Alignments Change But Competition Stays The Same
By Lee Davis
Journal sports writer
For the past few years, plenty of fans have been unhappy with the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s football regional alignments.
The critics had a long list of legitimate points. In what sane world, for example, was Spain Park versus Wetumpka a region game, while the Jaguars didn’t play crosstown rival Hoover at all? And who was the genius that determined that while Hoover versus Vestavia Hills might be an interesting matchup, it would mean absolutely nothing in region standings?
Fortunately, the powers-that-be at the AHSAA got back on course in 2014. The new region groupings actually make geographic and economic sense but those aren’t the biggest changes as the new season begins.
After decades of six classifications, the AHSAA added a seventh class – a mega league of the state’s 32 largest schools, divided into four regions. Class 7A has generated a lot of buzz but even veteran coaches don’t know quite what to expect.
“We don’t know how the new set-up will work until we get into it,” said Vestavia coach Buddy Anderson, who has seen many changes in his 37 years at the Rebel helm. “All I know is that our schedule didn’t get any easier because of it.”
In case you missed it, former Class 6A locals Hoover, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Spain Park and Vestavia move into Class 7A’s Region Three along with Hewitt-Trussville, Thompson and Tuscaloosa County. The top four teams in the region will qualify for post-season play.
“This is the SEC (Southeastern Conference) Western Division of Alabama high school football,” said Mountain Brook coach Chris Yeager. “Every coach always says there are no easy games. In this league it is the truth.”
Local schools formerly in Class 5A – Briarwood, John Carroll Catholic and Homewood – move up to the new Class 6A. They are grouped in Region Five with Hueytown, Jackson-Olin, Minor, Pelham and Walker.
“We just call it the ‘Black and Blue Division,’” said John Carroll coach Tim Sanders. “A lot of guys are going to wake up Saturday morning knowing they played in a physical football game the previous night.”
As is the case in Class 7A, the top four teams in each region will continue play in November.
But while some things will be different, others will be the same.
The Hoover Bucs enter 2014 as a heavy favorite to win Region Three and to claim the first-ever Class 7A title. Of course, winning state championships is hardly a novel concept for the Bucs, who have claimed eight since 2000, including the last two in a row. If that wasn’t enough, Hoover brings a 30-game winning streak into the new season.
“Our expectations are to win a championship,” said Buc coach Josh Niblett, who has compiled an 84-6 record since taking the job six seasons ago. “You can call that fair or unfair to the kids but that’s the way we go about our business.”
As always, Hoover has plenty of tools. Senior quarterback Jack Hutcheson continues in the line of great Buccaneer quarterbacks. Senior Bradrick Shaw, who rushed for 1,286 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, is one of the state’s most recruited running backs. He was also the MVP of the 2013 Class 6A championship game.
Defensively, Hoover will be led by linebacker Darrell Williams, who has already committed to Auburn University and lineman Christian Bell, who has chosen the University of Alabama.
The Bucs’ schedule, mixed with local rivals and out-of-state powers, is difficult but Hoover will be favored in every game.
The good news for Spain Park is that the team won its first eight games under new coach Shawn Rainey last season. The bad news is that the Jaguars lost their final three and suffered an unexpectedly early exit from the playoffs.
Optimism abounds for 2014 and with good reason. Spain Park will be led offensively by quarterback Mason Duke. Duke’s credentials as a winner are unquestioned – he pitched the Jag baseball team to the Class 6A state championship last spring. Standouts on defense for Spain Park include cornerback Michael Jackson, who already has offers from major colleges, and safety AJ Smiley.
Is this the year that the Jags finally defeat their arch-rival on the other side of town? We’ll find out on Oct. 2, when Hoover comes to Spain Park’s Finley Stadium in front of a packed house and a television audience.
The new season will certainly be a historic one for Vestavia, as Anderson needs only two wins to surpass Fayette County’s Waldon Tucker as the winningest coach in Alabama high school football history.
If the Rebels can defeat Homewood in their Aug. 29 opener – no certainty by any means – Anderson’s first shot at the record will come on Sept. 5 at Oak Mountain.
Obviously the Rebels plan to win far more than two games in 2014. Veteran quarterback Landon Crowder may be one of the area’s best and as always, the Rebels have plenty of weapons and a strong offensive line. Inexperience on defense could be a problem and Vestavia plays perhaps the toughest schedule in Class 7A. In addition to its region foes, Vestavia plays Homewood, Oxford and Shades Valley.
Despite those issues, expect the Rebels to qualify for post-season play and have a shot at a deep run into November.
Things have gotten so good for Mountain Brook under coach Chris Yeager that last year’s respectable 7-4 mark was considered by many to be somewhat of a disappointment, despite a 10-7 upset of Vestavia. This season the Spartans could do much better. Jacob Carroll is a proven winner at quarterback and Mountain Brook’s defensive unit could be one of metro Birmingham’s finest.
Maybe the most impressive sign of the Spartan program’s health is sheer numbers. No less than 135 players from grades 10-12 reported for fall practice – the most in school history.
“It seems the harder we work the kids, the more come out the next year,” said Yeager.
Mountain Brook may have to work hard to earn a playoff berth. There’s a good chance it will get there.
After a surprising 7-4 mark in 2012, Oak Mountain backslid to a 4-6 mark last season. But Eagle coach Cris Bell is always looking at the long haul when assessing his program. Quarterback Warren Shader returns and his brother Harold is a spark plug in the backfield. Bell would like to improve the Eagles’ passing attack to take pressure off the running game.
Defensively, Oak Mountain is youthful but features plenty of fine athletes. If they can develop quickly, the Eagles could be a surprising contender for a playoff spot.
Homewood had a bit of unexpected turmoil in the off-season when Coach Doug Goodwin was released after a three-year record of 18-5. But the school brass wisely elevated assistant Ben Berguson to be the new head man and the Patriots aren’t likely to miss a beat. Carson Griffis – a threat with his arm and his feet – returns at quarterback. Tackle John Yarbrough already has college offers and nose guard Kaelan Henry is Homewood’s fiery leader.
The Patriots rank as one of the favorites to win Class 6A’s Region Five, despite a schedule that includes Class 7A powers Vestavia and Tuscaloosa County.
Very close behind Homewood could be Briarwood, where long-time coach Fred Yancey simply keeps producing winners. A strong offensive line bulwarked by John Collier, Greg Green and Ross Thompson will make life easier for the Lion backfield.
A highly anticipated Sept. 12 visit to Homewood will say a lot about how far Briarwood has come. Win or lose, however, the Lions should qualify for the playoffs.
Tim Sanders continues to patiently build at John Carroll Catholic, where numbers and depth remain a problem. The Cavalier coach is still optimistic and likes his team’s spirit.
“We really have come a long way from last year,” he said. “I’d go to a foxhole with these guys.”
A key Cavalier to watch is running back Jelani Bender.
Former Homewood coach Dickey Wright continues to lead Shades Mountain Christian to respectability in Class 1A. Wright knows that everything take time and doing the little things the proper way will pay big dividends later.
The 2014 season brings new classifications and regions but it’s still football – the game so many love so passionately.
And ultimately that’s all that really matters.
To read the full 2014 High School Football Preview from Over the Mountain Journal, visit http://issuu.com/otmj/docs/2014_football_preview/0
