EAGLES
STORY BY RUSSELL MOORE
Vinemont was on the
brink last season —
nearly breaking through
in the fourth quarter in multiple
games and flirting with a Class
3A postseason appearance.
The Eagles are intrigued to see
if those close calls produce more
favorable results in 2020.
“We’re moving forward
and improving each day,”
said Stephen Robinson, who’s
entering his fourth season as
Vinemont’s coach. “We’re getting
stronger in the weight room and
more confident as a team year
after year. We have a great group
of seniors who are eager to turn
those close losses into wins for
us.”
The Eagles finished 3-7
last season, with five of those
losses coming by two scores or
less. They missed out on the
postseason by just one game,
losing out on a tiebreaker
scenario.
Vinemont’s offense does
have to replace first-team
All-State running back and
workhorse Dallin Dinkle in the
backfield this season, but junior
quarterback Colby Miller and
senior tailback Brodie Curvin
should be up to the challenge.
One challenge Robinson
doesn’t want to spoil Vinemont’s
progress is the uncertainty
surrounding the COVID-19
pandemic.
“We’re following all safety
protocols, and I’m just crossing
my fingers we get to enjoy the
season,” Robinson said. “I can’t
imagine being a senior and
having to sit back and hope
you get to play your final year.
I still feel bad for the spring
sport athletes. I can sense how
excited guys are to be back
together. They want to be a part
of a routine and a team. They’re
willing to do whatever it takes.
They’ve had a good summer.”
OFFENSE
Miller is among the talented
quarterbacks returning across
the county and highlights an
experienced Vinemont offense.
“We’re expecting big things
from Colby,” Robinson said. “He’s
made an effort to get stronger
and more physical. He has to be a
leader for us to be successful, and
I have confidence he will.”
Curvin will earn the bulk
of the carries after serving as
a formidable complement to
Dinkle last season, and junior
Gabe Friedrich has developed as
a top receiving threat.
Vinemont’s offensive line
should also be a strength behind
the leadership of seniors Isiah
Young and Caleb Butler.
“We have a good group of
seniors returning on offense, and
that’s important,” Robinson said.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 20: Hanceville
Aug. 28: at Fairview
Sept. 4: at J.B. Pennington*
Sept. 11: Carbon Hill*
Sept. 18: at Tarrant*
Sept. 25: BYE
Oct. 2: Winfield*
Oct. 9: Susan Moore*
Oct. 16: Oakman*
Oct. 23: at Holly Pond*
Oct. 29: at Cold Springs
*Class 3A, Region 6 Game
48 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW