MUNFORD LIONS
Class, Region: Class 4A, Region 3 Head Coach: Bill Smith
2016 Record: 6-5 2016 Playoffs: Lost a thrilling 41-34 contest in overtime in the First Round of the Class 4A playoffs on the road at Bibb County of Centreville.
2016 Rewind: The Lions posted their fifth consecutive winning season and also advanced to the Class 4A playoffs for the fifth straight year.
Key Losses: Three very significant losses for the Lions off last Brody Bussie year’ s squad. QB Avery Harris was one of the most prolific QBs in school history, while Pigskin Roundup All-Star Jakari Robinson was one of the top centers in Alabama. Pigskin Roundup All-Star defensive end and running back Tacorrie Russell transferred to Oxford over the summer.
Players to Watch: This is a very young, but very talented Munford team. New QB Tanner Reaves( 6’ 0, 185 Sr.) threw for over 200 yards in the spring game. Sophomore Zay Britt may be the most exciting player in East Alabama. He had 14 TDs as a freshman and runs a 4.41 forty. Four of five starters return on the offensive line including seniors Jacob Smith, Luke Gaither, Jeffrey Threatt, and Brody Bussie. Others to watch include DE Dylan Campbell, cornerback Christian Ousley, LB Pernell Mitchell, DB Tyreek Kite, safety Kyle Ross, and sophomore linebackers Justin Sistrunk and Rodney Groce.
2017 Roundup: Head Coach Bill Smith calls Class 4A, Region 3“ the SEC West of 4A football” with teams like Handley, Leeds, and Tallassee. With eight starters back on both offense and defense and total numbers of 65, Smith believes the Lions can compete again in this double tough region. The Lions battled 6A Pell City to a 17-17 tie in the spring game and they have had a great off season.
Did You Know? The Class 4A State Champion in each of the last three years has come out of Munford’ s region and each of those championship teams suffered a loss along the way to another region foe.
OHATCHEE INDIANS
Class, Region: Class 3A, Region 5 Head Coach:
2016 Record: 12-2 2016 Playoffs: Marched all the way to the semi-finals of the Class 3A playoffs before falling at eventual state champion Piedmont 52-28.
2016 Rewind: Ohatchee roared to the second best season in school history, with the only two losses coming to state champion Piedmont.
# 18 Kevin Williamson # 45 Austin Duncan
Key Losses: The dynamic duo of All-Staters QB Taylor Eubanks and RB is Austin Tucker is gone, along with Pigskin Roundup All-Star OL Caleb Montgomery.
Players to Watch: Durable running back Jesse Sellers returns to take up the workload in the Indian backfield, where he will be joined by new QB Grayson Alward and upcoming sophomore sensation RB Dominique Thomas. Defensive back Kevin Williamson may be the best all-around returning player. He will also see plenty of snaps on offense. Senior Jarrett Ford looks to be the Tribe’ s best offensive and defensive lineman. Other players to watch in 2017 include RB Noah Fuller, LB Ryker Lambright, TS Larry Noah, TE Aiden Simpson, LB Cam McCombs, LB Austin
Duncan, OL Josh Poole, and OL / DL Aaric Goode.
2017 Roundup: The numbers are good on The Creekbank with 47 players for fall drills. The Indians return six starters on defense, but only three on offense. Coach Scott Martin says this is a different team than 2016,“ It is the first time since I have been here that we have been without Eubanks and Tucker. It is really my first time with a new group. I had a high confidence level in last year’ s seniors. It will be interesting to see how this group will react.”
Did You Know? Ohatchee will honor the only state championship in school history this fall. This season marks the 40th anniversary of the 1977 Class 1A state title team. OHS will welcome back members of that team to honor them at this year’ s home game versus Glencoe on October 27th.
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