Cougars hopeful despite losing key players
Drew Gilmer has set a high bar for himself.
In two years as the head football coach at Clay-Chalkville High School, he’s led the Cougars to 11- and 12-win seasons and advanced to a pair of Class 6A semifinals.
He doesn’t believe the Cougars are going anywhere, either.
“I feel good about where we are,” he said. “Any time you take over a program, it takes a few years to get everything the way you want it and make it yours. I don’t think that process ever stops, but you get the main part of it kind of set.”
Clay-Chalkville is facing the tall task of replacing some high-profile players, such as quarterback Willie Miller and Alabama defensive lineman DJ Dale, but the Cougars have a bevy of young talent anxious to make their own mark.
OFFENSE
Miller started under center for Clay-Chalkville for three years before signing with Tennessee Tech. In line to replace him is senior Damione Ward, who has been in the program for several years. Gilmer has confidence in his talent level and said he only needs to increase his leadership as the starting quarterback.
“He’s just got to step up and be the guy, be the leader,” Gilmer said. “As far as his football ability, I’m not worried about that whatsoever.”
Sophomore Khalib Johnson will have a defined role as a quarterback in special situations, as his athletic ability gives the Cougars an added dimension.
Ward should have a host of reliable options to throw the football to. Jamichael Thompson was the Cougars’ second-leading receiver a year ago, and guys such as Tristan Jones, Josh Austin and Antonio Miles return with some experience to an offense in its second year under coordinator Shawn Sutton. Marquarius White and Ortavious Miles are some other receivers who will play a role.
In the backfield, Clay-Chalkville has a trifecta of sophomores looking to break through in Lazarius Hinkle, Cam’ron Williams and Edward Osley. Tyler Hicks is another player who will factor in at either running back or receiver.
On the offensive line, Izziah Williams and Phillip Jackson return as starters from 2018. Williams can play guard or center, while Jackson is entrenched as the team’s right tackle. Jaden Johnson and Meris Mollel each moved over from the defensive side of the ball and impressed during the spring and summer.
DEFENSE
With Sean Talsma leaving Clay-Chalkville to take a job at Hewitt-Trussville, the Cougars brought in Matt Glover to coordinate the defense. Glover is an experienced head coach, having success in previous stops at Moody, Pinson Valley and St. Clair County.
Nick Andrews, Gene Richardson and even Gilmer all worked under Glover during his time at Pinson Valley, which has helped the transition to a new defense.
“It’s totally different,” Gilmer said. “There’s a lot of things similar. The terminology is the same. We’re going to be a team that is going to show you a bunch of different looks.”
On the defensive line, “you lose a lot of guys that had just played a lot of football for the Cougars” in players such as Dale and L.C. Purifoy. But Gilmer said Clay will transition to a primary three-man look up front, with the line led by Judah Walton.
“Judah Walton is the main guy coming back. He’s our leader and can play all three spots,” Gilmer said.
Ja’Marr Posey and Kelvin Morris are returners with experience, along with Christopher Cornutt, Ahmante Altman and Justin Dawson giving the Cougars two full units they feel good about.
Leroy King has started for two years at linebacker for Clay-Chalkville and is back in the middle, while Devin Owens and Jonathan Harris will play on the outside.
In the secondary, the Cougars have virtually no experience outside of cornerback Cameron Grady. Rashard Smiley, Kameron Peterson, Kere Thomas, Justin Smith and Kordell King are some others who will factor into the secondary as well. Gilmer said Samaj Washington has adapted well to the nickel spot, a position that allows him to move around the back end of the defense.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jaren Van Winkle has established himself as a consistent fixture for the Cougars and returns for just his junior season. He is expected to handle place kicking, kickoff and punting duties.
SCHEDULE
Clay-Chalkville has dropped just one region game each of the past two seasons, each time to crosstown rival and eventual state champion Pinson Valley. The Indians also knocked the Cougars out in the last two semifinal runs as well.
The challenge appears to be no different this season, with the Cougars hosting Pinson Valley, Gardendale and Pell City in 6A, Region 6 games, while going on the road to play Shades Valley, Oxford and Huffman. Depth is paramount to finish at or near the top of the standings.
“In our league, it’s a tough league, it’s a physical league, and you better have multiple guys that can come in and rotate and do multiple things,” Gilmer said.
The Cougars begin the year against Dothan in a game that will be played at Thompson on Saturday, Aug. 24. They follow that up by hosting James Clemens and traveling to Park Crossing. Clay wraps up the season at Gadsden City Nov. 1.