EAGLES
STORY BY JAKE WINFREY
It’s been quite the ride so far
for Justin Cornelius.
The first-year Cold
Springs coach was officially
hired in March, just days
before the COVID-19 outbreak
shuttered schools and shut
down sports for the rest of the
academic year.
No spring practice. A
suddenly uncertain summer.
Lots and lots of questions to be
answered.
Luckily for Cornelius, though,
his life mostly settled down.
The Eagles were able to go
through summer workouts,
and he was able to get his feet
underneath him.
“It’s been a challenge, of
course,” Cornelius said. “But we
have a great group of coaches
in place. They stepped up
and helped me out a ton. The
athletes have stepped up, too.
We had great turnout during
our summer workouts. It’s been
a lot, but once we got into a
routine, things have been great.
The paperwork and the cleaning
and all that takes time, and it’s
definitely different. But we’ve all
stepped up.”
Cornelius replaces Rod
Elliott, who coached the Eagles
for 12 years over two separate
stints.
Elliott led Cold Springs to six
playoff appearances, including
last season, and Cornelius is
hoping to pick up where last
year’s team left off.
Which brings him to the fun
part — coaching the kids and
living the dream.
“The biggest thing I wanted
to attack right away was the
mentality,” Cornelius said. “I
wanted to get tough mentally
and get them in shape over
the summer. We focused on
fundamentals and getting into
shape. It was about getting them
bought in and getting them to
this point, this season. I feel like
we accomplished everything for
the most part. I’m just excited
to get started with this group.”
OFFENSE
Brodi Williams (quarterback)
and Ayden Alexander (running
back) will spearhead an offense
that returns several familiar
faces and has a good chance
to improve on last year’s 22.4
points per game output.
Williams enters the 2020
campaign with three years
of varsity exposure under
center, while Alexander is
fresh off a stellar junior
season (1,607 yards and
21 touchdowns) in which
he nabbed All-State honors
(Class 2A second-team
running back).
SCHEDULE
Aug. 21: Meek
Aug. 28: at Holly Pond
Sept. 4: Sulligent*
Sept. 11: BYE
Sept. 18: at Aliceville*
Sept. 25: Falkville
Oct. 2: at Addison*
Oct. 9: Midfield*
Oct. 16: at Winston County*
Oct. 23: Lamar County*
Oct. 29: Vinemont
*Class 2A, Region 5 Game
10 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW