Wildcats looking for key replacements
By Charles Prince
The North Jefferson News
FULTONDALE — Fultondale head football coach Keith Register is looking for a few good men this spring. A few good men, who can step in for key departed seniors from last year’s 7-4 club that reached the first round of the 2A state playoffs.
“We’ve got to find replacements for Sharrod, Jordan and J.D.,” Register said just hours before the first football practice of the spring.
Sharrod Smith was the Wildcats started at quarterback and safety. Jordan Fowler started at tight end and inside linebacker. J.D. Hood started at center and defensive tackle.
“We’ve got three kids we’re going to look at for the quarterback spot,” Register said. “I don’t know which one will be the guy until we play Mortimer Jordan (May 12).”
Register said Fowler’s linebacker spot could be filled by any of several candidates, including last season’s starting outside linebacker Johnathan Craig, Jonathan Nunn and transfer student Chance Bailey.
Register and his staff will look at Julian Anderson, Joey Donaldson and perhaps offensive tackle Garrett Godsey to fill Hood’s defensive tackle slot.
“J.D. might be the hardest one to replace,” Register said. “He came on and had a really outstanding season last year.”
All three starting running backs from last season—Craig, C.J. Mixon and Chris Barber all return for their junior seasons.
On special teams, the Wildcats will need to replace place kicker Chris Carlsen, who returned to Germany, after one season as an exchange student.
“We’ve got our long snapper and short snapper back for punts and place kicks, but we’re looking for a kicker,” Register said.
Craig, who was the starting punter as a freshman and shared the duties with Carlsen last season, will re-assume the post full time this fall.
Register expects to have 33 players dressed out for the spring game at Mortimer Jordan on May 12.
One thing Register and his staff don’t have to worry about is enthusiasm. After going 7-4 in 2007, the Wildcat players can’t wait to get back to work this spring.
“The kids are ready to go,” Register said. “They’re excited and they’re anxious to get going and build on what we did last season.”
The Wildcats will change regions this season and will form rivalries with new region foes American Christian and Pickens County, two clubs that Register said his Wildcats will have to match in toughness to compete in their new region this fall.
“One thing I hope we take away from the spring game at Jordan, is how to play hard-nosed football,” he explained. “We have match the level of ACA and Pickens in that area if we want to have the type of season we’re hoping for.”