COOSA CHRISTIAN SENIORS. Pictured above, from left: Isiah Cole, Evan Delp, Elijah Cole, Caddon Moore. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor
As Evan Delp goes, so go the 2020 Conquerors.
It’s not a stretch to say that the fortunes of the team rests on the health and production of the standout senior receiver and Jacksonville State co-mmitment.
“We’ve got to get the ball in Evan’s hands; it’s not an option,” said interim head coach Mark O’Bryant, who took over the program earlier this month after Rod Cates took a leave of absence. “Evan brings that big-play capability that can cover some of our deficiencies in other areas. With Evan, we have the ability to score from anywhere on the field.”
One of the few highlights from Coosa’s one-win 2019 season was Delp’s 45 catches for 1,489 yards and 21 touchdowns. He averaged 33.1 yards per catch and just shy of 150 yards a game. Delp finished 253 yards shy of setting a new AHSAA single season receiving yardage record.
Joining Delp in Coosa’s senior class are receiver Caddon Moore and twins Isiah and Elijah Cole.
“I think Caddon will be the biggest surprise of the year,” said O’Bryant. “Evan will get double-teamed a lot, and when that happens, it will open up the back side for Caddon. He has enough speed at the 1A level to stretch the field, and I believe he’ll have a big year for us.
“Our success will be measured on what those four guys accomplish,” said O’Bryant. “We’ll live or die according to their production.”
Glencoe transfer Thomas Skaggs, who started for the Yellow Jackets as a freshman last year, steps in at quarterback.
“Thomas transferred in here weighing 182 [pounds], and now he’s up to around 187,” said O’Bryant. “He’s a good athlete, and we expect big things from him.”
Joining Coosa in Class 1A Region 7 are Woodville, Gaylesville, Appalachian, Asbury, Valley Head, Sumiton Christian, Cedar Bluff and Whitesburg Christian out of South Huntsville.
“The positive thing about this region is we’re not traveling as far as we’re accustomed to,” said O’Bryant. “A lot of those two-hour drives will be reduced to an hour. Athletically, I think we match up better this year.”