VERNON, Ala. — The Lamar County High School football team has advanced to the Alabama High School Athletic Association state playoffs each of the last four years, but despite the recent success there is still an empty feeling surrounding the Bulldogs football camp heading into the 2014 season opener.
Lamar County suffered a tough-luck 40-34 loss to Mobile Christian in the second round of the 2013 AHSAA Class 2A Playoffs. Two years ago, the Bulldogs advanced to the third round before being ousted by Sweet Water.
“We have a good group of seniors and they have had some success the last two years,” head coach Ken Adams said. “We lost in the second round last year and they sort of felt left out. We have talked about that a lot in the offseason and the kids have worked hard getting ready for a new season.”
A new season that will feature a new quarterback and a move from Class 2A to Class 3A.
“We have not really talked about that at all,” Adams said. “We have played some of those teams in the past. It matters more about what we do and how we do them than who we play.”
Junior Cullen Carter will take over for Dallas Cockerham at quarterback. Carter will be the Bulldogs fifth different starter under center in the last seven years.
The offense is loaded with senior skill players, including tight end Jeremy Denton, tailbacks Alex Wheeler, Ty Herrion and Brice Myles, wingback Cameron Coleman and receiver William Jackson. Junior fullback Austin Spann and junior wingback DeShun Williams are also first-time starters.
Senior right tackle Braxton Hollis and senior left tackle Jordan Ives are returning starters who are excellent blockers in the run game.
“We try to bring younger guys along, so when it is their time to play they are ready,” Adams said. “Cullen has had valuable experience the last two years. We are excited for him.”
The defensive line has the most experience returning and Adams feels that senior Temijah Lang, junior Christian Clay and sophomore Isaiah Hill settling into starting roles.
“We have a lot of experience back on the defensive line,” Adams said. “We have some good players at linebacker and defensive back but we need some depth.”
The linebackers are paced by seniors Jeremy Cyr and Devante McClellan. Myles and Williams have five years combined starting experience at cornerback for the Wildcats. The story goes here
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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