Homewood • Hoover • John Carroll • Mountain Brook • Spain Park • Vestavia Hills
Metro 2024
OUT OF THE SHADOW
Jonah Winston ready to lead Hoover back to glory
RIGHTING THE SHIP
Gilmer ready to steer Bucs back to championships
ALL ABOARD Season preview, breakdown, prediction, roster and more
Metro
FRONT AND CENTER
Anthony Mokry ready to take on leadership role for Cavs
READY FOR BATTLE Season preview, breakdown, prediction, roster and more
RUN IT BACK
John Carroll hoping to replicate last year’s historic success
IN THE HUDDLE
Season preview, breakdown, prediction, roster and more
Hampton King set to lead Mountain Brook defense
Yeager’s experience set to lead new group of Spartans
REDEMPTION SEASON
Aden Walker hungry to lead Spain Park defense in comeback
READY TO ROAR Bradley, Jaguars set sights on championship in move to 6A IN THE DEN Season preview, breakdown, prediction, roster and more
WEARING WATSON
Playing for more than himself, Watson readies for senior year
STAFF
EDITORIAL
Anna Grace Moore
Donald Mottern
Rachel Raiford
Mackenzee Simms
Andrew Simonson
Noah Wortham
PRODUCTION
Sydney Allen
Rowan Futrell
Jamie Dawkins
Connor Martin-Lively
MARKETING
Octavia Campbell
Evann Campbell
Michaela Bankston
Rachel Henderson
Rhett McCreight
Lauren Morris
Kayla Reeves
Leslie Reeves
Viridiana Romero
Brittany Schofield
ADMINISTRATIVE
Alec Etheredge
Stacey Meadows
Mary Jo Eskridge
SCNI
Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc.
This is a publication of Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc. P.O. Box 947 115 North Main Street Columbiana, AL 35051 phone: 205.669.3131 advertise@shelbycountyreporter.com
LET ME BE THE FIRST TO WELCOME YOU TO A NEW LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TRADITION.
Metro Football Magazine is a publication aimed at bringing you all of the details on your team ahead of the 2024 season.
A publication of Shelby County Newsmedia, Inc., we are no stranger to a preseason football magazine, putting together a magazine that highlights each of the 14 Shelby County teams on an annual basis.
From the publisher
It takes two months of hard work to put together, but allows us to put together a magazine that is informative and full of entertaining detail.
Each team’s section includes a breakdown of each team, a look at each position unit, a full roster for the season, photos, important statistics to know, quick hits and much more.
The publisher of Homewood Life, Hoover’s Magazine, Mountain Brook Magazine and Vestavia Hills Magazine, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to expand our popular football magazine into those territories.
Now the publisher and president of SCNI, my background started in sports, spending several years as the sports editor for the Shelby County Reporter.
The football magazine very quickly became my favorite product. An avid reader of the college football preview magazines each summer growing up, I almost got as excited for their release as I did for Christmas morning.
To get the opportunity to put my stamp on a similar product was a dream come true.
Now, after years of tweaking to create a new and refreshed style, we are ready to bring Metro Football Magazine to you for the 2024 season.
With a standalone cover for each of the six teams included inside, we wanted to embrace each fan base from the second they set their eyes on this new publication.
Highlighting the Homewood Patriots, Hoover Buccaneers, John Carroll Cavaliers, Mountain Brook Spartans, Spain Park Jaguars and Vestavia Hills Rebels, this publication will give you a deep dive on each team heading into the new high school football season.
In addition, each section also includes a special feature story on a standout leader for their program. These stories highlight their journeys of falling in love with the game of football, the work they put in on a daily basis and the excitement they have heading into a season in which all have big aspirations.
Heading into the season, each of our local teams sits in a different situation with Homewood loaded with returning talent, Hoover looking to turn the page under new head coach Drew Gilmer who won the 6A State Championship last year, John Carroll hoping to follow up a historic season, Mountain Brook looking to continue threatening for a 6A title with several new faces, Spain Park hoping a move down to 6A and a strong returning cast will be a recipe for success, and Vestavia Hills ready to continue being a threat in Class 7A, Region 3 after an impressive run.
Those storylines and many more paves the way for what should be an exciting season ahead.
I am extremely grateful to be able to bring this publication to you and I hope this is just the beginning of what is going to be a growing product in the years to come.
I hope to see you all under the Friday Night Lights this fall and wish each of you the best of luck.
Alec Etheredge, Publisher Alec.Etheredge@ShelbyCountyReporter.com
VIEWING MENU
A guide to the season’s must-see games
1. HOOVER @ THOMPSON OCT. 18
Arguably the fiercest rivalry in the state of Alabama, Hoover and Thompson have been consistent competitors for the region title. The crown could be on the line once again this year, and the winner likely has a clearer path to a state title.
3. VESTAVIA HILLS @ AUBURN AUG. 30
A marquee non-region matchup in Class 7A, this week-two contest will be a battle of two solid programs. For the Rebels, this will be a massive test before they enter region play where they will learn a lot, but a chance to earn a key momentum win early.
5. JOHN CARROLL VS. HOMEWOOD AUG. 23 (AT SAMFORD)
The Battle of Lakeshore is an emotional game each time it is played, and this year’s edition of the rivalry will be no different. John Carroll looks to pick up another win in this series after a dramatic 36-31 win in 2023, but must now beat an experienced Homewood team.
2. MOUNTAIN BROOK @ CLAY-CHALKVILLE OCT. 4
Last year’s match in the second round of the Class 6A playoffs proved to be one of the best games of the high school football season. Now, Mountain Brook looks to avenge that loss and pull out a win over the Cougars in their first regular season meeting since 2003 and a region game at that.
4. HOOVER VS. VESTAVIA HILLS OCT. 25
The Bucs and Rebels will meet in the last week of region play in a game that could be big for seeding in the Class 7A playoffs. Vestavia handily won last year for the first time since 2015 and is looking to make it two in a row in year three under head coach Robert Evans.
6. HOOVER VS. SPAIN PARK AUG. 30
A classic rivalry every year has moved to a different magnitude now that Spain Park has moved down to Class 6A. Nevertheless, this game is a highlight for all involved and will be a difficult test for both squads in week two of the season.
7. MOUNTAIN BROOK VS. HOMEWOOD
SEPT. 27
After two years without a matchup between the two sides, the Spartans’ fresh faces will battle the Patriots’ experience in a highly-intriguing midseason non-region clash.
9. HOMEWOOD VS. BRIARWOOD
AUG. 30
Meeting for the fifth year in a row, this week-two game could set the tone for each team in their region with the Lions hoping to gain experience and Homewood hoping to capitalize on their veterans.
11. MOUNTAIN BROOK VS. OXFORD
SEPT. 20
A battle of the last two region champions, this matchup on the last week of the regional slate could decide playoff positioning, if not the region title itself.
13. VESTAVIA HILLS VS. HEWITT
SEPT. 6
This week-three matchup will be the first opportunity to see how Vestavia stacks up against the region’s best, especially with a new quarterback on the field.
8. HOOVER @ HILLCREST-TUSCALOOSA
SEPT. 6
The Bucs will give the Patriots their official welcome to Class 7A, Region 3 in week three of the season, and this game should set the tone for what Drew Gilmer’s team will do throughout region play.
10. HOMEWOOD VS. GARDENDALE
OCT. 4
This will be the first time that Homewood has faced Gardendale since the 2021 playoffs as the two new region rivals square off in the home stretch of the season.
12. HOOVER @ HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE
SEPT. 13
A series typically handled by Hoover, Hewitt-Trussville won both of last year’s games by a combined score of 68-14. The Bucs will look to end that streak this year with redemption in a compelling battle.
14. VESTAVIA HILLS VS. THOMPSON
SEPT. 20
Thompson has taken the last 10 games between these two region foes, but Vestavia Hills has been one of their biggest challenges recently with a physical style of play.
Homewood
PATRIOTS
There is plenty of reason for optimism heading into the 2024 high school football season for the Homewood Patriots, after all, they return one of the most experienced teams in the 6A classification.
Following a 6-5 season last year that saw a one-point loss in the playoffs to a team that made it all the way to the semifinals, the Patriots return 17 starters this year with nine of those back on defense.
The defense is where you have to start because the Patriots gave up 21 or less in their final eight games last year and 14 or less in four of the final six. With much of the starting talent back, that should mean Homewood’s defense will be one of the most feared among opponents.
Meanwhile, the offense gets back starting quarterback Will Myers, starting running back Evan Ausmer and key contributors at receiver with the offensive line being the lone question mark.
The team will have the talent to build off of last year’s 6-2 finish down the stretch to compete for a region title this season.
MEET THE TEAM
QUARTERBACK
Nothing can help an offense take off more than the return of an experienced quarterback and that’s exactly what Will Myers gives Homewood in 2024. Head coach Ben Berguson refers to him as the best leader he has ever coached. A dual threat athlete, he totaled 22 touchdowns last year, rushing for 502 yards and throwing for 1,424 yards. Now a senior, he’ll have a key year of experience under his belt combined with a work ethic that goes unmatched. Myers has put on about 20 pounds, which should make him even tougher to bring down in the ground game, while his steady nature and ability to read defenses makes him composed in the air attack as well. Kaleb Carson, who started a few games last year with Myers out, is another great athlete who brings a lot of excitement to the team and will serve as a trustworthy backup again this year.
RUNNING BACK
Adding to an experienced backfield for the Patriots will be the return of senior running back Evan Ausmer. The younger brother of former All-State athlete Trae Ausmer, Evan put together a 512-yard season last year and is set to take a major leap forward this year as a hopeful 1,000-yard running back. Evan is a dynamic athlete, who not only has a strong run game, but can also catch extremely well out of the backfield and will
CLASSIFICATION
AHSAA Class 6A, Region 5
2023 RECORD
6-5 (4-2 Region 3)
HEAD COACH
Ben Berguson
RECORD
76-43 (11th year)
ASSISTANT COACHES
Freddy Lawrence, Heath Brunner, David Jones, Tobbie Taylor, Corey Harris, Jackson Hall, Mack McClung, Myron Powe, Jason Haithcock, Russell Martin, Eldrick Hill.
LAST REGION TITLE 2022
LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2023
CJ Tidmore
offer another option at a slot receiver position as well. He will be joined in the backfield by Eric Davidson, who is a solid gap-schemer running back who is quick and will fly downhill with the ball. Coaches are hopeful the two styles will complement each other well.
RECEIVER
Completing the trifecta of a starting skill player at each position on offense is that of receiver Kylen Newell. The senior playmaker racked up 567 yards on 43 catches last year and is set to leave an even bigger impact this year. He has great hands and breakaway speed that has Berguson expecting a 1,000-yard type of season. Tomon Felton adds a bit of size to the receiving corps thanks to a 6-foot-2 frame with good length and speed. Coaches expect a breakout season for him after he saw time in the rotation last year and will now play opposite Newell. Beyond those two out wide and Ausmer occasionally in the slot, David Walden brings another trustworthy player to the position thanks to his strong
2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 23: John Carroll (At
Aug. 30: Briarwood
Sept. 6: @ Mortimer Jordan*
Sept. 13: Woodlawn*
Sept. 20: @ Jackson-Olin*
Sept. 27: @ Mountain Brook
Oct. 4: Gardendale*
Oct. 18: Parker*
Oct. 24: @ Minor* (Thursday)
Nov. 1: James Clemens
*Region game
hands and great work ethic. Homewood will also get J.T. Watts, the son of former Alabama quarterback Tyler Watts, back this year. He and Hayes DeCoudres both played key roles in both blocking and catching the ball last year, while Whit Armistead will also add depth.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Size won’t be an issue for Homewood’s offensive line in 2024, but experience and depth might be. The area of concern on the offensive side of the football, the Patriots lose two quality starters in Jaxon
Will Myers, QB
A returning starter, Myers totaled 1,424 passing yards and 502 rushing yards with 22 total touchdowns a season ago.
Kylen Newell, WR
The team’s leading receiver last year, Newell finished with 567 yards and three touchdowns on 43 receptions.
Evan Ausmer, RB
While Myers will run a lot, Ausmer was the team’s leading rusher last year with 512 yards and four touchdowns and should be a leader as a senior.
Trust Darnell, LB
The leading tackler with 102 tackles last year, Darnell will be a welcome sight, also bringing back four tackles for loss and a sack.
John Griffin, DB
Not only did Griffin total 77 tackles last year, he led the team with four interceptions and had five deflected passes as a sophomore.
PLAYERS TO WATCH KEY DEPARTURES
AJ Crear, RB
A one-two punch with Ausmer last year, Crear played in every game and totaled 383 yards and six touchdowns on 76 carries.
Jaxon Brooks, OL
A key lineman, Brooks is one of a couple who will be missed up front for this year’s offense.
Jack Watson, OL
Watson was another key lineman on last year’s Homewood team whose ability up front will be challenging to replace
Will Keown, DL
With 3.5 tackles for loss and 28 tackles, Keown played in 11 games last year and will be a difficult senior to replace.
Samford)
2024 Homewood Roster
2023 STATS
5-YEAR WIN TREND
Brooks and Jack Watson, but Berguson says there is plenty of reason for optimism heading into the season. One reason is the size. Collectively averaging around 250 pounds across the offensive line, Walker Williams will be the leader of the group at 6-foot-4, 280 pounds. A left tackle this year, he has played guard in the past. Bardon King will also return as a starter at right guard and has a strong frame of 6-foot, 285 pounds. He started every game last year, offering valuable experience. Beyond that, Marvin Patrick will return with some experience, while Henry Studinka and Clay Thornton are rising juniors who are ready to take advantage of their opportunities. Berguson said getting the five to play together as a collective
unit is the biggest key, while Khalil Winchester is another face that will be in the rotation and could make a difference.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The defensive line will also lose some talent, in particular Will Keown, who was a force up front for the Patriots a season ago. That said, Homewood has several key players back and ready to make a difference for what should be an intimidating defense. Randall Jaquez will lead the defensive line as a 195-pound junior at nose guard with quick speed that makes him a mismatch for centers and a disrupter. Ford Hawkins, who has a frame of 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, will handle defensive end
as a physical playmaker, while Will Ray holds a size of 6-foot-3 and will take the opposite side. Rod Lambert will also get time as a sophomore as will Major Moore, giving the Patriots good depth at the position.
LINEBACKER
The back seven on defense should also be a scary sight and it starts with leading tackler Trust Darnell back to lead the linebackers. A 210-pound linebacker, Darnell totaled 102 tackles last season and is extremely quick to
the ball and physical once he gets there. He will also be joined by Luke Eldridge, a sophomore who has a very similar playing style. Joey Luckianow also started at times at outside linebacker and will return this year, while Henry Templeton moved from safety to linebacker and will play an integral role this season. Depth is a slight concern at the position, but the starters make it a dynamic unit.
SECONDARY
All four starters return to the
Maleik Smiley
2023 RESULTS
@ John Carroll L 31-36
Vestavia Hills L 0-43
Helena L 17-31
@ Calera W 43-21
@ Benjamin Russell W 41-21
@ Pinson Valley W 10-7
Chilton County W 34-13
Pelham W 31-21
@ Briarwood L 13-20
Jasper W 38-14
@ Pike Road* L 9-10
*Playoff Game
EDITOR’S 2024 PREDICTION (8-2)
The schedule has its share of challenges, including John Carroll, Briarwood, Mountain Brook and James Clemens in non-region play, but Homewood should be the more experienced team in every game this season. This really feels like a year that the team should win a region championship and compete for a deep run in the playoffs. At the high school level, experience is invaluable, but especially when that experience has momentum. Last year, the Patriots started 0-3 and then won five in a row with wins in six of the final eight games, losing by one in the first round of the playoffs to a team that made it to the semifinals. This year, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they start 5-0 going into a matchup with Mountain Brook at the midway point. The defense is a key reason for the confidence after giving up 21.5 points per game last season and 21 or less in the final eight games. With nine starters back on that side of the ball, the defense should be closer to the 14 points per game spot this season and will be suffocating for opposing offenses. That said, the offense also returns most of its talent and will be the key. If that side of the ball can improve by 6-7 points per game this season, watch out. That largely depends on the offensive line coming along quickly with several new faces, but the pieces are there. Homewood should be a team to beat this year, and if they have the right attitude, focus and work ethic, they may walk away as a region champion.
QUICK HITS
CREATING A NEW WALL This year’s offense is going to be primed for success, but for that side of the ball to reach its full potential, there will be some experience to replace on the offensive line. With the loss of team leaders and offensive linemen Jaxon Brooks and Jack Watson, the Patriots will lose two strong players that allowed for last year’s offense to grow with young players. The good news is that the Patriots will have a dual threat quarterback that can make plays with his legs and has speedy talent in the backfield and out wide to get the ball into space quickly, but the offensive line seems to be the one key area that will determine just how far this year’s team can go.
READY TO RISE Last year’s six wins didn’t quite meet expectations for Homewood, but it was a young team that is now ready to rise. The Patriots will return key starters at every position this year on both sides of the ball, and more than that, they’ll return their stat leaders at every position aside from offensive line. That, combined with depth, has the Patriots ready to rise in 2024.
secondary this season, making it maybe the best position unit on the team for the Patriots in 2024. The two leaders will be John Griffin and CJ Tidmore at the safety position. Griffin totaled 77 tackles last year, while he led the team with four interceptions and five pass breakups as a sophomore. Tidmore adds good size with a frame of 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, which gives him a strong advantage in coverage. Back at cornerback will be Maleik Smiley and RC Gartman. Both seniors this year, the two have great ball skills with high football IQ. Junior George Fringe will also be in the
rotation as a 6-foot-1 cornerback who adds length to the position.
SPECIAL TEAMS
As if the team wasn’t deep enough, Homewood will also return one of the top kickers in the area in Whit Armistead. An accurate kicker who can boot it from close to 50 yards, he will be an asset for this year’s team, while R.C. Gartman will handle punting duties. Hardy Butler is also back as one of the top long snappers in the country, solidifying the special teams unit for the Patriots.
KEY NUMBERS
1,926
Will Myers tallied 1,926 yards last year in just nine games of action as a junior. That total included 502 yards on the ground and 1,424 yards through the air on 111-158 passing. His dynamic ability makes him a dangerous threat for any defense this year after he ran for 12 touchdowns a season ago and threw for 10. With a year of experience under his belt and a special cast of players back around him, expect him to be one of the stars in the Birmingham-metro area this year.
567
The leading receiver on last year’s team, Kylen Newell totaled 567 yards as part of a balanced and deep unit. This year, the Patriots will lose a couple of key pieces, but Newell will be one of three receivers back with 200 yards or more. With a returning quarterback, the entire receiving corps should take a step forward, but Newell should be a focal point of the offense.
Coming together
Will Myers set for special season with experienced roster around him
Written by TYLER RALEY | Photos by DAWN HARRISON
WWinning both on the field and in life, Homewood senior quarterback Will Myers is ready to leave it all on the gridiron in 2024. Shining in the limelight is never easy, but it creates a feeling like no other for those who receive it. It helps when one has a massive support system around them, and for Myers, he is no stranger to that.
The Patriot leader is going into every week playing for his community with the goal of giving back for everything that it has done for him and then some. His other goal is obvious: win a state championship with his teammates and walk out of Homewood having left it all on the field.
ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK
Myers has always been a team player throughout his career, which helps him leave a strong impact every Friday night.
Last year, the Patriots started 0-3 for the first time in school history, something that could have shaken a group which had high preseason expectations. Despite that, what happened next was monumental, as Homewood rattled off five consecutive wins in order to secure a spot in the Class 6A playoffs.
For Myers, his part in making that happen was huge, but it definitely wasn’t something he could take all the credit for.
“We really had to come together as a group and go on that five-game winning streak,” Myers said. “I’m fortunate to be able to play the role that I do on our team, but it’s a lot easier when you have the guys around you that are helping you out every step of the way and knowing that they all have my back.”
Going into this year, Myers feels very optimistic about the guys around him all having his back, especially considering the team is returning most of its starters. Some of those returners include offensive linemen Walker Williams and Bardon King, tight end J.T. Watts, wide receiver Kylen Newell and running back Evan Ausmer.
Those players were all part of the reason that Myers totaled 22 touchdowns and around 2,000
yards. After putting on 20 pounds in the offseason, he hopes to accomplish higher numbers this year.
It’s not all about the individual accolades, though. It is instead more about what the team does as a whole with the hopes of making the Homewood faithful happy.
“I know accolades and all of that matter to a lot of people, but for me really, the things that matter most is how many wins and if we’re 1-0 at the end of the week.” Myers said.
A CARING COMMUNITY
No matter the result, the Patriots’ fans have always supported the football program, especially now with Myers leading the offense.
With the lights always shining on him on Friday nights, he is always grateful knowing that he is now living the nights that he always used to dream of having as a kid.
“Our community means everything to me,” Myers said. “Seeing the little kids on Friday nights, I remember that used to be me. Every time I see them, I try to make the impact that the older guys when I was younger used to make on me, and I just try to be that leader for them that they look up to.”
Myers enjoys all the people who have gotten behind him and feels that the community is like a family. However, even with all of the people who support him, it is not a shock to anyone who knows him that his father, Scott Myers, is his biggest influence in his love for football.
“He’s brought me along the way to be the player that I am now,” Myers said. “He’s worked with me since I was little and he’s always been a great model, telling me to be my best and to help others along the way, and that being a quarterback is more about the leadership than your ability on the field, so he’s really encouraged me to be a leader on and off the field.”
The support that he receives is what drives him, no matter if it is from his teammates or the general public. Now more than ever, it is pushing him to leave a legacy that people will remember forever.
LEADING THE WAY
It is no question that being a leader is part of Myers’ identity. He is always trying to have an impact on those around him, no matter who it is.
This includes mentoring those around him, trying to teach them how to be successful once he is gone,
just like former wide receiver Aron Marsch did when Myers was a freshman.
“I just really want to be that same guy for these younger guys,” Myers said. “I really focus on leading them on the field and off the field and letting them know that the person you are will make you the player that you will become, really just encouraging them to work hard and that everything is going to work out for them.”
Myers’ teachings not only apply to those younger than him, but also to his senior class. He hopes that if he and his fellow Homewood seniors in the 2025 class can follow that notion to go along with what head coach Ben Burgeson has taught them, the program will be successful for years to come.
“I care about our senior class leaving a legacy of ‘The Homewood Way,’” Myers said. “That’s being better off the field than on the field and being leaders in the community and helping out the community and always being there for the people around us. I care about wins, but more than that, I care about the people that are in our school and the people that are in our community.”
Nobody knows what the season holds for the Patriots, but one thing is for sure, Will Myers is winning in every aspect of life.
Hoover
BUCCANEERS
It’s a new era of Hoover football. After two seasons under Wade Waldrop, the Bucs have hired Drew Gilmer in hopes of becoming the perennial power they’ve been at times over the past 20 years.
With championships on the minds of the Bucs’ faithful, they seemingly have the right fit as Gilmer comes to Hoover from Clay-Chalkville where he just won his second state championship in three years and did so with a perfect 14-0 season against an extremely challenging schedule.
He finished 81-12 in seven years at Clay and was 20-5 in the postseason.
Now, he sets sail on a new path with the Buccaneers and he does so with a team looking to rebound from a challenging season.
While last year was the worst Hoover has finished a season in more than 20 years, the Bucs still made the playoffs. That said, the 5-7 record wasn’t up to the standard of a team that has 11 state championships and 14 region championships since 2000.
Gilmer brings the championship pedigree to the program and the program has championship pedigree players on board. The goal now? Get a team full of athletes in the right position. If he does, then Hoover will be primed for immediate success this year.
MEET THE TEAM
QUARTERBACK
Heading into the season, a quarterback situation has become more clear as to who will lead the Bucs during the 2024 season. Transfer Mac Beason, from Gardendale, was battling throughout the early portion of the summer with Carter Dotson. Dotson transferred to Tuscaloosa County midsummer, seemingly setting Beason as the starter heading into the season. His big focus has been learning Gilmer’s pro-style offense by getting familiar with a cadence, which is different from his past experience. It should, however, create more value on the back end as the season progresses. Beason is quick on his feet in the zone read, while he has a quick release and gets the ball to athletes in space quickly. With his intelligence of understanding where to go with the football, he seems like a viable candidates to lead this year’s team.
RUNNING BACK
It will be a by committee approach for the run game this season with several athletes ready to step up and make big plays, including senior AJ Allen and sophomore JR Mosley. Allen is long and speedy,
CLASSIFICATION
AHSAA Class 7A, Region 3
2023 RECORD 5-7 (4-3 Region 3)
HEAD COACH
Drew Gilmer
RECORD
0-0 (First year, 81-12 at ClayChalkville)
ASSISTANT COACHES
Chip English, Adam Helms, Austin Harrell, Josh Reeves, Taylor Hayes, Dustin Edgar, Matthew Glover, Devin Patterson, Jake Hogan, Isaiah Jackson, Trent Richardson, Russell Pilkington, Tim Gillespie, Jerry Fuqua, Josh Averett
LAST REGION TITLE 2022
LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2023
making him perfect as an outside zone runner that can get to the edge and get vertical. Mosley is more of a gap scheme runner, who will lower his shoulder and go through the tackles with his power and low center of gravity. That dynamic will make defenses have to prepare for differing styles, while Keilan Jefferson adds another junior who can do a lot at the position.
RECEIVER
Possibly the most exciting unit on the offensive side of the football, Hoover will have athletes to choose from at receiver and it starts with Jonah Winston in the slot. The younger brother of Jameis Winston, Jonah has already made a name for himself going into his junior season. He can play quarterback, running back and receiver among other things and will be utilized heavily on the offensive side of the football as a difference maker. Hunter Purdue will be another key player at the slot position, but outside is where the depth truly shows up. Ar’Mari Towns, Jeremiah Tabb, Avery Crawford, Reggie Jackson and Demarion Gardner will all be battling for the two outside starting positions, but the four of them provide
2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 24: @ Western, Fl. (Saturday)
Aug. 30: Spain Park
Sept. 6: @ Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa*
Sept. 13: @ Hewitt-Trussville*
Sept. 20: Prattville*
Sept. 27: @ Parker
Oct. 4: Oak Mountain*
Oct. 11: @ Tuscaloosa County*
Oct. 18: @ Thompson*
Oct. 25: Vestavia Hills*
*Region game
plenty of athleticism and depth that should help the eventual starting quarterback feel confident. Towns is a 6-foot-4 athlete who gives the team someone who can go up and grab the ball, while Jackson, a former Spain Park player can do the same. It’s a deep unit that may turn out to be the best on the team.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The most experienced group on the offensive side of the football, the offensive line will have three returning starters set to lead the unit, which has the coaching staff excited about the team’s potential. Trot English will handle the center position and will call
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jonah Winston, ATH
With 11 touchdowns as a sophomore last year, he will be the focal point of this year’s offense for the Bucs.
JJ Moultrie, DB
A four-interception season with four blocked kicks was impressive for Moultrie a season ago, and he will hope to replicate that success this year.
Tyson Bacon, DL
A big name up front defensively will be key for Hoover this year, and Bacon has the potential to become a star at the position heading into his junior season.
PaLanding Drammeh, DL
Similar to Bacon, Drammeh has a lot of excitement building ahead of his senior season and should help solidify the defensive line.
KEY DEPARTURES
Bradley Shaw, LB
Now at Arkansas, Shaw’s experience and talent at linebacker will be one of the biggest missing pieces in 2024.
Jordan Woolen, WR
A speedy athlete, Woolen’s talent at receiver last year will now be taken to Georgia Southern University.
Micah Hampton, DL
At 6-foot-3, 270, Hampton’s sheer size will be challenging to replace going into this season.
JuJu Cook, DB Cook was a leader in the secondary last year and is now at Jackson State University.
JJ Moultrie
QUICK HITS
A NEW REGIME After seven seasons at Clay-Chalkville, Drew Gilmer is set for a new challenge at one of the state’s premier powers. The Bucs’ new head coach brings an 81-12 record from Clay where he went 20-5 in the playoffs, winning two state championships in the last three years, including last year’s Class 6A State Championship. His demeanor and ability to find the right place for the best athletes on the field combined with the athletic hotbed of Hoover should make this a successful fit quickly.
BACK TO THE TOP Hoover’s climb back to the top coming off of their worst season since 1998 won’t be easy, but it feels like the perfect time to start with a fresh head coach and new teams added to the region. Class 7A, Region 3 will never be easy, but with the talent and depth the Bucs have and the championship-pedigree coach leading them, they should be considered a favorite to finish as a top-two team this year alongside Thompson. Consistency and improvement on both sides of the ball will have to improve after they were wildly inconsistent a season ago, but don’t be surprised if we look up in October and Hoover is fighting for a region title. And we all know what typically happens if you win Class 7A, Region 3.
WATCH HIM FLY Jonah Winston made a name for himself as a sophomore last year. The younger brother of NFL quarterback Jameis Winston, Jonah has quicly started blazing his own path and earned several premier scholarship offers as he heads into his junior season. With 11 touchdowns total last year, his speed and athleticism running, catching and throwing the football were all put on display. This year, he will be looked at as a leader of the team and will need to step up to help the offense get back to the Bucs’ championship standard.
ATHLETE U Hoover has the athletes. Now, the key task becomes putting the players in the right spot to be successful. Many of them can play multiple positions, but getting them in the exact spot needed will determine this year’s success. That’s where Gilmer comes in handy as a guru of finding the right spot for each player. With a bunch of young playmakers, expect the Bucs to return to success, especially as they gain experience.
2024 Hoover Roster
out what he sees on the field as a leader, while Storm Fain and Samson Coler are two returnees to the guard position. TJ Fields has been handling tackle for the Bucs in the spring and summer, while Toby Richard adds senior experience as another possible guard. That gives Hoover a solid trustworthy group, while the coaching staff feels good about the depth of younger players who will be rotating in.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Depth will be a concern up front on the defensive side of the football for the Bucs with a three-man front, but the starting three offer a group that the coaching staff is very confident in. Tyson Bacon and Pa’Landing Drammeh are two key returning starters to the defensive line who have been putting in continuous work in the offseason.
Bacon is 6-foot-5, 260 pounds as a junior, while Drammeh is 6-foot-2, 295 pounds as a senior. Joining them will be nose tackle Branden Rudolph. Beyond that, the team will be young, but it might be as good as any starting three in the region up front. If they can find a way to become two deep, it will be tough for offenses to match on the opposing side.
LINEBACKER
Backing up the defensive line and the inexperience of depth will be a very strong group of linebackers led by inside linebackers Trey Sanders and Cameron Torbor. Sanders, a junior, and Torbor, a senior, bring back plenty of experience this season with Torbor moving from more of a defensive end position to a Will linebacker position. He is a strong presence who looks like a college athlete, making him perfect
L 11-21 @ James Clemens* W 42-16 @ Hewitt-Trussville* L 7-40 *Playoff Game 2023
2023 RESULTS
Tuscaloosa County W 37-10 @ Chelsea W 41-7
EDITOR’S 2024 PREDICTION (7-3)
Let’s start with the obvious, the athletes are there. Hoover may have one of the most athletic rosters in the state heading into the season. That’s where Drew Gilmer’s presence comes into play. Coming off the worst season in 20 years, Gilmer is a coaching specialist at putting the athletes in their best spot to succeed and help the team. You don’t finish 15-0 and win a Class 6A State Championship without being a remarkable coach, but to have the sustained success he has had at a smaller school, you have to feel confident in his ability. After all, he beat the region champion from Class 7A, Region 3 last year. Doing it week in and week out against the region will be the challenge, and it starts up front on both sides of the ball. The defensive line is as athletic as any in the starting three, while the offensive line should have enough experience and size back to create success for the offense as well. A new quarterback will have to emerge as a confident leader and that could ultimately determine the success of this year’s team, but the weapons are there to produce big plays. Expect the Bucs to be in every game this year and don’t expect the disappoint of last year. There is too much talent from player to coach to not see immediate success in this new era.
11
As just a sophomore, Jonah Winston quickly made a name for himself. He totaled 11 touchdowns offensively for the Bucs last year, playing in multiple positions. A similar style athlete to Jaylen Mbakwe as a do-it-all type of player, Winston can be a dominant receiver, but he can also step up and run the ball and play at quarterback. The younger brother of Jameis Winston, expectations were already high for the young playmaker, but he is already showcasing his talent with two years left in high school. Jonah has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss and many others already and will continue to earn big-time offers with another big season this year.
for the region. Joining those two will be outside linebackers Dylan Bunkley and Justyn Hartley. Both players are multifaceted, which means the coaching staff feels confident in creating several different schemes that they’ll be able to handle. That opens up the defense to cause chaos and confusion for opponents.
SECONDARY
Possibly the most dangerous unit on the field this season will be the secondary. JJ Moultrie and Tre Darden are two returning leaders to the unit at cornerback, while Jackson Lassiter and Donnell Williams will also be pushing for starting time. Moultrie remains the leader of the group and has quickly stood out to Gilmer. At safety, Jeremiah
Robinson, Cam Spates and Ian Suttles are three names to watch. Robinson has been a strong leader at the position, while Spates also has good experience. Suttles moved to the position to add some more depth, as the secondary looks to be a lock-down unit that creates turnovers and prevents big plays.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Going into fall practice, the Bucs were still trying to solidify who the starting kicker would be, but it’s because of a good problem to have, which is several good kickers. Gilmer said he hasn’t had that problem in the past and that are going to let the kickers fighting for a spot battle for the kicking and punting duties this year.
4
Average as a whole defensively last year, this year’s defense will need to be more consistent in every facet of the game from the front seven to the back end. JJ Moultrie will be a key factor in helping the back end of the defense after flashing signs of excellence last year in the secondary with four interceptions. He was one of the top defenders in the area a season ago and should be someone opposing offenses stay away from this year. He is also a key factor on special teams and can be a game changer after blocking four kicks last year as well.
2017
It has been since 2017 that Hoover was crowned state champions and grabbed the Blue Map trophy. That is the longest drought between championships for the Bucs since the 1982-2002 gap. The fan base is starved for a big season, and while they have been on the doorstep of championships many times since 2017, last year’s five-win season has only increased their appetite. Now it all boils down to how bad they want it and the buy-in to Gilmer’s staff.
Tre Darden
MAN OF Versatility
Jonah Winston’s athleticism creates dynamic threat for Bucs
Written by TYLER RALEY | Photos by DAWN HARRISON
When you look to see if Jonah Winston is on the field for a play, it will not take you long to find him.
Winston’s ability to play wherever needed on the field has made him stand out in a Hoover football program that has a history of success, setting him up to have a special year in his junior campaign.
“Jonah is a difference maker. He’s a guy that’s probably going to play every position on the field almost,” Hoover head coach Drew Gilmer said. “He’s all about it, that’s what he wants to do. Those are the things that make him different.”
JACK OF ALL TRADES
Winston has made his case as a player who can do it all, which separates him from everybody else in the eyes of the coaching staff.
Whether it is leading the offense in the wildcat formation, playing out as a receiver or even playing in the secondary as a free safety, Winston has adapted to playing everywhere to fit any scheme that Gilmer wants to run.
For a player with a family legacy, his versatility allows him to write his own chapter as a high school star.
If the name Winston sounds familiar, it might be because Jonah is the younger brother of current Cleveland Browns and former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. Now, he is trying to live up to that standard and help lead Hoover back to greatness.
“It’s a crazy story, I just thank God because I came here as a quarterback not knowing a lot,” Winston said. “Toward the end of my freshman year, I finally
got a shot to show what I can do in space. I’m kind of up under a big shadow right now with my brother and everything, but I’m way better than him and with my versatility I’m more athletic so this just allows me to make a name for myself and help my team win.”
Winston’s confidence as an athlete has him ready to help his team bounce back after finishing the season at 5-7 and losing in the second round of the Class 7A playoffs. Even though it was the team’s first losing record since 1998, it still proves how competitive Region 3 is.
Being in one of the toughest regions in the country has taught Winston a lot about being tough and
physical throughout every game at every position that he plays. As a result, those challenges are preparing him for the future as he hopes to play football beyond Hoover.
Despite just being in his junior year, Winston already has his eyes set on leaving a big legacy with the Bucs and carrying that to the next level for a future in college.
“I always tell everybody around me that this is the SEC of high school football down here in Alabama at 7A,” Winston said. “It gets me ready for the next level because mostly all of the guys I’m going to play are going to be playing on Saturdays, so it’s really a blessing. It gets me ready before I actually go up
there and play with the big dogs.”
Winston loves to succeed every single day on the field and wants to play a part in helping his team win on Friday nights. That is where he has grown the most, using communication to help lead his team to wins.
BEING VOCAL
Throughout his playing days, Winston has altered his style in many aspects. Whether that be to fit within a scheme, adapt to new terminology or even changing the culture, his versatility has eased that process for helping him succeed quickly.
Since Gilmer took the helm at Hoover, his philosophies have helped Winston toward a change in identity as he tries to embrace a leadership role and make an impact with both his actions and words.
“It’s made a huge impact,” Winston said. “I’m normally seen as the most quiet guy. I’m a quiet leader, but now I’m starting to vocalize, I’m starting to lead, I’m starting to be loud and be there for the guys because I know the guys are going to be there for me.”
Part of that process has been taking a step back to learn the new vocabulary that Gilmer has brought into the program, especially after playing baseball in the spring, just like his brother did in both high school and college.
Some people who have been helping him in those efforts are fellow wide receivers Hunter Purdue and Damian Reese, who are
making sure he is up to speed on how things run. Winston is currently an open book, taking in knowledge to help grow as a leader.
“I didn’t know what the terminology was, I didn’t know what anything was,” Winston said.
“Right now I’m going with the twos on purpose because I want Hunter [Purdue], he’s been there since day one, so I want him to shine, so I’ve been going with the twos, but still just taking the step to learn. When I need it, I go out there and perform.”
Winston wants to take what he’s learned to become more and more vocal over the course of
the season, trying to make everyone around him better. At the end of the day, he hopes that people are not surprised when they win consistently.
“I just want to make the impact that Hoover is back,” Winston said. “If you want to come play, you can go ahead and come over here. I just want to leave the impact that it’s a really good school system and you can really do anything you put your mind to and you really can make it.”
Even with a good deal of time to go before Winston hangs up the Hoover cleats for good, it seems as if he is the right man for everything that the Buccaneers will need for success.
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John Carroll
CAVALIERS
Motivation to raise the bar will be what is driving the John Carroll Catholic Cavaliers in their 2024 campaign, as they look to continue the success that was created last year.
The Cavaliers are coming off of a 9-3 season, their first winning season since 2010 and their first playoff appearance since 2009. Now they look to make a deeper playoff run after losing in the second round last year.
The offense is going to have a high standard to live up to. John Carroll scored a program-high 390 total points last year and put up 35 points or more in eight of its 12 games. With a new quarterback under center, the offense will quickly find out what works and what does not when it takes the field in week one against an experienced Homewood defense.
On the other side of the ball, the defense has high hopes to be talented with some quality returning starters like defensive tackle Nic Gagliano and middle linebacker Alex Plaia leading the way, with the secondary being an area that needs to reload.
The Cavaliers’ 4-1 finish to the season and the veteran mentorship will give them a big opportunity to be a player in the race for a region title.
MEET THE TEAM
QUARTERBACK
The quarterback position is one position where John Carroll is going to have some big shoes to fill in order to get back to the playoffs in 2024. With the departure of a three-year starter in dual threat quarterback Carson McFadden, head coach Will Mara will throw out Garrett Barnes to take his place. Where McFadden was relied on to help run the ball a fair amount, Barnes will be tasked with making big throws when called upon. His field vision allows him to make any pass he needs to and his arm strength will get the ball down field on a deep throw. Mara says that his new leader is doing a fantastic job with maturity and is embracing his role, which has helped him in the summer. However, the offense does not have much depth behind him, but freshman Harry White is currently developing as a backup.
RUNNING BACK
Where the quarterback experience lacks, the running back room certainly thrives. The Cavaliers return four athletes who all got reps in the backfield last year in Koron Wright, Tristen Rutledge, John
CLASSIFICATION
AHSAA Class 5A, Region 5
2023 RECORD
9-3 (5-2 Region 3)
HEAD COACH Will Mara
RECORD 22-20 (Fifth year)
ASSISTANT COACHES
Stan White, Scott McFadden, Mike Plaia, Rob Crawford, Vince Elliott, Chris Allarde, Jim Lewis, Dennis Therrell, Scott Spencer, WL Wooters, Tyler Jorgensen, Chris Seidednfaden, Connor Mara, Keith Deason, Casey Bentley
LAST REGION TITLE 1998
LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2023
Ford and Aubrey Walker. Mara says that this room is the best unit offensively. The four stars combine to make a strong team, as they all start on the defensive side of the ball as well. With Wright and Rutledge’s power and Walker and Ford’s agility, this year’s corps of running backs will work to build off of the 3,000 yards rushing that John Carroll accumulated last year.
RECEIVER
The receiving group’s physicality will be a large determinant in how the offense performs this year. Aubrey Walker will be the team’s speed threat on the offensive end, running a 4.3 40yard dash, so Mara knows that they need to get the ball in his hands. Austin Pfraner and Braden White will also play a role alongside him. While Mara says he is still searching for his key tight end, the strength of this group will be the fact that they are not afraid to block and help make plays. All of the receivers on the team possess the ball really well, so the offense will mostly be focused on winning the battle for passes under 12 yards under any circumstances, as those shorter gains can be key for a successful drive.
Aug. 23: Homewood (At
Aug. 30: @ St. Michael
Sept. 6: @ Carver*
Sept. 13: Hayden*
Sept. 20: @ Ramsay*
Sept. 27: @ Montevallo
Oct. 4: Wenonah*
Oct. 11: @ Briarwood*
Oct. 18: Corner*
Nov. 1: West Blocton
*Region game
OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line has been on the rise for the Cavaliers for the last couple of years. Last year, John Carroll’s linemen all weighed over 200 pounds for the first time. This year, that was never a concern. It returns three of its starters, all on the left side of the ball. Anthony Mokry will lead the group at center, with Che Johnson at the left guard and Elzey Gibson at the left tackle. Charlie Boone, Bo Burke and Nic Gagliano are juniors that will look to fill in on the right side. Mara is optimistic about what the guys up front are bringing to the table, as it is the most depth they have had at the position group in a while. With depth at
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aubrey Walker, ATH
With 117 yards last year, Walker is expected to see his role grow this year as a junior.
Koron Wright, RB/LB
Wright took advantage of his 30 carries last year, putting together 139 yards and five touchdowns.
Tristen Rutledge, RB/LB
Rutledge is expected to play a bigger role for the Cavs this year after totaling 93 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries as a sophomore.
Braydon Lowery, LB
With 10 tackles for loss last year, Lowery will be a leader at the linebacker position this season.
KEY DEPARTURES
Carson McFadden, QB
Not only was McFadden the leader at quarterback with 1,330 yards passing and 12 touchdowns, but he finished second on the team in rushing with 963 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Zach Archer, ATH
The team’s leading receiver last year with more than 500 yards, Archer also totaled 146 yards on the ground as a senior.
Mitchell Nutter, RB
The team’s leading rusher a season ago, Nutter totaled more than 1,200 yards on the ground, leaving a big gap to fill.
CJ Wyatt, DL
Wyatt totaled 11 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks a season ago, making him the leader up front on the defensive line.
Samford)
2024 SCHEDULE
Braydon Lowery
QUICK HITS
TURNING OF THE TIDE Last year was a turning point for the John Carroll football program. Years in the making, last year’s senior class put together a remarkable run that led the Cavs to the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and their first playoff win since 2004. It was the exact season the program needed to start an upward trend. Now, it becomes about sustainability. With many new faces on the roster this season, the standard has now changed and they’ll look to live up to it.
FILLING THE GAPS
The coaching staff is going to have its hands full finding the right fit at each position this year after losing a large bulk of production from last year’s magical run. They’ll lose starting quarterback Carson McFadden as well as 1,200-yard running back Mitchell Nutter and athlete Zach Archer. Those three alone produced a large portion of the offensive production, but the senior depth extends beyond them. Filling those gaps left behind by a large graduating class will be challenging, but this year’s group should be up to the challenge.
TIME TO SHINE With the departure of so many seniors who made big-time plays last year, young players are going to have to step up this season. It’s their time to shine, which means players likeTristen Rutledge, Koron Wright, Aubrey Walker and others are going to have to take the next step this season after earning playing time last year as young players.
HOLDING DOWN THE FORT
One aspect that will help this year’s team will be ito build off of the success defensively that they had last year. A unit that gave up 20.3 points per game and 20 or less in both playoff games, the defense can be a difference maker this year in helping the offense gain confidence early in the season. If that side of the ball shows up and the offense is clicking at the midway point of the season, the Cavs will threaten for a second consecutive playoff appearance.
2024 John Carroll Roster
running back, their focus is on opening up holes for the run game while also giving Barnes time in the pocket to work in the passing game.
DEFENSIVE LINE
There is big hope that the defensive line will be a strong point this year. With many guys playing on both sides of the ball, there are a lot of familiar names from the offensive line that will be a factor here. Nic Gagliano is a seasoned veteran on the line that has been a force in the middle at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds. He is joined by Jacob Childress, who is coming up as a newer player at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds. At defensive end, junior Niajel Moran will lead the way with his quickness and fast thinking along with Tristen Rutledge. Both move very well for their size and can be a force up front. Mara hopes Che Johnson and Bo Burke will step up as well.
LINEBACKER
Behind the defensive line, there is experience that should help to lead the way for the Cavaliers. The middle linebacker will be filled in by Alex Plaia, who is brother of former John Carroll linebacker Max Plaia. Koron Wright will also play both sides of the ball, as Mara says he hits the gap harder than just about anyone else on the team. On the outside stands a four-year starter in Braydon Lowery who has played all over the back seven in his career. The versatility that he provides allows him to work in pretty much any scheme that is called, which helps in a big way considering the team will not be changing defensive terminology for the first time in Mara’s tenure.
SECONDARY
The secondary has potential to be a talent in 2024, but with the departure of the dynamic Zach Archer, who totaled 46 tackles on the defensive side of the ball last
year, John Carroll has more big shoes to fill in the secondary. It may not come as a surprise, though, that Aubrey Walker will step into his role at safety with the speed that he provides. Garvey Hannon and Jayden Starks will also play back there alongside Walker. Two-year starter Jaylin Shepherd, Austin Pfraner and Jackson Rankin will all fill in the corner spots and rotate based on the looks that they get from the opposing offense. The defense will find out very early on what struggles present
themselves with the absence of Archer, as they will have to adapt to the speed of the game early on each week.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The specialist depth is very up in the air right now for the Cavaliers following the departure of last year’s kicker in Charles Farr. Alex Perrin and Ryan Swetz are currently in the battle for the kicking and punting spot, but the special teams spots are open across the board this year.
EDITOR’S 2024 PREDICTION (5-5)
2023 RESULTS
Game
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Based on the success that the Cavaliers had in 2023, I believe that coach Mara has all the keys to have another quality year in Class 5A, Region 5. However, the thing that may bite John Carroll the most is the replacement of so many starters and quality athletes, which can cause challenges against a challenging schedule this season. With both Fairfield and Pleasant Grove leaving the region, the battle for a high seed in the playoffs just blew open. The Cavaliers’ performance in the first half of the season will determine a lot about what their postseason fate will be. No matter the circumstances, they will have to move the ball efficiently if they want the success they desire. I do think their talent at running back and offensive line suits them well and at least makes them a top-four seed for a spot in the playoffs.
FRONT AND Center
Anthony Mokry ready to bring experience to a young Cavs team
Written by TYLER RALEY | Photos by DAWN HARRISON
PPlaying on the front lines in football is a tough task, but when a team has a player like Anthony Mokry up there, they are in good hands.
Every game features physicality and tests a player’s fatigue and ability to adapt throughout each quarter, something that really changed last year for both Mokry and the entire offensive line.
With a deep and experienced group of linemen coming into the season, the John Carroll Cavaliers hope to have another successful offensive year, especially with Mokry as a veteran starter.
The team is putting in the hard work, and now that the standard is set, Mokry believes that execution is key to victory every single day.
ONE UNIT
The offensive line is typically known as a family tied together by a strong knot, and the Cavaliers
fit that mold.
With plenty of experience in this year’s front five, Mokry has seen that development from his teammates for years, as he’s started since his sophomore year. He has developed well, largely due to those who came before him.
“We had a great senior group that kind of helped pave the way for me,” Mokry said. “Putting in the work over the past four years has really been able to broaden my knowledge of the o-line.”
What he has learned has helped his current teammates in all aspects both on and off the field, which does wonders up front when the players need to play as one cohesive group.
Part of that relationship is shown in the ways that Mokry interacts with his teammates away from football. With how close they are, it is no wonder that he believes their chemistry is high.
“They’re great, we’re pretty close,” Mokry said.
“We’ll do some stuff outside where we’ll get some dinner or eat some lunch or do whatever we can do. It’s good knowing your brothers have your back and I feel very comfortable with all of them. I think all of them are in the right spot and there’s no one I’d rather go to war with than them.”
That war comes along both in every practice and every game, trying to execute the right game plan and setting up the rest of the offense, things Mokry feels very optimistic about.
REUSE AND RELOAD
The Cavs’ offense is coming off of a season in
which it scored 32.5 points per game, helping them make their first playoff appearance since 2009. With that positive momentum, the team is expected to see a lot of the same run-based style that led to last year’s historic season.
Former Auburn and NFL lineman Chad Slade was key in the offseason before taking a new job with Hewitt-Trussville. Mokry said the knowledge he shared with he and his teammates was important.
“Coach Slade has a wealth of knowledge,” Mokry said. “He’ll get us in the low stance, firing off the ball.”
While Mokry has full trust in his running backs
to do their job, he said that the unit has also been frequently working on pass blocking with junior Garrett Barnes set to run the offense.
For them to be successful, Mokry knows that they have to win the battle of physicality, which is exactly what Slade has been helping them with in his short time with the team.
“He’s mainly just talked about keeping the chest back, having a strong base and using your hands,” Mokry said. “He wants to focus on us using our hands a lot because that’s where you win most of the battles is with the hands.”
Winning those kinds of battles comes with having a dedication to the craft, which Mokry has and is ingrained in the Cavs culture.
PLAYING RIGHT
As time has gone on, Mokry has figured out exactly what his coaches expect, which is why he
fits in perfectly along the line.
John Carroll head coach Will Mara has been with Mokry for almost six years. The two have built a strong connection, so it is easy to see that while Mara is the team’s head coach, Mokry almost acts as the offense’s head coach.
Throughout his time in the program, Mara has instilled a motto in his players in “The CAV WAY.”
It stands for Commitment, Attitude, Valor, We, Are, You. That motto is something that Mokry tries to play for and impress on his teammates weekly.
“That just ensures that it doesn’t matter what’s in front of you,” Mokry said. “If you put in the work, if you’re committed, if you have the attitude, then you can defeat the guy in front of you.”
That mindset will ring true now more than ever as Mokry prepares to leave a legacy in the program that will last forever.
No matter what, he will be noticed. After all, he is front and center on the Cavalier stage.
Mountain Brook
SPARTANS
The Mountain Brook Spartans enter year 19 under head coach Chris Yeager, and while that experience is a positive, they’ll be replacing more than that from last year’s senior class.
The Spartans will lose 38 seniors from last year’s team, including all but three starters on offense and two on defense, which can be concerning heading into a new football season.
With a coach as experienced as Yeager, however, the impact should be minimal.
Mountain Brook is the type of program that plugs and plays with most players growing up in the system, learning it for years and then perfecting it as juniors and seniors in high school, even when limited in starting experience.
The confidence the coaching staff has in the starting rotation at each position unit shows just how good they do feel despite the losses, and that’s what makes Mountain Brook dangerous.
Just when you think it might be a year you can get them, they are going to be as physical and fast as ever. Assuming the young starters gain experience quickly, the Spartans should continue their consistent success.
MEET THE TEAM
QUARTERBACK
This year’s team may be young, but Yeager is confident in the players who will start at each position unit and that starts with dual-threat quarterback Cayden Hofbauer. The junior leader of the offense stands at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds and is a better runner than the team has had at the position in a while, which allows him to extend plays. That ability, combined with his passing skills, makes him a dangerous threat, especially as he grows to understand defenses throughout the season. Archie Andrews and Rivers Young are both backups who the coaching staff feels confident in as well.
RUNNING BACK
One of the only returning starters to any of the skill positions this year will be Stuart Andrews at running back, only he moves to a new position after playing at receiver a season ago. He is a smaller back, but his acceleration makes him special with game changing speed. Yeager said they’ll really learn about the running back room as they get into game situations where decisions have to be made. Andrews provides a
CLASSIFICATION
AHSAA Class 6A, Region 6
2023 RECORD
8-4 (5-1 Region 5)
HEAD COACH
Chris Yeager
RECORD
153-65 (19th year)
ASSISTANT COACHES
Shane Stearns, Brad Easley, Gabe Rodriguez, Richard Kelly, Buddy Pell, Jake Collins, Heath McCoy, Jason Hamlin
good decision maker as a junior that they hope translates to the position.
Gabe Smith and Lawson McKnight will both help add depth as similar style backs who bring great speed to the table. Seeing all three in pads during fall practice will be telling to how the depth stacks up.
RECEIVER
Similar to running back, there won’t be a whole lot of size at the receiver position, but the Spartans will be loaded with speed. Trey Vinson is one of the leaders at the position heading into the fall and Yeager says he has legitimate speed that can help the offense. Archie Andrews will also play at receiver assuming he isn’t needed at quarterback, while Sam Smith is a similar style to both Vinson and Andrews. Jack Walthall and Alex Leonard are two tight ends that Yeager is excited about as well. Walthall was a receiver last year and hit a growth spurt, which puts him in prime shape to be a difference maker at tight end. Now at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, he brings great blocking and catching skills to the table. Wallace Hunter and Bennett Jordan will also help at both receiver and tight end.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The most experienced unit on the
2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 23: @ Demopolis
Aug. 30: Parker
Sept. 6: @ Hueytown
Sept. 13: Pell City*
Sept. 20: Oxford*
Sept. 27: Homewood
Oct. 4: @ Clay-Chalkville*
Oct. 10: Pinson Valley* (Thursday)
Oct. 18: @ Huffman*
Oct. 25: @ Shades Valley*
*Region game
team will likely come up front on the offensive side of the football with the return of starters Rocco Gray at center, Daniel Ellis at left tackle and Kevin Hughes at right tackle. Those three anchor what should be a strong offensive line that helps put an inexperienced offense in the best shape possible to grow throughout the season and chase down a region title. Pierson Avery and Parker Whitten will fill out the final two spots of the line, while Henry Gimenez also got playing time last year and will hopefully be back following an injury. Mark Torbert and Slade Anderson will also have a chance to rotate in. Ellis is the larger of the linemen at 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, while the rest are all right around 6-foot, 220 pounds, an exciting number for Yeager.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cayden Hofbauer, QB
A junior quarterback new to the varsity level, Hofbauer’s athleticism and speed make him a dangerous threat and could be the spark the offense needs this year.
Daniel Ellis, OL
One of three returnees to the offensive line, Ellis should be a difference maker in getting the offense rolling with a frame of 6-foot-4, 265 pounds.
Hampton King, LB
An athletic playmaker, King moves to linebacker from defensive back this year and is poised to be a defensive leader.
Cannon Mussafer, DB
One of three defensive backs with high expectations this year, Mussafer will hope to step up as a leader at either free safety or corner.
With 2,037 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns last year, Gamble will be one of the biggest losses for any team entering the season.
Clark Sanderson, WR
Sanderson totaled 936 yards and six touchdowns on 44 receptions last year, making him the go-to target and leading receiver for the Spartans.
Watts Alexander, OL
An integral part of the offense, Alexander was key in paving the way for Gabmble’s strong rushing attack.
William Grier McDuffie, LB
Totaling right around 150 tackles and more than 10 tackles for loss last year, McDuffie leaves a big void to fill in the front seven.
Cole Gamble, RB
QUICK HITS
CHANGE IN LANDSCAPE
One of the biggest storylines for Mountain Brook heading into the 2024 football season is the shift from Region 5 to Region 6 in the 6A classification. What does that mean? Challenges. The Spartans will have winnable games on the schedule, but winning the region championship will feature its share of challenges with strong 6A teams like defending 6A champ and unbeaten Clay-Chalkville, Oxford, Pell City, Pinson Valley and others. It will create an exciting schedule in what should be one of the state’s best regions regardless of classification this year.
SENIORITIS
In this case, senioritis has many different meanings. It means the Spartans will be hurting from the loss of several seniors from an impressive senior class and the desire for a young team to get to a senior level of play. This year will look different from the standpoint that Mountain Brook won’t have a deep senior class like they did a season ago, but rather a group of young players with a lot of future promise. How quickly depth builds this year may determine just how successful of a year it is.
LOCKDOWN DEFENSE
One thing that will help with so many new faces is that there is almost no doubt that Mountain Brook’s defense will be well coached. It’s about as sure of a sure thing as you can get. In each of the last six seasons, the Spartans have given up 19 points or less per game and oftentimes 15 points or less per game. A good defense and a wellcoached defense is something that can keep you in a lot of games.
FINDING THE NEW DUO
Last year, the Mountain Brook offense was highlighted by quarterback John Cooper and running back Cole Gamble. Both left their mark, including more than 2,000 yards of offense from Gamble on the ground. Those are two extremely important positions for the Spartans to fill going into the new season, and how much success they have at those two positions likely determines whether the Spartans earn a top-two seed in the region or fight for a playoff spot.
2024 Mountain Brook Roster
DEFENSIVE LINE
The defensive line will be made up of three defensive linemen who are athletic and versatile with Boyd Cooper, Meagher Teague and Frank Lee all set to start at the position. Cooper and Lee bring senior leadership to the group, while Teague is a junior continuing to rise. All are built more like linebackers, which helps them move extremely well, while Yeager said their football instincts are second to none, making it
the best talent up front in a while on the defensive line. James Morano and Jack McNeil are two more seniors who can add depth as edge type rushers for the Spartans.
2023 RESULTS
@ Gardendale W 56-42 Baker L 28-37 Buckhorn* W 35-14
@ Clay-Chalkville* L 13-17
*Playoff Game
EDITOR’S 2024
PREDICTION (7-3)
There won’t be any hiding for this year’s Mountain Brook football team. Despite the loss of 38 seniors and most starters from last year’s team, the Spartans are going to face a gauntlet of a schedule this season. Ultimately, the players who will step into starting roles or the rotation this year are players that know the program and system well, which should help avoid some of the drop off in production. The toughest part of the schedule, however, comes in the first seven games. That will be good from an experience standpoint, but it means getting a new team meshing together quickly. The good news is they’ll face three challenging non-region games against Demopolis, Parker and Hueytown before they jump into region play. If they go 2-1 or 3-0 through that stretch, lookout. I do see the Spartans getting better and better as the season goes along, which bodes well for their chances at making the playoffs and playing their best football at the right time of the season. A 6-4 prediction seems pretty safe, but it could be much, much better if they maneuver those first three games without a loss. At that point, the team would be experienced, confident and the favorite in a region featuring Clay-Chalkville, Pell City, Oxford, Pinson Valley, Huffman and Shades Valley. Good news, they have a veteran head coach who knows how to get a team prepared and he sounds confident in this year’s team getting where they need to be.
LINEBACKER
Backing up that solidified group of starters on the defensive line will be another group the coaching staff is confident in with three solidified starters. Hampton King, a defensive back last year, has moved to linebacker this year and will be one of the three starters, while Miller Lee and Reid Smith are also going to be starting at the position. Yeager said those three are really stepping up to showcase their leadership, while several will be battling for the fourth and final spot at the position. Miller Crumpton, Graham Smith and Billy Flowers will be vying for that fourth spot, but regardless, the two who don’t earn the starting nod will get their share of time in the rotation as depth is a positive.
SECONDARY
With a focus of not getting beat deep this year, three players will add more confidence to the defense in the
secondary. Cannon Mussafer, Henry Bell and Harris Crumpton all will play in the secondary as starters with one of the three taking on the free safety position and the other two cornerback. Previously, all three have spent time playing at corner. Hayes Windle and Mac Mandell will also be key contributors who should have an impact at the position. The best thing about this group is that they can be moved around to do a lot of different things on defense, leading to confusion for opposing offenses. That combined with their football IQ makes them a dangerous unit and caps off a schematically intimidating defense this year.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Spartans will get the luxury of kicker Anderson Roberts on this year’s team, something they don’t always have going into the season. Yeager has full confidence in his kicking ability, while Reid Smith will handle long snapping duties.
King of the Defense
Hampton King ready to claim championship crown for
Spartans
Written by TYLER RALEY | Photos by DAWN HARRISON
DDriven by his program’s history of success, Mountain Brook linebacker Hampton King is looking to continue that tradition and live up to expectations, especially being in the center of it all on the defensive side.
The Spartans always bring a depth of experience to the table with veteran head coach Chris Yeager leading the way, which is something every player learns from throughout the season.
Having played all over the defense, King will use that knowledge to lead in a unique way for a high school player, which will ease the team in its move from Region 5 to Region 6 in Class 6A.
Now, his goal is to show that on the field and
prepare for what lies ahead on Friday nights.
MULTIPLE IDENTITIES
King is switching his position up on the field this year, stepping into a new role late in his high school career.
Last year, he played in the secondary for a Mountain Brook defense that gave up just 17.4 points per game in a season where the team went 8-4 and made yet another playoff appearance.
Now, King makes the transition toward the center of the defense and starts his time as a linebacker. His excitement is very present, and he is optimistic
about all that he will see.
“I’m enthusiastic,” King said. “I look forward to playing with all my friends and just getting to enjoy my last year as a Mountain Brook football player and enjoying all the struggles.”
Part of those struggles include adapting to a different place in the Spartans’ defensive schemes and reading the opposing offense from a different location on the field, which for some players can be challenging.
In King’s eyes though, he sees this change as his opportunity to make the entire defense better in game action, something he has felt already in these early practices.
“It’s helped me learn other positions,” King said. “When I think of a play call and I know what my friend is doing and I can help him out, or just discuss with my teammates what they need to be
doing, what I need to be doing. It just helps me process the game quicker and faster.”
Football has evolved to demand that quicker and faster style, something King feels comfortable doing even though he is in a new spot.
That task will be more easily managed with the guys that he has around him, players who he is grateful to surround himself with.
SIDE BY SIDE
High school sports are the culmination of everything an athlete has done throughout his or her childhood. You play with friends, you make lasting memories and you strengthen bonds that will last forever.
King had that same experience, and those connections have been his favorite part about
playing for the program.
“It brings us all together,” King said. “I’ve definitely got more friends now, people I can count on and get to know better.”
Some of those players who he has been able to grow close to and run around with are his fellow linebackers and secondary members in Miller Lee, Reed Smith, Cannon Mussafer, Henry Bell and Harris Crumpton, a group of guys that he will be relying on this year.
It is largely because of these strong team bonds that King is the player he is today, an impact that he is proud to have made over his time with Mountain Brook.
“They make me strive for only but the best I have,” King said. “They always motivate me to come out and give my best. They’re always there for me no matter what happens, good and bad, and we just
all play together.”
The bond that they have built has given coach Yeager the confidence to think that this combined group of King and the entire secondary will be the strength of the team, something that is very positive to feel going into a season with numerous new faces.
Despite that, King knows that no matter what the situation is on the field, he has to be ready to uphold the Spartans’ standard that so many have looked up to and go out as a winner.
YEAGER’S HOUSE
The Mountain Brook bar has been cemented in history ever since Yeager stepped into the position as the Spartans’ head coach. Ever since he took over in 2006, the team has only missed out on the postseason four times.
Shelby County Newsmedia,
Yeager has seen many players through his program, each one with a unique perspective on what he is like as a coach. Even with that, one thing remains fairly consistent about all of his views—he knows what he is doing and he does it well. What King has seen from his head coach is no different.
“He’s kind of like our mentor,” King said. “He will give us good rules and lessons to help us bring our team together and closer. He sets little challenges to prove ourselves and our character.”
King knows that part of proving his own character is the leadership role that he provides.
Now that he is moving around the defense more, he knows that playing by what Yeager has taught him over the years is as important as ever, which is what he is focused on going into his senior season.
“Coach Yeager always preaches one thing, and he always says it’s about others,” King said. “The most I can do to help my teammates helps our defense. Just moving out there, getting calls quick, moving around fast and trying to play as fast and as best as I can play.”
That mindset plays into the legacy that King hopes to leave once he graduates and exits stage left at Mountain Brook.
“I hope that everyone that sees me knows that I don’t give up on any plays and I always keep pushing no matter how tired or how late in the game it is, that we all have excitement and we’re all enthusiastic and pumped up about each play,” King said.
He now has one last chance to live up to everything Yeager has taught him and bring home a state championship, all in the hopes of leaving a legacy that will have him forever remembered as a “King” of the defense.
Spain Park
JAGUARS
The Spain Park Jaguars enter 2024 with plenty of high expectations as they look to follow up on last year’s success with a a hopeful trip to the playoffs this season.
Spain Park continued its rapid ascent back to success last season, earning a 7-3 record and cracking the top 10 of the media rankings against one of the toughest regions in the state in Class 7A, Region 3.
Now, the Jags make the move down to Class 6A with one goal still in mind—an upward trajectory that leads them to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
While they have multiple holes to fill on both sides of the ball, Spain Park still has a strong returning core back including one of the state’s fastest rising stars in junior quarterback Brock Bradley.
With the players continuing to grow on and off the field and gain confidence in their abilities, head coach Tim Vakakes’s group has the potential to make some noise and return to the promised land of November football.
MEET THE TEAM
QUARTERBACK
Brock Bradley will return for his second year as a starter and first as an underclassman. Vakakes called the junior one of the hardest workers in the room, and that’s shown in his progress throughout his sophomore season in 2023 and in his offseason preparation. That work ethic combined with his talent should help the Jags continue to evolve on offense, especially since Vakakes hopes to expand the playbook now that Bradley is comfortable in the system.
RUNNING BACK
The Jags will implement a mix of size and speed in 2024 as senior Dakarai Shanks and sophomore CJ Cowley create a dynamic duo. Vakakes is looking forward to utilizing both backs in different ways as Shanks will use his 5-foot-9, 200-pound frame in between the tackles for big, bruising runs, while Cowley’s 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame gives him the speed and agility to be dangerous. The diverse backfield should help open up the offensive options even more as Spain Park’s offense continues to evolve.
RECEIVER
It’ll be a new-look receiver room for Spain Park
CLASSIFICATION
AHSAA Class 6A, Region 3
2023 RECORD
7-3 (4-3 Class 7A, Region 3)
HEAD COACH
Tim Vakakes
RECORD 10-10 (Third year)
ASSISTANT COACHES
David Bush, Darius Taylor, Danny Kimble, Daris Robinson, Taylor Diamond, Bryan Tull, Matt Thompson, Brandon Berry, TJ Simmons, Jordan Pannell, Daron Arrington, Lincoln Clark, Carey Moorer, Matt Hall
LAST REGION TITLE 2015
LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2017
Brock Bradley
Dakarai Shanks
this year as Jaxon Haygood, Mitchell Frazer and Andrew Thornton will step up as senior starters. Each of them has contributed in their own ways at Spain Park and have experience under their belts, but now they will get the chance to step into some big shoes. Vakakes believes that they’ll have big years as Bradley spreads the targets across the board versus having one big deep threat like Jonathan Bibbs. Look out for tight end Henry Gregory to be a potential breakout player as the 6-foot-7 senior has been generating buzz throughout the offseason.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line has a lot of experience going into 2024, and Vakakes wants to use that to empower the rest of the offense. Hudson Reed will bring his 6-foot-5, 254-pound frame to the left tackle spot and look to improve on a sophomore year that has already garnered him Power 4 offers. Jayden Craig, Jackson Bell and Jovan Taylor are all highly motivated seniors looking to leave it all out for their final year with the Jags. Expect the offensive line to not only open up space between the tackles but help the receivers with
2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 23: Sparkman
Aug. 30: @ Hoover
Sept. 6: Bye
Sept. 13: @ Helena*
Sept. 20: Benjamin Russell*
Sept. 27: @ James Clemens
Oct. 4: @ Pelham*
Oct. 10: Chelsea*#
Oct. 18: Calera*
Oct. 25: @ Chilton County*
Nov. 1: @ Gardendale
*Region game #Thursday
perimeter blocking with the goal of turning small gains into big plays.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Just like its offensive counterpart, the defensive line will be very seniorheavy even though multiple players will be stepping up into bigger roles. Landon Johnson, Geno Ferguson and Harris Gregory will look to hold the line up front for the Jags, while Aden Walker will join them this year after breaking his leg early in the 2023 season. Vakakes’ goal is for the defense to be multiple, so look for them to break out of the four-man front and
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brock Bradley, QB
After a breakout sophomore season, Bradley will look to take the next step in his evolution as he becomes an upperclassman with lots of eyes on him.
Dakarai Shanks, RB
While he split time in the backfield with his brother Derick last year, Dakarai will use his bruising build to carry the bulk of the load between the tackles in 2024.
CJ Cowley, RB
Cowley hopes to capitalize on his preseason hype with speed that can extend any run into a big gain.
Christian Smith, LB/DL
Smith is another highly-touted player on the rise and will look to wreck games toward the front of the defense.
Arnold Bush, CB
The lone returner in the Jags’ secondary, Bush will bring experience to a key position group as he shadows some of the top receivers in the region.
KEY DEPARTURES
Jonathan Bibbs
Last year’s leading receiver in Shelby County, Bibbs was a reliable deep threat and provided big-play offense to the Jags.
Connor Langston
An All-County First Team offensive lineman last year, Langston will be a key missing piece this season.
Jamari Moseley
Moseley was one of the top secondary threats around and a key leader in the Spain Park defensive squad.
Nik Alston
A transfer, Nik Alston is now gone from Spain Park as a strong tackler for the Jaguars.
2024 Spain Park Roster
2023 RESULTS
@ Calera W 55-0
Briarwood W 37-6
Hoover* L 20-28
Thompson* L 14-55
@ Vestavia Hills* L 8-26
Bye
@ Tuscaloosa County* W 35-14
Chelsea* W 38-21
@ Hewitt-Trussville* W 50-29
@ Oak Mountain* W 42-17
Pelham W 39-0
*Region game
adapt to what the situation presents.
LINEBACKER
EJ Kerley will hold down the middle linebacker spot, and the junior’s big presence will be key to getting after the ball all around the field. JD Bonamy is another junior who will play a big role in the linebacker group, while senior Brayden Matherson made the move over the offseason to the nickel to help shore up that position. Over on the inside, John Higginbotham leads
a group of about four to six players who are battling for time, and Vakakes believes all of them can help him win games. Look out for junior Christian Smith to make a big impact this season across both the defensive line and linebacker spots as a hybrid player.
SECONDARY
Arnold Bush is the lone returning starter in the position group, but he’ll bring experience and a solid toolset to the secondary this year.
4
Despite the move down to Class 6A, the Jags will play four of the 10 opponents they faced in Class 7A in 2023: Calera, Chelsea, Hoover and Pelham. Spain Park went 3-1 in those games, with the lone loss being a one-score defeat to the Bucs.
2023 STATS
Offense
Total
1,031
Jonathan Bibbs was the only receiver in the county last season to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards as he racked up a county-high 1,031 yards in 2023. That provides a big hole for the Jags’ receivers room to fill, but it’s one that Vakakes is confident in his group of senior route-runners to step into.
5-YEAR WIN TREND
Arnold Bush
EDITOR’S 2024
PREDICTION (8-2)
It may have taken some time for me to come around, but I now firmly believe this is the year that Spain Park gets over the hump and back into the playoffs. The Jags held their own against some of the top teams in 7A last year even while banged up during a crucial midseason stretch, and that should prepare them for another difficult region in Class 6A, Region 3. Expect the offense to take on a new dimension with Brock Bradley’s continued maturity alongside a rising star in the backfield in CJ Cowley and multiple solid receiving threats. They still have multiple questions that need to be answered after losing multiple players at key spots, so how far this team will go depends on how quickly those new pieces settle in, especially with a brutal first half of the schedule that includes Hoover, Helena and Benjamin Russell in a four-week span. However, I’m confident that the players coming up will rise to the level set by their predecessors and the returning starters and the upward trajectory of the Jags under Vakakes will continue with a playoff appearance and the possibility of making noise come November.
He’ll lead a crowded field of competitors behind him jockeying for playing time and the remaining starting spots, including Riley Harrelson, Joe Cross, Carter Holloway, Hagen Holley and Michael and George Ritchey.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Josh Tulloss will return as both kicker and punter after a solid year in 2023 and a good spring. He’ll have a pair of players helping him out at long snapper in the form of Jack Lutenbacher and Parker Weimar.
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Making it pay off
Aden Walker ready to make years of hard work pay off in 2023
Written by TYLER RALEY | Photos by DAWN HARRISON
FFootball is a physical sport filled with an increasing number of injuries. Just ask Aden Walker.
Trying to rebuild yourself after a major setback is something not everyone can do effectively, but after breaking his leg, Walker never wavered and is now poised as a leader on the Jags’ defense as a senior.
The season will be filled with new challenges each week, but Walker hopes that his large support system will push the team forward after missing out on the playoffs last season.
Even with that in mind, Walker simply wants to
have a year of playing in every game until the clock hits triple zeros for the final time.
CLIMBING UP
Walker’s junior campaign definitely did not end how any player would want it to in any sport.
In week two of last season, Walker got rolled up from behind and broke his leg, immediately ending his season and putting the Jaguars without a key player on the defensive front.
For the Jags, it hurt knowing that one of its stars could have made a huge difference in performance during a three-game losing streak in the beginning of region play.
Head coach Tim Vakakes remembers everything about that night, saying everyone got very emotional quickly after it happened. He and the rest of the team knew it was serious, and not a single eye was dry on the Jaguars’ sideline.
It was then that Vakakes realized just how much of an impact Walker has on the program and how much of a leadership position he holds.
Walker feels the leadership position is a two-way street, knowing Vakakes has impacted his development and the program’s as well.
“Last year we had some success,” Walker said. “We finally had a winning record, we almost went into the playoffs, but it shows hard work pays off if you keep doing it right. That’s what Spain Park has
felt like for me.”
With that hard work has come a deep relationship with the coaching staff, making Walker’s time within the program that much more meaningful. It’s also a motivator to make him an even better player than he already is.
CONNECTED
Walker has stayed true to the Spain Park football program, which is evident in how he bonds with everyone that is connected to it.
That all starts with Vakakes, who is now entering his third season at the helm and is looking to finally break the team back into the playoffs in Class 6A after a 7-3 season last year in Class 7A, one which saw the Jags fall short of the postseason.
What Vakakes does feeds down through the staff, making everyone better each and every day, which
Walker has noticed.
He finds light in the fact that he can go to any of the coaches on either side of the ball for help, knowing that they will assist him whenever he has a question on how to get better.
“I feel like all of my coaches have a good impact on my career,” Walker said. “They make it so where the team isn’t just offense and defense. It’s like it’s a family. I usually come ask them about stuff about the defensive side of the ball even though they’re the offensive coach. It’s like a big family with all the coaches.”
That familial feeling with the coaching staff is something Walker also feels from the fans. With the stands filled each week, it makes Walker feel many emotions, no matter the result of the game.
“That support system is great, our student section is great,” Walker said. “No matter what anyone says about it, the people really do care every time we step on that field, about us and what we do. I couldn’t ask for a better support system.”
With the entirety of his fanbase rallying around him, it really allows Walker focus on leaving his desired mark on Spain Park when everything ends.
LEGACY FOR TOMORROW
It is no secret that Walker has played an important
role in the Spain Park defensive front. He has made himself known to others and shown clear leadership qualities.
However, it has not always been that way for him. He had to grow and find his voice throughout his early time in the program which turned him into the player he is today—a leader who helps prepare younger players for the future.
“I didn’t really want to talk a lot freshman year because I didn’t feel like I had a place to talk,” Walker said. “Now, I’m just trying to have fun with everybody. I’m just trying to be able to make sure I’m a teammate that everybody can talk to… I just want to be a teammate that you can always reach out to, even if I’m still at Spain Park or not.”
Everything they do sets Walker up to play well on the field, which he hopes will be part of the legacy he leaves in this bounce back year.
“I’m just hoping to leave that I was a player that cared about it,” Walker said. “You could tell that I cared, I had passion for the game and that I wanted to win every game. Win or lose, I wanted to make sure that we were able to win every game and we were able to try and come on top.”
Walker now has a chance to prove that with Spain Park as he tries to make a difference and prove his worth in hopes of creating a comeback story that will be remembered for years to come.
Vestavia Hills
REBELS
Entering year three of the Robert Evans era at Vestavia Hills, one thing is evident as the Rebels prepare for the 2024 season and that is that they will be a physical football team that doesn’t back down from anyone.
The Rebels have shown that the last two years and it was fully on display last year in 9-3 season coming out of Class 7A, Region 3 as the three seed.
This season will be no different, and the hope for the coaching staff and team is that this is the year they challenge for the region championship.
Despite the loss of do-it-all quarterback John Paul Head, the Rebels will definitely rely on their physical approach on both sides of the ball with an offense built around running the ball and controlling the pace of the game and a defense that doesn’t give up much breathing room.
The region got no easier this year with the additions of HillcrestTuscaloosa and Prattville, but this year’s Vestavia team has the pieces to not only compete for a playoff spot, but a high seed.
MEET THE TEAM
QUARTERBACK
Replacing John Paul Head’s production as a multiyear starter who totaled 3,500 yards and 40 touchdowns as a senior won’t be easy, but Charlie Taaffe will bring a similar presence to the table as the new starter. Serving as a backup last year, the sophomore quarterback did get some experience last year as a freshman. A dual threat athlete, he is calm under pressure with a good arm and all intangibles needed. Standing at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, he is also a shortstop for the baseball team. Coaches describe him as having the perfect presence for the quarterback position and a physical player who carries himself as a leader and winner. Right now, all three backups are freshmen, which does make the health of Taaffe important throughout the season, which is why coaches have been working with him on making the right decision when it comes to his physicality.
RUNNING BACK
The good news for the Vestavia offense this year is that three-year starter William Tonsmeire will return to the running back position for the Rebels. Tonsmeire is ready to leave it all on the field for his senior season and brings back more than 1,000 yards on the ground. With a frame of 185 pounds, he is primed to be one of the top backs in the Birmingham area this season.
CLASSIFICATION
AHSAA Class 7A, Region 3
2023 RECORD
9-3 (5-2 Region 3)
HEAD COACH
Robert Evans
RECORD
16-8 (Third year)
ASSISTANT COACHES
Josh Franklin, Chad Merrill, David Lundberg, Sammy Queen, Greg Smith, Jake James, Jared Walker, Preston Sanford, Chris Cournoyer, Brent Welborn
LAST REGION TITLE 2013
LAST PLAYOFF GAME 2023
William Tonsmeire
Even better news, there will be a host of depth behind him. Bruce Littleton, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound back brings a strong size to the table, while Whit Williamson will join. That gives the offense one of the best backs in the region as the starter and two trustworthy backups to help take pressure off both Tonsmeire and Taaffe.
RECEIVER
Leading receiver Keown Richardson is gone after finishing last year with nearly 800 yards on 51 receptions, while Cooper Mollison also departs as the second-leading receiver. That will make this unit inexperienced, but it’s a group that has promise. While the offense may be a bit more run heavy as a new quarterback and receiving unit adapt, the upside is extremely high. Carson Mann, a slot receiver, will be a senior moving from running back, while sophomore Luke Stubbs returns some experience after serving as a backup last year as a freshman. Chase Webb will add speed at the position as a 10.6-second 100-meter dash athlete who will also serve as a kickoff returner. Those three all carry strong athleticism and speed at the position with the goal
2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 23: Carver Montgomery#
Aug. 30: @ Auburn
Sept. 6: Hewitt-Trussville*
Sept. 13: @ Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa*
Sept. 20: Thompson*
Oct. 4: @ Prattville*
Oct. 11: @ Oak Mountain*
Oct. 18: Tuscaloosa County*
Oct. 25: @ Hoover*
Nov. 1: Clay-Chalkville
*Region game
#AHSAA Kickoff Classic at Montgomery Cramton Bowl
of creating explosive plays, which is one of the team’s top priorities heading into this season.
OFFENSIVE LINE
One area the Rebels struggled with last year was size up front, which is a must in Class 7A, Region 3, but this year, that should change. Knowing protecting the quarterback is of utmost importance with little depth, JD Livingston is back as a three-year starter at guard, while Landon Page and Caleb Boylan are both back as starters this season, giving the team a strong foundation up front. Junior Colt Riley will also be key, while a
William Tonsmeire, RB
The team’s leading rusher last year, Tonsmeire will have a prominent role this season in his third year as a starter.
John David Livingston, OL
Helping a new quarterback and strong rushing attack will be a strong offensive line led by Livingston.
Landon Page, OL
Page is another key returnee to the offensive line who should pave the way for a physical offense.
Jacob Watson, LB
One of the team’s leading tacklers with 84 last year, Watson also finished with 16 tackles for loss and will be a key returnee to the defense this year.
Spence Hanna, DB
Hanna not only was one of the top tacklers on defense from the secondary with more than 80 tackles a season ago, but he was strong in coverage as well.
KEY DEPARTURES
John Paul Head, QB
With nearly 2,000 yards passing and more than 1,200 rushing, Head and his nearly 40 touchdowns will be very difficult to replace.
Jordan Ross, DL
The team leader in tackles for loss with 19 and sacks with 11, Ross totaled 63 tackles last year and will be missed this season.
Keown Richardson, WR
The team’s leading receiver last year, Richardson finished the season with 760 yards on 51 receptions with five touchdowns scored.
Cooper Mollison, WR Mollison finished as the team’s second leading receiver last year with 450 yards and five touchdowns, leaving some big gaps offensively.
Bruce Littleton
2024 Vestavia Hills Roster
couple in the sophomore class are set to burst onto the scene this season as rotation players and potential starters. Overall, the unit will be bigger, stronger and more physical than they were a season ago.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The theme of being more physical up front will carry over to the defensive line this season as the unit has several key pieces returning to the rotation. The loss of Jordan Ross, who led the team with 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, will obviously be a big hit, but the unit as a whole will be powerful thanks to a committee of 7-8 players ready to step up. Josh Arendall, a 245-pound junior will be an inside starter but is a flexible player who can move around, while Monte Hedgemon is a nose guard who has been starting for three years. Carter Metcalf adds a third experienced player back in the lineup after transferring from Auburn. All three are strong leaders, while
sophomore Morgan Butler brings size to the table at 6-foot-3, 300 pounds. William Plaisance and Logan Richter will be leaders on the edge, while Yates Bannon and Josh Milner also add key faces at the rover position. It’s as deep as any unit on the team, which makes them ready for the gauntlet ahead in their schedule.
LINEBACKER
At linebacker, three-year starter Jacob Watson returns for the Rebels and is a leader on the team across both sides of the ball. A smart and tough football player, he defines Vestavia’s
2023 RESULTS
Hewitt-Trussville L 27-55
Oak Mountain W 50-0
@ Tuscaloosa County W 45-0 Helena W 44-0
@ Austin* W 38-17
@ Thompson* L 14-34
*Playoff Game
5-YEAR WIN TREND
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Good luck to all of our local teams. Have a great season!
QUICK HITS
GROUND AND POUND
With the return of leading running back William Tonsmeire, the Rebels will have the right person in place to focus on a physical offensive approach. Already a usual part of the gameplan for the Rebels, they’ll also get back several key pieces of the offensive line to pave the way for Tonsmeire. With a strong defense, this year’s team should be the definition of hard-nosed Vestavia football.
REACHING NEW DEPTHS
Vestavia’s football program has always been built on physicality and strong defense, but this year’s defensive depth makes the Rebels primed for a special season. They’ll not only return several key starters and tacklers from last year’s team, but they prepared for the future by putting in rotating players throughout the season last year to start building depth. Despite the loss of a couple of starters, that depth should have this year’s defense primed to build off of one that gave up 14.4 points per game last year.
MANEUVERING THE SCHEDULE
The biggest obstacle for the Rebels this year comes with the schedule, particularly the first five games. Vestavia will start with a seven-win Carver Montgomery team in the AHSAA Kickoff Classic in Montgomery and follow that with a big road matchup against Auburn in a possible top10 match the week before region play. Then, they’ll open region play with their three toughest games in the region in consecutive weeks with Hewitt-Trussville, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa and Thompson. Get through those first five at 2-3 or 3-2 and you have hit a home run with a chance to chase down a playoff spot from there.
program and led the team in tackles last year, while he also finished with 16 tackles for loss. It marks the first time head coach Robert Evans will have a returning middle linebacker back for a second year in his three-year tenure, which allows him to build a defense around that signal caller. Grayson Bruno will handle the weakside position, while Cross Tonsmeire will take on the spur or nickel position. Depth is still coming along, but Rush Harper will be another name to join that experienced group of starters.
SECONDARY
One of the top tacklers on the team from the secondary last year, Spence Hanna returns this year to lead the unit. A safety who could play in the Ivy League, he is primed for a big season as a tough and physical player. Like Watson at linebacker, Hanna will handle
signal calling in the secondary and be looked at as a leader to bring other inexperienced players along. Larry McSwain Jr. will play at cornerback after serving as a reserve last year, while Leyton Downey is back for his senior season after missing last year. Beyond that, there is an array of young players battling, but the theme remains similar to that of receiver— explosive plays. While the offense will be looking to create them, the defense this year is focused on eliminating those explosive plays.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Owen Simpson will return to handle kicking duties for the Rebels in 2024. A nationally-ranked kicker, he will kick and punt this season and was 11-12 on field goals last year. Evans said he reminds him a little of Will Reichard from his potential and leg strength. The team is still looking for a snapper and punter.
KEY NUMBERS
3,000
A multi-year starter at quarterback, John Paul Head now departs and takes nearly 3,000 yards from his senior season with him. He totaled more than 1,700 yards passing and close to 1,300 rushing with nearly 40 touchdowns for the Rebels a season ago. Replacing his tenacity and that production will be a tall task.
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One of the biggest bright spots for this year’s offense will be the return of William Tonsmeire at running back. After totaling 842 yards last year with four touchdowns, he should grow into a 1,000-plus yard running back this season with double-digit touchdowns.
EDITOR’S 2024 PREDICTION (6-4)
The schedule is easily one of the hardest in the state this year for Vestavia Hills with non-region games against Carver-Montgomery, Auburn and Clay-Chalkville in addition to the gauntlet of Class 7A, Region 3. With that, the Rebels will also be replacing star quarterback John Paul Head and several other key contributors, making that schedule even more difficult. The good news, however, is that Vestavia has shown the last two years under Robert Evans that they will be a physical team in the trenches and won’t be afraid to run the ball right at you offensively, while not backing down defensively. The offense this year should be even better up front and returns starting running back William Tonsmeire. That alone makes them scary because the offense is built to do exactly what it wants to despite breaking in a young quarterback and receivers. Meanwhile, the defense will be experienced and is coming off a season in which that side of the ball gave up 14.4 points per game. Getting into the playoffs in this region is always a success and I expect the Rebels to be right back there this season because of their defensive success and consistent effort.
Vestavia Hills Shares
The Vestavia Hills Shares card is a fundraiser partnered between the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce and VHCS Arts and Athletics groups and teams. The participating businesses are offering great deals for 10 months! Purchase a card for only $30 to support your favorite student or club!
Cards are valid August 5, 2024-May 31, 2025.
Sponsors:
SCAN TO PURCHASE!
You can save the card to your phone wallet or pick up a physical card from the Chamber.
Participating Businesses:
American Kolache Bandwagon Birmingham School of Music Biscuit Love Blue Willow
Bridgett Glasgow-ERA King Real Estate Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Cafe Iz Cahaba Nutrition Cartridge World Clover + Bee Darnell’s Fun Stuff Davenport's Pizza Dear Emmaline Family Medical Supply Fleet Feet Birmingham
GLAM Beauty Boutique HaMi Boutique Jeremiah’s Italian Ice of Vestavia Leaf & Petal Little Soles Minette Boutique McDonald’s Vestavia Hills Mia Moda MONOGRAMS PLUS Mudtown Eat & Drink Orangetheory Fitness Vestavia Hills Relax The Back Rocky Ridge Drug Co. Rocky Ridge Hardware rolls bakery Romeo's Sporting Goods Salon Summit Six16 Creative Slice Stone Pizza and Brewhouse Smoothie King #1365, LLC Taco Mama Tanology Spray Tan & Beauty Bar Taziki's The Elinor The Hills Nutrition The Lili Pad & GiGi’s The Retreat Day Spa The Ridge The Smocking Bird The Standard Troup's Pizza Vestavia Bowl Vestavia Nails Village Dermatology Waldo’s Chicken and Beer
Bigger than himself
Jacob Watson ready to honor
his father during senior season
Written by TYLER RALEY | Photos by DAWN HARRISON
IIf you want to understand why Jacob Watson is as passionate about football as he is, just look at the people who surround him.
Watson is playing for more than just his senior legacy, as he plays for the community, his teammates that look up to him and everyone else who has helped him along the way, including his late father.
He feels amazed by his support system and hopes to leave his mark and make his team proud.
“I feel like the whole community really gets behind football and everything,” Watson said. “The family support and friends and everybody at the school and all the faculty doing a good job of supporting me and what we do, it’s really good.”
CONTINUING A PASSION
Football has always been a part of Watson’s life, so when it came to playing the sport, the decision was very easy and took no thought at all.
The big thing that drives his enjoyment was family. When he realized that the gridiron was in his DNA, he wanted to get out there as soon as he possibly could.
Watson’s love for the game started very early in his life, when his dad was a football coach for his older brothers, who all loved the game. It was then that his eyes grew wide, and he never looked back.
“My oldest brother is six years older than me, and so when dad started coaching him, I was always on the sideline wanting to get in, being six years younger than everybody and wanting to play, wanting to coach, wanting to do everything,” Watson said. “So, it really became a passion for me at a young age.”
As soon as Watson stepped onto the field, he felt an immediate connection that got him to today.
“I started playing first grade tackle football and fell in love with it instantly,” Watson said. “ I just loved getting to fly around, hit people, play on defense and
play offense and carry the ball and run, have fun with my buddies.”
Two of those running mates are safety Spence Hanna and running back Bruce Littleton, both of whom still play with Watson now. Those two get him pumped up each and every play, keeping his drive and energy going.
Now, Watson is ready for one final ride with those two and all the others he grew up with. This positivity feeds into what he does each day in and outside of practice and is a key part of his playing identity.
WEARING WATSON
Throughout Watson’s career, his father has always been a big influence on how he plays and how he leads his teammates on the field.
Each Friday night he strives to play like he was taught, hoping that when he makes a big play, people not only remember that, but also what his family’s values are.
“He always would say, ‘Play for the name on the back of your jersey,’” Watson said. “It really instilled in me that, when I want people to hear my name, I want them to be like, ‘That is a great ball player and that kid will get after it and he will punish you and he will hit you as hard as he can, but as soon as that whistle blows, he’ll pick you up and love you and accept you as a brother.’”
George “Bennie” Watson passed away in March of Jacob’s sixth grade year. He taught him the game and helped his sons develop a deep love for it that has been evident on the field with Jacob.
Jacob’s father coached much of the senior class that plays with him, and had a deep connection with the community. After his passing, the impact was largely felt around Vestavia.
“When he passed, the whole community got behind me and my mom and my brothers,” Watson said. “They really were impacted by him and his kindness and the way he loved the Lord everyday and the way he showed that as a leader and a coach for all of us, praying after every practice, praying before games, praying for us as kids and trying to really rub off on me.”
The effect that the community has had on Watson’s character and mindset has not gone unnoticed, as he continues to pay the kindness that he has received forward in order to improve the Rebels of the future.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Throughout the last year, Watson has taken on a leadership role within the Vestavia program. As a linebacker, he is a key part of the defensive front and has to relay many calls to his teammates.
He learned those skills from those who came before him, many of whom he still talks with. Now, he wants to pass those to the younger Rebels.
“When I came in as a sophomore, a lot of the guys welcomed me with open arms, and those guys are in college now and they’re some of my best friends,” Watson said. “I just want to represent what they instilled in me to have kindness and show that toward the younger class because they, at one point, could be on the field with you, and you don’t want to be enemies with that guy… It’s just a brotherhood.”
Heading into his senior season, Watson feels like the bond that this team has is stronger than it has ever been in his time with the program, which he hopes will result in him leaving a strong legacy after he hangs up the Rebel uniform.
With his final football season at Vestavia Hills on the horizon, Watson has an opportunity to do just that, performing for his dad, family and all those around him . No matter how it ends, he will forever play for one thing—the “Watson” on his back.
