TALLADEGA COUNTY CENTRAL TIGERS WEAVER BEARCATS
Class, Region: Class 1A, Region 4 Head Coach: Chris Mahand
2015 Record: 6-4 2015 Playoffs: Lost at Spring Garden 39-16 in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs
2015 Rewind: After starting the year 1-3, the Tigers reeled off five straight wins to earn their second straight appearance in the postseason.“ You can’ t ever get enough experience. It was big for them to make the playoffs and now their expectation is to go further this season,” says Mahand. T. C. C. finished the year with a 6-4 record in Coach Chris Mahand’ s second year back with the club. Mahand also served as HC from 2006-08. The team graduated just two seniors from the 2015 squad.
Key Losses: Starting cornerback and receiver Trovell Stockdale’ s loss will be felt the most on the 2016 team. Stockdale had playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. Stockdale’ s loss provides an opportunity for other players to step in and be a leader both on and off the field.
Players To Watch: Dynamic running back Kylen Cross returns to the backfield with some help on the way. The Tigers will also add transfer running back and linebacker Kris Emory in the fold in 2016. Cross( 6’ 0” 235 lbs) rushed for 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. The addition of Emory( 6’ 1” 225 lbs) will help to keep Cross fresh through the season. Both players have the size and speed to carry the offensive load. Mikell Armbrester( 5’ 9” 240 lbs) is also expected to have a big impact as a returning starter at defensive tackle.
Kylen Cross Running Back
2016 Roundup: Even though the Tigers had just two seniors last year, the club will again be young this season. The club has three seniors with the majority of the team in the junior class. After tasting a bit of success last season, the team is hungry to make another run in 2016. Mahand points out the team’ s willingness to work hard in the weight room and on the field this offseason as an indicator of a potentially good season.“ We have the opportunity to have some pretty talented kids this year. If they continue to prepare to win like they have been doing this summer and we stay healthy, I like our chances to be competitive this season,” said Mahand. The Tigers will share the region with familiar opponents( Donoho, Victory Christian, Ragland) but they will move into the extremely competitive Class 1A South.
Did You Know?: Chris Mahand has led the Tigers to the postseason in each of his five years as head coach. T. C. C. went to the postseason three years straight in 2006-08( including a berth in the Super Six in‘ 07) and again in 2014 & 2015.
Class, Region: Class 3A, Region 5 Head Coach: Daryl Hamby
2015 Record: 5-6 2015 Playoffs: Lost at Madison Academy 56-21 in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs
2015 Rewind: Although the season ended with a 5-6 record,
Tyrik Hall Linebacker
the Weaver Bearcats took away a lot of positives that will serve them in 2016. Weaver fielded a young team that had a very explosive offense. The Bearcats averaged nearly 30 points per game and made their third straight trip to the playoffs.
Key Losses: Delo Forbes is the Bearcats most recognizable loss. Forbes made plays on both sides of the ball as a running back and defensive back. Weaver will also miss the services of OL / LB Cheyenne Wolfe who was a big force in the trenches. The Bearcats also lost WR & DB Craig Copeland who was a versatile playmaker and defensive end Malik Arnold emerged as one of the top pass rushers and run stoppers in the area.
Players to Watch: The often-overlooked offensive line might just be the strength of a team that will boast several dynamic players on the perimeter. Matt Elston( Sr.), Tyler Perez( Jr.), Caleb Allison( Soph.), Connor Uesry( Sr.) and Riley Benavides( Jr.) will provide tremendous size to protect their skill players. Weaver returns a bevy of talented players that are expected to bring an explosive element to their offense. Running backs Tyrik Hall, Giovanni Mosley and Shamar Spinks bring a great balance of strength and speed in the backfield. A host of new and experienced players will line up as receivers including Maurice Goodman, Robert Gaines, London Knight and Cody Ortiz. Defensively, the Bearcats have a lot to be excited about with Kyle Clapper and Tyrik Hall as inside linebackers alongside outside LBs Giovanni Mosley and Chris Lemon. The defensive line will be anchored by Brandon Boyce and Caleb Allison.
2016 Roundup: Dalton Hamby will take the reigns as the Bearcats starting quarterback in 2016. Hamby has grown in size, strength and growth as a leader as he heads into his junior campaign. The move gives head coach Daryl Hamby and staff creative ways to get the ball to Paul Hubbard( who has also played QB) in a variety of ways. Look for Hubbard to line up all over the field within the offense. Hubbard will also be the cornerback they turn to this year to be a shutdown defender. Playing in a very tough region, look for Weaver to come out with a good sense of urgency and a competitive fire.
Did You Know? Weaver can match the school record for consecutive trips to the playoffs( four) with a berth in the postseason this year. From 1994-97 and 2002-05 the Bearcats had four straight bids into the postseason.
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