James Clemens engages in spring exhibition with Hartselle
Joseph Arias (10) hands off to Brad Goan in a spring exhibition game against Hartselle on May 14. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)
By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer
HARTSELLE – The James Clemens Jets engaged in some friendly competition with the Class 6A Hartselle Tigers in a spring scrimmage game May 14.
The Tigers pulled away late with a 16-6 victory over the visiting Jets, which had several key starters sitting out. Running back Maceo Booker, who led the team in rushing yards last season, sat out as a precaution to the ACL injury he suffered last Nov. 7 in the Jets’ playoff game against Oak Mountain.
Booker said the doctors gave him a “clear” date on May 15 – one day after the scrimmage.
Going into his senior season, Booker said his role on the team would be more dynamic in 2015. After being the reliable, every-down back the past two seasons, Booker will be playing more in the Y position as a slot receiver.
“I’ll play about 75 percent receiver, 25 percent running back,” Booker said.
Head coach Wade Waldrop mentioned rising senior Immanuel Wilder as a potential go-to receiver for senior quarterback Heath Burchfield. Wilder, along with Davis Bowman and Javan Henderson, was also held out of the spring game.
Overall, Waldrop said the team had a productive and “physical” spring.
Burchfield, who’s entering his fourth year as the starting signal-caller, took the majority of the snaps in the first half. Rising junior Joseph Arias played much of the second half and some in relief of Burchfield in the first half, signaling a reliable second-stringer behind Burchfield.
“Joseph has been ready [to play] for us for a year-and-a-half,” Waldrop said.
With Booker resting, rising sophomore Devon Atkinson got the first-team carries at running back. Brad Goan, also a sophomore, was impressive carrying the ball and excelled at following his blocks and finding open space.
The wide receiver position featured Dalton Ratcliffe, Drew Blackwell, Torolla Walker and Kyle Castelein catching a few passes each.
Rising junior LaBryan Ray was a force on the defensive line, getting sacks and disrupting the backfield on multiple occasions.
Will Grochowski will once again shoulder the placekicking duties his senior year; Grochowski even tried out punting against Hartselle.
