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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Clay-Chalkville quarterback Aaron Frye (14) looks to make a play as he’s pressured by Parker defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman (9) during a Class 6A state semifinal game at Cougar Stadium in Clay on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. The Cougars defeated Parker 38-13 to advance to the Class 6A state championship game against Saraland at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Dec. 8. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Clay-Chalkville running back Aaron Osley (21) carries the ball during the Class 6A state championship game between the Cougars and Saraland at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. The Cougars defeated Saraland 31-28 to win the Class 6A state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Clay-Chalkville defensive lineman, Patrick Smith (45) and outside linebacker NaKarius Allen (13) look to the side line for the play call during a game between Mountain Brook and Clay-Chalkville High School’s on Friday, November 17th, 2023, at Clay-Chalkville High School, Jerry Hood Field, Cougar football Stadium in Clay AL. Photo by James Nicholas
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Stuart Floyd, the new head football coach for the Cougars, speaks to the media during a press conference in the auditorium at Clay-Chalkville High School on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Human nature is to become complacent following the achievement of a goal.
That’s what the Clay-Chalkville High School football team will battle this fall. The Cougars won the Class 6A state championship for the fourth time in program history last fall, putting together an undefeated campaign that included a thrilling victory over Saraland in the state final.
But there is enough change surrounding the program that complacency should be easy to kick aside. Stuart Floyd has been promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach, after Drew Gilmer took the head job at Hoover High.
Floyd is no stranger to Clay-Chalkville, having guided the program to the 1999 state title as quarterback, and he’s now in his second stint on the coaching staff. He was previously head coach at Mortimer Jordan in 2021
before returning to his alma mater, and he’s excited about the possibilities ahead of his 2024 team.
“We’ve basically got five or six on both sides that are returning, and then you’ve got four or five that you’ve got to fill in. But I think they’re getting better every day,” Floyd said.
A handful of top college prospects have graduated and moved on to the next step, so opportunity abounds for the next wave of Cougars to become impact players.
“You have enough pieces to run it back again, but at the same time, you have a big bullseye on your chest because of what you’ve accomplished,” Floyd said. “To me, this team’s completely different from what we just had.”
OFFENSE
Floyd will maintain control of the offense, a unit that has consistently been one of the state’s best for much of the last decade.
Aaron Frye is set to take the reins after Jaylen Mbakwe piloted the offense last fall. Mbakwe, an elite defensive prospect now at the University of Alabama, moved to quarterback out of necessity for the Cougars. But Frye is a more prototypical signal caller. He gave everyone a glimpse of his potential, subbing in for an injured Mbakwe and shining in a playoff game last fall.
“He’s only going to get better the more reps he gets,” Floyd said.
Frye will have several experienced receivers at his disposal, with the likes of Marlon Compton and Kumar Robinson back on the outside. Jabari Staples is a receiver and tight end who has played some as well.
In the backfield, Aaron Osley returns after a productive 2023 campaign. He will be joined by Pinson Valley transfer Joshua Woods, with Aaron Robinson knocking on the door.
The offensive line has some question marks, with Jayden Jones the only returner at left tackle. Armon Boswell transferred from Pinson Valley and should contribute. Tavaris Powell, Antonio Powell and Evin Harris are among the other players who have stood out.
DEFENSE
The Clay-Chalkville defense was stout last season, and the Cougars will hope to continue that trend again this fall.
The defensive line should certainly be a strength, with plenty of experience returning. Patrick Smith has several college offers, and Randell Cole has played plenty of varsity football. Colton McIntyre is a sophomore nose guard who looks to be a big part of that unit as well.
Nakarius Allen will step into a big role in the middle of the unit, as the Cougars are replacing Auburn-bound DJ Barber at linebacker.
“He’s an SEC-caliber player. He’s super athletic, has a great motor and played a lot of football last year,” Floyd said of Allen.
Ja’Carlos Hunter, Isaiah Brown, TK Slaughter and Keith Richmond are among the players looking to step up and resolve one of the team’s biggest question marks.
Deon Callins at cornerback and Xavier Starks at safety are two players in the secondary, each returning starters with college offers. Christon Black and Keylon Curry Stewart are aiming to step into starting roles as well.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Clay-Chalkville recruited Joseph Del-Toro off the soccer field in hopes that he could provide the Cougars with a solid kicker. Floyd said he has become comfortable kicking field goals and is constantly improving on kickoffs.
The Cougars have no shortage of kick return options, with guys like Compton, Miles and Josh Douthard leading the pack so far.
SCHEDULE
There are some new faces with the Cougars in Class 6A, Region 6, but the schedule is certainly not any lighter.
Clay-Chalkville will open the season with non-region games against Hueytown and Ramsay. The Cougars will travel to Thompson, the site of their most high-profile win last year, in the middle of the season. They will wrap up the regular season with a trip to 7A power Vestavia Hills.
In region play, the Cougars will travel to Pell City, Oxford and Pinson Valley. They will host Shades Valley, Mountain Brook and Huffman.
