ll have an array of talent. Senior Nick Shepard should lead at the center position, while juniors Carter Gunnells, Jacob McGaha, Levi Ponder, Kale Riddle and Hayden Whitley will all fill in key positions. Sophomores Brody Davenport and Jacob Sims are also two names to keep an eye on throughout the season.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Those eight linemen will also flip sides to be leaders on the defensive line as well. Finding the right mix of four on the defensive side will be key, but finding the right balance for each on both sides of the ball will be the determining factor to the success of this year’s team.

LINEBACKERS

Like the talented group of receivers on the offensive side, the back end of the defense will benefit from depth. That starts with five linebackers set to lead the middle of the defense. Seniors Hayden Dooley, Canaan Johnson and Justin Tate will be the clear leaders and should provide a dangerous threat to opposing offenses. Lukas Bynum, Josh Allen and Bryce Wilson will also play key roles at the position.

SECONDARY

In the secondary, Weston Dooley and Hunter Hill are expected to hold down safety positions going into the fall as senior leaders. Justin Tarwater will add another senior to the mix at cornerback, while juniors Austin Griffith and Connor Hebson will help at the position.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Going into fall practice, Jamie Pack was set to handle the team’s kicking duties this season, while some of the team’s top players will help in other facets of special teams.

Hayden Dooley, WR/LB

One of the top athletes in the school, Hayden Dooley will be a leader both offensively and on defense this season.

Weston Dooley, WR/DB

Alongside Hayden, Weston Dooley will be another athletic presence for the Rebels.

Justin Tate, ATH

A returning starter at running back, Tate could be key in Vince DiLorenzo’s offense.

Canaan Johnson, QB/LB

A transfer to Coosa Valley, Johnson brings a physical presence to the field and can play wherever needed.

Konner Steele, ATH

Another returning starter, Steele played a lot at quarterback a season ago and will be leaned on as a leader.

2021 SCHEDULE

Aug. 20: Hooper

Aug. 27: Pickens Sept. 3: @ Crenshaw* Sept. 10: Lakeside* Sept. 17: Fort Dale Sept. 24: @ Jackson Oct. 1: @ Cornerstone* Oct. 8: Abbeville* Oct. 15: @ Lowndes* Oct. 22: Bye

Oct. 29: @ Sparta

*Region game

2021 Coosa valley Roster

NO. NAME POSITION YEAR

1 Koop Steele WR/FS 9 2 Canaan Johnson QB/OLB 12 3 Konner Steele QB/CB 10 4 Hunter Hill WR/FS 12 5 Hayden Dooley WR/OLB 12 6 Weston Dooley WR/FS 12 7 Conner Hebson WR/CB 11 11 Aiden Daniels WR/CB 9

NO. NAME POSITION YEAR

13 Austin Griffith WR/CB 11 14 Justin Tarwater WR/CB 12 20 Ray Albright WR/S 10 23 Jamie Pack K 10 27 Lukas Bynum WR/OLB 11 28 Justin Tate RB/OLB 12 30 Josh Allen WR/OLB 10 32 Brycen Wilson OL/LB 10

NO. NAME POSITION YEAR

52 Hayden Whitley OL/DL 11 53 Jacob Sims OL/DL 10 62 Levi Ponder OL/DL 11 66 Nick Shepard C/DE 12 68 Jacob McGaha OL/DL 11 72 Brody Davenport OL/DL 10 75 Carter Gunnells OL/DL 11 80 Kale Riddle OL/DL 11