Coach’s Corner Week 3
Everything in today’s culture seems like it’s trying to divide us. Social media, the cycle, and politics seek to drive division between neighbors and families. I was in Leeds on Friday night for their game against Central of Clay County (more on that later). What I witnessed was a beautiful microcosm of why we all love high school football. What I saw was a community invested in their school. Over the offseason, Leeds decided to upgrade their football facilities and they did a great job. A brand new turf field, and a beautiful new clubhouse and locker room that would make some FCS colleges blush. The stands were packed, and what I saw was a community saying that they were going to invest in their schools and their young people. Seeing a community come together like that is a beautiful thing and what we all love about high school football.
Leeds: When we saw Leeds and Central of Clay County on the schedule we figured that was one we needed to be at. Two absolute legends in Coach Horn and Coach Hood, we were prepared for a slugfest. But Coach Hood and staff had their boys ready to go and it showed on Friday night. Leeds started fast and took control of the game quickly. I want to give props to their staff on both sides of the ball. Coach Hood and his staff do a great job on offense finding really creative ways to get the ball to their playmakers. They even used some two QB packages which was really cool to see. The defense held up their end of the bargain as well. They played their techniques and their effort was very evident.
Northside: During this game which was broadcasted throughout the state on Thursday night they talked about how Coach Jones likes that no one knows where Northside is. He likes that they fly under the radar and not a lot of people talk about them. Well, I’m going to talk about them. Northside under Coach Jones and staff has made an identity as a physical football team. That flew off the screen to me on Thursday night. A lot of guys would be tempted to try some unnecessary things on offense. Coach Jones found what was working and did not go away from it. The physical run game was a thing of beauty and is going to make them a force to be reckoned with in 4A.
Russell County: A lot of people circled this game as one of the premier games in the state this week and it did not disappoint. The Russell County Warriors traveled to Wetumpka to take on the Indians and we got an instant classic. I just wanted to mention it because it is seriously impressive what Coach Griggs has been able to turn this Russell County program into. With a couple of tough years to start everyone still believed in him and his staff and it has paid dividends. Before Griggs, Russell County had not had a winning season since 1998. Now they have had three in the last five and are on pace for their fourth in six years. Seriously impressive
