The Game Plan By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



A turnaround season for the Fultondale football program ended Friday night in Piedmont against the No 9-ranked Bulldogs, but it won’t be the last time the Wildcats will visit the postseason. This Fultondale team is dominated by young players, many of whom played regularly in 2006 as freshman and will return as juniors for the 2008 season.

Several seniors, who played key rolls in the Wildcats run to the playoffs this season won’t be back next fall.

Among the seniors who played their final game in a Wildcat uniform on Friday are staring quarterback LaKendrick Smith, tackle J.D. Hood, tight end/linebacker Jordan Fowler, split end Ryan Randall, kicker Chris Carlsen, linebacker Raymond Hender, lineman Joe Deese and linebacker Thomas Kuehaugen.

Yes, that is quite array of talent, but don’t cry for the Wildcats, they’ve got plenty of dynamic players returning for next fall.

All three starting running backs in the Wing-T offense will return as juniors. Fullback Johnathan Craig along with wing backs C.J. Mixon and Chris Barber played big roles in the ground attack this season as sophomores. The trio combined for more than 2,000 yards rushing. In addition, the group scored more than 30 touchdowns this season.

Up front on the line, blocking for the backs next year will be experienced players, including Christian McCollough, Cody Hatcher, Cortez Edison, Michael Owens and Garrett Godsey.

At quarterback, Carlos Johnson, who will be a sophomore in 2008, may win the job. If he does, he won’t go into cold. He’s got plenty of time this season, playing not only after Smith got injured against West Blocton, but also playing in several games that the Wildcats won by large margins.

On the other side of the ball, the Wildcats have the majority of their defense coming back next season. McCollough, Edison and the Anderson’s—Jared and Julin will be back on the line. Hatcher and Craig return at the linebacker slots in Fultondale’s 4-2-5 base defense. In the secondary, Estes, Mixon and Barber will be back for another year.

No matter how you look at it, the Wildcats should be a strong club again next season.

This team has good speed, good size in the trenches and now they have the experience of playing winning football week after week.

Next year’s Wildcats will be a year older and wiser, and they should be stronger, judging from the success head coach Keith Register said his club had in their offseason weight program this year.

This season was a successful one for the Fultondale football program. I’m guessing, it’s going to be just the first in a line of winning seasons for the Wildcats.