The
Hidden Star Who is Micah Murphy?
Inside: PHOTOS ROSTERS SCHEDULES BREAKDOWNS
THE SONS OF MONTEVALLO
The Bulldogs prepare to take center stage
The Quality and Expertise of St. Vincent’s.
The Convenience of Walk-in Care.
We offer walk-in care for minor injury and illness, ranging from minor cuts that may need stitches to coughs and colds. Open after hours and seven days a week, our center provides the quality and expertise of St. Vincent’s with the convenience of walk-in care. We provide onsite diagnostics, advanced technology, a new state-of-the-art facility, and experienced and compassionate staff – all at a lower overall cost than an emergency room visit.
2
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
St. Vincent’s One Nineteen 7191 Cahaba Valley Road Hoover, AL 35242 (205) 408-2366 Mon.-Fri. 1-9p.m.
Sat. and Sun. 9a.m.-6p.m. stvurgentcare.com
Sharing the moments that matter At Central State Bank we pride ourselves on being more than just a bank. For the last century we’ve strived to be a valuable part of our local community. Whether it’s a mortgage for your dream home or supporting our local football teams, we want to share the moments that really matter with the many amazing people we serve.
• Serving our community for 100 years • Business Banking & Treasury Management • Internet Banking • Loans & Lines of Credit • Mobile Banking
Large enough to serve you, small enough to know you.
• Mortgages • Young Savers Account • Mobile Deposit
205.668.0711 centralstatebank.com 11025 HWY 25, Calera, AL 35040
• Online Bill Pay
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
3
Table of Contents
22 Briarwood 28 Calera 34 Chelsea 40 Coosa Valley 42 Cornerstone 44 Evangel 46 Helena
6
58 Hope 60 Kingwood 62 Montevallo 66 Oak Mountain 72 Pelham 82 Shelby County 90 Spain Park 94 Thompson 102 Vincent
14 4
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
STAFF EDITORIAL Graham Brooks Steven Calhoun Stephen Dawkins Baker Ellis Alec Etheredge Briana Harris Keith McCoy Emily Sparacino Neal Wagner
PRODUCTION Connor Bucy Jamie Dawkins Layken Gibbs Clarke Stackhouse
MARKETING Meagan Barton Kristy Brown Ashley Duckett Kari George Daniel Holmes Rhett McCreight Kim McCulla Stacey Meadows April Spivey Jessica Spradlin Sabrina Zizo
ADMINISTRATIVE Tim Prince Katie McDowell Hailey Dolbare Mary Jo Eskridge This is a publication of Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. P.O. Box 947 115 North Main Street Columbiana, AL 35051 phone: 205.669.3131 advertise@shelbycountyreporter.com
From the Editor
H
ello again. I hope this magazine finds you well. Crazy how time flies, it feels like last year was here just a moment ago, but nonetheless here we are again. It’s football season! And there is so much to talk about. There are 16 football teams in Shelby County, and as usual, we’re taking a look at them all. We talk about which teams are in rebuilding mode, which teams are poised to make a deep playoff run, and which teams may just sneak up on some people. Also of course, we’ve got some feature stories for you. First, we travel south to talk to four of Montevallo’s top returning players. Last season was a renaissance year for the Bulldogs, and if Montevallo is going to build on that success in 2016, these four will play an integral part in that journey. Next, we take a look at one of the top athletes in the county that you probably haven’t seen play or heard much about, Micah Murphy from Evangel Christian School, and tell you exactly why you should keep an eye on him. To make this thing you’re holding in your hands actually exist, a lot of people have to do a lot of things. To the designers who are able to take a bunch of words and pictures from a computer
and create this very nice-looking magazine, thank you so much. Also, if you couldn’t tell, this magazine is huge this year. We have our awesome sales reps to thank for that, as they drive the revenue that makes this possible, and they definitely knocked it out of the park this year. We also have to give a shout out to all the businesses and people in each and every community that invest so openly and willingly in their local teams. Thank you guys for helping us make this possible. And, as always, thank you for reading. This wouldn’t really mean much if you didn’t invest and care about your teams and communities the way you do. For that, you also have my most sincere thanks. Now, I hope you’ve just cracked this open on a nice crisp fall Friday night as kickoff is just a few minutes away. It’s officially football season again, folks, and that’s just the greatest news there ever was. Good luck, and let’s get to it.
Baker Ellis, Sports Editor
Baker.Ellis@ShelbyCountyReporter.com
On the Cover Zac Oden, Daqwan Bryant, Tre’Shawn Brown and Ahmad Edwards return to lead Montevallo this season. Cover photo by Keith McCoy Cover design by Jamie Dawkins
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
5
THE SONS OF MONTEVALLO Written by BAKER ELLIS Photographs by JON GOERING, BAKER ELLIS and KEITH MCCOY
6
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
7
G
etting to Montevallo takes a little bit of effort. The sleepy hamlet in southern Shelby County is a lazy, 20-minute drive from I-65 outside of Calera down U.S. Highway 25, and is tucked neatly into a landscape that is reminiscent of a Normal Rockwell painting and has a population of roughly 7,000. It isn’t a place people pass through necessarily, even though it may feel like that to outsiders, but a place people go for a specific purpose. Whether it’s for sport, art, school, work or anything in between. Whatever the reason, no one ends up in Montevallo by accident. In the fall of 2016 this will not change. Few people still will be in Montevallo without reason, although one of those reasons will be steeped in more excitement and optimism than usual. In the wake of a 2015 football season that saw unique and almost unparalleled success across the long history of the
8
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Bulldog program, there is now some statewide buzz surrounding fall Friday nights in the city. As a result, there is palpable momentum surrounding this team for the first time in quite a while. Zac Oden, Tre’Shawn Brown, Ahmad Edwards and Daqwan Bryant are the harbingers of that momentum. These four will be Montevallo’s top playmakers this fall, and are at the forefront of a new and improved mentality seeping through the Bulldogs’ locker room walls. They are an undeniably and instantly likeable bunch off the field, and are four of the most exciting players in the county to watch on it. Oden, Brown, Edwards and Bryant are close. They have all lived in Montevallo for most of their lives, (Ahmad, arriving in the second grade, is the most recent addition to the group) and it’s easy to see that their friendship runs deep. All have played football for as long as they can remember, and
there is a level of comfort and easiness between them that cannot be faked, indicative of the years they have spent together. When talking about their favorite memories from their football careers, each shares a moment that involves another in the group. Daqwan’s favorite memory from his playing days so far doesn’t even include himself at all. With a grin slapped on his face, he relays the story of simply watching Tre’Shawn lay a vicious hit on Sipsey Valley’s gigantic running back last season in a game the Bulldogs won 21-0. Tre’Shawn responds by saying he remembers vividly watching Daqwan take a screen pass 60-plus yards to the house in last season’s opener against Locust Fork. Montevallo won that game 28-27 in overtime. “He had like four dudes hanging all over him, and he just bounced right off and took it,” Brown says. They have grown up with each other
asked not to, can’t help themselves from calling a 24-year-old writer “sir,” a natural byproduct of respectable Southern upbringings. Edwards is tall, standing a shade over six feet, while Bryant is shorter and more compact. The two are lightning-quick in the open field, and combined to catch 78 balls for 1,332 yards and 21 touchdowns as sophomores a season ago, and combine to make one of the best receiving tandems around, to make no mention of their defensive exploits, which are also numerous. Brown was a First Team ASWA AllState selection last season at strong safety as a junior. His 128 tackles from his safety spot were the most in Shelby County, and he is as tenacious and dynamic as they come in the defensive backfield. The senior relishes contact, and his eyes light up when talking about some of his more memorable hits over the years. This year, Brown is going to play both ways and will work as the third receiver alongside Edwards and Bryant on offense, bringing another talented and dangerous arrow into the receiving quiver. When asked why the new Montevallo coaching staff is moving him to the offensive side of the ball, Brown’s answer is simple. “To make plays,” he says with a in a small, tight-knit community, smile. sharing experiences on and off the There will be other elements to field, and now the foursome is set this Montevallo team, of course. to start their final football season Caleb Cottingham at running back together, a season which has a chance and Tavarius Holman at the fourth to be one of the best in the receiver spot are both history of the school. primed for big seasons, Oden, the quarterback, and linebacker Jackson is coming off a stellar Hughes will undoubtedly junior year in which he have a strong impact on threw for nearly 2,400 the defense once again, yards and 29 touchdowns. This season marks the but these four are the He has started every game fourth time in the last unquestioned backbone since he was a freshman, 31 years Montevallo of this bunch. Edwards, which makes him one of has been ranked in the Brown and Bryant are all the most experienced prep preseason poll. moving into their third gunslingers in the country year of big-time varsity heading into 2016, and he minutes, while Oden is in is ready to leave a lasting impression his fourth. Those countless snaps have on the school and community he has brought about a familiarity that will spent his life in. be invaluable this year. Edwards and Bryant are a pair of “The best part about it is I’ve had bright-eyed, attentive junior wide these two for three years now,” Oden outs and defensive backs. They are says, nodding toward Bryant and sharp, quick to smile, and even when Edwards. “I’ve been fortunate in my
4
ure.com omeFurnit MagnoliaH
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
9
time here to have receivers who can go and make plays, whether it’s on a two-yard screen play or an arrow, guys who can turn anything into a 60-yard touchdown. These two are for sure the best I’ve played with.” “His leadership is key,” Bryant says in return of his quarterback. “He’s our guy.” The Montevallo locker room has completely bought in to the idea that this team can be special. New head coach Brandon Wilcox and his staff, along with the strong senior leadership from guys like Oden and Brown, has cultivated a mentality where guys now want to work out, they want to engage and want to get better. But this is somewhat of a new phenomenon for the Bulldogs. For the
longest time, the prevailing emotion in the locker room was one of apathy. “There’s been a change in mentality,” Oden says. “With the way you talk, the way you work and how you play on the field. It used to be a, ‘We’re not going to listen to what the coach says, we’re going to do our own thing’ kind of deal.” “Before, it was just a ‘We don’t care’ mentality,” Brown adds. Tena Niven, — Ahmad Edwards who was born and raised in Montevallo and has taught in the Montevallo school system since 2000, backed up that statement. Niven grew up going to Montevallo High School football games, and has been the Voice of the Bulldogs for the last five seasons. When she started calling football games, she
“We’ve worked
so hard. We want to be state champs.”
10
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
began to notice a difference in how her alma mater played from what she had experienced growing up. “It was almost miserable for a few years there,” Niven said. “We weren’t competing, we weren’t fighting. Guys would lay down in the middle of the field acting hurt. It wasn’t fun to watch. That’s not what you want to see.” While apathy and complacency permeated the Montevallo locker room, that was only part of the story. From 2000-2014, Montevallo put up an incredibly pedestrian 56-94 record, averaging less than four wins per year. Were all of those teams lazy? Of course not. As Niven said, the talent level at a smaller school can be boom or bust depending on the year, and for a while Montevallo simply didn’t have the athletes or numbers to be consistently competitive. In 2016 however, the talent at Montevallo is as strong as its been in quite a while. Not only is Montevallo’s
football team coming off a great year, so are the basketball and baseball teams. On the hardwood the Bulldogs marched to a 22-9 record and made an appearance in the 4A Sweet Sixteen last season while the baseball team went as far as the 4A semifinals. Ahmad, Daqwan and Tre’Shawn all contributed to the basketball team’s success while Zac and Ahmad helped lead the baseball team as well. Oden was the only athlete in the county last year to be named a First Team All-County selection in both football and baseball. Daqwan also runs track in the spring. Needless to say, these four stay busy. Montevallo is a small school, and it is not uncommon for the athletes at smaller schools to play multiple sports out of necessity. All four are committed to football, and all say football is their first love, however each still enjoy taking part in their other sports. Ahmad however is slightly unique among most prep athletes today since he plays all three major sports. He is never out of season, and has not chosen to specialize in one over the other, as an increasing number of high schoolers do just that. His reasoning? He’s simply having too much fun. “They’re all still fun to me, all three of them are,” he says. “My dad has always told me when one of them gets too stressful or when I get tired of one, that’s when you give it up. That hasn’t happened yet, I like playing all of them.” 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
11
While this bunch is talented and has had success, all of those accomplishments, all of the wins and all of the awards that Montevallo racked up a year ago, all of that is in the past now. 2016 is a blank slate, with new challenges and opportunities waiting for them. The question now becomes, can the Bulldogs build on this newfound success and continue to progress? When asked what the expectation is for this season, the response from the group is simple and succinct. “We’ve worked so hard,” Edwards says, and then pauses. “We want to be state champs.” The other three chime in, adding their support to that statement. Whether a state championship is in the stars or not for this bunch obviously remains to be seen. Montevallo has moved back down to Class 3A this year after spending two years in 4A ball, but now moves in to a region with Gordo, Oakman and American Christian Academy, all of which are top contenders in the classification. The Bulldogs pulled in a
12
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
No. 7 preseason rank in the class, while Gordo was ranked second in the class in the preseason and Oakman was ranked 10th. While the roster is more talented than it has been in a while, the schedule has also become much tougher as well. Whatever happens this year on the gridiron, there will come a time soon enough where this season will end,
and all four will, seemingly in the blink of an eye, have graduated. They will leave their jerseys for fresh faces to take, and move on with their lives. Before that happens, though, before the passing of time has left this season as nothing more than a memory, the sons of Montevallo have one more ride left to take together, and they’ll see if they can’t make some history along the way.
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
13
14
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
THE
HIDDEN STAR
WHO IS MICAH MURPHY? Written by BAKER ELLIS Photographs by KEITH MCCOY, DAWN HARRISON and BAKER ELLIS
M
icah Murphy runs a 4.4 second 40-yard dash, and has been clocked at a 3.98 in the 5-10-5 shuttle run. His bench max heading into the fall is 315 pounds, he squats 385, and he has a standing vertical jump of 35.5 inches. He has an uncanny resemblance to a deer when running the football, gracefully rushing past would-be tacklers time and time again. He was a First-Team All-County athlete last season and had one of the most productive seasons in the history of prep football in Alabama. Have you heard of him? Probably not. How is that possible? Murphy is, after all, hands-down one of the most dominant prep players around, and has the measurables to back that up. As a junior, Murphy accumulated 3,593 all-purpose yards, which would rank as the ninth-most productive season in AHSAA history. But, Murphy doesn’t play in the AHSAA. He doesn’t even play in the independent schoolequivalent AISA. Murphy, who attends
Evangel Christian School, plays ball in the eight-man Alabama Christian Sports Conference, and he’s ready to demand a bigger chunk of the spotlight in 2016. Evangel Christian School is a state-registered K-12 church school in Alabaster that operates under the legal and spiritual oversight of Evangel Church, also in Alabaster. It’s one of the ministry arms of Evangel Church, as is the Evangel Christian Classical School. ECCS is a brick-andmortar school that has an enrollment of around 360 kids, per the school’s website, while ECS is a homeschool organization. Students enrolled in either ECS or ECCS are eligible to play for the Evangel athletic teams, and the football team in any given year is made up of different proportions of students from both schools. The Murphy family has been homeschooling their children through Evangel for more than 15 years now. Micah, the youngest of four, has been homeschooled through Evangel his entire life. Don, Micah’s father and 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
15
16
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
17
head coach of the Lightning, said the decision he and his wife made to homeschool their children almost two decades ago was for a myriad of reasons. “I think part of it is it’s allowed us to customize their education,” Don said. “It allowed us to teach them history through travelling, it helped us to instill a strong work ethic in them, and it’s helped to teach them all strong entrepreneurial skills as well. Both my daughters own their own businesses now. Also, all my kids are their own best friends. If you asked my boys who their best friend is, they’ll likely say each other, which is pretty special.” Micah’s older brother Mason was a special athlete in his own right, and was the ACSC Player of the Year in 2014 as a running back. The two have played an integral role in the last few years in turning Evangel into the cream of the ACSC crop, and the Lightning have
18
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
posted a 52-8 record over the last six years. Both Micah and Mason come by their athleticism honestly. Murphy’s maternal grandfather, Alex Gibbs was a long-time NFL offensive line and assistant coach, while his uncle, David Gibbs, is the defensive coordinator at Texas Tech. His paternal grandfather also was the head track coach at Auburn, and his father played football at Furman University for a year as well. Suffice it to say athletics run deep in this family, and Micah is the natural byproduct of that reality. Standing about 5-feet-10-inches tall and weighing roughly 190 pounds of mostly corded muscle, Micah plays quarterback for the Lightning out of necessity, although he’s more of a natural slot receiver. He talks quickly, like his father, but speaks articulately and intelligently. He has a 4.0 GPA and is taking college classes this fall with
the hopes of enrolling at a college after Christmas. He is as nice and polite a kid as you could hope to meet, but there is also an earnestness in his green, deep-set eyes that cannot be missed. There is a passion in the youngest Murphy child, easily noticeable even if its origin is not, although a few minutes of conversation brings the source of that passion to light. Micah, more than anything, wants to play college football. “I’ve always loved the sport, I’ve always loved playing it for as long as I’ve been around the game,” Micah said. “It teaches you life lessons, to push hard and to keep going and pushing when things are tough. It’s not an easy sport, there’s a lot to learn, it’s a mental game, it’s everything I like combined into one sport. I’ve always loved it, and I’ve wanted to play in college since I was a kid.” Micah started playing football when he was in the sixth grade and it became
apparent when he reached high school he was capable of developing into a special athlete. As he has gotten older, he has attended a number of local college camps with the hopes of drawing attention from college coaches, although the fact that he plays in the eight-man game has made coaches wary. “It definitely is a block,” Micah said candidly. “I’ve gone to some camps and have caught the eye of some coaches and impressed some people. But being at a small school, some (coaches) think it’s too much of a risk to give me an offer. Some coaches will look past it, but I’ve just been basically trying to get past the barrier of playing at a small school and playing eight-man.” In other parts of the country, primarily in the Midwest in states like Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa, eight-man football is common and college coaches in that part of the country are accustomed to the eightman game. In the South, not so much, and as a result there are a combination of factors that can crescendo together to raise college coaches’ suspicions about
a talented kid like Micah. One reason simply being that unfamiliarity tends to breed distrust. The eight-man game is widely unknown in Alabama and across the South, and because of that it stands to reason coaches might be wary in trusting a product of that game to easily transition to the college level. There is also an innate assumption that the talent level is significantly lower across the board in the smaller leagues, and there is truly no way to know how successful or dominant someone like Micah would be in the AHSAA or even in the AISA. Also, the game itself is different from 11-man football. The field is bigger, there are six more bodies on the field, and both offenses and defenses operate in wildly
different ways. Micah obviously knows all of this, he’s well aware of the challenges, and as a result knows he has to be doubly impressive when he gets in front of college coaches. “My times definitely have to grab their attention, I’ve got to prove myself more than most (other kids),” Micah said. “Everyone there wants to do that, but definitely for me I’ve got to prove myself even more, I’ve — Micah Murphy got to prove I can play at that level even coming from a small school and that I can play with those people.” That reality would be enough to make most people, especially most teenagers, mad. To be incredibly dedicated to reaching a goal, and in that process
“I’m very competitive.
I want to push myself as hard as I can push myself, to work out harder, do this and that harder, practice this, make that better.”
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
19
constantly be thrust into situation after situation where you have to work from a disadvantageous situation to get there. Micah however, uses that simply as motivational fuel. “I’m very competitive,” he said. “I want to push myself as hard as I can push myself, to work out harder, do this and that harder, practice this, make that better. (I’m) always trying to get that extra edge on other players to show people, ‘Hey, I can do this, I can beat you at this, and just because I play at a small school, I can still play with you.’ It definitely is motivation.” The natural question that comes up during this, the question that is so obvious but has to be asked, is simple. Does he wish he went to school somewhere else? Does he regret not getting the chance to showcase his skill at a larger prep school with more reach into the college realm? To this, Murphy’s answer is short, immediate, and resounding. “No,” he said simply in response. “Absolutely not. I wouldn’t change anything.” Murphy is the best player in the ACSC, and likely the second-best player in the conference is his backfield mate and classmate Brad Baggett. The Lightning are the odds-on favorite to roll through the ACSC without a problem with both of them leading the way this season. Murphy will be electric to watch as always this year, but there is another, unique story taking place within the ACSC this season. On Dec. 9,
2015 the Alabama Independent School opponents, which is a big deal. For years, the AISA had not Association’s Athletic Committee voted unanimously to designate teams within allowed its member schools to play the ACSC as acceptable nonconference homeschool teams out of concern that
Welcome to the good life. Welcome to Shelby Living!
Subscribe today to receive a copy in your mailbox monthly!
• • • •
20
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
1 $20.4ear, y
e Arts & Culture for on sues 12 is Local Fashions Unique Home Features Monthly calendar of events and happenings
SHELBY Living To Subscribe visit ShelbyLiving.com or call 669-3131
the homeschool programs did not police eligibility as strictly as the AISA does. The ACSC was formed in 2007 as a product of that concern by the AISA, and the ACSC adopted the same eligibility stipulations that the AISA puts in place to appease those concerns. Finally, after years of proving capable of policing their own eligibility, the ACSC has been deemed acceptable nonconference competition in all sports. What this means for ACSC football and teams like Evangel and Hope Christian is still being figured out. Traditionally an eight-man league, the ACSC will most likely move to the 11-man game permanently in a few years, after Murphy has graduated and moved on. In the meantime, this year Evangel and Hope will both dip their feet into the 11-man game. Eight of Evangel’s 10 regular season games this year will be 11-man games, which will create a very interesting situation. The Lightning got their first taste of 11-man football with a spring jamboree classic at Jacksonville State. Evangel played Kingwood Christian for one half of the jamboree, and beat the Lions 28-0. Then Evangel played Evangel Christian out of Montgomery (same name, that can get confusing) in the other half and beat those Lions 21-14. Murphy had 186 yards on the ground on 12 rushes in the two halves combined and scored twice in his first taste of the 11-man game. When talking about the differences he has Micah Murphy’s 3,593 noticed between the two games, yards of offense in the primary difference Micah said 2015 would have he noticed was the speed change. ranked as the ninth“A lot of it has to do with most productive season speed,” Murphy said. “In eight- in the history of AHSAA man everything is quicker. football.
9
ONE POWER ITION FOR
... M
LITY NUTR EETS QUA
FUL FORCE
OF NUTRIT
ION...
S.
YOUR PET
Especially as a quarterback, guys get to you faster because you lose two tackles. But in 11-man there are just a lot more people on the field. Even though it’s slower, when you’re running the ball there are more bodies you have to get away from. Eight-man is a lot more rolling out and passing, there’s more time to throw in the 11-man game.” The chance to play 11-man football this year is big news for Evangel and for Murphy. He will get a chance to showcase his skills for one season in the 11-man arena and will be able to get himself on tape in that setting. The chance to play 11-man this year will give him his first true taste of the game he wants so badly to play in college. How he performs this season could play a vital role in determining where he goes to school. It’s impossible to know what the future has in store for the youngest of the four Murphy children. His last prep season on the field will be interesting for sure, and he will likely graduate as one of the conferences’ most productive players ever, if not the most productive. The next chapter in Micah’s football story has not been written yet, but whatever the future brings, one thing seems to be certain. This hidden star likely won’t stay hidden for much longer. 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
21
Carson Eddy
BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN LIONS
F
or the first time in Fred Yancey’s storied 27-year career as Briarwood’s head football coach, the Lions are coming off backto-back losing seasons. The addition of a 7A classification in 2014 and the classification restructuring that took place as a result pushed Briarwood into the 6A class for the first time in
22
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Baker Ellis and Keith McCoy
school history, resulting in a pair of down years. Briarwood did make the 6A playoffs in 2014 and 2015, and even upset Fort Payne in the first round of the playoffs this past season, but overall the Lions posted a 9-14 record over the last two years, the worst of any two-year stretch in Yancey’s tenure. Now Briarwood returns to the 5A class
for at least the next two seasons thanks to the 2016-18 reclassification, and the Lions will look to return to their historically winning ways as a result with a team that returns a number of skill players.
Quarterback
William Gray returns for his senior season after starting every game as a
AHSAA 5A, Region 5 2015: 5-7 (4-3) Head Coach: Fred Yancey (27th year, 243-88 record) Assistants: Shane Harmon, Ernest Carroll, Chris Donnelley, Daniel Forester, Matthew Forester, Bobby Kerley, Brent Reese Last region title: 2011 Last playoff game: 2015 BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE
junior. Gray has worked hard in the offseason to put on weight and add speed, according to Yancey, and is more confident now than he has ever been. A competent athlete with a strong arm, Gray is not afraid to take shots down the field in Briarwood’s spread offense. As a junior Gray was interception-prone
23
Briarwood has made the playoffs 23 straight years, which is by far the longest streak in the county.
at
times,
Rising
DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 19
OPEN
Aug. 26
@ Chelsea
and will need to protect the ball better this time around to give Briarwood a chance in tight games. However, the senior now has plenty of game experience as well as a playoff win under his belt, and is primed to lead the Lions offense in 2016.
Sept. 2
Moody*
Sept. 9
@ Wenonah*
Sept. 16
Fairfield*
Sept. 23
@ Mortimer Jordan
Sept. 30
@ St. Clair County*
Oct. 7
Woodlawn*
Oct. 14
@ Shelby County*
Oct. 21
Pleasant Grove*
Running Back
Oct. 28
@ Madison Academy
junior
Ashton
Domingue
* Region game
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
23
Ashton Domingue
will take a more prominent role in the offense this year at the running back position, after spending his sophomore year primarily as Gray’s backup at quarterback. Yancey and the Briarwood coaching staff have moved Domingue around this summer, trying him out at linebacker before
24
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
moving him back to the offensive side of the ball. Domingue will be joined in the backfield by newcomer JR Tran-Reno, who comes up from last year’s freshman team, and Wilson Hand. As a freshman, Tran-Reno was clocked running a 4.62 40 and has only improved since then. Hand is back
in uniform for the Lions after not playing football his junior year, and is a tough runner with good balance. Between Domingue, Tran-Reno and Hand, playing time at the running back positions will be one of the most compelling aspects of this Briarwood team leading into the fall.
Want to know who scored during the big game Friday night? Visit ShelbyCountyReporter.com for complete results from Friday night’s action.
Receivers
The addition of Domingue, Tran-Reno and Hand to the backfield will allow junior playmaker Carson Eddy to move out wide. Eddy spent much of his sophomore season at running back out of necessity for the Lions, but is more comfortable and effective working in space. Eddy will head up a receiving corps along with returning seniors Luke Miskelley, Kolby Kwarcinski and Bradford 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
25
BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
1
Kolby Kwarcinski
WR
Senior
26 Bradford Pattillo
WR
Senior
61 Landon Berg
OL
Sophomore
2
Ethan Housel
LB
Senior
27 Graham Core
WR
Senior
62 Jacob Hawk
DL
Junior
3
Bennett Miles
DB
Senior
28 Carson Donnelly
DB
Junior
64 Will Baumbach
OL
Senior
4
Andrew Sherrod
DB
Junior
29 Champ Stewart
DE
Senior
65 Cole Scordino
OL
Sophomore
5
Wilson Hand
FB
Senior
30 Alex Key
WR
Sophomore
66 Ward Combs
DL
Sophomore
6
Barrett Tindall
HB
Senior
32 J.A. Perry
SE
Sophomore
67 Patrick Blythe
DL
Junior
7
Michael Hiers
QB
Junior
33 Max Crutchfield
DB
Junior
68 Michael Holmes
OL
Sophomore
8
Ashton Domingue
FB
Junior
34 Mac McNamee
WR
Sophomore
70 Ross Godbehere
OL
Sophomore
9
J.R. Tran Reno
QB/FB
Sophomore
35 Joseph Mungenast
LB
Junior
71 Mac Brown
OL
Senior
10 William Gray
QB
Senior
36 Brandon Guthrie
HB
Junior
72 Ian Davis
DL
Sophomore
11 Luke Miskelley
WR
Senior
40 Noah Whatley
LB
Sophomore
73 Riley Bush
OL
Sophomore
Position Year
12 Gabe Morris
WR
Junior
42 Brandon Kassouf
LB
Junior
77 Brooks Burgess
DL
Junior
14 Matthew McKenna
WR
Sophomore
44 Carson Eddy
WR
Junior
80 Collin Dorrill
DL
Sophomore
15 Cade Dickinson
DB
Sophomore
45 Sam Hamner
LB
Sophomore
81 Ryan Walker
DB
Junior
16 Mark Hand
LB
Sophomore
50 Hunter Whatley
OL
Senior
82 Bryce Perrien
WR
Sophomore
17 Luke Hess
DB
Sophomore
51 Will Pratt
DL
Sophomore
83 Reid Mays
WR
Sophomore
18 Mason Algren
QB
Sophomore
52 Tucker Johnston
OL
Senior
84 P.C. Strickland
HB
Junior
19 Gabe Russell
LB
Junior
54 Carson Kolb
OL
Junior
86 Quaid Rasmussm
HB
Sophomore
20 Jordan Harmon
DE
Senior
55 Conner Hutson
OL
Senior
88 Jake Dyson
WR
Junior
21 Hudson Hartsfield
DB
Junior
56 Nathan Cale
OL
Senior
89 Michael Murphy
DB
Sophomore
91 Dalton Brooks
DL
Sophomore
22 Jonathan Hill
FB
Junior
57 Cooper Thompson
DL
Senior
23 Caleb Daniels
WR
Senior
58 William Heidepriem
OL
Junior
24 Jay Kynerd
FB
Sophomore
59 Garrett Bell
OL
Junior
Linebackers
Pattillo. Miskelley will most likely and Carson Kolb round out the list of be Briarwood’s other deep ball threat returning lettermen who will work in The linebacking corps will look alongside Eddy, while Kwarcinski and the rotation across the front. completely different from a season Pattillo work better as inside receivers. ago. Rising senior Ethan Housel is moving to the linebacker position 2015 First Team All-County defensive after spending his junior year as a Carter Bankston has safety and will provide valuable game In the wake of the graduation of guys linemen like Daniel Johnston, Ross Thompson graduated and is now playing football experience to the group. Other names and Will Halama, the only returning at the Naval Academy. Bankston was that all have potential to see time at starter on the offensive line is Hunter credited with 70 tackles last season linebacker are sophomore Mark Hand Whatley, who will hold down the right as well as two forced fumbles and and juniors Gabe Russell, Brandon tackle position after playing center last four sacks, and the Lions will need to Kassouf and Joseph Mungenast. year. Junior Garrett Bell will see his make up for his lost production, which first consistent game action this year at will be no small task. Fortunately, left tackle, and the Briarwood coaching Briarwood returns Jordan Harmon, Carson Donnelley, one of the most staff is excited about his mobility Champ Stewart and Cooper Thompson competitive players on Briarwood’s and range up front. Will Baumbach is all from last year’s defensive line, roster, is back in the secondary after a another senior who is back in uniform which is good news. Newcomer Patrick great spring and summer. The junior after some time away from the football Blythe, who will see his first consistent has added speed and bulk, and will once field, and can play either center or game action this year, will join the again roam the field from his safety guard, depending on need. Connor three seniors up front. position. Bennett Miles, who is moving Hudson, Nathan Cale, Tucker Johnson
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
Secondary
GOOD LUCK lions! 26
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
LION FOOTBALL from the cornerback position where he started last year, will join Donnelley as the other safety. In Miles’ absence will be Andrew Sherrod, Hudson Hartsfield and Jonathan Hill competing for the corner spots. Sophomore Cade Dickenson may work into the rotation as well.
Special Teams
Josh Brower, an All-County First Team forward from Briarwood’s 2016 soccer team, has graduated, leaving the place kicking position vacant. Yancey and the coaching staff are waiting to see who emerges as the new kicker, while Gray will once again handle the punting duties. Domingue will punt out of spread punt formation, but Yancey has always preferred to punt from the gun more often than not.
Players to Watch
William Gray, QB. Ashton Domingue, LB. Wilson Hand, RB. JR Tran-Reno, RB.
William Gray
Key Losses
Carter Bankston, RJ Jennings, Josh Brower. 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
27
Trez Harris
Jaramy Dozier
CALERA EAGLES
C
alera has made the playoffs each of the last four years, and over that time span has developed into a consistent, strong program that can be counted on to win at least seven games per year. Now however, Calera is entering a period of transition, and the consistency the Eagles have become known for could
28
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Dawn Harrison and Keith McCoy
be put to the test in 2016. Wiley McKeller has left to rebuild 2A Vincent, and Andrew Zow has stepped into the head coaching role, transitioning from 3A Montevallo, which is just a 10-minute drive down U.S 25. While Zow’s commute looks similar to years’ past, the job itself will look much different. Calera has been primarily a running team for the
last five years with backs like Ronnie Clark, ShaKeith Tyes and Kyle Harrell coming through the program, but Zow, a former quarterback himself at Alabama, will bring a more passoriented style of offense to Calera, which will take time to fully integrate. With new faces at key spots and old faces moving into new roles, the 2016 Eagles will be an intriguing team to
AHSAA 5A, Region 3 2015: 7-4 (5-2) Head Coach: Andrew Zow (First year) Assistants: Robert Albritton, Chris McCrackin, Gary Griffith, James Knowles, Paul Hovey, Bill Madigan, Jonathan Howard, Paul Winterbottom watch develop.
Quarterback
Charles White has also graduated, leaving a wide-open backfield for Calera to work with. In the place of Harrell and White will step a committee of backs. Trez Harris is making the transition from his role as a defensive end last year to running back this year, and senior twins Alex and Jaramy Dozier will also see time at running back when they are not at linebacker. Decorean Mickens and Antonio Devinner could also see time in the backfield as well.
Moving into the fall there are three guys all vying for the quarterback spot in Demerius Woodson, Edwin Karanja and Tyler Ferguson. Ferguson, the only senior of the bunch, started the second half of last year and is one of the primary leaders on this team, while Woodson, a sophomore, is the best pure athlete and Karanja is more of a pocket passer. It’s likely that all three will see time in the backfield in the first few games as the coaching staff tries to iron out who will be the Tray Jones and Zach Gaines have guy moving forward. both graduated, although Gaines was hurt for most of last season and did not see much playing time at receiver, This is the second season in a row that which means the receiving unit will Calera will have to replace a top-level also be fully revamped. Yatil Gant saw back, as Kyle Harrell has graduated some time at receiver last year, and and moved on to the Naval Academy. the senior is one of the more athletic
Receivers
Running Back
Last region title: 2008 Last playoff game: 2015 CALERA HIGH SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 19
@ Mae Jemison
Aug. 26
Bibb County
Sept. 2
@ Dallas County*
Sept. 9
Central Tuscaloosa*
Sept. 16
Demopolis*
Sept. 23
Jackson-Olin
Sept. 30
OPEN
Oct. 7
Jemison*
Oct. 14
@ Sumter Central*
Oct. 21
@ Marbury*
Oct. 28
@ Sylacauga
* Region game
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
29
guys on the team and will be expected to produce out wide. Joining Gant will be Jonathan Brown, a basketball player who has come out for the team in his senior year, as well as Tyler Ray and Chris Shearer. Moving into the fall, the coaching staff is still working with the receiving corps to make sure they develop smart, sharp route-running habits.
Offensive Line
The offensive line has the most experience of any group on the team. Mackenan Thompson, Blake Jones, Caleb Buckhannon and Cody Cook all started last year, and are all back for 2016. The fifth lineman job is currently up in the air, with Bryce Keller, Trey Yowe, Brandon Earnest and Jeffrey Turnipseed all battling for time on the line.
Defensive Line
31
The Calera offense averaged 31 points per game last season, which was the lowest average total for the Eagles in the last four years.
Calera will have more guys than in years past playing on both sides of the ball, and the Eagles are still in the process of figuring out where a number of guys will spend the majority of their time. Antonio Devinner, for example, will be on the defensive line if he is not at running back, as could Trez Harris, since both played defensive end
30
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Welcome to the good life. Welcome to Shelby Living!
Subscribe today
to receive a copy in your mailbox monthly! Visit ShelbyLiving.com or call 669-3131
• • • •
Arts & Culture Local Fashions Unique Home Features Monthly calendar of events
SHELBY Living
1 $2o0ne.y4ear, for sues 12 is
To Subscribe visit ShelbyLiving.com or call 669-3131
last season. Cameron Day, Phillip Douglas and Anthony Washington are some of the other faces trying to lock down time on the defensive front.
Linebackers
Senior twins Alex and Jaramy Dozier were the only two linebackers in Calera’s 4-2-5 scheme last season, but that will change in 2016 as Calera moves to more of a traditional 4-3 look. The Dozier boys will hold down the outside linebacker positions, splitting time there and at running back, while Decorean Mickens will also work at outside linebacker from time to time. Dyson Edwards and David Lawrence have also impressed this summer, and will both get reps at middle linebacker. While the linebacker corps has multiple names that will see time there, Zow and the coaching staff feels this is one of the team’s stronger units.
Secondary
Terry Burrells has locked down one of the corner spots, and will be joined by either Tyler Ferguson or Demerius Woodson at the other corner. If Ferguson does not lock down the starting quarterback job he will be at corner, where he spent the first part of last season, and if Ferguson wins the job, Woodson will likely step into the other cornerback role. Jonathan Brown, Chandler Smith, Zakiyah Johnson and Jermaine Wilson are all vying for time at safety as well. 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
31
CALERA HIGH SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
1
Antonio Devinner
DE/RB
24 Chandler Smith
WR/FS
50 Justin Venegoni
OL/DL
Senior
2
Demeraius Woodson QB/WR/CB
25 Tyler Agnew
DB/WR Sophomore
51 Ryan Caver
OL/DL
Freshman
3
Decorean Mickens
RB/LB
Junior
26 Jaramy Dozier
LB/RB
52 Blake Jones
DL/OL
Junior
4
Edwin Karanja
QB
Freshman
27 Chandler McGiboney WR/DB Freshman
53 Gabriel Schweitzer
OL/DL
Freshman
5
Zakiyah Johnson
CB/WR Junior
28 Trez Harris
RB/DE
Senior
54 Malachi Small
OL/DL
6
Richard Thomas
SS/WR
29 Paul Clayton
WR/LB
Senior
55 Anthony Washington DL/OL
7
Ty Windham
DE/WR/TE
Senior
30 Michael Banks
LB/RB
Junior
56 Jordan Williams
OL/DL
Freshman
8
Robert Gray
CB/WR Sophomore
31 Kenya Myricks
WR/FS
Junior
58 Myles Morrisons
OL/DL
Freshman
9
Tyler Ray
WR/CB Sophomore
32 Arthur Seay
WR/CB Sophomore
59 Ethan Lemley
LB/WR
Junior
FS/WR
33 Jonah Lee
LB/RB
Freshman
60 Phillip Douglas
DL/OL
Sophomore
10 Ben Johnson
Senior Frosh.
Senior
Senior
Sophomore Senior
Freshman Junior
11 Yatil Gant
WR/DE Senior
34 Cameron Dexter
LB/H
Senior
63 Mackenan Thompson OL/DL
Senior
12 Tyler Ferguson
CB/QB
Senior
35 Alex Dozier
LB/RB
Senior
64 Jeffery Turnipseed
OL/DL
Senior
13 Terry Burrells
CB/RB
Sophomore
36 Jermaine Wilson
FS/WR
Junior
65 Bryce Keller
OL/DL
Senior
14 Jermaine Ross
CB/WR/QB
37 Timothy Gilbert
WR/FS
Freshman
68 Trey Yowe
OL/DL
Freshman
15 Chris Shearer
WR/CB Junior
38 Justen George
WR/CB Freshman
70 Caleb Buckhanon
OL/DL
Junior
39 Isaak Thompson
TE/DL
Freshman
71 Brandon Earnest
OL/DL
Senior Freshman
16 Dylan Killingsworth WR/FS
Junior
Freshman
17 QuinDarius Crews
WR/CB Freshman
40 Dyson Edwards
LB/H
Junior
73 Jayson Jones
OL/DL
18 Ke’Sean Bates
LB/TE
Senior
42 Kameron Johnson
LB/WR
Senior
77 Cody Cook
OL/DL
Senior
19 Laparris Whatley
FS/QB
Freshman
43 Rayshaun Bivens
CB/WR Junior
80 Trenton Yowe
WR/FS
Freshman
20 Jonathan Brown
WR/FS
Senior
44 DeJavius Williams
WR/CB Freshman
84 Zach Ford
K
Sophomore
21 Willie Underwood
WR/CB Junior
45 David Lawrence
LB/H
Senior
88 Cameron Day
TE/DE
Junior
22 Dominic Lilly
LB/RB
46 Tyler Devinner
LB/H
Senior
99 Clayton Brannon
LB/WR
Senior
23 JaCobi Gaines
WR/DB Freshman
Sophomore
48 Patrick Killingsworth CB/WR Junior
Special Teams
Zach Gaines will be missed at receiver for sure, but will also definitely be missed in the special teams game, as he had one of the most powerful legs in the state a season ago. Into the kicking role will step sophomore Zach Ford, who will handle all kicking and punting duties for the Eagles. The return specialists jobs have not been secured heading into the fall.
Players to Watch
Decorean Mickens
Mackenan Thompson, OL. Yatil Gant, WR. Demerius Woodson, QB/DB. Decorean Mickens, RB/LB. Caleb Buckhannon, OL.
Key Losses
Kyle Harrell, Charles White, Zach Gaines, Kevin Nunn.
Yatil Gant
GOOD LUCK EAGLES! 32
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
EAGLE FOOTBALL
Champions of Service In sports, the goal is to be the best. The same is true for Alfa Insurance®. We work to make every quote, claim or call a highlight. That’s why customers consistently give Alfa® high marks for service. Call Alfa®, and let us help you save on home, car and life insurance.
Andy Jones
71 Limestone Pkwy. Ste. A Calera, AL 35040
(205) 668-6928
ajones@alfains.com
Kenneth Mobley
Auto Home Life www.AlfaInsurance.com
Call Alfa®. The best agents in the business.
71 Limestone Pkwy. Ste. A Calera, AL 35040
(205) 668-6928
kmobley@alfains.com AO16
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
33
Matt Marquet
CHELSEA HORNETS
C
helsea had a solid season under Chris Elmore in 2015, as the Hornets finished 7-4 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2011. The Hornets have trended upward in each of Elmore’s first three seasons, winning more games with each passing year under his reign. Elmore and Chelsea will benefit from the return of a vast number of skill players to last season’s offense that averaged 31.7 points per game, however the defensive unit will look completely different this season as
34
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Cari Dean and Keith McCoy
Chelsea heads into the newly aligned 6A Team quarterback. An adept and Region 3. savvy runner, Marquet is not afraid to make a play with his legs, and has the athleticism and quickness to confound Matt Marquet is back for his senior most linebackers when he tucks and season, and is one of the most runs. He has been a part of the Chelsea experienced quarterbacks across the system since his freshman year, and county, having taken varsity snaps now Elmore and the Chelsea coaching since his sophomore season. As a junior, staff get one last ride with their talented Marquet finished with 1,255 yards leader. This offense will in large part go passing and eight touchdown throws as Marquet goes. as well as 122 carries for 784 yards and 11 more touchdowns on the ground, and was named the All-County Second AJ Jones graduated, taking 973 yards
Quarterback
Running Back
AHSAA 6A, Region 3 2015: 7-4 (4-2) Head Coach: Chris Elmore (Fourth year, 17-14 record)
Zalon Reynolds
Assistants: Zeb Ellison, Nathan Fordham, Gerald Neaves, David Crabtree, Lee Hibbs, Stephen Clements Last region title: 2006 Last playoff game: 2015
3
year. Austin Stallworth, a rushing and 17 rushing fellow senior who had an touchdowns with him. The impressive spring, will be loss of a talented back like Reynolds’ primary backup Jones will hurt, especially and Kendrick Simpson in the passing game, but will get touches as well, as the load will now fall more The Hornets return long as he stays healthy squarely on the broad, three key weapons after pulling his hamstring capable shoulders of Zalon on offense from last twice over the spring and Reynolds. Reynolds, who year, but lose three on summer. also rushed for 900-plus defense. yards last year and scored six times in a tandem backfield role with Jones, will now be The receiving corps has been Chelsea’s the primary backfield option for the most consistently impressive group Hornets heading into his senior year. throughout the spring and summer, Standing at roughly 5-feet-10-inches, according to Elmore. Jay Vickers Reynolds is the strongest player on is back on the outside, and will be Chelsea’s roster, bar none, and has the Marquet’s primary target for the second combination of vision, speed and power consecutive year. Vickers hauled in 33 to be a high-end prep back in his final catches last season for 547 yards and
Receivers
CHELSEA HIGH SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 19
@ Oak Mountain
Aug. 26
Briarwood
Sept. 2
Wetumpka*
Sept. 9
@ Benjamin Russell*
Sept. 16
@ Pelham*
Sept. 23
Gardendale
Sept. 30
OPEN
Oct. 7
@ Opelika*
Oct. 14
Chilton County*
Oct. 21
Helena*
Oct. 27
@ Cullman
* Region game
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
35
Jay Vickers
four touchdowns. Vickers, a senior as well, is not a big target, but does have 4.5 40 speed like Reynolds and can be dangerous in open space. Josh Gregg, Lee Rickard and Hunter Blackburn will rotate in at the receiver and slot positions as well in Chelsea’s spread option offense, as well Will Rowser. The receiving corps is the most internally
competitive unit on the team, according Last season, Chelsea rotated through to Elmore, which has elevated the play eight linemen, and return a number of each member over the summer. of guys who saw significant varsity minutes. Nathan Wood started last year before suffering a concussion against Ben Haskins, Rod Tyson and Joey Helena, effectively ending his season, Chiofalo are all gone from last season’s but is back for his senior year, while O line, which will hurt, but the Hornets Houston Needham returns for his senior still have a number of pieces up front. campaign as well. Jacob Christian came
Offensive Line
Want to know who scored during the big game? Visit 280Reporter.com for a complete recap from Friday night’s game.
36
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Allen Bass and Austen Bearden. Bass, albeit undersized, will likely be the Hornets’ main nose guard in Chelsea’s 3-3-5 defense, but both Needham and Fine will likely see between 10-12 snaps per game at the position as well. Regan Wortham, a starting defensive end on the 2015 team, will also work on the front line this year some as well.
Linebackers
Chris Elmore
on in Wood’s absence and had a strong second half of the 2015 season, while Kevin Fine and Brett Bearden also saw time up front as well. Elmore likes his linemen to be able to play multiple positions, and there are a number of different positional alignments that could take shape up front for the Hornets, but more likely than not Fine will play center while Wood, Christian,
Needham and Bearden, along with Spencer Jordan and Jackson Dunn, will flank him in protection of Chelsea’s explosive backfield.
Defensive Line
Warner Wright, Chelsea’s most consistent defensive lineman, is back for his junior campaign, and will be joined by Briarwood transfer John
Chelsea suffered a mass exodus at the linebacker position after last year. Justin Painter, David Hardenbaugh and Blake Travelstead, all of whom were three-year starters, have all graduated, leaving a wide-open landscape at the linebacker position. Wortham is moving from his defensive end role to one of the outside linebacker positions, and will be flanked by fellow seniors Jalyn Miller and Will Shaw. The middle linebacker role falls to Hunter Offord, a junior who spent last season backing up Hardenburgh. Offord has seen a large share of first team reps in practice, and will translate that to game action this year. While the linebacking corps is experiencing a complete overhaul,
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
37
CHELSEA HIGH SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
1
Zalon Reynolds
RB
Senior
31 Vick Lindsey
RB
Sophomore
61 Spencer Jordan
OL
Junior
2
Jalyn Miller
LB
Senior
32 Austin Bearden
DE
Senior
62 Jackson Dunn
OL
Junior
3
Jay Vickers
WR
Senior
33 Christian Pruitt
WR
Junior
63 Matt Fant
LB
Sophomore
4
Tyler Thomas
K
Senior
34 Will Hayes
LB
Junior
64 Nathan Tolbert
OL
Junior
5
Matthew Marquet
QB
Senior
35 Colby Lambert
WR
Junior
65 Michael Griffin
OL
Junior
6
Zac Young
DB
Senior
36 Reid Burleson
DB
Junior
66 Drew Chambers
OL
Junior
7
Regan Wortham
LB
Senior
37 Austin Stallworth
RB
Senior
67 Hunter Thompson
OL
Sophomore
8
Hunter Blackburn
WR
Senior
38 Carter Burleson
DB
Junior
68 Chris Knecht
DE
Sophomore
9
Lee Rickard
WR
Senior
39 Carson Alexander
LB
Sophomore
70 Tristan Carlee
DL
Sophomore
10 Bryson Hardy
DB
Senior
40 Hunter Offord
LB
Junior
71 Ben Carpenter
OL
Junior
11 Alec Little
QB
Junior
41 Jakob Clayton
DB
Sophomore
72 Garrett Evans
OL
Sophomore
12 Kenny Simpson
DB
Junior
42 Ben Brasher
LB
Sophomore
73 Todd Justice
DE
Sophomore Senior
Position Year
13 Will Rowser
WR
Senior
43 Connor Griffin
DB
Sophomore
74 Andy Hendricks
DL
14 Turner Griffin
QB
Sophomore
44 Stephen Fant
LB
Sophomore
76 Nathan Wood
OL
Senior
15 Josh Gregg
QB/WR Senior
45 Lake Phillips
WR
Sophomore
77 Hakeem Stanford
DL
Sophomore
16 Dylan Seabolt
DB
Junior
46 Clint Glaze
DB
Junior
78 Devin Hill
DL
Junior
17 Kaleb Tindall
QB
Sophomore
47 Will Sullivan
DB
Sophomore
79 Jacob Christian
OL
Senior
18 Colton Carter
WR
Junior
48 Cameron Pierce
DB
Sophomore
80 Reggie Fisher
WR
Sophomore
19 Cody Walker
DB
Junior
49 Will Peacock
TE
Sophomore
81 Lando Nichols
DB
Sophomore
20 Colton Turner
DB
Sophomore
50 Houston Needham
OL
Senior
82 Doug Wood
WR
Sophomore
21 Evans Shaw
DB
Senior
51 John Allen Bass
DL
Senior
83 Caleb Gore
DE
Junior
22 Tristan Pinska
DB
Senior
52 Mason Roberts
DE
Junior
84 Zach Adams
TE
Junior
23 Bailey Hix
DB
Senior
53 Logan Brasher
OL
Sophomore
85 Jonah Moore
WR
Junior
24 Will Shaw
LB
Senior
54 Dalton Gentle
DL
Junior
86 Zach Shaw
WR
Sophomore
25 Kendrick Simpson
RB
Junior
55 Warner Wright
DE
Junior
87 Andrew Bartlewski
WR
Sophomore Sophomore
26 Joseph Turnes
WR
Junior
56 Wesley Pouncey
OL
Sophomore
88 Nathan Trent
WR
27 Ethan Shaw
LB
Sophomore
57 Marc Moody
OL
Sophomore
89 Connor Graham
WR
Junior
28 Scott Arnold
DB
Junior
58 Brett Bearden
OL
Senior
90 Tanner Middleton
K
Junior
99 Dawson Downard
DL
Senior
29 Wade Moore
WR
Junior
59 Matt Tyson
LB
Sophomore
30 Lionel James
RB
Junior
60 Kevin Fine
OL
Senior
Full Service Turf, Tree & Landscape Co
669-1925
Licensed & Insured
callATM.com
STATE CERTIFIED #10658 • ISA Certified Arborist #WE-0817A
GOOD LUCK hornets! 38
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
HORNET FOOTBALL there is still experience and age at those positions to anchor the defense.
Secondary
As dramatic replacing three threeyear starters at linebacker may seem, Chelsea’s more immediate area of focus is in the secondary. Michael Waller is gone, and is the player Chelsea will miss the most, according to Elmore, as are Calen Russell and Luke Ganus. Bryson Hardy, Chelsea’s best returning corner, will move to fill the free safety slot Waller vacated, and will be joined by
some combination of Zac Young, Dylan Seabolt and Scott Arnold at the spur safety positions. Evans Shaw and Bailey Hix, another Briarwood transfer, will be the top two corners for this bunch.
Special Teams
Tyler Thomas is back and will be Chelsea’s main kicker, however the Hornets have no shortage of legs. Lando Nichols, a rising sophomore soccer player, has joined the team and has a quality leg; while Colby Lambert is also back for his junior year. Justin Painter
moonlighted as the Chelsea punter last year, and that role will more than likely be filled by Marquet this year, who has a serviceable punting leg.
Players to Watch
Matt Marquett, QB. Zalon Reynolds, RB. Jay Vickers, WR. Regan Wortham, LB. Bryson Hardy, S.
Key Losses
AJ Jones, Ben Haskins, David Hardenbaugh, Justin Painter, Michael Waller, Blake Travelstead, Calen Russell.
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
39
COOSA VALLEY REBELS
T
he Rebels have retained head coach Steve McCord from last season, and McCord has seen rapid improvement in the weight room and in the overall conditioning of his team since coming to Coosa Valley in July of last year. Moving into the 2016 season, expectations are as high as they have been in Harpersville in the last two seasons that this Rebel team can be competitive.
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Baker Ellis
and gives Coosa Valley its best chance to be effective on the offensive side of the ball.
sophomore Tripp Allen.
Receivers
Chase Carlee is moving back to his more natural position at receiver in light of Taylor Do-everything taking over the senior Easton quarterbacking Hopkins has duties. Allen will graduated, and was one of the lone bright join Carlee out wide spots on the Rebels’ when he is not in the offense that averaged just backfield. Mason Houston and Christian Rose, another pair The Rebels will roll out junior Justin 13 points per game. Stepping Taylor in the backfield this year. Taylor, into the running back role will be of juniors, will work out wide as well who stands a shade under six feet tall sophomore Camden Knight, who saw in Coosa Valley’s spread offense. There and weighs in at about 170 pounds, has time at the position a season ago, as are no seniors in the receiving corps a high football IQ according to McCord, well as senior Austin Ledford and and few across Coosa Valley’s entire
Running Back
Quarterback
GOOD LUCK REBELS! 40
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
COOSA VALLEY ACADEMY 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
1
Cain Thornton
WR
Senior
13 Tripp Allen
WR
Sophomore
56 Brandon Adams
DE/OL
Junior
2
Austin Ledford
RB
Senior
15 Chase Carlee
WR
Junior
60 Austin Bynum
OL/DL
Junior
3
Mason Houston
WR
Junior
18 Bailey Deshazo
RB
Sophomore
61 Tanner Temple
OL/DL
Senior
5
Stone Dorough
HB
Junior
21 Camden Knight
TB
Sophomore
64 Mack Palmor
OL/DL
Freshman
7
Jacob Brooks
WR
Freshman
32 Blake Harden
TE
Senior
68 Brody Williams
OL/DL
Sophomore
8
Griffin Smith
K
Senior
50 Jaylin Peters
LB
Sophomore
72 Justin Roberts
OL/DL
Junior
QB
Junior
52 Harley Gerald
OL/DL
Sophomore
84 Christian Rose
WR
Junior
10 Justin Taylor
Position Year
AISA AA, Region 1 2015: 0-10 (0-6) Head Coach: Steve McCord (2nd year, 0-10 record) Assistants: Alex Adams, Kyle Parrish, Gerald Carter, Kyle Bynum, Jarod Watson
REBEL FOOTBALL roster, and this receiving group will be able to grow into their role as the season progresses.
Offensive Line
Tanner Temple returns for his senior season on the offensive line. Temple has been a staple of the Coosa Valley front for years, and the senior will once again hold down the center position in his final prep season. Jaylin Peters, a sophomore, will flank Temple on the right side at the right guard spot while classmate Brody Williams will be at right tackle. Austin Bynum, a junior, will be at left guard this season while fellow junior Justin Robertson will plug the left tackle slot. Blake Harden, a senior, and junior Stone Dorough will play at tight end as well for this Rebel team.
Last region title: 2010 Last playoff game: 2013 COOSA VALLEY ACADEMY 2016 SCHEDULE
and Brody Williams will likely start across the front of Coosa Valley’s 4-4 defense, while Stone Dorough will work heavily into that rotation as well.
DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 19
@ Kingwood (Jamboree)
Aug. 26
Chambers Academy
Linebackers
Sept. 2
@ Lowndes Academy
Sept. 9
Macon-East Academy*
Sept. 16
Lakeside*
Sept. 23
Pickens Academy
Sept. 30
@ Sparta Academy
Oct. 7
@ Kingwood Christian*
Oct. 14
Evangel Christian* (Montgomery)
Oct. 21
@ Cornerstone Christian*
Camden Knight will split his time evenly between the running back role and linebacker. The sophomore will be joined by some combination of Jaylin Peters, who will be the only member of the team to play on the offensive line and in the linebacking corp, Chase Carlee, Tripp Allen and Austin Ledford.
Secondary
Oct. 28 Sumter Academy Mason Houston will occupy the safety * Region game slot, while Christian Rose and Justin Taylor will work at the cornerback positions. Ninth-grader Jacob Brooks responsibilities. Mason Houston will is getting some looks at cornerback as handle most of the returning duties, well, as is Kain Thornton, who will play both kickoff and punt. a little wide receiver as well as seeing The Rebels, who play in the AISA AA some reps in the defensive backfield. classification, are slim on numbers, and Justin Taylor, QB. Chase Carlee, WR/ as a result pretty much every player DB. who starts on offense will start on the The Rebels, heading into the fall are defensive side of the ball as well. Blake still trying to determine who is going Harden, Tanner Temple, Austin Bynum to handle the kicking and punting Easton Hopkins, Mitchell Watson.
Defensive Line
Players to Watch
Special Teams
Key Losses
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
41
Logan Tucker
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN CHARGERS
T
im Smith is heading into his 17th season as Cornerstone’s head coach, and the Chargers have moved up to the AA class this year, even though they most likely won’t have more than 25 guys on the roster. However, Smith has a talented crop of seniors, especially at the skill positions, and feels confident that this Cornerstone team will make strides forward from the 2015 season.
Quarterback
Tyler McNamee is back under center for his senior year and ready to lead the Charger offense. McNamee, who is starting for the second season and playing football for just the second season, has put on weight and has had a terrific offseason according to Smith, and much is expected of him this season if Cornerstone is to improve off their 2-8 campaign from a season ago.
Running Back
Logan Tucker, another senior, will
42
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Dawn Harrison and Baker Ellis
take over the running back duties in replace of Cade Adams, who has graduated. Tucker accelerated as a football player over the course of his junior year, and has dropped weight and gained speed entering his final year. The Chargers will operate primarily out of the spread, but Tucker will get his fair share of touches in the backfield this year.
Receivers
Stepping into the No. 1 receiver role will be Jo-Jo Joiner, another senior, who has come “a million miles in three years” according to Smith. Joiner has the same ability as Jeffrey Odgers did a season ago and is also slightly faster. He will also see some time in the backfield at running back as well as consistent action in the secondary and will handle return duties. It will be a busy year
for him, no doubt. Rhett Garrett, who is also the backup quarterback, and Jake Blankenship will also see time out wide, as will Ben Perryman. Perryman has been around the program for a while, but has recently hit a growth spurt and the staff is excited to see what he can do.
Offensive Line
The Chargers return four starters to the offensive line from a season ago, which is an improvement over last season. Christian Andrews is once again back, and will start on the line for the fourth year in a row, where the junior has started since he was in the eighth grade. Daniel Howell, Tucker Johnston and Landon Guy also all started last year and return. Howell and Johnston return at the guard positions, while Guy, the biggest lineman on the team at roughly
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
1
Jace Bailey
K
Freshman
10 Tucker Johnson
OL/LB
Senior
34 Andrew Flack
WR/DB Freshman
2
Rhett Edmondson
OL/LB
Junior
12 Tanner Falkner
FB/LB
Sophomore
51 Lane Bailey
OL/LB
8
3
Nick Green
WR/DB Sophomore
13 Rhett Garrett
QB/DB
Junior
54 Jacob Jeffers
OL/DL
Freshman
4
Jo-Jo Joiner
WR/DB Senior
16 Theo Mangos
WR/LB
Junior
55 Ryan Atchison
OL/DL
Senior
5
Jacob Foster
WR/DB Junior
18 Patrick Howell
RB/LB
Sophomore
56 Austin Matzke
OL/DL
Junior
6
Nick Foster
WR/DB Freshman
21 Logan Tucker
RB/LB
Senior
57 Mason Vanier
OL/DL
Senior
7
Tyler NcNamee
QB/LB
Senior
24 Jake Blankenship
RB/LB
Sophomore
58 Christian Andrews
OL/DL
Junior
9
Jahnari Chisolm
TE/DE
Junior
27 Ben Perryman
TE/DE
Junior
77 Landon Guy
OL/DL
Junior
AISA AA, Region I 2015: 2-8 (1-3) Head Coach: Tim Smith (17th year, 79-88 record) Assistants: James Lee, Clayton Halbert, Wesley Criswell Last region title: None Last playoff game: 2015
CHARGER FOOTBALL Secondary
280 pounds, along with senior Ryan Atchison will be at tackle while Andrews Joiner will be Cornerstone’s primary will be under center. Austin Matzke will cover guy in the secondary this year at also work into the line rotation as well. cornerback, and will be joined in the secondary by McNamee at times, as well as Jacob Foster, Rhett Garrett, Nick Almost every player on Cornerstone’s Green and Blankenship, who will play team this year will play both ways, as something of a linebacker/cornerback Smith projects to have roughly 25 total hybrid for the defense this season. players on the roster. Therefore almost all of the defensive names are familiar. Landon Guy and Christian Andrews Jayce Bailey came on strong last year will be two of Cornerstone’s primary kicking the ball for Cornerstone, and defensive linemen, and the two will now the sophomore has the potential be joined by junior Chelsea transfer to be Cornerstone’s first Division I Jahnari Chisolm, who the coaching prospect, according to Smith. Bailey, staff is excited to welcome to the team. just a sophomore, is a soccer player by
Defensive Line
Special Teams
trade, but has a special foot. McNamee will handle the punting duties, and The primary linebackers for this team Joiner will be the team’s primary return will be Logan Tucker, who will hold specialist. down the middle linebacker spot, and Tucker will be flanked by junior Chelsea transfer Theo Mangos as well as Tyler McNamee, QB. JoJo Joiner, WR/ Tucker Johnson. Daniel Howell, Tanner DB. Logan Tucker, RB/LB. Falkner and Rhett Edmondson all can play the position as well.
Linebackers
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 19
OPEN
Aug. 25
@ Bessemer Academy
Sept. 2
Sumter Academy
Sept. 9
@ Lakeside*
Sept. 16
Kingwood Christian*
Sept. 23
Hope Christian
Sept. 30
Evangel Christian (Alabaster)
Oct. 7
@ Evangel Christian* (Montgomery)
Oct. 14
@ Macon-East Academy*
Oct. 21
Coosa Valley Academy*
Oct. 28
@ North River Christian
* Region game
Players to Watch Key Losses
Cade Adams, Jeffrey Odgers. 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
43
Brad Baggett
EVANGEL CHRISTIAN LIGHTNING
W
ell, this is going to get interesting. Don Murphy is headed into his third season as the head coach of the Lightning, and this will undoubtedly prove to be the most memorable one of his tenure to date. Evangel, which competes in the ACSC, has traditionally played eight-man football, and has played it well over the years, winning five of the last six ACSC titles. This season, however, will be different, thanks to the AISA Athletic Committee ruling from Dec. 9, 2015 that now allows ACSC teams to compete against AISA competition.
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Dawn Harrison and Keith McCoy
on the 80-yard, eight-man field last year. One thing is certain, as long as Murphy is on the field, Evangel will have a chance.
Running Back
One of the reasons Murphy is as dangerous as he is at the quarterback position is because of classmate and backfield mate Brad Baggett. Baggett, who accumulated 1,189 allpurpose yards in 2015, is one of the premier runners at the ACSC level, and compliments his quarterback well. Baggett will be joined in the backfield by 2015 All-Conference linebacker Cameron Kimbrell, who will play on Returning at quarterback for Evangel both sides of the ball this year. is 2015 ACSC Player of the Year and First Team All-County athlete Micah Murphy. Murphy, the coach’s son, Logan Smith returns for his senior accumulated 3,593 all-purpose yards season while Mason McEvoy and in 2015, which would have ranked as John Lloyd are back for their junior the ninth-most productive season in years. Lloyd is back after missing his AHSAA history. The most athletically sophomore year with an injury, and gifted player at the ACSC level, Murphy McEvoy will take a larger role in the routinely did whatever he pleased receiving game after spending last year
Quarterback
Receivers
44
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
as a tight end and backup quarterback. Murphy’s top receiving target last year was Baggett, and Baggett will still be utilized often out of the backfield, but the rest of the receiving corps will still see a number of looks.
Offensive Line
All three of Evangel’s 2015 linemen have graduated. Not only does Evangel have to replace those three instrumental linemen, the Lightning also have to add two more linemen for the 11-man game this year. Jake Byers will be Evangel’s center this season after playing tight end a year ago. Byers has the potential to be one of Evangel’s better receiving options, but is needed more on the offensive line this year. Senior Jordan Maxam and sophomore Sam Graham will occupy the guard positions, while Senior Jordan Bailey and junior Luke Moore will be the new faces at tackle.
Defensive Line
Both Logan Smith and John Lloyd will
EVANGEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
2
Samuel Justice
DB/RB
Sophomore
20 Nate Arvizu
WR/DB Sophomore
52 Colten Wrenn
Position Year OL/NG
Sophomore
4
Josh Lau
LB/RB
Junior
21 Logan Smith
DE/TE
Senior
55 Jordan Bailey
OL/DE
Senior
6
Seth Harrison
WR/DB Sophomore
22 Chase Callahan
LB/RB
Junior
56 Ryan Remetich
OL/NG
Junior
7
Russell Pierce
DB/RB
Sophomore
24 Cameron Kimbrel
LB/RB
Senior
59 Frank East
OL/DE
Junior
8
William O’Neal
Sophomore
DB/QB
Senior
26 Adam Hyde
RB/LB
Senior
60 Samuel Graham
OL/NG
10 Luke Baylis
DB/RB
Junior
27 Mason McEvoy
LB/TE
Senior
65 Braden Johnson
OL/NG
Sophomore
11 Micah Murphy
QB/SS/K Senior
28 Kamden Smith
LB
Senior
67 Nathan Brasher
OL/DE
Junior
12 Wyatt Rickles
QB/DE
Sophomore
36 Davis Windsor
RB/LB
Junior
70 Jordan Maxam
OL/NG
Senior
13 Parks Tyler
RB/DB
Junior
41 Zachery Windsor
TE/LB
Junior
75 Jake Byers
OL/LB
Senior
15 Phillip Flanders
QB/DB
Senior
44 John Lloyd
RB/LB
Junior
88 Luke Sanders
TE/DE
Junior
19 Brad Baggett
WR/RB Senior
46 Carter Hand
DB/RB
Sophomore
ACSC 2015: 11-1 Head Coach: Don Murphy (Third year, 21-3 record) Assistants: Jason Mann, Del Clayton and Kenneth Moore
LIGHTNING FOOTBALL pull double duty, as the two receivers will also start at the defensive end positions in Evangel’s new 3-4 defense. Luke Moore will also play on both sides of the ball, as the junior tackle will also start at nose guard. Jordan Maxam will split time with Moore at the nose, while Jordan Bailey will also split time with Smith and Lloyd at defensive end.
Linebackers
After an All-Conference season last year at linebacker, Cameron Kimbrel will be back to lead the new, four-person linebacker unit. Kimbrel and Windsor Davis will be the inside linebackers this season, while Jake Byers and Mason McEvoy will be the two outside linebackers. When Evangel plays eightman football this year, there will only be three linebackers on the field.
Secondary
Coach Murphy will keep Micah out of the secondary as much as he can, but
the quarterback will see spot minutes as needed at the safety position. Baggett, who a year ago was one of Evangel’s starting defensive ends, is making the stark transition to the secondary this year, and will provide that unit with added athleticism. Phillip Flanders earned a starting cornerback job toward the end of last year, and will be opposite junior Luke Baylis, who will occupy the other corner position. Zachary Davis will play free safety in place of Murphy as often as possible.
Special Teams
Last region title: 2015 Last playoff game: 2015 EVANGEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 12
Russell Christian Academy✝
Aug. 19
OPEN
Aug. 26
Patrician Academy
Sept. 2
@ Kingwood Christian
Sept. 9
Ezekiel Academy*
Sept. 16
@ Hope Christian*
Sept. 23
@ Hooper Academy
Sept. 30
@ Cornerstone Christian
Oct. 7
Lighthouse*
Oct. 14 Marengo Academy Murphy handles all special teams Oct. 21 Lyman Ward✝* duties. All of them. Kickoffs, punts, * Region game extra points and field goals as well as ✝ 8-man game punt and kick returns are all taken care of by Murphy. The senior has a very competent leg, and he also amassed 920 Micah Murphy, QB/KR. Brad Baggett, return yards and seven touchdowns in RB/S. Cameron Kimbrel, RB/LB. the return game as well last year.
Players to Watch
Key Losses
John Will Graham, Andrew Morris. 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
45
Riley Davis
HELENA HUSKIES
H
elena enters its third season in an interesting position. Last year the Huskies finished 9-3, averaged 30 points per game, nabbed the No. 2 seed out of their region and made a second round appearance in the 5A state playoffs. An overwhelmingly successful season
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering, Graham Brooks and Keith McCoy
by all accounts. Now, Helena has been knocked up to the 6A ranks in the wake of the 2015-16 classification, the only team in the county to move up a class, and will have to prove it can compete in what is widely regarded as the toughest class in the state. With teams like Opelika and Benjamin Russell, both traditional state powers, on the region
schedule this year along with Chelsea, which beat Helena 40-20 last season, the Huskies will face a tougher run to the playoffs than they have in the past. In two years, head coach Watt Parker and the Huskies have established they will consistently roll out an athletic, disciplined team that will almost never lose a game they shouldn’t. This is a
Karen Miller Agency 205-620-1120
Š 2016 Allstate Insurance Co.
46
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
187548
Helena & Hoover karenmiller2@allstate.com
AHSAA 6A, Region 3 2015: 9-3 (6-1) Head Coach: Watt Parker (Third year, 14-9 record) Assistants: Keith Maple, Dale Massey, Steve Bromley, Jody Colvin, Jake Moorer, Chris Laatsch, Jon Russell, Blake Beam, PJ Guy, Clif Naron
Devan Walker
61
Team All-County baseball tremendous chance and selection in the spring as a great year for Helena a pitcher. As a result of to prove it is capable and his baseball work, Davis ready to step up and play got a late start in summer with the top echelon of practice, but is chomping teams in Alabama. In the first two years of Helena’s existence, the at the bit to lead the Huskies in their first year Huskies have posted as a 6A program. Last season Riley Davis a winning percentage split time at quarterback of 61 percent on the with Diondre’ Sackreiter gridiron. until Sackreiter tore his Davis will benefit from the ACL against Chelsea on return of running back Sept. 25, which gave Davis complete Devan Walker. Walker had a comingcontrol over the offense for the last half out year as a junior and finished the of the season. Davis finished his junior season with more than 900 total yards year with 1,520 total yards along with of offense and nine touchdowns before 14 touchdowns and four picks, and now tearing his ACL in the second round in his senior year will lead the Helena of the playoffs against Beauregard. offense. The 6-foot-3-inch, 185-pound As a result, Davis has focused most of quarterback is also a mainstay on the his offseason on rehabbing from knee Helena baseball team and was a First surgery. He went through the spring
Quarterback
Running Back
Last region title: None Last playoff berth: 2015 HELENA HIGH SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 19
OPEN
Aug. 26
@ Mountain Brook
Sept. 2
@ Chilton County*
Sept. 9
Pelham*
Sept. 16
Homewood
Sept. 23
@ Vestavia Hills
Sept. 30
Opelika*
Oct. 7
Wetumpka*
Oct. 14
@ Benjamin Russell*
Oct. 21
@ Chelsea*
Oct. 28
Pell City
* Region game
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
47
without any contact and has been given a clear bill of health heading into the fall, according to Parker. Walker doesn’t have top-tier speed in the open field, but has great balance and has a knack for seeing space before it develops, and has put on solid weight and increased his strength for his final prep season. Kopeland Rosser and Matthew Williams will also see time in the backfield as well.
Receivers
Out wide Helena loses two crucial elements from their spread offense attack in Phildon Dublin and Kourtney Moore, who combined for 977 receiving yards between them last season before graduating. Jake Busby is back at split end, which will help alleviate the loss of Moore and Dublin, and Justin Stuckey, who spent much of last year as the No. 3 guy, will step into one of the main receiver roles this fall. Deonte Tolbert had a good summer, and the junior will see an increased role in the offense this season, as will sophomores Caleb Owens, Chris Holt and Jake Schmidt. Hoover transfer Braylon Moss has
Secure
their future.
WILLS & ESTATE PLANNING
Contact your family’s attorney:
Scozzaro Law, LLC ATTORNEYS Located in Old Town Helena
205-624-3367 www.scozzarolaw.com Ala. Rule of Prof. Resp. 7.2 requires the following: No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
48
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
moved to Helena for his senior year and has seen practice reps at both quarterback and tight end, but will play much more of the latter for this Husky team, barring injury. Dean Benton is also back at tight end as well to round out the large receiving ensemble.
Offensive Line
The Huskies lose three pieces from last year’s offensive line but return a nice assortment of linemen to fill those gaps. Brooks Brophy, another baseball guy, is back at center and will lead the line from a senior leadership perspective. Brophy will be bookended by Taylor Knight and Keith Wright at the guard positions. Knight started last year as well but has really impressed the coaches with the spring and summer he has had, and the junior is head and shoulders ahead of where he was a season ago. Wright, a rising senior, is the biggest lineman on the team at 6-feet-4-inches and weighing in at 300-plus pounds, and has worked hard in the offseason to get in game day shape. At the tackle positions will be Jakari Forest, a junior who is more naturally suited to play guard, and
Watt Parker
Nash Maple. Maple is battling for the other tackle slot along with Matthew Raley, a converted defensive lineman, and Raley will work into the rotation as well most likely. The line has the bodies to get the job done in the trenches, but is a little thin up front.
Defensive Line
Nick Irwin, a senior, and Jonathan
Williams, a sophomore, will be the two starting defensive ends in Parker’s 3-4 scheme, and those two will need to control the edges all year. Raley will work into that rotation as will Forest and Wright, both of whom saw time at nose guard last year. Larry Gibbon is another name who could and will see time at nose, and Brandon Wilson will also see time at defensive end, as he
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
49
HELENA HIGH SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
1
Justin Stuckey
WR
Junior
26 DJ Hudson
DB
Junior
60 Cade Julius
DL
Junior
2
Devan Walker
RB
Senior
27 Garrett Hallmark
DB
Senior
61 Jamie Purkapile
OL
Sophomore
3
Austin Laatsch
QB
Sophomore
29 Jordan Wallace
WR
Junior
62 Christian Vines
DL
Sophomore
4
Jake Busby
WR
Senior
30 Griffin Brewer
WR
Sophomore
63 Nash Maple
OL
Junior
5
Blake Howard
QB
Sophomore
31 Jacob Siebert
LB
Senior
64 Matthew Raley
DL
Junior
6
Reese Davis
WR
Sophomore
32 William Cummings
DB
Senior
65 Christian Young
DL
Junior
7
Christopher Hill
DB/WR Sophomore
33 Wesley Featherstone RB
Senior
67 Jacob Redman
OL
Sophomore
8
Tyler Stephens
QB
Sophomore
34 Kevin Mahon
Sophomore
70 Josh Glenn
OL
Senior
9
Sophomore
DE/FB
Justin Butler
WR
Senior
35 Norri Tinker
LB
Senior
71 Sabastian Bradley
OL
10 Nash Adams
DB
Senior
36 Ryan Lewis
LB
Sophomore
72 Jakari Forest
OL/DL
11 Kamau Greene
RB/SS
Sophomore
37 Stephen Smith
WR
Sophomore
73 Hunter Cunningham OL
12 Lawson Peoples
QB
Junior
39 Justin Watson
LB
Senior
74 Keith Wright
DL/OL
Senior
13 Riley Davis
QB
Senior
41 Nick Thompson
FB
Sophomore
75 Taylor Knight
OL
Junior
14 Matt Mizerany
DB/WR Sophomore
43 Cameron Beery
K
Senior
80 Dionte Tolbert
WR
Junior
15 Chris Holt
WR
Junior
44 Kopeland Rosser
RB/DB
Junior
81 Garrett Hinds
TE/LB
Sophomore
16 Matthew Williams
RB
Senior
45 Dean Benton
TE
Senior
82 Warren Edwards
WR
Senior
17 Jacob Bradford
WR
Sophomore
46 Dominic Lane
DL
Sophomore
83 Jesse Gossett
WR
Sophomore
18 Cade Pugh
LB
Senior
47 Davis Vansandt
P
Senior
85 Brandon Wilson
DE
Senior
20 Leonard Tucker
LB
Junior
48 Larry Gildon
DL
Sophomore
86 Nick Erwin
DL
Senior
21 Tyler Rizzo
SS
Senior
49 Jordan Ayers
LB
Junior
87 Caleb Owens
WR
Sophomore
22 Kade Jones
DB
Senior
51 Brooks Brophy
OL/LS
Senior
88 Jeremy Leath
WR
Senior
23 Justus Edwards
DB
Senior
52 Brandon Evans
OL
Junior
89 Jake Schmidt
WR
Sophomore
24 Bradford Willis
K/FS
Sophomore
53 Mac Shannon
DL
Sophomore
90 Jonathan Williams
DL
Sophomore
25 Rhett Henderson
LB
Junior
55 Will Nall
OL
Sophomore
Junior Sophomore
is working as an outside linebacker/ defensive end hybrid. The defensive line will rely heavily on different packages and rotating bodies to be effective.
Linebackers
The linebacking corps has lost Brett Granger to graduation, who finished last season with 98 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and six sacks and has moved on to play at Samford. Returning however is senior linebacker Cade Pugh, who doesn’t have Granger’s size but is on par with him in terms of talent and ability. Nash Adams, who spent time last year as a defensive back and finished the season with 85 tackles will split time
50
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
HUSKY FOOTBALL at outside linebacker and might even see time as a defensive end, as will classmate Justice Edwards. Norri Tinker, Justin Watson, Leonard Tucker and Jordan Ayers will all work at the inside linebacker positions at different points as well.
Secondary
Garrett Halmark returns to start again at cornerback, and will be the Huskies shut down corner. Hallmark is another Husky kid who isn’t physically
imposing, but does play intelligent, physical football and does a tremendous job in coverage, according to Parker. Will Cumming will be in the secondary, as will Cade Jones and Kopeland Rosser, who will also see reps at running back.
Special Teams
in a number of his skill guys, whether it be Stuckey, Tolbert, Adams, Rosser or someone else, and as a result Helena may throw a number of guys back to return punts and kicks.
Players to Watch
Riley Davis, QB. Devan Walker, RB. Davis Vansandt is back to punt for his Cade Pugh, LB. Brooks Brophy, OL. senior season. The placekicking duties are still being ironed out heading into the fall, but Vansandt will handle all Phildon Dublin, Brett Granger, punting duties, and Parker is confident Kourtney Moore, Brody Rhodes
Key Losses
GOOD LUCK huskies! 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
51
RILEY DAVIS
ONE-ON-ONE WITH HELENA’S QUARTERBACK
52
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Question: Hey Riley. How long have you been playing football? When did you start? Answer: I started playing tackle football my fifth grade year. I had played flag football up through fifth grade, I was always a skill guy, and I think that helped me develop as a passer when I was young. Q: Why did you get involved with football? What pulled you to the sport? A: I’d always loved it growing up. It’s an exciting game and the fall season is just an exciting time of the year. With college football and everything, I just always wanted to be around it. Q: Have you been in the Helena area for long? When did you get here? A: I grew up living in Helena, I’ve been here my whole life. Q: What other sports do you play? A: I play baseball as well. I’m a pitcher, when I’m not pitching I play second base.
14
Q: On the baseball field you’re a pitcher and on the football field you’re a quarterback. What As a junior, Davis threw similarities have you noticed 14 touchdown passes and also posted a between those two positions? A: I think they’re very similar. completion percentage As a pitcher all eyes are on you of 54 percent. out there, and it’s the same as a quarterback. The mistakes are magnified. You don’t have to be a real fan of the game to notice when the quarterback or the pitcher makes a mistake. Both positions require leadership too. I’ve been a quarterback and a pitcher most of my life, and I enjoy the leadership element of both. Q: Do you gravitate more toward one or the other? Do you consider yourself a baseball guy who plays football or vice versa or neither? A: I’ve never really been able to decide, honestly. When the spring comes around I lean more towards baseball I think, but it’s the same in the fall with football. Whichever one is in season at the time. Q: You were a sophomore when Helena split from Pelham. What was that like, playing for a team and a school that literally hadn’t existed before? A: It was fun but it was different for sure. It kind of felt like middle school again, because all the guys from Helena 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
53
Middle School came back together again for the most part. It wasn’t exactly hard. Both (head football) Coach (Watt) Parker and (head baseball) Coach (PJ) Guy are great coaches, it wasn’t too difficult. It was fun making a name for ourselves, no one really knew what to expect from us. Q: Last season you split time at quarterback with Diondre’ Sackreiter until he tore his ACL. This season, it’s just you back there. Is there a difference with how you prepare as a full-time starter than as someone who is splitting reps? A: Not really. You’ve still got to practice hard and prepare. There’s not much of a difference. He didn’t affect how I practiced last year and I don’t think I affected how he practiced. You’ve got to prepare the same way. Q: You guys had two pretty successful years in 5A ball and are now going up to 6A. Is that a change you guys think about at all or no? A: Not exactly. Last year we played Pleasant Grove, and they were one of the biggest 5A schools, and Chelsea too. We’re playing a bunch of the same schools this year. We’re not really concerned with moving up or anything like that. Q: Is there one area you feel like Helena has improved on the most in the last two years? A: The first year we went a summer with no weight room, and that definitely hurt us. Last year was better, we got to have a summer to lift and improve, and this year we’ve been able to make the biggest improvement yet. We’ve taken a big step forward, all across the depth chart. That’s been big for us. Q: What do you feel like you need to improve on from last year heading into your final season? A: Just everything in general. Becoming a better leader, helping my team in any way I can. Q: What would you say your skillset is as a quarterback? Are you more of a pocket guy or a runner? A: I’m more of a pocket passer. I need to run more and get better at keeping plays alive with my feet. Throwing the ball is definitely my strength. Q: Is there a game on the schedule you’re looking forward to more than any other this year? A: The Pelham game. Week Three. I can’t wait for that one. Q: Do you have any individual goals you want to hit this year? Team goals? A: I want to beat Pelham for sure. That’s my biggest thing. They’re going to be our rival for a while and we all want to win that. Besides that the other big thing would be to make the playoffs. Q: What would you say is your favorite football memory to date?
54
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
We know that every day you spend dealing with pain or injury means less time doing what you love. An evaluation at your local BenchMark Physical Therapy can identify the source of the problem and get you back in action as quickly as possible.
www.benchmarkpt.com Altadena Square (205) 298-8711 • Chelsea—The Narrows (205) 981-4534 Crestline (205) 957-0870 • Helena (205) 621-8822 • Hoover (205) 403-8701 • Moody (205) 640-0257
A: Definitely my junior year, beating Sidney Lanier at home in the first round of the playoffs. The place was packed out, it was raining, it was so much fun. It was an awesome environment. Q: Is college football something you’ve thought about? College baseball? A: I think I’m leaning towards college baseball at this point. UAB has always been my dream school, and I’d love to play baseball there. Q: Away from football and away from baseball what do you enjoy doing? A: I’m an outdoors guy, I like being outside and just getting to spend time with my friends. Q: Looking ahead to this season, give me a prediction. How do you think you guys are going to do this year? A: I think we’re going to do really well. I think we’re going to make playoffs. Hopefully we’ll get to host a first round game again and see what we can do from there.
56
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
YO U R H I L L S B O RO N E I G H B O R S CHEER WITH YOU!
GO HUSKIES! HAVE A DREAM SEASON!
A Return to the American Dream
HillsboroAl.com (205) 663-7889
Swimming Pool | Clubhouse | Nature Trails | Award Winning Helena Schools | View Homesites
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
57
HOPE CHRISTIAN EAGLES
H
ope Christian finished the 2015 season with a 2-8 record, which was one of the worst finishes in school history. It was certainly the poorest finish for Hope since Tony Nafe arrived as the head coach in 2012, and now in 2016 Nafe and the Eagles are trying to right the ship. With a revamped offensive strategy and one of the hardest-working groups Nafe has had in his time at Hope, expect this 2016 team to trend back in the right direction.
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Twanna Arnold
Running Back
The Eagles have a stable full of running backs this year. When and if Hubbard is not playing quarterback, he will be an option in the backfield as will Cuellar. The most intriguing backfield option this year for Hope will however be Elliot Bradshaw, who was a starting lineman for the Eagles a year ago. Bradshaw, at 6-feet-4-inches and 200-plus pounds, The Eagles are transitioning to an has worked hard in the offseason to option-based system this season, which transition into a fullback, and will be a fits their personnel more, especially load to bring down. Felipe Minderhout, considering the immanent move to at roughly 5-feet-3-inches, will be a stark the 11-man game, and have three guys contrast to those big bodies. capable of running the show. Juan Cuellar is one and is the best athletes on the team, while Josh Patton and Tyler When not playing quarterback Cuellar Hubbard are in the running as well. will be one of the Eagles’ main receiving Cuellar spent chunks of last season at options, and will be joined by Ethan receiver and running back and fits the Key, freshman Jackson Davis and Shane option system well. Hubbard stepped Davis as well. Bradshaw and Finch will in at quarterback last season some, and also both see time at tight end as well this Patton is the youngster of the bunch, season, and will be capable receiving just a sophomore.
Quarterback
Receivers
58
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
options when need be. Patton and Hubbard will also see reps at receiver, depending on who is not playing quarterback.
Offensive Line
The offensive line is one of the main reasons Hope is transitioning to an option-style offense. Hope is small across the front, and the creative, deceptive nature of the option caters more towards a smaller line. Jacob Jones, Andy Gilbert and David Tutor are all returning guys who will most likely be the three linemen for eight-man games, and will be joined by first year player Colton Smith in the 11-man games along with most likely some combination of Bradshaw and Finch as well.
Defensive Line
Hope will operate out of a 5-3 base defense this year for the 11-man games, as a number of teams the Eagles will play are run-heavy teams, and Nafe feels it necessary to control the trenches with an ample amount of bodies. Ethan and
HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
1
Tyler Hubbard
QB/WR/DB
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
32 Ethan Key
WR/DB Junior
47 Garth Osburn
OL/DL
3
Harrison Davis
Senior
WR/DB 7
34 Garrett Ledbetter
RB/LB
48 Cade Dorrough
OL/DL
6
Freshman
Ben Nabors
LB
Senior
35 Jackson Davis
WR/DB Sophomore
54 Jacob Dorris
OL/DL
9
Sophomore
Shane Davis
TE/DE
Senior
36 Isaac Bradshaw
RB/DB
8
55 Jacob Jones
OL/DL
Junior
Junior
Sophomore
10 Juan Cuellar
QB/WR/DB
39 Kerry Welch
RB/DL
Sophomore
56 Elliot Bradshaw
OL/DL
Senior
20 Joshua Baize
WR/DB Freshman
40 Peyton Long
LB
Sophomore
58 Evan Key
OL/DL
Freshman
23 Jackson Gilbert
WR/DB 7
41 Jacob Handley
WR/DB 7
62 Noah Walters
OL/DL
Sophomore
24 Caleb Domino
WR/DB 8
42 Sam Brechin
RB/DB
Freshman
70 Colton Smith
OL/DL
Junior
26 Joshua Patton
QB
Sophomore
43 Robert Rary
RB/LB
Freshman
75 Elijah Thompson
OL/DL
8
27 Jardell Cleveland
RB/LB
Freshman
44 Felipe Minderhout
RB
Sophomore
78 David Tutor
OL/DL
Junior
30 Noah Douglas
RB/LB
Freshman
46 Isaac Brechin
RB/LB
8
82 Andy Gilbert
OL/DL
Junior
Senior
ACSC 2015: 2-8 Head Coach: Tony Nafe (Fifth season, 27-17 record) Assistants: John Gordon, Johnny Gilbert, Jason Bussey, Todd Bradshaw, Daniel Key, Tim Nabors
EAGLE FOOTBALL Evan Key, Gilbert, Kerry Welch and Bradshaw project to be the five guys up front for the defense, and will see the lion share of the reps. The defensive line’s best attribute according to Nafe is its overall speed, and wants this unit to challenge every team at the line of scrimmage.
Linebackers
While Shane Davis will moonlight as a receiver, his primary responsibility will be controlling the defense at linebacker. Nafe has given Davis leeway to audible out of and into sets as he sees fit, and in general will be the beating heart of the defensive unit. Peyton Long and Patton will join him in the linebacking unit, while Cuellar and Ethan Garrett can play the position too. Nafe has as many as eight guys he feels can play linebacker, and that is one position that will look different from game to game as Hope moves from the eight-man to the 11-man game.
Secondary
Last region title: 2010 Last playoff game: 2015 HOPE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE
When Hope is playing eight-man games, the secondary will blend in with the linebacking unit, operating as one and the same. In the 11-man games, names like Jackson Davis, Cuellar and Hubbard will take those spots.
DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 19
@ Tabernacle ✝
Aug. 26
@ Edgewood Academy
Sept. 2
Lighthouse Home School*✮
Special Teams
Sept. 9
Lyman Ward ✝ ✔
Sept. 16
Evangel Christian*✮
Sept. 23
@ Cornerstone Christian
Sept. 30
@ Kingwood Christian
Oct. 7
@ Ezekiel Academy ✝
Oct. 14
Russell Christian Academy ✝ ✔
Oct. 21
OPEN
Hubbard is back to handle punting duties, but Hope is still waiting for a kicking game to emerge. In the eightman game, kicking is not nearly as important as all conversion attempts are two-point tries.
Players to Watch
Juan Cuellar, WR/DB. Shane Davis, WR/ LB. Kerry Welch, RB. Elliot Bradshaw, DL.
Key Losses
Ethan Stewart, Seth Machen, Mich Douglas.
* Region game
✝ 8-man game ✮ Columbiana Youth Field ✔ Cornerstone Christian School
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
59
KINGWOOD CHRISTIAN LIONS
L
ast year, in Sheldon Ward’s first year as Kingwood’s head football coach, the Lions struggled against some of the top teams in the AISA. Kingwood finished the 2015 season with a 3-7 record and went 0-4 in AAA region play. This year the Lions will move out of the AAA classification and down to the more manageable AA class, which should help alleviate some of Kingwood’s problems. Heading into 2016, the name of the game for these Lions will be getting a roster full of youth some varsity experience as Kingwood tries to build toward the future.
Quarterback
The starter heading into the fall will be freshman Tyler Henderson. Kingwood runs the Delaware Wing-T offense, which is centered mainly around running the ball, and Henderson will not be called upon to put the ball in the air at a heavy clip. However, Henderson, already pushing 6-feet-2-inches, is a tremendous leader for a freshman and is heady
60
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Keith McCoy and Contributed
beyond his years. If he can develop as center of gravity. Ward and the coaching staff hope he will over the next few years, the Lions should be in a good position offensively. Garrett Helmers, a sophomore, will start at center while Charlie Egbert will return to occupy one of the guard Michael Williams is eligible to play this positions and Dalton Douglas will be at year after transferring from Pelham and one of the tackle slots. The other two missing the 2015 season. Williams, is linemen jobs are up for grabs between the fastest kid on Kingwood’s team and Keaton Meeks, Charlie Parkinson and will be called on to carry a large chunk Grayton Etheridge, while Jackson Mills of the running load. Hunter Lodge will will see time at tight end. play fullback this season while Parker Foshee, Jayton Denard and Dallas Toles are all names who will see time in the The Lions will certainly miss Kerry backfield as well. Thompson out at defensive end, as the rangy end had 60 tackles, 11 sacks and eight forced fumbles last year alone. Stepping into the big-play receiver role Douglas, Helmers, Meeks and Parkinson will be Tyler Henderson’s older brother are a few of the names who will see time Colby. Colby Henderson, a junior, up front in the rotation, and other names transferred in the spring of 2015 from like Etheridge, Cade Horton, Jimmy Coosa Valley with his brother, and is Cingernelli, Tanner Yarbrough and Ben anxious to get back on the football field. Akers could see time on the front line. He will be joined by spark plug Antonio Ruiz, who will see time as both a wingback and slot receiver. Ruiz stands Charlie Egbert will not spend much time at roughly 5-feet-9-inches, and has a low on the defensive line, or at least Ward
Offensive Line
Running Back
Defensive Line
Receivers
Linebackers
KINGWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
1
Colby Henderson
WR/DB Junior
24 Parker Foshee
RB/DB
Sophomore
63 Anthony Rastelli
OL/DL
2
Tyler Henderson
QB
Freshman
30 Will Parker
RB/LB
Freshman
64 Tanner Yarbrough
OL/DL
Junior
3
Michael Williams
RB/DB
Sophomore
34 Jayton Denard
FB/LB
Sophomore
66 Alex Wood
OL/DL
Freshman
4
Garrett Picklesimer
QB/SS
Sophomore
35 Jacob Parker
RB/DE
Junior
71 Charlie Parkinson
OL/DE
Freshman
5
Wyatt Picklesimer
QB/DB
8
41 Christopher Le
TE/LB
7
72 Garrett Helmers
DE/OT
Sophomore
6
Antonio Ruiz
WR/DB Freshman
42 Hunter Lodge
FB/LB
Senior
74 Keaton Meeks
OL/DE
Junior
7
Noah Seiger
RB/DB
Sophomore
50 Charlie Egbert
OL/LB
Senior
77 Grayton Etheridge
OL/DL
Freshman
8
Jontae King
RB/DB
Senior
51 Jared Hartley
OL/DL
Junior
80 Andrew Parkinson
TE/LB
8 Freshman
8
10 Landon Lawrence
WR/DB 7
52 Ben Akers
OL/DL
8
82 Jackson Mills
TE/DE
13 Dallas Toles
RB/DB
Freshman
55 Cole Champion
OL/DL
Junior
83 Gavin Hawks
WR/DB 8
20 Tyler West
RB/LB
Freshman
58 Cade Horton
NG
Junior
84 Austyn Franklin
TE/LB
Sophomore
22 Chase Walker
RB/DB
Senior
61 Jeremy Kline
OL/DL
7
97 Dalton Douglas
DL
Senior
AISA AA, Region 1 2015: 3-7 (0-4) Head Coach: Sheldon Ward (Second year, 3-7 record) Assistants: Michael Robinson, Ervin Wallace, David Hobson, Eddie Toles, John Parker, Jason Pickleshimer
LION FOOTBALL are still trying to decide if the defense is going to have two or three safeties, but regardless the rest of the secondary will be filled by some combination of Antonio Ruiz, Dallas Toles, Foshee, Wyatt Pickleshimer and Tyler West.
doesn’t intend for him to, because he will be one of Kingwood’s outside linebackers. Hunter Lodge will be back at one of the interior linebacker roles for Kingwood, which will give the Lions two seniors in the linebacking unit. Austyn Franklin will be the other inside linebacker alongside Lodge, and junior Cade Horton looks to have the other outside linebacker job wrapped up at this point.
Secondary
Special Teams
Heading into the fall the Kingwood staff is still waiting for a kicker and a punter to emerge.
Players to Watch
Michael Williams will be one of the cornerbacks in this secondary unit and Hunter Lodge, RB/LB. Tyler Henderson, Colby Henderson will be one of the QB. Colby Henderson, WR/DB. Antonio safeties. Ward and the Kingwood staff Ruiz, WR/DB.
Last region title: None Last playoff game: 2013 KINGWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 19
Jamboree
Aug. 26
Springwood
Sept. 2
Evangel Christian (Alabaster)
Sept. 9
@ Evangel Christian* (Montgomery)
Sept. 16
@ Cornerstone Christian*
Sept. 23
@ Chambers Academy
Sept. 30
Hope Christian
Oct. 7
Coosa Valley*
Oct. 14
@ Lakeside*
Oct. 21
Macon-East Academy*
Oct. 28
@ Pickens Academy
* Region game
Key Losses
Corey Robinson, Chase Innabinett, Wyatt Baker, Kerry Thompson. 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
61
Caleb Cottingham
MONTEVALLO BULLDOGS
I
n the wake of their most successful football season in the last 20 years, the Montevallo Bulldogs have harnessed something that has been missing from their program for quite a while: Momentum. After hosting a home playoff game for the first time since 1995, and winning a home playoff game for the first time since 1984, Montevallo is in a historically unique position, and has the chance to push the program to a place it has never been. While a
62
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Jon Goering and Keith McCoy
number of familiar faces will suit up for the Bulldogs this year, the offseason has also brought some change to Montevallo. For starters, previous head coach Andrew Zow has moved six miles down the road and is now the head coach at 5A Calera. In his place steps Brandon Wilcox, who comes to Montevallo from 1A Marion County, where he was the head coach for the last two seasons. In addition to getting a new coach, Montevallo has also moved from the
4A class back down to the 3A class in the wake of the 2016-18 reclassification. While the 2014-16 reclassification positioned Montevallo as the fourthsmallest 4A school in the state, the new reclassification has moved the Bulldogs back down to the 3A level, where Montevallo is a more natural fit. It is important to remember in the midst of all the change, the Bulldogs have the chance to have one heck of a football team.
AHSAA 3A, Region 4 2015: 9-3 Head Coach: Brandon Wilcox (First year) Assistants: Lanny Jones, Brent McCaleb, Wayne Davidson
Jackson Hughes
Last region title: 1995 Last playoff game: 2015 MONTEVALLO HIGH SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE
Quarterback
Once again, Zac Oden returns to lead the Montevallo offense. Oden, who has started under center every year since he was a freshman, is back for his swan song season. The 2015 First Team All-County and 4A ASWA Honorable Mention quarterback threw for a whopping 2,388 yards on a 56 percent completion percentage as a junior, and accumulated 29 touchdowns through the air as well. Oden is one of the unquestioned leaders of this Montevallo team, and while he has had to adjust to a new coach and a new system in his final prep year, the talented senior has the experience and
ability to make his final year a special one.
DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 18
Verbena (Jamboree)
Running Back
Aug. 26
West Blocton
Sept. 2
American Christian*
Sept. 9
@ BB Comer
Sept. 16
Midfield*
Sept. 23
@ Bibb County
Sept. 30
@ Greene County*
Oct. 7
Oakman*
Oct. 14
@ Gordo*
Oct. 21
@ Carbon Hill*
Oct. 28
Fultondale
One of the few offensive needs Montevallo will have to fill in 2016 is at the running back position. Both Undreaz Lilly and Kerry Mack have graduated, taking a combined 1,457 yards rushing and 24 rushing touchdowns with them. Stepping into their place will be senior Caleb Cottingham. Cottingham saw chunks of time as a junior and showed ability to be a productive back, and the responsibility of complementing Montevallo’s potent passing attack will
* Region game
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
63
MONTEVALLO HIGH SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
1
Daqwan Bryant
WR/DB Junior
22 Jonathan Grisham
K/P
Junior
59 Trent Page
OL/LB
Freshman
3
Demetrius Smith
HB/DE
23 Caleb Cottingham
FB/LB
Senior
60 Boston Bush
OL/DL
Sophomore
4
Tre’Shawn Brown
WR/DB Senior
24 Bryson Turner
FB/LB
Freshman
64 Nick Norris
OL/DL
Senior
6
Kaleb Williamson
HB/LB
Junior
25 Diego Martinez
K
Senior
65 Roderick Morris
OL/DE
Sophomore
7
Zac Oden
QB
Senior
33 Tyler Olds
FB/LB
Sophomore
70 Carl Sellers
OL/DL
Freshman
8
Jackson Hughes
HB/LB
Senior
44 Jemari Harris
WR/DB Freshman
71 Xavier Bryant
OL/DE
Freshman
9
Ahmad Edwards
WR/DB Junior
45 Isaiah Chappele
OL
Sophomore
73 Colin Gammon
OL/DL
Senior
10 TaVarius Holman
WR/DB Junior
50 Matthew Allen
OL/DL
Senior
74 Coty Jones
OL/DL
Senior
11 Avery Anfield
WR/DB Sophomore
51 Dylan Brantley
OL/DE
Freshman
75 James Popwell
OL/LB
Freshman
13 Malik Inabinette
WR/DB Freshman
52 Kiyon Brown
OL/DL
Junior
76 Charles Beasley
OL/DL
Senior
14 Jarius Sullens
WR/DB Sophomore
53 Jaylon Mckenzie
OL/DL
Freshman
77 Rankin Allen
OL/DL
Freshman
15 Davion Gilbert
WR/DB Freshman
54 Cameron Conwell
OL/DL
Sophomore
80 Jamarius Carter
WR/DB Freshman
17 Jayvion Seay
FB/DB
57 Taylor Hall
OL/DE
Junior
85 Isa Harris
WR/DB Freshman
19 Landon Honeycutt
WR/DB Sophomore
58 Will Howell
OL/DE
Sophomore
Junior
Freshman
9
addition to those three fall primarily to him this will be resident newcomer year. Tyler Olds, a physical, Tavarius Holman, who tough sophomore, will will be a junior and is join Cottingham in the potentially the fastest kid backfield as the second option. Last season, Montevallo on Montevallo’s team this won nine games, which year, according to Wilcox. Look for Montevallo to air is the second-highest it out early and often this Montevallo is absolutely total for Montevallo in year. loaded this year at the any one season since receiver position. Juniors the Bulldogs started Ahmad Edwards and playing football in 1930. Daqwan Bryant are back While the passing game after breakout sophomore has the potential to be truly seasons. Edwards, who was named special, Wilcox is a firm believer that a 4A ASWA Second Team All-State his teams will only be as successful on selection last year, finished with 45 offense as the offensive line allows. The receptions, 877 yards receiving and 16 Bulldogs are fortunate to return Colin touchdowns, scoring every 2.8 times he Gammon, Coty Jones and Matthew caught a pass. Bryant, his counterpart, Allen from last year’s team, while also hauled in 33 targets and five Kiyon Brown and Taylor Hall will fill touchdowns and accumulated 455 the other two slots. Jones will be back yards receiving as well. Edwards is one at center and will be flanked by Allen of the most electric receivers across and Brown at the left and right guard the state, and will be a top concern for positions, while Gammon and Hall will opposing defenses. Explosive senior fill the left and right tackle slots. The Tre’Shawn Brown, who was named offensive line unit has worked hard all a First Team All-State selection last spring and summer, and Wilcox feels year as a defensive back, will also join confident the unit is on track to have a the two to provide a new, incredibly successful fall. dangerous wrinkle to the offense. In
Receivers
Offensive Line
64
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Defensive Line
The Bulldogs’ three most productive defensive linemen from last year are all gone, leaving 197 tackles worth of production to be replaced, which is daunting. Junior Demetrius Smith, who had 36 tackles last season, is primed for a breakout year and will lead the defensive front. Smith will be one of the defensive ends, and will be opposite Taylor Hall, who will see actions on both sides of the ball. Sophomore newcomers Boston Bush and Will Howell will occupy the two defensive tackle positions in Montevallo’s 4-3 defense.
Linebacker
Undreaz Lilly and Hunter Nabors have both graduated, and the two accounted for 196.5 tackles between them last season, which is again, a ton of production to replace. The only returning starter from the linebacking corps is senior Jackson Hughes, who did amass 109.5 tackles last season and also forced a pair of fumbles, and will be the unquestioned leader of the unit. Cottingham and Olds, who will both see significant minutes on both sides
BULLDOG FOOTBALL of the ball this year, will join Hughes as the other two starters. Cottingham saw spot minutes on defense last year, and finished with 11 tackles, while Olds will have to learn quickly beside the other two. Sophomore Isaiah Chappell could also see time at linebacker.
Secondary
Brown and Edwards will be back at safety this year while Bryant will hold down one of the corner slots again, as the three will rarely be off the field this year. Last season Brown finished
the year with 128 tackles, including six tackles for loss, while Edwards finished with 94 tackles and a state-leading nine interceptions. Joining Edwards and Brown in the backfield will be Holman, while sophomore Jay Sullens will be the new face in the secondary, as he will occupy the other corner spot apposite Bryant.
Special Teams
Diego Martinez is back for his senior year and will once again handle the kicking duties. A fan favorite,
Martinez is a serviceable field goal option as well as an adept punter. He will split punting duties with Jonathan Grishom while taking care of the place kicking responsibilities.
Players to Watch
Zac Oden, QB. Ahmad Edwards, WR/DB. TreShawn Brown, WR/DB. Daqwan Bryant, WR/DB.
Key Losses
Undreaz Lilly, Hunter Nabors, Coty Cutts, Blake Smith
Want to know who scored during the big game? Visit ShelbyCountyReporter.com for a complete recap from Friday night’s game.
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
65
Wyatt Legas
OAK MOUNTAIN EAGLES
L
ast year the Eagles lost region games to Vestavia, Hoover, Spain Park and Hewitt-Trussville and barely missed the playoffs en route to a 5-5 finish with a seniorheavy roster. Now, as Cris Bell moves into his fifth year at the head of the Oak Mountain program, the Eagles are faced with a few stark realities. For one, the Eagles are replacing five starters
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Barry Clemmons and Keith McCoy
on offense, including a quarterback, and are replacing a whopping eight starters on the defensive side of the ball. For another, Oak Mountain remains in the toughest high school football region in the state, 7A Region 3, along with notorious powerhouses Hoover, Spain Park and Vestavia, as well as newcomer Huffman, which made the 6A playoffs a year ago as well. While there are some hurdles for
this Oak Mountain team to overcome in 2016, the Eagles do benefit from the return of nearly their entire offensive line, and will trot out one of the rangiest receiving corps in the state as well. Time will tell how this group comes together, but it’s never a smart bet to assume that Bell, the 2014 7A Coach of the Year, won’t get the most out of this or any team.
Come as you are. You’ll fit right in. SUNDAYS AT 8:15 & 10:45 AM
Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church 5080 Cahaba Valley Trace Birmingham, AL 35242
#wheregraceabounds
66
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
AHSAA 7A, Region 3 2015: 5-5 (3-4) Head Coach: Cris Bell (Fifth year, 26-17 record) Assistants: Rusty Frisch, Austin Karcher, Steward Carlisle, Riley White, Stuart Morrison, Brandon Lee, Tommy Youngblood, Wade Lyon, Freddie Thomas
Daniel Salchert
Last region title: None Last playoff game: 2014
Quarterback
to succeed, and as long as he takes care One of the most glaring changes on of the football, he should step in and this Oak Mountain team from years make the offense his own. past will be the change at quarterback. Warren Shader has graduated, and in his place steps senior Wyatt While Legas will be getting his first Legas. Legas, also a key contributor crack at being a full-time starter, on the basketball team, started two Daniel Salchert returns to give the games under center last season for backfield some experience. Salchert, Oak Mountain, and led the Eagles who split carries last season with to a crucial region win on the road Coleman Reeves and finished his against Mountain Brook. He has been junior year with 879 yards of offense, in the Eagles’ system since he was a is a small, quick runner who can get freshman, and understands the option- to top speed in a hurry. He has seen based offense as well as anyone with significant varsity time since his limited game experience can. Legas sophomore year and understands his has some of the same intangibles that role in the offense as well as anyone. Shader had, according to Bell, like his Salchert is also a serviceable receiving soaring confidence and strong desire option, and caught 18 balls last year out of the backfield. Senior Jaylin
Running Back
OAK MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 19
Chelsea
Aug. 26
@ Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa
Sept. 2
@ Huffman*
Sept. 9
Vestavia Hills*
Sept. 16
@ Thompson*
Sept. 23
OPEN
Sept. 30
Hoover*
Oct. 7
@ Tuscaloosa County*
Oct. 14
Mountain Brook*
Oct. 21
Spain Park*
Oct. 28
@ Hazel Green
* Region game
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
67
Noah Egan
GETTING YOU BACK
in the Game
Sports Medicine
Spine Center
“Less pain. More living.” Michael F. Blum, M.D. Ekkehard Bonatz, M.D. George Robert Booker, M.D. William S. Craig, M.D. Michael T. Ellerbusch, M.D. Medplex Medical Building 4517 Southlake Parkway Hoover, Alabama 35244
John S. Kirchner, M.D. William D. Krauss, D.O. Michael D. Smith, M.D. William D. Sudduth, M.D. C.J. Talbert, M.D. Grandview Physicians Plaza (New!) 3686 Grandview Parkway, Suite 430 Birmingham, Alabama 35243
For an appointment, call 205-985-4111 • On-site MRI and Physical Therapy
www.SouthlakeOrthopaedics.com
68
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Gaines and junior Connor Wilson will fill the other running back position in tandem.
Receivers
The Eagles will roll out a rangy, long corps of receivers this year. Noah Egan and Nathan Jones, two of Oak Mountain’s primary outside receivers, are both back, and are 6-foot-5-inches and 6-foot-4-inches, respectively, and both run in the 4.7 40-yard-dash range. Ethan Duncan, a junior, also stands roughly 6-feet-2-inches and will see an increased role at one of the inside slots. Garrett DeAraujo, an outfielder on the Oak Mountain baseball team, will most routinely fill the other inside position, and Luke Percer and Jackson Kimbrell also bring speed to the group. Carson Bobo, who was hurt in the spring, will be Oak Mountain’s primary tight end and is another receiving option that is over 6-feet tall. The Eagles have enough weapons on the flanks to be effective, assuming Legas and the offense gives them chances.
Offensive Line
line, has to replace its top performer While losing a player of Justice from the 2015 team in Armond Lloyd. The unit now will roll out between Hammond’s caliber is never easy to replace, Oak Mountain is returning 7-10 players in any given game. Trey four starters across the offensive line Meadows and Matt Pflaum will most for the first time in Bell’s tenure to help likely start at the defensive end alleviate Hammond’s absence. Jacob positions in Bell’s 4-3 defense, while and Nick Feenker are both back, as Whitt Jackson and Daniel Perkins will most likely start at the are William Roberson and interior positions. Perkins Ben Wilke. Jacob Feenker got hurt midway through will take over Hammond’s last year and missed the center position, while Nick latter half of the season, Feenker and newcomer Eli and Jackson is the only Lombardo will take care one of the bunch with of the guard positions, The Eagles lose 13 quality size. Jordan Davis, while Roberson and Wilke starters off of last Jake Tice and Connor will once again handle the season’s team, eight tackle positions. Carson on the defensive side of Templin will also rotate into the defensive line in Bobo will also be on the the ball alone. situational roles. line as the primary tight
13
end. Having so many pieces back across the front could prove crucial for Oak Mountain, as the line needs to be in sync from the jump to allow the option to work effectively.
Defensive Line
The defensive line, like the offensive
Linebackers
Spencer Hughes and Mingyu Lee both saw quality minutes last year at the linebacker position and are both back for their senior seasons. Hughes is slimmer than he was a season ago, and quicker as a result, and has the chance to be a quality linebacker alongside
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
69
OAK MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
1
Nick Carney
K/P
Senior
30 Jake Tice
LB
Junior
62 Eli Lombardo
OL
Senior
2
Xzavier Brown
WR
Sophomore
31 AJ Fleet
HB
Senior
63 Connor Templin
DL
Senior
3
Noah Brown
WR
Sophomore
32 Glen Humphrey
HB
Sophomore
64 Jacob Feenker
OL
Junior
4
Garrett DeAraujo
WR
Senior
33 Spencer Hughes
LB
Senior
65 Payne Watkins
OL
Sophomore
5
Jaylin Gaines
HB
Senior
34 Connor Wilson
HB
Junior
66 Juan Palacios
OL
Senior
6
Logan McNaughton DB
Junior
35 Jack Russell
HB
Sophomore
67 Brandon Stephens
OL
Sophomore
7
Noah Egan
WR
Senior
36 Jalen Thomas
LB
Sophomore
68 Ruben Nunez
OL
Junior
8
Wyatt Legas
QB
Senior
37 Christian Hood
DB
Sophomore
70 Russell Autry
OL
Sophomore
8
Bay Hughes
DB
Sophomore
38 Davis Manning
DB
Senior
71 Greyson McClain
OL
Senior
9
Nathan Jones
WR
Junior
39 Skylar Johnston
DE
Sophomore
73 Nathan Gordon
OL
Sophomore
10 Jackson Kimbrell
QB
Sophomore
40 Dylan Hoye
LB
Sophomore
74 Madden McDougal
OL
Junior
11 Grayson Alexander
WR
Senior
41 Jacob Fitzgerald
LB
Sophomore
75 Tyler Martin
OL
Sophomore
12 Luke Percer
HB
Sophomore
42 Max McLaughlin
SS
Junior
77 Fuller Herring
OL
Junior
13 Carson Bobo
QB
Junior
43 William Cline
CB
Senior
80 Jack Simmons
TE
Junior
14 Jackson Murphy
SS/K
Junior
44 Andrew Bearden
DE
Sophomore
81 Michael Luu
WR
Sophomore
15 Connor Webb
DB
Junior
45 Fox Bowen
DB
Junior
82 John Mark Price
K/P
Junior
16 Trey Allen
WR
Sophomore
46 Nik Heino
LB
Sophomore
83 Ben Echols
WR
Junior
17 Mingyu Le
OLB
Senior
47 Brett Cruce
DB
Junior
84 Ben Handley
TE
Junior
18 Thomas Pechman
DB
Senior
48 Dane Moody
DB
Sophomore
85 Matt Piper
WR
Junior
19 Daniel Perkins
DT
Senior
49 Jacob Gagnon
LB
Sophomore
86 Connor Kelley
LB
Junior
20 Cole Thomas
HB
Sophomore
50 Clay Collins
OL
Sophomore
87 Darren Lanier
WR
Junior
21 Art Smith
DB
Senior
51 Zach Brown
DE
Sophomore
88 Matthew Pflaum
DE
Senior
22 Ryan Childress
WR
Junior
53 Carey Jackson
OL
Junior
89 Nicholas Young
WR
Junior
23 Hunter Martinez
DB
Senior
54 William Roberson
OL/LB
Senior
90 Hudson Tate
LB
Sophomore
24 Zach Nelson
DB
Junior
55 Devin Stern
OL
Junior
91 Travis Thomasson
DE
Sophomore
25 Ethan Duncan
RB
Junior
56 Jordan Davis
DE
Junior
92 Peter Kolar
DE
Junior
25 Garrison Frisch
DB/P
Sophomore
57 Nick Feenker
OL
Senior
93 Nolan Tucker
TE
Senior
26 Daniel Salchert
RB
Senior
58 Ben Wilke
OL
Junior
94 Mark Henderson
DE
Sophomore
27 Trey Meadows
DE
Senior
59 Josh Stanford
OL
Junior
97 Carter Owens
DL
Sophomore
28 Justin Evans
DB
Junior
60 Alex Burns
OL
Sophomore
98 Zykeius Strong
DL
Sophomore
29 Jackson Sauers
DB
Senior
61 Jameson Ellet
DL
Junior
99 Whit Jackson
DT
Senior
Lee. The third linebacker position will be filled by some combination of Max McLaughlin, Zay Brown and Justin Evans, and all will see game time.
Secondary
The Oak Mountain secondary will be almost entirely new. Payton Youngblood, Mitchell Jones and Hall Morton have all graduated, leaving a number of open positions for new faces to fill. Thomas Pechman is back as Oak Mountain’s only returning corner, and will play opposite Brett Cruce, Zach
Daniel Salchert
GOOD LUCK EAGLES! 70
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
EAGLE FOOTBALL Nelson or Jackson Sauers, who are all competing for that other cornerback slot. Connor Webb will take one of the empty safety spots, and will be joined by Davis Manning, Hunter Martinez or Jackson Murphy, who are all battling for the other safety spot.
Special Teams YOUR
COMMUNITY.
YOUR
STORIES.
Nick Carney will handle the punting and place kicking duties for the Eagles, while the kickoff situation is still playing itself out, although there is a good chance Carney ends up handling that too. Salchert will return punts and kicks, and will be joined by some combination of DeAraujo, Connor Webb and Egan most likely.
YOUR MAGAZINE.
Subscribe today
Players to Watch
Daniel Salchert, RB. Spencer Hughes, LB. Wyatt Legas, QB.
Key Losses
Warren Shader, Justice Hammond, Payton Youngblood, Hall Morton, Armond Lloyd
Come experience the best library in Shelby County!
TO RECEIVE A COPY IN YOUR MAILBOX MONTHLY !
• • • •
A RTS & C ULTURE L OCAL F ASHIONS U NIQUE H OME F EATURES M ONTHLY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
$20.41 for one year, 12 issues
To subscribe visit hooversmagazine.com or call 669-3131.
5521 Cahaba Valley Road near Heardmont Park (205) 439-5500
www.northshelbylibrary.org 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
71
Nicholas Blackburn
PELHAM PANTHERS
W
hen Tom Causey came to Pelham from Demopolis in December of 2014 to take over the football program, he knew what he was walking into. Causey took over a program and a roster that was full of youth and inexperience, and the Panthers suffered through a tough
72
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Dawn Harrison and Keith McCoy
1-9 campaign in 2015 as a result. Now, a year into Causey’s tenure, there is still work to be done, but Pelham is trending in the right direction. A dedicated offseason in the weight room has brought the Panthers back to even par with opposing teams in terms of strength, and now Pelham has had a year to familiarize itself with Causey’s system and coaching
method. How Pelham will fare in the newly aligned 6A Region 3 along with teams like Benjamin Russell, Helena and Chelsea remains to be seen, but with a roster that is overwhelmingly a year older and wiser, signs of progress are beginning to show.
Quarterback Griffin
Rivers
transferred
from
AHSAA 6A, Region 3 2015: 1-9 (1-6) Head Coach: Tom Causey (Second year, 1-9 record) Assistants: Chris Cournoyer, Jeremy Sullivan, Sean Anderson, David White, Clay Massey, Stephen Campbell, Ed Brown, James Thompson
Jere Spillers
Last region title: 2006 Last playoff game: 2013 PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE Homewood High School in late July of last year, and quickly became the leader of the Pelham offense. A two-sport athlete, Rivers has since graduated and is now playing baseball at South Alabama, meaning there will be a new face under center in Causey’s second year. In Rivers’ spot will step Eli Hudson, who was the frontrunner for the job last year before Rivers arrived. Hudson, a senior who ended up spending last season at wide receiver, is not a big presence in the pocket, standing at roughly 5-feet9-inches and weighing around 165 pounds, but is a good athlete with quick feet who has taken control of
the huddle and will command the spread offense with competency. Matthew Rye, a sophomore, projects to be Hudson’s backup.
Running Back
Gio Adan has graduated, which will open up the backfield somewhat. Adan’s main backfield companion last season was Nicholas Blackburn, and Blackburn will see an increased backfield role in this his junior year. Jackson Weaver also saw backfield time last season as a freshman, and will join Blackburn in the backfield. Also Homewood transfer Derrick Bush, who had to sit out last season,
DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 18
@ Homewood (Samford University)
Aug. 26
Mortimer Jordan
Sept. 2
Benjamin Russell*
Sept. 9
@ Helena*
Sept. 16
Chelsea*
Sept. 23
@ Thompson
Sept. 30
@ Wetumpka*
Oct. 7
Chilton County*
Oct. 14
OPEN
Oct. 21
@ Opelika*
Oct. 28
John Carroll
* Region game
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
73
Jose Jimenez
74
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
is now eligible to play and will see significant time in the backfield as well, although Bush will also start in the defensive secondary as well.
Receivers
and Whit Wood is back at right tackle for his senior year. Cesar Villasenor, who started in the first game of football he ever played a year ago against Helena, will start at right guard and Gino Ramos will start at left tackle this year. Villasenor and Wood are seniors, McLaren and Pierce are juniors and Ramos is a sophomore. Alan Brown, a 6-foot-5-inch, 220-pound sophomore in his first year of football will back up at the guard position, while Nate Barron will see time at tackle as well.
Pelham returns the majority of its receiver depth, which is nice for Causey’s spread offense. Kasey Clark, Pelham’s leading receiver from last season, is back, as are Vidal Solito, Seth Wright and Brandon Sledge. Edward Gipson, who started every game for Pelham as a freshman at safety last season, is one of the best athletes on the team and The Pelham defensive line has made the transition to of Causey’s 4-2-5 defense receiver this year as well. is not particularly big, and Also, newcomers Seth The Panthers won just as a result the Panthers Torman and Tyler Wages one game in 2015, will throw a ton of bodies have joined the team this which is the lowest into the trenches. Blake season, which is a shot in number of wins in the Hester, Niles Bryant and the arm for the Panthers. history of the program. Jere Spillers all return Torman is one of the best to the line after getting goalkeepers in the state valuable game experience and is long with great hands while last season. Bryant and Spillers will Wages, the shortstop on the baseball once again start at the defensive team, has also joined the team and has end positions, while Jayden Kidd, top-level speed. There is no shortage of a transfer from Shades Valley, will receiver options this year for Hudson join Bryant on the interior. Elijah to utilize. Shoemaker, Carson McKinney, Brock Higdon and Alex Montgomery will all rotate into the defensive front as well. Almost the entire offensive line is also back for Pelham, the silver lining to starting an incredibly young, raw unit The unquestioned leader of the in 2015. Will Pierce is back at center, Pelham defense is returning stud Jarret McLaren is back at left guard linebacker Jon Drake. Drake, a 2015
1
Defensive Line
Offensive Line
Linebackers
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
75
PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
1
Nicholas Blackburn RB
Junior
29 Tyler Zeiderhoek
DB
Freshman
59 Jarrett McLaren
OL
2
Derrick Bush
DB
Senior
30 Daniel Maddox
Slot
Sophomore
60 Dakota McLaren
OL
Sophomore
3
Jalen Cook
DB
Sophomore
31 Zach Cherry
DB
Sophomore
61 Jody Morton
OL
Freshman
4
Ladre Tabb
DB
Junior
32 Donovan Ross
DL
Junior
62 Caleb Boutwell
OL
Junior
5
Brandon Sledge
Slot
Sophomore
33 Matt Walton
LB
Freshman
64 Chris Todd
OL
Freshman
6
Vidal Solito
DB
Senior
34 Jackson Weaver
RB
Sophomore
65 Michael Savage
DL
Sophomore
7
Eli Hudson
QB
Senior
35 Brooks Cotton
LB
Freshman
66 Alex Montgomery
DL
Senior
8
Seth Torman
WR
Senior
36 Ben Rushton
WR
Sophomore
69 Elijah Shoemaker
DL
Junior
9
Seth Wright
Slot
Senior
37 Gage Deloach
DB
Sophomore
70 Roderick Hall
OL
Junior
10 Rodney Pettway
DB
Senior
38 Joseph Chimento
DL
Sophomore
71 Gino Ramos
OL
Sophomore
11 Greg Blue
K/DB
Sophomore
39 Dalton King
LB
Senior
72 Alan Brown
OL
Freshman
12 Sam Stinnett
WR
Senior
40 Ethan Deveaux
DB
Sophomore
73 CJ Wood
OL
Sophomore
13 Tyler Hawkins
RB
Junior
41 Phillip Duke
DB
Freshman
74 Tyler Golden
OL
Freshman
Position Year Junior
14 Matthew Rye
QB
Sophomore
42 Griffin Knight
DB
Sophomore
75 Brock Higdon
DL
Sophomore
15 Grayson Dill
WR
Sophomore
43 Tyler Hall
LB
Senior
76 Gustavo Gonzalez
OL
Junior
16 Ryan Countess
DB/QB
Senior
44 Jon Drake
LB
Senior
77 Nate Barron
OL
Sophomore
17 Xavier Lankford
QB
Freshman
46 Wesley Kitchens
DB
Freshman
80 Tyler Wages
Slot
Senior
18 Cody Ferguson
Slot
Freshman
47 Jayden Taylor
LB
Freshman
81 Caleb Augsburger
WR
Junior
19 Jose Jiminez
K/DB
Senior
48 Ryan Jewell
LB
Sophomore
82 Kasey Clark
WR
Sophomore
20 Saadiah Bennett
DB
Senior
50 Jere Spillers
DL
Senior
84 Mattew Plummer
WR
Freshman
21 Patrick Durr
DB
Sophomore
51 Niles Bryant
DL
Senior
85 Grayson Redford
DL
Freshman
22 Jordan Moss
DB
Sophomore
52 Carter Parker
LB
Sophomore
86 Tyler Deaver
WR
Sophomore
23 Edward Gipson
WR
Sophomore
53 Logan Atkins
OL
Freshman
88 Garrett Fox
WR
Sophomore
24 Donnie Ball
DB
Sophomore
54 Cesar Villasenor
OL
Senior
90 Jayden Kidd
DL
Junior
25 Conner Hammond
DB
Junior
55 Whit Wood
OL
Senior
91 Delaney Brasher
DL
Freshman
26 Darren Ledbetter
LS/LB
Junior
56 Will Pierce
OL
Junior
99 Blake Hester
DL
Junior
27 Trevor Jones
DB
Sophomore
57 Carson Mckinney
DL
Junior
28 Dorian Tolbert
LB
Sophomore
58 Christian Brown
DL
Sophomore
All-County First Team defensive selection, finished last year with 122 tackles, the second-most in the county, and is the heart and soul of the Pelham team. In Drake’s final prep season sophomore Ryan Jewell, who will replace graduated linebacker Connor Christian, will join him. Dalton King, Carter Parker and Dorian Tolbert all will rotate in as the second linebacker on the Pelham defense, while Drake will rarely be off the field.
this season, as Malik Copeland and Peyton Chenault have graduated and Gipson has moved to offense. Rodney Pettway will be the new strong safety, Vidal Solito will start at free safety and Jalen Cook will start at weak safety, with Donnie Ball factoring into the rotation as well. Ladre Tabb and Derrick Bush will start at the cornerback positions, and Griffin Knight will be the third man in that outfit as well.
Secondary
Special Teams
Torman may well end up as Pelham’s punter. Darren Ledbetter will handle the long snapping duties for the Panthers. Derrick Bush and Tyler Wages will return kicks, while Wages will return punts as well.
Players to Watch
Jon Drake, LB. Eli Hudson, QB. Nicholas Blackburn, RB. Derrick Bush, DB. Blake Hester, DL. Jayden Kidd, DL.
Key Losses
In Causey’s defensive scheme there are Jose Jimenez is back to handle the Griffin Rivers, Jaylen Smith, Connor three safeties, all of which will be new kicking and punting duties, although Christian, Gio Adan.
GOOD LUCK pANTHERS! 76
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
PANTHER FOOTBALL
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
77
JON DRAKE
ONE-ON-ONE WITH PELHAM’S ALL-COUNTY LINEBACKER
78
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Question: Okay Jon, how long have you been playing football? Why did you start? Answer: I started playing football when I was seven. Honestly, my sister is one year older than me, and she was a cheerleader. I watched her and I saw that the cheerleaders were having so much fun. I just wanted to be a part of whatever they were doing. Q: Have you lived in Pelham your whole life? A: Yes, I’ve been here my whole life. Q: Do you play any other sports? When did you give everything else up? A: Actually I grew up playing baseball and football. My last year playing baseball was eighth grade, and then I started wrestling in high school. I did that for two years before giving that up and focusing just on football. Q: Do you miss playing baseball? A: I sometimes miss it. I don’t miss the practices or how much practicing it takes.
129
Q: Why did you land on football? Was there a moment you remember where you knew this was the game for you? A: Well I remember it was in my first year playing, back Drake set the Pelham when I was seven. It was our single-season tackle jamboree game, we were playing record as a junior Thompson. On defense I made with 129 tackles last a kid fumble. I scored two season. touchdowns that game too, and afterwards my dad asked me what I enjoyed most about the game. I told him I just had loved making that guy fumble, the rush was something I’d never had before. At that point I knew I loved football and have loved it ever since. Q: What would you say you’re best at on the football field? A: I don’t have the size of a normal linebacker. I’m 5’10, 200 pounds. So I have to use different techniques on defense to be effective. Because of that I’ve gotten good at reading the linemen, reading the guards, before the play starts to figure out where the ball is going to go. Q: (Head) Coach (Tom) Causey has worked with some really talented linebackers in the past. Nico Johnson at Andalusia and Greg Irvin at Demopolis to name a couple. Having someone like him, someone who has worked with some top-notch guys at your position, does that motivate you or affect you at all? A: Well he’s told me all the stories about all his former players, and I want to live up to that caliber. It makes me want to work harder to get to that level. 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
79
Q: How does he motivate you? A: Coach Causey doesn’t say anything to me on the field, really. It’s definitely a motivational tactic. I want to get him to notice me out there and say something to me. Sometimes in practice if I make a play he’ll tell the offense they did a good job to get under my skin. We have a great relationship, and he’s a great coach. Q: Last year was tough for you guys as a team (1-9 finish), but you had a really strong individual year (school-record 129 tackles). Was there some consolation in that for you, knowing you had a good season? How do you look at last season in general? A: My season goal last year was to break our school record in tackles. That’s what I wanted to do from the beginning. But by Week 7, Week 8 it was just miserable. I didn’t care about that anymore, we were just losing every game and that didn’t matter anymore. It became less important. Q: So moving on from that season, what does Pelham have to do to this year to be competitive again? A: It’s clear that this year our schedule is harder than it was last year. But the way we’re approaching this season is it takes a pack of raptors to take down a T-Rex. We’re a lot farther along than last year. It’s just going to take work and we’re going to have to come together on the field. Q: Do you have any individual or team goals you want to accomplish this year? A: Coming into this season I want to break my tackle record from last year, and I don’t want to give up on that. On top of that I just want to win some games. Q: Is there one game on the schedule you’re looking forward to more than any other? A: Mostly my three big games are Homewood, Helena and Thompson. I don’t want to win them, I want to crush them. I want to blow them out. Q: What, at this point, is your favorite memory from your football career to date? A: My favorite memory is again from my first season. We played Thompson in the jamboree and didn’t play them again until the last game of the regular season, and we had to win to get in the playoffs. There are four seconds left, we’re on our 30 and have to score to win. Our coach puts me in at quarterback and tells me to run a QB sneak. I didn’t think we could score with a QB sneak, so instead I ran around the edge and scored. I remember they had one defensive lineman who was big for our size, or at least I remember him being really big. I was running away from him, to the other side of the field. I turned the corner and saw the linebacker and the safety, and cut back to the other side of the field. From there I had an open lane and scored, and we won the game.
80
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Q: Was your coach mad you changed the play? A: No, ha. We were all just happy we won. Q: That’s an incredibly sharp memory from something that happened when you were seven. Do you have a photographic memory? A: When someone brings up a game from pretty much any year I’ve been playing I remember specific plays from it. Q: What’s your GPA? A: 4.2 Q: That’s really impressive. Do you have any idea what you want to do with your life after football? A: I want to be an aerospace engineer, a rocket scientist. I’ve researched the profession, and we’ve done some stuff in school with engineering that I’ve enjoyed.
P
Q: Is college football something you want to pursue? A: Absolutely. I would love to play college football. I’ve been talking with some coaches and we’ll see what happens.
F
E
O
L
O
T
H
A
M
B
A
L
L
#WeArePelham
Q: What do you do for fun, away from the field? A: There’s not much. Football is my life. I like to work on my Jeep, but that’s about it.
@PELHAM_AD
PELHAM PANTHER ATHLETICS P
E
L
H
A
M
H
I
G
H
A T
H
L
E
T
I
C
S
.
C
O
M
Q: Give me a prediction for this season. What’s going to happen in Pelham this year? A: I think we’re going to have a surprising year. I think we’re going to shock a bunch of people. Coach Causey has said it best. Right now we’re hiding in the weeds. We’re going to knock some teams down and drag them into the weeds to start the year. And we’re just going to keep going from there.
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
81
Trent Sullivan
SHELBY COUNTY WILDCATS
S
helby County has not made a playoff appearance since 2009, which is now the second-longest active playoff drought in the county behind only Thompson. Consequently in the six years since that 2009 season, the Wildcats have not won more than four games in a single year and have posted an aggregate
82
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Dawn Harrison, Baker Ellis and Keith McCoy
record of 14-46 over that span. While that is no doubt an unwelcome statistic for Shelby County fans to hear, there is actually good news lurking in these numbers for the Wildcats. In every season from 2010-2014, Shelby County gave up more points per game than it scored. In 2010 the Wildcats gave up 34 points per game while averaging 20. In 2011 it was a
slightly better margin of 22 average points for to 30 points against before back-to-back seasons of averaging 15 points per game or less and giving up 40 or more. In 2014 the Wildcats returned to a respectable place, and gave up 27 points per game while averaging 18. However, in 2015, a flip switched. Shelby County averaged a whopping 33 points per game, the highest
AHSAA 5A, Region 5 2015: 4-6 (2-4) Head Coach: Heath Childers (Third year, 7-13 record) Assistants: Casey Crumpton, Chris Perkins, Tyrin Johnson, Randell Reeves, Mike Harrison, Jake Knight, Edmund Buie
Keyvontae Mayfield
Last region title: 2008 Last playoff game: 2009
33
are moving into a new, scoring margin of the last revamped region and will six years, while giving up roll out a number of new 31, marking the first time faces as they try to punch the Wildcats have had a a playoff ticket for the positive scoring margin first time in seven years. since making the playoffs Shelby County While Shelby County in 2009. averaged 33 points per had an offensive A season ago, the game on offense last resurgence in 2015, the Wildcats were just a season, the most of Wildcats still have work handful of plays away any year since 2009. to do on the defensive from breaking that side of the ball, as they streak, and lost to region opponent Sylacauga by one point, 49- have not given up less than 27 points 48, in a game that could have sealed per game since making the playoffs a playoff berth. Now, in what will be seven years ago. But before we get to Heath Childers’ third year as Shelby the defense, let’s look at what Shelby County’s head coach, the Wildcats County is working with on offense
SHELBY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 19
OPEN
Aug. 26
@ Holt
Sept. 2
St. Clair County*
Sept. 9
@ Moody*
Sept. 16
Wenonah*
Sept. 23
Springville
Sept. 30
@ Fairfield*
Oct. 7
@ Pleasant Grove*
Oct. 14
Briarwood*
Oct. 21
Woodlawn*
Oct. 28
@ Jemison
* Region game
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
83
3715 Hwy. 25, Montevallo, AL 35115 www.rockcofuneralmontevallo.com
205-665-2135
84
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
this season.
Quarterback
Shelby County has made a change at quarterback this year, as the Wildcats are going with junior Chadwyn Russ to start things off. Mason Blythe was Shelby County’s quarterback for most of last season before getting injured against Sylacauga, at which point Russ took over the offense for the rest of the year, and will now keep the job heading into the fall. The two entered the spring getting roughly the same number of offensive reps, but Blythe suffered a bad stinger and had to be held out of a few key workouts, and Russ earned the starting nod. Russ is smaller than Blythe, but quicker and has a more accurate arm. Childers and the Shelby County coaching staff hope to incorporate more passing into their Wing-T offense, and Russ’ ability to hit the long ball accurately will play a pivotal role in that development. 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
85
Running Back
Jamarius Mayfield, the 2015 Shelby County Player of the Year, is gone. Mayfield, who was one of the top backs in all of 5A last year, leaves a crater of production to fill in the Wildcat backfield that will need to be replaced in some form or fashion by a committee
86
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
of backs. Lamont Bush, Chance McNeal and Jeremiah Crenshaw are the three backs that get the unenviable task of replacing Mayfield, and some combination of Keyvontae Mayfield, Aremee Calloway and Trent Sullivan will join those three in the backfield at fullback. In Shelby County’s offense, the fullback position will see between
30-35 carries a game, and Childers will utilize as many bodies as he can to make sure there are healthy legs come October and potentially November. With upwards of six different faces to fill the two backfield slots next to Russ, Shelby County definitely has the bodies to stay fresh.
success there, this team has a chance to be an offensive threat against most anyone they will play.
Offensive Line
Jeremiah Crenshaw
Receivers
In the Wildcats’ ever-continuing quest to incorporate more passing into their offense, 2016 might be the year some results are seen in that regard. Last season the Wildcats hoped to incorporate now-graduating receiver Deon Carter more into the offense, but Shelby County was not as effective in the passing game as it wanted to be at the beginning of the year. This year,
Addison Couch and newcomer Mitch Nash provide two capable, talented options at receiver for Russ to work with, and the Wildcats will utilize their stable of backfield options in the passing game as well. Nash and Couch are two of the better deep ball receivers Shelby County has had in recent years, and Russ’ strength lies in throwing an accurate long ball as well. If Shelby County can utilize some play-action looks and have some
A Community Bank built by Alabamians,
for
Alabamians
Four of Shelby County’s linemen from last year have graduated, leaving a ton of openings across the front. The Wildcats do benefit from the return of Dalton Purcell, who will return to his right guard position. Childers is very high on Purcell, and believes that although the senior is undersized for his position, he is a quick, strong, intelligent lineman who can run the Wildcat system with no trouble. Childers works specifically with the offensive linemen, and while losing four starters in one year is always going to be tough, he believes it looks worse on paper than it will on the field. Dalton Brooks will slide into the center position, Chad Reach will step in as the left guard, Dawson Brooks, Dalton Brooks’ twin brother, will play left tackle and Dontavious Mayfield will play right tackle, while Austin Lucas is back at tight end as well. The unit might be overwhelmingly green as far as varsity experience is concerned, but they know what is required of them, and Childers believes this group will come together nicely.
Defensive Line
Like the offensive line, the defensive line took a hit as well, and all four starters from last season are gone. Donatavius Mayfield and Dawson Brooks will see time on both sides of the ball, but Childers does not want the starters on the offensive line to start on the defensive line as well.
DAVIS DRUG CO.
21290 Hwy. 25 - Columbiana, Al 35051 | (205) 670.9720 | www.BryantBank.com
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
87
SHELBY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
1
Casey Williams
LB
Freshman
18 Lamont Bush
RB
Junior
59 Dalton Brooks
OL
Sophomore
2
Keyvontae Mayfield RB
Senior
19 Charlie Taylor
DB
Sophomore
60 Dawson Brooks
OL
Sophomore
3
Jordan Morris
FB
Freshman
23 Chance McNeal
RB
Senior
61 Zack Green
DL
Senior
4
Aremee Calloway
FB
Senior
24 Trent Sullivan
LB
Junior
62 Abel Villa
OL
Senior
5
Chase Holliman
QB
Freshman
25 Jeremiah Crenshaw RB
Sophomore
63 Chad Reach
OL
Junior
6
Chase Franklin
LB
Sophomore
33 A.J. Sanchez
DB
Junior
65 Tre Aderholt
OL
Freshman
7
Camden Davis
DB
Sophomore
34 Parker Munoz
DB
Senior
71 Joel Vaughn
OL
8
Addison Couch
WR
Senior
42 Lloyd Harrison
DB
Freshman
78 Dontavious Mayfield OL
9
Position Year
Sophomore Junior
Austin Lucas
TE
Junior
44 Nic Chapple
DL
Senior
80 Luke Crumpton
DB
Sophomore
10 Mason Blythe
LB
Senior
45 Taylor Wilkins
LB
Sophomore
81 Luis Lagos
DL/K
Senior
11 Austin Scott
LB
Sophomore
50 Dalton Purcell
OL
Senior
82 Tyler Eddings
WR
Freshman
12 Chadwyn Russ
QB
Junior
51 Trent Davis
DL
Senior
89 Jonathon Whitman
OL
Freshman
14 Mitch Nash
WR
Junior
53 Trevor Davis
OL
Freshman
91 Tyler Echols
DL
Sophomore
15 Greg Oliver
RB
Freshman
54 Camden Roulier
DL
Junior
97 Jessup Lodge
TE
Freshman
99 Corbin Hillman
DL
Junior
16 Nevada Wages
DB
Sophomore
55 Patrick Wilkins
OL
Junior
17 Collin Jennings
WR
Freshman
58 Chandler Horton
OL
Freshman
Some combination of Patrick Wilkins, Cam Roulier, Corbin Hillman, Abel Villa and Luis Lagos will start up front in Shelby County’s 4-4 defense, with a number of the offensive linemen seeing defensive reps as well such as both Dalton Brooks and Chad Reach.
Linebackers
Blythe is transition from quarterback to linebacker in his senior year, and has had a successful spring and summer according to Childers. The 6-foot-4-inch senior will occupy one of the inside linebacker spots while Trent Sullivan will occupy the other. Chance McNeal will be at one of the outside linebacker positions and will see time on both sides of the ball, but is a tireless machine according to Childers, and can handle the double duty. The other outside linebacker spot will likely go to Chase Franklin, but Childers will play Keyvontae Mayfield at linebacker when needed. Taylor Wilkins and Austin Lucas could also factor into the rotation.
Secondary
In the middle of the summer Shelby County suffered the loss of Patrick Krieder, who had all but locked up a starting job in the backfield before moving away. That loss set Shelby County back, but the Wildcats have Luis Lagos will once again return to adjusted. Mitch Nash and Addison handle the kicking duties for Shelby County, as the senior has been the
Special Teams
Full Service Turf, Tree & Landscape Co
669-1925
Licensed & Insured
callATM.com
STATE CERTIFIED #10658 • ISA Certified Arborist #WE-0817A
88
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Couch will play both ways and will see ample time in the secondary, as will Nevada Wages and Jeremiah Crenshaw.
WILDCAT FOOTBALL Wildcats main kicker for the last few years now. The Shelby County kicking game will also play an increasingly important role in the Wildcats’ grindit-out type offense.
Players to Watch
Aremee Calloway, FB. Keyvontae Mayfield, FB/LB. Dalton Purcell, OL.
Key Losses
Jamarius Mayfield, Mac Slaughter, Jacob Humphrey, Jared Humphrey
Want to know who scored during the big game? Visit ShelbyCountyReporter.com for a complete recap from Friday night’s game.
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
89
Damon Wright
SPAIN PARK JAGUARS
L
ast season was one of, if not the most, successful seasons for Spain Park in its 14-year history. The Jaguars not only beat Hoover for the first time in school history via a 17-0 shutout in the regular season, Spain Park beat the Bucs again in the 7A semifinals en route to a runner up finish in the largest classification in the state. The Jags reached the state finals for the second time in program history, and fell just short of their first title, getting
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Neal Wagner and Marvin Gentry
beat 14-12 by McGill-Toolen in the 7A championship game. This year, in Shawn Raney’s fourth year at the head of the Spain Park program, the Jaguars have one goal in mind, claiming the school’s first football state title. With a few dynamic offensive players to build around and a seniorladen defense that has become known for its stinginess, there is no time like the present for the Jags to make another title run.
CIA 90
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Quarterback
Game manager Joey Beatty has graduated, which has once again created a quarterback battle at Spain Park. Last year leading up to the season, it was Beatty battling for the starting job with then-junior Hunter Howell. Now Howell, a senior, is trying to win the job while Braxton Barker, a junior, is challenging. Barker has recently hit a growth spurt, shooting up from roughly 5-feet-7-inches to 5-feet-11 in the last
AHSAA 7A, Region 3 2015: 12-2 (7-0) Head Coach: Shawn Raney (Fifth year, 26-9 record) Assistants: Matt Thompson, Marty Rozell, Darrius Taylor, Keat Litton, Chris Bell, Ryan Thompson, Brian Maner, Eric Gibbons, Jason Hamlin, Bob Bietighofer, John Hardin
Damarius Farmer
year, and has had a good summer. Howell has also had a productive summer and has put on solid weight since last season. Neither are dynamic runners, but they won’t be asked to run much in Spain Park’s system. Raney has said he will name a starter the week of the Gadsden City game, which is scheduled for Aug. 19.
Running Back
9
There will be nine senior starters on this years’ defense for Spain Park. Last year, the Jags gave up just 10 points per game en route to a 7A runner-up finish.
The Jaguars lose Wade Streeter but retain Larry Wooden, which is great news for this offense. At the start of the season Wooden held eight scholarship offers, including an offer from Minnesota, but that number will likely rise as the season goes on. Wooden ran for 896 yards on 203 carries last season while splitting touches with Streeter,
and also had 344 yards receiving as well as a junior. A big, strong, agile back, Wooden is poised to have a breakout season this year for the Jags. Junior D’arie Johnson will join him in the backfield this season, as will sophomore Jalen Henderson. Henderson, a big athlete for his age, will fill more of a fullback role until Wooden graduates, but all three will see touches this season.
Receivers
Bridge Suber has graduated, but Thomas Jordan is back for his final prep season and will be Spain Park’s top receiving target. Jordan, a 6-foot receiver, also sports a 4.2 GPA and scored a 32 on his ACT and is being courted by some Ivy League schools,
Last region title: 2015 Last playoff game: 2015 SPAIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 19
@ Gadsden City
Aug. 26
Muscle Shoals
Sept. 2
Vestavia Hills*
Sept. 9
@ Hoover*
Sept. 16
Mountain Brook*
Sept. 23
OPEN
Sept. 30
Huffman*
Oct. 6
@ Thompson*
Oct. 14
Tuscaloosa County*
Oct. 21
@ Oak Mountain*
Oct. 27
@ Minor
* Region game
Come as you are. You’ll fit right in. SUNDAYS AT 8:15 & 10:45 AM
Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church 5080 Cahaba Valley Trace Birmingham, AL 35242
#wheregraceabounds 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
91
SPAIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
1
D’arie Johnson
RB
Junior
25 Larry Wooden
RB
Senior
62 Layth Thiab
OL
Sophomore
1
Andrew Mader
DB
Sophomore
26 Victor Davis
RB
Junior
64 Colton Punzel
OL
Sophomore
2
Landon Shoemaker WR
Senior
27 Jack Connell
DB
Senior
65 Ethan Prolsdorfer
OL
Sophomore
2
Zach Evans
DB
Junior
28 Thomas Jordan
WR
Senior
66 Broderick Polk
OL
Sophomore
3
Myckael Walton
DB
Senior
29 Kenyon Hines
WR
Sophomore
67 David Shannon
OL
Junior
3
Josh Denson
WR
Junior
30 Tyrece Mickens
TE
Junior
68 Ryan Campbell
OL
Junior
4
William Mee
WR
Senior
31 Braxton Hall
DB
Sophomore
69 Abdulrahman Deeb
OL
Junior
4
Jaden Jenkins
DB
Junior
32 Robert Cook
LB
Junior
71 Casen Browning
OL
Junior
5
Mason Pronk
QB
Sophomore
33 Scott Moates
LB
Sophomore
73 LJ Murray
OL
Senior
5
Damon Wright
DB
Senior
34 Houston Hollis
LB
Senior
74 Devin Dowdle
K
Sophomore
6
Emmanuel Holsey
DB
Junior
35 Darrian Stringer
RB
Junior
75 Michael Fowler
OL
Junior
6
Jalen McMillian
WR
Junior
36 Zachary Robinson
LB
Junior
76 Claudio Sarniguet
DE
Sophomore
7
Rayfe Richey
LB
Senior
37 Peyton Maner
DB
Senior
77 Jayme Simmons
OL
Sophomore
7
Braxton Barker
QB
Junior
38 Gaven Pudlik
DB
Sophomore
78 Jalen Johnson
OL
Junior
8
Clay Christian
DB
Junior
39 Hayden Callegan
P
Senior
79 Cameron Young
OL
Sophomore
9
Ronald Carl
DB
Junior
40 Hayes Cole
LB
Junior
80 Michael Rogers
WR
Sophomore
9
Tony Wendes
WR
Junior
41 Reed Vella
DB
Sophomore
82 Marcellus Payne
RB
Sophomore
10 Jo Jo Dennis
WR
Junior
42 Josiah Johnson
LB
Senior
83 Ashanti Carter
TE
Sophomore
10 Isiah Bonilla
DB
Junior
43 Kishawn Dawsey
DB
Sophomore
84 Michael Allen
TE
Senior
11 Damarius Farmer
DB
Senior
44 Mark Muir
DE
Junior
85 Luke Blackmon
WR
Junior
12 Hunter Howell
QB
Senior
45 Darius Robinson
LB
Sophomore
86 Jake Carver
WR
Sophomore
12 Thomas Branin
DB
Junior
46 Ja Cory Robinson
DB
Sophomore
87 Christian Richburg
RB
Sophomore
13 Colin Kirkpatrick
QB
Sophomore
47 Johnathon Harland
DB
Sophomore
88 Davis Brown
WR
Sophomore
14 Ryan Griffin
WR
Junior
48 Joshua Stanton
DB
Sophomore
89 Steven Pate
DE
Sophomore
15 Omar ANgel
WR
Junior
49 Nicholas Cotumaccio LB
Junior
90 Layth Abusuad
C
Sophomore
16 Mario Davis
WR
Senior
50 Will Mullins
OL
Senior
91 Jacob Pughsley
DE
Junior
17 Darion Keahey
DB
Senior
51 William Mote
OL
Sophomore
92 Douglas Henze
DL
Senior
18 Nicholas Dixon
RB
Junior
52 Josh Wallace
LB
Sophomore
93 Isiah Johnson
DL
Sophomore
19 Kameron Mcdaniel
DB
Sophomore
53 Caleb Foster
LB
Junior
94 Clifford Robinson
DL
Sophomore
20 Cole Starr
K
Junior
54 Josh Mullins
OL
Sophomore
96 P. T. Vercher
DL
Sophomore
21 Cameron Toyer
DB
Senior
55 Alexander Kassouf
OL
Senior
97 Kalik Mallard
DL
Senior
22 Brandon Simmons
DB
Senior
56 James Schweer
DE
Junior
98 Zac Shaw
DE
Sophomore
23 Jalen Henderson
RB
Sophomore
57 Bredt Stover
OL
Senior
24 Cedric Tooson
DB
Sophomore
58 Burrell Boswell
OL
Senior
according to Raney, and will be a vital cog in the Spain Park offense. Suber and Jordan were the only two true receiving threats on last years’ team that made it to the 7A state title game, but this year Jordan will have more companions out wide in Jalen McMillan, William Mee and Landon Shoemaker. Shoemaker and Mee are both seniors who have been in the program for years and now have an opportunity to snag quality playing
time, while McMillan is a junior on the rise.
Offensive Line
While the offensive line does lose its most athletic piece from last year in First Team All-State lineman Grey Best, Spain Park does return an array of experience across the front line, and Raney feels the unit as a whole is more athletic than it was a year ago.
Will Mullins and Bredt Stover are both back and will be starting for the third year in a row, and Burrell Boswell, who started five games for the Jaguars last season, is also back. Mullins will slide over to center this season, while Stover and Boswell will hold down the guard positions. LJ Murray, who moved to the Birmingham area last year from South Carolina, is a senior who will hold down the right tackle spot and has
GOOD LUCK Jaguars! 92
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
JAGUAR FOOTBALL come to understand his role and what is expected of him. The left tackle spot is one of two positions that has not been filled heading into the fall, and the coaching staff is still waiting for someone to claim that role.
Defensive Line
ball at the University of Cincinnati and leaves an athletic gap to be filled in the middle of the field. Helping ease that transition is the return of Houston Hollis. Hollis, who has started since he was a sophomore, will lead the defense this year from the middle linebacker spot. Raney has said Hollis is “everything you want in a high school player” and the athletic and powerful senior knows this defense better than anyone. Josiah Johnson, who saw time last season as a junior has been tasked with the unenviable role of replacing Young at the weakside linebacker spot in his senior year, and Rayfe Ritchey, another senior, will hold down the nickel slot after splitting time there last season.
Last season Raney’s defense held teams to just 10 points per game, and in general was one of the stingiest units in the state. The Jags will have to replace a few key pieces from that defense, but return enough guys and have the athletes to step into the vacated roles to be just as effective. On the defensive front both Douglas Henze and Damon Wright return and will be the two three-year starters in charge of leading that unit. Joining them will be classmate Kalik Mallard, who played spot minutes last Jack Connell, a senior, will start for year, and junior Jacob Pughsley. the Jags this year at free safety while classmate Cameron Toyer will start at free safety. Damarius Farmer, another The biggest and most obvious piece that senior, will be back at one of the must be replaced from this defense is cornerback spots, while the other corner Perry Young. Young, who finished last is still up for grabs heading into the fall. year with 74 tackles, four sacks and three The left tackle slot and the corner slot interceptions, is now playing his college opposite Farmer will most likely be
Secondary
Linebackers
filled by young faces, but heading into fall practice those young faces had not been completely identified.
Special Teams
Spain Park has to replace potentially the top kicking and punting duo in the state from last year in Crosby Gray and Tyler Sumpter. Both Gray and Sumpter played pivotal roles in Spain Park’s runner-up finish last year in the kicking game, and replacing their legs will be no easy task. The two kickers on Spain Park’s roster this season are Cole Starr, a junior, and Devin Dowdle, a sophomore, while the lone punter listed on the roster is senior Hayden Callegan. Those three will be responsible for helping the Jags keep their edge in the special teams game this season.
Player to Watch
Larry Wooden, RB. Houston Hollis, LB. Thomas Jordan, WR. Damarius Farmer, DB.
Key Losses
Joey Beatty, Wade Streeter, Perry Young, Jonah Tibbs, Grey Best. 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
93
Josh Huner
THOMPSON WARRIORS
I
n one year, Mark Freeman and the Thompson Warriors have changed the narrative of football in Alabaster completely. A year ago, Thompson was coming off one of the lowest points in program history, a 0-10 season. When Freeman arrived in December of 2014 from Spanish
94
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Eric Starling, Jon Goering and Marvin Gentry
Fort, he knew he was walking in to a tough situation, but in just one season coached the Warriors to a 5-5 record, which was the most successful football season for Thompson since 2006. 2006 was coincidentally the last time Thompson made the playoffs, and most of the players on this roster weren’t even 10 years old then.
Thompson is in the midst of the longest playoff drought of any team in the county, and this year just might be the season the Warriors break that streak. For that to happen, a number of things have to break correctly for the Warriors this year. Thompson plays in one of the toughest regions in the
AHSAA 7A, Region 3 2015: 5-5 (2-5) Head Coach: Mark Freeman (Second year, 5-5 record) Assistants: Shawn DeFoor, Mark Reaves, Nick Woodley, Mike O’Berry, Jake Helveston, Kevin Todd, Wes Murphy, Ham Barnett, Bradley Costanzo, Tim Castille, Durrell Fuqua, Thomas Rayam, William Watts, John McCaver, Vincent Pitts Last region title: 1997 Last playoff game: 2006
state, 7A Region 3, along with Hoover, Spain Park, Oak Mountain, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Tuscaloosa County and newcomer Huffman, and will have to win tight games against top competition, games that have eluded the Warriors in years past. Last year, for example, Thompson played one of its best games of the season against Spain Park in the third week of the season. The Warriors’ defense consistently held the Jags out of the end zone, but Spain Park’s Crosby Gray hit a state-record five field goals in the game, and Thompson came up just short 15-14. Spain Park went on to win the region and was the runner-up in the state in the 7A class.
The Warriors proved last year they are now capable of playing with some of the state’s best competition. In the year before Freeman’s arrival, Thompson lost to Hoover, Spain Park and Oak Mountain by an average of 33 points per game. This past season that average margin of defeat was trimmed down to seven points per game. While that improvement is noteworthy and obviously a step in the right direction, the Warriors still lost each of those games in 2015. Now 2016 is the chance for Thompson to take another positive step and see if the Warriors can’t slap a few more W’s on the schedule.
THOMPSON HIGH SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
Aug. 19
OPEN
Aug. 27
Godby (Fla.)
Sept. 2
@ Tuscaloosa County*
Sept. 9
@ Mountain Brook*
Sept. 16
Oak Mountain*
Sept. 23
@ Pelham
Sept. 30
Vestavia Hills*
Oct. 6
Spain Park*
Oct. 14
@ Huffman*
Oct. 21
Hoover*
Oct. 27
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa
* Region game
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
95
Quarterback
to be replaced. In most of Freeman’s Walker Lott has graduated and coaching past, his teams have ended moved on to play his college football up running the ball roughly 65 at Yale, and has left an interesting percent of the time by the end of the quarterback battle in his wake. season, although he is not shooting Heading into the fall the Warriors for that number on purpose in any have two potential quarterbacks vying given year, but the point remains for the starting job in junior Josh that the Warriors will need runners. Huner and sophomore Caleb Ragland. The two main running threats this Last season Huner ran the JV squad year will be junior Jo-Jo Ford, who behind Lott and played well at that saw spot carries as a 10th-grader, and level. As a result of that experience, sophomore Shadrick Byrd. Byrd had Huner has a deeper and more solid a huge spring game against defending 7A champ McGill-Toolen, foundation working as he ran for 127 yards within Thompson’s and scored a touchdown offensive scheme than as well. Both are quick, does Ragland in game capable runners, and with situations, but Huner was Corey Burroughs working also banged up in both the into the rotation as well, spring and summer, and The Warriors’ five wins the Warriors’ staff feels as a result Ragland got the last year were the most good about the future of majority of the first team in any single season their backfield talent reps in the offseason. If since 2006. one of the two separates themselves in the few Whoever is under center weeks of fall camp, Freeman will for Thompson will have options to name a starter heading into opening throw the ball to. With the loss of both night, otherwise both will see time in Jordon Haywood and Nolan Burke, games as the two take the battle into Thompson will look to Sam Holmes the regular season as the Thompson and Alondee Vasser, a pair of juniors, coaching staff continues to evaluate to take over the primary receiving who will give the Warriors a better roles. Alongside those two will be chance to win ball games. Moe Edwards and Trey Turnbow, both of whom had great summers, Carlos Stephens has graduated, taking and Chris Lewis as well. Lewis, also his 1,115 rushing yards with him, the baseball team’s first baseman, which is production that will need serves as a tight end and an H-back when needed. The Warriors have
5
Receivers
Running Back
96
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
97
THOMPSON HIGH SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
1
Austin Davis
DB
Senior
34 Joseph Ford
H/RB
Junior
65 Hunter Self
OL
Sophomore
2
Corey Burroughs
WR
Senior
35 Kevshon Hobson
DB
Junior
66 Aubrey Glidewell
OL
Sophomore
3
Chris Lewis
DB
Senior
36 Gage Motes
DB
Sophomore
67 Tanner Mosely
OL
Sophomore
4
Ar’Shon Willis
DB
Senior
37 Derek Hussey
DB
Sophomore
68 Chris Ervin
OL
Junior
5
Jalen Rayam
OLB
Junior
38 Mason Crain
OLB
Sophomore
70 Jake Burnett
OL
Junior
6
Trey Turnbow
ATH
Senior
40 Seth Whitlock
DE
Junior
71 Jackson Tanner
OL
Junior
7
KJ Robertson
OLB
Junior
41 Paul Kellogg
DB
Senior
72 Tate Pickle
OL
Senior
8
Moe Edwards
WR
Junior
42 Hunter Green
OLB
Sophomore
73 Seth MacMillan
OL
Sophomore
9
Chris Lewis
H/OLB
Senior
43 Isaac McAdams
DE
Sophomore
77 Landon Hicks
OL
Sophomore
11 Sam Holmes
WR
Junior
44 Kai Bonds
DE
Senior
78 Amari Kight
OL
Sophomore
12 Josh Huner
QB
Junior
45 Kodie Robertson
OLB
Sophomore
79 Tyler Couch
OL
Senior
13 Alondee Vasser
WR
Junior
46 Rondell Smith
OLB
Sophomore
80 Kyle Smoak
WR
Sophomore
14 Caleb Ragland
QB
Sophomore
48 Viktor Turek
DE
Junior
81 Devandis Smitherman WR
Sophomore
15 Kyle Claiborne
OLB
Sophomore
49 Brendon McCray
DL
Sophomore
82 Shaft Reese
WR
Sophomore
19 Jalen Bustamante
DB
Sophomore
50 Noah Machan
NG
Senior
83 Jeremy Lewis
TE
Sophomore
20 Shadrick Byrd
RB
Sophomore
51 Alex Pearman
OL
Junior
84 Resse Rickman
WR
Sophomore
21 Myles Brown
DB
Junior
52 Ibronima Bah
OL
Senior
86 Samuel Serrato
K
Junior
22 Elijah Clayton
DB
Sophomore
53 Luke Nichols
OL
Senior
87 Taylor Poskey
WR
Junior
23 Grant Bivins
LB
Junior
54 Cody Brown
NG
Senior
89 Breydon Edmondson HB
Sophomore
24 Quincy Stafford
DB
Senior
55 Tryan Cooper
DE
Senior
90 Mackie McNeal
DE
Junior
25 Nick Adams
WR
Senior
56 Jamir Black
ILB
Sophomore
91 Eric Mizell
DE
26 Justin Carter
DB
Junior
57 Rodney Dilbeck
OL
Sophomore
92 Domonique Dollerson NG
Junior
27 Don Buckhannon
ILB
Senior
58 Garet Mason
OL
Senior
93 Logan Brown
K
Senior
28 Josh Clinkscale
RB
Junior
59 Patrick Kennedy
OL
Sophomore
94 Greg Inman
DL
Sophomore
29 Nick Mobley
ILB
Senior
60 Ethan Dunkin
OL
Sophomore
95 Nick Owens
NG
Senior
30 Nick Waldon
K
Sophomore
61 Nick Trease
OL
Senior
98 Cordell Stephens
NG
Sophomore
31 Evan Clark
ILB
Junior
62 Clayton Nichols
OL
Junior
99 Kamari Perry
NG
Senior
32 Jarius Grimsley
DB
Junior
63 Matthew Walker
OL
Junior
33 Darian Marcus
DB
Junior
64 Landon Howell
OL
Junior
Position Year
Sophomore
options out wide that can make plays with the ball. While this team will look to run the ball early and often, Freeman advocates that his team will react to whatever the defense gives them. If the defense is susceptible to the run on a given play, the Warriors will run. By contrast, if the defense is willing to give up the pass, the Warriors will pass. As a result, it will still be imperative that this group of receivers provides a steady stream of production if Thompson wants to be effective against its region opponents.
Offensive Line
GOOD LUCK Warriors! 98
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Nick Mobley
KJ Robertson
One of Thompson’s two players with a Division I offer heading into the fall is on the offensive line in sophomore Amari Kight. Kight is a massive 6-foot-5-inches and weighs in at 315 pounds, and currently holds an offer from Mississippi State. He will hold down one of the tackle spots opposite returning starter Evan Pearman, who is moving to that spot after playing guard a season ago. Tyler Couch is the other returning starter along with Pearman, and he will be back at guard. The other guard spot is still
being sorted out heading into the fall, nose guard position in Thompson’s 3-4 but youngster Matthew Walker will be defense. The third job in the trenches, the team’s new center. the other defensive end opposite McNeal, is still being fought for, but Ty Cooper is the frontrunner to win The Warriors’ second player with a that job heading into the fall. Division I offer heading into the fall is Mackie McNeal, who also has an offer from Mississippi State. McNeal The defense as a whole is fortunate to measures in at 6-feet-5-inches and have Nick Mobley returning to lead weighs north of 300 pounds and is only the linebacking corps. Mobley led a junior. McNeal, for all his size, is Thompson in tackles and sacks last one of Thompson’s defensive ends as season, and will be the premier leader senior Kamari Perry will return to the and traffic director from his middle
Defensive Line
Linebackers
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
99
WARRIOR FOOTBALL linebacker spot. Mobley, who stands just under six feet tall and weighs in at more than 200 pounds, will be joined by Jalen Rayam, the younger brother of now-graduated defensive lineman TJ, and KJ Robertson, along with a fourth linebacker yet to be named. Both Rayam and Robertson will be juniors, and will look to make their mark on the defense.
Secondary
Two of Thompson’s most talented athletes will be in the secondary in Austin Davis and Ar’Shon Willis. Willis transferred into Thompson a year ago from Vincent and is a safety, while Davis transferred in a season ago from Helena and will be back at cornerback. The two make quite the backfield tandem, and it doesn’t take much film to tell that both are top-tier athletes. Watching highlight tapes of both Davis and Willis is enough to get anyone excited for the potential lurking in the Warriors’ defensive backfield. The other secondary positions are still up for grabs as Thompson heads into the fall.
100
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
Special Teams
Davis will handle the majority of the punting and kick return duties, and the staff trusts the talented senior implicitly in that role. Thompson will most likely use whoever is playing quarterback as the primary punting option, and the Warriors are still trying to sort out who will handle the kicking duties, although senior Logan Brown has had a strong summer and
will likely see some, if not all, of the kicking responsibilities.
Players to Watch
Austin Davis, DB/Ret. Nick Mobley, LB. Ar’Shon Willis, DB. Josh Huner/ Caleb Ragland, QB.
Key Losses
Walker Lott, Carlos Stephens, TJ Rayam, Jordon Haywood.
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
101
JT Youngblood
VINCENT YELLOW JACKETS
T
he bottom fell out for Vincent a season ago, simple as that. After getting beat by West Blocton 41-20 in the opening game of the 2015 season, Vincent scored just 19 points over the next nine games combined, and was shut out six times in total on the year. It was, to put it simply, the worst-case
102
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
By Baker Ellis | Photographs by Dawn Harrison and Baker Ellis
scenario for the Yellow Jackets. Now, a year later, what has changed? For starters, the coaching staff. Wiley McKeller stepped down from his head coaching position at 5A Calera to take over the rebuilding efforts at Vincent, and has brought with him new life and a new energy to the program. McKeller is a proven offensive mind who helped Calera become the
highest-scoring offense in the state in both 2013 and 2014, and took the job because he wants the chance to truly build a program from the ground up. However, even with McKeller heading up the reboot, it will still take some time for this Vincent team to reach the competitive plateau that it operated on for much of the last decade. While Vincent’s numbers
AHSAA 2A, Region 5 2015: 0-10 (0-6) Head Coach: Wiley McKeller (First year) Assistants: Jamie Scruggs, Alan Box, Maurice Whiting, Shawn Martin, Ted Gipson, Brent Lightsey, Ryan Halla
39
and Robbie Albright will handle the running back duties this year. Davis is the best athlete on the team according to McKeller, and is a small, The Yellow Jackets quick, shifty back who There is a two-way scored 39 total points in can make people miss competition for the 2015, and were shut out in tight spaces. Albright six times. is just going to be a Vincent quarterback job sophomore, but already taking place between has varsity experience junior receiver-turnedquarterback Cole Fincher and and is as solid as they come, especially freshman Dusty Davis. The leader for a player his age. While McKeller for the starting job in late summer is bringing his high-octane spread was Fincher, as he has been in the offense over from Calera, the Yellow program for years and is the more Jackets will make it a priority to get mature football player. McKeller will these two the ball. play the guy who gives the Yellow Jackets the best chance to win, and while this year that looks like it will Zavien Kelley, the point guard on be Fincher, Davis projects to be quite the Vincent basketball team, Josef the player down the line. Already Greene and Christian Henderson will standing over 6-feet tall, Davis has be the three main receiving targets more natural gifts and with time has this year. Kelley’s primary job for this the chance to develop into a quality Vincent team will be at cornerback, quarterback. but he will rotate heavily in with the receivers. Greene, the younger brother of former Vincent stud Jace The running back position will be Greene, will also play on both sides where Vincent is the most athletic of the ball. Physically Greene will be this season. Deandre Davis, one of fine, as he stands over 6-feet tall and Vincent’s three seniors on the roster, has good speed, but has to improve are already up from a year ago, there will be a number of new faces on the field for the Yellow Jackets in 2016.
Quarterback
Receivers
Running Back
Last region title: 2006 Last playoff game: 2014 VINCENT HIGH SCHOOL 2016 SCHEDULE Aug. 19
@ Pleasant Valley
Aug. 26
OPEN
Sept. 2
LaFayette*
Sept. 9
Lanett*
Sept. 16
@ Fayetteville*
Sept. 23
@ Sumiton Christian
Sept. 30
Woodland*
Oct. 8
Horseshoe Bend*
Oct. 14
@ Reeltown*
Oct. 21
@ Ranburne*
Oct. 28
Victory Christian
* Region game
on his understanding of the game this year to develop into one of the Yellow Jackets’ leaders. Henderson is another new face to not just the team but the game of football, but at 6-feet-one-inch tall with quality hands, the junior will be relied on immediately to make an impact.
Offensive Line
Big man Zeb McCord will once again anchor the offensive line. Weighing in 2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
103
VINCENT HIGH SCHOOL 2016 ROSTER No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
Position Year
No. Name
1
Zavien Kelley
WR/DB Junior
15 Dusty Davis
QB/DB
51 Austin Kirk
OL/LB
Junior
2
Josef Greene
WR/DB Senior
16 Tristan Isbell
WR/DB Junior
52 Walter Rowser
OL/DL
Junior
3
Stanley Cooper
WR/DB Junior
17 Christian Henderson WR/DB
Junior
55 Zeb McCord
OL/DL
Senior
4
Kaleb Wilson
WR/DB Freshman
20 Ryan Culliver
RB/DL
Freshman
56 Chris Hardie
OL/LB
Sophomore
6
Deandre Davis
RB/DB
Senior
21 J.T. Youngblood
WR/DL
Freshman
58 Torian Datcher
OL/DL
Freshman
8
Cole Fincher
QB/DB
Junior
25 Keith Martin
WR/DL
Junior
60 Drake Jobson
OL/DL
8
9
Robbie Albright
WR/LB
Sophomore
33 Jackson McGinnis
WR/DL
Freshman
65 Ty Hall
OL/DL
Junior
Junior
34 Matthew Edwards
RB/DB
Junior
75 Blake Roberson
OL/DL
Freshman
78 Paul Albright
OL/DL
8
11 Brandon Abernathy RB/LB
Freshman
12 Zack Martin
RB/DB/K Sophomore
42 Brandon Hayes
WR/DB Freshman
13 Lawrence Rivers
WR/DB Junior
50 Dakota Boyd
OL/DL
Position Year
Junior
Josef Greene
at roughly 275 pounds and standing at a shade over 6-feet-4-inches, the senior is far and away Vincent’s most imposing presence up front. The rest of the line, however, will be full of fresh faces. Torian Datcher, a freshman, will start at center while McCord and sophomore Chris Hardie will handle the guard positions, and Hardie saw time last year as a freshman as well. Junior Ty Hall will handle the right
tackle duties, while the left tackle position is a three-way battle, with Dakota Boyd in good position to claim that job.
Vincent’s front four will be freshman. JT Youngblood, Ryan Culliver and Jamichal King will all get their first consistent taste of varsity minutes this year. In two years, McKeller feels this group will be a force to be reckoned McKeller is excited about where his with, but they may take some lumps in defensive line projects to be in a few the process before getting there. years time. Hardie will pull double duty, playing on both sides of the line, while the other three members of McKeller is going to roll out just two
Defensive Line
Linebackers
GOOD LUCK yellow jackets! 104
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
YELLOW JACKET FOOTBALL linebackers this year, and they will be Robbie Albright and Brandon Abernathy. Albright has the potential to be the best linebacker McKeller has ever coached, he said, and is thankful he will get three full years with him. Abernathy is a junior, and will flank Albright in the middle of the field.
Secondary
football IQ’s on the team, and has had a good summer of work. Zavien Kelley, when he is not playing receiver, will be Vincent’s primary cornerback along with running back Deandre Davis. Vincent’s secondary is full of athletes, some of the best athletes on the team, but is short on experience and knowledge, which McKeller is working to remedy.
state, and is only entering his second year of high school. Martin has been kicking for the varsity team since he was in the seventh grade, and is now moving into his fourth year as the Yellow Jackets placekicker.
Players to Watch
Robbie Albright, RB/LB. Zeb McCord, OL. Deandre Davis, RB/DB. Josef Greene, WR/DB.
Josef Greene will be the starting strong safety this year while Kaleb Allen will slide into the free safety Zack Martin is the most tenured role. Wilson has one of the higher kicker in the county, possibly in the Jordan Smith.
Special Teams
Key Losses
Want to know who scored during the big game? Visit ShelbyCountyReporter.com for a complete recap from Friday night’s game.
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
105
STATE RECORDS SHELBY COUNTY
AHSAA Football Individual Records OFFENSE - MOST POINTS SCORED, Season 204, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 2001 - T-32nd OFFENSE - MOST POINTS SCORED, Career 620, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 - 6th OFFENSE - MOST TOUCHDOWNS SCORED, Season 34, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 2001 - T-39th OFFENSE - MOST TOUCHDOWNS SCORED, Career 102, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 - 8th OFFENSE - MOST FIELD GOALS MADE, Game 5, Crosby Gray, Spain Park (15) vs. Thompson (14), 2015 - T-1st OFFENSE - LONGEST FIELD GOAL 60 yards, Michael Proctor, Pelham (39) vs. Mountain Brook (16), 1991 - 2nd 51 yards, Jason Lang, Pelham vs. Shades Valley, 1994 - T-38th
OFFENSE - MOST PASSES ATTEMPTED, Game 55, Mason Duke, Spain Park vs. Oxford, 2013 - 8th 53, Nick Mullens, Spain Park vs. Austin, 2012 - 11th
OFFENSE - ALL-PURPOSE YARDS, Season 4,079, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 6th 2,430, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1999 - 41st
OFFENSE - MOST PASSES ATTEMPTED, Season 361, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 17th 342, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1997 - 26th 335, Bart Yancey, Briarwood, 1990 - T-27th 303, Parker Anderson, Pelham, 1999 - 52nd
OFFENSE - ALL-PURPOSE YARDS, Career 9,544, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2003 - 9th 9,164, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 14th
OFFENSE - MOST PASSES ATTEMPTED, Career 1,008, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1994-97 - 6th 966, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 11th
DEFENSE - MOST TACKLES, Game 26, Ethan Simmons, Briarwood (14) vs. Vigor (13), 2012 – T-11th
OFFENSE - MOST PASSES COMPLETED, Game 32, Mason Duke, Spain Park vs. Oxford, 2013 - T-10th 31, Nick Mullens, Spain Park vs. Austin, 2012 - T-12th OFFENSE - MOST PASSES COMPLETED, Season 228, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 15th 204, Parker Anderson, Pelham, 1999 - T-26th 200, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1997 - T-29th
OFFENSE - MOST POINTS KICKING, Game 15, Crosby Gray, Spain Park (15) vs. Thompson (14), 2015 - T-5th
OFFENSE - MOST PASSES COMPLETED, Career 594, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 7th 519, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1994-97 - 13th
OFFENSE - MOST EXTRA POINTS KICKED, Season 68, Graham Wilson, Briarwood (of 73 attempts), 1998 - 25th
OFFENSE - MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES, Season 47, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 3rd
OFFENSE - MOST EXTRA POINTS KICKED, Career 180, Graham Wilson, Briarwood, 1997-99 - 11th OFFENSE - MOST EXTRA POINTS KICKED, Consecutive 53, Michael Proctor, Pelham, 1989-91 - 18th OFFENSE- MOST KICKOFF RETURNS FOR TOUCHDOWNS, Season 5, Jason Wilkins, Shelby County, 1997 – T-1st OFFENSE - MOST YARDS RUSHING, Season 2,281, Shontua Ray, Montevallo, 1997 (11 games) T-45th
OFFENSE - MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES, Career 88, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-2007 - 8th 55, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1995-97 - 33rd OFFENSE - LONGEST TOUCHDOWN PASS 99 yards, Jeff Flannerty to Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1999 – T-1st 99 yards, Joe Craddock to Tim Castille, Briarwood, 2002 – T-1st OFFENSE - PASS COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, Game 86.2, Mason Duke, Spain Park (52) vs. Thompson (28), 2014 - 5th
OFFENSE - MOST YARDS RUSHING, Career 5,144, Arthur Johnson, Thompson, 1980-82 - 29th
OFFENSE - MOST PASS RECEPTIONS, Season 70, Montez Billings, Pelham, 2002 - T-33rd 70, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998 - T-33rd
OFFENSE- Most rushing attempts, Game 46, Wade Streeter, Spain Park (63) vs. Hewitt-Trussville (64), 2014 - T-12th
OFFENSE - MOST PASS RECEPTIONS, Career 243, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 - 3rd
OFFENSE - MOST YARDS PASSING, Game 408, Tyler Watts, Pelham vs. Vestavia Hills, 1995 - 37th 401, Mason Duke, Spain Park (52) vs. Thompson (28), 2014 – 41st OFFENSE - MOST YARDS PASSING, Season 3,469, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - 8th 2,834, Parker Anderson, Pelham, 1999 - 37th 2,501, Bart Yancey, Briarwood, 1990 - 64th 2,484, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1997 - 67th 2,388, Zac Oden, Montevallo, 2015 – 77th 2,056, Jeff Flannery, Briarwood, 1998 - 116th OFFENSE - MOST YARDS PASSING, Career 7,968, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 12th 6,838, Tyler Watts, Pelham, 1994-97 - 22nd
Thompson ’82
106
Coosa Valley ’84
Briarwood ’98
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
DEFENSE - MOST TACKLES, Season 285, Matthew Forester, Briarwood, 1998 - 1st DEFENSE - MOST TACKLES, Career 612, Matthew Forester, Briarwood, 1996-98 - 2nd DEFENSE - MOST FUMBLE RECOVERIES, Game 3, Jordan Carroll, Briarwood (32) vs. John Carroll (13), 2012 – 1st AHSAA Football Team Records COACHES WITH MOST STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 3, Fred Yancey, Briarwood – T-12th MOST CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITHOUT A LOSS (Including Ties) 45, Shelby County (43-0-2), 1961-66 - 6th OFFENSE - MOST POINTS SCORED, Game (Both teams) 127, Spain Park (63) vs. Hewitt-Trussville (64), 2014 – 6th 117, Pelham (77) vs. Jackson-Olin (40), 2006 - 13th 114, Vincent (72) vs. Isabella (42), 2011 - 17th 109, Shelby County (69) vs. Marbury (40), 2015 – T-24th 103, Oak Mountain (60) vs. James Clemens (43), 2012 – 34th OFFENSE - MOST POINTS SCORED, Season 582, Briarwood Christian (15-0), 1998 - 51st 512, Calera (10-2), 2014 – T-111th MOST POINTS SCORED, Game (By losing team) 63, Spain Park vs. Hewiit-Trussville (64), 2014 – T-1st
OFFENSE - CAREER TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS 41, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 - T-12th OFFENSE - MOST YARDS RECEIVING, Season 1,305, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998 - 14th 1,170, Shannon Hartsfield, Briarwood, 1990 - 37th 1,060, Bill Flowers, Pelham, 1999 - 62nd
OFFENSE - MOST PASS ATTEMPTS, Season 342, Pelham, 1997 - 10th OFFENSE - MOST COMPLETIONS, Season 200, Pelham (342 attempts), 1997 - 12th MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES, Season 47, Briarwood, 2007 – 4th
OFFENSE - MOST YARDS RECEIVING, Career 4,122, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2002 (243 catches) - 3rd OFFENSE - TOTAL OFFENSE, Career 9,544, Tim Castille, Briarwood, 1998-2003 - 7th 9,164, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2004-07 - 9th
DEFENSE - MOST INTERCEPTIONS, Game 4, Brandon Salser, Chelsea vs. Isabella, 1989 - T-5th
MOST FIELD GOALS MADE, Game 5, Spain Park (15) vs. Thompson (14), 2015 – T-1st MOST KICKOFF RETURNS FOR TOUCHDOWNS (Both teams) 3, Elba (59) vs. Vincent (20), 2012 – 1st
OFFENSE - TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS, Season 53, Barrett Trotter, Briarwood, 2007 - T-6th
Shelby Academy ’98
Briarwood ’99
Briarwood ’03
Shelby Academy ’06
Coosa Valley ’10
KNOW what t o d o in c ase of
SUSPECTED CONCUSSION A concussion is an injury caused by a blow to the head in which the brain moves rapidly and may collide with the inside of the skull. Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior. Any athlete with a suspected concussion:
n Should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY/ACTIVITY n Should be urgently assessed medically n Should not be left alone n Should not drive a motor vehicle
www.ChildrensAL.org/concussion In case of medical emergency, call 911 or go directly to your local ER
2016 SHELBY COUNTY FOOTBALL
107