Talking football
HUNTSVILLE- Less than four weeks remain until high school football kicks off. Both Bob Jones and James Clemens play their first games on August 24.
James Clemens head coach Wade Waldrop brought two of his top players to FCA Media Day on Sunday and they were busy as media members lined up to talk to Waldrop, Daveon Davis, and Jamil Muhammed. Practice starts August 6.
“It is a long off season so it is exciting to get it underway,” Waldrop said. “These two guys represent another 85 players and it is fun to work with players that want to get better and grow together as a team. We have to have the right mindset in how we handle adversity and we have to stay healthy. We are blessed right now to be healthy and we as coaches have to do the things in practice to take care of our players.”
The last two seasons James Clemens has entered the season with their top offensive player out for the season with knee injuries suffered in the offseason.
Muhammed started at quarterback in eight games as a sophomore then missed all of last season with a right knee injury.
He said that the knee is ready to go and he has been playing on it all summer in passing drills. He said that he will wear a brace on it for the first few games then re-evaluate.
“He missed a lot of football,” Waldrop said of Muhammed. “Watching him this summer I’m concerned about him throwing the ball on time, leading us the right way, getting us in the right play, and his demeanor in the huddle. All the things he missed a year ago I want him to fast forward. Just getting him up to speed in those areas is my number one concern for him.”
James Clemens faces a tough schedule but one full of opportunity. They open against Thompson and quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa in the 2018 AHSAA Champions Challenge televised statewide on Raycom on Aug. 24 in Montgomery’s Crampton Bowl.
Then they host Clay-Chalkville, a playoff team last year, then host The Madison Bowl against Bob Jones.
Bob Jones was represented by Offensive Coordinator Matt Patterson, linebacker Jacobye Green, and offensive lineman Colby Morrell.
In 7 on 7 action Bob Jones won the UAB passing tournament last week. Wetumpka, Auburn and James Clemens were some of the top teams there. Bob Jones did not face James Clemens, however.
“We,ve played really well this summer,” Patterson said. “Caden has had a great summer throwing. Cam Pugh and John Michael Riley have stepped up as receivers even though they don’t have a lot of experience. Dylan (Ray) had a tremendous day last Thursday. Connor Henderson is back from knee surgery. We’re moving them around to find out where they fit best.
Just taking what the defense is giving him and not throwing interceptions,” Patterson said when asked what Caden Rose has been doing to play so well.
“Just trying to get better every week. We want to know what kind of team we have when we play James Clemens in the third game. The schedule is as tough as it has ever been.”
Bob Jones will open at home against Christian Brothers of Memphis on August 24. Then will travel to Milton High School in Alpharetta, Georgia to face Mainland HS out of Daytona Beach, Fla. in the inaugural Freedom Bowl. The game will be Friday, August 31 at 4:30 pm.
