The Big 3

It is an often used phrase. Currently the Celtics have it. Formerly it was Aikman, Irvin, and Emmit Smith of the Dallas Cowboys. The Big 3 never means a lack of respect for the other players on the team but is a compliment to players that make such an impact they cannot be ignored. Such is the case on Colbert Mountain. This Friday Night in Lexington the Colbert Heights Wildcats and the Lexington Golden Bears will square off in a battle for 2nd place. Winner stays home in round 1 of the playoffs while the loser will be on the road. The Wildcats bring their High School Version of the Big 3; Cole Claunch, Bryson Smith, and Colby Spann. Quarterback Cole Claunch says "for us, just like any team, its important...no team wants to play on the road in the first round of the playoffs." Claunch is a big reason the Wildcats have this opportunity yet is quick to defer attention to his teammates. "My receivers deserve all the credit. Thay make me look good." Claunch leads all local QB's in TD's with 22 and yards with nearly 1500 in only 8 games. But individual honors are not what he wants. Neither is it the goal of all-around player Colby Spann. Spann is just as likely to catch a TD as he is to score on defense or special teams. In fact he says "I would rather run a punt back for a TD because it changes the game, gets the crowd in the game and your players get hyped up". Smith, who just last week scored three TD's in the win over Lamar County is a dual threat as well. All three though are quick to defer attention to the entire team. "The best part is playing in the pride and tradition the guys before me established and playing under all these great coaches" says Claunch. This Big 3 understands it is a team game and wants to make sure the TEAM does the best it can on Friday Night. Spann says "We've been working really hard and are ready to play them...I can't wait! "Claunch adds "I think we are ready to make a run and we got the guys and the coaches to do it." If they are able to beat Lexington count on these guys playing a major role. 

Profile - Skylar Beck - Brooks Lions

Six Questions for Brooks QB Skylar Beck:
1) What has been the best part of Brooks football this year?
What we have accomplished together as a team in making this a great season. We have a close bunch of guys who have each other's backs on and off the field.

2) What is the toughest part of playing QB?
 I think the toughest part is the amount of pressure I feel at the beginning of a game. Knowing you're faced with a number of decisions, but the moment the ball is snapped I know I have to be the leader on the field and stay focused so we can achieve our goal.

3) What has been the key to your teams offensive success this year?
We have a lot of speed offensively. We have put together a game plan in the run game where we are able to hold our blocks longer and create holes for our backs to use their speed and quickness. The line does a good job giving me the time I need to find my receivers and make the throw.

4) What are some of your earliest memories of Brooks Football?
 The guys I started playing with at a young age who have become my best friends. We've played football together pretty much our whole lives. Through the years we have become brothers, and I know we can always count on each other.

5) Have you always played QB growing up
Yes, I have always played as a QB, since i was 5 years old.

6) Would you rather run for 40 or throw a perfect 40 yd TD?

I think I would rather throw a 40 yd TD because I think it's pretty awesome when I hook up with one of my receivers for a TD. I would rather see a QB throw a complete pass to a receiver and know that you can trust him to do his job. In the end, it doesn't really matter how we score as long as we do. Our team just basically continues to work hard, stay focused, and keep our mistakes to a minimum which I feel has been the success for our offense so far this season.

Profile: Chandler Russ - Shoals Christian

The Brotherhood.  Christians often refer to one another as "brothers and sisters".  It may take on a whole new concept at a small school  like Shoals Christian.  Chandler Russ, who is second in the area in rushing at 121.8 yards per game, has to give credit to his true brother, an offensive lineman that blocks for him.  "The biggest part in my success has been my linemen/tight-end, I run as hard and fast as I can and trust my teammates to go hard. The wide receivers also do a great job stalk blocking. We all go hard and thats why we've had success."  But like most 1A schools the roster is filled with players that play both ways.  "The toughest part is getting tired. I'm a kicker on special teams and play middle linebacker on defense so I dont get much time to rest. "  He gets help from another brother here.  His other younger brother is the outside linebacker.  Together the three of them have helped the Flame to a 4-2 record with a 3-1 region record that is currently got them in third place behind Hackleburg and Addison.  Hackleburg visits the Flame this Friday night. In referring to his Sophmore twin brothers Russ says "Its pretty cool to know they're out there with me for my last year". Its that brotherhood and closeness of the players that helps in many ways.  "My favorite part of playing for Shoals Christian is that it gives you opportunities. Everyone gets their chance to play and we are all best friends so its always a good time. Most all of us play every sport so we always play with the same guys all year around which gives us very good chemistry."  So far it seems to be working well...everything is going good in the Flame Family!

Profile: Dillon Gist - Muscle Shoals

Dillon Gist always looked forward to the day he could play Varsity for the Trojan football team.  However, growing up in Muscle Shoals, Gist never saw a team with the chance to accomplish the things this team has the chance to accomplish.  "This team is about starting new traditions" says Gist.  As a senior running back he has been the workhorse for the teams ground game.  With several guys having spectacular games and the ability to break long runs it is his ability to grind the defense down that takes such a toll on opponents.  "Our offensive line blocks their tails off for our backs and all of us backs have to block for each other to be successful. If everybody does their job we don't have a problem running".  With the Trojans piling up 200+ yards rushing on a consistent basis it is obvious these guys are blocking and running well.  The Trojans are off to a 5-1 start with the lone loss being at 6A Florence.  Muscle Shoals is 4-0 in the region with only 3 region games left to play.  A win over Russellville Friday night would move them a step closer to their first regional title since

1988.  Gist says "beating Russellville and Athens in the same year hasn't happened since I have been here" continuing his idea of starting "new traditions".  When a team has enjoyed the type of success the Trojans have enjoyed it is easy to get the community excited.  Dillon points out that "the best thing about playing for Muscle Shoals is our community and the atmosphere they bring on Friday nights home or away games".  This spoken by a senior that has waited his turn and looked forward to this day. "As a little kid I always wanted to play when I grew up and this year has definitely lived up to that so far".  It will be fun to see what this team is able to do!

Its Friday Night!



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Band prepares to play

 

Falcon fans are loud!



Drum Major Eaton

People always associate Friday nights with high school football here in Alabama.  The players, the coaches, the rivalries.  Everyone loves to root for the home team, the alma mater, or just attend a good game.  The players put in hours of practice and prepare all week, if not all year, for "Friday Night".  But what about the other stuff.  To a pure sports fan they might question what else there is besides the actual game?  But to so many in the stands, as well as so many on the sidelines, they realize ALL that a high school football game encompasses.  First.... 



Majorette Williams

The Band.  The pageantry, the school fight song, the alma mater.  Who doesn't love the big bass drum. You can hear it for a mile outside the stadium announcing that it is Friday Night and it is game time!  Band members practice all summer long.  They work all year.  They get excited not just about helping their team s performance...but the halftime show.  Carleigh Eaton, Drum Major at Florence High School, says "My favorite part of the game is definitely halftime.  It gives us a chance to show the crowd what we really work for."  And make no mistake...band members work hard.  "I wish people understood how much work and effort we put into practicing. We don't just play at football games, we go to competitions throughout the season. We practice twice on week nights, and the percussion have practiced all day on a Saturday.  I attended a camp this summer for 5 days, and I would practice quite often on my own."  It takes a lot to put on a good performance and everyone loves listening and watching a good band.  The color guard the majorettes and the musicians all working together in unison.  Much like a good team.  Jordan Williams, a Florence majorette that started twirling in kindergarten and has been practicing ever since, understands how they must work together, and how much fun it can be.  "the best part is the friends I have made". But she also knows the hard work.  She says the worst part is "the sun at band practice...VERY hot!". 

 2) Cheerleaders.  Talk about a lack of respect.  These girls spend most of their hours behind the scenes making signs, goody bags, working on stunts and cheers...just to have most people dismiss what they do and make fun of them.  The fact is...the game would not be the same without them.  Isn't that what "home field advantage" is all about?  The noise.  The crowd.  These girls are the ones leading the effort to make sure the crowd is loud.  They too spend summers working and practicing.  They sometimes have been tumbling or taking gymnastics since they were young in order to be a better cheerleader. 

Either way - all the things they do go into creating an atmosphere of "nothing is more important than this game" for the players come Friday night.  Caroline Grissom of Muscle Shoals says they practice 8-12 Monday - Friday in the summer..but she "loves everything about it"and  Kayla Blackstock of Rogers concurs they too practice 2 - 4 hrs Monday - Friday and sometimes Saturday but she "loves football and everything to do with it".  

Patrick Twesme says being on the field
in front of people acting
crazy is the best



3) Mascots.  Who doesn't feel like its a bigger deal when the mascot is busy entertaining the fans.  These guys are great fun and add so much to the atmosphere. Wanna talk about a tough job? Ever felt how hot it is in one of those blind heat traps.  Wow!  4) Fans.  From the parents, grandparents, and siblings that come to cheer, to the alumni that still find their way to the stadium years after graduating.  Current students dress up, socialize, paint their chest, scream, yell, and do whatever to release energy and hopefully be able to walk away proud that their team did well.  5) Volunteers.  Think of all the work it takes to line the field.  To run the concession stand.  To make sure every last detail is handled so that all the coaching staff has to worry about is winning.  Yes - it takes a lot of people to make it work.  It involves an entire community.  Friday Nights are special...the games are great...it's truly much more than just a game. Its Friday Night! 

Kivon Coman

     Go west!.  That's what Kivon did.  He could have chosen South Florida or South Alabama.  Many kids are drawn to the coast and the sunny beaches of the gulf, but Florence Falcon safety Kivon Coman wanted to go west.  West to Mississippi State.  He will be a Bulldog next year.  The western division of the SEC. He will be playing not only in the toughest conference in the nation but in the division that has 5 or 6 ranked teams lately.  The Bulldogs are a program on the rise and Coman looks forward to being a part of it.  But he has a few things to take care of in high school first.  This Friday Bob Jones comes to Florence.  This game will have a huge bearing on the Region 8 champion. Winning a championship is one of those unfinished tasks Kivon wants to complete.  He says the Falcons have a tremendous work ethic and are excited about the challenges ahead. 


Makes receivers pay!



     Some kids don't start playing football until they are older. Parents worry about injuries or being too small at first. Kivon has played organized football since he was in 4th grade, and yes, mom was apprehensive at first, but even his mom has warmed to the idea of his football success.."when I was little my mom didn't want me to play -  now she loves me playing".  Unlike many players he has been playing the same position his whole life.  Maybe that's why he is so good at it.  Sure - like most athletes he played QB when he was younger as well, but now is a true defensive specialist.  Of the 23 passes thrown by opponents this season Kivon and the Falcon secondary have intercepted 7 of them.  Only 9 have been caught by opponents.  They catch as many as the other team does!!  When ask about playing alongside someone who gets the attention that Beniquez Brown does Kivon said  "its good because when they are looking at him then I can catch their eye".   Now - football will be the ticket to a good education at an SEC school.  Not bad.  It will be fun to see what this season as well as the future brings for Kivon Coman.