HIGH-SCHOOL

Etowah County Preseason Power Rankings

10. West End 2018 record: 1-9 2019 opener: at Susan Moore, Aug. 22 To put it bluntly, the Patriots’ defense has to improve this season for their record to improve. West End gave up 48.8 points per game in 2018 and allowed under 35 points only once. The offense showed it can put points up as West End scored 20-plus points six times.
10. West End 2018 record: 1-9 2019 opener: at Susan Moore, Aug. 22 To put it bluntly, the Patriots’ defense has to improve this season for their record to improve. West End gave up 48.8 points per game in 2018 and allowed under 35 points only once. The offense showed it can put points up as West End scored 20-plus points six times.
The Gadsden Times
5. Southside 2018 record: 7-5, 5A 2nd round playoffs 2019 opener: vs Lincoln, Aug. 23 It’s not a secret that Southside runs the ball a lot. Anytime a team loses a back like Kenneth Bothwell, it’s noticeable. Filling his spot is key, but the Panthers always find a way to have not just one, but multiple solid running backs.
5. Southside 2018 record: 7-5, 5A 2nd round playoffs 2019 opener: vs Lincoln, Aug. 23 It’s not a secret that Southside runs the ball a lot. Anytime a team loses a back like Kenneth Bothwell, it’s noticeable. Filling his spot is key, but the Panthers always find a way to have not just one, but multiple solid running backs.
The Gadsden Times
7. Coosa Christian 2018 record: 7-4, 1A 1st round playoffs 2019 opener: at Westbrook, Aug. 23 Coosa’s season comes down to pretty much one thing: its offensive line. The Conquerors return just one starter from last year on the offensive line, but they aren’t lacking at the skill spots. Evan Delp, a 6-foot-3 receiver, and back Dartavious Britton, a 1,000-yard rusher, should help make things easier for first-year starting quarterback Trevor Horne provided they have enough time to do their thing.
7. Coosa Christian 2018 record: 7-4, 1A 1st round playoffs 2019 opener: at Westbrook, Aug. 23 Coosa’s season comes down to pretty much one thing: its offensive line. The Conquerors return just one starter from last year on the offensive line, but they aren’t lacking at the skill spots. Evan Delp, a 6-foot-3 receiver, and back Dartavious Britton, a 1,000-yard rusher, should help make things easier for first-year starting quarterback Trevor Horne provided they have enough time to do their thing.
The Gadsden Times
3. Westbrook Christian 2018 record: 7-4, 2A 1st round playoffs 2019 opener: vs. Coosa, Aug. 22 The Drew Noles era officially begins in Rainbow City with a lot of excitement around the community. The Warriors will be big up front and will play smash-mouth football. Westbrook has improved over the last couple of seasons and could be primed to take that next step.
3. Westbrook Christian 2018 record: 7-4, 2A 1st round playoffs 2019 opener: vs. Coosa, Aug. 22 The Drew Noles era officially begins in Rainbow City with a lot of excitement around the community. The Warriors will be big up front and will play smash-mouth football. Westbrook has improved over the last couple of seasons and could be primed to take that next step.
The Gadsden Times
8. Glencoe 2018 record: 1-9 2019 opener: vs. Ranburne, Aug. 30 Glencoe’s region is just brutal. Class 3A, Region 6 — Piedmont, Randolph County, Saks, etc. — may arguably be the second best in the state behind Hoover’s region in 7A. But the Yellow Jackets are coming off a win in their last game as they upended West End 40-6 in the season finalé in 2018.
8. Glencoe 2018 record: 1-9 2019 opener: vs. Ranburne, Aug. 30 Glencoe’s region is just brutal. Class 3A, Region 6 — Piedmont, Randolph County, Saks, etc. — may arguably be the second best in the state behind Hoover’s region in 7A. But the Yellow Jackets are coming off a win in their last game as they upended West End 40-6 in the season finalé in 2018.
The Gadsden Times
6. Sardis 2018 record: 3-7 2019 opener: vs. Sylvania, Aug. 30 Last year was a disappointing season for the Lions. In a region where the last playoff spot was up for grabs, the Lions finished one game away from earning the fourth seed. Sardis does return Jay Owens at quarterback and he has South Alabama commit Jacob Hopper (6-foot-6, 230 pounds) as a target. That’ll be a tough cover for just about any team.
6. Sardis 2018 record: 3-7 2019 opener: vs. Sylvania, Aug. 30 Last year was a disappointing season for the Lions. In a region where the last playoff spot was up for grabs, the Lions finished one game away from earning the fourth seed. Sardis does return Jay Owens at quarterback and he has South Alabama commit Jacob Hopper (6-foot-6, 230 pounds) as a target. That’ll be a tough cover for just about any team.
The Gadsden Times
2. Etowah 2018 record: 12-1, 5A quarterfinals 2019 opener: at Gadsden City, Aug. 23 The Blue Devils lost some top-level talent no doubt, but there’s plenty of talent back as well. Questions remain large on Etowah’s defense with a lot of unproven guys on that side, particularly in the front seven. If that group can come together and the offense plays to its capability under new coach John Holladay, the Blue Devils will be a dangerous team.
2. Etowah 2018 record: 12-1, 5A quarterfinals 2019 opener: at Gadsden City, Aug. 23 The Blue Devils lost some top-level talent no doubt, but there’s plenty of talent back as well. Questions remain large on Etowah’s defense with a lot of unproven guys on that side, particularly in the front seven. If that group can come together and the offense plays to its capability under new coach John Holladay, the Blue Devils will be a dangerous team.
The Gadsden Times
9. Gaston 2018 record: 1-9 2019 opener: vs. Sand Rock, Aug. 30 Offense was a struggle the majority of 2018 for the Bulldogs. If you take away two of Gaston’s contests, they scored 54 points in eight games. Couple that with a defense that gave up at least 21 points a game — an average of 40.6 each outing — that’s not a good combination. But the Bulldogs did have a couple of outbursts as they scored 38 points against Woodland and 42 against West End.
9. Gaston 2018 record: 1-9 2019 opener: vs. Sand Rock, Aug. 30 Offense was a struggle the majority of 2018 for the Bulldogs. If you take away two of Gaston’s contests, they scored 54 points in eight games. Couple that with a defense that gave up at least 21 points a game — an average of 40.6 each outing — that’s not a good combination. But the Bulldogs did have a couple of outbursts as they scored 38 points against Woodland and 42 against West End.
The Gadsden Times
4. Gadsden City 2018 record: 3-7 2019 opener: vs. Etowah, Aug. 23 With Ali Smith on board as the Titans’ new coach, the community is excited — as they should be. But the order of their schedule is the same as last year — the schedule Gadsden City started out 0-6 with — and it’s brutal. The first half of the Titans’ schedule will be key to finding out if they can return to the playoffs for the first time in three years.
4. Gadsden City 2018 record: 3-7 2019 opener: vs. Etowah, Aug. 23 With Ali Smith on board as the Titans’ new coach, the community is excited — as they should be. But the order of their schedule is the same as last year — the schedule Gadsden City started out 0-6 with — and it’s brutal. The first half of the Titans’ schedule will be key to finding out if they can return to the playoffs for the first time in three years.
The Gadsden Times
1. Hokes Bluff 2018 record: 11-2, 4A quarterfinals 2019 opener: vs. Southside, Aug. 29 The Eagles are the clear-cut No. 1 team in the county. As long as Darrian Meads is carrying the ball, Hokes Bluff has a chance in any game. It will be interesting to see who emerges as Ashton Gulledge’s main target(s) at WR.
1. Hokes Bluff 2018 record: 11-2, 4A quarterfinals 2019 opener: vs. Southside, Aug. 29 The Eagles are the clear-cut No. 1 team in the county. As long as Darrian Meads is carrying the ball, Hokes Bluff has a chance in any game. It will be interesting to see who emerges as Ashton Gulledge’s main target(s) at WR.
The Gadsden Times