CLASS 5A REGION 7
ETOWAH BLUE DEVILS
Lots of positives surround
the Etowah program as the
2014 football season looms.
Drew Noles begins year three
as head coach and enthusiasm
is high around Attalla. The Blue
Devils return nine starters on
offense and seven on defense,
boast 75 total players, and have
a nice group of 17 seniors. In
addition there is a great junior
class of 28 players. The Devils
return four of five offensive
linemen including center Peyton
Nance (6’0,280) who already
has 22 starts heading into his
junior year, 30 game starter
Austin Gibbs (6’0, 310), junior
Austin McDaniel (6’3, 240), and
sophomore Dylan Carden (6’1,
260). That line will be blocking
for a loaded backfield led by the
senior duo of Stacy Williams
(5’9, 175) and Paul Ruiz (5’8,
165) splitting time at tailback
and returning Jr. QB Andy
Noles, who has played three
seasons at the position. Two
terrific sophomores will play
big roles for Etowah in 2015 as
well. Caleb Horton (5’10, 170)
and Cory Thomas will play all of
the skill positions and both had
a great spring training. Receiver
Perez Wilson is the top receiver
and has great speed. Malik
Wilson and Lee Green will also
see time at receiver.
SCHEDULE
8/21 Northridge............ Home
8/28 Cullman................ Away
9/04 Douglas................ Away*
9/11 Randolph.............. Home*
9/18 Fairview............... Home*
9/25 Open
10/02 Guntersville........... Away*
10/09 Open
10/16 Boaz.................... Home*
10/23 Madison County....... Away*
10/30 St. Clair County....... Home
Wilson and Green will also
start in the secondary on
defense along with safety Omar
Smothers (5’10, 165), who
could be a college prospect.
The leader of the defense will
be linebacker Darrius Moore
(6’0, 195 Sr.). Moore has
started every game since Coach
Noles has been at Etowah and
Noles says he is a great player
with great speed and is one of
the best players he has ever
coached. Junior linebacker
Kaleb Nelms (6’1, 220) is the
backup QB also and will be a
college prospect next year.
The defensive front is led by
Chr ishun Young (6’1, 250) and
noseguard Kaleb Oneck. Coach
Noles also likes the character
of this team as they have a
team GPA of 88.7 and are
the reigning FCA/Grace Radio
Sportsmanship Team of the Year
from 2014.
COACH DREW NOLES...
“The biggest thing is the character of our kids. We are excited about the
number and quality of starters we have returning. We have a chance to have a
great football team.”
REKINDLING
GLORY
The Etowah County duo of Paul Ruiz and Stacy Williams return for their senior seasons
with the goal of rekindling Etowah’s gridiron glory.
See their story on Page 31
72 | 2015 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine
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