West Morgan Football

Birmingham News Article About Addison

Addison moves up to 2A after a successful 2005
Friday, August 25, 2006
RON INGRAMNews staff writer
Addison High School football coach Randy White gathered his players recently and congratulated them. He then told them some cold, hard facts.
"I told them that each one deserved the ring they had," said White, who guided the Bulldogs to a 14-1 record and the 1A crown in his first season as Addison head coach.
"I then told them that 2005 was now over and to get ready. This year is a new year and it is going to be tough. It's up to them to make their own way this season."
Addison, sixth in the preseason state rankings, moves from 1A to 2A this season and will compete in a region that includes Winston County, Tanner, Phil Campbell, Red Bay, Hatton, West Morgan and Cherokee. Non-region games include old nemesis R.A. Hubbard of Courtland and Winston County rivals Meek and Lynn.
"This is a challenging schedule," said White. "In Class 1A last year, we felt like we had a chance to have a breather on the schedule a time or two. This schedule doesn't allow for that."
And if the regular-season schedule wasn't challenging enough, Addison will also play in the Champions Challenge at Cramton Bowl on Saturday against last year's 2A state champs Clay County (14-1). The Panthers move up to Class 3A this season.
"We lost 12 seniors - 12 very strong seniors," said White. "And Clay County is returning just about everyone. Coach (Danny) Horn and I have talked a lot through the years. I feel like their town (Ashland) is a lot like ours. Football means an awful lot to them and to us."
Among the seniors who graduated is 2005 state final MVP Caleb Parker. The all-purpose halfback was also named the state's Wendy's Heisman winner. Replacing his leadership will be a challenge, White said.
"Someone asked me how I would replace him, and I assured him that we won't. But we have some others I think can step up. Blake Turner is one of those kids. He has great speed, can do a lot of things for us, and he looks ready to be the kind of leader Caleb was."
The Champions Challenge, sponsored by the AHSAA, will be a doubleheader Saturday with Addison and Clay County playing at 3 p.m., followed by 6A defending champion Hoover and last year's 4A champs UMS-Wright at 7 p.m.

posted by Coach Shaw @ 12:09 PM