Pigskin Roundup 2016 | Page 52

ETOWAH BLUE DEVILS

Class, Region: Class 5A, Region Head Coach: Drew Noles

2015 Record: 7-4 2015 Playoffs: Lost at home to A. H. Parker 27-21 in OT in the first round of the 5A playoffs

2015 Rewind: The Blue Devils were the runner-up in Class 5A, Region 7 and lost a heartbreaking overtime game at home to Parker in the playoffs. It was the sixth straight playoff appearance for Etowah.

Key Losses: Just a few losses off of last year’ s playoff team, but they were big ones. The running back combination of Paul Ruiz and Stacy Williams is gone. The Devils also lost a pair of great defensive stars in Pigskin Roundup All-Stars Darius Moore at linebacker and Chrishun Young at end.

Players to Watch: Arkansas commit Daulton Hyatt transferred in from Arab in the off-season. The 6’ 4, 190 senior will combine with last year’ s starter Andy Noles to give Etowah as solid of a QB situation as anyone in the state. There are more than capable replacements at running back with Caleb Horton, Cory Thomas, and Tyrell Boley. Center Payton Nance( 6’ 1,300 Sr.) is a 4-year starter and has a 32 ACT score.

Payton Nance Center

2016 Roundup: The Devils return eight starters on offense and seven on defense and a large and very good senior class of over 20 players. Receivers Amil Smith, Malik Wilson, Lee Green, and Justin Harris give the talented QBs plenty of targets. All five offensive linemen return, 3 of 4 linebackers are back, and the secondary could be the strength of the entire team. Most of the defensive line is back and very experienced. This is a senior class and team that Etowah fans have been looking at for years and the Blue Devils promise to be one of the top teams in 5A.

Did You Know? Etowah quarterback Daulton Hyatt is the first East Alabama QB to commit to an SEC school since Westbrook Christian’ s Brodie Croyle pledged to Alabama after the 2000 season.

Local Bankers. Local decisions. Local commitment.

2015 Rewind: An up and down season ended one game short of the playoffs last year. Gadsden City had an explosive offense that averaged close to 40 points per contest( 38.0) and set a school record with 66 points in a game. The Titans’ five losses were all one-score games. The average margin of defeat was just 4.8 points per contest.

Key Losses: Three-year starting quarterback Ahmad DeRamus was one of the best players in Gadsden City Titan history. DeRamus threw for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also holds career records for completions, passing yards and passing TDs. The Tuskegee signee was one of five collegiate departures including OL Jamahl Jelks( Tennessee State), WR Darnell Mooney( Tulane), WR Denzel Mooney( Miles College) and WR Jalen Swain( Miles College).

Players to Watch: Ryan Sparks takes over as the Titans signal caller in 2016. Sparks joins a few skill players that had smaller roles last season but will take on key roles this fall. Gadsden City is excited to return Damon Williams to the backfield. The senior running back( 6-2, 185 lbs) already holds SEC offers( Ole Miss, Tennessee, Missouri). He joins junior RB Jalen Fleming who contributed a lot last season. Five seniors are back on the offensive line headlined by college prospect Toryque Bateman. The offensive tackle( 6-8, 315 lbs) is a physical specimen with great feet. Like Williams, Bateman holds several offers from Power 5 schools including Michigan, Tennessee, Miami, Mississippi State & Wisconsin.

2016 Roundup:“ Our kids are hungry for the season to come back around,” head coach Matt Scott said of the upcoming year.“ They feel like they missed an opportunity and lost close games against some of the top ranked teams, so they are excited to get back out.” The Titans have a lot of confidence heading into the season with several defensive players returning. Look for Gadsden City to use their talent and experience to their advantage early, and the lessons from last season to close out games late. Scott said last year’ s seniors did a good job in helping develop the players that will play key roles this season.

Sheriff

Did You Know?: The Titans have arguably the toughest schedule in the state regardless of classification. According to the ASWA preseason poll, six of the Titans ten opponents are in the top ten of their respective classes: Spain Park( No. 5), Oxford( No. 6- 6A), Hewitt-Trussville( No. 7), James Clemens( No. 2), Park Crossing( No. 7- 6A), and Bob Jones( No. 6).

50 | 2016 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine