Pigskin Roundup 2016 | Page 50

COLLINSVILLE PANTHERS COOSA CHRISTIAN CONQUERORS Class, Region: Class 2A, Region 6 Head Coach: Ernie Willingham Class, Region: Class 1A, Region 6 Head Coach: Navendra Woods 2015 Record: 6-5 2015 Playoffs: Lost at Randolph County 70-7 in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs 2015 Record: 0-10 2015 Playoffs: None 2015 Rewind: Coosa Christian struggled throughout the season and was unable to win a game in 2015. Coosa started a freshman quarterback and was very young throughout the roster with only three seniors. 2015 Rewind: Collinsville improved from a losing record in 2014 to a winning mark and the Class 2A playoffs in 2015. Key Losses: The Panthers key losses included the graduation of 15 seniors highlighted by WRs/DBs Nick and Dominick Brockitt and 4 year starting center Jacob Walls. Players to Watch: Four starters on offense and five on defense return on a roster of 45 players. Senior Tyler Blakely (5’11, 185) will be the starting running back and middle linebacker and is a college prospect. 6’0, 250 lb OL/DL Stephen Watts will be the Panthers’ best lineman in 2016. QB Dallas Jones (5’8, 160 Sr.) was hurt in week seven of last season, but returns to lead the offense again in ’16. Running back/H-back/slot receiver Dallas Reed is a big-time playmaker at several positions. Tyler Blakely Running Back 2016 Roundup: The story of this Collinsville squad will be decided upfront. The Panthers lost all of their offensive line from last season. If Coach Ernie Willingham can find capable replacements, he has lots of firepower with virtually all of his backs and receivers returning. Coach Willingham expects a very fast and very competitive team playing in a tough region. Willingham says the most important item for his team this season is taking care of the football. Turnovers were huge in some of the key losses in 2015. Coach Willingham expects Fyffe, Gaston, and Ider to be some of the top teams in the region. Did You Know? The Collinsville offensive line will be one of the youngest in this part of the state. The Panthers will start two freshmen, a sophomore, and two seniors this season. Caiden Lipscomb Quarterback  Key Losses: Coosa only lost three seniors-Mikey Green, Jeremy Ware, and Russ Mangum. Players to Watch: Sophomore quarterback Caiden Lipscomb (5’11, 190) started as a freshman. New Coach Navendra Woods is excited about Kevon Carlisle (6’1, 190 Jr.) at running back and Southside transfer Jackson Justus (6’3, 220) at tight end and defensive end. Look for a big year from WR/DB Caleb Garret (6’1, 180). Other players expected to contribute include OL/ DL Chase Burger and LB Jake McDowell. 2016 Roundup: Coach Woods played at Litchfield and his father and uncle were also standouts at Litchfield on some of the great Eagle teams of the ‘80s. He hopes to bring that kind of experience and tradition to Coosa. The Conquerors return five starters on offense and six on defense, but have just two seniors on the 23 man roster. Woods plans to employ a 4-3 defense and would like to run the ball on offense, but Coosa scored all three touchdowns in the spring win over Asbury via the pass. Did You Know? Coosa has an exchange At this point, Woods says they are student from Japan that is expected to still trying to find their identity. be a big contributor this season. Teppei Daisaku played American football in Japan starting at age 12 and is very familiar with the sport. DONOHO FALCONS Class, Region: Class 1A, Region 4 Head Coach: Andy McWilliams 2015 Record: 3-6 2015 Playoffs: None 2015 Rewind: In the first season unde