Photo by James Nicholas.
Colton McIntyre (5).
Clay-Chalkville High School enters the season coming off a 15-0 run to the program’s fifth state championship, a Class 6A title win over Saraland, and head coach Stuart Floyd said the roster returning eight or nine starters on both sides of the ball gives the Cougars a chance to make another run.
“You get your O-line, D-line back, your linebackers in the box, usually you’re pretty good,” Floyd said.
Floyd said the offense has significant production to replace at quarterback, running back and receiver, but he’s confident in the players stepping into those roles. He pointed to a summer trip to Atlanta, complete with mini golf and a team hotel stay, as the moment last year’s group started to come together, and said building that same chemistry is now the focus for this team.
Looking back on last season, Floyd pointed to the state championship game and a wild comeback against Thompson as signature moments, along with a road win over Muscle Shoals in the semifinals that avenged a playoff loss to the same team the year before.
“It was just kind of a magical season,” Floyd said.
The coaching staff featured a little churn this offseason. Zach Wilson was elevated to coach tight ends and Justin Whisenhunt took over outside linebackers. Eddie Wall was hired as defensive coordinator after Clay-Chalkville’s previous coordinator, Jake Helveston, was hired as the Oneonta head coach, and Mac Jones joined the staff to coach receivers.
Clay-Chalkville also shifts into a new region this fall, with Mountain Brook moving out and several former Class 5A programs, including St. Clair County, Springville and Southside-Gadsden, moving up.
Clay-Chalkville opens the season on the road against Creekside out of Georgia on Aug. 21, then travels to Thompson the following week before region play begins Sept. 4 at Springville. The Cougars host Southside-Gadsden, Oxford, Pell City and Pinson Valley within the region and travel to St. Clair County to close out region play. Clay-Chalkville has open dates Sept. 25 and Oct. 23, and closes the regular season at home against Central Phenix City.
OFFENSE
Photo by James Nicholas.
Christian Bennett (77).
Clay-Chalkville returns four of five starters on the offensive line, headlined by tackles Christian Bennett and Tavaris Powell, both of whom Floyd called Division I-caliber players. Guards Shamar Smith and James Felder return as well, with Peyton Kimbrough stepping into the fifth spot at center.
At quarterback, junior CJ Eldridge takes over after two years of practicing behind standout Aaron Frye. Floyd said Eldridge has already shown growth and may be slightly ahead of where his predecessor was at the same stage.
“He’s got big shoes to fill, but he’s also practiced for two years against one of the better defenses,” Floyd said.
The running back room has grown from almost no depth to a crowded group, led by seniors Cayden McGhee and Aaron Robinson.
Photo by Todd Lester.
Nasir Ray (17).
At receiver and tight end, seniors Nasir Ray and Caden Farris both played significant snaps a year ago, while senior Cartier Barnes and junior Kaleb Amerson round out the perimeter. Senior Carlos Pope, primarily a defensive lineman, will also see time at tight end given his versatility.
“He would probably start on 99 percent of the high school teams out there,” Floyd said of Pope. “We’re going to try to use him as many ways as possible.”
Floyd said the tight end position remains one of his favorite pieces to build an offense around because of the flexibility it creates.
“Formationally, you can be whatever personnel you need to be,” Floyd said. “It makes people line up in ways they don’t really want to line up in.”
DEFENSE
Photo by Shawn Bowles.
CJ Eldridge (14).
Clay-Chalkville’s defense returns nine players with significant experience, anchored up front by senior Colton McIntyre, senior Keith Richmond and Pope. DJ Williams, an offseason addition, joins Richmond at the edge spots.
At linebacker, senior Isaiah Brown and senior Quinton Lowe return in the box, while Leland Johnson shifts from the Jack position to Star this year. Jamario Yadao moves from Star to strong safety, replacing graduated starter Xavier Starks.
The secondary also returns senior Jalen Melton and senior Josh Ivy at safety, while cornerback will feature Anton Whitt, Keith Scott and Braxton Burt.
“It’s getting better, and that’s the one area where we lost a couple of big pieces,” Floyd said of the defensive back group. “But there’s a lot of experience coming back.”
SPECIAL TEAMS
Mario Cabachuela takes over kicking duties for Clay-Chalkville this season, one of the new faces the Cougars will lean on as they replace key special teams pieces from last year’s championship run.
