8 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2024
The real key for the Huntsville defense this season will be the secondary . Huntsville lost Isaiah Collins after the season as he became an early enrollee at Texas Tech University to continue his football career . But the Hornets gained experience in some spots with injuries .
Collins was the Hornets ’ far-side cornerback but after an injury , he went over the top and became a safety . That opened the door for a couple of sophomores .
Brent Carroll and Kenneth Scott III gained valuable reps on the varsity level that most people wouldn ’ t until at least a junior year .
Scott III even came up with an interception against Randle to set up the go-ahead touchdown to win the game .
Having the two corner spots known , the Hornets have flexibility on the back end .
“ Last year our corners probably didn ’ t know that they shouldn ’ t be out there doing what they are doing ,” Southern said . “ Now they are experienced and we can do some things at safety .”
With the defense being the key , Huntsville is going to need its offense to not make mistakes and be capable of moving the ball .
The Hornets will have three running backs that are capable of moving the ball , starting with junior Trae ’ Shawn Brown .
Brown broke on the scene as a freshman but battled injuries all last year . He managed to tally 720 total yards in 12 games on 153 carries . Brown has the speed to outrun opponents and showed that against Montgomery last year , but getting back to full health each week is key .
Luckily for the Hornets , David Brown stepped in for the playoff run , and it looks like he could be a second back for the Hornets . Brown was a big reason the Hornets got through the first-round game against Texas City and Randle the second time .
Also in that room will be Ja ’ Khavien Birks in the backfield to give the Hornets a three-headed dragon that will be effective late in games .
“ It says a lot about our program when a guy can play freshman or JV football and be productive at those levels . Then when you get
8 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2024