Aliceville Yellow Jackets
2012 Record: 7-5
Coach: Charles Moody
Top Returnees: Senior WR Chris Crowell, junior WR Cody Davis, junior RB Stephon Drunner, junior LB Jakari Garner, senior RB Darion Manning, senior LB Marquesze Marshall, junior DE Anfernee Mullins, senior WR Joe Robinson, freshman QB Santiago Taylor, senior WR/DB S.J. Washington, senior RG Isaiah Wilder, senior C Victor Windham
Three Keys to Victory
1. Catch of the Day — The Yellow Jackets might have one of the most talented receiving corps in the state. Seniors Chris Crowell, Joe Robinson and S.J. Washington and junior Cody Davis caught more than 100 passes for 2,000 yards last season. Robinson led the way with 47 catches for 847 yards and seven touchdowns.
2. Anchors Aweigh — Senior center Victor Windham is a 300-poind lineman and three-year starter for the Yellow Jackets. His size and experience will be key to Aliceville’s success this year.
3. Buzzing — Senior linebacker Jakari Garner created quite buzz on the Aliceville defense last season with more than 100 tackles. A solid defender, Garner will be a key factor this season.
Lamar County Bulldogs
2012 Record: 9-4
Coach: Ken Adams
Top Returnees: Senior LB Ryan Barnham, sophomore QB Cullin Carter, junior DL Christian Clay, senior QB Dallas Cockerham, junior OG Tyler Cunningham, junior OL Jeremy Cyr, junior TE Jeremy Denton, senior WR Devin Dias, sophomore TB Tim Harton, junior LB Ty Herrion, junior OT Braxton Hollis, junior OT Jordan Ives, junior TE William Jackson, sophomore DL Temijah Lang, sophomore TB Bryce Myles, freshman DL Dawson O’Mary, junior LB Lane Pennington, senior TB Eric Smith, senior LB Joshua Smith, senior OG Jacob Smith, senior DB Dusty Vann, senior LB Ty Walden, junior C Collin Watson, junior TB Alex Wheeler, junior DB Dyshun Williams
Three Keys to Victory
1. Great Experience — The Bulldogs return 18 starters off last year’s team that reached the third round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 2A state playoffs. Lamar County returns eight starters on offense and 10 on defense. That experience should pay dividends in one of the toughest regions (Class 2A, Region 4) in the state.
2. The Field General — Senior and three-year starter Dallas Cockerham returns at quarterback. Last year, he had 1,598 yards and 25 TDs.
3. Speed Racer — Sophomore tailback Tim Harton is one of the fastest players in the state. He is a two-time Class 2A state champion in the 400-meter dash. Last year as a freshman, he hauled in seven TD passes. Adams expects big things from Harton this season.
Sulligent Blue Devils
2012 Record: 3-7
Coach: Scott Marchant
Top Returnees: Senior WR Benji Clay, senior WR Morgan Crosby, junior RB Cole Davis, sophomore QB Nathan Garner, senior RB/LB Roman Glass, junior LB Skylar Hawkins, junior LB Jesse Keller, junior RB Justin Metcalf, senior OL Garrett Moore, senior RB/LB Jamar Plant, junior OL Lucas Reeves
Three Keys to Victory
1. Crossing the Line — The development of the offensive and defensive fronts will be a key. The Blue Devils return only two starting offensive lineman and one defensive lineman. Senior Garrett Moore starts at offensive tackle and defensive end.
2. Planted — Senior Jamar Plant will play a key role on offense and defense. He will by play running back on offense, but will be used a “hybrid” player on defense. Because of his skills, Plant will be play safety when the Blue Devils run their 4-3 scheme, but when they switch to an eight-man front, Plant will move up to linebacker.
3. Explosive Plays — The running game should be able to generate explosive plays. In addition to Plant, Sulligent will count on senior Roman Glass and juniors Cody Davis and Justin Metcalf. All four have size and speed.
South Lamar Stallions
2012 Record: 0-10
Coach: Shannon McGregory
Top Returnees: Junior DE/OT Justin Cheeks, senior FB/LB Holden Fields, senior QB/S Canaan Flemming, TE Justin Lewis, NG Davy Long, SE Tyler Patrick, TB Hershel Smith
Three Keys to Victory
1. Coaching Carousel — Shannon McGregory is the third head coach in as many years for the Stallions. He took over the program on July 1 and is trying to instill a winning attitude while trying to find out which players will be able to help in his first season.
2. Just Win Baby — The Stallions were winless last season and look to snap an 11-game losing streak this season. Daring back to the 2010 season, South Lamar has lost 24 of its last 26 games.
3. The Land of Canaan — Senior Canaan Flemming will start
under center and his ability to run the offense will be a key to the
Stallions success in 2013.
Pickens County Tornadoes
2012 Record: 11-3
Coach: Patrick Plott
Top Returnees: Junior C/LB Justin Barton, senior RB Jamarcus Brown, senior RG Zeb Finch, senior WR/DB Darius Jones, senior LG/ILB Chris Hill, junior DB Stephon McCoy, senior QB Devonte Simon, senior WR Deonte Simon, sophomore DL Malik Steele
Three Keys to Victory
1. Simon Sez — Brothers Devonte (QB) and Deonte (WR) Simon will play a huge role in the high-powered offense. In the past two seasons, Devonte has thrown for more than 4,300 yards and 60 touchdowns. Last year, he threw for more than 2,300 yards and 30 touchdowns as Pickens County reached the Class 2A semifinals.
2. Fast Paced Offense — Pickens County’s offense resembles a video game. The Tornadoes scored a school record 588 points in 14 games last season. In the previous two seasons under Plott, the Tornadoes have scored 40 or more points in 18 of 27 games. Jamarcus Brown tallied more than 2,800 rushing yards last year.
3. Man of Steele — Sophomore Malik Steele is be a valuable member of the defensive front. The 6-foot-2, 260-pounder will play defensive end and tackle.
Pickens Academy Pirates
2012 Record: 10-3
Coach: Josh Thacker
Top Returnees: Junior WR Lance Acker, sophomore RB/CB Chance Britt, senior WR Daniel Cameron, sophomore LG Caleb Carr, sophomore RB/CB Landon Hattaway, senior QB/FS Josh Lewis, senior RG Grant McCrary, freshman RB/WR/SS Grayson Noland, senior TE Oliver Owens, sophomore C Daniel Powell, freshman RT Jeff White
Three Keys to Victory
1. Another Title Shot — Pickens Academy went 11-3 last year and lost in the Alabama Independent School Association Class 3A state championship game. The Pirates return a number of starters off last year’s team and will look to get back in the title hunt again.
2. Big Target — Senior tight end Oliver Owens could play a large role in the Pirates success this season. With a big body and big frame, Owens can create mismatches for most AISA teams in the passing game.
3. Forty-eight-Minute Man — Senior quarterback and free safety Josh Lewis has grown accustomed to never leaving the field. His play-making ability on offense and defense will certainly play a key role if the Pirates want to play a chance to play for the state championship again.
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