Photo by Erin Nelson.
Hewitt-Trussville quarterback Cade Carruth (16) carries the ball as the Hoover defense moves in during an Oct. 2 game.
In the past three years as part of Class 7A, Region 3, the Hewitt-Trussville High School football program has had plenty to boast about.
The Huskies made the playoffs in 2018 and 2020 and advanced to the second round both times. In 2019, the Huskies were decimated by injuries but ended the season by upsetting eventual state champion Thompson.
This year’s senior class has seen all of that success and still wants more.
“They want to go out on a high note and do something Hewitt-Trussville’s never done before,” eighth-year head coach Josh Floyd said.
Hewitt-Trussville has plenty of experienced pieces back on both sides of the ball, albeit with one gaping hole.
Photo by James Nicholas.
Huskies’ Justice Finkley (1) makes a tackle during an August 2020 game against Pinson Valley.
Offense
Gone is the dynamic running back tandem of Armoni Goodwin and Sean Jackson, which combined for nearly 2,500 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns a season ago.
It appears James Hammonds will get the first crack at providing some of that production. He played in every game last year and has been on the field in key moments in the past.
“He’s been waiting his turn, and he’s ready to go out there and show people what he can do,” Floyd said. “He’s got good speed and good hands.”
Kennedy Mitchell is a sophomore who could factor into things as well. Matt Miller and Donovon Price will play more as tight ends, but they could both garner carries out of the backfield.
Cade Carruth is back to lead the Hewitt offense from the quarterback position. He has played and started plenty over the last two years, and he seems poised for a big season. Floyd said he is a more confident quarterback and has taken advantage of offseason conditioning.
Carruth still has the comfort of throwing the ball to Omari Kelly, one of the top playmaking wide receivers in the state.
“He’s had a heck of a career here already, and I don’t even think he’s scratched the surface yet. He’s going to have a big time senior year,” Floyd said. “He can do many things with the ball in his hands.”
Kelly isn’t the only receiver Carruth will have at his disposal. Cayson Zackery started last season and Ryan Shoop is back as well. The Huskies also welcome Clay-Chalkville transfer Jordan McCants, who already has several Division I scholarship offers.
Along the offensive line, the Huskies have four familiar faces back in the starting lineup. Riley Quick, who recently pledged to play baseball at Alabama, is back. Maverick McIntyre returns as the team’s center, along with Kade Martin and Ryan Gunter.
“Once those guys started jelling together and got healthy [last season], they started playing well,” Floyd said.
Defense
Hewitt-Trussville lost a few multiyear starters from its defense, and Floyd admitted they will be difficult to replace.
“There’s definitely some good players who graduated and, like every year, you have to find guys to step up and replace them,” he said.
But there are still key holdovers from a defense that surrendered 21 points per game last year. Up front, top prospect Justice Finkley is back. Floyd called him “one of the best players in the state, no doubt.”
“He’s just a heck of a player, works so hard, and he’s had a great offseason,” Floyd said. “He continues to try and find ways to improve and get stronger in all those things.”
Hunter Osborne had a strong season last year, while guys like Tyrell Averhart and Skyler Carrillo are expected to step into bigger roles along the line.
Jamarion “Bam” White is the heart of the team, according to Floyd. His energy and enthusiasm for football is contagious, not only on the defensive side, but for the whole team. White will be a third-year starter at linebacker, with players such as Hunter Jones, Braylon Chatman and Nick Hill there to provide stability.
In the secondary, Connor Thomas returns in his third year to start. Despite being one of the smaller players on the team, Thomas is a “freak in the weight room” and had an “exceptional” year last year, Floyd said. Rickey Gibson and KJ Jackson started games last fall. Riggs Dunn and Blake Barlow don’t have as much experience but could contribute on the back end of the defense as well.
Special teams
Between Riley Rigg, CJ Curtis and Andy Serena, Floyd feels as if the kicking and punting game is in good hands.
Thomas, Jackson and Kelly are players who have experience in the return game as well, so Floyd has no worries about the overall special teams units.
Schedule
In non-region play, Hewitt-Trussville gets games against reigning 6A champ Pinson Valley, Saraland and Huffman. Region 3 play is always a challenge, with Spain Park, Tuscaloosa County and Vestavia Hills visiting Hewitt-Trussville Stadium. The Huskies will take to the road to play Hoover, Thompson, Gadsden City and Oak Mountain.
In each of their last four playoff appearances, the Huskies have won a game. Floyd attributes to that to how tough the region is.
“You’re battle-tested [once you get to the playoffs]. You’ve just got to get through the battle and not have too many injuries,” Floyd said.
