PLEASANT VALLEY RAIDERS RAGLAND PURPLE DEVILS
Class, Region: Class 3A, Region 5 Head Coach: Jonathan Nix
2015 Record: 0-10 2015 Playoffs: None
2015 Rewind: In Jonathan Nix’ s first season as head coach, Last season the Pleasant Valley Raiders, they finished 0-10 on the season, and finished 8th in 3A Region 6.
Key Losses: The Raiders have several key losses from the 2015 season including, quarterback Elijah Borders, running back Josh Preston, and offensive lineman Chase Craven.
Players to Watch: Pleasant Valley has a few players to keep your eye as we enter the 2016 season. Senior offensive and defensive lineman Jordan Lambert, as well as Can-tor Knight, and Taylor Knight who play on the line as well. Linebacker Alex Parris will also be returning this season, Parris led the team in tackles most of last season until he suffered an injury.
Jordan Lambert Defensive End
2016 Roundup: There are eight players returning on both offense and defense with 8 seniors on this year’ s squad. The Raiders’ offense will be led by junior Reagan King, and senior Nick Howard will be taking snaps this season also. Caden Turner will be re-turning at the receiver position. On defense linebacker Reid Ponder will be returning as well as safety Nic Smith. After suffering an injury in the past, defensive back Dakota Jones will return to the field for the Raiders for his senior season.
Did You Know? For the first time in history Pleasant Valley and White Plains will not play in football this season. The two Calhoun County schools played every year beginning with the Raiders’ first varsity season in 1982.
Class, Region: Class 1A, Region 4 Head Coach: Brian Alred
2015 Record: 3-8 2015 Playoffs: Lost at state runner-up Cedar Bluff 47-26 in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs
2015 Rewind: In the 2015 season the Ragland Purple Devils went 3-8 on the season, and finished 4th in Class1A, Region 5 with a 3-3 record.
Key Losses: The Purple Devils graduated 7 seniors from last season including safety Jagger Phillips and linemen Jonathan Thornton and Triston Turner.
Players to Watch: Two names stand out on the 2016 roster and those are senior running back Jayden Killings, who put up big numbers last season, and quarterback and outside linebacker Stoney Merritt.
Did You Know? Ragland has been one of the top Class 1A programs in north Alabama over the last 15 seasons. The Purple Devils have averaged 8 wins per year over that time frame, including nine seasons with 9 or more wins.
Jadan Killings
Running Back
2016 Roundup: Ragland welcomes back Brian Alred as head coach this season. Alred was on staff a few years back as defensive coordinator under Jonathan Nix. The Purple Devils have 7 seniors this season with 5 returning on offense and 3 returning on defense. Offensive tackle and defensive end Jeremy Burnum will be a big part of this team, as well as defensive end John Wayne Brewer who has been starting since he was a freshman.
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