By Lee DavisThere’s a new look for Briarwood football in 2016. The new look isn’t the coach, as veteran Fred Yancey begins his 27th year as the leader of the Lions. The new look isn’t in the uniforms, either, as the team’s gold helmets and blue jerseys have become one of the area’s finest traditions. The new look comes in the schedule, as Briarwood, a private … [Read more...]
Dressed to the Nines: Patriots Hope to Reach Double Figures in 2016
By Lee DavisWhenever Homewood coach Ben Berguson discusses his 2016 team, he always points out a strange quirk in the Patriots’ recent won-lost records. “For the past four seasons, we’ve won exactly nine games each,” said Berguson, who is entering his third year as head coach. “That’s pretty good at a lot of places, but we’d really like to improve on that this … [Read more...]
A Different Vibe: Hoover Coach Aims to Return to Championship Game with a New Energy
By Lee DavisHoover coach Josh Niblett has celebrated four state championships with his players since he took over in 2008, but somewhere along the way the cheers became less notable. At times, all he could hear following a win was a sigh. “That’s kind of been a change of thought around here because, normally, when you won, you just went, ‘Wheeeew. Alright. Glad we … [Read more...]
Making Changes: John Carroll’s New Coach Isn’t Afraid to Take Risks in His First Season
By Tyler WaldrepJohn Carroll coach Logan Colafrancesco felt a little nervous about how the players would receive him when he met with them for the first time in the spring. Turns out, he didn’t have anything to worry about. “Sometimes I’ll sit there with my hands on my hips in practice not paying attention and somebody will come hit me, and I’ll look and it will be a … [Read more...]
Upwardly Mobile: Spartans Look for Improvement in 2016
By Lee DavisMountain Brook coach Chris Yeager would be the first to say that the past two seasons have not been vintage times for his football program. The Spartans ended 2015 with their second consecutive 3-7 record, one of the few times in recent decades that Mountain Brook has posted back-to-back losing marks. Despite the disappointments, optimism on Bethune Drive … [Read more...]