Huskies welcome new opponents following AHSAA regional reclassification
Finding yourself alone on a list with Hoover High School can only be construed as a positive when it comes to football.
In the two years since Class 7A was formed, only two teams have advanced to the postseason from Region 3 each season: Hoover and Hewitt-Trussville.
But with every two years comes reclassification, and the Huskies no longer find themselves in Region 3. Huffman received the bump up from Class 6A to 7A, and Hewitt-Trussville was sent to the north region.
“I don’t know what it’s going to be like,” Husky head coach Josh Floyd said. “When the regions came out, I was a little disappointed because we enjoyed playing these schools down here. It’s been a great region to be a part of, and a really tough region to be a part of.”
Hewitt-Trussville now finds itself in a region made up of six Huntsville-area schools and Gadsden City. Although that will bring about two long road trips to Buckhorn and Sparkman,
Floyd is excited about the prospects. He said, “As far as competition, I think this region has a ton of athletes. That’s what I’m seeing … I think it’s going to be extremely competitive.”
On the field, Hewitt-Trussville enters its third season under Floyd. Last season, the Huskies had a great season going, before being bitten hard by the injury bug and losing the last three games of the year, and shut out in two of them. In fairness, two of those losses were to
Hoover and Clay-Chalkville, both state title contenders.
“I look at some guys that played last year, especially late in the season, maybe they weren’t totally ready to be out there playing Hoover and James Clemens. But now, it also motivates you during the offseason to say we’ve got to finish better,” Floyd said.
Offense
Floyd’s up-tempo offensive scheme has taken root at Hewitt-Trussville, as evidenced by the “Husky Fast” moniker with which the team identifies itself. With the growing comfort in the system, Floyd has noticed the ability to make minor adjustments when necessary.
The Huskies are replacing star players on both sides of the ball, notably quarterback Zac Thomas and running back Jarrion Street. Both are playing college football now; Thomas at Appalachian State and Street at Ole Miss.
Out of the four guys with a chance to replace Thomas, Davis Burgin and Jordan Long got a late start, missing spring practice because of the baseball team’s run to the state championship. Burgin took the bulk of the snaps after Thomas fell victim to a season-ending injury late last season.
Also in the running are Grey Ryle and Mountain Brook transfer Connor Adair, who has experience as a starter.
“When it comes down to game time, we’ll see who goes out there,” Floyd said.
As far as finding someone to carry the football, Floyd said, “It’s hard to replace a guy like Jarrion. He’s pretty special. That’s why he’s going to be an SEC running back.”
Grayson Cash will get the first chance to do so, and will not only play his third position in three years, but start. As a sophomore, he was a receiver. As a junior, a defensive back. Now, a running back.
Floyd knew no other way to describe Cash to college coaches than as a “football player.”
“Grayson can do a little bit of everything,” Floyd said. “The thing that I like about him, too, is he’s a heck of a receiver. He can be a guy we can get the ball to on the receiving end.”
Elliott McElwain led the Huskies in receptions from the running back slot a year ago and will be a big contributor once again.
Noah Igbinoghene’s stock rises by the day, and he will undoubtedly be the leader at receiver. He’s also a top-notch track and field talent, giving him the speed to burn opposing defenders.
“Noah is obviously a special talent. The thing I love about him though is he comes to work every day. He just works hard. Even though a guy as talented as him, he’s driven to be the best,” Floyd said.
The Huskies are replacing both starting offensive tackles on the line.
Defense
Hewitt-Trussville has to fill the holes left behind by Jaison Williams, Jalen Williams and Bailey McElwain among others, but Floyd emphasized the importance of strong defensive line play and started with Christian Smith, who will be a leader up front for the Huskies. Gavin Craig, Hunter Davis, Josh Bailey, Nathan Vaughn and Christian Renda should also contribute on the line.
Nicholas Jackson, the team’s leading tackler a year ago, is back at linebacker. Simon Miskelley returns as well in the middle of the defense.
In the secondary, the Huskies have rising star David Acfalle and Nathan Helms as a strong duo of cornerbacks. Seth Keahey graduated, but Cash also moved to the offense, opening up two other spots. T.J. Alexander and Trevor Sisk are among the players who will battle to fill that gap.
Special teams
Parker Colburn handled all the kicking duties with great success in his freshman season and will be asked to do the same in his sophomore campaign. “[He] got a lot of good experience last year,” Floyd said of Colburn. “He’s kicking the ball really well, and he’s ready.”
In the return game, Igbinoghene and Cash will be weapons in the return game. Cash returned a kickoff in the game against Tuscaloosa County last season.