2019 High School Football Preview: Local product takes the reins at Gadsden City
GADSDEN CITY SENIORS. Pictured, first row, from left: Kenneth Mabry, Arlando Jennings, Sam Day, Martavious Baker, Eric Heard, Trey Blount. Second row, from left: Korey Isom, Khalil Marshall, Quinton Densmore, Jovan Sumpter, Jackson Veasy, Jalen Robinson, Jakari Embry. Third row, from left: Allen Merrick, Phillip Hunter, Paden New, Daniel Sparks, DeRickey Wright, Levi Adams. (Courtesy of […]
2019 High School Football Preview: Southside needs greenhorns to step up
SOUTHSIDE SENIORS. Pictured, kneeling, from left: Mahmood Abbassi, Zeke Hefner, Coleman Scales, Darryance Wofford, Jance Vaughn, Gage Lowman. Standing, from left: Austin Schatz, Colton Morrison, Bailey Sparks, Nolan Johnson, Malachi Leath, Chance Moon. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Answer: 4,613 yards and 51 touchdowns. Question: What did Southside’s recently graduated standout halfback produce over the […]
2019 High School Football Preview: Blue Devils looking to develop depth
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Despite the graduation of most of a record-setting defense unit and the cross-county transfer of an SEC commitment, first-year Etowah head coach John Holladay likes what he has at his disposal for the upcoming season. “We do have some guys with experience coming back but we’ve got to establish some depth on […]
2019 High School Football Preview: Sardis seeks higher ground in 5A, Region 7
SARDIS SENIORS. Pictured, kneeling, from left: Justin Fuller, Luke Morris, Mason Golden, Henry Chavez, Mason Smith, Tre Dalrymple, Reece Lee. Standing, from left: Brayden Bridges, Dylan Metcalf, Michael Turner, Brandon Noblett, Temon Wilson, Jacob Hopper, Wyatt Samples, Jay Owens, Will Love, Ray Perez. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Sardis High’s inaugural season of Class 5A […]
2019 High School Football Preview: As usual, Eagles will operate on the run
HOKES BLUFF SENIORS. Pictured, front row, from left: Dylan Boatner, Ryan Coggins, Austin Roebuck, Matthew Jones, Mikell Mooneyham, Clay Rainey, Darrian Meads, Noah Word, Josh Jones. Back row, from left: Coby Latham, Lake Gilbert, Austin Elder, Pete Jackson, Tucker Marsh, Tristan Billingsley, Ashton Gulledge. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor With the Darrian Meads Era entering […]
2019 High School Football Preview: Young Yellow Jackets sticking to the program
GLENCOE SENIORS. Pictured, from left: Will Harrison, Conner Gray, Jeremy Thompson. (Not pictured: Daniel Maye) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Despite a 1-9 start as Glencoe High head football coach, Brian Alred’s core philosophy remains intact. “Physicality and discipline is what you build a winning program on,” said the 1998 GHS graduate and all-county linebacker for the […]
2019 High School Football Preview: Drew Noles set to lead Warriors into battle
WESTBROOK SENIORS. Pictured, kneeling, from left: Andrew Lockridge, Steven Smith, John Reese Bellew, Will Edwards, Jai’Shawn Cattling, Brandon Foster, Quinn Morrison, head coach Drew Noles. Standing, from left: Will Vice, Brandon Morgan, Baylor Tennyson, Derek Graham, Ethan Hart, Phillip Morrison, Josh Osagatharp, John Harvey, Brett Fouts. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Entering his 20th year […]
2019 High School Football Preview: Young Gaston roster talented and battle-tested
GASTON SENIORS. Pictured, sitting, from left: Mason Reeves, Alex McArthur, Garren Brown, Wes Simmons, Gage McArthur. Standing, from left: Cole Wadsworth, Malaikah Warren, Quoy Ransaw, Jayden Dupree. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Gaston head football coach Swane Morris is confident that his program’s 2019 edition contains a bit more ammunition in its arsenal than in […]
2019 High School Football Preview: Patriots building from the inside out
WEST END SENIORS. Pictured, from left: Jackson Tidmore, Levi Armstrong, Mason Barrett, Jeremiah Roberson, Adam Bates. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Following an offseason of reflection and reassessment, Kyle Davis believes he has his finger on the pulse of the 2019 Patriots. “We talked a lot during the offseason about what we wanted to be […]