Pickens Academy football coach Josh Thacker knew he had some very valuable players to replace this season.
The Pirates have plugged in those replacements, grown up along the way, and are excited about the final month of the season.
“This is year two of our system,” Thacker said. “I am really proud of the depth that we have been able to build through the weight room and practice time. We had some really great players to replace but the new guys have stepped in and performed well.”
Pickens Academy (2-2, 0-1 region) plays host to Marengo Academy (3-1, 1-0 region) in an Alabama Independent School Association Class AA, Region 2 matchup Friday night.
Kickoff is set for 7 in Carrollton, Alabama.
“We have lost to Tuscaloosa Academy and Clarke Prep,” Thacker said. “Both of them have traditionally been very good football programs. This week, we have Marengo. They won the Class A state championship last season. We are in the meat of our schedule right now.
“It is really a grind, but it is something that our kids have been excited about and really accepted. We have great attitudes and we are getting better.”
Thacker’s first squad finished 7-4. However, the Pirates lost several talented seniors and also moved up in classification.
“Each week, our kids approach it as another chance to go out and prove people wrong,” Thacker said. “The local newspapers have not given our kids much of a chance. I think that has really motivated us.”
On offense, the challenge was to replace four-year quarterback starter Josh Lewis.
“Joseph McGlawn has really stepped into that role nicely,” Thacker said. “He is very smart and very athletic. He has probably rushed for more than 300 yards and passed for more than 400 yards. So he is on pace for 1,000-1,000. He comes a great family and really is a team leader.”
McGlawn is joined in the backfield by junior tailback Chance Britt and junior H-back/slotback/tailback Landon Hattaway. Receivers include Justin Barton, Lance Acker and Jordan Davidson.
“All three receives have similar roles,” Thacker said. “Lance is our leading receiver. Landon is out motor man on offense. We really go as he goes.
“We have a lot of guys who have not been starters before. I am not only excited about right now but excited about where these guys are going from here.”
Pickens Academy comes into the game, fresh off its best defensive effort of the year in a 22-18 win at Southern Academy.
“Defensively, we have changed from a 3-5 to a 3-4, so that has taken some time,” Thacker said. “The key to that is you have to have great linebacker play.”
Barton at defensive end and junior Daniel Powell at SAM-linebacker lead the way on the defensive side.
“We really go as those two go, they are the quarterbacks on the defensive side of the ball,” Thacker said. “Justin came to us from Reform High School where they won a state championship. He is really our leader out there. His play has made the rest of the defense that much better.”
Sophomore Garrett Noland has also made major contributions from a linebacker position. Britt and Davidson are cover corners.
“We are making progress each week,” Thacker said. “The kids are really working hard and they are buying into what we are trying to accomplish.”
Pickens Academy does have the advantage of its final three region games all being at home.
“We are excited about the challenge,” Thacker said. “We have played some really difficult non-region opponents to get ready for this opportunity. Our goal is to be 1-0 each week. Our kids have worked real hard to get to this point and there is no reason for that not to continue.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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