Pigskin Roundup 2016 | Page 72

SAKS WILDCATS SAND ROCK WILDCATS Class, Region: Class 4A, Region 5 Head Coach: Jonathan Miller Class, Region: Class 2A, Region 6 Head Coach: Steven Chesnut 2015 Record: 8-3 2015 Playoffs: Lost at home to West Limestone 42-36 in OT in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs 2015 Record: 7-3 2015 Playoffs: None 2015 Rewind: Just a few plays separated the Wildcats from a region championship in 2015. Saks lost just two regular season games- to Wellborn (non-region) and Cleburne County (in the region title game)- before falling to West Limestone in the postseason to finish the year with an 8-3 record. The Wildcats are hungry and ready to regroup with several new players in key positions in 2016. 2015 Rewind: Sand Rock was one of the best teams in Alabama in any classification to not make the playoffs in 2015. Despite a 7-3 record, the Wildcats lost the tiebreakers and missed the Class 3A playoffs. Key Losses: The graduating class of 2016 was one of the largest, most talented and experienced groups to suit up at Saks in recent history. The Wildcats lost key starters on both sides of the ball highlighted by running back Calvin Figueroa who departed as the school’s all-time leading rusher. Figueroa, Demetrius Powell (RB/LB) and Quinn Smith (QB) accounted for just about every offensive yard from scrimmage in the 2015 season. Saks will also have to replace linemen Austin Hobbs and Demario Burnett. As a whole, the Wildcats lost nine starters on offense and seven on defense. Players to Watch: Head coach Jonathan Miller says there are guys that had small roles in 2015 that are stepping up into prominent leadership positions and accepting new responsibilities and hopes that can lead to wins in 2016. Brandon Ogle (center) and Keenan Ju