2023 High School Football Preview: Conquerors set to prove 2022 was no fluke
Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Coosa Christian head football coach Mark O’Bryant is confident that last season’s run to the Class 1A state semifinals was no flash in the pan. “I believe that this will be the best year we’ve ever had at Coosa. We’re strong and physical and faster than […]
2023 High School Football Preview: Veteran coach possesses the chops to revive Bulldogs
Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor With only a few days under his belt as Gaston High football coach and with less than a week to go before the first game of the season, Alan Beckett needed to get his priorities in order before the Bulldogs travelled to Asbury on September 25. […]
2023 High School Football Preview: West End not satisfied with status quo
Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor After West End posted its first winning season in seven years and the team’s first playoff berth in six seasons, head football coach Derrick Sewell believes that the 2023 Patriots will not rest on last season’s laurels. “The biggest thing we learned after last year is […]
2023 High School Football Preview: Hokes Bluff’s hall of fame coach going strong
Photo courtesy of Alex Chaney By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Mike Robertson has no plans to put up his whistle and clipboard any time soon as he enters his 28th years as a head football coach at 1865 Appalachian Highway in Hokes Bluff. “I think I’m doing a halfway decent job in that these kids want […]
2023 High School Football Preview: Glencoe taking a cue from school cagers
Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Glencoe head football coach Scott Martin realized during the offseason that his team could learn a lesson or two from the school’s 2022-23 varsity boys basketball squad. According to Martin, the defense will pattern itself after a Yellow Jacket team that won its first county championship […]
2023 High School Football Preview: New Ashville coach hitting the ground running
Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy By Chris McCarthy , Publisher/Editor As far as Kirakias Shepard is concerned, the Ashville High football team’s season hinges on three things – numbers, numbers and numbers. “Our nucleus is great; we really need to get as many kids out as we can,” said She-pard, a 2009 graduate of Pell […]
2023 High School Football Preview: Coach Smith all in at Westbrook Christian
Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Westbrook Christian’s new football coach leaves no doubt as to where his priorities lie. “First and foremost, I’m a Christian before I’m a football coach, and I don’t mind telling people that and standing strong for Christ,” said Steve Smith. “This opportunity is one that I […]
2023 High School Football Preview: Blue Devils “know what to expect” this season
Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor From the look of things, it’s safe to assume that it will be business as usual at James Glover Field this fall. Matt Glover’s first season as Etowah High head football coach resulted in an 8-4 record, the program’s seventh playoff victory over the past nine […]
2023 High School Football Preview: New coach turning up the heat in Sardis City
Photo courtesy of Bentley Gray Photography By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Folks around Sardis City may experience an unusually warm fall this year. “I tell our guys every day that I’m the thermostat and I’m setting the temperature,” said Sardis High first-year head coach B.J. Brooks. “I’m an energy guy, so I bring it. I’m always ready […]