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ASHLAND
Clay County, winner of four Class 2A state football titles in the past eight seasons, will play in Class 1A for the next two years.
No matter that the Panthers were 5-5 last year. Forget that Clay Countys new regional opponents include last years 1A runner-up Notasulga, Wadley and Talladega County Central. Realistically or not, townsfolk around Ashland are talking about more championships.
Clay County coach Danny Horn isnt ready to jump on the championship bandwagon yet but he does acknowledge that this years Panthers should be better than the 2001 team.
I think were stronger and faster and quicker than what we were last year, noted Horn. Our attitude has been good. Im excited. I think weve got a chance to be a pretty good team.
At Clay County good teams begin with defense. This years unit could be another exemplary one. Seven starters return, headed by senior linebacker J.R. Hess. Hess had more than 100 tackles last year. He is experienced, hard-nosed and motivated. Im expecting good things from J.R., Horn acknowledged.
Senior Michael Bass, a starter at end on defense last year, will be the other linebacker and has made the transition smoothly. Like Hess, it will be the third season for Bass to start.
Horn projects Alfred (Cowboy) Simmons as the starter at nose guard if Simmons can overcome a series of pre-season injuries. Simmons, a transfer from Bibb Graves a year ago who sat out last year, is an aggressive player. Hes just had some tough luck with injuries, Horn noted.
Surrounding Simmons will be tackles Jeremy East and Chris Burkhalter and ends Bryan Ellis and Travis Zackery. Dewayne Duncan and Kelvin Wilson, another transfer from Bibb Graves last year, will be the cornerbacks. Strong safety will be Corey McLemore and Brian Glenn will be free safety. Glenn and Zackery were starters for the 2000 state champions but did not play football last year.
The first-team defense appeared to be in midseason form in Fridays jamboree game against Randolph County. The Panthers completely shut down Randolph Countys running game. The secondary gave up one touchdown pass but had two interceptions.
Kevin Pitts will direct the offense at quarterback. Pitts was outstanding against Randolph County, making good reads from the wishbone and passing accurately. If he continues to develop the Panthers will score on anyone.
Zackery, a mountain on the move, is the fullback. Duncan and Hess are the halfbacks.
Sophomore Chris Burkhalter returns at center. Bass and junior Brett Thompson are the guards. East and junior Tyler Smith will be the tackles. Ellis returns at tight end and senior Eric Thomas will be the split end. When Clay County goes to its two tight ends power formation, sophomore Tommy Hunter, a running back last year, will be the second tight end. On offense, Glenn will be a jack-of-all-trades, seeing time at halfback, wide receiver and quarterback.
What pleased me on offense was we executed well and we were able to overcome penalties on our first two drives, Horn said following the jamboree game.
The Panthers open at home Thursday at 7 p.m. against powerful Bowdon, Georgias 1A runner-up in 2001.
Well know how good we are Thursday night, Horn concluded.
Clay County Panthers
Coach: Danny Horn (fourteenth season)
2001 record: 5-5
Class, Region: 1A Region 5
Offensive starters returning: 7
Defensive starters returning: 7
Base offense: Wishbone
Base defense: 50
The skinny: Without injuries this Clay County team could could challenge the season record 11 shutouts posted by the 1996 Panthers. | 