PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Cullman keeping ‘chip on shoulder’ for move to ruthless 6A gauntlet

Published 10:30 am Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Maison Goodwin is sticking with the same wardrobe he’s worn the entirety of his prep football career at Cullman.

Socks, cleats, jersey, pads, helmet … and don’t forget the chip on his shoulder.

It served the Bearcats well the past two years in Class 5A, Region 8, a competitive gauntlet no outsiders thought they’d escape from. Yet they did, in both instances, following a third-round trip in 2012 with a second-round ride last fall.

And now, as the Black and Gold prepare to enter uncharted 6A waters in a Region 8 that’s just as deadly — if not more so — than the one they rose from, the critics are once again chirping, and Goodwin can’t help but listen.

He just doesn’t care.

“There’s a lot of people doubting us, thinking we lost a lot of guys and we’re not going to be able to recover,” the senior receiver said. “And we definitely believe in ourselves.”

On paper, Cullman certainly has every reason to remain confident. The program has punched its playoff ticket nine years in a row and reached at least the second round the last eight of them.

But that was in 5A. On the 6A stage, it’s likely to be anybody’s ballgame.

Coach Mark Britton enters his 14th season with the Bearcats and first outside the 5A realm. Despite the change in scenery, he insists there isn’t much of a difference. After all, “it’s just football.” And when it comes to the gridiron, the ’Cats and their faithful followers have high expectations.

That’s not changing anytime soon.

“If we’re going to keep score, we want to win, and that’s how our kids are,” Britton said. “They’re going to get in there and do what they need to do to hopefully result in wins on Friday night.”

Cullman’s all-time winningest coach pegged No. 6 Florence and No. 9 Muscle Shoals as the region’s top-two teams. Britton figures the rest of the bunch — Austin, Decatur, Hartselle and Athens — is chasing after the last pair of playoff spots. Every region contender but Austin factored into either the 5A or 6A postseason picture a year ago.

Throw in non-region foes Arab (6A), No. 8 Etowah (5A), Russellville (5A) and Fayette County (4A) — the latter is just a year removed from a state championship appearance — and the Bearcats’ strength of schedule, based on their opponents’ 2013 winning percentage of 62.1 (72-44), is 13th in 6A and 30th in the Alabama High School Athletic Association, according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society.

The Black and Gold’s Sept. 11 region and home opener versus Florence will be televised by Raycom affiliates across the state, including WAFF 48 in Huntsville and WBRC Fox 6 in Birmingham. The two programs have never met.

“It’s going to be a tough year,” Britton said. “Every game’s extremely critical.”

Cullman is starting over at several skill positions. Sophomore Ross Crocker will be the team’s third quarterback in as many seasons, and Will Crenshaw and Michael Al-Dijaili will now provide the 1-2 punch in the ’Cats two-back system. Brontae Harris is also expected to tote a few carries.

Ben Johnson and third-year center Daniel Hunter bring a great deal of experience to the offensive line, which is looking for contributions from varsity newbies Kaleb Calvert, Tyler Nunnelley, Chance Wisener and Justin Butts at guard.

Senior returners Goodwin and Seth Donaldson anchor a receiving corps that will need the talented, yet green, trio of Caden Winn, Dawson Drake and Owen Lovell to grow up in a hurry.

With the departures of Trey Moon and Alex Martin, Justin Patterson is the new centerpiece of Cullman’s defense. Britton said he considers the defensive end, an All-State honorable mention as a sophomore in 2013, a player “opponents are definitely going to gameplan for week to week.” Patterson will be accompanied by Brady Wix, Hunter Brannon, Wil Blaylock and others on the D-line.

Connor Moon and Sam Calligaris will look to go out with a bang at linebacker, while Harris and Zach Glenn will be counted on at defensive back.

“Experience is a thing with many of our players you either have or you have not, and a lot of young guys are going to get experience this year,” Britton said. “We’ve got to be patient. We’re going to be kind of a work in progress. We’re pretty excited about the year, but that’s kind of how we’re looking at it.”

Aug. 22 at Arab

Aug. 29 at Etowah

Sept. 5 BYE

Sept. 11 vs. Florence* ^

Sept. 19 at Austin*

Sept. 26 at Fayette County

Oct. 3 vs. Athens*

Oct. 10 at Hartselle*

Oct. 17 vs. Decatur*

Oct. 24 at Muscle Shoals*

Oct. 31 vs. Russellville

* Class 6A, Region 8 game

^ Televised statewide

Who: Mark Britton

Previous positions: Head coach, Fairview, 1998-2000

Years at Cullman: Entering 14th

Overall record: 130-60; 113-45 at Cullman

Region record: 76-29; 69-23 at Cullman

Last year: 8-4, 6-1

Region titles: 4; 3 at Cullman

Playoff appearances: 14

Playoff record: 16-14, 16-12 at Cullman

Advanced past first round: 10

Best season: 13-1 in 2007

Worst season: 4-6 in 2000