By Rubin E. Grant As he enters his first season replacing the legendary Buddy Anderson as head coach, Sean Calhoun inherits a Vestavia Hills football program that has made the state playoffs only twice since the Alabama High School Athletic Association went to seven classifications in 2014. Those appearances came in 2015 and 2019. In three of their seven seasons at the Class … [Read more...]
2021 High School Football Preview: New-Look Jags Will Be More Run-Oriented
By Rubin E. Grant For the past few years, Spain Park has attacked opposing defenses with a spread attack. But with several of their skill players on their offense in 2020 transferring to other schools, the Jaguars are changing their look on offense this season. “In high school football, you have to adjust your offense and defense to the kids you’ve got,” Spain Park coach … [Read more...]
2021 High School Football Preview: First-Year Coach Hopes Eagles Will Contend for a Title
By Rubin E. Grant First-year Oak Mountain head football coach Tyler Crane would like nothing better than to see the Eagles soar again this season – and even higher than they did in 2020. Oak Mountain reached the Class 7A quarterfinals last year before being eliminated by Hoover. “I would like to end this season playing at Protective Stadium,” Crane said, referring to the … [Read more...]
2021 High School Football Preview: Inexperienced Spartans Embracing the Challenge
By Rubin E. Grant If ever a coach could say his team is in a rebuilding mode, it’s Mountain Brook’s Chris Yeager. The Spartans graduated 36 seniors from their team that went 12-2 and reached the Class 6A semifinals in 2020. But Yeager isn’t feeling sorry for himself going into the 2021 season. He’s just the opposite, embracing the challenge ahead. “We’re going to have a lot … [Read more...]
2021 High School Football Preview: Cavaliers Eager to ‘Improve Off Last Season’
By Rubin E. Grant Will Mara isn’t making any promises as he enters his second season as head coach at John Carroll Catholic. The Cavaliers finished 5-5 in his first season at the helm of his alma mater’s football program. John Carroll reached the .500 mark for the first time since 2010, when it was 6-4. Mara hopes 2020 was just the first step toward the heights he wants to … [Read more...]