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PAGE 2B August 2023
Depth and experience to benefit Douglas
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger With about 50 players on the 2023 football team, the Douglas Eagles are gearing up for what could be one the best seasons in recent history. Douglas just missed the state playoffs last fall, and the Eagles concluded the season at 6-4 overall. “I feel really good about the kids stepping up,” said head coach Brandon Lyles. Lyles, who is entering his fourth season at the helm of the Eagles program, said overall it’s been a good summer and that the players have been showing up more “consistently” than in the past. The weight room has been a big deal and Lyles added that his program is still getting better and By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Last fall the Arab Knights football program set a team record by scoring 513 points in what was one of the most successful seasons in school history. Arab finished with an 11-2 overall record and the program scored more than 28 points in all but one game last fall. The Knights defeated East Limestone 54-14 in the opening round of the state playoffs and Moody 42-20 in the second round. However, Arab’s 2022 season came to an end with a 41-38 third round playoff
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
learning to play quality football on every snap. The Eagles will have four returning starters on the offensive line and most of the program’s defense from last year will
be back on the gridiron this fall. “We bring back experience and probably more depth than we have had in several years,” said Lyles.
“Going forward I feel like we should be better defensively,” he added. However, the offense will be breaking in a new quarterback and running back this fall.
The Eagles will be competing in Class 5A Region 7. Douglas is set to open the 2023 football season on Friday, August 25 at Susan Moore.
The Eagles first region game will be against Arab on September 8. Douglas reportedly fell to Plainview 17-14 in the Eagles' 2023 fall Jamboree.
Arab optimistic about return trip to playoffs
loss to Pleasant Grove. This year’s team is optimistic about returning to the state playoffs. “We embrace failure and learn from it,” said fifth year head coach Lee Ozmint about falling to Pleasant Grove in last year’s playoffs. “We’re going to go full speed every play and do the little things better than anyone else," he said. The 2023 team is turning out to be one of coach Ozmint’s “favorite” teams he has had the opportunity to coach. He commented that the leadership this year is great and that players
have learned to call out teammates that may fall behind or those who are not giving 100% effort at practice. “I have challenged this group and they have risen to the challenge,” said Ozmint. The Knights program will officially step up to the challenge of a return trip to the playoffs when the season begins on August 24 against Albertville. Arab will kick off Class 5A Region 7 action against Douglas on September 8. “Winning raises expectations and that’s a good problem,” said Ozmint. This was first time that Brindlee Mountain has held a youth camp. “It’s the small things like camps that helps to get the community involved,” added Bailey. Brindlee Mountain will be competing in Class 3A Region 7 and the Lions are set to kick off the 2023 football season on Friday, August 25 against Cherokee. “I am happy with the schedule,” said Bailey. “I think there are some winnable games.” The first year coach added that “the good teams play hard no matter the circumstances.”
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Arab's Dylan Morrow, Curt Williams, Hagan Stewart, and Logan Silva show off their "Men of Steel' T-shirts during the 2023 Marshall County Media Day at Sand Mountain Park in Albertville. Steve Smith taking charge at Westbrook Christian Steve Smith is a
Joshua Bailey named football coach at Brindlee Mountain
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger New Brindlee Mountain head football Coach Joshua Bailey is trying to establish a new culture and build a strong foundation for the program. Bailey believes that changing the culture and building a foundation for the younger players will both have a big impact on the program and make Brindlee Mountain a great place to play football. The Lions first year head coach said that his players have already “bought in” and that “numbers are up a little.” Brindlee Mountain has 10-12 seniors on the
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Westbrook Christian football will look different this fall and maybe even more fast paced. Players, coaches and fans are excited about the changes, which includes the addition of legendary coach Steve Smith. Smith, who spent the past 17 years at Piedmont, was named the Westbrook Christian head coach during the recent offseason. “He’s been a great leader and we’re excited,” said Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator Matt Sanders.
Region 6 and building upon a season finale 47-27 victory over White Plains last fall. Overall, last year Westbrook Christian finished at 5-5 and 2-5 in region competition. Sanders said that the Warriors are in a “tough" Region and it will be a “non-stop battle” again this fall. Westbrook Christian is set to kick off the 2023 football season on Friday, August 25 at St. John Paul II. The Warriors will open Region action at Ohatchee on Friday, September 8.
“Phenomenal” coach, said Sanders, who believes in, and welcomes, the changes that the new coach is making with the program at Westbrook Christian. “He wants us to be a gritty, physical team,” added Sanders. Overall, there are a lot of new expectations, and players and assistant coaches are “pumped up” and ready for the new season. “There’s a lot of excitement in the air,” stated Sanders. The Warriors will be competing in Class 3A
Football Coach Joshua Bailey
fall varsity roster and the program recently had 45 participants attend the Lions’ youth camp.
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Albertville Varsity Cheerleaders Courtesy of Armando Munoz with Munoz Schools
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