CLASS 2A REGION 7
COLLINSVILLE PANTHERS
The move up from Class 1A to 2A
was a rough one for the Collinsville
Panthers in 2014. Collinsville
started off 3-0, but lost five of the
last 6 to finish 4-6 and missed the
Class 2A playoffs. Head Coach Ernie
Willingham is preaching a more
physical style of play to his team if
they hope to make it to the playoffs
in 2015. The numbers are excellent
for a 2A school. The Panthers return
seven starters on offense and 8
on defense and also have a senior
cla ss of 15 within an overall squad
that numbers 43 heading into fall
practice.
The Panthers possess good speed
and athletes at the skill positions.
Senior twins Nick and Dominque
Brockitt will man the corners on
defense and both will also start at
receiver on offense. Willingham will
do a bit of shuffling with some key
players in 2015. That movement
will include three-year starter Jacob
Wells moving from tackle to center,
and junior Tyler Blakely (the team’s
SCHEDULE
8/27
Cedar Bluff..................... Away
9/04
West End....................... Away*
9/11
Holly Pond..................... Home
9/18 Cleveland...................... Home*
9/25
Horseshoe Bend............... Away
10/02 Section......................... Away*
10/09 Ider............................. Home*
10/16 Gaston.......................... Away*
10/23 Fyffe............................ Home*
10/30 Valley Head.................... Home
leading tackler in ’14) shifting from
safety to linebacker. WR/RB Dallas
Reed is the fastest player on the roster
and will also move to Blakely’s spot at
safety on defense. Expect big things
from junior quarterback Grant Jones as
well. Jones broke his leg last summer
and missed the entire 2014 season.
Willingham says he expects defending
state champion Fyffe and Cleveland to
be the top teams in Class 2A, Region 7.
COACH ERNIE WILLINGHAM...
“We are still excited about the move up to 2A. If we are going to compete
with the people in our region we have to be more physical this year,”
GASTON BULLDOGS
There may not be a team in
East Alabama with any more
momentum heading into the 2015
season than Gaston. The Bulldogs
took another step forward last
season with a thrilling upset win
over Cleveland to clinch home
field advantage in the playoffs and
a comeback win over Cold Springs
in that first round playoff game.
Gaston scored an impressive win
over Ranburne (the team that
ended their season last year) in
the Spring Gridiron Classic at JSU.
Coach Swane Morris’ team has a
lot of players to replace for 2015,
but good players are waiting in
the wings. Gaston returns six
offensive starters, but only three
on the defensive side.
Offensive skill players to watch
include four-year starting QB
Jordan Douglas (5’10, 185 Sr.),
breakaway running back threats
Jashun Cammeron (5’11, 180)
and D.J. Pope (5’9, 205), and
newcomer Dylan Gilcrist at
receiver. The offensive line will be
the strength of the team, with all
seniors starting on the front line.
Line leaders include massive Devin
Chappell (6’4, 315), Desmond
Sandridge, Cameron Johnson,
and Bubba Satterfield. Defensive
leaders will include Sandridge
(5’10, 195) at inside linebacker,
junior safety Kevin Hollingsworth,
and junior Alexander Allen at
cornerback. Cammeron will
also be a standout at the other
corner. This year, Morris says the
Bulldogs have strong leadership, a
high football IQ, and good speed,
especially on defense. Morris
expects defending state champion
Fyffe and Cleveland to once again
provide the toughest competition
in Class 2A, Region 7.
GASTON OFFENSIVE LINE
SCHEDULE
8/28 Ragland................... Home
9/04 Section.................... Home*
9/11 Ider........................ Away*
9/18 Spring Garden............ Home
9/25 Gaylesville................ Away
10/02 Fyffe...................... Home*
10/09 West End................. Away*
10/16 Collinsville............... Home*
10/23 Cleveland................. Away*
10/30 Pleasant Valley.......... Away
COACH
SWANE MORRIS...
“I was really proud of our team in
the spring. I am as proud of them
off the field as I am of them on
the field. They have shown great
leadership.”
46 | 2015 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine