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PAGE 5B January 2026 E-Edition
finals in 1998 as Selma finished as Class 6A runner-up. Maxey’s varsity coaching tenure was 157-76 with seven area championships, three Region Tourney appearances and one state crown. He was noted for playing the very best competition in the regular season to help his team be ready for the post-season. “His leadership style balanced discipline with encouragement, earning the respect of both athletes and faculty alike,” said Dr. Yulonda Rudolph in her nomination support letter. “Coach Maxey’s ability to inspire teamwork, sportsmanship, and accountability left a lasting impression not only on me but also on generations of student-athletes.” In 2021, the City of Selma celebrated “May for Maxey” honoring the Selma coach and teacher for his impact in historic city over the years. Dr. James Mitchell, the president of Wallace-Selma Community College, said Maxey has been making a difference for many years. “I have known Mr. Maxey in a professional capacity for 36 years,” he said. “During that time, he has served as a classroom teacher, coach, and vice principal in the Selma City Schools. His administrative and coaching record has been outstanding. He seems to have the ability to sense the needs and feelings of others and make them feel that they are a contributing part of the whole picture.” Maxey still continues to coach as an assistant basketball coach and also assists the athletic director at Wallace-Selma Community College. WILLIE FRANK MOORE (ADMINSTRATOR/COACH): A graduate of Bibb County High School (1988), Moore, 55, graduated from the University of Alabama (1994) Cum Laude, and earned degrees from Jacksonville State University and Alabama State University, Cum Laude. He returned to his home town of Centreville to begin his teaching and coaching career in 1995 at Brent Elementary School. He moved to West Blocton High School the next year serving as a teacher and coach, then returned to Bibb County High School in 1997 where he coached and taught through 2005. He served as a teacher, coach and administrator at Dallas County High School from 2005-2018 – becoming the school’s principal in 2016. In 2018, he moved north to Athens High School as the Academy principal and was elevated to Executive principal in 2020 – a role that he has had ever since. As an administrator, he has served as a CLAS Director (2023), AASSP District 8 President (2020–2023). He moved rapidly into leadership as an administrator – leading to his present position at Athens High School. As a basketball coach, his accomplishments have been legendary – earning Coach of the Year in Bibb County in 1996, Tuscaloosa News Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2001, Selma Times-Journal Coach of the Year twice, and AHSAA Class 4A state coach of the year in 2014. His boys’ basketball coaching record was 539-138, coached 18 area championships, reached the region tournament 10 times and the AHSAA Final Four twice – winning the state crown in 2014. Moore served many roles at Dallas County including girls’ softball coach (106-43), boys’ baseball coach (109-44), and stepped in as interim football coach. He coached the South squad in the 2015 North-South Basketball Classic. He is described by a faculty member at Dallas County as having exceptional leadership skills and exhibiting a strong dedication to the continuous personal and professional growth of every student he encounters. An Athens faculty member said, “Anyone in contact with Mr. Moore is better for the experience because above all else, Mr. Moore is a model of integrity that my peers and I hold as our exemplar.” Moore was selected the AHSAA Class 4A Making a Difference recipient in 2016 while at Dallas County. His wife Linda Moore received the same honor in Class 6A at Athens High School in 2021. SAMUEL PETTAWAY (OLD TIMER SELECTION): One of the state’s most outstanding track coaches, Pettaway, 78, graduated from Mobile’s Trinity Gardens High School in 1965 and Alabama State University in 1969. He returned to his hometown in 1972 and began a career as a teacher and coach in the Mobile County School System that lasted for the next 49 years. Primarily at Davidson High School, he retired in 2001. During that time, he coached 14 boys’ track teams to the to state titles in 1976, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987 – winning the AHSAA state indoor and outdoor titles each of those years. He coached the Davidson girls to indoor state titles in 1987 and 1988 and the outdoor state championship in1988 as well. His junior high teams also won state crowns in 1979, 1982, and 1984 until that championship program ended. The AHSADCA named him State Coach of the Year for each of those championships – a total of 18 state championships overall. He was recognized as Optimist Club Coach of the Year numerous times as well. Jimmie Gardner, former mayor of Prichard, was one of Pettaway’s former track student athletes. He lauded the impact his track coach had in his life and in the lives of many other students during his time as a teacher and coach. “One of the most remarkable aspects of Coach Pettaway’s coaching style was his ability to inspire and motivate his athletes to reach their full potential,” he said. “He possesses a unique talent for instilling confidence and belief in his team members – allowing them to surpass their own expectations and achieve remarkable results.” He added, “However, Coach Pettaway’s influence extends far beyond the realm of athletics. He consistently emphasized the importance of academic excellence, character development, and community involvement in his athletes. His dedication to the success and well-being of his athletes has extended beyond their high school years as he continues to support and mentor them long after they graduate.” Pettway still works as a youth volunteer coach and is a proud member of Mt. Hebron Church and Kappa Alph Psi Fraternity. JOSEPH PETTWAY (COACH/ADMINISTRATOR): A graduate of Marion Military Institute in 1978 and the University of Alabama in 1984, Pettway, 65, graduated Cum Laude earning his B.S. from Alabama State University; his M.S. from the University of West Alabama; and his ED.S. from the University of Alabama. He spent 31 years in education as a teacher, coach and administrator. He began his career in education in 1991 at Francis Marion High School in Perry County as a basketball and baseball coach – serving as an assistant as the boys’ team claimed the Class 3A state championship. He moved to Dallas County High School in 1992 as a middle school coach at Hazen Harrell Middle School, and moved to Keith High School in 1994 as the JV and middle school coach and assistant coach for a boys’ team that won the Class 2A state title in
1998. He then became the head basketball coach at Wilcox Central High School from 1998-2002, culminating with his team claiming the Class 5A state basketball crown in 2000. He returned to Keith High School in 2002 serving as head basketball coach and assistant principal through 2008. He stepped down from coaching to become principal at Keith from 2008-2012 and then moved to the Dallas County School System office from 2012- 2022 serving as an administrator and the school system’s county-wide athletic director and attendance supervisor. He also worked as administrator for the Alternative Learning Center. Pettway, who has been a face of education in Central Alabama for many years – also serving on the Wilcox County School Board since 2004. He received the All-State Board award from the Alabama Association of School Boards in 2002 because of his advocacy for children and the community. He had remarkable success as a basketball coach. However, he took more pride in watching his son Antoine Pettway, who was a standout on dad’s team win a state title. Antoine embarked on a coaching career of his own after his playing days at the University of Alabama and in the professional ranks concluded. He is currently serving as head coach at Kennesaw State University. Mr. Pettway loves farming and owns Circle P Cattle Farm. He is active in church and community leadership, serving as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a member of the Federation of Southern Cooperative. J EFF SMITH (COACH): Smith, 56, graduated from Walter Wellborn High School in Anniston in 1987 and earned his college degree in physical education and biology from Jacksonville State University in 1991. He learned to love football at both stops – first from his high school coach, Alabama High School HOF member Mike Battles, Sr., and next from his collegiate coach and Alabama Sports HOF member Bill Burgess. He shined as a player earning team captain at both schools. He admits he was destined to teach and coach. “That is all I have ever wanted to do,” said Smith. “My coaches meant so much to me in my life at a time when I needed it. My goal has always been to do the same for others.” Smith began his own career as an educator and coach in 1992 at Handley High School where he served as an assistant football coach, head track coach, and the team’s strength coach. He moved to Hueytown High School in 1993 as an assistant coach for Battles. He served as head track and head wrestling coach as well through 1996. He moved to Gauiter (MS) High School with Battles in 1996 helping the team go 10-0. He returned to Alabama in 1997 to become head football coach at Ohatchee back in Calhoun County. He compiled a 41-24 record over the next six years, reaching the state playoffs twice. He was also named Calhoun County Coach of the Year in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Smith moved back to Hueytown in 2003 as head football coach. He inherited a program that was 0-10 the year before and compiled a 35-31 record over the next six seasons. He was named Hueytown Teacher of the Year in 2005, the Monday Morning Quarterback Club Coach of the Year in 2006, Birmingham News Western Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2006 and received the Bob Finley Coach of the Year in 2007. He also served as president of the Jefferson County Football Coaches group in 2008. His teams reached the state playoffs four times. In 2009, Smith and his family returned home to Walter Wellborn High School where he has served as head football coach ever since. He also served as head track coach and started indoor track for his students. It is also the place where he coached his two boys, saw his daughter every Friday night on the sidelines as a cheerleader, and saw his wife working in the school office every day. His sons are on his coaching staff now, his daughter is a teacher, and his wife still works with the school. Over the last 17 seasons, he has compiled 111-74 coaching record with 12 state playoff appearances and one region championship. In 2023, he moved past Coach Battles to become the winningest football coach in school history. He has been selected Calhoun County Coach of the Year four times (2011, 2012, 2013, 2023), was named FNN Coach of the Year, and ALFCA Coach of the Year (2022). He is District 6 representative on the AHSADCA Football Coaches Committee. He served as a coach for the North in the North-South Classic in 2014 and as head coach in 2020. Also in 2020, he was presented the AHSAA’s prestigious Making a Difference Award for Class 3A. The school named the field in Smith’s honor this season, and the school yearbook was dedicated to him in the 2021-22 school year. His overall head coaching record is 187-129 over 29 seasons. LARRY STRAIN (COACH): Strain, 63, had an outstanding career as a football coach and girls’ basketball coach. He graduated from Randolph County High School in 1981 and earned his college degree from the University of Alabama. He was head football and basketball coach at Woodland High School from 1999-2014. His football squad compiled a 100-78 record reaching the playoffs 12 times and the Class 2A state championship game in 2004 and 2006. His girls’ basketball team at Woodland was 475-239 with 2A state titles in 2013 and 2014, and a Class 2A state runner-up in 2011. During that tenure, his daughter Courtney Strain became the AHSAA’s all-time leading scorer with 5,283 points, and his daughter Leah Strain closed her career ranked second with 4,566 points. Leah also ranks third all-time in assists (1,123). Strain moved to White Plains for one year and then to Handley in 2015 as head football coach and athletic director. He compiled an 84-36 football coaching record through 2024 when he stepped down as head football coach. His overall football coaching record over 26 seasons was 186-122. His Handley teams won the Class 4A state championship in 2016 and 2020 and reached the state playoffs nine times in his 10-year tenure. Strain also coached boys’ basketball at Handley from 2018-2024 compiling a 155-132 record reaching the Elite 8 in 2022. He has served as an assistant coach for the girls’ team, which is coached by his daughter Courtney. Strain has received numerous coaching awards including NFHS Section 3 Coach of the Year in 2020-21. He was named ASWA 4A Coach of the Year in 2020, AHSAA 4A Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2020, and the Randolph Leader Coach of the Year in 2004. He has coached in the Alabama-Mississippi Classic and North-South All-Star football games. He has also coached in the Alabama-Mississippi Basketball Classic and the North-South Classic. He also served on the AHSAA Football Coaches Committee from 2020-2024.
• REEL 1 - Four top high school student athletes in Northwest Florida received the Gator Bowl Charities Award of Excellence Scholarship on December 27, 2025. They include: (L-R) Anderson Vlaun (Creekside HS), Aristides Sastre (Harvest Community School), Emma Huntsman (Creekside, HS), Ishir Jha (Creekside, HS). • REEL 2 - Football fans at the Reliaqust Bowl Parade in Ybor City, Florida show off their free NFL Tampa Bay Flags. • REEL 3 - Vanderbilt Head Football Coach Clark Lea at the Reliaquest Bowl on December 31 in Tampa, Florida. Photos by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger THE SPORTS LEDGER HIGHLIGHT PHOTO REEL
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