By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



Football teams from the North Jefferson area often play schedules featuring top-ranked teams. This year, not only will local clubs face some of the best teams in the state, but according to Scouts.com, they’ll also be facing some of the top players in Alabama.

When Gardendale opens their season at Hoover, the Rockets will being facing one of the most tradition-rich programs in all of the south. In addition, they’ll have to contain one of the top running back prospects in the state.

Hoover’s Andre Shields is a 5-foot-9, 175-pound speedster, who runs a 4.5 40-yard-dash.

Sheilds gained 775 yards on the ground in 2007 in a back up role. This year, he’ll get plenty of touches as the Bucs’ starting halfback.

When the Rockets host Spain Park on Oct. 17, the Gardendale offensive line will be facing one of the top defensive tackles in the state, in the Jaguars Darrius McCullin a 6-foot-2, 275-pounder, who runs a 4.6 40.

McCullin is receiving interest from SEC schools.

The Fultondale Wildcats will face not one, but two of the best receivers in the state.

First up for Fultondale on Oct. 17, the Wildcat’s secondary will try to slow down American Christian’s Brandon Gottfried, a 6-foot-4, 198-pound tight end, who runs a 4.6 40

In 2007, Gottfried caught 27 passes for 406 yards and 10 scores. He’s also a devastating blocker, having recorded 27 pancake blocks last season.

A week later, the Wildcat defense will be tested by Pickens County’s Mardrecas Hood, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound split end who runs a 4.55 forty.

In 2007, Hood gained over 1,000 receiving, while helping the Tornadoes to the state playoffs.

His big season earned him a spot on the 2007 Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 2A, All-State team.

The Wildcats will also face two of the best Class 2A defensive lineman in the state.

In their opener, on Aug. 28, at Addision, the Wildcats offensive front will face one of the most active nose guards in Alabama in the Bulldog’s Allen Oliver, who led the Addison defense in tackles with 88 stops.

When ACA comes to Fultondale, the Wildcats will have to find a way to block James Sandlin, a 6-foot-3, 273-pound tackle, who runs a 4.9 40.

In 2007, Sandlin was named All-State, after recording 112 tackles, including 31 for losses and seven quarterback sacks.

When Mortimer Jordan travels to Springville on Sept. 19, the Blue Devil’s defense will face one of the top quarterbacks in the state in the Tiger’s Seth Baker, who threw for more than 2,800 yards, including two 400-yard passing games and a 502-yard night as well.