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PAGE 7B August 2023
Valley Head hopes to improve upon last year's 10-2 football season
Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Expectations for the 2023 Sylvania football program are high after last year’s team finished with one of the best records in school history. “We really are excited,” said Sylvania coach Tyler Vann. However, he added that his team “learned from everything that happened last year,” and the Rams are not looking ahead and will be taking things one game at a time. Last fall, the Rams finished with a 10-4 overall record. will miss star running back Eian Bain, who will be playing college football at Faulkner University. “We’re going to have to pass the ball around,” said Tiger’s head coach Charles Hammon, who also noted that with about 36 players By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger One of the best Class 1A football teams in North Alabama this fall may be the Valley Head Tigers. With 13 seniors, including nine starters returning on both offense and defense, the Tigers have multiple players that squat 500 pounds. Additionally, the program knows what it takes to have a winning season, after finishing last fall with a 10-2 record. Valley Head rolled up 493 points on offense last fall and reached the second round of the AHSAA State Playoffs. This year, Valley Head
Sylvania opened the AHSAA state playoffs with a 35-6 win over Fayette County and the Rams defeated Madison Academy 48-45 in overtime in the second round. In the third round of the playoffs last year, the Rams matched up against DeKalb County rival Geraldine in what was one the more exciting quarterfinal rival games in recent history. “It was special hosting Geraldine at home in the third round of the Playoffs,” stated Vann, adding that the stadium was “packed” with fans. looking to improve upon last year’s record when the season opens on Friday, August 25 against North Sand Mountain at Valley Head. “We’re going to have a chance, we just need the ball to bounce our way,” added Hammon. “Our total goal is to have a winning season and get into the playoffs.” some student athletes will be playing on both sides of the football. Valley Head will be competing in Class 1A Region 7 and the Tigers were the top team in the Region last fall. “I think our region is really good from top to bottom,” stated Hammon. “I think the Region could send four teams to the playoffs, and I think there’s a couple of teams that could be left out, that could win the first round.” The Tigers will be
The Valley Head Tigers are coached by Charles Hammon. The Tiger's football coaching staff include (L-R) Jay Tyler Ellis, Craig Hulgan, Jared Hulgan, Coach Hammon, Ben Kirby, Coby Harrison, and Jonathan McGill. Not Pictured is John Kirby. 2023 Valley Head Coaching Staff Photos by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Sylvania poised for return trip to state playoffs “Having the extra four weeks was big,” added Vann. With 11 seniors, the Rams are poised for another playoff run. However, that may be
Sylvania managed to pull out a 27-7 win over the visiting Bulldogs to advance to the state Semifinals. However, the Rams fell to Piedmont 55-22 to close out the year just one game shy of state finals. “That was a tough loss,” said Vann. “It was a really good football game, against a really good football team and coach.” Playing in those four post season games was a great experience for all involved and the extra competition will give the returning players more experience going into the 2023 season.
difficult as Vann noted that every team on the Rams 2023 football schedule is tough, physical and well coached. “You have to be locked in week in and week out,” said Vann. The Rams are set to open the 2023 season at Saks on September 1. Sylvania will start Class 3A Region 6 action against Piedmont on September 8.
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Representing Sylvania at the 2023 DeKalb County football Media Days were Zach Anderson, Leo Kirby, Jaxon Smith and Ashdon Cooley.
Ider to field 'bigger' and 'stronger' team
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Last year the Ider football program suffered through the season with a few injured players and the program finished with a 2-8 overall record. This fall, if the Hornets can stay healthy, the program has a great opportunity to be more competitive. Ider has nine seniors and eight returning defensive and offensive starters. The Hornets also have several freshmen moving up to the Varsity team this year. Third year head coach Chad Grant recently stated that Ider has several “big boys” up front and overall the players will be “stronger" this year. “We’re going to line
up and do our best to run at you,” said Grant. “Our number 1 goal is to go out and play hard for four quarters, and get it into the fourth quarter with an opportunity to win,” Grant added. Ider will not play an official game in week zero due to the Crossville Lions program not fielding a varsity football team. The DeKalb County rivals were originally set to play on August 25. However, Grant said that the opening week spot will now be a Jamboree game with Crossville’s junior varsity program. The Hornets will be competing in Class 2A Region 7 and Ider will officially open the nine game season on Friday, September 1 at Asbury.
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
The members of the 2023 Ider Varsity Cheerleaders are: (Front) Ava Evans, Danica O'Dell, Serenity Hale, Isabelle Howard, Hayley Kilgore, Makinley Traylor, Emma Hayes, Sarionah Campbell, and Allie Crowley (Back) Karalina Mann, Sydney Talley, KayLee Mann, Yasmeen (Yazzy) Chastain, Carlie Finnerty, Cambree Chapman, Kaiya Woods, and Paisley Chapman. Ider is coached by Kelli Shirley and Tim Dalton. Ider Varsity Cheerleaders Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
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