The Pittstop 08/19/2023

Join Namath as he welcomes Handley Head Coach Larry Strain to the show. Football season is officially underway this week with week 0. Namath previews teams all across north/central Alabama.

Episode Transcript

(00:06):
You're listening to news radio one ohone nine Big Wax. This is the
Pitts Stop and I'm your host,Nameth Pitts. I gotta tell you we've
got a great show in store foryou guys. High school football season is
officially underway. It kicks off thisweek and we have got a great interview
to start the show with you guys. And so let's go ahead and go

(00:27):
to the phone line where we arejoined by, in my opinion, one
of the greatest coaches in the stateof Alabama. He will go down in
the Hall of Fame one day.We are joined by the head coach of
the Hanley Tigers, Larry Strain.Coach, thank you so much for taking
time to be here with me thismorning on the pitt Stop. Yeah.
Sure, happy to be here.Appreciate you all. Give me an opportunity

(00:47):
to talk about our kids. Absolutely, coach, let's talk about let's quickly
just kind of recap last year thening. You know, nobody wants to
talk about things when they end ona sour note. Your team played a
great game against Montgomery Catholic, cameup just short. Just talk about turning
the page on last season. Who'dyou lose to graduation, and who do
you have returning this year? Okay, last year we was LEVNT with Aston
Anderson and with Aston Montgomery Katholic inthe third round, you know, and

(01:11):
Lusia goes on to win. Thenext week, I had Delusia beats Montgomery
Catholic, and I really believe wehad a lot to do with it,
because there's a very physical ball gamebe coined US and Montgomery Catholic, and
really the difference in that game wasthey had all American kicker who kept kicking
the ball out of the end zone. We had to go with at least
eighty every single time. But youknow, far the person of the matter

(01:33):
is is us far as the folksthat I have returning from last year's team.
Of course, our goals are alwaysthe same, you know. You
know, we want to win ourregion and we want to have a chance
to go deep in the playoffs andBoston win a fake championship. Every years,
I think that's everybody's goal. Butyou know, we feel like we're
on one of the programs that wefeel out we have a chance. You
know, some years, everybody didn'thave a chance every year, and this

(01:55):
year it really compares the poem andwhat my skill folks, what they end
up doing. You know, onthe offense. On offense, I've got
my entire offensive line back, Igot my quarterback back, but I lost
running back the signs with Clemson,and I lost all four of my wide
receivers. It's almost skill foaks onthe offense that I got to replace.

(02:19):
On the defensive side, I gotall my defensive fronts back, got three
of my four linebackers back, butI've lost my entire secondary. So this
season is totally going to depend uponmy skill folks. I'm gonna play a
lot of young skill boats because allthose were seniors last year. But I
think that if I had to choosebetween skill boats and my offensive front and

(02:42):
defensive fronts, I'd rather choose havethem back, and it takes longer to
teach them how to kind of playthat spot. Absolutely, could you get
some important games at home this year. You've got a great facility, a
great community support. Just talk aboutthe community support. Talk about the facilities
you guys have, and then whereis the where have you seen the biggest
growth this summer? But also wheredo you feel like you guys need to
improve the most well, you know, obviously from the pre previous question,

(03:06):
you know the place that we gotto improve this in the secondary. It's
a wide receiver spot, and ofcourse we're still searching for that running back.
We do have a unique stadium,uh and we're proud of our stadium.
But you know that's really the trendin high school right now. You
know, you better have good facilities. Twenty seventeen, you know, we
built a huge weight room, andwe churved our field and redid our stadium,

(03:30):
new lighting and you scoreboards the wholenine yards. But if you don't
do that now, because of theway they're recruiting, trail kids are gonna
go play at a place that youknow they have good facilities now. So
so this arms race is what allit is about facilities. But you know,
back to the question that you mentionedthere, I really think that,
you know, we've got to getbetter in the secondary. We're gonna face

(03:53):
three very talented quarterbacks in our firstthree games. We're gonna play Valley in
our first game. That's got thekid that's such a great basketball player and
then winning Fridy State championship last year. He's gonna beat your leg. But
then you're gonna turn around play SaintJames, he won at three eight state
championship last year, who's got avery talented quarterback and throw. Then we're

(04:14):
gonna play Jacksonville and the Ogles kids, and who's already committed. I believe
De Troy that crows the ball overof the bill. So I think it's
very imperative that our secondary really takeshim stride forward for us to have a
chance. Coach, just talk aboutKennon Coles. You talked a little bit
about him, buddy, about himcoming back. What does he mean to
your program? What are your expectationsfor him this season? Well, well,

(04:34):
Cannon is a phenomenal athlete to startwith, and he's really a joy
to be around. A Cannon.There's a really maturity senior year, and
he is taking the leadership role.He's totally focused this time, and I
think that my team will rally aroundhim. He's got a very talented arm

(04:57):
and he's got great decision making.I says he's got great sea. He
can run the ball as well.You know, we just got to keep
him healthy all years. What itboils down to, but I think he's
the catalyst our team or really dayabsolutely coach, you're playing a stack four
are Region four. It might beone of the toughest regions in the state
of Alabama. It certainly is maybethe toughest. And four A and you've

(05:19):
got You've you know, Jacksonville andAniston, who you've went out with the
past couple of years. You've gotMounford, Cleveland County, White Plains,
Talladega. Just talk a little bitabout this region and trying to navigate it
week by week, Well, youknow, it's always been a you know,
three or four headed monster, tobe honest with you when you talk
about our region. And really theonly reason that really in my opinion,

(05:40):
compared to it is typically the Mobileregion, which it has changed somewhat now.
So you know, used to youhad bigger, you had Mobile,
Christian, you had the Jackson allthose folks out in Our region is very
similar to that in a matter offact for the most part. Now you
know, Andalujo used to be inthat region. They moved up the Montgomery

(06:00):
region now. But that's why you'regonna have to square off with in the
playoffs. But I believe that,you know, because of our region play
when you have a Jackson where wehave a Momford, we have Addison.
You know, each and every weekit prepares you for those playoffs. You
know, my schedule is you knowis I'm not saying that it's easy any

(06:21):
but it's really front heavy in thefront part of my schedule, and you
know, some very key important gamesin that region is going to be played.
First game, we open up withJackson you know that's probably gonna set
the tone. Of course, Andersoncomes a little bit later, but that's
a very kid key game to getstarted. Well, you're region there isn't

(06:43):
gonna end up in the cellar ofthe region on the first game. You're
gonna bee at the top of thelist. Well, coach, I'm looking
at the schedule and you've got nonregion wise Saint James. But then you
get into region, play Jacksonville,then you get Anniston, you get Cleveland
County, you got a non regiongame against Lynette. I mean, some
of your biggest games on the calendarare going they played at your home field.
So just talk about that home fieldadvantage, getting some of those big

(07:03):
games at home instead of having tomake them road trips. Well, you
know, we always feel like that. You know, everybody felt like that.
You've got a better chance at home, and I think you play better
in front of you car Ouds AndI will argue that in some cases,
I can't blame me. I don'twant to reverse it. And you have
to go to those people because that'swhere we went last year. It thrunning

(07:23):
back half of our uh. Youknow, a two year contract, but
I think that gives us an advantage. But I'd be honest with you.
In sixteen and a twenty one statechampionship, we got to have one playoff
game at home each year, andsometimes getting on a bus and riding somewhere
gets you more focused than playing athome. And you know it's a two

(07:45):
headed sword there. But but Ithink that it wanted. It will help
you because of the gay because thebig games that are that are here.
Uh. And you know, obviouslyI wouldn't want to reverse my schedule by
by no means after going to thoseUh. I really don't know how much
of a factor that really is.But we're glad to have them out home,
all right, coach. Last question. You kicked the season off on

(08:07):
the twenty fifth against Valley on theRoads. You beat them, twenty two
to twenty last year. Talk aboutthis game. It's always a competitive game
between you two. Well, youknow that has got most of their players
back from from last year. Youknow there are really there's not many schools.
It's close to Handling, and they'reone of the closer schools that we
played far as tribal wise, Goad. It's become a rivalry because we play

(08:31):
them in basketball and we know theircoaches, staff and a lot of the
kids are actually have cousins on theother team. And to be honest with
you, they were about as talentedteam as we played last year, and
probably because of our games, itprobably affected their season a good day because
I uh, which anytime you playedplayed Central which is in that region too,

(08:54):
and we have to play them aswell, and you know that region
is so tough down there. ButI think this is a you know,
it's a litmus test right off thebat and game one and tell you how
good your football team is coming overthe rest of the season. All right,
Coach Larry Strain, I tell youhe doesn't like rat poison, but
I'm gonna go ahead and give himsome real quick. My pick to win
four A Region four this year isthe Hanley Tigers and coach Larry Strain.

(09:16):
We'll go in the Hall of Fame. Coach, that is a fact.
But I want to thank you fortaking time to join me this morning.
Yes, Hers, I always pleasureTop two coach Larry Strain, the Hanley
Tigers. I gotta tell you,coach, he said it there. Obviously
got Kennon Cole's back at quarterback.He's gonna be a big playmaker for the
Hanley Tigers. And they opened theseason up this week against Valley, which
is not going to be an easygame. They always plays a tough play,

(09:37):
a tough game, even in themidst of Valley not having the most
successful seasons. It seems almost asif it's an Iron Bowl type rivalry between
these two teams. Very quickly,we're gonna talk high school football all morning
long. We're gonna preview teams fromas far up as Gunnersville and five and
because those are really good teams,all the way down south to the Hanley
Tigers, and we're just gonna keeptalking high school fotball all morning long with
full breakdowns and previews of teams allacross the area in the state of Alabama.

(10:01):
But first congratulations to the Commanders quarterbackSam Howe on officially being announced the
starting quarterback. Sam Howe had agreat career at the University of North Carolina,
was drafted by the Commanders and itkind of played a little bit,
but he has now officially the startingquarterback for the Washington Commanders his football season.
So this week's congratulations goes out toSam Howe, the quarterback from the
University of North Carolina who is nowat Washington playing for the Commanders. Keeping

(10:26):
on Drake May, It's going tobe the next bit quarterback from the University
of North Carolina to have a greatNFL career in my opinion, so we
will wait to see how he hasthis next season in college football. Condolence
goes to the Penson Valley community.Sad story this week that developed. A
Penson Valley student lost his life unexpectingly, and it just seems like we've seen
a lot more of this recently withthese sudden cardiac arrest and heart attacks and

(10:48):
different things that are causing people tohave instant hospital visits, and so unfortunately
in Penson Valley students lost his life. He was an athlete, he was
a star basketball player and this sadstory to developed this past week out of
Penson Valley, Alabama. And againwe remember them and we will certainly keep
them in our prayers. But highschool football, we just talked to Larry

(11:09):
Strain of the Hanley Tigers. Ifyou missed it, they played in a
jamboree this past week, just twodays ago out at Custer Christian up here
in Gadsden. Then they played CusterChristian and defeated them twenty six to fourteen.
Played Pell City was also victorious everPell City, so they went two
and oh in their two games atCuster Christian. Cannon Coles is gonna be
a big playmaker for the Hanley Tigersthis season if they're gonna have a successful
season and compete for A four Astate championship. I told you guys,

(11:33):
I think they're gonna end up winningfor A Region four. There's a lot
of talent at Anniston, as therealways is. There's a lot of talent
in Jacksonville, and these three teamsare going to make some buzz and noise
in the playoffs because four A Regionfour is a gallant. It's the sec
West of high school football. Inmy opinion. And so, but let's
keep talking high school football. AndI want to start and move north to

(11:54):
south, and we're gonna start atkind of alphabetically order and then kind of
get a little mix. We're gonnatalk a little bit of Ky County,
Tawdigga County, Etawah County to CalveCounty all the way, like I said,
up into Gunnersville. And I'm actuallygonna start in Albertville. Who was
a team that was supposed to beat Cusa Christian this past week for the
jamboree. They were no show.They end up backing out, didn't make
it to Custer Christian. I don'tknow the reasons, but the Albertville Aggies

(12:18):
have fallen on pretty tough times asof late, with back to back one
win seasons. They bring in BurtBrown who will come over for his first
season at Albertville, and his expertiseof turning around programs is there, and
so he's gonna try to turn andright to ship at Albertville. And it's
probably too early for Burt Brown tomake a huge turnaround, but I would
expect the Aggies to improve off oftheir one and nine record from last season

(12:41):
and so they play in Class seveneight, Region four. Anytime he played
in seven eight, it's tough.They went one in nine. Last year,
they missed the playoffs and they openedthe season up this week. They
are gonna open the season up thisweek on Thursday at a RAP. So
last year they lost fourteen to fortyseven to a RAP and so obviously they're
gonna have to go to a RAB, and they've had tough times. I

(13:03):
look at their schedule. They startwith a RAB, then they get Boas,
then they get Florence, Sparkman,Austin get an open week, they
go to Huntsville, they face Grissom, James Clemens, Bob Jones, and
then Gunnersville. When I look atthis schedule, I think the most winnable
game could potentially be September first againstBoaz and that would be maybe I'm gonna
say that would be the one gamethat sticks out to me if they're gonna

(13:24):
match last season's win, and soI think that there's a chance, like
I said, they can improve andwin more than one game, even though
in twenty twenty one and twenty twentytwo they went one and nine. Last
year that win was against Boas,So again, That's why I said Boas
looks like the game that sticks outto me if they're gonna win a game.
And then you go back to twentytwenty one, of course, where

(13:45):
they only won one game. Itwas against Grissom, so that would be
another game that I keep an eyeon as Grisom as well. Last year
when they played Grissom, it wasa seventeen to three game. They didn't
really have any close games. Alltheir losses were lopsided losses. And so
Burt Brown's is certainly out his handsfull in Albertville, so we will see
what happens there. Another team anda coach that has his hands full is

(14:07):
the Asheville Bulldogs. Coach Shay Munroeis out now and coming in is gonna
be Kira Kais Shepherd, who thisis gonna be his first season overall.
He was an assistant before at anotherschool. It's coming to Asheville looking to
right the ship. Last year theywent two and eight and missed the playoffs.
They play in Class four eight,Region six, which by the way,
is a not the strongest region,but you do have Aniana and Cherokee

(14:28):
County. Well it's strong top Imean like overall, once you kind of
get to three, I think whenyou get to Good Hope and you look
at Fultondale Hantsville, I don't thinkit's the strongest bottom. The top's definitely
strongest. Cherokee County in Oniana,or the top two teams in four A
North, there's not a question aboutthat. One of them too is going
to make the state championship game,just like I expect a rematch in the
semifinals once again, I expect themtoo to finish on the top. But

(14:50):
you know, Ashville has found themselvesin a tough region in terms of the
top two teams because you have thelast two state runners up and then you
always have a really good Edawah team. So I even know why I said
this wasn't a tough region. I'mkind of wrong on this. I just
always look at for a North andI go a week for a South strong,
But when it comes to Asheville,this is a tough region because you
do have a good Edwall team.But the hope is that Shephard can help

(15:11):
this team compete in a tough regionand maybe try to get that number four
spot. This is a team againthat has not been that successful of a
while. They went two and eightlast year. They were six and four
either year before. But there aretwo and eight last year and they're two
wins where against Saint Clair County andFultondale. They did lose to Good Hope
by thirteen. They lost to anyon I by thirteen, so they were

(15:33):
competitive in some games. They're justhoping to be more competitive, I guess
you could say to actually have achance at that four seed for the playoffs.
I look at this region and thisschedule overall, I see Saint Clair
County as a potential winnable game.I see Hantsville as a potential winnable game.
I see those are the in Hayden. Those are the three games that

(15:54):
stand out to me as winnable gamesfor Ashville. Other than that, I'm
really not expecting there to be abig drastic change from last seas. I'm
expecting another struggling season for the Bulldogs. But we will see so coach Sheppard
in his first season at Asheville tryingto ride the ship. They play in
Class four A, Region six,and we're just talking about teams that struggled,
and so we'll stay right here andtalk about Boas. We were just

(16:14):
talking about Albertville. The one winthey had last year was against Boas,
and this year Boas is looking totry to make it a little bit better.
They went four and seven last year. They did make the playoffs,
it was a first round loss inthe playoffs. They do play in Class
five A, Region seven. JeremySullivan's in his seventh season this year.
I can't believe it's been seven seasonsalready for Sulivan at Boaz and the Pirates

(16:36):
have made the playoffs the last fiveseasons, but they've lost in the first
round each time, and at somepoint you've got to figure out how you're
gonna get over the hump. Butthe hope with this year's Boas team is
that they returned fourteen starters and thisyear they really feel like they can take
the next step. And it allstarts at quarterback with Tyler Pierce, and
he's gonna have a host of targets. Even though he lost his top target

(16:56):
from a season a season ago,He's gonna have a ton of talent around
him and a lot of guys thatcan make plays. And so when I
look at Boas, I think theyare going to be improved again. I
said it was a winnable game forAlbertville, but I personally think that BOAZ
has a winnable game in them aswell. And so Boas is gonna kick
their season off this week on Fridayagainst Jacksonville at home. Maybe a tough

(17:19):
game right there to start the season. When I look at the schedule,
I see Albertville is a winnable game, Cleveland County is a winnable game.
Sartist is a winnable game, Douglasis a winnable game. Lee Huntsville could
be a winnable game. You know. We just have to see how Lee
Huntsvillion's up shaping out. Last yearthey were three and seven, So there's
winnable games for Boass for sure.They're looking to take the next step with

(17:41):
Tyler Pierce at quarterback and Jeremy Sullivanand the Boas Pirates are entering his seventh
season at the Helm. And speakingof Asheville head coach Britain Shay Monroe is
now an assistant at BOAZ, AndI want to give a shout out to
the principal of Boas, Chris Hayes, who was my principal back in high
school. So if you find yourway across the bill, stop on news
radio one oh one nine Big Wax. I want to say, what's up

(18:03):
Chris and mission man Hope all isWell, let's talk Cherokee County football.
I do think they're gonna make anotherappearance in the Super seven. Coach Jacob
Kelly Iner and his oh man,is this Cherokee County? I'm trying to
think what season this is for Kelly'sIt only his second season, there's this
his third season? Either way,Jacob Kelly's team went twelve and three last
year, they made the state finals. They were runner up. They compete

(18:26):
in four A Region six. Andthis is Jacob Kelly's actually fifth year.
Wow, I only wants thinking secondor third. I am off today on
my facts. Needless to say,Jacob Kelly's fifth year at Cherokee County.
Has it been that long since coachCurry retired? Wow? That is insane.
They return All State running back JacobCornello, who's a two thousand,

(18:47):
six hundred yard rusher. Last year, he's the icing on the keg for
the Warriors. He leads them.They return eighteen players, including three other
first team All State players and onewho made the second team. The only
major loss that they suffer was aquarterback. But again with Jacob at running
back and the others that the transitionI think should be an easier one than
most. On defense, they returntheir three best players inside the front seven.

(19:08):
They have Christian Brown at linebacker,Tay diaminant defensive end. So Cherokee
County is stacked and I expect himto make another appearance in the Super Seven.
I expect him to be in Tuscaloosaplaying a team out of the South.
Jacob kelly fifth season, not asecond or third, as fifth season.
It just feels like he hasn't beenthere that long, but he has.
It's crazy to think about that.So in year four he took him

(19:30):
to the state finals, and Iexpect him to do the same again in
year five. Cherokee County very stackedteam, one of the best running backs
top to bottom, especially in Classfour Ay and even in the state of
Alabama. They open the season upwith a really good, really good Alexandria
team at home this upcoming Friday,and man, how about that Alexandria and
Cherkee County. Then Cherokee County's gonnaplay Piedmont I mean two great non region

(19:53):
games. If you're a Cherokee Countyfan, man, you get to see
two great games to start the season. And I like Cherokee County too.
Honestly, I don't see them losinga game on the schedule this season.
I think they're gonna go undefeated inthe regular season and they're gonna be fourteen
oh and make it to the statechampionship game, where they will well,
we'll see make that prediction later onwhoever they comes out of the South.

(20:14):
But Jacob Kelly and the Cherkey CountyWarriors. Coach Ernie Willingham is entering his
third season at Collinsville. Is fifteenthat Collinsville, but his third season,
this time as the head coach.They went eight and three last year,
lost in the first round of theplayoffs. They would play in Class two
A, Region seven. Collinsville isalways a really stout, stinky team that's
gonna play really hard up on SandMountain. And you know, I gotta

(20:37):
tell you, Ernie Willingham has donesome good things coming off the last year.
He's looking to just continue to buildon that. After they did move
down from three A. The Panthersfinished third in their region last year while
breaking in Mason mcader, who isonly an eighth grader at quarterback, So
just think about that, he's gonnabe a freshman this year, with another
year in the system, he's gonnalook to build off what was a twelve

(20:59):
hundred yard passing season, eighteen touchdownseason, and so he's gonna look to
do even better in his freshman campaign. Defensively, the Panthers returned Eli Griggs
at outside linebacker, so they've gotsome talent there and they feel really good
about this season as they look tomake another run. They lost in the
first round of the playoffs last year. They're not gonna play this week.
They're gonna have the open week onWeek zero, but they're gonna open up
next season at or next week,excuse me, at Gillsville. So last

(21:22):
year they won forty three to twentyeight against Gaylesville and or excuse me.
Last time they played was in twentythirteen and they won forty three to twenty
eight, and so keeping on Collinsvilleagain. Quarterback Mason Micator is only gonna
be a freshman, had twelve hundredyards eighteen touchdowns last year, and defensively,
Eli Griggs at outside linebacker. FortPayne played a jimboree game this past

(21:44):
week against the Oxford Yellow Jackets.They lost to Oxford twenty one to zero
in the first half of varsity starters. But Chris Elmore is in a sixth
season and has made big strides forthe Wildcats up at Fort Payne. And
I gotta tell you they're eight andthree. They lost in the first round
of the playoffs last year and sothings didn't end the way they wanted.
But you know, they play ina Class six A Region eight, which

(22:06):
is you know, Gadsden City.They play gas In City, so and
coach Olie Smith and the Titans.Of course they're going to be much improved
this season as well. But youknow, I think that when I look
at Fort Payne, I look atthe Wildcats. I'm just looking at this
team who plays in a tough sixA region in which they finished as runner
ups last year. And so Ithink with gas In City being the reigning
champions and that's you know who you'replaying with, I expect there to be

(22:29):
a rematch. You know, FortPayne returns eight players on each side of
the ball, and they were significantcontributors they're not just returning guys that are
you know, guys that were contributingto the team. And they mentioned some
of the players have changed positions androles a little bit. But I think
Chris Elmore and the Wildcats are gonnabe fine. I think Oxford's gonna really
prove some people wrong this season.I think they're gonna make strides and so

(22:51):
I think getting to play them ina Jimberree this past week told them a
lot more about their selves and Ithink that the they're gonna make a make
some buzz in six A Region eightfor sure as they look to host another
home playoff game. A team thatyou can expect to make some buzz,
though, is coach Paul Benefield andthe five Red Devils. Coach Benefield entering
his twenty seventh season. Last year, they obviously went undefeated, were state

(23:11):
champions. They played in Class twoeight Regions seven, and the Red Devils
looked to be strong again. Theylook ready to win another programs seventh state
championship in ten years, along withthe twelfth region championship in thirteen years,
and the offense once again I'll beled by two A back of the year
nominee Logan Anderson in Lineman of theYear Tucker Wilkes Anderson last year. If

(23:32):
you want to know what he did, he only ran for eighteen hundred yards
and thirty two touchdowns and that wasbefore knee injury took him out in the
state semifinal game. So they wanta state championship without him even playing in
the state championship game. So obviouslyeverybody all eyes are on Logan Anderson.
I remember this guy was only ineighth grade playing on varsity. Coach Paul
Bennifield and the five Red Devils ora machine, and they never slow down.
They just keep going. And Iexpect the rematch between five and BB

(23:56):
Comber. That's my early prediction inClass two A. I think that when
you look at five and you lookat what they are about, they always
seem to find a way to getthere or be right there. They very
rarely don't make it to the statechampionship and they very rarely lose in the
state championship game. So I expectnothing different for Five for coach Michael Davis
though at Geraldine they play in areally tough Class three Region six and they

(24:18):
had a strong season last year thatsaw a deep playoff run. They did
have some upsets. They beat MarshallBible, and the expectations are high for
the Bulldogs. They returned fifteen starters, seven on offense, eight on defense.
The highlight is are obviously Carlos Mannettrunning back in defensive back. He
accounted for more than two thousand yards, twenty two touchdowns, and he had
five interceptions. They bring back KobeHill, an inside linebacker and quarterback slash

(24:38):
defensive end Jackson Colvin. So alot of talent coming back for Geraldine coach
Michael Davis inter and his third season. They went nine and four last year,
losing in the third round of theplayoffs. So keeping Island Geraldine this
season. They are definitely gonna makesome noise for sure. So hey,
we gotta take a break very quicklyfor news and weather. But you are
listening to news radio one oh onenine, Big Wax. Welcome back into

(25:10):
news radio one oh one nine,Big Wax. If you're listening to the
pit Stop and I'm your host,Namath Pitts, We're talking high school football
all morning long back in Black Baby, I gotta tell you my homeschool on
the matter is black and white,and that's the Welbern Panthers. But we're
gonna talk about them to end theshow. But we're gonna start up north.
We talked a little bit about Gunnersville. I told you guys we were
gonna run as far up north asthe Wildcats of Gunnersville. And so that's

(25:32):
where we're gonna pick back up.Since we were up in the five Geraldine
area. Let's talk about the Wildcatsof Gunnersville. Coach Lance Reese entered his
fourteenth season. They went nine andthree last year, lost in the second
round the playoffs. They play inClass five A, Region seven. And
you know, I look at Gunnersvilleand I look at Jalen Jordan, who's
Mississippi State running back who's been offered. I look at Royce Belcolm, an
offensive tackle who's racked up group offive offers this summer. And the outlook

(25:56):
of the season for the Gunnersville Wildcats, it's looking very bright for team that
came's coming off at nine and threeseason. I look at Eli Morrison,
who took over at quarterback at theend of the season, and defensively,
they returned six players, including fivestarters from the front seven, which look
to be really strong. So Gunnersvilleis going to be stout again. I
think this is a team again thatwhen you look at five A, you
gotta talk Gunnersville and you gotta say, hey, where does this team come

(26:18):
in in terms of the mix ofteams that are gonna make noise for a
state championship? Now, are theystate championship gup state championship good? I
don't know that I would say they'rethat good, but I definitely think they're
gonna be a good team. Andso they open the year up this week
actually at south Side and they're gonnaplay the South Side gads and Panthers where
you're gonna talk more about them ina little bit. So they're gonna open
the season up. Actually, Ithink that games at home. That games

(26:40):
at home, they play them athome. And last year they beat south
Side Gas in twenty one to seven, and so that game is gonna be
at home up in Gunnersville. Andthey are seven and four overall against south
Side Gadson in history. So Gunnersvilleagain, I look at Eli Morrison at
quarterback and a lot of other reallygood talent. Speaking of quarterbacks that are
really good, one that sticks outto me. He's gotta be Jim Ogles
at Jacksonville. The Golden Eagles aregonna make noise. They're gonna be in

(27:04):
contentions for a region championship, infor a Region four, they're gonna be
in contention for a four A statechampionship. And the offense is led by
Jim Mogles, who's committed to theUniversity of Troy, and he's an All
State honorable mention. I don't knowhow he's only an honorable mention when last
season he threw for over two thousand, five hundred and twenty three yards,
he had twenty eight touchdowns, andseventeen of those went to Kidrick Fisher,
who was back, who had overone thousand, two hundred and forty two

(27:26):
yards catching on sixty one catches.Fisher was the top receiver for Jacksonville last
season, and I expect this seasonto be no different. This is a
team that Clint Smith's in his twelfthseason. They have state championship experience back
when Rod and Wiggins and Luke Jacksonwere you know, at Jacksonville, and
so they've got the talent. It'sthere and they just gotta get back to

(27:48):
that point, and I think whenyou look at Jim Uggles at quarterback,
you put yourself in a really goodposition to have the chance to make it
back to a game like that.They play in the SEC West for a
Region four. They got Hanley,Anniston, Mumford, Cleveland County, Talladigga,
White Plains. A tough region andthe top team is really heavy and
is going to compete for a statechampionship and probably knock out some of those
Mobile teams and Montgomery teams. SoJacksonville Golden Eiggles, I tell you,

(28:12):
keeping Alan jam Uggles and Kidrick Fisherdefense I think is gonna be improved for
sure. They played in a jambreethis past Thursday night out at Sacks and
forty one to zero was to scoreat half time for the varsity players.
So Clinton Smith and the Jacksonville GoldenEagles are gonna have a great season.
I expect this year to be nodifferent for them, and they're gonna open
the season up a little bit differentthan last year. Last year, you

(28:33):
know, they had the big gamewith Saint John Paul and I believe they
even made that long trip to SaintJohn Paul. But this year they're gonna
have Boaz. They're gonna be atBoaz. That's gonna be Friday. So
this Friday, they're gonna open theyearup at Boas and I expect them to
have some success against Boas. Andso we'll see what happens for coach Clint
Smith and Jacksonville Golden Eggles this season. But again, they are gonna open

(28:56):
the euar up at Boaz. AndI'm all wrong on everything because actually,
now that I think about it,I think they played Boas last year at
home and beat him twenty seven toseven. It was the year before where
they had to fill in with SaintJohn Paul. So I'm gotten get the
rust off of things. Happen toget back in the kick of things.
But they're opening up with Boaz andthey played him last year. So anyway,

(29:17):
Jim Uggles, he's one of thetop quarterbacks instead of Albana Tay.
Let's just shift a little bit upthe road and let's go to Piedmont.
Steve Smith. He's gone at SteveSmith era at Piedmont is over. He
is now at Westbrook Christian. Andyou have a guy like Jonathan Miller,
who was very successful at Sachs.But can that success continue at Piedmont.
I think so absolutely. It's hisfirst year at Piedmont. I believe that

(29:38):
Sacks one day will have to namesomething after him because he is deserving that
for all he did at Sacks.Jonathan Miller is an underrated coach. He
doesn't get talked about as much assome other guys, and I don't understand
it now. I've all I haven'talways said that They've been the highest ceiling
on some guys in the local area, but that's because I'm a Welburn Homer.
I had to be a Homer.Well, those days are over now
the biased has gone out the window. It's calling it like it is and

(30:00):
I can finally say that Jonathan Milleris one of the top coaches in the
area, and he's one of thetop coaches in this any classification of football
and state of Alabama. You lookat his success, look at his track
record. It speaks for itself.But again, things are gonna be a
lot different at Piedmont than they wereat Sacks. Is he I'm not going
to compare and contrast and say anythingnegative about Sacks at all, but do
you think maybe he's gonna have alittle bit more in terms of resources and

(30:23):
facilities, I would say he isat Piedmont, maybe a little more support
At Piedmont, I'd say he's probablygonna have a little more support. So
I think things are there for JonathanMiller that he didn't necessarily have before.
Now the talent that he has andprobably a little bit talent wise, there's
gonna be talent at Piedmont, butathleticism wise, He's probably had a little
more athleticism at Sacks. So butit'll be a year of first for the

(30:45):
Bulldogs again now that Steve Smith isout and is at Westbrook Christian and Jack
Hayes he's gone. Like Jack Hayeswas Piedmont football, he's gone. They've
got to figure out where do wego without Jack Hayes. They know who
their quarterback is going to be,but still Jack Hays is gone. That
difference maker is gone, when myopinion was the best player in the state
of Alabama last year is gone.He's moved on. So now, but

(31:07):
hey, again, Steve Smiths goneand you get john to Miller, so
he didn't have Jack Hays as hisquarterback, so it's really a fresh era.
For him. So good news isthey still have Bethel Ishmael Bethel,
who was a number three pass catcherlast year, and I think he's gonna
help break in new quarterback and havea lot of success for Pete Mont and
I look, I expect him tobe right there. Again, I haven't
picked him to make the state championshipyet again, I've been leaning one of

(31:32):
those other teams just because of Johnto Miller's first season. But it's clear
Miller wants to state championship. Youknow, he made that non im media
day. He's at that point inhis career where he's won, he's helped,
he just wants to help kids bebetter parents one day and he wants
to win a state championship. Hewanted to put himself in a position where
he felt like he could do that, and so he's definitely got that opportunity
at Piedmont. A team that's familiarwith playing Peedemont in the past in the

(31:52):
playoffs is piz Guy coach Luke Pruitz. In a sixth season, they won
eleven and three. Last year madethe state semi finals, which is a
great season for Pisca. They playedto a Region seven again, they did
end up losing to five, buttypically happens to everybody that plays five.
But they return a lot of starters. On offense. You get Mason Holcomb,
who again through for over two thousandyards last year. You get Legion
McCreary who had over fifteen hundred yardsrushing. You get Luke Gilbert who had

(32:14):
over a thousand yards catching, soand then you got six other starters.
And defensively, the Eagles returned ninestarters, including six who were ranked.
And so again, this is areally good Pizga team who's gonna, in
my opinion, be right back therefor a rematch with five. I see
a lot of things shaping out kindof similar in that to a small division
as it did a year ago.And Pizga is a really good team coach

(32:37):
Luke Pruett. And speaking of LukePrutt, how about his brother Dale Pruitt
and his brother Del Pruitt. I'dreally just say that Del Pruitt is not
his brother, it's his father.But anyway, Del Pruitt is entering his
second season at Plainville plain View.It's his twenty eighth overall at the school.
He's four and six last year.But I don't think that it's gonna

(32:59):
be the same this year. CoachJeremy Prue's actually gonna be helping them out,
former coach at Tennessee, former assistantat Alabama. But let's just be
very transparent. Plain View struggled lastyear. They struggled, and you know,
they started off and three and theydid find a way to pick up
some slack there at you know,the rest of the season, but they've

(33:20):
got to find some momentum if theywant to be in the playoffs. And
this is a tough region. Butagain, when you have somebody like Jeremy
Pruitt helping his dad, Del Pruitt, I think the success is there for
them, and so we'll see whathappens for the playing View Bears. I
think they're gonna end up missing theplayoffs once again. But there's a lot
of their team that played last nightat Ohatchee. Was San Rock coach Allen
Heath interne his fourth season. Theywent four and six last year, missing

(33:42):
the playoffs. They played in Classtwo eight, Regions seven, and the
depth of the team really rest upfront in the trenches. They got two
returning starters, several others who sawa significant playing time, but weren't starters,
and the wildcatch right now really don'tknow who the quarterback is gonna be.
They got one option, being theyounger brother of their former quarterback,
but coach Heath this open that ahealthy season can help San Rock reach the
same heights that they reached in twentytwenty one. So again, last night,

(34:06):
I actually got to see San Rocketo'hatchee and there's definitely some glimpses there
of hope for sure for the Wildcatsof sand Rock. But I think it's
just a matter of putting it alltogether and so we'll see what they do
again. They opened the season upthis week against Spring Garden at home,
and so keep an Ayland sand Rock. Speaking of spring Garden, man,
they've lost a legendary coach and they'rereplacing him la Barrett Ragsdale, who was

(34:29):
an assistant who now takes over asthe head coach. This is gonna be
his first season as the head coachat Spring Garden, and last year they
lost in the second round of theplayoffs to Cousa Christian, who they had
beat in the regular season. SpringGarden went ten and two. They play
in one A Region six and afterwinning five straight region championships under Jason Howard,
after eighteen seasons at the school acrosstwo different stints, he's gone,

(34:50):
and so the Panthers are turning toRagsdale, you know again who's an assistant,
and they're gonna try to keep thatsame success that they had under Jason
Howard, and so we have towatch and see if they are able to
do that. Sylvania as a teamthat a lot of people think could get
to the state championship game this year, they were right there last year,
lost to Piedmont coach Tyler Vans inhis third season, they went ten and
four last year. Again, theyplay in this tough three A Region six,

(35:14):
and it was a semi final runlast year, it was a loss
to region rival Piedmont. And likethe Rams, return eight starters on both
sides of the ball, and it'shighlighted on defense with the Coolie twins who
anchored the defensive end positions. Ashtonearned all state honors while Aspen joined him
on All Regionia County. They bringback two receivers who missed significant time due
to injuries last year, and thisis only going to elevate an offense that

(35:37):
scored more than four hundred points lastyear. So the Sylvania Rams are a
serious problem for three A football thisyear, and they are a serious problem
for three A Region six. AndI would even go out on a limb
right now and say that Sylvania mightwould be my too early to pick a
favorite in three A Region six.I'm thinking Sylvania, and again I may

(35:58):
change. I'm Piedmont's right there.I'm still just I gotta see Piedmont before
I'm all in on it. Iknow Jonathan Miller's there, I know the
talent's there. But losing Jack Hayesman, that's a big loss. Losing
Steve Smith and Jack hayes in thesame offseason, that's a major loss in
Sylvania. Has those guys there,we know what to expect with Sylvania,
and so right now I'm thinking Sylvania, Piedmont, Geraldine, maybe you got

(36:22):
them right there playing view a Hatchie, Westbrook Christian. I think Westbrook Christian's
gonna surprise you, guys, Ireally do so. I don't know that
they're gonna win a bunch of games, but they lost a lot of one
possession games, and I think theymight can get one or two of those
back. Is that result in aplayoff appearance. I don't know, but
we'll talk more about Westbrook Christian ina minute. Let's talk Cusa Christian again.
They played Hanley, they played pellCity this past week in a jamboree

(36:42):
game. Coach Marc O'Brien, wetalked to him last week on the show.
He told you guys he doesn't buyin all the rat poison all that.
They're just focused on taking it dayby day. But they did make
the semi finals last year and itwas a tragic loss. It was a
controversial loss. So how did theyput that, put that behind them and
move forward. Well, they they'vecome back just is loaded this season,
if not more loaded. They returnedJohn David Justice at quarterback. They have

(37:04):
Eli Moates, Clet O'Brien at linebacker, coach's son, and Jordan Burns.
They returned eighteen starters, nine fromeach side of the ball. And nobody
really talks about the kick or slashpunter Burns and won a football. If
you have a kicker that can kickand you got a punter that can put
the ball back deep, I meanit's a win every single time. And
so Cusa Christian Man is a dangerousteam. They're my favorite to make the
state championship in one north and Ilike coach O'Brien's team a team that also

(37:30):
is going to be really good.That's right up the road. But their
problems they play in a region withAniana and Cherokee County and that's Edawa coach
Matt Glover. And in the secondseason they play in four A Region six
or went eight and four last year, lost in the second round the playoffs,
and the Blue Devils will always havehigh expectations. It's part of the
pressure of playing for Edawa that thatpressure is always there. Edawa was always
a good team and they're gonna bebreaking in a new quarterback in Jason Sism

(37:52):
who won the state baseball term atMVP Award this past year. In the
second season under Glover, they areexpecting good jump, but they will once
again have a tough region front.It's headlined by state finals Cherokee County and
then state finals from the year beforein Oniana and Oniona has fluff bothwell.
So they have the best running backpotentially in four A. Cherkee County could

(38:14):
argue that Cornelio was also the bestrunning back in four A. Then two
can argue back and forth. Eitherway, they both got really good running
backs. So we'll see what happenswith Edawah. There's pressure when you wear
the Edawah jersey and you play atGlover Stadium, and coach Matt Glover will
see what happens this year for theEdawah Blue Devils. I expect them to
finish third in the region, haveanother good playoff run, but ultimately I

(38:34):
do expect Cherokee County to be theteam that comes out on top. But
right up the road from Coaster Christianand Edawa's Gadston City. The dropped from
seven eight to six A was avery good drop for them, and they
knew that it was going to translateto a lot more success in terms of
the wins and loss column, andcoach Olie Smith's in his fifth season at
gas In City now and last yearthey went seven and five. Still think
there's a higher ceiling for them insix A football playing in Region eight.

(38:57):
I think they are better than asecond round loss that they had last year.
Now, they've been going through aquarterback battle and the idea of the
offense has really not been figured outyet, but the defense is led by
Dray Kirkpatrick. Yes, this isthe son of the Dray Kirkpatrick. He's
a sought after safety in the classof twenty twenty four and I gotta tea
he's earned the number one defensive backand a lot of people's opinions in the
state of Alabama. And so youlook on the defensive line, Jarelle Brash

(39:21):
or Trey Johnson or back. Theyshould anchor what's going to be a really
strong defense for the Titans of GastonCity. Gaston transfer Nemo Samples should play
a role on at least one sideof the ball and he can pick up
where he left off of an allstate season last year. But one eight
to six A is a big jumpand he's looking to make that. But
I don't think he's gonna have aproblem doing that. And when you talk
about Gaston, well, it's interesting. They just lost Matt Harris who left

(39:45):
very late, and they had tohire a coach very late, and they
end up getting Alan Beckett, whowas at Cedar Bluff, left Cedar Bluff,
went to the college level, onlystayed a couple of months, and
now he's at Gadsden. So coachAlan Beckett's inter in his first season at
Gaston, they missed the playoffs year. They've really struggled for a while now
since coach Morris retired and they wentthree and seven last year, missing the

(40:07):
playoffs. They do play in twoyear Regions six and again. Matt Harris
is out and before you know hedeparted, there was a lot of people
that had high hopes of what Gastoncould do this year and that you know
they could turn things around. Well, Coach Beckett's now looking to come in
and do the same and coach Becketthas certainly had success. The only thing
about coach Beckett is his tenures aren'tnecessarily as long as some. But you

(40:30):
know, when opportunities arise and ifyou feel God LEDs, you gotta jump
on what God tells you to do. And so Beckett's done that quite a
few times and it's always seemed tohave success no matter where he goes.
He's a good coach. This isa great ad for Gadson and he's a
great man. He's a great guy. So excited to see what coach Beckett
does at Gaston. Coach Scott Martinformer O Hatchie India now a Yellow Jacket.
Glenco Is entering his second season atGlenco. I just love the atmosphere

(40:53):
at Glenco. I don't even knowwhat it is about Glenco, but something
about being at Glenco on Friday nights. I love it. It's one of
my favorite places to beat. Theydid go too and eight last year,
missed the playoffs, you know,but hey, they improved by one win.
You know. The yell Jackets arehoping to see a bigger boost in
year two. And the biggest keywill be if the defense, which allowed
more than thirty points a game,can make improvements. And the second game

(41:15):
of the season could help turn theseason around, if they could get a
win against region and county rival hoaxBluff. He talked about a media day,
they got a lot of new guysthat have come out from other sports,
and so football is growing. GetGlenco, and I'm tending to give
Scott Martin a little bit of time, and this is the team everybody's gonna
be talking about as a dangerous teamin three A football. Does that instantly
happen this season, I don't know. It's a tough region. I'm gonna

(41:35):
say there's gonna be some more growingpains for coach Scott Martin. But I
love Coachcott Martin again. I thinkhe's a great guy, great coach,
and I love being aet Glincot.It's one of my favorite places to visit
on a Friday night. Hoax Bluffcoach, He's a legend. Mike.
Coach Rob Robertson is entering his twentyeighth season at hoax Bluff. They went
four and six last year. Theymissed the playoffs again. They play in
this very tough three eight Region six, And I gotta tell you, anytime

(41:58):
you have coach Robert to him,you're strong, and he's been going strong
for almost thirty seasons. And theyreturn Anderson Morgan who had five interceptions last
year. Bryce Whitaker will step infull time as the quarterback after being the
second leading rusher last season, andthen on the offensive lines defensive line.
I look at Dalen Reefs and BrazenHayes and so they've got some guys.
I think their expectation is to bea good competitive team. Will they have

(42:20):
again that rich tradition of being astate championship type contender. I don't necessarily
think they're gonna have that, butI think they're just saying, hey,
can we figure out how to winone or two of these games and get
in the playoffs. They missed theplayoffs last year under coach Mike Robertson.
So and there seems to be alwaysa head coach shuffle at Sardis. B
J Brooks inter in his first seasonand the lines are on their third coach

(42:42):
in three seasons. But like always, the hope is that Brooks can be
the guy to turn it around.Brooks goal was to be aided by Blaze
Gerhardt, who had seven and twentyfive scrimmage yards last season. The return
of Eli Morton, who's a sixfoot six tight end, is gonna help
boost an offense that scored one hundredand ten points last season. Defensively,
they do return Levin Martin, AlexDavis and Bryson Blevins. So a playoff

(43:05):
push, guys, I mean itcould be realistic. I wouldn't say that
it's not a realistic goal for Startiststhis season. I think again, there
could be some growing pains for bJ. Brooks, but they've got guys
there. South Side Gas and coachMiles Holcomb is in his third season.
They went five and season five andsix last season, lost in the first
round of the playoffs. They playedin a tough five A Region six,
and they returned all state honors.Mason Teek engaged Nay Smith and man the

(43:28):
potential of what this Panthers offense couldbe is very high. Nie Smith accounted
for over two thousand, six hundredyards passing last year, t Grand Forever
one thousand, four hundred yards,and they're gonna try and surpass the three
hundred and forty six points that werescored last season with eight offensive attorneys and
the bar is high on defense.They returned nine starters, including leading tackler
middle linebacker Titan Rich. So southSide gas and has got the guys there.

(43:52):
They are going to be a dangerousteam in this five A Region six.
Obviously everybody looks at Lead Moody andAlexandria, and then you got south
Side and then Lincoln trying to fightin. But I think south Side raids
right there with Alexandria, Leads Moodyand Lincoln, So west End how about
this. They made the playoffs lastyear, They went seven and four in

(44:15):
a two A Region six hundred.Derek Sewell and they get running back du
O'Kane Lawson and Rock Sainsbury returning whohad more than fifteen hundred yards rushing twenty
three touchdowns coming back, so there'shigh expectations for West End. The Patriots
they returned six defensive starters five onoffense. The biggest names coming back are
obviously All State Joshua Carrolt linebacker andJackson Hanby who had six interceptions and three

(44:36):
defensive touchdowns last season. So keepingall on the Patriots of West End coach
Steve Smith one of the greatest inthe state of Alabama. State championships speak
for theirself. The rich history ofwinning under Steve Smiths speaks for itself.
He's going to Westbrook Christian, whowent five and five last year and missed
the playoffs. He stays in thesame region and this might be coach Steve
Smith's first radio at Westbrook Christian,but this is not his first radio in

(44:57):
high school football. After over twentyfive se five state championships, all won
at Piedmont, Steve Smith moves overto coach the Warriors, and Steve Smith's
experience ship provide a boost for thisprogram. Coupled with a renovated field house,
new turf, so many different thingsWestbrook Christian. The upside is there
for sure, and I'm excited tosee what's gonna happen for coach Steve Smith
and the Westbrook Christian Warriors. Again. Does it translate to immediate wins?

(45:20):
I don't know, but I thinkthis is gonna be a really, really
good team for years to come.Westbrook Christian, Get ready fans, because
stick championships are headed your way.Pleasant Valley coach Jonathan Knicks entering his ninth
season. They went four and sixlast year, missing the playoffs. They
played in Class two A, Regionsix, and coach Knicks he's got an
experienced, healthy team that came inwith that came within a couple of last
minute drives losses last year, whichcould have broke the school's thirteen year playoff

(45:44):
trout, but it didn't. Butthey do return their starting quarterback, Braxton
Salster, who started as an eighthgrader last year. He earned regards more
often reserved from older players. PleasantValley also has depth and experience upfront,
something that always ups a team stockin the preseason by Sell analysis. Alster
started in all ten games last yearsin eighth grader. He's seen as a
team leader. He was voted asone of the two toughest players on the

(46:06):
team, and along with the apparentit factor, he has Bentley to catch
his passes. He has an experiencedline in front of him, and then
he has Noah Johnson at tied endwho has added football and basketball to his
load, also being a good baseballplayer. I think Pleasant Valley's gonna be
improved for sure. Alexandria Todd Gain'steam five and five last year lost in
the playoffs. They played in Classfive A, Region six, and Tonio

(46:29):
Ross is gone to Alabama, TKDowney has transferred to Anniston. But get
ready to hear about Elijah Hunter andTod Brown. It's their chance to shine.
And I think that people have gotto look at the Demacus Williams as
he stands out on film for morereasons. And then you know, obviously
his number. They got a reallygood kicker and Cleet Forrest. He's one
of the strongest players, one ofthe strongest kickers. He's gonna play college

(46:51):
football one day. And so anytimeyou got a kicker that gives you chances
like that and has consistency, you'rein a good position. Coach Ken Coford
takes over the Weaver program struggled.They went two and eight last year and
missed the playoffs. They played inthree eight Region four, and again there's
a new sheriff in town and Weaver. He's the fourth sheriff in five years.
But Koper is a veteran sheriff.He's coached for four Georgia schools.

(47:12):
He comes from Cleveland County as anassistant. And he's got Kaden Gooden at
quarterback, who is a great player, who's got an offer from Marshall.
And Gooden's gonna play many different roleson this team to show his impact.
And I think colleges have started tonotice his talent. And so again Gabe
King transferred from Pelham, Zach Rhodesmoved in from Jacksonville. I got a
few transfer editions that will certainly helpa Weaver program. Coach Chris Finley's entered

(47:34):
his second year at o'hatchee. Theylost in the first round the playoffs to
Gordo. Started the season off winless, won three games in a row and
made the playoffs, and they enteredtwenty twenty three with more experienced death.
Thanks to all of those twenty twentytwo injuries, they had an unexpected playing
time that some underclassman got. Butdespite graduation losses that including much of their
backfield, Finley has good skilled playersto plug in. Nate Jones is going

(47:57):
to be great, Jesse Baswell,Deacon Ingle, Jake Roberson Robertson, and
then you get Will Fossom who transferfrom Donaho. Will it be the quarterback,
we don't know, but either wayhe's gonna fit in. Nice Sacks
coach Alfonso' freeney US team. Ittook a lot of believing for him when
he was at Jacksonville State when theybeat Old Miss, and he's hoping to
do the same to continue the successthat Johnson Miller has left. He believes

(48:17):
he can keep the Wildcat twinning waysgoing after losing one hundred game winner Jonathan
Miller uh And it's easy to doubt, especially when you lose Gavin Dawston Anniston,
you lose Parnell before his little brother'sactually gonna fill in as the quarterback,
Jamorris Young uh And he transferred fromOhatchee to Sacks and he looks really
good as as a freshman, andso White Planes coach Blake Jennings. They're

(48:40):
looking to just find some success.They need to bulk up a lot of
young guys eighth graders, ninth graders, tenth graders, so the biggest thing
for White Planes is getting older.For Donahoe, they've also got a plenty
a lot to overcome after losing fulsometo o'hatchie. Coach Rico Jackson wants to
just stay composed. He lost CameronSanlon, Ray, quesmcgl ae, Jalen
Cunningham, but Jane Lewis is back, and they've also got some transfers and

(49:06):
Gavin Doss, Caleb Wynn and MaudKelly and TK Downey, a lot of
transfers, so Aniston's gonna be asgood as always. They open the EUAR
up with the Welburn Panthers. CoachJeff Smith has to replace Grayson Johnson.
This will be his third quarterback inthe past four years, and Noah Screws
will take over. He's gonna leadan all new backfield for a team that's
looking to make its fifth consecutive playoffBerth. It's twelfth of Jeff Smith's tenure.

(49:29):
He feels really good about his offenseand defensive line and They've got Ethan
Carroll coming back, Jay Salas,Montgomery, Brendan Tally, Andrew Salter,
Trey Downs, Jabari Williams, JolilGay and Noah Screws, Kyle Bright,
Carlos Hubbard and Will Phillips. Soa lot of talent coming back for the
Welburn Panthers. They look to makesome noise. They open the EUAR up
with Anniston this upcoming Friday night outat lot Mosby Stadium in Anniston. So

(49:52):
that's our preview for the high schoolfootball season. As always, you've listened
to the pit Stop on news Radioone on one nine Big Wax. We
will see you next week.