the game plan
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Football MagazineTRANSCRIPT
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2The Game Plan
P.O. Box 1088 • Russellville, AL 35653256-332-1881 • fax: 256-332-1883
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Publisher Jonathan WillisEditorial J.R. Tidwell and Kellie SingletonSales Peggy Hyde and Nicole Pell Composition Karen McAfeeCirculation Thomas Morris
Table of contentsTable of contents
3The Game Plan
44 RussellvilleRussellville
1010 Phil CampbellPhil Campbell
1515 Red BayRed Bay
2020 TharptownTharptown
2424 VinaVina
28 28 CheerleadersCheerleaders
31 31 BandsBands
3434 North AlabamaNorth Alabama
3636 AlabamaAlabama
37 37 AuburnAuburn
3838 SEC PreviewsSEC Previews
4141 SEC ScheduleSEC Schedule
4242 NFL SchedulesNFL Schedules
Michael Jackson
This will be the second season for the Golden Tigers with head coach
Michael Jackson at the helm.
Jackson coached at Buckhorn for nine
years before return-ing to Russellville, his alma mater, in 2011.Jackson has a career
record of 58-53.The Golden Tigers
will look to rebound after last season.
AHSAA Class 5A, Region 8
2011 Record: 5-6
COACH
RussellvilleGolden Tigers
The 2012 high school football season is almost upon us, and no one is anticipating its start more than the players who have prepared all during the offseason.
The Russellville Golden Tigers will look to improve on their 5-6 record from last season under second-year head coach Michael Jackson.
The amount of talent that may be found in 5A, Region 8 makes it a veritable mur-derer’s row for every team in the group, and senior leadership is very important to the success of these teams.
“We’re in a tough region,” Jackson said. “I think everybody knows that. Probably five of the top eight teams in the north are in our region. I enjoy that; I think that’s a challenge each and every week and our kids have to come to play each week and I think that prepares you for the playoffs. I think this region is going to do really well in the playoffs.
“I think some really good teams are going to get left out of the playoffs because there are so many good teams in this region.
“Our expectations are to play and get better from day one. We’re playing each and every day to improve and build on that each and every week to build some confidence to play physical ball, which
is our kind of football. That’s what we’re looking for. I feel really confident about us doing that, and taking one game at a time. I think this region is so tough that there’s going to be some upsets. It’s going to be an interesting season. We’re excited about it.”
The Golden Tigers may have an edge in experience, as the team boasts 19 seniors on the roster.
“I think we have a really solid group of seniors,” Jackson said. “The ones that are coming back like Tyler Boyd, Logan Ezzell, Jordan Gist, C.J. Posey and Bud Coleman and Gardner Gann, all these guys are seniors that have really stepped up. I’m looking for us to have a super year.
“Hopefully we have some young guys come through and really help us. Landon Smothers at starting quarterback is a freshman, and that’s a pretty big deal, so he’s got to keep getting better, show improvement and take care of the team and the ball.
“Basically what I’m looking for, the seniors that have put all of this time in and worked really hard since last November, I’m looking for those guys to have a good year and take leadership of this team and everybody else to follow around them.”
4The Game Plan
5The Game Plan
2012 Russellville 2012 Russellville Golden Tigers Golden Tigers
football schedulefootball schedule
8/31 Deshler home8/31 Deshler home
9/7 Muscle Shoals away9/7 Muscle Shoals away
9/14 East Limestone home9/14 East Limestone home
9/21 West Point away9/21 West Point away
9/28 Walker away9/28 Walker away
10/5 Cullman home10/5 Cullman home
10/12 Athens home10/12 Athens home
10/19 Lawrence County away10/19 Lawrence County away
10/26 Hartselle home10/26 Hartselle home
11/2 Fayette County away11/2 Fayette County away
No. 1 Tyler BoydSenior
No. 4Chase
FretwellSenior
No. 3Jordan
GistSenior
No. 5Jacob Seal
Senior
No. 9Austin
KittermanFreshman
No. 8Landon
SmothersFreshman
No. 7Luke
SmothersJunior
No. 10Shemar
HamiltonSophomore
No. 11Daniel
BetancourtJunior
No. 12C.J.
PoseySenior
No. 13Colton Hargett
Junior
No. 14Adam BrownSenior
No. 17Colby
ThompkinsSophomore
No. 15Christian
FosterFreshman
No. 18Kaleb DanielSenior
No. 19Tanner Miller
Freshman
No. 20Bud
ColemanSenior
No. 22Deyon
HillFreshman
No. 24Trey
WilliamsFreshman
No. 23Oscar
GrahamSenior
No. 25Isaac
FlemingSenior
No. 28Kamar Bough
Freshman
No. 26Joshua
SealFreshman
No. 27Zack
GarrisonSophomore
No. 34Matthew Davidson
Junior
No. 32Austin
BennettFreshman
No. 31Andrew Heath
Freshman
No. 36Cameron DeArmanFreshman
No. 40Kaelan BondsSenior
No. 37Braden
EsquivelFreshman
No. 41Alfredo Roman
Sophomore
No. 42Logan EzzellSenior
No. 44Chris Hill
Junior
No. 43Jose
MartinezJunior
No. 49Lucas Witt
Junior
6The Game Plan
No. 50 Sam
LynchSophomore
No. 52Damian
McGlaughnJunior
No. 51Jared
ThorntonFreshman
No. 55Hayden EvansJunior
No. 56Hunter
WinstedJunior
No. 58Ryan
MitchellSophomore
No. 57Tyrone Wilson
Freshman
No. 59Marco VelezSenior
No. 60Drake Hipps
Freshman
No. 61Gardner
GannSenior
No. 62Arman Norris
Sophomore
No. 64Brett
AdcockSenior
No. 65Chase
HollandJunior
No. 66Elvis
AmbrosioJunior
No. 67Freddy VargasSenior
No. 69Joseph ButtsSenior
No. 70Austin
BohannonFreshman
No. 71Drew
WigintonFreshman
No. 73Louis
MonterrosoJunior
No. 72Hunter James
Sophomore
No. 74Hugo CastroSenior
No. 77Zach
O’NealFreshman
No. 75Hunter James
Freshman
No. 76Braxton
DempseyJunior
No. 79Jacob
DeVaneySophomore
No. 81Zane
PoundersSenior
No. 80Landon Oliver
Freshman
No. 82Jose
VargasSophomore
No. 84Braden Newton
Sophomore
No. 83Riley Pike
Sophomore
No. 85Adonnis Bailey
Freshman
No. 86Blake
BendallSophomore
No. 87Jesus
VargasJunior
No. 89Trent Miller
Freshman
No. 88Michael Bricker
Sophomore
7The Game Plan
No. 91 Demonta HamiltonSophomore
No. 93Noah
DaughteryFreshman
No. 92Tra
BondsJunior
Not Pictured:
Drake Dinsmore
Jalen Scott
J.J. Johnson
Ovante Graham
Damon Dinsmore
Reed Smith
Chris Owens
Jesus Sanchez
Taishun Abernathy
Isaiah Valdez
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8The Game Plan
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9The Game Plan
AHSAA Class 2A, Region 8
2011 Record: 2-8
COACH
Phil CampbellBobcats
The Phil Campbell Bobcats will enter into the 2012 football season with a rare luxury for a 2A program; a compliment of 16 seniors on the depth chart.
Phil Campbell will be led by Jason Hill, a first-time head coach who took the helm after the departure of former head coach Bo Culver this summer.
The Bobcats have not had a winning season since 2001, and the hunt is on for the group of Phil Campbell High School players that get things moving towards a positive upswing.
“These seniors and I have made it one of our goals to practice and play with a sense of urgency in the fact that we’re trying to accomplish one thing, and this group wants to be remembered as the senior bunch that had that first winning season after the long drought,” Hill said.
“Their goals are not unobtainable if they’ll continue to work hard together and play hard together, then I’ve got no doubt that we’ll have a chance to accomplish that goal.”
With 16 seniors on the roster, it makes sense that the Bobcats will have a tal-ented group of players that may be able to get things done on the gridiron this season.
“Craig Saint has got to be one of the
guys to watch,” Hill said. “He’s been in the fire long enough and
has the experience to where he does all of the little things right.
“He’s earned the position on our football team as one of our players to watch.
“Colton Baker on defense and in our left tackle spot is a pretty physical individual. He enjoys hitting people. Football isn’t a contact sport, it’s a collision sport, and he likes to collide with people.
“Cory Potter and David Sparks are going to make some big catches for us through-out the year.
“Colton Vickery’s potential is through the roof; he just has to figure the game out. Coach [Will] Copeland makes him play with that round ball, but I want him to be able to play with the oblong ball too.
“Being the fastest guy on the team, Jamie Dorroh’s got a chance to break one every time he touches it.”
The Bobcats will look to better last year’s record of 2-8 this season, but there is some stiff competition in Class 2A, Region 8.
Fans of Bobcat football will not have to travel far for a couple of away games this season, as Phil Campbell will travel to play Red Bay and Tharptown this year in weeks one and four.
10The Game Plan
Jason Hill
Jason Hill is one of two coaches
making his head coaching debut in
Franklin County this season.
Hill was a coach at Chelsea High School
last year.Hill will look to turn around the Bobcats,
who went 9-21 over the past three years under former
head coach Bo Culver.
11The Game Plan
2012 Phil 2012 Phil Campbell Bobcats Campbell Bobcats football schedulefootball schedule
8/30 Tharptown away8/30 Tharptown away
9/7 Hatton away9/7 Hatton away
9/14 Sheffi eld home9/14 Sheffi eld home
9/21 Red Bay away9/21 Red Bay away
9/28 Phillips away9/28 Phillips away
10/5 Cherokee away 10/5 Cherokee away
10/12 Lexington home10/12 Lexington home
10/19 Colbert Heights away10/19 Colbert Heights away
10/26 Tanner home10/26 Tanner home
11/1 Hackleburg home11/1 Hackleburg home
No. 11Ty
SumerelSenior
No. 14Brady
WhittenSenior
No. 12Jacob
HamiltonSophomore
No. 15Brian EdgarJunior
No. 16Alston Tidwell
Junior
No. 19Michael Bittle
Sophomore
No. 18Colby Baker
Eighth Grade
No. 20Craig SaintSenior
No. 22Justin KnightSenior
No. 21Casey
GallowaySophomore
No. 24Ryan ScottJunior
No. 30Rob
DuncanSenior
No. 33Colton Vickery
Junior
No. 31Matthew Stancil
Freshman
No. 34Eli
SniderFreshman
No. 40Dwayne Chaney
Sophomore
No. 44Noah SmithSenior
No. 51Jason
GallowaySenior
No. 50Cory
CheekSophomore
No. 52Colton BakerJunior
No. 53Tyler
JenkinsSenior
No. 54Jimmy
Ray HallSenior
No. 58Zack
WinstedJunior
No. 60Johnny
CummingsSenior
No. 61Matthew Putnam
Sophomore
No. 62Nick
SwinneyEighth Grade
No. 65Logan Cole
Sophomore
No. 1Levi
SwinneyJunior
No. 3Jacob Hill
Senior
No. 2Jamie DorrohSenior
No. 4David SparksSenior
No. 7Tristen GodseyFreshman
No. 10 Jacob AyersSenior
No. 8Logan
NixJunior
12The Game Plan
No. 38Johnny
StricklandSophomore
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13The Game Plan
No. 67Nathan Duncan
Junior
No. 89Cory PotterSenior
No. 68Caleb Hill
Senior
No. 70Ty
SniderSenior
No. 75Clay
HarrisSenior
No. 77Tristen Ergle
Freshman
No. 79Aaron MillerJunior
No. 80Colin
DuncanFreshman
Not Pictured:
Stuart Motes
14The Game Plan
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When did you find out about the open coaching spot here?
“It was within the last week of school, in the teens in May. It was two weeks before I got out of school that I applied for the job.”
Where did you coach before coming here?
“I was at Chelsea High for six years; it was going on seven. I was the defensive coordinator there for four years, offensive line coach and the strength and conditioning coordinator for four years as well. I’m hoping that that experience and the things that I’ve learned from all the places I’ve been, and I’ve been at some great places, that I can take all that and mesh that into a philosophy that’s going to work here at Phil Campbell.”
Is this your job as a head coach?
“It is my first head coaching spot. I’m hoping to be a coach that can grow my players academically, spiritually, morally, and then athletically. I really do believe that football and athletics as a whole are some of the last men-builders that our society has
left where young men can actually learn things like discipline, work ethic and being selfless, selling out for something that’s bigger than themselves. The way that I would like to measure my success is, I love winning but I hate losing on Friday night, but my scoreboard is 10 or 15 years down the road when one of my former players comes back to me and I see what kind of man, what kind of daddy, what kind of productive member of society that they are, because that’s what I’m trying to build. I’m trying to build men at Phil Campbell High School.”
What brought you here to Phil Campbell?
“One of my colleagues at Chelsea emailed the posting to me and said, ‘Hey, have you seen this?’ I’ve never seen a head coaching position that was advertised in general science, and that’s my certification. I was very excited to say the least. I had a chance to interview for a few head jobs here and there, but there’s never been one for general science, which is what I like to do in the classroom. For the last 13 years I’ve been a Chemistry teacher. I’ve taught Chemistry, Physical Science, and Physics. For the past five years I’ve been an AP Chemistry teacher. I feel like I can impact kids both on the field and in the classroom, and that’s what’s great about being a coach.”
What is your coaching style going to be like?
“On the field we are going to be fundamentally sound. We’re going to block people on offense, and we’re going to tackle people on defense. We’re going to get off blocks on defense. All of the time we’re going to work on those things, and we’re going to be fundamentally sound. Our style will be simple, but we’re going to be very good at what we do on both sides of the ball.”
Do you feel like there’s any pressure on you to come in and turn things around immediately with Phil Campbell supporting athletics like it does?
“Pressure? No. Desire? Yes. That’s my want; that’s my desire. I don’t feel like there’s pressure to do that right out of the gate. There hasn’t been a winning season here in 10 years, and I’m looking forward to getting a chance to break that streak. Will it be next year? I hope so, but I don’t feel like there’s a pressure coming from above to make sure that that’s done this year. That’s one of the things that excited me about this opportunity. We’ve been down, but we have a chance to come out of the dark into the light. There’s nowhere to go but up.”
Meet New PCHS Head Coach Jason Hill
AHSAA Class 2A, Region 8
2011 Record: 10-2
COACH
TigersRed BayThe Red Bay Tigers have experienced more
than their fair share of upheaval this offseason.The dreaded coaching carousel made camp
in Red Bay this summer and made two turns before leaving.
The Tigers started work in the offseason under head coach Jamie Easly of South Panola, Miss., but circumstances dictated that he would not remain with the team during the season.
Red Bay had to find another head coach, and John Ritter was named to the newly vacated position a few weeks after Easley’s departure.
Ritter has a good group of experienced players that know how to win football games. Long-time head coach Dale Jeffreys left after last season to coach at Colbert County, his alma mater.
Jeffreys accrued a 114-59 record during his time with the Tigers over the past 15 years, including an 11-13 playoff record.
Red Bay has proven it has the drive and the talent to repeatedly make the playoffs, but what still eludes them is the 2A state champi-onship game.
With the talent Red Bay has returning, includ-
ing 2011 Franklin County Times All-County Player of the Year Matt Belue at fullback, another playoff berth seems like an easily attainable goal.
“I feel really good about this group of guys,” Ritter said. “They’ve worked extremely hard this summer.
“We’ve had a great preseason. I couldn’t ask for anything else out of them.
“They give me and the staff 110 percent every day. I feel like if we can stay healthy we can have a very successful year.”
It will be some familiar names to the Red Bay community that Ritter believes will decide the success of the Tigers in 2012.
“Matt Belue had a good year last year,” he said. “Stephen Wood is a guy that’s a very tough runner, and he gets a lot of yards after contact.
“He’s hard to bring down. Barry Reach is another two-way player that should have a big year at inside linebacker and tight end. Mike Ramirez and Austin Humphres on the edge should be good.”
Only time will tell if Red Bay will make yet another appearance in the playoffs, but the other 2A, region 8 teams stand in the way.
15The Game Plan
John Ritter
John Ritter is the other new head coach in Franklin
County this season.He takes over for
former head coach Dale Jeffreys, who amassed a 114-59
record while at Red Bay.
The Tigers will look to return to the play-
offs under Ritter in his first head-coaching job.
16The Game Plan
2012 Red Bay 2012 Red Bay Tigers football Tigers football
scheduleschedule
8/31 Central Florence home8/31 Central Florence home
9/7 Tanner away 9/7 Tanner away
9/14 Hatton home 9/14 Hatton home
9/21 Phil Campbell home9/21 Phil Campbell home
9/28 Wilson away9/28 Wilson away
10/5 Sheffi eld away10/5 Sheffi eld away
10/12 Cherokee home10/12 Cherokee home
10/19 Lexington away10/19 Lexington away
10/26 Colbert Heights home10/26 Colbert Heights home
11/2 Marion County away11/2 Marion County away
17The Game Plan
No. 4Clay
McNattJunior
No. 3Jade
PoundsSophomore
No. 1Ezekeil Lofton
Sophomore
No. 5Matt
BelueSenior
No. 6Ryan
KnoblockSenior
No. 7Austin ThornSenior
No. 8Levi
HumphresSenior
No. 10Zachary
HumphreyJunior
No. 9Nick
ThornFreshman
No. 11Justin PayneSenior
No. 12Tyler Reach
Sophomore
No. 14Steven WoodSenior
No. 13Danny ElliottSenior
No. 15Austin Milam
Freshman
No. 19William
HoltFreshman
No. 20Michael Ramirez
Senior
No. 21Bailey
TurbyfillFreshman
No. 51Taylor
WeclowskiJunior
No. 40Barry ReachJunior
No. 66Jeffrey
GreshamSophomore
No. 65Kyle
FullerJunior
No. 64Dustin
HollandFreshman
No. 70Colby
KnoblockFreshman
No. 60Jordan
TurbyfillJunior
No. 73Rickey Esparza
Junior
No. 72Derrick
AndersonFreshman
No. 74Austin BelueJunior
No. 22Austin
ChildersSophomore
Not Pictured:
Christopher Beerbower
18The Game Plan
For the second time this summer Red Bay has a new head football coach. John Ritter, who is 29 years old, took over the
head coaching spot a few weeks after the resig-nation of Jamie Easley, who was hired earlier this year.Despite his young age for a head coach, Ritter
does have plenty of experience in coaching posi-tions.Ritter was the quarterback at Lauderdale County
High School from 1999 to 2003. His head coach was Ronnie Ritter, who also happens to be his father. Ronnie Ritter was the head coach at LCHS from 1991 to 2006 with a record of 106-77.“It was fun getting to be around him so much,
because my dad and I are really close,” Ritter said. “But there was always pressure to perform. If I
had a bad night it felt like I was letting two people down, my dad and my coach.”John Ritter has seven years of coaching expe-
rience, including time at Lauderdale County, Athens, Muscle Shoals and Mortimer Jordan. The position at Red Bay marks Ritter’s first head
coaching job.“It’s exciting,” Ritter said. “It’s an honor to be in a
place like Red Bay, a prestigious honor.”Despite this being his first job as head coach,
Ritter already has it in his mind what he wants to
accomplish in his first season with the Tigers.“I want to continue the success that we’ve had
here,” he said. “I want to beat the people that we’re supposed to beat, and I want to beat the people we’re not supposed to beat.”The coaching carousel that struck Red Bay this
summer has been a far cry from what the school is used to, as Dale Jeffreys maintained the posi-tion over the past 15 years, with 13 of those win-ning seasons. Jeffreys amassed a final record of 114-59 while at Red Bay. “Dale did a great job of coaching these kids up,”
Ritter said. “They have had good stability for so long. I started two weeks ago and all of the guys are
already saying yes sir and no sir. This is a great group of kids, so I won’t have to change much. They know what the expectations are for them.”The only goal that has seemed out of reach for
the Tigers had been to make it deep into the play-offs. Red Bay went 11-13 in the postseason under Jeffreys, but the team has made the playoffs the last 13 years straight.“Making the playoffs is expected here,” Ritter
said. “If you can get there, then you hope to make some noise.”As far as a coaching style goes, Ritter seems
like he will bring some enthusiasm to the game.“I’m high energy,” he said. “We are going to do
everything we do full speed.”The pressure to have a winning football team in
Red Bay is something that has been built over the past several years, but those who know the town and its players completely understand that drive.“Red Bay is a great community,” Ritter said.
“There is a great love for football here, and the town lives for Friday night, just like where I’m from.”What Coach Ritter hears from different members
of the community over the next few years may not always be about football but rather his name being extremely similar to a deceased comedic actor.“I have heard every comment about Jack Tripper
and “Three’s Company” that you can imagine,” Ritter said. “I’ve heard them all, but the younger generation doesn’t know who he was.”
Meet New RBHS Head Coach John Ritter
Good Luck Tigers!!
Good Luck Tigers!!
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19The Game Plan
AHSAA Class 1A, Region 8
2011 Record: 0-10
COACH
Tharptown WildcatsThe Tharptown Wildcats will return to the
field under third-year head coach Bill Smith this fall. Smith has coached at Vina, Phil Campbell, Hackleburg and Red Bay previ-ously, and before the year is through he will coach against three of those teams.
The Wildcats are 2-18 under Smith and are coming off a winless 0-10 season last year.
Numbers have been a problem for Tharptown in the past, but this year’s roster features as many players as 2A Red Bay. The Wildcats have seven seniors on this year’s team, but many of the backups are freshman and sophomores.
This lack of experience on the depth chart may prove to be the biggest obstacle Tharptown has to overcome during the 2012 season.
“It’s hard to tell how the season will turn out,” Smith said.
“We’ve got seven seniors, but we’ve got a lot of young kids behind them. Attitude wise and ability wise I think we’re way ahead of where we were last year.
“We haven’t gotten into the games and we’ve still got a long way to go, but they’ve been impressive during summer workouts.
“Our practices have been good. If we play good defense, which we haven’t done in the years I’ve been here, I think we can be respectable. We’re in a tough region though, and that really hurts us.”
Residents of the community who enjoy watching high school football and supporting the Wildcats have likely marked Aug. 30 on their calendars, as Tharptown will host the Phil Campbell Bobcats in the first-ever meeting of the two teams.
As far as the players to watch out for on the Wildcats’ sideline this year, locals will have no trouble recognizing them.
“Kelby [Hallmark] is always one to watch because he gets a lot done,” Smith said. “Edgar [Bahena] was our MVP last year.
“He had a great year receiving and scoring, and he was our leading tackler on defense.
“Right now he’s out and we don’t think we’ll have him for our jamboree game, but maybe by the Phil Campbell game we will.
“On the line Tallen Carden and Alex Hamilton should be good. Defensively, Patrick Tharp, Mike Rice and our three linebackers I think will all be pretty decent.
“They’re young, but they’re good kids.”
20The Game Plan
Bill Smith
Veteran head coach Bill Smith will look to turn things around for the Wildcats this
season after a disappointing 0-10
run last year.Smith is entering his third year at
Tharptown and has a record of 2-18
with the Wildcats.He has a career
record of 164-214.
21The Game Plan
2012 Tharptown 2012 Tharptown WildcatsWildcats
football schedule football schedule
8/30 Phil Campbell home8/30 Phil Campbell home
9/7 Vina home9/7 Vina home
9/14 Waterloo away9/14 Waterloo away
9/21 Decatur Heritage home9/21 Decatur Heritage home
9/28 Cherokee away 9/28 Cherokee away
10/5 R.A. Hubbard home10/5 R.A. Hubbard home
10/12 Shoals Christian away 10/12 Shoals Christian away
10/19 Phillips home10/19 Phillips home
10/26 Hackleburg away10/26 Hackleburg away
11/2 Alabama School for the Deaf away11/2 Alabama School for the Deaf away
No. 35Colby King
Freshman
No. 32Mike Rice
Sophomore
No. 22Carlos Mentes
Sophomore
No. 44Matthew BrasuellFreshman
No. 61Tristan Love
Sophomore
No. 78Drue
GandySenior
No. 3Morgan Sharp
Sophomore
No. 24Eduardo Lopez
Freshman
No. 14Blake Gray
Freshman
No. 2Drake
LawsonSophomore
No. 9Bailey
WhitmanSophomore
No. 12Juan
CuevasFreshman
No. 18John
DownerJunior
No. 20Tristen Smith
Sophomore
No. 51Tallen CardenSenior
No. 62Mikie
PalmerEighth Grade
No. 55Michael Burgett
Sophomore
No. 67Emilio BahenaSenior
No. 11Heath Hatton
Freshman
No. 52Patrick TharpSenior
No. 65Alex
HamiltonJunior
No. 54 Arturo
MenesesSophomore
No. 66 Brian
GeorgeSenior
No. 72Jonah White
Sophomore
No. 60 Lionel LucasSenior
No. 74 Fidel
BonillaSophomore
No. 10Kelby
HallmarkJunior
No. 5Chris
RickardFreshman
22The Game Plan
Not Pictured:
Orlando Diaz
Edgar Bahena
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23The Game Plan
AHSAA Class 1A, Region 8
2011 Record: 2-8
COACH
Red DevilsThe Vina Red Devils had a 2-8 season
last year, one that the team will be looking to improve upon.
Two major factors that will be going against the team is the number of players it has and the size of those players.
These problems make perfect sense when the school in question is one of the smallest high schools in the state, so nat-urally the talent pool is not as deep as it is at larger schools with higher enrollments.
Still, the Red Devils will band together as a unit as always to bring about the best possible results in the upcoming games.
“I expect the kids to play hard and give lots of effort,” head coach James Pharr said.
Pharr is in his third season as the head coach of the Red Devils.
What may be surprising to those that may not know is Pharr is the principal of Vina High School, a rare combination in the world of high school athletics these days.
Vina has only around 16 players on the roster, so keeping players fit and healthy will be a top priority.
“We’re going to take it one ballgame at a time and do our very best in each one of
them,” Pharr said.According to Pharr, some of his players
to watch this season are Cody Renfrow, Andrew Hester, Tyler Hammock, John Spencer and Tyler Childers.
“There are some pretty good kids in that group,” he said.
Vina is 4-16 under Pharr and boasts only three seniors this season, but the scrappy team is still likely to find a way to win games this season.
“I think the season will turn out well,” Pharr said.
Week two will be a key match-up for Vina, as the Red Devils travel across Franklin County to play region rival Tharptown on Sept. 7.
Tharptown head coach Bill Smith was head coach of the Red Devils for 10 sea-sons before moving to take the helm of the Wildcats.
Something that the Red Devils will have to get used to is playing without quarter-back Adam Pharr, a staple of athletics at Vina over the past few years.
Vina’s season opener will be a home game against the Cherokee Indians on Aug. 31. Cherokee won by just two points in the match-up last season.
Vina
24The Game Plan
James Pharr
This will be Coach Pharr’s third year
at the helm of the Red Devils.
Vina went 2-8 last season and will
look to improve on that mark, but its number of players may put Vina at a
disadvantage.The Red Devils are
4-16 under Coach Pharr over
the past two seasons.
25The Game Plan
2012 Vina Red 2012 Vina Red Devils football Devils football
scheduleschedule
8/31 Cherokee home8/31 Cherokee home
9/7 Tharptown away9/7 Tharptown away
9/14 Shoals Christian home9/14 Shoals Christian home
9/21 Phillips away 9/21 Phillips away
9/28 Brilliant home9/28 Brilliant home
10/5 Hackleburg home10/5 Hackleburg home
10/12 R.A. Hubbard away10/12 R.A. Hubbard away
10/19 Decatur Heritage home10/19 Decatur Heritage home
10/26 Waterloo away10/26 Waterloo away
11/2 Hubbertville away11/2 Hubbertville away
No. 3Tyler
Renfrow Eighth Grade
No. 7Andrew Hester Junior
No. 10Justin Garrett Junior
No. 8Cody
Renfrow Senior
No. 12Drake HesterJunior
No. 22Tyler
HammockSenior
No. 13Hunter
HaithcockSophomore
No. 51Andrew Upton
Eighth Grade
No. 31Daniel Wooten
Sophomore
No. 30Brody
RobertsSenior
No. 63Hunter Lewis
Sophomore
No. 78John
Spencer Sophomore
No. 70Casey Poores Junior
No. 66Ryan Smith Junior
No. 79Travis Smith
Sophomore
No. 82Dakota Riley
Sophomore
Wishing Everyone aWinning Season!!
Johnny Mack MorrowState Representative
District 18(Colbert & Franklin County)
Johnny Mack Morrow and Colby Wilson at Alabama’s Homecoming football game against Vanderbilt in October.
26The Game Plan
Not Pictured:
Tyler Childers
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27The Game Plan
Russellville CheerleadersRussellville CheerleadersContributed
The members of the 2012-13 RHS Cheerleading Squad are (left to right) back row: Brooklyn Hall, Hannah Prince, Morgan Willingham, Caitlyn Tompkins, Kennedy Palmer, Lynsi Bragwell, Lacey Oliver; middle row: Nicole Crittenden, Anna Tompkins - Co-Captain, Caitlan Smith - Captain, Lauren Reynolds - Co-Captain, Julie Masterson; front row: Michaela Cox, Stacy Godsey-Champ and Brooke Smith.
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28The Game Plan
Phil Campbell CheerleadersPhil Campbell CheerleadersJ.R. Tidwell/FCT
The members of the 2012-13 Phil Campbell Cheerleading Squad are (left to right) front row: Jessie Plunkett, Lexie Thompson; second row: Lauren Swinney; third row: Karli Hill, Andrea Gugate, Mia Hutcheson, Meaghan Hardy; back row: Taylor Allen, Madison Hardy and Chloe Brown.
Red Bay CheerleadersRed Bay CheerleadersJ.R. Tidwell/FCT
Members of the 2012-13 Red Bay High School Cheeleading Squad are Lexy Lindsey - Captain, Alyssa Hutchison - Co-Captain, Emma Howard, Hannah McKinney, Mary Katherine Markham, Clair Kennedy, Jodi Page, Paige Lewey, Allyson Elliott, Hannah Stockton, Carley Hopkins and MaRanda Burgett.
29The Game Plan
Tharptown CheerleadersTharptown CheerleadersContributed
The 2012-13 Tharptown High School Cheerleaders are Captain Logan Tverberg, Co-Captain Lauren Wilkinson, BreAnna Taylor, Erica Valdez, Veronica Gomez, Brianna Hester and Abby Looney.
30The Game Plan
The Marching HundredThe Marching Hundred
Contributed The Russellville High School Marching Hundred’s halftime perfor-mance for the 2012 season will feature music from The Jackson Five including the duet “Reach Out and Touch Someone’s Hand;” “Never Can Say Goodbye;” “I Want You Back,” featuring the low brass, percus-sion and color guard; “ABC” and “Rockin’ Robin,” featuring the major-ettes and dance line; and the closing ballad “I’ll be There.” The band is under the direction of Gary McNutt. Assistant directors are Jeremy Willis and Scott Stephenson.Members of the RHS Marching Hundred include: Drum Major: Matthew Sewell, Majorettes: Katelynn Gordon (capt), Mary Beth Nichols and Laurel Wade (capt); Tigerettes: Lauren Alford, Sarah Aycock, Maggie Coan (capt), Michaela Fish, Mikaila Fuller, Aaliyah Gholston, Kiyah Herlong, Taylor Hollimon, Shelby Hovater, Devin Jones, Erin Masterson (capt), Savannah Mills, Camille Mosley, Shelby Stephens, Peyton Vaughn and Lexi Williams; Color Guard: Casey Brandenburg, Shelby Cooper, Mercedes Cortez, Ariel Cummings, Sara Fisher (capt), Shannea Flanagan, Hannah George, Whitni Lasseter, Haley Mansell, Brianna McCullar (capt), Jessica McSpadden, Hannah Pace, Ashley Prince, Madison Thompson and Blake Williams. Flutes: Kiomari Chevez, Emili Crummie, Taylor Fretwell, Brenda Moreno, Anna Nieto, Leah Nix and Alyssa Shackelford; Clarinets: Giovana Ambrosio, Hannah Bendall, Alyssa
Gentry, Jessica Itter, Ana Karen Lara-Cruz, Stephanie Monterroso, Kira Morrow, Ana Perez, Jenna Sornberger, McCalah Uptain and Danielle Young; Saxophones: Andrea Ashley-Sabastian, Adam Bendall, Richard Behena, Blake Bishop, Hunter Butler, Lesley Gonzalez, Junior Herlong, Caroline Holliman, Belen Paniagua-Sanchez, Hannah Rickard, Ashley Rose, Hannah Swinney and Tanner Vandiver; Trumpets: Tiffany Dean, Jorge Flores-Zavaleta, Drake Glenn, Micah Malone, Bernie Moussad, Kaylee Rickard, Brett Suddith, Chelsea Suddith, Evan Swinney and Megan Woodard; Mellophones: Chloe Brownell, Charlie Gordon, Shea Newell, Hannah Pierce and Melanie Ramirez; Trombones: Maria Behena, Ryan Ballard, Salvador Blanco, Austin Darling, Daniel Jenkins, Sam Johnson and John Sheffield; Baritones: Bobbi Duncan, Chance Fretwell, Kimberly Lemus, David Sanchez, Anthony Smith and Reale Wilson; Tubas: Dakota Bonn, Dylan Burbey, Michael Sewell and Danny Wilkerson; Drum Line: James Aycock (capt), Jake Davis, Hank Forsythe, Brodie Green, Andrew Guinn, Jess Guzman, Victoria Jackson, Shanley Pounders, Anna C. Smith and Colby Spain. Front Ensemble: Blaze Bishop, Jordan Cantrell, Kylynn Channel, Cree Hamilton, Brady Johnson (capt), Christian King, Josh King, Alexander Smith; Managers: TeLeah Demastus and Jessica Hutchins; Symphonic Band: Katherine Cole, TaLeah Demastus, Evelynn Garcia, Kayla Hughes, Jessica Hutchins, Alex Longmire, Cody Madden, Nelda Isabel Otzoy, Anna M. Smith and Amy Stafford.
31The Game Plan
J.R. Tidwell/FCT The Phil Campbell High School Marching Bobcat Band will get halftime crowds pumped up this year with a show entitled “The Contender” where the band will tell the story of a boxer who has to figure out how to become more than just a mere boxer but a true champion contender. Music for the show will feature selections from the “Rocky” movies, music from the classic thriller “Psycho,” and some original music. The band is under the direction of Bobby Patrick. Instructional staff includes: Kaitlyn Patrick - color guard; Jeremy Smith, Blake Lankford, Colin Hughes and Jesse Sims – percussion; Tyler Gean, Katherine Martin, Sarah Hurst, Ryan Collins, James McCullough and Christian James - horns and visual.Band members include: Alex Jackson, Joshua James, Reyna Shook, Ivy Ozbirn, Allison Harvey, Denver Mohr, Amber Landers, Will Clark, Amber Criddle, Grace Harvey, Hayley Kuykendall, Faith Seal, Madison Sutherland, Amber Haithcock, Michaela Holland, Kaylee Allen, Miranda Jackson, Jasmin Kinard, Savannah Marbutt, Scarlett Ozbirn, Hannah Pharr, Haley Scott, Cody Haithcock, Austin Hester, Rocky Wilson, Kaitlyn Clark, Haleigh Moses, Kim Seals, Paxton Allen, Loyal Dean, Jessica Clement, Lucas Hurst, Dillion Jackson, Andrew Oden, Dylan Stidham, Lauryn Clark, Jacob Litteral, Stephanie McKee, Danielle Cornelius, Matt Wilson, Isabella O’Neal, Laura Harvey, Landon Wilson and Ben Pierce.
The Red Bay Band
The Phil Campbell BandThe Phil Campbell Band
Contributed This year, the Red Bay Band’s halftime show will feature a Latin theme with song selections including “Estancia,” “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” and “El Zoro.” The band is under the direction of Erin Gilbert. The auxillary sponsor is Jennifer Oliver. The drum major is Tererra Vanderford. The 2012-2013 Red Bay Band mem-bers are Maggie Bates, Ashton Burney, Levi Burney, Jason Byrd, Megan Cain, Ashley Clements, Sommer Elrod, Madison Fierro, Alisha Ginn, Morgan Gray, Montana Gray, Destiny Higgins, Anna Jackson, Abbey Jones, Krista Lindsay, Nicha Luster, Emily McKinney, Mary Elizabeth Moore, Brock Ray, Ethan Ray, Nicolas Scott, Dalton Self, Brooke Shewbart, Bayden Six, Amber Stevens, Tayteonna Terry, Tererra Vanderford, Bryson Wallace, Cindy Wallace, Eliza Williams and Sarah Williams.
32The Game Plan
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33The Game Plan
Lions look to make statement under WallaceThe buzz around Florence
when head coach Terry Bowden was at the helm of the UNA Lions was not always positive.
There was some talk by individuals that suggested sending Bowden on his way before he left for Akron after last season. At the heart of the argument was disagree-ments on Bowden’s recruiting methods. The coach had a penchant for signing players from larger schools who had to drop to a lower division for one reason or another.
Players may have left larger Division I schools because of a lack of playing time or some kind of academic or personal problem that got the player booted from the original school. Janoris Jenkins, a cor-nerback from the University of Florida who transferred to UNA last season after getting in trouble with the school, is the perfect example of the problem with having too many transfer players on the roster.
These guys, for the most part, would come to UNA sim-ply to keep playing football, usually in the hopes of hav-ing a shot at the NFL after college.
While Jenkins made that system pay off, many transfer players have no loyalty to the team and have no respect for their academic responsi-bilities. Academics standards are much more lax in Division II than in the FBS or FCS, so many transfer players across the country simply play the system and let their grades slip.
When current Lions head coach Bobby Wallace returned to UNA, he vowed that not only would he give the edge in recruiting to local talent, but all of his players would be held to a higher aca-demic standing than under Bowden. The Lions are out to prove that the local talent is just as good if not better than having a roster filled with Div. I transfers.
North Alabama Lions
Bobby Wallace
Photo courtesy of Malisa McClure
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34The Game Plan
35The Game Plan
2012 UNA 2012 UNA Lions football Lions football
scheduleschedule
9/2 Miles College neutral
9/8 Harding home
9/15 Kentucky Christian home
9/22 Delta State away
9/29 Shorter home
10/6 Texas A&M-Kingsville away
10/13 Valdosta State home
10/18 West Georgia away
11/3 Tarleton State home
11/8 West Alabama away
Crimson Tide looks to ‘rebuild’ after championshipLast year Alabama won the 2012
BCS National Championship by defeating the LSU Tigers 21-0 in blowout fashion.
It might not have looked like a blow-out on the scoreboard, but any fan of football who watched that game saw the LSU offense get utterly decimated by the surging Alabama defense.
There were many jokes and com-ments made on LSU’s inability to cross midfield in the rematch of the 9-6 overtime “Game of the Century,” but all they end up proving is how dominant the Crimson Tide defense was that night.
Winning a national championship means that there is nowhere else to go but down (unless you repeat), and that’s exactly where Alabama’s defense is in danger of heading.
The group that stonewalled the potent Bayou Bengal offense lost sev-eral key players, including lineback-ers Dont’A Hightower and Courtney Upshaw, nose tackle Josh Chapman, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and safety Mark Barron.
As talented as Alabama may be on the depth chart, losing that many quality defensive players is likely to
have an effect on the Crimson Tide defense.
A major plus on the offensive side of the ball is the return of starting quarterback A.J. McCarron, who has proved time and again that he can lead his team to victory.
The biggest loss on offense for the Tide is running back Trent Richardson.
Despite these key losses, Alabama will likely have a top five defense this season along with a high-end record.
The dominance of the SEC in col-lege football does not appear as if it will end this season, and Alabama has a legitimate shot to go all the way to the championship game yet again.
What stands in the way is the SEC West, which is without question the strongest individual division within the strongest football conference in the country.
LSU proved last year that any team that ends a regular season in the SEC West with an undefeated confer-ence record might as well be given an automatic spot in the championship, a fact that the nation has learned over the past six-straight years of SEC football dominance.
Nick Saban
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36The Game Plan
Auburn looks to improve after 4-4 SEC recordGene Chizik’s hire was met with
mixed emotions back in 2009 when he took the helm of an Auburn team that had seen its fair share of suc-cess under former coach Tommy Tuberville.
It is true that Auburn has gone 30-10 under Chizik over the past three years (including winning the 2011 BCS National Championship), but the current 15-9 SEC record under the coach does not look quite as impressive.
The first and third seasons under Chizik are what makes for this record, as the Tigers went 3-5 and 4-4 respectively in conference play in those two seasons.
Auburn went from going 14-0 and winning the national championship two years ago to barely beating Utah State in a come-from-behind game that left many of the Auburn faithful shaking their heads.
Hitting rough patches are inevi-table when playing a schedule like the ones handed out to the SEC West members each season, and the addition of Texas A&M to the schedule is not likely to make things any easier on the likes of Auburn,
Alabama and LSU.Most of the talk and hype over the
SEC leading up to this season has again revolved around Alabama and LSU, the top two projected finishers in the SEC.
Given the strength of those two teams, there are those that say the SEC West (and the National Championship) will yet again come down to which of those two wins the game this season.
Auburn proved that it had a claim to be heralded as a top team in both the SEC and the nation in 2010-11, but having a .500 conference record will not get you anywhere past the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.
The Tigers have some strong talent returning on both sides of the ball this fall, but Auburn’s problem tends to be that it has several pieces but cannot complete the entire puzzle.
Both sides of the ball have to be equally strong (for the most part) to win out in the SEC West, and Auburn must decide who its starting quarter-back is, back him up as THE man and let him run the offense, provided he has the ability. The defense must also improve this season.
Gene Chizik
37The Game Plan
201111-2 overall, 6-2 in the SEC – Third in
the SEC Western Division
Projected finishThird in the Western Division
BrieflyThe Razorbacks will look to stay in form
after the success of last season. The Razorbacks offense will likely relvolve around the ability of quarterback Tyler Wilson and running back Knile Davis, who returns from an ankle injury.
Key players returningTyler Wilson (QB), Knile Davis (RB),
Tenarius Wright (LB), Kobi Hamilton (WR) and Alonzo Highsmith (LB). The Razorbacks return 16 starters from last year’s squad.
Key lossesJoe Adams (WR), Jarius Wright (WR),
Jake Bequette (DE), Jerry Franklin (LB) and Tramain Thomas (S). The Razorbacks lost nine starters from last year’s squad.
Coach says“As I came back after spring ball, the
energy in the room, the energy around the players, has been exceptional. I know,
20117-6 overall, 3-5 in the SEC – Third in
the SEC Eastern Division
Projected finish Third in the Eastern Division
BrieflyThe Florida Gators will look to rebound
after going 3-5 in the SEC last season under then first-year head coach Will Muschamp, a former defensive coordina-tor at Auburn. The Gators will have to find Jonathan Brantley’s replacement at QB.
Key players returningAndre Debose (WR), Trey Burton
(RB), Dominique Easley (DT) and Jelani Jenkins (LB). Florida has 19 returning starters.
Key lossesJonathan Brantley (QB), Chris Rainey
(RB), Deonte Thompson (WR), Jaye Howard (NT), Jeff Demps (RB) and Dan Wenger (OL). The Gators lost five start-ers.
Coach says“I do feel like we have built a very solid
foundation for where we were headed. We did not get the results we wanted on the field. I feel like in the locker room, the
weight room, the attitude of our football team, the discipline of our team, we’re headed in the right direction.”
Will Muschamp
Players say“(On coming into this season as lead
back knowing he will have more carries) It’s not any more difficult. I am a senior so I also have to be a leader more than any-thing by keeping my team up and keeping them going. There is no feeling like that. I do extra things just because I know that I am going to get the ball like [working] on getting out there with both teams and tak-ing care of my body.”
Running back Mike Gillislee
“It’s hard to tell which one [of the quar-terbacks] is the best. It’s going to be a tough decision. They all bring something different to the table that you can really go along with. Jacoby [Brissett] has got the strong arm so you can throw it down field. You even have Tyler Murphy who is ready to be an immediate manager. He just brings that mentality and the smarts with a lot of plays. He can recognize defenses right off the back. You’ve got Jeff [Driskel] as well that can kill you with his feet. He is one those quarterbacks that can keep plays alive all day and really gets the coverages he wants because he can run.”
Linebacker Jon Bostic
You might not knowEric Rhett rushed for 4,163 yards dur-
ing his career at Florida, making him the school’s all-time leading rusher. Emmitt Smith is in second place with 3,928 yards.
like I said, our senior class is tremendous as far as their leading. I think they took a little adversity they had, they locked up, came together, said, We’re going to be better because of it, and that’s what they’ve done. I think that has continued this summer.“
John L. Smith
Players say“(On dealing with the coaching change)
“I’ve handled it well. I think we’ve handled it pretty well as a team. I think if anything’s happened from the coaching change, I think we’ve gotten closer. I think we had a good replacement in John L. (Smith). I think it’s great that he kept the coaching staff that we already had so the transition has been easier than most people think.”
Running back Knile Davis
“(On handling the pressure and expec-tations of being an elite quarterback and an elite offense) I think we handle them like we’ve always handled them, that’s embrace the expectations and embrace the hype a little bit. This year being a little unique with the situation that’s occurred, we’re taking it upon ourselves to continue to work hard and be in that conversation late in the year. That’s what matters. It’s not what kind of conversation you’re in now. It’s what kind of conversation you’re in there at the end.”
Quarterback Tyler Wilson
You might not knowThis will be John L. Smith’s first season
at the helm of the Razorbacks. The last head-coaching spot Smith had in the FBS was at Michigan State in 2006.
201112-1 overall, 7-1 in the SEC – Second in
the SEC Western Division, defeated LSU in the BCS National Championship Game
Projected finishSecond in the Western Division
BrieflyThe Crimson Tide will look to return to
championship caliber this season under experienced QB A.J. McCarron, but with-out several key defenders from 2011.
Key players returningBarrett Jones (OL), A.J. McCarron (QB),
Robert Lester (S), Nico Johnson (LB) and D.J. Fluker (RT). The Crimson Tide has 12 returning starters from last year’s National Championship winning team.
Key lossesDont’a Hightower (LB), Courtney
Upshaw (LB), Mark Barron (S), Trent Richardson (RB), Dre Kirkpatrick (CB), Marquis Maze (WR), Brad Smelley (TE), William Vlachos (OL) and Josh Chapman (NT). The Crimson Tide lost 12 starters from last year’s team.
Coach says
20118-5 overall, 4-4 in the SEC – Fourth in
the SEC Western Division
Projected finish Fourth in the Western Division
BrieflyThe Tigers will look to improve on last
year’s 8-5 performance, especially the 4-4 SEC record. The biggest question is how well the new offense from coordina-tor Scot Loeffler will work in a conference packed with talent on defense.
Key players returningPhilip Lutzenkirchen (TE), Ontero
McCalebb (RB), Emory Blake (WR), Daren Bates (LB), T’Sharvan Bell (DB), Nosa Eguae (DE), Corey Lemonier (DE) and Trovon Reed (WR). The Tigers have 18 returning starters from last year’s team.
Key lossesEltoro Freeman (LB), Brandon Mosley
(OL), Neiko Thorpe (S) and A.J. Greene (OL). The Tigers lost six starters from last year’s team.
Coach says “I think a year ago today, as I stood
up here, I think we’re in a much stronger position as a football team than we were a year ago. I really believe that. I think one of the reasons that we are there is that, you know, we finally, in my opinion, after so many years, have developed some depth and we’ve got a little bit of experience.”
Gene Chizik
Players say(On the new offense): “It’s completely different. It’s more of a
pro style offense, more under center than what we did last year. It’s a totally different field on the offense. I like it; I love it. It’s going to give me more opportunities to make some plays and more plays in the passing game in general.”
Wide receiver Emory Blake
“I think I’m getting back to a more tradi-tional tight end. I’m still doing a lot of the same stuff as I’ve done in the past, being in the backfield, motioning around, and the same type of blocking, but I’m also more involved in the pass game this year as opposed to what I’ve done in the past.”
Tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen
You might not knowTerry Bowden has the best winning
percentage in the 20th Century among Auburn coaches who coached at least two seasons. Bowden compiled a .731 (47-17-1) record.
Mike Donahue is a very close second with a .730 (99-35-5). Dye comes in third with .711 (99-39-4), and Shug comes in fourth at .675 (176-83-6) in his days at Auburn.
“We’ve obviously learned a lot at Alabama over the last five years. The most important thing we’ve learned is you got to stay on top of the little things. Things don’t happen by accident. You don’t win a play by accident. You don’t win a game by accident. You don’t win a division by accident. You have to make it happen, and you have to make it happen by what you do every day.”
Nick Saban
Players say“A.J.’s starting to become a vocal leader
on the team. Last year, it was harder for him to be a leader because there was a question of who was going to be the quar-terback, but the way he came into Beaver Stadium before everyone against Penn State, you could just see he was going to be a leader. We threw more responsibility on him as the year went on, culminating in the national championship. He’s working hard this summer and setting the example for the younger guys on how to work, what to do.”
Center Barrett Jones
“(On preparing for a championship let-down) Us as leaders, most of us now were there in 2010 and we saw what can hap-pen, what complacency did to us. We’re very imminent to not let this happen to this year’s team.”
Tight end Michael Williams
You might not knowIf Alabama becomes bowl eligible this
season, they will have made 60 bowl appearances, a recurring NCAA record for the Crimson Tide.
38The Game Plan
201113-1 overall, 8-0 in the SEC – First in the
SEC Western Division, lost to Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game
Projected finishFirst in the Western Division
BrieflyLSU must break in a new quarterback
Zack Mettenberger after the departure of Jordan Jefferson.
Key players returningSpencer Ware (RB), Eric Reed (S),
Odell Beckham (WR), Russell Shepard (WR), Sam Montgomery (DE), Chris Faulk (OT) and Bennie Logan (DT). The Tigers have 14 starters returning from last year’s squad.
Key lossesTyrann Mathieu (CB), Jordan Jefferson
(QB), Morris Claiborne (CB), Rueben Randall (WR), Deangelo Peterson (WR), Michael Brockers (DT), Ryan Baker (LB), and Brandon Taylor (S). The Tigers lost 12 starters from last year’s squad.
Coach says“Our weight is down, our strength is
20112-10 overall, 0-8 in the SEC – Sixth in
the SEC Western Division
Projected finishSeventh in the Western Division
BrieflyMississippi will look to turn things around
this season under new head coach Hugh Freeze, who has a 30-7 record (Lambuth, Arkansas State) as a head coach and a 18-1 conference record.
Key players returningDonte Moncrief (WR), Patrick Junen
(OL), Ferbia Allen (TE), Randall Mackey (QB),Jeff Scott (RB). Joel Kight (LB), Bryon Bennett DT), Mike Marry (LB), Aaron Garbutt (S), Charles Sawyer (S) and Wesley Pendleton (CB). The Rebels are returning 15 starters.
Key losses Damien Jackson (LB), Wayne Dorsey
(DE), Matt Hall (OL), Kentrell Lockett (DE), Bobby Massie (OL), Justin Smith (NT), Bradley Sowell (OT) and Marcus Temple (CB). The Rebels lost nine start-
up. They’re practicing and working in the heat. I like how the back end of this thing is going to go. We’re two weeks away from reporting, looking forward to getting the academics squared away, finishing strong. I think we’re in position to put the team on the field that we need.”
Les Miles
Players say“(On moving on after the national cham-
pionship loss) It was a disappointing end-ing, but if you dwell on the past, you can’t move on. We’re trying to just do better things this year and move on.”
Wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr.
“(On the move from backup to starter) Every day, I try to get better. Definitely, being third string and knowing that you’re not going to get a lot of reps in practice and that you won’t play on Saturdays unless something happens, being the starter is something I’ve been looking forward to all my life, and I’m just trying to give it my all every day.”
Quarterback Zach Mettenberger
“I’m just ready to put some shoulder pads on again, man. Being a football player, it’s strange not putting those shoul-der pads on during the summer so I’m just looking forward to camp.”
Safety Eric Reid
You might not knowLes Miles has been the head coach at
LSU for eight years now. Prior to this he was the head coach at Oklahoma State from 2001-2004, where he amassed a record of 28-21.
ers.Coach says
“It’s a humbling thing to be here. My track is not the normal track to get to this point. I recognize that. I’m a realist. I also remember how blessed I really am and how fortunate I am to stand before you to represent Ole Miss and our great university and Rebel Nation.”
Hugh Freeze
Players say“(On the schedule) You can’t overlook
anybody. You have to take each game like you are playing the best team in the country. You have to look at it like that and prepare for each game and each opponent that week.”
Linebacker Mike Marry
“(On the new attitude and effort of the team) Attitude has changed a lot on the team. We have guys actually ready to practice. They are ready to go to weights, ready to go to 7 on 7. That changes a lot. This team has come together. It takes effort every morning to get up and go to workouts and that has changed.”
Defensive back Charles Sawyer
“(On how he can contribute this year) my goal is to get my team first downs and make big plays and try to be the receiver wherever they need me.”
Wide receiver Donte Moncrief
You might not knowOle Miss was founded in Oxford, Miss.,
in 1848. The Rebels first-ever football game was a 10-0 loss to the Arkansas Aggies on Oct. 1, 1915.
20106-7 overall, 3-5 in the SEC – Third in
the SEC Eastern Division
Projected finishSecond in the Eastern Division
20115-7 overall, 2-6 in the SEC – Tied for
fourth in the SEC Eastern Division
Projected finishSeventh in the Eastern Division
BrieflyThe Wildcats are still looking for their
first winning season under third-year head coach Joker Phillips.
Key players returningMister Cobble (DT), CoShik Williams
(RB), Collins Ukwu (DE), Mikie Benton (S), Donte Rumph (DT), Martavius Neloms (S) and La’Rod King (WR). The Wildcats have 12 starters from last year’s team returning.
Key lossesWinston Guy (S), Billy Joe Murphy (OL),
Danny Trevathan (LB) and Ridge Wilson (LB). The Wildcats lost 12 starters from last year’s team.
Coach says“We’re excited about this upcoming
season. Again, what makes us excited is how we finished last season. Our last four games last year we were 2-2. Of those
201110-4 overall, 7-1 in the SEC – First in
the SEC Eastern Division
Projected finishFirst in the Eastern Division
BrieflyThe Bulldogs will look to continue the
success they had last season under junior quarterback Aaron Murray, but without the help of 10 lost starters from last season.
Key players returningAaron Murray (QB), Bacarri Rambo (S),
Tavarres King (WR), Malcolm Mitchell (CB), Jarvis Jones (LB), Alec Ogletree (LB) and Michael Gilliard (LB). The Bulldogs have 16 starters returning.
Key lossesBrandon Boykin (CB), Orson Charles
(TE), Isaiah Crowell (RB), Ben Jones (OL) and DeAngelo Tyson (DE). The Bulldogs lost 10 starters.
Coach says“As far as this season is concerned, I’m
excited as always. Going into the 12th season at Georgia is a blessing.
It’s an honor to be able to be in that
last four games, what also makes you excited, for some reason or another, there were a lot of true freshmen, true sopho-mores, that were thrust into playing time, playing significant roles on our football team, whether it be offense, defense or special teams. Of those last four games, you saw a lot of those guys making huge plays for us. That’s what gets us excited.”
Joker Phillips
Players say“(On Coach Phillips’ intensity) He cares
about the program and about us so much. It shows in everything that he does. He eats, sleeps and breathes Kentucky foot-ball. He cares about this program so much, and he shows it on the field with the intensity that he brings. It’s crazy how much he loves this program, and we are better for it.”
Offensive guard Larry Warford
“(On the defensive lines in the SEC) They are tough. They are all big. They are all NFL quality defensive tackles so I know that every week it’s not going to get any better. They are going to be the same size guys. We are going to have to come ready to play or we are going to get beat. It’s just a matter of being ready to play every week.”
Center Matt Smith
You might not knowThe Wildcats will host the Samford
Bulldogs on Nov. 17 at Commonwealth Stadium. This will be the first-ever meet-ing of the two teams. This will be the third team Kentucky faces in the 2012 season with the nickname Bulldogs (Miss. State, Georgia).
39The Game Plan
position from a leadership standpoint, but I’m more excited for the players because I know what type of work they’ve put in.”
Mark Richt
Players say“(On if he’ll have a breakout season) I
certainly have to step up to my level of play. I think that I’m going to do that and continue to be consistent for this team. Losing Malcolm (Mitchell) is a big blow to our offense, but my group of guys as receivers, I’ve got Michael Bennett, Marlon Brown and Rantavious Wooten; those group of guys are ones that you can count on week-in and week-out. I feel like we can do a good job though.”
Wide Receiver Tavarres King
“(On the importance of the defensive line) Those guys are very important. They prepare as highly as I do. They really do the dirty work. I’m out on the outer side by myself with the one-on-one with the tack-le. They really do the dirty work; they’re in the grind with 600 pounds on them every play. That’s really the hard part. They’re going against two or three people, getting double teamed every play. I really give all of my credit to them, coming off of the edge, getting free and making plays. My teammates really sacrifice on defense for the outside linebacker.”
Linebacker Jarvis Jones
You might not knowThe Bulldogs have never gone unde-
feated in the SEC under head coach Mark Richt. The closest Georgia has come was in 2002 and 2011, with the Bulldogs com-piling a 7-1 conference record both years.
2011 5-7 overall, 1-7 in the SEC –Sixth in
the SEC Eastern Division
Projected finish Fourth in the Eastern Division
BrieflyThe Volunteers will look to improve
upon last year’s 1-7 SEC record under third-year head coach Derek Dooley.
Key players returningTyler Bray (QB), Da’Rick Rogers
(WR), Dallas Thomas (OL), Alex Bullard (OL), Zach Fulton (OL), Daniel Hood
20116-7 overall, 2-6 in the SEC – Tied for
fourth in the SEC Eastern Division
Projected finishSixth in the Eastern Division
BrieflyThe Commodores have 18 starters
returning from last season, including run-ning back Zac Stacy. Time will tell how well the team does under Franklin.
Key players returningJordan Matthews (WR), Chris Boyd
(WR), Wesley Tate (WR), Jordan
(DL), Prentiss Waggner (S) and Marsalis Teague (CB). The Volunteers have 19 starters returning from last year’s squad.
Key lossesMalik Jackson (DT), Austin Johnson
(LB), Izauea Lanier (DB), Ben Martin (DE)and Tauren Poole (RB). The volunteers lost only five starters from last year’s squad.
Coach says“I told some of the guys earlier that I
feel better today about where we are as a program than at any point since I’ve been in Knoxville, and I mean that. And probably the number one reason for that is for the first time we have a settled roster. Our roster’s in place. We have a full 85 on scholarship, we have 19 starters back, so we have a lot of experience.”
Derek Dooley
You might not knowTennesse won the first BCS National
Championship in 1998 with quarterback Tee Martin running the offense.
20117-6 overall, 4-5 in the BIG 12 – Fifth
in the BIG 12 Southern Division
Projected finish Fourth in the Eastern Division
BrieflyThe Texas A&M Aggies move from the
BIG 12 South to the SEC West this sea-son. Of the two newcomers, the Aggies have a much closer resemblance to an SEC-style team than Missouri.
2011 8-5 overall, 5-4 in the BIG 12 –
Second in the BIG 12 Northern Division
Projected finish Fourth in the Eastern Division
BrieflyThe Missouri Tigers move from the Big
12 North to the SEC East this season. The Tigers may have a hard time running the spread against some SEC defenses.
Rodgers (QB), Zac Stacy (RB), Ryan Seymour (OL), Josh Jelesky (OL), Walker May (DE), Rob Lohr (DT), Colt Nichter (DT), Chase Garnham (LB), Trey Wilson (CB) and Javon Marshall (S). The Commodores have 18 starters returning from last season.
Key lossesBrandon Barden (TE), Kyle Fischer
(OT), Tim Fugger (DE), Casey Heyward (CB), Chris Marve (LB) and Sean Richardson (S). The Commodores lost only six starters from last season.
Coach says“What’s amazing about Zac is as good
of a player, he’s a better person. I can say that about a lot of our guys. Zac gets a lot of credit, but we play ultimate team football at Vanderbilt.”
James Franklin
You might not knowRunning back Zac Stacy broke the team
record for rushing touchdowns in his first season as a starter with 14.
20117-6 overall, 2-6 in the SEC – Fifth in
the SEC Western Division
Projected finishSixth in the Western Division
BrieflyThe Mississippi State Bulldogs have
been on the upswing with head coach Dan Mullen at the helm.
Key players returningKaleb Eulls (DE), Chad Bumphis (WR),
Gabe Jackson (OL), Dillon Day (OL), Josh Boyd (DT), Deonte Skinner (LB), Corey Broomfield (CB) and Arceto Clark (WR). The Bulldogs have 13 starters returning this season.
Key lossesVick Ballard (RB), Chris Relf (QB),
Fletcher Cox (DT), Marcus Green (TE) and Brandon Wilson (LB). The Bulldogs lost 11 starters from last season.
Coach saysI”’m really excited overall in the pro-
gram, in the direction we’re heading, the great leadership we have within our ath-letic department and university with brand-new 80,000 square feet football facility opening up in January, stadium expansion that is going to start after the last home game this year.”
Dan Mullen
Players say“I think watching the older guys and see-
ing the things that they did and what they did when things weren’t going really well and the things that they did when things were going good. Just being out there and the experience I’ve had and I’ve played in some games and just, it’s time to be that guy that the young guys can count on and they can look up to and finally being able to lead the team.”
Quarterback Tyler Russell
““There will be some changes in the defense. We have guys coming in – last year I don’t think we played as hard; we weren’t as physical as we have been in the past. I think there will be some changes, we have better leadership roles, myself, I have taken the defense, and I have made us work harder. I think we have guys who have bought into the program. We have guys that are going to go out there and play harder and faster.”
Defensive back Johnthan Banks
You might not knowDan Mullen has compiled 21 wins in his
first three season, second-most in school history. He has led the Bulldogs to back-to-back bowl wins for the first time in over a decade.
201111-2 overall, 6-2 in the SEC – Second
in the SEC Eastern Division.
Projected finishSecond in the Eastern Division
BrieflyHead coach Steve Spurrier will be look-
ing to match last year’s success this season. The Gamecocks have Marcus Lattimore returning at full speed, but los-ing Alshon Jeffery will hurt the offense.
Key players returningMarcus Lattimore(RB), Ace Sanders
(WR), Connor Shaw (QB), Reginald Bowens ((LB), DeVonte Holloman (S), D.J. Swearinger (S), Shaq Wilson (LB) and Devin Taylor (DE). The Gamecocks have 13 starters returning from last year’s team.
Key lossesTerrence Campbell (OL), Stephon
Gilmore (CB), Melvin Ingram (DE), Alshon Jeffery (WR), Travian Robertson (DT), and C.C Whitlock (CB). The Gamecocks
lost 11 starters from last year’s team.
Coach says“If we can’t throw it very well, we’re not
going to try to. With Marcus Lattimore coming back full speed, plus a bunch of other guys ran the ball very well. Brandon Wiles and Kenny Miles did. Whatever we need to do to try to win the games is what we have to do.”
Steve Spurrier
Players say“(On replacing last year’s players) A lot
of those guys are gone, we’ll miss them tremendously, but we believe we’ve got the players that can step in and fill those shoes. We’ve had a good offseason, and we’re looking forward to starting camp.”
Free safety D.J. Swearinger
““(On playing for Coach Spurrier) He’s been there and done that, he’s pretty much a perfectionist. You have to have thick skin, but I know that by now, and that’s what you want so that you can get better as a player.”
Quarterback Connor Shaw
“(On Marcus Lattimore) I believe he’s ready to go 100 percent. When I see him lifting weights, working out, he’s back where he was before the injury, and I’m ready to see what he does.” .”
Wide Receiver Ace Sanders
You might not knowThe Gamecocks won a school-record
11 games last season.
40The Game Plan
41The Game Plan
2012 National Football League Schedules
42The Game Plan
WED, SEP 5Dallas at NY GiantsSUN, SEP 9Indianapolis at ChicagoPhiladelphia at ClevelandNew England at TennesseeAtlanta at Kansas CityJacksonville at MinnesotaWashington at New Or-leansBuff alo at NY JetsSt. Louis at DetroitMiami at HoustonSan Francisco at Green BaySeattle at ArizonaCarolina at Tampa BayPittsburgh at DenverMON, SEP 10Cincinnati at BaltimoreSan Diego at Oakland
THU, SEP 13Chicago at Green BaySUN, SEP 16Kansas City at Buff aloCleveland at CincinnatiMinnesota at IndianapolisNew Orleans at CarolinaHouston at JacksonvilleOakland at MiamiArizona at New EnglandTampa Bay at NY GiantsBaltimore at PhiladelphiaWashington at St. LouisDallas at SeattleNY Jets at PittsburghTennessee at San DiegoDetroit at San FranciscoMON, SEP 17Denver at Atlanta
THU, SEP 20NY Giants at CarolinaSUN, SEP 23St. Louis at ChicagoBuff alo at ClevelandTampa Bay at DallasNY Jets at MiamiSan Francisco at MinnesotaKansas City at New OrleansCincinnati at WashingtonDetroit at TennesseeJacksonville at IndianapolisPhiladelphia at ArizonaAtlanta at San DiegoHouston at DenverPittsburgh at OaklandNew England at BaltimoreMON, SEP 24Green Bay at Seattle
THU, SEP 27Cleveland at BaltimoreSUN, SEP 30Carolina at AtlantaNew England at Buff aloMinnesota at DetroitSan Diego at Kansas CitySeattle at St. LouisSan Francisco at NY JetsTennessee at HoustonMiami at ArizonaCincinnati at JacksonvilleOakland at DenverNew Orleans at Green BayWashington at Tampa BayNY Giants at PhiladelphiaMON, OCT 1Chicago at Dallas
THU, OCT 4Arizona at St. LouisSUN, OCT 7Miami at CincinnatiGreen Bay at IndianapolisBaltimore at Kansas CityTennessee at MinnesotaAtlanta at WashingtonCleveland at NY GiantsPhiladelphia at PittsburghSeattle at CarolinaChicago at JacksonvilleDenver at New EnglandBuff alo at San FranciscoSan Diego at New OrleansMON, OCT 8Houston at NY Jets
THU, OCT 11Pittsburgh at TennesseeSUN, OCT 14Oakland at AtlantaCincinnati at ClevelandSt. Louis at MiamiIndianapolis at NY JetsDetroit at PhiladelphiaDallas at BaltimoreKansas City at Tampa BayNew England at SeattleBuff alo at ArizonaNY Giants at San FranciscoMinnesota at WashingtonGreen Bay at HoustonMON, OCT 15Denver at San Diego
WED, SEP 5Dallas at NY GiantsSUN, SEP 9Indianapolis at ChicagoPhiladelphia at ClevelandNew England at TennesseeAtlanta at Kansas CityJacksonville at MinnesotaWashington at New Or-leansBuff alo at NY JetsSt. Louis at DetroitMiami at HoustonSan Francisco at Green BaySeattle at ArizonaCarolina at Tampa BayPittsburgh at DenverMON, SEP 10Cincinnati at BaltimoreSan Diego at Oakland
THU, OCT 25Tampa Bay at MinnesotaSUN, OCT 28Carolina at ChicagoSan Diego at ClevelandSeattle at DetroitJacksonville at Green BayIndianapolis at TennesseeNew England at St. LouisMiami at NY JetsAtlanta at PhiladelphiaWashington at PittsburghOakland at Kansas CityNY Giants at DallasNew Orleans at DenverMON, OCT 29San Francisco at Arizona
THU, NOV 1Kansas City at San DiegoSUN, NOV 4Denver at CincinnatiBaltimore at ClevelandArizona at Green BayChicago at TennesseeMiami at IndianapolisCarolina at WashingtonDetroit at JacksonvilleBuff alo at HoustonTampa Bay at OaklandMinnesota at SeattlePittsburgh at NY GiantsDallas at AtlantaMON, NOV 5Philadelphia at New Orleans
THU, NOV 8Indianapolis at JacksonvilleSUN, NOV 11NY Giants at CincinnatiTennessee at MiamiDetroit at MinnesotaBuff alo at New EnglandAtlanta at New OrleansSan Diego at Tampa BayDenver at CarolinaOakland at BaltimoreNY Jets at SeattleDallas at PhiladelphiaSt. Louis at San FranciscoHouston at ChicagoMON, NOV 12Kansas City at Pittsburgh
THU, NOV 15Miami at Buff aloSUN, NOV 18Arizona at AtlantaCleveland at DallasGreen Bay at DetroitCincinnati at Kansas CityNY Jets at St. LouisIndianapolis at New EnglandPhiladelphia at WashingtonTampa Bay at CarolinaJacksonville at HoustonNew Orleans at OaklandSan Diego at DenverBaltimore at PittsburghMON, NOV 19Chicago at San Francisco
THU, NOV 22Houston at DetroitWashington at DallasNew England at NY JetsSUN, NOV 25Minnesota at ChicagoOakland at CincinnatiPittsburgh at ClevelandBuff alo at IndianapolisDenver at Kansas CitySeattle at MiamiAtlanta at Tampa BayTennessee at JacksonvilleBaltimore at San DiegoSt. Louis at ArizonaSan Francisco at New OrleansGreen Bay at NY GiantsMON, NOV 26Carolina at Philadelphia
SUN, DEC 30Tampa Bay at AtlantaNY Jets at Buff aloBaltimore at CincinnatiChicago at DetroitJacksonville at TennesseeHouston at IndianapolisGreen Bay at MinnesotaMiami at New EnglandCarolina at New OrleansPhiladelphia at NY GiantsCleveland at PittsburghDallas at WashingtonOakland at San DiegoArizona at San FranciscoSt. Louis at SeattleKansas City at Denver
NFL Football Postseason Playoff Schedule 2012-2013
Wild-Card Round- January 5th and 6th, 2013
Divisional Round-January 12th and 13th, 2013
Championship Game-January 20th, 2013
Super Bowl XLVII February 3rd, 2013 Mercedez-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Lousiana
THU, NOV 29New Orleans at AtlantaSUN, DEC 2Jacksonville at Buff aloSeattle at ChicagoIndianapolis at DetroitMinnesota at Green BayHouston at TennesseeCarolina at Kansas CitySan Francisco at St. LouisNew England at MiamiArizona at NY JetsTampa Bay at DenverCincinnati at San DiegoCleveland at OaklandPittsburgh at BaltimorePhiladelphia at DallasMON, DEC 3NY Giants at Washington
THU, DEC 6Denver at OaklandSUN, DEC 9St. Louis at Buff aloDallas at CincinnatiKansas City at ClevelandPhiladelphia at Tampa BayBaltimore at WashingtonAtlanta at CarolinaNY Jets at JacksonvilleTennessee at IndianapolisChicago at MinnesotaSan Diego at PittsburghMiami at San FranciscoArizona at SeattleNew Orleans at NY GiantsDetroit at Green BayMON, DEC 10Houston at New England
THU, DEC 13Cincinnati at PhiladelphiaSUN, DEC 16NY Giants at AtlantaGreen Bay at ChicagoWashington at ClevelandMinnesota at St. LouisJacksonville at MiamiTampa Bay at New OrleansDenver at BaltimoreIndianapolis at HoustonDetroit at ArizonaCarolina at San DiegoSeattle at Buff aloPittsburgh at DallasKansas City at OaklandSan Francisco at New EnglandMON, DEC 17NY Jets at Tennessee
SAT, DEC 22Atlanta at DetroitSUN, DEC 23New Orleans at DallasTennessee at Green BayIndianapolis at Kansas CityBuff alo at MiamiWashington at PhiladelphiaCincinnati at PittsburghSt. Louis at Tampa BayOakland at CarolinaNew England at Jack-sonvilleNY Giants at BaltimoreMinnesota at HoustonCleveland at DenverSan Francisco at SeattleChicago at ArizonaSan Diego at NY Jets
Week 1
Week 6
Week 11
Week 16
Week 2
Week 7
Week 12
Week 17
Week 3
Week 8
Week 13
Week 4
Week 9
Week 14
Week 5
Week 10
Week 15
43The Game Plan
44The Game Plan