Springville head coach Steve Davis has a positive outlook for this coming season and is looking toward a turnaround in 2016. “Hopefully we can get into the playoffs,” Davis said in an interview on August 9. “That is our goal, that is our team goal and we have a lot of guys working hard together for that goal.” Davis went on to say that the Tigers will be fielding 17 seniors this year, the most Springville has had in almost a decade.

The offense will be built around senior tailback Jordan Byrd, who has been starting in the backfield for Springville since his ninth grade year. Davis said that a few of the younger players on the team have really stepped up over the summer to help Byrd be successful coming out of the backfield. “Michael McWhorter is one of our young offensive linemen. He played a little bit last year but lately he has come on very strong as a leader and has earned himself a starting position on the offensive line. We are all very proud of him.”

Defensively Davis will be fielding a four-man front defense, with a 4-2 look with safeties and linebackers slipping in and out of coverage. Leading the defensive line is Cornelius McDonald, a junior defensive lineman who will be playing his third year of varsity football this season. At 6’0” and 195 lbs, McDonald has a very athletic gait and a good feel for pursuing ball runners laterally off the edge. 

Directing things at linebacker will be seniors Drew Bailey and Alex Hutcheson, who will bring much needed experience to support their secondary this season.

 

Key Game of 2016: Coach Davis said it himself – the season opener against an in-county rival will set the tone for this season. “It starts with Moody (in opening game) who has beaten us quite a few times the last few years. It’s going to be an uphill battle for us against Coach Brown … (Moody) is a well-coached team, and we are excited to see how we do against them.”

 

Preseason Notes: Coach Davis takes on the responsibilities of being the head coach of a high school football team proudly and seriously. “The best thing about coaching is watching these guys grow into young men. Their responsibility to me and what these players represent on Friday night is number one: Their family – that is the name on the back of their jersey and they need to represent that name well. Number two: The Springville community, and then finally they represent this football program. Those are the three things I want them to see as men, because in life it is family and community that will carry them on in life – you represent your family who you need to provide for, and you represent who you work for – your job. This school is their job, and I enjoy watching them represent it with such pride.”

 

Players to watch:

#28 Jordan Byrd – RB

Byrd, who has led Springville in total yards from scrimmage the past two seasons, is a player who is fearless. “Jordan is not afraid to go inside – he is a physical tailback who can do a little bit of everything,” said Coach Davis. “Jordan is a physical, tough, smart football player. He is also one of our best defensive players, which is a testament to just how intelligent he is – mastering the game on both sides of the ball.”

 

#33 Alex Hutcheson – OLB

Hutcheson has been dogged in his preparations over the summer. He is expected to reach 200 lbs. by the opening game against Moody, a great size for this versatile linebacker who has 4.9 – 40 yard speed and a head-hunter’s ability to track down and confront a ball runner. While many players are fooled by misdirection, Hutcheson has an innate ability to see through a misdirect and shut down an offensive play. Another of Hutcheson’s attributes is how cleanly he plays. He has great technique, and hits opponents forcefully but fairly – Hutcheson never plays dirty … he just plays football. 

 

Springville Tigers Schedule

08/26/2016 7:00 PM CDT at Moody High School Bill Morris Stadium, Moody 

09/02/2016 7:00 PM CDT Mortimer Jordan High School Tiger Stadium, Springville

09/09/2016 7:00 PM CDT at West Point High School West Point Football Stadium

09/16/2016 7:00 PM CDT Curry High School Tiger Stadium, Springville

09/23/2016 7:00 PM CDT at Shelby County High School Charles “Papa” McCombs Stadium

09/30/2016 7:00 PM CDT at Hayden High School Hayden High School

10/07/2016 7:00 PM CDT at John Carroll Catholic High School JCCHS Football Field

10/14/2016 7:00 PM CDT Corner High School Tiger Stadium, Springville

10/21/2016 7:00 PM CDT at Fairview High School Dafford Smith Stadium

10/27/2016 7:00 PM CDT Saint Clair County High School Tiger Stadium, Springville