Aug 23, 2017 Wetumpka Herald by Tallapoosa Publishers

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THE WETUMPKA HERALD Elmore County’s Oldest Newspaper - Established 1898

Wetumpka, AL 36092

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WEDNESDAY • AUGUST 23, 2017

THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM

VOL. 119, NO. 34

City to seek CDBG grant to demolish structures

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

The Wetumpka City Council voted Monday night to pursue a Community Development Block Grant to pay for the demolition of several structures in the city. The Council also took the first step toward paying the city’s retirees a onetime lump sum each that would equal a total cost of $17,688 to the city. There was also a degree of

disagreement between a member of the council and a city employee on how to move forward in the pursuit of an Alabama 200 bicentennial grant, with Councilman Percy Gill urging application as soon as possible and the city’s economic development director, Lynn Weldon, maintaining that a concept was needed prior to applying for the grant. At the public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), which was part of the council meeting, Greg Clark, executive director of

the Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Council, detailed the types of grants available through the CDBG program. After the public hearing, the council voted unanimously for a resolution to apply for a CDBG Community Enhancement grant that would pay for the demolition of 17 identified structures at a cost of $171,000. “That would include the cost of the work, the notice and, as I understand it, a buffer for legal costs,” said David

Gill, Washington election contest goes to trial

Search continues in case of missing woman, son

By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

Nearly a year after the municipal elections that returned every incumbent elected official, a simmering legal battle simmering coalesced in an Elmore County courtroom this week. The election contest called by District Two City Council Member Percy Gill’s opponent, former council member Lewis Washington Sr., entered its trial phase Monday before Circuit Judge Sibley Reynolds. Algert Agricola Jr said the outcome was not yet determined but the case was over as far as the presentation of evidence. He said Reynolds took the matter under advisement, and now they are awaiting his deliberation. “He’s going to issue an order at some point in the future,” said Agricola. Reynolds could instate Washington on the council or Gill could remain a council member. He said they presented the testimony of a number of See ELECTION • Page A3

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Robison, planning and program director for Wetumpka. The city’s required match for the grant would be $19,000. The council also heard the first reading of a resolution to make the one-time lump sum payments to its retirees. Councilman Gill asked if the city had investigated making the payments as a single lump sum versus in installments and by what way, if either, the city would fare best. After some brief discussion during which See COUNCIL • Page A2

By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

David Granger / The Herald

THE GREAT ECLIPSE

Jason and Kendall Lett share a pair of eclipse glasses to view “The Great American Eclipse” from the front steps to the Elmore County Courthouse. The eclipse reached its peak at about 1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon. Many eclipse viewers in the area came away from the experience disappointed while some animals were fooled. Roosters could be heard crowing as if at daylight from outside The Herald office.

The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office continues its search for a missing woman and her 15-year-old son Osborne reported missing on July 29, according to Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin. No one has seen Susan Osborne, 42, and her son Evan Chartrand, 15, since before that date. Since that time, school Chartrand has started and Chartrand, a student at Holtville High School, has not attended. Franklin said the case continues to be classified as a missing persons case and will until evidence points otherwise. “It’ll always be a missing person until we find out otherwise,” Franklin said. “What we’ve got is a situation where we’re collecting any kind of data and some intel evidence, we’ve sent several things off to forensics See MISSING • Page A3

Main Street seminar touts federal, state historic tax credits By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

About 35 people turned out last Thursday at the Wetumpka Civic Center for a seminar on state and federal tax credits for people who improve historic buildings. According to Jenny Stubbs, executive director of seminar sponsor Main Street Wetumpka, the idea for the seminar was born of attendance by her and Main Street President Dennis Fain’s attendance of the Alabama Scenic Byways Conference, where they learned more about recent legislation concerning the historic tax credit. “The topic is relevant to helping us encourage Wetumpka property owners to utilize the credits in helping finance property rehabilitation,” Stubbs said. Presenters at the seminar

included Laura Williams of Jackson Thornton’s Montgomery office, who discussed federal historic tax credits, and Chloe Mercer of the Alabama Historical Commission, who discussed state historic tax credits. Williams explained that, under federal law, a person is allowed a credit for the “qualified rehabilitation expenditures” made for any “qualified rehabilitated structure” or “certified historic structure.” Williams said that the type of expenditures that qualify include renovation, restoration, reconstruction, architectural and engineering fees, site survey fees, legal expenses, development fees, construction period interest and taxes and other construction-related const that are added to the basis of the property. Types of expenditures that do not See SEMINAR • Page A2

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Laura Williams, a CPA with Jackson Thornton in Montgomery, discusses the federal historic tax credit for rehabilitating historic homes at Main Street’s seminar on Thursday.

PAGE A2 • AUGUST 23, 2017

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Obituaries Mark Montgomery MONTGOMERY, Mark, a resident of Titus, Al passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at the age of 59. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. from Gassett Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Gerald Wood officiating. Burial will follow in Faith Baptist Church Cemetery with Gassett Funeral Home directing. Mr. Montgomery was preceded in death by his parents, Wedsel and Ruby Banks Montgomery; two brothers, Bill and Don Montgomery. He is survived by his sons, Tony (Hope) Montgomery, Steven (Jessica) Montgomery and Chris Montgomery; sister, Mae Echols; brothers, Carson (Pat) Montgomery, Jim Montgomery, Danny (Linda) Montgomery, Rick Montgomery, Roderick (Donna) Morrison; a loving niece Donna Matthews and nine grandchildren. Pallbearers will be, grandson Adam Montgomery, Adam Bass, Josh Matthews, Will Matthews, Brandon Echols and Bryan Echols. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Online Guest Book available at www.gassettfuneralhome.net

James Doyle “Jim” Cowart COWART, James Doyle “Jim;” a resident of Wetumpka, Alabama was born on December 24, 1940 in Scottsboro,

Alabama and passed away on Monday, August 7, 2017 at the age of 76. Graveside services were held Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery. Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Phyllis Gunter Cowart; daughters and sons-in-law, Donna Bingham (Doyle), Sharon Johnson, and DeLondala Edwards (Chad); seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Nancy Thompson (Ed), Dora Middleton (David); and brother, Will Cowart. Active pallbearers were Chad Edwards, Doyle Bingham, Will Stewart, Robert Witherington, Corey Edwards, and Nick Brown. Honorary pallbearers were his fellow members of the Capital City Street Rod Association and the Central Alabama Model A Ford Club. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in his honor are requested to the Humane Society of Elmore County, 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092. Online Guest Book available at www.gassettfuneralhome.net

Robert G. “Bobby” Lamon LAMON, Robert G. “Bobby”, age 90, passed away peacefully at his home in Wetumpka, Al. on Tuesday, August 15, 2017. Bobby was born on August 7, 1927 in Bankhead, Alabama. His family later moved to Kellyton, Alabama where he grew up. The family will receive friends Friday, August 18, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at

Seminar

continued from page 1

qualify include cost to purchase the property, enlargement of the building that increases its total volume, new construction, cost to furnish the property, parking lots, sidewalks, signage, storm sewers, landscaping, fencing, outdoor lighting, appliances, cabinets, carpeting, window treatments, demolition costs for other property on site and financing fees. A qualified rehabilitated building: • Must have been placed in service prior to 1936 or be a certified historic structure by the Secretary of Interior; • Must be substantially rehabilitated • Depreciation must be allowable with respect to the building (must not be permanently retired from service and must be incomeproducing) • The building must have been placed in service before the beginning of the rehabilitation (by any person at any time before the rehabilitation began) • If not a certified historic structure, at least 50 percent of

the building’s external walls must remain in place as external walls as the conclusion of the rehab work, at least 75 percent of the external walls must be retained as external or internal walls and at least 75 percent of the existing internal structural framework must be retained in place. According to Mercer, Alabama’s Historic Tax Credit allows a 25 percent refundable tax credit to private homeowners and owners of income-producing properties who substantially rehabilitate properties that are listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and at least 60 years old. “These projects provide jobs, increase the tax base and revitalize existing buildings and infrastructure while preserving and rehabilitating Alabama’s historic properties,” Mercer said. Alabama’s historical tax credits are capped at $5 million for income-producing properties and $50,000 for private residential homes. Twenty-million dollars in tax credits are available each

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year from 2018to 2022. Excess tax credits will be carried forward each year. For the first six months of each year, $8 million of the allocation will be set aside for rural communities. Expenses that qualify for the state tax credit include exterior preservation or rehabilitation work; repair and stabilization of historic structural systems; repair of interior finishes like floors, walls, and ceilings; upgrades to HVAC, electrical and plumbing; and architectural, engineering and landsurveying fees. Stubbs said after hearing all of the information several individuals were interested. “We had numerous participants express a desire to explore the application process,” Stubbs said. “We were delighted with the tremendous response from property owners, business owners and those interested in supporting downtown growth and revitalization. The positive feedback we received was encouraging as we look forward to future seminars and events.”

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Gassett Funeral Home in Wetumpka. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Kellyton Memorial Gardens with Bro. Wayne Henderson officiating. Family and friends will assemble at the gravesite 30 minutes prior to the service. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Glenda and Robert Mulder; sons and daughter-in-law, Clint Lamon, Robert and Martha Lamon; grandsons and wives, Brent and Kacey Lamon, Cooper and Meagan Lamon; and great-granddaughters, Hadley Anne Lamon, Harper Grace Lamon, Lucy Kate Lamon; great-grandsons, Charles Hayes Lamon and twin boys expected in the coming weeks; his sister, Betty Lamon Taylor; and a number of nieces and nephews. Bobby is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary G. Lamon of 68 years, mother & father, Bertha B. & Claude R. Lamon; brother, James H. Lamon. He was a loving devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved his God , and his family so much and also an avid Alabama fan. He retired from the Alabama Highway Department after 53 years. Pallbearers will be Charles Collins, Alton Edwards, Sheriff Bill Franklin, Errol Law, Bobby Mann, and Edwin Sanford. Special thanks to our loving caregiver Lucy Godwin also the staff of Lake Martin Hospice especially Christy Segrest, Inez Cooper, and Dr. Melissa Thompson. Thank you for the love and support of all our dear friends who are family to us. Online Guest Book available at www.gassettfuneralhome.net

Council

continued from page 1

Mayor Jerry Willis said the city would fare the same either way, the council moved to the next item on the agenda, a request from Gill that the council form a committee to create a Wetumpka event for the Alabama Bicentennial Commission. Councilman Gill maintained that because the grant funds for the Commission’s events were limited and no particular event was required to be identified at the time of application for a grant from the Commission, that the need to make application was urgent. “For clarity, I would just like to offer a motion that we go ahead and apply as soon as possible, because, again, as I said it’s competitive funding for the grants so the earlier we apply, the better off --, it increases our chance for receiving a grant. “Mayor, I think we need to pick a project first. It’s not good to go after grants when you don’t have a project. You want to have a project that you go chasing money for.” “Historically, you’re exactly right,” said Gill. “But in this particular instance, that’s not the case. What I was told specifically at the League of Municipalities meeting is that we should go ahead and apply. We don’t have to have a defined project.” In fact, according to the application for an Alabama 200 grant, the

applicant must provide the project’s name, category, a description and impact. “The councilman appears to have been given bad information,” Robison said Tuesday morning. “I know of no grant-making organization that would agree to give money without some idea of how it will be used. I believe this is especially true of a tax-exempt charitable organization like the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, which has to ensure its grants are in accord with its stated taxexempt purpose.” The council voted 3-2 against Gill’s motion. The council also voted down a motion by Gill to request of the Elmore County Board of Education a joint work session prior to voting on its budget for fiscal year 2018. Willis cited the large number of efforts in which the city and the county board of education already collaborate. In other action, the council: • Approved a last-minute addition to the agenda – a monthly expenditure of $119.97 per month for the data plans for three iPads that will allow the Wetumpka Fire Department to make real-time adjustments to variables that could result in lower insurance rates for residents. • Heard the first reading of an annexation petition for approximately seven acres along Robinson-Otter Track Road.

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Missing

AUGUST 23, 2017 • Page A3

SPORTS EXTRA

continued from page 1

and we’re going to have to await the findings of those to tell us exactly the results of what we were able to send. “We’ve been out on a search warrant a couple of times there at the (Osborne) residence. We solicited the help of some cadaver dogs at a few locations, I would say all within about five miles from the house. The investigators and some people that represent these search and rescue cadaver dogs were out for the better part of the whole day on Sunday (Aug. 13).” Franklin said there is some evidence he is not at liberty to

comment on at this time. “We don’t want to comment on everything hat we have and what we don’t have,” Franklin said. “We do have a person of interest, but we still are looking for this lady and her 15-year-old son. “There are several things that we are looking into. Anything that’s forthcoming as far as letting the public know as far as what we’ve got going on, we’ll do so at the appropriate time.” Franklin said investigators have talked to several people in the effort to locate Osborne and Chartrandd. “There are several people

that we have talked to including some family members, neighbors, people that she would have general contact with, but we don’t want to put too much out there because we don’t want to infer that we’re leaning this way or that way,” Franklin said. “What we’re trying to do is assemble all of the facts that we’ve got. We’ll wait on the disposition of the data and some of the items that we sent to forensics and when we get those hopefully that will help us in our endeavor to find out exactly what happened to Ms. Osborne and the young boy.”

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Election witnesses against Gill, and with that presentation attempted to show that as many as eight absentee ballots were illegally cast. That, according to Agricola would change Gill’s 168 total in last year’s election to 160, giving Washington the lead by five points from his 165. Of those votes, he said, the reason behind their purported illegality varied slightly but most dealt with the minutiae of absentee ballot voting procedures. Some he said did not have requisite witness signatures. A handwriting expert was called for others, which Agricola said appeared to be signed by someone other than the person whose name was on the ballot. In one instance he said one person admitted he authorized his grandfather to sign the absentee affidavit. Asked what he thought the outcome should be, “We believe that Washington should be declared (winner).” Prior to the trial, Gill delivered a foreboding message. “I want the citizens to kind of play close attention to what goes on in the city,” said Gill. “Start to pay more attention to what takes place in our local government.” And he gave cause for concern over what he said amounted to voter intimidation tactics used in the process of gathering testimony from voters. “I was concerned because of the people who were being deposed,” Gill said, adding there were “quite a few seniors,” very young and inconsistent

continued from page 1

voters among them. “This is nothing, no one expects to be called to court exercising their right to vote.” Since late August 2016’s election results were released, attorneys for both sides have been building their cases. On one side is Washington, with accusations of wrongdoing levied indirectly against Gill’s campaign and his three-point victory. In an Aug. 26, 2016 press release Washington stated, “Our Campaign had been on alert for quite some time prior to the election concerning individuals not associated with our campaign and that they might be attempting

to influence the outcome of the District Two City Council race by actions that could possibly be illegal according to the election laws of the state of Alabama.” On the other side is Gill, who has proclaimed since the emergence of the first of electoral fraud claims that every voting procedure was followed properly by his camp and that the responsibility or culpability was the city’s. He has maintained that the case is essentially a proxy lawsuit through Washington on behalf of the city at the mayor’s direction. “I know for sure we haven’t done anything

Washington, maintained nearly zero visibility throughout his campaign, seldom appearing publicly and staying distant from media attempts to contact him. Washington’s attorney, Algert Agricola Jr., would not say much prior to the trial. “We have taken a number of depositions in the case and so there are certain things that the testimony has shown that will be brought in trial,” said Agricola. “We have deposed people in the course of the litigation that had voted by absentee ballots.” It was those depositions, Gill said, he was concerned about.

origin of the problem was said to be the voter rolls. “If you’re suing me for an election, and I don’t have anything to do with the oversight of the election, why wasn’t the lawsuit brought against the city?” said Gill. From its start, Gill has also made known his suspicion that this was a city machination to oust him. He has been the most vocal critic of a number of decisions made by the council and an outspoken critic of a number of Mayor Jerry Willis’ decisions. “I’m not one of the favorites on the council because of the issues that I address,” Gill said. His electoral opponent,

wrong,” Gill said. The initial rumblings of an electoral contest came from a press release issued by Washington, that included a statement made by City Attorney Regina Edwards to both candidates in which said she had been notified of the potential “improprieties.” She said in the statement that the Elmore County Board of Registrars had notified her that from the marked voters list some who voted in District Two were not on the District Two voter list. Both Gill and his attorney have said that issue should have been raised with the city and its election officials, since the

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OPINION

Page A4 • AUGUST 23, 2017

“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” --Thomas Jefferson

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My little America is a much better place

here is so much racial chaos in the news. I hate it. It really doesn’t have to be this way. After a long day, I pulled into my driveway in my little neighborhood and just looked around. I am so blessed. I can see about half the houses in my ‘hood from my yard. My neighborhood consists of around 30-35 houses. It’s like a little America, and I love it. First, let’s get the bad out of the way. The first house you come upon when you enter Little America is vacant and it has been since I bought my house in 2009. I think it was a foreclosure and is still in limbo. I don’t understand all the legalities of that, but it is what it is. It’s not good, but it’s a reality. As you drive on through, you see all kinds of goodness. My next-door neighbors are what neighbors should be. We’ve helped each other out a lot over the past couple of years in a variety of ways. For example, I’ve taken care of their dog when they were out of town, and they’ve taken care of Ruby and Abbey when I’ve been away. They are very neighborly, and I try to return the favor. They are a young couple and just happen to be Caucasian. My other neighbors are relatively new. As the old folks say, they are a “mixed” couple from Texas. He is a white dude and she is a Latina. They have two beautiful children. I’ve talked to him several times, but she is usually busy with the babies. Speaking of old folks, we have them, too. I love old people. I pray

JODY FULLER Columnist

every night that I stay healthy enough to grow old. In one of the homes, I only see the wife. She works out in the yard a lot, while I don’t think I’ve ever seen him. In another home, I never see them except for when they are coming and going. I bet they watch a lot of Murder She Wrote. Down the road is an AfricanAmerican family. I don’t know them, but I wave every time they drive by. I did support their daughter last year for a school fundraiser. I think he’s retired military. That’s good stuff. I hardly know any of these folks in my neighborhood. After all, it is 2017. Who knows their neighbors? Next to them is another middleaged Caucasian couple. He has a shop in his garage. One day, I’ll have a shop in my garage. On down is a Korean family, and next to them is a Lesbian couple. America! Across from them is an older lady who walks her little dog every day. I’m sure she knows everything that goes on in the neighborhood. Next to her is a family of rednecks. Now, I don’t know this for a fact, because I have never seen them, but I have heard their truck, which registers a 6.8 on the Richter

Scale when it passes my house. Then there is the mystery house. I’m not sure who lives there. They have tinted windows on their car and disappear into the bat cave when they get home each day. I don’t know. I just don’t know. Across from me is a single white female, and next to her is a guy. He’s a good dude, but get this; he’s a Clemson graduate. As the late, great Lewis Grizzard said, “Clemson is Auburn with a lake.” I call it “the fake Auburn.” Rounding out the neighborhood is another African-American family. I know he’s retired military. He even has the license plate to prove it. They are always out working in the yard. They are good folks – lots of waving. Oh, I almost forgot about the damn Yankees. We are a very inclusive neighborhood. They’re Bama fans, too, which just goes to show how inclusive we really are. They’re good folks. I went to school with their kids. That’s only about half the houses. I’m not sure who lives in the others, but I know who lives in the ones I can see. I like it. I like the make-up of my ‘hood. That’s my little neighborhood. That’s my America. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller.com. For more information, please visit www. jodyfuller.com

334-567-7811 • Fax 334-567-3284 email: news@thewetumpkaherald.com THE WETUMPKA HERALD (681-260) is published weekly on Wednesday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. Periodical postage paid at Wetumpka, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Wetumpka Herald, P.O. Box 99, Wetumpka, AL 36092-0099 ISSN # 1536-688X.

We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $.25 per word per paper. Additional $15 charge for a photo per paper. (Herald, Observer, Tribune). •Weddings/Engagements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a 2-column photo. •Birth Announcements - $.25 per word per paper. $15 charge for a photo. SUBSCRIPTION RATES (includes Wednesday) One Year in Elmore, Tallapoosa or Coosa County: $50 One Year Elsewhere: $75 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription at any time. To subscribe or if you miss your paper, call 256-234-4281. © 2016 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. ADMINISTRATION Steve Baker publisher@thewetumpkaherald.com David Granger, managing editor david.granger@thewetumpkaherald.com NEWS Corey Arwood, staff writer corey.arwood@thewetumpkaherald.com Carmen Rodgers, staff writer carmen.rodgers@thewetumpkaherald.com SALES Marilyn Hawkins, marketing consultant marilyn.hawkins@TheWetumpkaHerald.com Ext. 305

Football gets state’s collective arteries pumping

y favorite time of the year is here. I’m sure the same is true with many of you. It’s time for some football! Friday night kicks everything off for some schools in the county. Wetumpka plays host to Prattville, Elmore County travels to Montgomery Academy and Edgewood travels to Pelham to tangle with Hope Christian. Next week, all high school teams begin play and there’s college football – with Alabama tangling with Florida State in Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Auburn hosting Georgia Southern at always-crazy Jordan Hare, plus a long slate of other games – on Saturday. In the words of that famous University of Wisconsin fan thing, “Jump around!” There’s something about football that seems to get this state’s collective arteries pumping. At the beginning of every season hope springs eternal for all, from the smallest Class 1A team in the state to the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide. In essence, each football season is allegorical – it’s all about hope. Hope that, if things are going well for you, you can stay on top. And if things aren’t going so well, hope that you can rebound to count yourself among the winners. And as we move into the new season, perhaps it is the perfect panacea for a country that seems so

DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

divided and wrought with unease about the world. For a few months, perhaps we can set that unease on the back burner and, without ignoring it to our detriment, at least count on our particular team’s gridiron warriors to provide us some relief. We’ve a few months to enjoy and by the time the football season is over we will have turned another page on the calendar. We will have experienced another exciting year of unbelievable plays, wild wins and, perhaps, inconceivable losses. But we will emerge exhilarated and prepared for another two-thirds of a year without the game. And we will begin anew, as we did in this past offseason and do in every offseason, thinking about what might be “next year.” Football season is here. The old and the young will come together for occasions like which they rarely spend together. Communities will find some commonality in their feverish cheering for their high school elevens. Black and white will join hands, as in Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, as they huddle on artificially lit Friday nights in quaint stadiums throughout our

football-crazy country. Old men will remember their days on the same turf their grandsons now roam. Young men will dream of the day they can don the same uniform their older brother wears into battle. Our state, our Elmore County communities, love our football. It gives us reason to be proud of how we stack up against counties throughout the state. From county line to county line – Millbrook to Tallassee – we can all hold our heads high in the knowledge that we have been at or near the pinnacle. And both of our most major college teams have reached their pinnacle, too. And recently. No, there’s no chill in the air yet. In fact, it’s still darned hot. Yes, play will be stopped more than usual on Friday night so that the players can partake of ample water to keep them properly hydrated. Fans, too, will need to keep their fluids replenished as they will likely break a sweat in their Friday night fervor. No, fall isn’t here yet, but the football season is. And that, alone, is something to cheer about. David Granger is the managing editor of Tallapoosa Publishers Elmore County newspapers. He can be reached at david.granger@ thewetumpkaherald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

AUGUST 23, 2017 • Page A5

Forget about PC, try HD instead

reetings from the corner of Bridge and Bridge. It is eclipse day as I am writing this week’s column. I did not purchase a pair of special glasses, so I guess I will be trying my luck with the old cardboard box trick! Over the past several years, there has been a growing opposition to political correctness. Political correctness means speaking about things in ways that seek to do no harm to others. The intention is to avoid offending others, which is something we should all appeal to. As with many good things, there can be too much of them. Efforts in the name of political correctness have led in some cases to an inability to express difference of opinion. In an effort to avoid offending others, many have ceased to

say anything at all. This is very detrimental to our overall identity. If people continue to take the path of silence over sharing, we all will ultimately lose out. It is this way of living that provides fertile ground for radical extremists of every variety to speak for the masses, which most of us agree they do not. So what are we to do? I remain firmly convinced that the world has more decent, rational people in it than is often presented. Do we need to abandon the aim of political correctness all together? This hardly seems like the appropriate action, but something has to give. I suggest that we shift our focus from political correctness to human decency; from PC to HD, if you will. I assure you I am not talking about computers

REV. JONATHAN YARBORO Faith Columnist

or televisions! Just to be clear. There is a rampant lack of human decency in our world today. While I still maintain that there are more decent folks in the world than not, I do believe we have all suffered from several years of an overall decline in human decency. People may not say nasty things about others to their face, but words uttered under the breath are anything but respectful. Whenever I see a grownup lash out at a child, for instance, I think about my own children.

Do I expect adults supervising or teaching my children, including me, to hold my children accountable? You bet I do. Do I think degrading children as a means of doing so is appropriate? I most certainly do not. I sat at the counter at Waffle House a couple of weeks ago enjoying a quiet meal by myself. The family, parents and children alike, in the booth behind me talked to their server in the most degrading manner I have ever heard. They talked down to the server the entire time, even though their server greeted them warmly and served them well in spite of the tone coming from the disrespectful customers. Why has this kind of thing become commonplace? Since when do we as a community feel the need to put people in

Area Churches

AME ZION Mt. Zion Chapel AME Zion 2340 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-4413 Rogers Chapel AME Zion 709 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-8144 Jackson Chapel AME Zion 4885 Coosada Rd., Coosada Jones Chapel AME Zion 2414 Ingram Rd. (Co. Rd. 3), Elmore ABUNDANT LIFE Abundant Life Church 9301 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-9143 ASSEMBLY OF GOD Agape Tabernacle Assembly of God 1076 Kowaliga Rd., Eclectic 541-2006 Bethel Worship Center 11117 U.S. Hwy 231., Wetumpka 567-5754 Crossroads Assembly of God 2534 AL Hwy 14., Millbrook 285-5545 First Assembly of God

3511 Shirley Ln., Millbrook New Home Assembly of God 5620 Caesarville Rd., Wetumpka 5692825

BAPTIST Abraham Baptist Church Millbrook Antioch Baptist Church 1115 Antioch Rd., Titus 567-2917 Beulah Baptist Church 2350 Grier Rd., Wetumpka 514-2881 Blue Ridge Baptist 4471 Jasmine Hill Rd., Wetumpka 5674325 Brookwood Baptist Grandview Rd., Millbrook Calvary Baptist 504 W. Osceola St., Wetumpka 567-4729 Central Baptist 3545 W. Central Rd., Wetumpka 541-2556 Coosada Baptist

20 Kennedy Ave., Coosada Deatsville Baptist 184 Church St., Deatsville Eclectic Baptist Church 203 Claud Rd., Eclectic 541-4444 Faith Baptist 64 Chapel Rd., Wetumpka 567-4417 First Baptist Church 205 W. Bridge St., Wetumpka 567-5191 First Baptist of Elmore Hwy. 14 Co. Rd. 74, Elmore Galilee Baptist 95 Old Georgia Rd., Wetumpka 567-4178 Good Hope Baptist 1766 S. Fleahop Rd., Eclectic Goodship Baptist Hwy. 143, Millbrook Grace Baptist Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka 567-3255 Grandview Pines Baptist Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville

Green Ridge Baptist 288 Turner Rd., Wetumpka 567-2486 Harvest Baptist 2990 Main St., Millbrook Hillside Baptist 405 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Holtville Riverside Baptist 7121 Holtville Rd., Wetumpka 514-5922 Lake Elam Baptist 4060 Gober Rd., Millbrook Liberty Hill Baptist 61 Crenshaw Rd., Wetumpka 567-8750 Lighthouse Baptist 2281 Main St., Millbrook Living Water Baptist 1745 Grass Farm Rd. (Co. Rd. 80), Weoka Millbrook Baptist Millbrook 285-4731 Mitts Chapel Baptist 935 Cold Springs Rd., Deatsville 569-1952 Mt. Hebron West Baptist

ARMONY H United Methodist Church

Wallsboro United Methodist Church 11066 U.S. 231 • Wallsboro Rev. Ryan Johnson, Pastor

8000 Titus Road Titus, AL

R Rickey Luster, M Music Director

Sunday Services at 11a.m. ___

Sunday School.........10:45 a.m. Morning Worship........9:30 a.m. Children’s Church......9:30 a.m. Thurs. Night Service...6:00 p.m.

Minister Dr. John Brannon

There is Harmony at Harmony United Methodist Church!

You Will Receive a Warm Welcome at This Friendly, Christ-centered Church. NURSERY PROVIDED FOR ALL SERVICES

*Please Join Us*

205 W. Bridge Street • Wetumpka, AL (334) 567-5191 SUNDAY WEDNESDAY Sunday School...................9:00 am Fellowship Meal...............5:00 pm Kids’ Activities.................6:00 pm Worship Service..............10:00 am Youth Worship..................6:00 pm Evening Worship..............5:00 pm Prayer & Bible Study.......6:15 pm Visit us at fbcwetumpka.com

their place? Is the emphasis on political correctness suppressing so many negative feelings that people are on the verge of explosion? The best example of living according to HD rather than PC is Jesus Christ. All people can learn from the example of human decency Jesus provides, whether you claim Jesus as your Lord and Savior or not. Jesus met people where they were according to circumstance and spoke the truth in love. Jesus was not concerned with resisting offending others. He was concerned about treating them as he would like to be treated. That is something for us all to think about. Rev. Yarboro is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wetumpka.

150 Mt. Hebron Rd., Elmore 567-4441 Mt. Herron East Baptist Church 4355 Mt. Herron Rd. Eclectic, Al 36024 334-857-3689 Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka 5674458 New Harmony Baptist 3094 New Harmony Rd., Marbury 3121878 New Home Baptist 1605 New Home Rd., Titus 567-0923 New Hope Baptist 6191 Lightwood Rd., Deatsville 569-1267 New Lily Green Baptist 6504 Deatsville Hwy., Deatsville New Nazareth Baptist Hwy. 143, Deatsville Pleasant Hill Baptist Pleasant Hill Rd., Eclectic 541-3460

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Many a small thing

has been made

large..

408 West Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL 36092

...with the right kind of advertising.

Jason Chesser Minister Sunday Prayer & Fellowship...............8:30 a.m. Bible Study..............9:00 a.m. Worship Service....10:00 a.m.

• Alexander City Outlook • Dadeville Record • Wetumpka Herald • Eclectic Observer • Tallassee Tribune

Wednesday Bible Study..............7:00 p.m. Visitors Welcome At All Services

256.234.4281

Rev. Anthony Rhodes, Senior Pastor Sarah Swedenburg, Worship Ministries Derek Blankenship, Student Ministries

www.firstwetumpka.com WEDNESDAY

8:15 AM..........................Chapel 9:20 AM.............Sunday School

3:00 PM............Children/Youth Program (Bus Pickup) 5:15 PM.........................Supper 5:45 PM........Youth Bible Study 6:00 PM....Adult Choir Practice 6:15 PM.........Adult Bible Study

12 Noon.........Hispanic Service 5:30-7:00 PM....Youth Program

Sunday Morning Worship............10:30 Sunday School..................9:15 Evening Worship..............6:00 AWANA (Aug.-May).......5:25

SUNDAY SERVICES Sunday School...........9:30 a.m. Morning Worship.....10:30 a.m. Small Group...............5:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY SERVICES Prayer Meeting...........6:00 p.m. Student Worship........6:00 p.m. Calvary Kids...............6:00 p.m.

10286 U.S. Hwy. 231 Wallsboro, AL (334) 567-0476

SUNDAY

10:30 AM..................Sanctuary

Dr. Tim Thompson - Pastor Angie Gallups - Worship Leader

Wednesday Activities 6:00 Adults......Prayer and Message Youth/College......Bible Study Children’s..........GA’s & RA’s

www.centeringlives.com

Cedarwood Community Church

F rst WETUMPKA

www.mvbaptistchurch.info

••••

www.worshipcedarwood.org © UNITED METHODIST

1025 RiÀe Range Road • Wetumpka 334.567.4458

504 West Osceola Street 334-567-4729

306 W. Tuskeena Street •(334) 567-7865

Sunday Bible Study...9:00 AM Sunday Worship......10:00 AM

SANTUCK BAPTIST CHURCH 7250 Central Plank Road “A Family of Families” B.R. Johnson, Senior Pastor Larry Gore, Adm. & Counseling Randy Godfrey, Education Chad Middlebrooks, Students Matt Fallin, Worship Amy Pugh, Children & Preschool

We are a Congregational Christian Church which, in the name of Jesus, invites all to worship with us.

SUNDAY Sunday School........9 & 10:30 a.m. Worship...................9 & 10:30 a.m. Evening Celebration...........5 p.m.

Nursery ____

WEDNESDAY/FAMILY NIGHT Programs for every age 6:15 - 7:30 p.m.

Check out our Facebook page

Spring & Fall Soccer Seasons K4-6th Grade

Send your church news and happenings to: news@TheWetumpkaHerald.com ____________

Call Marilyn 334.567.7811 to advertise your church’s services in this space

PAGE A6 â&#x20AC;˘ AUGUST 23, 2017

TheWetumpkaHerald.com

THE WETUMPKA HERALD

The Life Of A Firefighter

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A Special Thank You To All Our Sponsors! RANDALL V. HOUSTON DISTRICT ATTORNEY Clanton: (205)755-4242 â&#x20AC;˘ Prattville: (334) 365-5715 Wetumpka: (334) 567-2237

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504 West Osceola Street 334.567.4729

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Cornerstone Realty

102 Company Street, Wetumpka, AL

AUTO BODY Scott Alexander & Brian Sharpe Owners 6122 Notasulga Road Notasulga, AL

Macâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tree Service AMBULANCE

Elmore County Finance

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& S ASS I RV629 Coosa River O JA Parkway C.

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TIRES/BRAKES

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KOWALIGA WHOLE HEALTH

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Dr. Gus W. Bell, D.C. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Serving Elmore County For Over 5 Yearsâ&#x20AC;?

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PEAVY PLUMBING

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PRATTVILLE

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AUGUST 23, 2017 • PAGE A7

Celebrate the season-openers By STEVE SAVARESE and BOB GARDNER

ailgates. Pep rallies. Friday night lights. The new school year is here! That’s exciting news for student-athletes and high school sports fans alike. Research shows that being a student-athlete is about a lot more than fun and games. It teaches important life lessons, too. In fact, high school athletes not only have higher grade-point averages and fewer school absences than nonathletes, they also develop the kind of work habits and self-discipline skills that help them become more responsible and productive community members. This year, the NFHS and AHSAA plan to emphasize to our students, parents, coaches, officials and fans that high school educational-based athletics is more than a game. It is about relationships with friends and foes. The contests are the culmination of much hard work and sacrifice and provide memories that will remain with us for the rest of our lives. The AHSAA will be using the hashtag #MoreThanAGame as a reminder of how dedicated our students, coaches and administrators are to academics, athletics, the team and community. We also want them to remember how much enjoyment we all take from that hard work, whether it be as part of the team, band, cheerleaders, or being students, parents and fans all supporting their school with pride. Attending high school sporting events teaches important life lessons, too. Among them, it teaches that we can live in different communities, come from different backgrounds, faiths and cultures, cheer for different teams and still have a common bond. That’s why attending the activities hosted by your high school this fall is so important. It’s not only an opportunity to cheer for your hometown team, it is also an opportunity to celebrate our commonality. The bond we share is mutually supporting the teenagers in our respective communities. We applaud their persistence, tenacity, preparation and hard work, regardless of the color of the uniform they wear. We acknowledge that educationbased high school sports are enhancing their lives – and ours – in ways that few other activities could. We agree that, regardless of what side of the field we sit on, attending a high school sporting event is an uplifting, enriching, family friendly experience for all of us. Many of the high schools in our state lie at the heart of the communities they serve. They not only are educating our next generation of leaders, they also are a place where we congregate, where people from every corner of town and all walks of life come together as one. At no time is this unity more evident than during a high school athletic event. This is the beginning of a new school year. Opportunities abound in the classroom and outside it. Let’s make the most of them by attending as many athletic events at the high school in our community as possible. We want every student to have fun. Your presence enhances the opportunities and experiences for those you support. Turn on the lights, and let the games begin! The Alabama High School Athletic Association, founded in 1921, is a private agency organized by its member schools to control and promote their athletic programs. The purpose of the AHSAA is to regulate, coordinate and promote the interscholastic athletic programs among its member schools, which include public, private and parochial institutions. Steve Savarese os a former high school football coach and executive director of the AHSAA.Bob Gardner is the executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Submitted / The Outlook

The 2017 Wetumpka Lady Indians are; back row, from left, Anaya McCullum, Amber Sprayberry, Shamari Crenshaw, Morgan Lausey and Grace Rawls; front row, from left, Lauren Davis, Kasie Thomas, Jordan Stewart and Kayla Bowens. Not pictured are Makaila Anthony, Ryleigh Hamm and Caroline Tyler.

Lady Indians seek return to playoffs By EVAN DUDLEY Sports Editor

The Wetumpka High School Lady Indians volleyball team is set to attack the net and return to the playoffs in 2017. The Lady Indians were runnerup in Area 6 last year and got swept by Spanish Fort in the first round of the regional playoffs. The Lady Indians are experienced, returning eight seniors, but will depend on underclassmen and newcomers to positively impact the team, according to head coach Margo Thomas. The new

faces for Wetumpka will be counted on to provide depth and gain experience with a senior-laden team making its final run. “I’ve been very pleased with the leadership that many of them brought to pre-season workouts,” Thomas said. “We’ll be looking for that same leadership to continue throughout the season, both on the court and in the classroom.” The varsity squad begins play Sept. 1 against St. James at the Mayor’s Cup Tournament in Montgomery and host its first matches Sept. 5 against Tallassee

and Carver. Wetumpka will battle Ben Russell for the Area 6 title and the Lady Indians host county rival Stanhope Elmore in a Sept. 28 match. Wetumpka also added a new staff member to join Thomas and assistant coaches Adrienne Griffin and Sarah Swedenburg. “Our JV team is also making great strides and is being led by our newest coach, Deanna Smith,” Thomas said. “I am pleased with our comprehensive coaching staff that allows each of us to use our individual strengths to bring out the most in every player.”

Lady Mustangs return experienced squad By EVAN DUDLEY Sports Editor

The Stanhope Elmore Lady Mustangs were runner-up in Class 6A Area 5 last year and hope to return to the playoffs in 2017. Stanhope was swept by Saraland in the first round of the regional playoffs. Head coach Virginia Barber has 11 upperclassmen returning with seniors Treanna Chappelle, Chandler Moore, Alexis Pernell, Alexis Robinson, Natalie Taake, Jayla Thomas and Michaela Tillery, and juniors Alisson Evans, Ashton Hataway, Gabbi Taylor and

Mckayla Wilson. “We have seven seniors this year that know our team expectations and they have set high goals for the team,” Barber said. “Last season we made it to regionals for the first time in school history – although we were very excited to be there we were very disappointed with the outcome – but we learned what we needed to do to compete with the talent.” The Lady Mustangs have pushed their limits during the offseason and having Barber in place for a year has helped the team build chemistry. The team had workouts two days a week

and attended a camp at the University of North Alabama in Florence. “This preseason has been exciting and different from last year,” Barber said. “Last year I was hired as the head coach late in the summer and it was hard to catch up and the girls did not get a chance to get to know me.” Stanhope has lofty goals after tasting success for the first time in 2016 and Barber feels this season will set the tone for years to come. “This season is going to be exciting,” she said. “We have a new defense, strong leadership and have worked hard.”

Submitted / The Herald

The 2017 Elmore County Lady Panthers are, from left, Hannah Gibson, Madison Traylor, Grace Barlet, Mirriam Foster, Georgia Adams, Brianna Baker, Nicole Ferpes, Kelli Hobbs, Sarah Ingram, Haleigh Hart and Hannah Hughes, and center, Alyssa Thomas.

ECHS volleyball seeks deeper trip into playoffs By EVAN DUDLEY Sports Editor

The Elmore County Lady Panthers volleyball team was the Class 4A Area 5 champs last year but have its sights set higher in 2017, looking to make a strong run in the playoffs after falling to UMSWright in the first round of regionals. The effort of the returning players and the effect they have on younger teammates has not gone unnoticed by head coach Kim Moncrief. “Our girls have worked hard this summer with workouts and play dates,” she said. “We always seek to improve from year to year, and this year is no different.” The Lady Panthers return seven seniors in all, with Madison Traylor, a junior who has played since being a freshman on varsity, also returning for

an experienced squad that competes with the likes of Handley, Holtville, Leeds and Tallassee in the always dangerous Class 4A Area 5. “The girls we have returning work very well on the court together, and they strive to improve in all aspects of the game, and the work ethic in this group as a whole is one of the strongest we’ve had,” Moncrief said. “While we are returning eight upperclassman who are all quality players, I believe our new players will also complement them on the court.” The setters for the Lady Panthers are seniors Nicole Ferpes and Sarah Ingram along with junior Grace Barlet. They’ll work directly with middle hitters Hannah Hughes and Hannah Gibson. “Nicole and Sarah have been working together for several years and their chemistry works well with the hitters on

the court and both will get some time in playing right side hitter as well,” Moncrief said. “Hughes and Gibson both have different strengths, which is unique in middle hitters. We look to use what they are both good at in different aspects of the game.” Traylor returns for her third year at outside hitter and, although only a junior, Moncrief said Traylor takes the court with a senior mindset. “She really plays the ball well, and although she is younger, she is a leader on the court and off.” Elmore County appears to be set as an offense but Moncrief and the Lady Panthers pride themselves on their defense. “Defensively, we return Alyssa Thomas as libero and Kelli Hobbs as defensive specialist,” Moncrief said. See ECHS • Page A8

PAGE A8 • AUGUST 23, 2017

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THE WETUMPKA HERALD

Submitted / The Herald

The 2017 Wetumpka High School Marching Band

Lady Wildcats have up, down week By EVAN DUDLEY Sports Editor

Submitted / LifeTouch Photography

2017 Stanhope Elmore High School Marching Band

Edgewood Academy continued its quest to defend its 2016 volleyball title with a third place showing at the Glenwood Tournament last weekend after falling to Macon East in a Thursday matchup. The Lady Cats (7-3) traveled to face the Macon East Knights but came up short in an epic five-set match against the 2016 2A state runner-up. Edgewood followed the loss with a strong rebound in the Glenwood tournament where it went 5-2 and claimed the third-place trophy. Edgewood visits Morgan Academy Tuesday after Herald press time and hosts Lee-Scott Academy Thursday before traveling to Montgomery to host their own tournament Saturday. “All of the top teams in the state will be there and we’re hoping to use it to get back on track,” head coach Sellers Dubberley said.

ECHS

Submitted / The Herald

2017 Holtville High School Marching Band

continued from page A7

“Honestly, I do not think defense gets enough credit. The reason we stay in matches is because of our defense, and Alyssa and Kelli did a fantastic job last year at getting to the ball and I look for them to take a huge role this year as we play strong teams on our schedule. “There’s nothing like taking away the momentum of another team’s hitter with an awesome dig and return.” Moncrief has tempered expectations and knows one match does not make a volleyball season. “We will work to take the season game by game, in search of the right combination of players who will play well together by the end of the regular season. We are going to choose not to look too far ahead in the season and work to get everything we can out of every game we play. Every opponent teaches us something about ourselves and we are ready to learn what we can from each of them.”

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Fancy Pantz now available in downtown Wetumpka By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

A new shop has moved in downtown Wetumpka with a Saturday grand opening and its owner says the boutique comes from her liking of all things fancy, fashionable and financially feasible. Remona Bozeman said she liked “fancy” apparel, particularly handbags and jewelry, so much, that outside of her choice of inventory, she decided to name her shop Fancy Pantz to reflect her merchandise and interests. “I wanted something catchy and I like fancy things, nice things, so I said OK and we went with Fancy Pantz,” said Bozeman. She was at her business along with her son and mother on Saturday and though she said it was not a motherdaughter business venture, she said it was a definitely a family affair. A Wetumpka native, Bozeman said she had recently returned to the city limits from the Santuck community to set up shop. “I’m originally from Wetumpka, been here, born and raised. I’m actually from Santuck, my family is trying to give back to the community and start doing things.” She said business ownership was in

her family and her brother also owned a local business. When asked if it had always been one of her goals she replied emphatically, but humorously, “Umm, No.” However, she said, “Coming back home and seeing, you know, that Wetumpka’s trying to grow and want(ing) to be a part of the growth of Wetumpka.” The store, which appears small from its storefront, opens up substantially after stepping inside. Jewelry, handbags and clothing are hanging on its walls and in the center of the showroom is a jewelry display. She said they completed the store in July 2017. “We did we a lot of remodeling,” Bozeman said. She talked about her inventory, saying it was directed toward an everchanging fashion landscape and the budget-minded. “Low-cost but to be cute, you want Corey Arwood / The Herald to be cute at a low price, so that’s what Owner Remona Bozeman, left, and her mother Hannah Henderson stand in the newly remodmost women, really, we like nice things, eled and recently opened downtown Wetumpka apparel store, Fancy Pantz. but we don’t want to pay a lot of money fashion retail, she explained her own “It’s a boutique,” she said. “We are for them,” Bozeman said. “Basically personal interest in apparel. trying to cater to anybody between the with fast fashion, it’s in today out “My main thing is handbags and ages of 15 and 55, just low sale jewelry, tomorrow. What’s in today and it’s hot jewelry, because that’s my passion. I not really trying to break the bank, but it can be out in a couple of weeks, so love handbags and jewelry. I feel like giving you a variety of a few different you don’t want to spend a(lot).” the woman is not complete without things.” She talked about her target customer accessories,” Bozeman said. And when asked why she chose base.

Bond reduced in Eclectic teen’s murder case By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

The local teenager at the center of the investigation into the double murder of his parents had his bond reduced to $300,000 earlier this month after it was originally set at $1 million. Jesse Holton, of Eclectic, will spend his 18 th birthday in Elmore County Jail on Thursday, according to his birth date on court records. The effort to reduce his bond began in earnest by his attorney Thomas Azar at the time it was set last September. District Attorney Prosecutor of the 19th District Kristy Peoples confirmed the change she said was made by the judge. “I don’t know that (Holton) can make a $300,000 bond,” Peoples

said. A point of debate at Holton’s initial court appearances arose in arguments made by his defense to lower the bond, saying $300,000 might as well a $100,000,000. In Holton’s September 2016 hearings Azar also tried to get each charge of murder reduced from Goggans’ initial $500,000 to $150,000, however only as of Aug. 1 do the records show the request for the reduction was approved. At the time of the shootings last year, the 17-year-old Holton was attending Elmore County High School in his senior year. According to testimony taken from sheriff’s deputies he had a party at his parents house prior to their death, which they reportedly were told led to the initial conflict between Holton

“I asked the judge to dismiss the case because I don’t believe there’s sufficient probable cause to believe that Madison Holton committed this crime,” said Azar after the 2016 hearing. “The testimony that we heard today was circumstantial at best and it’s an assumption that since Madison lived at that house and he didn’t get shot, he must have been the shooter. There was no physical evidence mentioned during the preliminary hearing by the case agent.” Chief Assistant District Attorney, C.J. Robinson, said forensic evidence would likely be available in time for the grand jury. The most recent grand jury has come and gone, and so far court records show no trial date has been set.

and his father. The high-profile case involved a former mayor and fire chief of Eclectic, Holton’s father, Michael Holton and his mother, April Holton, both 37. Both were said to have suffered gunshot wounds to the back of the head. Ultimately District Judge Glenn Goggans stuck by his decision to raise the bond to $500,000 per charge, saying despite its circumstantial nature he saw probable cause and believed Holton to be a danger to others. Azar, at the time of Holton’s last 2016 court appearance, had asked for Holton’s bail be reduced to $75,000 per charge, saying it was unreasonable for a 17-year-old with no resources.

Montgomery men arrested for burglary, theft By DAVID GRANGER Managing Editor

A Wednesday morning response to a report of a burglary in progress resulted in the arrest of two Montgomery men, according to Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin. Franklin said the call came at approximately 3 a.m. and an Elmore County Sheriff’s Office patrol responded to Kim’s Country Store,

located at 44 Titus Road. The store clerk said she had arrived for work and saw a black male running from the store and jumping into the passenger side of a blue Lincoln Town Car which subsequently left the scene driven by a second individual, Franklin said. According to Franklin, Elmore County sheriff’s deputies later spotted and stopped the car on U.S. 231. They removed the suspects,

only as “Curtis,” in a wooded area adjacent to the store. The suspects have been sought by several other agencies in a series of burglaries in Lee and Tallapoosa counties, Franklin said. He also indicated the men were likely linked to other burglaries in Elmore County. “Given time, we feel confident this will clear up a few other burglaries on the northern end of the county,” Franklin said.

detained them and found several bags of cigarettes that matched those taken from the store. Arrested for third-degree burglary and first-degree theft and taken to Elmore County Jail were Lance Walker, 29, and Gavante Parrish Felder, 22, both of Montgomery, Franklin said. When questioned, the men indicated that they had left a third suspect, Franklin said, referred to

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PAGE B6 • AUGUST 23, 2017

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Sunday is Wetumpka Community Night for Biscuits By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer

This Sunday at Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium has been dubbed Wetumpka Community Night as the Montgomery Biscuits play host to the Mobile BayBears. The Biscuits have hosted community nights for Prattville and Millbrook and this year Wetumpka follows suit for the first time. Matt Mulvanny, a corporate account executive with the Biscuits, said there were special activities planned for the Sunday game. “It is Wetumpka Community Night

but it also a kids day. There will be pregame catch on the field, and the kids can run the bases after the game.” said Mulvanny. “It’s also a bark in the bark,” Mulvanny said, meaning dogs are welcome as long as both the canines and owners use common courtesies. “We have just been fortunate enough to have help with (Wetumpka Area Chamber of Commerce Director) Gerry (Purcell) at The Chamber,” said Mulvanny. “We have several community night partners, local businesses giving tickets to employees.” He said that was helpful for

scoreboard shout-outs and other recognition. “It’s kind of a win-win, they get to entertain employees, clients, customers and reach new people in the community (they) wouldn’t otherwise get to reach,” Mulvanny said. Purcell has been a major party promoting the event and simultaneously working to beat the other municipalities in turnout to the game. “We really made a big push to get a lot of groups interested,” said Purcell. “We will exceed the number of companies participating over Prattville.” Businesses, companies and chamber

members were encouraged to sign up for their employees to get tickets to the game. “I am very pleased that we had such good participation,” Purcell said. However, the game is not just limited to corporate packages or businesses and employees. Mulvanny said tickets for the game, set for Sunday at 5:35 p.m., can be purchased at the gate, or prior to the game at the the Biscuits website. He said special promotional codes are appearing in area newspapers as well to discount the ticket price.

Bark in the Park coming in September By REA CORD HSEC Executive Director

Our last big event of the year is less than a month away so hope to see everyone at our 12th Annual Bark in the Park at Fort Toulouse in Wetumpka on Sunday, Sept. 17, from 1-5 p.m. Our afternoon kicks off with a Police K-9 demonstration by the Wetumpka Police Department and K-9 partner. You won’t want to miss this, so don’t be late. Throughout the afternoon there will be interactive demonstrations of K-9 nosework which is something any dog of any age can do. At 2:30 we hope you can join in on the Pup Parade to show off your very best pet friend to a huge crowd of pet lovers.

Need to get your dog microchipped? Then make sure to come to the Microchip Clinic Tent thanks to Tuskegee University Veterinary School from 2-3 p.m. For a cost of $25, you can get your dog microchipped and that will also include the registration with 24 PetWatch. If you have questions you would like to ask a veterinarian, there will be veterinarians and senior veterinary students from the Tuskegee Veterinary School on hand. Only questions though. Yhere will be no exams, rabies vaccinations or treatments done. A new and fun event this year will involve using your powers of observation. Have you been out searching for painted rocks in the community lately? Well we are

fixing up special shelter painted rocks that will be hidden out at Ft. Toulouse. During Bark in the Park, finders can exchange their rock for a delectable cupcake! Just think scavenger hunt! We will have drinks, food and yummy Venice Gelato for sale so no one will go hungry. Don’t miss your chance to have a gorgeous and professional portrait of your pet taken by Diana Bunch of Pet Pawtography as she is coming all the way back from Florida to join our event! There will be a variety of children’s games, vendors, a wildlife touch table, Meet the Breed with members of the Montgomery Kennel Club, rescue groups, puppets – the list goes on! Our special multi-color Tie-

Dye Bark in the Park 2016 T-Shirt will be for sale for $15 and will be for sale at our shelter office after Sept. 10. Admission to Bark in the Park is $5 per person 13 years old and older. ALL dogs coming to Bark in the Park must be good in public – meaning good around children, adults and other dogs in a very busy situation – and they must have a current rabies tag or proof of rabies vaccination to come to the Park. Parking can be tight, so please be prepared to walk just a bit to get from your parking spot to our activities. You will receive a map of events as you come through the gate. We do still have Vendor spots available and Bark in the Park

is a great place for folks to be able to learn about your business, product or service. We welcome local businesses, clubs, civic groups, etc. Our vendor fee is a measly $35 and you must bring your own tables, pop-up and/ or chairs. There is no electricity available so if you must bring a generator please let us know for site planning. To get a vendor application please contact us at the shelter at hselco@bellsouth.net or call us at 334-567-3377. Cross fingers for a cool and sunny day and join us for an afternoon of fun with fellow pet-loving folks and shelter supporters! Just in case though, the rain date for Bark in the Park is Sunday, Sept. 24, 1-5 pm, still at Ft. Toulouse.

Pet of the Week – David David is a one-year old Lab mix boy, about 60 pounds. He has a pretty coat that is red with white ticking on his feet. David has a joyful, loving attitude and he’s thankful for any attention that comes his way. He’ll make a great family pet for sure. Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under one year old. cats over one year old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming,

microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination (if old enough) and a free health exam with your participating veterinarian. To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. For more information, go to our website at www. elmorehumane.org, email us at hselco@bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377. We are open for adoptions Monday– Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m and Saturday 9 a.m-3 p.m.

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Submitted / The Herald

Top: Students in the Edgewood ACT prep class discuss data visualization. Ansley Drummond (at whiteboard) works with the class to create pie charts representing which ACT subjects most students did best in. Bottom: Elizabeth Crosby, left, and Kaitlyn Sampson are working together on position/time graphs and unit conversations in Physics class.

GRIDIRON GUIDE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW ‘17

SMOKE ON THE WATER Kavosiey Smoke Senior Running Back Wetumpka HS

Breakdowns of Area Teams AREA’S ELITE 8

A Special Supplement for The Wetumpka Herald, Tallassee Tribune and Eclectic Observer

AUGUST 23, 2017

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

AUGUST 23, 2017

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

AUGUST 23, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS GRIDIRON GUIDE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW ‘17

SMOKE ON THE WATER Breakdowns of Area Teams

Kavosiey Smoke Senior Running Back Wetumpka HS

AREA’S ELITE 8

A Special Supplement for The Wetumpka Herald, Tallassee Tribune and Eclectic Observer

AUGUST 23, 2017

On the cover:

KAVOSIEY SMOKE Gridiron Guide is an annual publication of Tallapoosa Publishers. It is designed to highlight the local prep football teams in the Elmore County Region. We hope you enjoy this year’s edition.

STAFF PUBLISHER

Kenneth S. Boone

EDITORIAL

Mitch Sneed, Editor Lizi Arbogast, Managing Sports Editor Evan Dudley, Sports Editor Carmen Rodgers

CIRCULATION

David Kendrick Linda Ewing

4 10 16

STANHOPE ELMORE

TALLASSEE TIGERS

HOLTVILLE BULLDOGS

ELMORE COUNTY PANTHERS

ALSO INSIDE

THE ELITE 8

COMPOSING

Audra Spears Darlene Johnson Hallie Holloway Santana Wood

ADVERTISING

Marilyn Hawkins Kat Raiford

Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 548 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL 35010 (256) 234-4281 www.alexcityoutlook.com

EDGEWOOD ACADEMY WILDCATS

ACCOUNTING

Lee Champion

INDIANS

MUSTANGS

Mary Lyman Boone Angela Mullins

LEAD PRESSMAN

WETUMKA

Kavosiey Smoke enters season with promising ability

6 14 18

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

Stanhope Elmore

MUSTANGS AHSAA CLASS 6A /// REGION 2

TEAM breakdown OFFENSE: Quarterback:

New head coach Brian Bedford brings a multiple-set offensive scheme to Stanhope Elmore but is already familiar with the program after serving as assistant for many years. Bradford named senior Johnny Montgomery as the Mustangs’ new signal-caller. “Johnny is an athletic tall guy who has a multiple skill set that will fit our scheme well,” Bradford said. “But he is our guy and we’ll roll with him all the way.” Trey Killingsworth and Xavier Hall will continue to compete for the backup position behind Montgomery.

Offensive Line:

Jake Andrews returns at guard for his senior season and anchors an offensive line that will be a strength for the Mustangs this season. Joining him at the other guard position is Tyurice Osborne. The tackles are set with Joshua Armstrong and Matthew Whitman. “We have a big group who are equally adept at pass and run blocking,” Bradford said. “Our offensive line returns mostly intact with the exception of the center position.” That position comes down to William Nicholson and Ryan Winston, who are both competing for the spot during fall camp.

Skill Positions:

The Mustangs will deploy a threeheaded rushing attack with their running backs. Senior Quantarius Daniels leads the pack that includes Travarasia Duncan and Derrion Ashley. Each back is similar in that they fill the role of the quicker tailback. “We don’t have any bruisers in our running game this year,”

AUGUST 23, 2017

2017 SCHEDULE

*Region Game #Senior Night

Date

Location

9/1 9/8 9/15 9/22 9/29 10/6 10/13 10/20 10/27 11/3

Opponent Prattville Park Crossing* Wetumpka Northview* Charles Henderson Russell County* Carver* Dothan* Lanier* Selma#

Away Home Away Away Away Home Away Home Home Home

TEAM SPECIFICS:

Head Coach: Brian Bradford (1st Year) 2016 Record: (4-6) Stadium: Foshee-Henderson Stadium

Bradford said. “Our primary backs have speed and can make plays in space.” Juniors Kadin Anderson and Jeremy Powers Jr. return at receiver with Conner Bradford working his way into the mix after transferring from Chilton County.

DEFENSE: Defensive Line:

The man on the edge is senior K.J. Stokes, the Purdue commit returns to lead a stout group of defensive linemen. Fellow senior Kelontae Varner wreaked havoc last year – while Stokes manned an outside linebacker position – and is as much a freighting force as Stokes can be. They’ll both be joined by Ladorian Leonard, Cordell Love and Theodore Jackson Jr. “Our defensive line is big, fast and physical,” Bradford said. “They’ll be the strength of our defense for sure.”

Linebackers:

The man in the middle is senior Tyrese Pierce. He’ll be asked to lead and positively affect a new crop of linebackers in Derrick Butler Jr., Elijah Gordy and Jaquevyus Hilliard. “Our linebackers are very physical and run very well with opposing skill players,” Bradford said. “They have great instincts and are football smart.” Stokes played linebacker last year but will return to a defensive end position this year in Bradford’s 4-3 scheme.

Secondary:

The Mustangs return a lot of young players in the defensive backfield but they are lacking in experience. Junior Marlon Hunt Jr. is a leader at corner along with Larry Wright

Staff/ Tallapoosa Publishers

Stanhope Elmore linemen practice blocking drills during fall camp.

Jr. and Jeremy Thompson. Junior Krystopher Chapman starts at free safety and Shemar Pettaway holds down the strong safety position. “We graduated one guy from last year so we have strength in the secondary,” Bradford said. “That’s a lot of experience but it’s young experience. I believe these guys are going to make a lot of plays for us this year.”

SPECIAL TEAMS: Bradford will hold down kicking duties for the Mustangs and Montgomery will remain on the field for fourth down as a punter. The Mustangs are rich with athletes so finding the right player for kick returns will more about opportunity going forward into the season.

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

AUGUST 23, 2017

STANHOPE ELMORE HIGH SCHOOL 2017 FOOTBALL ROSTER No.

Name

Position

Grade

Ht.

Wt.

No.

Name

Position

Grade

Ht.

Wt.

1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

Kadin Anderson Derrick Butler Tyrese Pierce Shemar Pettaway Quantarius Daniels Marlon Hunt Jr. Kerenski McGhee Jeremy Powers Jr. Derrion Ashley Kelvin Stokes Jr. Krystopher Chapman Willie Burks IV Conner Bradford Melvin Brown Jr. Johnny Montgomery Trey Killingsworth Devontae Mayes Jalen Walker Trey Hardy Teddy Harris Jaquevyus Hilliard Travarasia Duncan Larry Wright Jr. Xavier Hall Frederick Moore Thomas Killingsworth Quentarius Edwards Jaqori Williams Logan Swindle Kelontae Varner Elijah Gordy Caleb Davis Cordell Love Isaac Gordy Jeremy Thompson Amahji Truss Coty Talley AB McKeithen Caleb Campbell

WR/SB MLB/FB MLB FS/WR RB FS/SS CB/WR WR/QB RB/MLB DE/MLB OLB/FS CB/FS/SS WR WR QB/P N/A WR WR MLB/RB N/A MLB/OLB RB/SS CB/WR N/A CB/FS N/A FS/CB N/A WR DT/DE N/A OLB/MLB DE N/A N/A N/A N/A DE N/A

Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Sr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. So. Jr. So. Fr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. So. So. Fr. N/A Sr. So.

5-9 5-11 5-11 6-0 5-8 5-9 5-7 5-10 5-10 6-2 5-9 5-11 N/A 5-0 5-9 N/A 5-9 6-0 5-5 N/A 5-6 6-0 5-11 N/A 5-7 N/A 5-8 N/A 5-10 5-10 N/A 6-0 5-8 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

155 230 180 170 145 175 133 170 195 180 165 185 N/A 170 145 N/A 145 165 125 N/A 150 170 155 N/A 155 N/A 160 N/A 160 235 N/A 165 160 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 59 61 62 64 65 66 70 71 72 74 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91

Treâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Darious Henderson Carter Harrison Martin Tolby Will Dasinger Johnathon Downing Keon Zeigler Cameron Davis Donald Allen Theodore Jackson Jr. Ladorian Leonard Donavan Ellis Jacob Andrews William Nicholson Zyurice Osborne Chris Harrison Gary Hood Joel Hough Kaleb Stokes Kentwan Kent Justin Motley Matthew Whitman Connor Mathews Ryan Winston Tyurice Osborne Joshua Armstrong Woody Harris Elijah Graham Martez McGhee Blake Durham Bailey Barfoot TJ Brown Nicholas Hooks Ali McMillian Sharifullah Kochi Tyler Jones Samuel Ellis William Whitlow Chase Eddings

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A DT DT/DE G/T/DE N/A G/C N/A DE N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A T/G/DT G/T N/A T T/G G/DT/T N/A N/A N/A TE N/A WR N/A TE CB/FS/SS WR N/A N/A

N/A Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. N/A So. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. N/A Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. So. N/A Sr. So. So. N/A Fr.

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5-8 5-9 5-11 N/A 6-10 5-10 5-10 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5-10 5-8 N/A 5-10 6-1 N/A N/A N/A N/A 6-0 N/A 5-7 N/A 6-1 5-7 5-7 N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 235 225 260 N/A 255 170 180 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 225 225 N/A 280 275 N/A N/A N/A N/A 190 N/A 130 N/A 170 135 155 N/A N/A

Staff/ Tallapoosa Publishers

Left: First year head coach Brian Bradford is no stranger to the Mustangs after serving as an assistant for many years. Right: Conner Bradford hauls in a catch from quarterback Johnny Montgomery.

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

AUGUST 23, 2017

2017 SCHEDULE

Wetumpka

INDIANS

AHSAA CLASS 6A /// REGION 3

Date

8/25 9/1 9/8 9/15 9/22 9/29 10/6 10/13 10/20 10/27

Opponent

Prattville Eufaula Chelsea* Stanhope Elmore Chilton County* Greenville Pelham* Helena*# Opelika* Ben Russell*

*Region Game #Senior Night

Location Home Away Home Home Home Away Away Home Away Away

Staff/ Tallapoosa Publishers

Cody Tucker (77) and Torey Loftin (72) brace themselves as Deandre Ezell (5) waits for the snap.

TEAM breakdown OFFENSE:

Quarterback:

The Indians will deploy both of their returning quarterbacks this year in senior DeAndre Ezell and junior Jadarious Martin. Both players got valuable experience last year and head coach Tim Perry believes utilizing both of their talents is beneficial to the success of the team. “DeAndre is very comfortable in our vertical passing game and he’ll be counted on to lead our team in that respect,” Perry said. “Martin has improved at reading coverages but he’s more explosive with his legs.” Junior Malik Johnson has also improved in the offseason and is competitive in practice with both Ezell and Martin. “We’re not interested in depth charts from the

standpoint that we like to see constant competition between our players,” Perry said. “All of our quarterbacks develop well as a group.”

Offensive Line:

Wetumpka loses three multi-year starters on the offensive line but boasts a plethora of talent to work with until the right unit emerges. Senior Tavien White is leading the competition at the center position with senior Maxwell Congo and sophomore Alex Wallace – a starter from the freshman team – vying for the responsibility of setting the line correctly before the snap. Senior Torien White returns at the guard position with sophomore Cody Tucker competing for the other guard position. Junior Trent White adds more depth at the position. “Torien’s experience from last year – after switching from defense to offense – is paying off and he understands the system well.” Perry said. “Cody is in great shape after starting a few games last year and has become more comfortable at the position along with growing stronger during the offseason.” The tackle position is still wideopen but the depth

is there to tinker with until the best blind-side blockers are found. Congo and Torien White are competing for the positions along with junior Torey Loftin, who is returning after struggling with an ankle injury last year. “Torey played last year before his injury but he’s had a great offseason and an outstanding preseason,” Perry said. Seniors Dalton Knight and Nick Angus are pushing their way into the mix after improving during the offseason and gives the Indians enough depth to keep opening holes for the skill positions. “Dalton is a hard worker, has an incredible work ethic and understand the position well,” Perry said. “Nick is a great young man who has grown stronger and larger over the past couple of years. We’re pleased with his ability to switch from offense to defense and back to offense.

Skill Positions:

It all begins with senior running back Kavosiey Smoke. The self-described “Baby Fournette” is a powWETUMPKA • Page 8

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

AUGUST 23, 2017

2017 WETUMPKA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROSTER No.

Name

Position

Grade

Ht.

Wt.

No.

Name

1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 34 35 36 37 38 39 41 42

Nick Turner Keedrick Adams Robert LaPrade Deandre Ezell Trey McCreary Kavosiey Smoke Rico Bozeman Kelton Elmore Chase Adams Trey Jones Dennis Marshall Jarkevious Harris Malik Johnson Colton Adams Tre Penick Tyquan Rawls Jadarious Martin Darrian Hill Darren Nolen Desimend Mathews Terrance Thomas Jaylon Tarver Maliq Davis Kamyron Jackson Hezekiah Nowden Stephen King Devonta Jerido Lane Walsh Joseph Shipman Carlos TwoEagle Clay Spivey Trent Blankenship Kenny Cole Ethan Nettles Ta’Sun Traylor Jacob Thrasher Marquez Broaden Travarris Bozeman

FS/WR WR/DB RB/DB QB/WR SS RB/LB DE DT LB DB LB WR QB/QR LB WR/DB QB/DB QB WR LB LB RB FB WR/DB DT DB DB WR FS LB DB SS LB LB DE DT DB DE DE

Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. So. Jr. So. So. So. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. So. So. Sr. So. So. Jr. Sr.

6-3 5-10 5-11 6-4 5-10 6-10 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-2 5-10 5-9 5-10 5-10 N/A 6-0 6-1 N/A 6-2 5-10 6-10 5-10 5-9 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-9 N/A 5-11 N/A 5-9 5-11 5-10 5-9 N/A 5-11 6-1 6-2

190 170 185 215 170 215 215 235 220 175 200 160 160 220 N/A 175 185 N/A 190 200 175 200 160 250 170 175 155 N/A 190 N/A 160 180 180 170 N/A 160 210 220

44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 62 63 64 65 66 68 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 81 83 84 87 88

Caleb Harper Zach Grindle Dustin Kemmerer Dylan Evans Hudson Pruitt Tabor Smith Kadarious McKethern Brentoni Stoudemire Torien White Alex Wallace Cade Taylor Tavien White Dalton Knight Garrett Marsh Jaelon Brown Nick Angus Noah Mitchell Maxwell Congo Trent White Trace Green Hunter Long Aaron Wood Gabe McCain Joshua Petrey Torey Loftin Jacorey Murphy Aydin Grayson Matt Owens Caleb Golden Cody Tucker Amarion Shepherd Luke Fulcher Jaleel Johnson Daquawn Davis Timothy Johnson Robert Stewart E.J. Rogers

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Position LB LB LB LB DE LB OG DT OG OT OG OG OT OT DT DT OG C/OT OG OG DT OG DE OG OT DT OG OG OG OG OT DT DB/WR WR WR/DB PK WR

Grade So. So. Jr. Sr. So. So. So. So. Sr. So. So. Sr. Sr. So. Fr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. So. So. Jr. Jr. So. So. Jr. So. So. So. So. So. So. Jr. Jr.

Ht.

Wt.

5-10 5-11 5-9 N/A 5-11 5-9 N/A 5-9 5-10 N/A N/A 5-10 5-11 6-1 6-2 6-2 5-10 5-11 N/A 5-10 5-11 N/A 5-11 6-1 6-2 5-11 N/A N/A N/A 6-2 N/A 5-10 6-10 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-2

185 175 180 N/A 180 170 N/A 210 280 N/A N/A 280 220 200 280 230 200 240 N/A 185 230 N/A 190 200 295 295 N/A N/A N/A 305 N/A 200 168 165 170 165 175

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

WETUMPKA continued from Page 6 erhouse in the running game but still has the skills to get the ball on the outside and lure defenders to the empty turf. His ball skills make him a prized recruit as he holds offers from five SEC schools. “For all the accolades that come his way, Smoke is extremely humble and unselfish in every way,” Perry said. “He’s a great runner and receiver, a devastating blocker – which he takes great pride in doing – and is a true leader for our team.” But Smoke will not have the ball all to himself. In an era where the position is run by committee, Smoke is joined by senior Robert LaPrade, who has similar skills but will take more snaps on the outside, and sophomore Terrance Thomas, who has shown substantial improvement throughout the summer and preseason. Senior Keedrick Adams returns for his third consecutive year at receiver after leading the Indians in that position the past two seasons. “Keedrick is as consistent of a route runner as you’ll found and he has great hands,” Perry said. “He loves the pressure moments and wants to be the guy who makes the clutch plays. You have to love a guy with that mindset and attitude.” Adams is joined by junior E.J. Rogers, who started last year and has become an experienced blocker on the edge for the running game. LaPrade will also see action at the receiver position along with both quarterbacks. “We like to use both of our QBs since they are both incredibly athletic and have done a great job at learning the position,” Perry said. Seniors Kelton Elmore and Jaylon Tarver will act as halfbacks and will provide blocking for Wetumpka’s tailbacks along with lining up in space in the passing game.

DEFENSE: Defensive Line:

Wetumpka is set at the end position on the defensive line with returning senior starters and cousins Rico and Travarris Bozeman. Both players are intimidating forces and physical and athletic at the position. “Both of those guys are great athletes with a non-stop motor,” Perry said. “They have good hands and run well with opposing running backs.” The defensive tackle position lost two three-year starters but has five players ready to step into the middle of the chaos. Juniors Kamyron Jackson and Jacorey Murphy are the front runners to land the position with recent transfer Ken Gross also competing. Junior Hunter Long and freshman Jaelon Brown, who was moved up from the junior varsity team during fall camp,

will provide depth to the line.

Linebacker:

The Indians return all three of their starting linebackers from last season and the position will be a strength this season as the defensive line creates havoc allowing the linebackers to play with opposing offenses. Junior Colton Adams returns at the Mike position after starting as a sophomore. He was the second-leading tackler for the Indians last year and has grown stronger and more comfortable in pass coverage. Junior Darren Nolen is back at Sam with senior Desimend Mathews providing depth at the Sam and Will positions. “Darren gained a lot of experience last year and Desimend is flexible in his ability to switch from the strong to the weak side,” Perry said. Senior Chase Adams will man the Will position and has improved in his coverage skills while still being a force against the run.

AUGUST 23, 2017

TEAM SPECIFICS: Head Coach: Tim Perry (6th Year) 2016 Record: (8-3) eliminated in first round of playoffs Stadium: Hohenberg Field

Secondary:

The defensive backfield returns a lot of talent as well as a few moves to replace lost starters in the backend. Senior Nick Turner is a three-year start at safety and led the team in interceptions in 2016. Trey McCreary moved from cornerback to safety for his senior season and has shown the coaches a lot of confidence in the transition. “Nick understands coverage well and is a great tackler,” Perry said. “Trey started for us at corner last year but he has had no drop off in ability and has put in the time and effort in switching to safety.” Wetumpka is looking at four corners to guard the outside and do-it-all athlete LaPrade will hold down a corner position in addition to his duties on the offensive side of the ball. Junior Trey Jones returns after suffering a broken collarbone last year in a non-football related accident but salivating as he waits for the new season. Sophomore Stephen King is pushing for playing time at corner and has done an incredible job during camp and sophomore Tyquan Rawls is catching the eyes of the coaches with tremendous upside, according to Perry.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Junior Robert Stewart will have place kicking duties with punting coming down to Martin and sophomore Zach Grindle. The return game is solid with a literal grab bag of athletes to choose from at leisure. With the amount of speed and agility across the board, Wetumpka can pretty much send any athlete out to return a kickoff or field a punt. It’ll be no surprise if a few are returned for touchdowns this season.

Staff / Tallapoosa Piublishers

Top: Quarterback Deandre Ezell Robert makes a pass. Above: Robert LaPrade (4) helps Keedrick Adams (2) off the turf after a diving catch attempt by Adams.

AUGUST 23, 2017

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

SMOKE ON THE WATER

Kavosiey Smoke enters season with promising ability By EVAN DUDLEY Sports Editor

he fire in the sky, it’s the Alabama heat. And on the practice fields at Wetumpka High School, it can be seen pouring from bodies of the players as they battle the elements and each other. But it’s not keeping them down, despite the sweat, aches and overwhelming exhaustion. And one guy just keeps smiling and waiting for the next play or drill. His positivity is infectious and the rest of the team bursts out in laughter during a break. He’s Kavosiey Smoke. And he’s ready for football. The Wetumpka senior running back enters his final season with fanfare but humbled expectations. The accolades are nice but the new season is at the doorstep and Smoke knows that hard work and selfless play will be rewarded later. Smoke likens himself to former LSU star Leonard Fournette. He watched him explode onto the SEC scene when he was in middle school and has followed Fournette’s career while sharing similar skills to the former All-American and current Jacksonville Jaguar. “I pattern my style after Fournette, I’m powerful and agile and I take a lot of pride in being able to take advantage of opportunities to make big plays,” Smoke said. “I’m a little bit smaller but I can pack just as big a punch.” But Smoke won’t have to throw too many punches in the Indians’ wideopen offense. All the skill positions are loaded with talent but only one ball. But in a time when defenders are larger and quicker, limited touches are not always a bad thing. “Kavosiey is about as an unselfish player that I have ever met,” said Wetumpka head coach Tim Perry. “He’s a leader, motivator and a great teammate. Very humble kid and understands what it takes to have a long and healthy career and be successful, not only as an individual but as a team.” Smoke is aware of the benefits and continues to progress in a career without the wear-and-tear suffered by the old bell-cow running backs. And being fresh on the field yields itself to explosive plays which has garnered attention from the SEC and the rest of the southeast.

Entering the 2017 season, Smoke holds offers from five SEC schools including Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri and South Carolina. He also holds offers from other power five schools and mid-major programs in the region. He has not committed yet but seems to be leaning in one direction, but that can change with an exceptional year and more interest drawn from perineal powerhouses. But Smoke keeps it real and focuses only on what is in front of him. And

“Kavosiey is about as an unselfish player that I have ever met. He’s a leader, motivator and a great teammate. Very humble kid and understands what it takes to have a long and healthy career and be successful, not only as an individual but as a team.” —Tim Perry Wetumpka head coach that’s a showdown Friday night with rival Prattville at Hohenberg Stadium. “I’m just ready to get out there on

Friday night,” Smoke said. “We open at home and the atmosphere is going to be amazing.”

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

2017 SCHEDULE

Tallassee

TIGERS

AUGUST 23, 2017

AHSAA CLASS 4A /// REGION 3

*Region Game #Senior Night

Date

Opponent

Location

8/25 9/1 9/8 9/15 9/22 9/29 10/6 10/13 10/20 10/27

Russell County W.S. Neal Handley* Childersburg* Munford* T.R. Miller Dadeville* Holtville* Leeds* # Elmore County*

Home Away Away Home Away Away Home Away Home Away

TEAM breakdown OFFENSE: Quarterback:

Senior Casey Baynes has been the man since week 2 of the 2016 season. In only his second start, Baynes led the Tigers on an 80-yard scoring drive – completing four straight passes – with 1:17 left in the game and scored the winning touchdown on a scramble, as time expired, to defeat W.S. Neal 26-21. “He’s a Jack of all Trades,” Coach Mike Battles Jr. said. “We were unsure who we had coming out of spring last year but we threw Casey into the fire and he didn’t get burned.” Baynes will have to play some defense, along with backup quarterback and starting slot receiver Jacob Burton. Freshman Gannon Reyes, who starts for the junior varsity squad, has an opportunity to gain experience this year at the varsity level and help with the transition once Baynes finishes his senior season.

Offensive Line:

Tallassee lost all but one of its starters from last season. Senior Caleb Stewart to anchor the line at the center position while the Tigers’ plethora of athletes will keep points on the board as the new offensive line comes together as a unit. Taking up the new positions at guard are seniors Ethan Pugh and Dylan Kidd. Juniors Jake Justiss and Anderson Baker have locked up the tackle spots. “We’re blessed to have Stewart back but we have a long way to go with our offensive line,” Battles said. “But they’re learning fast and we can only get better as the season progresses.”

Skill Positions:

The Tigers return their top rushers from last year in juniors Markevious Mathews and Trent Cochran-Gill. Mathews rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season and Gill makes an even bigger impact on the defensive side of the ball. Sophomore Eddie Allen will contribute as will junior Jalen Johnson, who will serve in a tailback and fullback role. “We’re lucky to have our backfield returning but a lot will come down to how fast the offensive line comes together,” Battles said. “We have great athletes but it’ll be hard to get them the ball if we can’t block.” Tallassee also returns its top two receiving threats in junior Kalvin Levett, a big play receiver

Staff / Tallapoosa Publishers

Above: Tallassee linemen block against the defensive line during fall practice. Below: Kalvin Levett (1) gets airbourne as he readies to haul in the catch.

on the outside, and Burton, who will primarily run out of the slot position. Sophomore Matt Justiss and junior Joshua Griffin Jr. will split time at the other outside position. “We can rotate a lot of guys in and out and still be competitive in the passing game,” Battles said. “They’re all big kids and have natural ability.”

DEFENSE: Defensive Line:

The Tigers, unfortunately, are having to replace their entire defensive line this season. However, Battles believes all the versatility of his linemen will ease the transition during the early-going of the season. Senior AnDarius Fergerson mans the nose guard position with seniors Pugh and Ethan Ogburn and Griffin Jr. “We’re a read defense in that allows the linebackers to make plays while our line keeps their line busy,” Battles said. “Our linemen are interchangeable and will hopefully gain experience quickly.” TALLASSEE • Page 11

TEAM SPECIFICS: Head Coach: Mike Battles Jr. (6th year) 2016 Record: (9-4) eliminated in third round of playoffs Stadium: J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

AUGUST 23, 2017

TALLASSEE HIGH SCHOOL 2017 FOOTBALL ROSTER No.

Name

Position

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 28

Kalvin Levett WR/S Joshua Griffin Jr. WR/DE De’Markion Fergerson WR/CB Derrick Hooks N/A Markevious Mathews RB/CB Tavarious Griffin RB/LB Napoleon Foster-Reed WR/CB Jacob Burton QB/CB Gregory Williams N/A Eng’Tavius Briskey-Chappell TE/MLB Brandon Easterwood WR/CB Joseph Gannon Reyes QB/DB Eryn Cochran-Gill N/A Matt Justiss WR/CB Dalton Lanier N/A Casey Baynes QB/RB Quinton Jeter K Cody Kelley G Cody Gilson G/MLB Jonovan Miller WR/CB Jalen Johnson N/A Bobby Matthew Baker QB/CB James Jolly IV N/A Eddie Allen N/A

Grade

Ht.

Wt.

No.

Name

Jr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. So.

6-2 6-0 5-7 6-0 5-9 5-11 5-7 6-3 5-8 5-6 5-6 5-11 5-9 6-1 5-6 6-0 5-6 5-10 5-10 5-6 5-11 5-9 5-8 5-6

175 175 165 185 175 195 140 170 140 175 155 160 175 175 120 200 120 195 195 130 175 150 185 150

30 32 37 44 45 48 50 51 52 54 55 56 58 59 60 61 62 63 65 73 76 79 88 90

Jacob Dantro William Smith Lucas Holton Nyzarious Robinson John Collier Bonner Mason Bell Bradley Bonner Caleb Stewart Dylan Kidd Michael McGhar AnDarius Fergerson Gabriel Lyons Ethan Ogburn William Blocker Jake Justiss Parker Neighbors Jacob Webster Drake Bonner Coleman Teel Anderson Baker Ethan Pugh Hunter Hammock Michael Battles III Michael Moore

Position N/A N/A N/A N/A TE/DE N/A N/A T/DT T/DT N/A T/DT N/A TE/DE C OL/LB N/A G/DE N/A N/A TE/DE T/DT OL/DL WR/DB TE/DE

Grade Fr. Fr. So. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr.

Ht.

Wt.

5-7 5-7 5-4 5-6 6-3 5-8 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-8 5-10 5-9 6-3 5-7 5-11 6-0 5-6 5-8 6-0 6-2 5-10 5-9 5-4 5-11

138 165 141 150 210 130 200 215 220 195 275 165 215 200 210 220 165 150 210 215 240 275 120 165

TALLASSEE continued from Page 10

Linebackers:

The strength of the defense is the linebacker corps. Gill returns to the inside along with juniors Cody Kelley and (Jake) Justiss. “Trent is the hardest hitter on our team,” Battles said. “And it’s not a question of if he’ll make a big hit but when will he do it.” Tavarious Griffin is a rising sophomore and will work the outside with junior returning starter Anderson Baker. “Both of our outside guys are smart and work extremely hard, there’s no doubt they’ll be successful this season,” Battles said.

Secondary:

Left: Jacob Burton (8) and Casey Baynes (18) jog back to the huddle after a play during practice. Right: Quinton Jeter kicks the ball.

The defensive backfield will be an area that needs addressing early in the season. Mathews and Levett will man the corner spots while on defense and both quarterbacks, Burton and Baynes, will be asked to assume the safety positions until guys like senior De’Markion Fergerson and junior Jonovan Miller grow comfortable at the position. “Casey and Jake are too talented not to use in the backend early in the season,” Battles said. “Hopefully our other guys will learn a lot during the camp and replace those guys freeing them up on offense.”

SPECIAL TEAMS: Junior Quinton Jeter will handle place kicking duties while Jacob Burton is used for kickoffs. Baynes will serve as the punter giving opposing defenses something to think about on fourth down. Mathews will handle returns.

Left: Joshua Griffin Jr. gets ready for the catch. Right: Kalvin Levett (1) avoids a defender after the catch.

Staff/ Tallapoosa Publishers

ELITE 8 12

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

AUGUST 23, 2017

Jake Andrews Senior Center /// Stanhope Elmore HS Andrews is ingrained at the center position heading into his senior year, and the lone returning starter on the offensive line will have to help build trust among the new faces early in the season. The Troy commit looks to help lead the Mustangs back to the playoffs under new head coach Brian Bradford. If Andrews plays at an all-state level this season, he can end his career on a high note.

Rico & Travarris Bozeman Senior Defensive Ends /// Wetumpka HS Wetumpka returns its senior bookends, Rico and Travarris Bozeman, and opposing offenses are hoping they don’t make plans for a family reunion in the backfield. The two cousins are the stalwarts of the defensive line and carry a quickness and power that is required of the positon today. Usually reserved for one player, both Bozemans combine into a lethal force the Indians can use to dominate Class 6A Region 3.

D.J. Patrick

Hunter Martin Sophomore Running Back & Linebacker /// Holtville HS Hunter Martin had a breakout freshman season for the Bulldogs and looks to take it to the next level entering his sophomore year. He returns to man the middle linebacker position and will be used on offense in new coach Jason Franklin’s scheme. His versatility will make him a valuable utility player for Holtville for the next three years.

Junior Running Back /// Elmore County HS DJ Patrick had a breakout season in 2016 and still has two years of eligibility remaining for coach Norman Dean and the Panthers. The junior running back is tall and large but swift as a gazelle, picking up two gold medals in the 400-meter dash and triple jump this past spring at the state track meet. If the Panthers can navigate through the district of doom – otherwise known as Class 4A Region 3 – they will have a good shot at getting into the playoffs and Patrick will start to draw the attention of college coaches.

Kavosiey Smoke

Senior Running Back /// Wetumpka HS It’s been a wild ride for Wetumpka senior running back and leader Kavosiey Smoke. He burst onto the scene as a sophomore and hasn’t looked back amassing almost 1,000 total all-purpose yards last year. Smoke is powerful and agile, and heating up the recruiting boards. He currently holds offers from five SEC schools including Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri and South Carolina. He also holds offers from other power five schools and mid-major programs in the region.

Casey Baynes

Keedrick Adams Senior Wide Receiver /// Wetumpka HS Adams returns for his third consecutive year at receiver after leading the Indians in that category the past two seasons. He is a model of consistency and thrives on making the pressure plays. Wetumpka’s high-powered offense should provide enough touches to satisfy Adams along with the multitudes of athletes at their disposal.

Senior Quarterback /// Tallassee HS Tallassee strutted Casey Baynes out on the field in 2016 and cemented his legacy with a last-minute comeback against W.S. Neal. Baynes led the Tigers to the third round of the playoffs and finished the season with 1,700 passing yards and 22 touchdowns and almost 800 rushing yards and 15 TDs. He was named an AHSAA all-star at third-base this summer.

K.J. Stokes Senior Defensive End /// Stanhope Elmore HS KJ Stokes returns for his senior year and will be one of the most dominant defensive players in the region. The Purdue commit recorded 92 tackles, five sacks, four interceptions, four fumble recoveries and forced two fumbles during his junior year in 2016 and is a leader and defensive standout for Stanhope Elmore.

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

AUGUST 23, 2017

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334.478.3333

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2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

AUGUST 23, 2017

Edgewood Acad.

WILDCATS AISA CLASS AAA /// REGION 1

Staff/ Tallapoosa Publishers

Top: Hunter Bowdoin (25) pulls to the outside to block as the rest of the offensive line pushes through the defense. Above: The Edgewood offensive line gathers for a meeting before hitting the pads.

TEAM breakdown OFFENSE: Quarterback:

Christian Ivey takes the reigns as quarterback for the Wildcats after transferring from Montgomery Academy in the Spring, giving second-year head coach Eric Folmar a leader to build around for the next three years. Backing up Ivey will be Alex Johnson who starts for the freshman team. “Christian is a great athlete who has the unique ability to stay poised in the pocket but also escape pressure and make an accurate throw outside of the pocket,” Folmar said. “Alex is very young but he’ll certainly serve an important role with us.”

Offensive Line:

One of Edgewood’s strengths this year is the offensive line. Brandon Boone, one of only two seniors on the team, returns to man the center position. “Brandon is very important to this team and his leadership is beyond reproach,” Folmar said. “He’s strong, athletic and knows all the line calls which enables him to put us in the position to succeed.” Sophomores Korey Dawson and Clay Williams join Boone on either side in the guard positions with freshman Joseph Benton also competing at guard. Freshman Caleb Justiss, a returning starter, and sophomore Cade Bazzell hold down the tackle positions. “Our guards are gritty and versatile and can grind it out in the run

game,” Folmar said. “And Caleb and Cade are smart players and really pave the way for us on offense.”

Skill Position:

The running back position is deep and each player provides a unique skill set that Edgewood plans to use to its advantage. Sophomore Kolby Potts, who transferred from Holtville three weeks ago, is nimble and shift, and provides a nice counterbalance to the bruising Tyler Abernathy. Freshman Mitchell Boyd is a young talent, showing a lot of promise, and coaches plan to utilize Boyd and gain experience. Freshman Undrez Crawford is Edgewood’s big-play threat and started at quarterback last year for the Wildcats. Sophomores Kam Burleson and Des Adam complete the three-wideout rotation. “Kam has great size but new to football so he’s a raw talent that we hope will develop over the course of the season,” Folmar said. “Des will

handle the slot position and has a lot of potential for explosive plays in that role.”

DEFENSE: Defensive Line:

Williams steps up at defensive tackle to man the middle with Dawson playing the role in a smaller but quicker position. The rest of the defensive line is a mirror image of the offensive line with Bazzall, Benton, Boone and Justiss rotating in at defensive end.

Linebacker:

Matt Williams, the other lone senior alongside Boone, returns to his outside linebacker position after leading the team in tackles last year. Abernathy mans the other side with junior Hunter Bowdoin returning to the inside position. “Matt is an incredible force at linebacker with his instincts and ability to find the ball carrier,” Folmar EDGEWOOD • Page 15

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

AUGUST 23, 2017

2017 SCHEDULE Date

Opponent

8/25 9/1 9/8 9/15 9/22 9/29 10/5 10/13 10/20 10/26

Hope Christian Southwest Georgia Academy Springwood* Lee-Scott Academy* Monroe Academy Abbeville Christian Academy Glenwood* Tuscaloosa Academy*# Bessemer Academy* Crenshaw Academy

*Region Game #Senior Night

Location Away Home Home Away Away Away Home Home Away Home

TEAM SPECIFICS: Head Coach: Eric Folmar (2nd Year) 2016 Record: (0-10) Stadium: Charles P. Storrs Field

EDGEWOOD ACADEMY 2017 FOOTBALL ROSTER No.

Name

Position

Grade

Ht.

Wt.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 12 13 14 16 21 23 25 27 28 30 32 44 51 52 53 54 55 56 58 61 76 77

Kolby Potts Alex Johnson Undrez Crawford Desmond Adam Kam Burleson Trevor Rodie Mitchell Boyd Blane Guthrie Christian Ivey Anthony Peacock Garrett Ingram Austin Patrick Tanner Potts Dawson Owens Logan Lowery Hunter Bowdoin Tyler Abernathy Matt Williams Luke Sisson Carson Peevy Jackson Welch Sam Willams Brandon Boone Jake Allison Joseph Benton Drew Hansen JT Brazell Caleb Justiss Clay Williams Korey Dawson Cade Bazzell

RB/DB QB/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB RB/OLB RB/DB QB/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB QB/DB WR/DB WR/DB FB/LB RB/LB WR/DB WR/DB FB/LB TE/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL

So. Fr. Fr. So. So. 8th Fr. Fr. So. So. 8th So. 7th Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. 8th Sr. 8th Fr. Fr. 8th Fr. So. So. So.

5-8 5-7 5-6 5-5 6-2 6-0 5-4 5-7 6-1 5-9 5-8 5-9 5-8 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-2 5-11 5-8 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-6 6-0 5-8 5-9 6-0 5-11 5-10 6-2

150 150 143 115 145 130 150 120 165 110 125 145 160 135 130 182 165 160 135 145 140 155 165 175 190 145 131 180 187 177 211

PRE-TAILGATE On In Stock... Quarterback Christian Ivey makes a pass.

Staff/ Tallapoosa Publishers

Good Luck Elmore County Teams!

EDGEWOOD continued from Page 14 said. “Hunter is tough as they come and is great once he hits the hole.”

Secondary:

The defensive backfield is young but not short on talent. Crawford and Johnson line up on the outside with Adam returning to the lineup after being injured last season and Potts will rotate between corner and safety. “Drez is a great athlete and plays well as a slot corner and against the run,” Folmar said. Edgewood’s starting quarterback will be forced into secondary duty early but Folmar expects others to

5-GALLON CYLINDERS (20 Lbs.) 7½ -GALLON CYLINDERS (30 Lbs.)

grow comfortable in the position and allow Ivey to focus on offense. Sophomore Austin Patrick is playing football for the first time and freshmen Mitchell Boyd and Blane Guthrie will develop into their roles on defense.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Kam Burleson will handle kickoff and field goal duties. According to Folmar, Burleson has a great kicking form but must find consistency during the season. Ivey will be present on fourth down serving as punter.

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2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

AUGUST 23, 2017

Holtville

BULLDOGS AHSAA CLASS 4A /// REGION 3

Staff/ Tallapoosa Publishers

Top: Taylor Bass (28) catches a pass during fall practice. Above: Holtville looks to pound the rock this year behind a rebuilt offensive line.

TEAM breakdown OFFENSE: Quarterback:

The Holtville Bulldogs have a new quarterback this season in sophomore Drake Baker. He will be the centerpiece that first-year head coach Jason Franklin can build around the next three years. “Drake is a great talent with a strong arm and can throw or run with the ball,” Franklin said. Braxton Buck is competing at the backup position while Austin Gay shows a lot of promise as a freshman.

Offensive Line

In the middle for the Bulldogs, junior Preston

Hall and Lane Batyski are battling it out for the center spot. Juniors Dalton Carpenter and Justin Hauswirth will man the guard positions with Malachi Shaw and Batyski providing depth. Senior Blake Talley and junior Sam Jackson have seen the most work at tackle with Ethan Kennemer and Hall rounding out the group. “We have a lot guys competing on the offensive line and that’s a good thing,” Franklin said. “And finding the right group to gel together is what we’re looking for right now.”

Skill Positions

Alex Gibbons and Gay will spend most of their time at the running back position this year and each player has a unique style that Franklin plans to take advantage of this season. “Alex is more of a downhill bruiser while Austin is shift and built in the mold of a traditional tailback,” Franklin said. “We also have our do-it-all guy in Hunter (Martin).”

Martin, a sophomore, who Franklin mentioned, is a utility player who will see action in multiple positions on the field and has a balance of power and quickness at the running back position. Junior Dajon Reeves returns at receiver and will be looked to as a leader and mentor to junior brothers Jaderick and Jadarius Carter, who are playing football for the first time. Senior Todd Buck also contributes at the skill positions.

DEFENSE: Defensive Line

Franklin will employ a six-man rotation on the defensive line and it starts with Travon Daniels, (Todd) Buck and Calvin Gilliand. They are tasked with creating havoc in the trenches allowing the linebackers to make plays. Batyski, Hauswirth and Talley provide depth to a position that will have its HOLTVILLE • Page 17

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

AUGUST 23, 2017

HOLTVILLE continued from Page 16 hands full in a deep region.

Linebackers

The linebackers are set with Martin manning the Mike Position with senior Alex Boling at Will and Clay Sides at Sam. Franklin will also use what he calls “pirates” who provide depth and have great instincts finding the ball carrier. “We have a lot of speed and experience with our linebackers,” Franklin said. “We’ll be looking to them to make a lot of plays at the line of scrimmage.”

Secondary

The cornerbacks have a three-man rotation in (Jadarius) Carter, Reeves and sophomore Tristan Bullard. Senior Brady Richardson and Gay provide safety help with J.J. Jackson competing for time as well. “We have a lot of fast and intuitive players in the secondary,” Franklin said. “They have the potential to develop into a very good group for us.”

SPECIAL TEAMS: Colton Autry, the hero of 2016 who kicked the Bulldogs to their lone victory in more than three years, returns as placekicker for Holtville and will share punting duties with Peyton Coburn. Franklin is still searching for a return man he can count upon to create field position but he should have no problem with the athletes on roster.

Staff/ Tallapoosa Publishers

First-year head coach Jason Franklin coaches his boys up during an afternoon rain shower.

HOLTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 2017 FOOTBALL ROSTER No.

Name

Position

Grade

Ht.

Wt.

1 2 4 6 8 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 30 32 33 34 38 48 50 57 58 59 60 64 68 70 72 75 77 78 81 82 85

Corbin Smith Austin Gay Todd Buck Brady Richardson Travon Daniels Drake Baker Dajon Reeves Wesley Lide Alex Boling Colton Autrey Tony Bullard Clay Sides Jaderick Carter Braxton Buck Daniel Forney Dylan Bearden Alex Gibbons Jadarius Carter J.J. Jackson Slade Freeman Tristan Watson Taylor Bass Quintez Parker Hunter Martin Tristan Bullard Peyton Coburn Tristan George Evan Headley Sheldon Reynolds Lane Batyski Wesley Harris Malachi Shaw Ethan Kennemer Justin Hauswirth Dalton Carpenter Samuel Jackson Preston Hall Calvin Gilliand Blake Talley Taylor Alston Steven Emfinger Wyatt George Ethan Headley

QB/MLB N/A N/A WR/CB RB N/A WR/FS N/A WR/OLB N/A OLB N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A RB/WR/SS N/A N/A MLB/FB WR/CB N/A N/A MLB/RB N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A T/DE DE/WR C/G N/A T/NG N/A N/A N/A N/A

Sr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. So. So. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr.

5-10 N/A N/A 5-7 6-2 N/A 6-2 N/A N/A N/A 5-8 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5-5 N/A N/A 6-0 5-8 N/A N/A 6-0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5-6 N/A 6-3 N/A N/A N/A N/A

150 N/A N/A 140 239 N/A 147 N/A N/A N/A 165 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 122 N/A N/A 165 138 N/A N./A 190 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 243 N/A 342 N/A N/A N/A N/A

2017 SCHEDULE Date 9/1 9/8 9/15 9/22 9/29 10/6 10/13 10/19 10/27 11/3

Opponent Marbury Childersburg Munford* Dadeville* Horseshoe Bend Leeds* Tallassee* Elmore County* Handley* Beulah*#

TEAM SPECIFICS: Head Coach: Jason Franklin (1st Year) 2016 Record: (1-9) Stadium: Boykin Field

*Region Game #Senior Night

Location Away Away Home Away Away Home Home Away Home Home

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

Elmore County

PANTHERS AHSAA CLASS 4A /// REGION 3

AUGUST 23, 2017

TEAM SPECIFICS: Head Coach: Norman Dean (13th year) 2016 Record: (4-6) Stadium: Burt-Haynie Field

2017 SCHEDULE Date

Opponent

8/25 9/1 9/8 9/15 9/22 9/29 10/6 10/13 10/19 10/27

Montgomery Academy Alabama Christian Academy Leeds* Handley* Childersburg* Montgomery Catholic Munford* Dadeville* Holtville*# Tallassee*

*Region Game #Senior Night

Location Away Home Home Home Away Away Home Away Home Away

ELMORE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 2017 FOOTBALL ROSTER

Staff/ Tallapoosa Publishers

Top: Terrence Head gets ready to make a pass. Above: The defense is ferocious with new defensive coordinator Rodney Taylor at the helm.

No.

Name

Position

Grade

Ht.

Wt.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 17 19 20 21 21 27 28 32 33 48 50 52 54 55 56 62 63 66 67 70 72 74 75 78 92

Terrence Head Antwan Cooks Ladarius Jenkins D.J. Patrick Deangelo Splunge Taylor Henderson Keshawn Benson Jason Aguilar Shakwan Bickley Nicholas Boothe Dalton Odom Donovan Jones Jay Edison Kujala Brody Ward Keith Ballard Nathan Jones James Phillips Joe Stockman Jakob Hodges LaPatrick Brown Jake Moseley Winston Scardina James Ryan Orr Bryson Caudle Devon Buckhannon Ean Carpenter Thomas Bass Samuel Jones Jonathan Bolt Tanner Brooks Garrett Moseley Thomas Watts Dylan Brown Samuel J. Hamm Coby Jacob Mann Collin Dean Taylor Atkinson Gabriel Lantz

QB DB WR RB N/A N/A DB WR DB LB DB RB WR QB DL LB WR K DB RB DE N/A LB DE OL DL LB LB OL LS OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL

Sr Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. 8th So. Fr. N/A N/A Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Fr. So. So. Sr.

6-1 5-7 5-4 5-11 5-8 N/A N/A 5-8 5-9 N/A 5-6 6-0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5-11 N/A 5-6 5-11 5-5 N/A 5-7 N/A 5-7 N/A N/A 5-10 N/A 5-9 N/A 5-9 N/A N/A N/A 5-7

173 135 131 156 119 N/A N/A 126 167 N/A 136 188 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 146 N/A 137 144 172 N/A 169 N/A 169 N/A N/A 185 N/A 179 N/A 270 N/A N/A N/A 150

2017 GRIDIRON GUIDE

AUGUST 23, 2017

Staff/ Tallapoosa Publishers

Elmore County is breaking in a new offensive line and the competition is fierce.

TEAM breakdown OFFENSE: Quarterback:

There’s one man and one alone for the Panthers this season. And it’s senior Terrence Head. Head coach Norman Dean said there is no backup plan and they will roll with Head all season. “He works hard and is a tremendous athlete,” Dean said. “He’s strong and balanced in both the passing and running game.”

Offensive Line:

Head will have to make plays with his feet early – or hand off to one of his many talented running backs – until the offensive line forms a cohesive unit after returning only two starters in Devon Buckhannon and Parker Watts. “We have a lot of work to do on the offensive line,” Dean said. “Got a lot of guys competing and hopefully that’ll make us stronger in the long run.”

Skill Positions:

While the offensive line meshes, Head will have a plethora of talented backs and receivers who can make explosive plays. Junior D.J. Patrick is a returning

1,000-yard rusher and has gained a lot of experience during the past two seasons. Donovan Jones will also get his fair share of touches from the running back position, whether it be on the ground or through the air. “D.J. is a special athlete who is a hard runner and one of the toughest competitors I’ve ever coached,” Dean said. “He’ll carry a lot of the load for us but Donovan is every bit as talented and serves in a dual-threat role for us.” Ladarius Jenkins and Shakwan Bickley will be the primary targets on the outside for Head and their size and speed will cause problems for opposing defensive backs.

DEFENSE: Defensive Line:

New defensive coordinator Rodney Taylor brings with him a ferocious attacking defense and the front four have impressed throughout the preseason. Jake Moseley and Bryson Caudle are tenacious at the defensive end and Taylor has the ability to rotate four players at the tackle position including Ean Carpenter, Keith Ballard, Thomas Watts and Buckhannon. “We’re very pleased with the execution we’ve seen so far in these guys,”

Taylor said. “Our scheme starts at the line of scrimmage and we’ve shown we have the potential to be a good unit.”

Linebackers:

Thomas Bass is the man in the middle for the Panthers and he’ll be flanked on each side by two of the most talented players on the team. Patrick will take some time away from punishing defenders to inflict some damage from the Sam linebacker position and Head will man the Will position. LaPatrick Brown will also see some action and provide some depth to the linebacker corps.

Secondary:

Bickley and Antwan Cooks look to lock the defensive backfield down in the safety positions with Taylor

Henson and Keshawn Benson taking up the cornerback spots. The unit is experienced and Taylor is excited to see what they can accomplish this season. “These guys are smart and they catch on fast to the things we’re teaching them,” he said. “They’re fast and they have great energy. Really all of our guys on defense are playing with a lot of energy right now.”

SPECIAL TEAMS: Joe Stockman will handle all of the kicking duties this season and is the fourth member of the Stockman family that has played that role for Dean. “He comes from good kicking stock, I can tell you that much,” he said.

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