Sheriff
Todd Entrekin
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Serving All of Calhoun County and Surrounding Areas
GASTON BULLDOGS
Class, Region: Class 2A, Region 6 Head Coach: Swane Morris
2016 Record: 6-5 2016 Playoffs: Lost at Lanett 68-13 in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs
2016 Rewind: Gaston reached the Class 2A state playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The Bulldogs also had a winning record for the fourth straight year.
Key Losses: Some heavy losses off the 2016 Gaston team. Twin brothers D. J. and J. D. Pope are gone from running back and receiver. Also gone is QB Kevin Hollingsworth, receiver Alexander Allen, and linebacker Cameron Peacock
Zac Satterfield
Players to Watch: Senior three-year starter Zac Satterfield( 6’ 3, 260) is back at TE / DE. He will be joined up front by tackle Lane Talbot( 6’ 3, 230), center Christian Farley( 6’ 0, 245), and sophomore guard Cole Wadsworth( 6’ 0, 210). Top wide receiver targets will be E. J. Easley and Lathan Stewart at receiver.
2017 Roundup: Gaston lost all of the skill players off of last year’ s playoff team and finding new, productive players in that area is the priority for the Bulldogs. The strength of this team is the offensive line. The Bulldogs return 4 of 6 lineman and all four interior lineman started every game last season. The running game will be by committee with a senior, two juniors, and two sophomores battling for playing time. Overall Gaston returns a roster of 32 players, including four starters on offense and five on defense.
GAYLESVILLE TROJANS
Class, Region: Class 1A, Region 6 Head Coach: Kyle Garmon
2016 Record: 3-7 2016 Playoffs: None
2016 Rewind: Gaylesville upped their record from 2-8 in 2015 to 3-7 last season. The three wins were the most for the Trojans since 2013.
Key Losses: Quarterback Austin Slayton was the most significant loss of the eight seniors lost form last year’ s team. Other losses were FB Will Smith, DE Landon Lofton, and Tristan Payne.
Players to Watch: Trojans fans will need to keep an eye on RB / MLB Devin Bentheimer( 5’ 10, 215), junior fullback / tailback, and middle linebacker Caleb Whatley, and massive junior OL / DL Michael Milligan( 6’ 4, 290).
2017 Roundup: This is basically the same Gaylesville team that took the field at the end of 2016. Coach Kyle Garmon notes that the Trojans only lost a lineman and a back and that virtually the entire team returns from last year. There are only two seniors, but eight starters return on both offense and defense. Garmon lists Cedar Bluff as the favorite again in the 1A, Region 6 race, with Woodville as a possible darkhorse. Look for Gaylesville to make a strong run at a playoff berth in 2017.
Did You Know? Gaston was named the Fellowship of Christian Athletes / Grace Radio Sportsmanship Team of the Year in East Alabama for the 2016 football season. The Bulldogs received the honor for displaying the highest standards of class, character, and sportsmanship during the’ 16 season.
Did You Know? Gaylesville Head Coach Kyle Garmon is entering his 5th season at Gaylesville. He is tied with five other past Trojan coaches for the second longest coaching tenure in school history. Brian Clowdis stands as the longest tenured coach having served 12 seasons as the Trojan boss.
44 | 2017 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine