MILLPORT, Ala. — South Lamar High School prepares for a new beginning on the gridiron.
Former assistant coach Benji Kelley has moved to the top spot for the Stallions. Kelley will be greeting a host of new players, as the squad tries to bounce back from last season’s 1-9 finish.
A senior class has department. Several talented newcomers, juniors and seniors will be asked to carry the load starting with Friday’s season opener against arch-rival Lamar County.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Millport.
“Lamar County is a very physical team and a big rival,” Kelley said. “It will be a good way for us to start the season. It will tell us where we stand in certain areas. The main thing is we are a really young football team. We do have some talented players. We also have players who don’t mind working hard.
“Now, it is just a matter of getting them repetitions in a game setting. Playing on a Friday night is totally different than practicing.”
Since Kelley had served as an assistant coach for previous Stallions team, he was aware of the depth chart entering this season. South Lamar only returns four starters after losing 11 seniors off last year’s roster.
“Most of fall practice has been spent teaching the kids how we want to do things,” Kelley said. “It is coming along. We are a better football team than last week and that team was better than the week before. We are inexperienced at so many positions. Right now, we are looking for attitude. We are looking for commitment. We are searching for players who want to be here and who want to contribute to turning the program back around.
“Our goal is to compete and get better each week.”
South Lamar competed valiantly last season. Despite only managing a 34-13 win over region rival Meek, the Stallions were competitive more often than not. South Lamar dropped five games by a touchdown or less. The season finale was a hard-fought 45-35 loss to rival Sulligent.
“Injuries totally crippled our football team,” Kelley said. “They started from the very beginning of practice. We never really got a totally healthy football team on the field. To the kids’ credit, they kept competing. They did not lay down for anybody. Other than being overmatched a couple of times, the players always showed up ready to compete and fought until the end.
“The seniors set the example. Even though we have a lot of new faces, these players know the type of effort that it takes. We have to work like we did last year and then work even harder to have success. I think they understand that. I am looking forward to getting these players into action.”
Kelley has already seen leadership emerge on the practice field. Junior Canaan Flemming (6-foot- 1, 170 pounds) will start at quarterback. He will be joined in the backfield by senior running back/ linebacker Holden Fields (6-0, 215). Fields will be joined on the defensive side of the ball by senior cornerback Marquis Mitchell (5-8, 145).
“The biggest thing for those three players is their leadership ability,” Kelley said. “They lead by example. They are tough kids and physical football players. They are coachable and each of them does things the right way. They are the type of players you want the younger players to look up to. You see leadership take form in the weight room during off-season workouts.
“The ones that put in that extra effort and make that extra sacrifice are the ones you want leading your team. That can be said about each of those three.”
Realignment had minimal effort on the Stallions for this season. South Lamar remains a member of the Alabama High School Activities Association’s Class 1A, Region 5. Many believe this is traditionally the toughest Class 1A region in the state.
“We will have a challenge ahead of us each and every week,” Kelley said. “Marion County is the defending state champion. Pickens County could have won it all last year and could just as easily this year. Berry and Lynn are traditional powers.
“All four playoff teams from our region advanced last year. We will be fighting an uphill battle. I like the attitude of this team. We will be trying to find a niche. We want to do what we do best and do it consistently. Our kids are up to this challenge. It should be a challenging but fun year.”
Kelley will be assisted by Lane Wright (defensive coordinator), Justin Hayes (offensive line/ defensive line), Clay Gilliam (running backs/linebackers) and Josh Harper (wide receivers/outside linebackers).
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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