Jacksonville, AL – The “weird cycle” in the front, we find Golden Eagles with a young line that is heading into their the senior seasons with a dynamic pass-catch combo
We’ve only gotten used Jacksonville as one of the Calhoun County hubs for high school football.
For those who don’t have any memories of the days prior to the time Clint Smith took over the Golden Eagle program in 2012 will be amazed by the fact that Jacksonville had four playoff spots in its history prior to 2012 astonishing.
We now know we have the Golden Eagles as an annual region rival. They’re usually good for at least a second round playoff game and they are the proud owners of the AHSAA “red map” the runner-up trophy for the year 2019.
Second-round playoffs in during the past three seasons could’ve been longer, if not for AHSAA aligning Calhoun County’s classes 4A school to be in the south of the bracket for playoffs.
Jacksonville has had that level of talent and these kinds of players at the on the front.
The 2020 version of Jacksonville will be able to do the job.
The issue is whether a brand-new offensive line can help keep the the quarterback Jim Ogle upright while new artificial turf at Golden Eagle Stadium helps to keep him tidy.
Ready or not The future generation of Jacksonville offensive linemen are coming on the scene with Ogle who is who is a Troy University commit, entering his final season of high school and eager to create the most successful high school version of himself.
They are joined by the best target, Ky’Dric Fischer who grew up watching passes from Ogle who is now entering his final season of high school and is ready to become the top version of himself at high school.
The combination of pass and catch was successful the team’s win against Oxford during the season. It was a factor in Jacksonville’s second round playoff loss to the team that was ranked first. Catholic Montgomery.
If they are able to make it happen one of the states best pass-catch combinations can produce. Ogle has demonstrated that his ability to complete all the throws. Fisher has proved the ability to run all his routes, and also catch everything Ogle throws.
The question is. Do they have enough time for the next round of linemen defending Ogle?
It’s a strange time we’ve been in,” Smith said during the preseason’s interview on Wednesday.
Indeed.
A former Jacksonville Running back Ron Wiggins ran wild as an undergrad and a senior at Jacksonville. He did it in front of an offensive line that was seasoned each time.
The combination made Jacksonville further than it had previously been in the playoffs before when they played in the final of Class 4A. Golden Eagles played in the 2019 Class 4A final.
They left the bracket of 4A North in that year. The 2020 realignment brought Jacksonville onto 4A south.
The 2022 realignment process kept Jacksonville to the south. It’s a city that has seven 4A’s in the teams that were ranked in the preseason top 10 according to the Alabama Sports Writers Association poll. No. 6 Jacksonville, No. 7, Annistona as well as No. 9 Handley originate from the same region.
The line that followed Wiggins’ line cut their teeth.
Nick Smith, Hayden Smith, Zach Limberis, Nate Smith and Cooper Hodge operated in front of Ogle in his initial three seasons as a player. They were able to protect him enough to allow him to catch more than 2,000 yards passing in his sophomore, freshman and junior.
Hodge, Limberis and the Smiths all graduated in May. They are followed by the sophomores centre Ben Pridgen and the rest of the group that Clint Smith called the “fresh five” … junior Braden Ball and Drake Lee, junior Drake Lee, junior Gehrig Strain and sophomore Demari sigler.
They are directly under the dad of Ogle, Jacksonville offensive line coach Jimmy Ogle. Clint Smith played offensive guard.
It’s important to note that Wiggins his offensive line was strong enough to let Jacksonville get to in the 2nd round the second round, and the final of 4A in the years 2017 and in 2019. Ogle’s offensive line helped Jacksonville’s Golden Eagles reach the second round in the 4A south division every single time in the last three seasons.
For Jacksonville change of guards center, tackles and guards hasn’t been accompanied by a drop off.
“They’re just going to improve,” Clint Smith said. “They have a lot of fun in the gym. I’m not sure if they missed any summer workouts this year.
“They’re only green. They’ll have to get some experience under their belts. As the years progress they’ll be stronger and more efficient.”
Golden Eagle facts
Things to be aware of about Jacksonville football ahead of the 2023 season
— Clint Smith enters his 12th season as Jacksonville’s head coach, and 22nd overall. He’s 89-39 in Jacksonville and 146-86 in the overall.
— Jacksonville finished eight-four overall for 2022. Jacksonville’s Golden Eagles finished 4-2 (third third) at the top of Class 4A Region 4 and lost to Catholic Montgomery in a second-round playoff game.
Key graduation losses in 2022 are the following Calhoun County All-Stars The following players graduated from Calhoun County: The RB G Turner, OL Nick Smith, OL Hayden Smith and the DL Trey Brown, DL Dee Prothro, K Mason Terrell and K Mason Terrell, WR Drew Pridgon, OL Zach Limberis, OL Nate Smith and D Daniel Magouirk and OL Cooper Hodge.
The following All-Calhoun County selections are seniors QB Jim Ogle, senior WR Ky’Dric Fisher, LLB Ryan Mitchell, sophomore, senior FB/TE Will Greenwood, senior DB/WR Demonte Sinclair senior LLB Charlie Wright, senior LB Landon Wise, junior DB Tyshaun Cameron and junior DL D.J. Atkinson and senior DL Lewis Bitticks.
The players to keep an eye on Watch: The pass-catch team consisting of Ogle as well as Fisher proved to be one of the best teams in the state last season with big wins against Oxford and Catholic-Montgomery.
The Jacksonville staff this season is comprised of the former Weaver director of the team Gary Atchley, who will be the head softball coach.
