Pigskin Roundup 2015 | страница 39

The Donoho Falcons have a new head football coach for the first time since 2004. Andy McWilliams moves up to the head spot after 12 years as an assistant at Donoho. McWilliams inherits a team coming off an undefeated regular season and a region championship. The Falcons return a good mix of experienced players and talented newcomers. In all, Donoho returns 6 starters on offense and 5 on defense with about 7-8 seniors on a roster of 30. There is plenty of experience returning, especially on the offensive side. QB DONOHO OFFENSIVE LINE Chandler Collins will be a big part of the offense, including seeing some time at running back. The Falcons SCHEDULE will also feature two other weapons 8/28 Shoals Christian......... Home at running back. Garrett Steed 9/04 Talladega Co. Central... Home* will split time between running 9/11 Open back and wide receiver and junior 9/18 Winterboro............... Away* Mitchell Baker has great speed and 9/25 Fayetteville............... Away explosiveness. Baker is one of the 10/02 Victory Christian........ Home* area’s best kickers and punters 10/09 Wadley.................... Away* and could be a college prospect at 10/16 Ragland................... Home* those positions next year. A large 10/23 Appalachian.............. Away* offensive line is led by seniors 10/30 Coosa Christian.......... Home Reeves Nelson (6’3, 240), Walt Montgomery (6’0, 240), and Jesse McWilliams (6’0, 265). A number of newcomers promise to make an impact for Donoho in 2015. Sophomore receiver Tej Patel, Robert Crosson, and Ross Svenson are expected to make immediate contributions for the Falcons. Svenson will be in the mix at quarterback. Another newcomer, Nick Tutor, will be eligible near the middle of the season and big things are expected of him also. Coach McWilliams indicates that this has been the best summer of workouts in a long time on 10th Street Mountain. He expects Class 1A, Region 5 to be loaded from top to bottom with Talladega County Central, Winterboro, Ragland, and Wadley all expected to have good teams. COACH ANDY MCWILLIAMS... “The guys have done a really good job in the off season. The effort, the amount of kids coming out to play, and the hard work has been excellent. Our level of execution will determine our level of success this year.” RAGLAND PURPLE DEVILS The Ragland Purple Devils head into the 2015 campaign with a new coach at the helm in Michael Hathorn. The Purple Devil offense is set up for success as they return running back Jaden Killings as well as quarterback Stoney Merritt, and wide receiver Braxton Thomes. Both the offensive and defensive line will be on point this season led by senior Devin Turner and counterpart Jeremy Burnham. Ragland is competing once again in that tough 1A Region 5, and Coach Michael Hathorn says, “ I believe it will be a great challenge for our football team and we will have to play to our full potential every week.” According to Coach Hathorn, his favorites in the region are, Wadley, TCC, and Winterboro. COACH MICHAEL HATHORN... “Our student-athletes have been working really hard this summer and we are looking forward to a great season.” JAYDEN KILLINGS Running Back SCHEDULE 8/28 Gaston.................... Away 9/04 Wadley.................... Home* 9/11 Winterboro............... Away* 9/18 Appalachian.............. Home* 9/25 Cedar Bluff............... Home 10/02 Talladega Co. Central... Home* 10/09 Open 10/16 Donoho................... Away* 10/23 Victory Christian........ Home* 10/29 Ohatchee................. Away 2015 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine | 37 CLASS 1A REGION 5 DONOHO FALCONS