AGGIES
STORY BY JAKE WINFREY
It’s all about Mr. Momentum
for George Redding.
Fairview is coming off its
best campaign since 2012, and
the longtime coach is looking
to push forward — full steam
ahead.
The Aggies went 9-3 last
season, won a postseason game
and earned their first region
title since 1998.
But there’s no time for
complacency, especially with
the Purple and Gold moving
back up to Class 5A.
“Our main focus this
summer was finding a way
to get to an uncomfortable
position,” said Redding, who’s
entering his 14th season atop
the program. “What we’re
looking for is continued
growth. We know that for
us to be successful we can’t
stay where we’re at. Our
whole thing is, ‘Can we get
uncomfortable today so that we
can progress and get better?’
Our job is to find that, either in
the weight room, conditioning
or our practices. We had a
great year last year, but that’s
not a factor this year.
“We want to push further
than we ever did last year. And
it has nothing to do with wins
and losses, either. It’s just, ‘Can
we get better every day?’”
Redding, like many other
coaches, has also had to deal
with the challenges presented
by COVID-19.
And while it hasn’t always
been easy, he said he and his
assistants are doing their best
to protect the kids.
“Not one of us has been
trained for a global pandemic,”
Redding said. “But as you get
older, you start to understand
the things you can and can’t
control. And you start to focus
a lot on what you can control.
Our coaches trusted the
guidelines handed down to us,
and we kept players and their
safety first. Outside of that, we
worked them as hard as we could.”
OFFENSE
Parker Martin — The Times’ reigning All-Area
Player of the Year — returns at quarterback for
Fairview.
The Aggies, though, must replace departed
running back Tyvn Ellis, who graduated after
netting All-State, All-Area and All-County
honors.
Tyler Simmons will get the bulk
of the carries after rushing for
more than 700 yards in 2019,
while Dalton Payne, Eli Frost and
Jameson Goble will each be in the
backfield rotation as well.
JT White spearheads a stout wide receiving
corps that also includes Eli Speegle, Bryson
Chamness and Preston Ryan.
The Aggies return five of their top six
contributors along the offensive line,
including Levi Garner (All-State
in 2019), Will Bailey, Ethan Bice,
Adam Parker and Tyde Bagwell.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 21: at Falkville (Jamboree)
Aug. 28: Vinemont
Sept. 4: at Guntersville*
Sept. 11: Douglas*
Sept. 18: at West Point*
Sept. 25: BYE
Oct. 2: Boaz*
Oct. 9: Crossville*
Oct. 16: at Brewer
Oct. 23: at Sardis*
Oct. 30: Holly Pond
*Class 5A, Region 7 Game
24 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW