Ohatchee, AL –New coaches and old coaches moving to new locations result in a night full of double take as six teams kick off the beginning of football’s prep season in Ohatchee jamboree
Ohatchee jamboree scores
(Games last two quarters)
Ohatchee 20. Sand Rock 0
White Plains 28, Sand Rock 0,
Spring Garden 10, White Plains 0
Westbrook Christian 21, Spring Garden 0
Westbrook Christian 10, Ranburne 7
Ohatchee 13 Ranburne 7
By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today
OHACHEE —The announcements by the public address system who was working the Ohatchee six team jamboree Friday night ended the evening by reiterating the Indians 5 coaching assistants who have been hired.
Take the time to get to know them, he suggested in the midst of a crowded stadium, where Ohatchee as well as Ranburne coach and players hugged hands following the conclusion of the day’s six games played in two quarters.
If there was one motif that dominated the evening it was the shift … New coaches and coaches from new locations.
The offseason was very active in terms of coaching changes, and local fans must become used to seeing new coaches or coaches in new locations.
In terms of the final results, the host Ohatchee and five staffers who were hired recently have won both contests winning against Sand Rock 20-0 to start the day and then beating Ranburne 13-7 in the final game.
Westbrook Christian under the tutelage of Steve Smith, a long-time Piedmont head coach Steve Smith, beat Spring Garden 21-0 and Ranburne 10-7.
White Plains split its games White Plains split its games, defeating Sand Rock 28-0 and falling to Spring Garden 10-0 under first-year head coach Blake Jennings, the long-time Ohatchee defensive coordinator who played on the home sideline during both games.
Spring Garden also plays under new management following 12-year defense coordinator Barrett Ragsdale’s appointment to succeed Jason Howard, who left in June to take over as coach in Georgia.
The offseason was full of change and five schools in Calhoun County alone hiring new head coaches, it’s likely that there will not be as many changes displayed in one event this season.
A few of these and other details from a night that marked the beginning of football game time in Calhoun and the surrounding counties:
Talking passion
After a night of success at the helm of Westbrook Christian Smith made his way to the group of kneeling players.
The coach who guided Piedmont through five State championships in 17 seasons was to barbers. The slender mullet his promise to motivate two state championship teams gave way to the more traditional Steve Smith look.
There was nothing snazzy about his appearance in the red polo shirt worn by game night. It was a standard item for his team comprising James Blanchard, in his 18th season as Smith’s defensive coordinator along with offensive-line coordinator Mark Sanders, the recent-former Donoho’s head coach.
Sean Smith, who starred with his father at Piedmont and wore red polo and khakis. Steve’s son, the eldest, is part of Westbrook’s junior-high squad.
The eldest Smith spoke words of encouragement to take his new team off into the first week of the regular season. He suggested that it’s the right the time for Westbrook to transform from a school who enjoys playing football, to a place where football is the focus.
He’s not certain whether he delivered a similar address during Piedmont during 2006 however he’s hoping to build something similar to the one he constructed at Piedmont. The roster will start with of 48players, down from 58, which was the number that began in the fall camp.
“I think that these players need to be hungry,”” Smith said. “They’re determined to create a quality product out there. …
“I would like to say that it’s been a wonderful summer, but. I’m very happy with the work of the guys. I’m not able to be more effective in communicating expectations clearly and the enthusiasm from the team members who have stuck with us this far has been very positive.”
The Homecoming is a sort of
As odd as it was to look at Jennings dressed in black coaching pants and polo shirt, sporting blue White Plains logo, it was logical to watch him hone his trade from Ohatchee’s own home field.
In reality, he found himself thinking about that exact stretch of grass”well what’s the meaning of that word?
“It seemed as if I was home for a while,” he said, and then he correcting himself. “I’m used to this sideline, but at final analysis, it’s simply a football match. It doesn’t matter where you are.”
He was soon compelled to highlight his new home in football. He took his team back towards White Plains then returned to watch Ranburne’s game against Ohatchee.
White Plains open the regular season at Ranburne next week.
While Jennings was watching the fenceline outside Ohatchee’s fieldhouse of his stopped by to greet him and talk about the new science classes they are taking in the academic year. Jennings is a science teacher.
He could not help yelling out loud for former teammates of his who had a lot to contribute during their successful moments in the Ohatchee victory. He told a story behind every one of them.
The common
Ragsdale was a part of the process that transformed Spring Garden to a team which regularly has deep playoff runs. his class 1A Panthers were a sign of more success when they won the finals of the Piedmont Passing Camp 7-on-7 in July.
They beat better-classified competition and even Piedmont in order to qualify, but then fell to 4A powerhouse Handley.
The game on Friday was a success. Spring Garden beat 4A White Plains before falling into 3A Westbrook.
It’s logical to think that an 1A team that plays two halves against a higher-class competition could get tired. Additionally to add, the Panthers played their second game was the first game played by Westbrook, which means the Warriors were a bit fresher.
“We were incredibly focused and played hard (against White Plains),” Ragsdale said. “We played many of the games that we played, and we also subbed slightly faster against Westbrook. I was feeling like we were a bit less intense in this Westbrook game.
“It’s the same, regardless of the player on the field. The same standard applies. The kids must get up and do their job.”
The Ohatchee Five
Chris Findley, entering his second season as Ohatchee’s head coach The summer has seen Chris Findley discovering new perspectives and personalities in the room where his staff meets. Some assistants, hired in the summer, or volunteered for were still learning the names of players.
Findley said that the transition of Kyle Parrish, Kyle Wilson, Quintarius Hutchinson, John Mark Mintz and Justice Owens entering the picture “is moving really well.”
“It’s an instance of times, it’s difficult to forecast,” Findley said. “We’ve seen four of our guys come to us who we’ve previously had and we’ll bring five new players into the mix. It’s difficult to predict how everyone will mesh relationally however, guys have come in having a great time. Everyone works hard. After, we get together to discuss and chat.”
