Noah Armstrong Offensive Lineman - Lawrence County 6 7, 293 pounds Helping anchor this yearʼs Elite Team Offensive line is Lawrence Countyʼs big man, Noah Armstrong. Armstrongʼs presence along the line should help the Red Devils take a step forward to making the 2012 Playoffs. We had 11 Graduating Seniors and thatʼs a lot for our team, but our skill level went up from last season, says Armstrong, a big 6ʼ7, 293 pound lineman. We have had a lot of people working out and we are way stronger than we have been in a long time and I think it will show this fall, adds Armstrong. While Armstrong may make a big presence along the offensive line, his personality and his classroom ethics may be his biggest attribute. Armstrong posted a 24 on ACT and carries a 3.8 GPA in the classroom. It didnʼt take his new coach Rich Dutton long to figure out whom to go to when looking for a leader. When I came here from Austin, I had only heard about Noah, but when I got here I told the coaches to make him lead. He leads and when the offensive line is slacking I go to one guy and they get together. For Noah, making this yearʼs WAFF 48 Elite Team is satisfaction enough. Last year I looked at this team and thought these guys are awesome. Coach told me I was in it and I I didnʼt think we have ever had anyone from Lawrence County in it. Spend two minutes with Armstrong and itʼs easy to see heʼs going places on and beyond the football field. Congratulations to Noah Armstrong and the entire Lawrence County High School
Toby Pee Running Back - Sardis 5 11, 185 pounds Helping us carry the ball this year is Toby Pee of Sardis High School. The dynamic running back has helped elevate Sardis in the region standings. In 2011 Pee helped the Lions capture their first region title in nearly a century. Carrying the ball is what Pee does best. In 2011 he rushed for 1,565 yards while reaching the end zone 17 times. His sophomore season was nearly as impressive as he would rack up over fifteen hundred yards. The one thing I am looking forward to this year is playing 4A ball; weʼve got some new people coming in and Iʼm really excited and positive that we can hold our own, says the All State running back. His coach Gene Hill couldnʼt be more pleased to have Number Five in the backfield for the 2012 season. Toby has started since the 9th grade which is very unique no matter what level youʼre at. What you see on Friday nights is what you see on the practice fields. Hill also says Peeʼs personality is what makes him an even better football player. He means a lot to this football team not only at running back but also returning kicks. He does everything that we ask of him and he is truly a full team player. As for 2012, Pee says the Lions will be ready. We like playing against the big boys; I think we have something to show them. With Pee in the backfield in 2012, Sardis should be in for another sweet season. Congratulations to Tony Pee and the entire Sardis High School Football Program.
Parker Cothern Defensive Lineman - Hazel Green 6 5, 250 pounds In 2011 the Hazel Green Trojans took a big step forward by making the Playoffs. A big reason for the Trojans resurgence has been the play of defensive lineman Parker Cothern. In 2011 Cothern racked up 69 total tackles. The dominating lineman would carry a 6.9 tackle average during his junior season. His coach Matt Putnam is quick to talk about his rising senior. The best thing about him is heʼs an athlete, heʼs a big athlete. He plays well, real physical, heʼs mean, which is what you want on defense. Heʼs been a starter for us since he was a sophomore and heʼs going to have a great year this year. As for his senior season, Cothern is ready to turn some heads. Our workouts have been insane and we have been going as hard as we can. Itʼs nice having a lot of starters coming back. Most of our defense is three year starters, we should be set. Our offense...theyʼre looking real good. If 2011 was the comeback year for the Trojans, look out for 2012 because Parker Cothern and the rest of the Hazel Green Trojans are ready to take another step forward. Congratulations to Parker Cothern and the entire Hazel Green High School
Josh Walker Running Back - Austin 6 0, 190 pounds The Austin Black Bears have plenty of reason to be excited for the 2012 season; a new region should help bring back plenty of excitement to the Black Bear program. Another reason for the excitement could be the play of running back and kick returner Josh Walker. Walker is the type of player that could turn some heads during Friday Night Fever. His coach Jeremy Perkins agrees. He is a tremendous young man. His work ethic, his character are first and foremost. His academics are first and foremost in his life and he follows it up with his athletic performance. As for what Josh has in store for 2012, thatʼs easy to answer. We have a good solid group this year. Our defense seems like they have really improved and should be able to help out big time this next season. As for personal goals, Walker hopes to improve with every carry and that is something he has worked on during the off season. Look and listen for Josh Walkerʼs name to be called aplenty during the 2012 season of Friday Night Fever and the Black Bears truly are a force to be reckoned with. Congratulations to Josh Walker and the entire Austin High School
Johnathan Ford Running Back - New Hope 5 11, 190 pounds The New Hope Indians are a team to look out for on Friday Night Fever in 2012. A big reason for the excitement surrounding the New Year surrounds the man that will have a big say in the Indians offense and that is running back Johnathan Ford. In 2011 the Vanderbilt Commitment carried the ball 155 times and produced rushing for 1,526 yards. The speedy back found the end zone 23 times as well. Ford can also excel when it comes to catching passes. In 2011, he snagged the pigskin 18 times for 245 yards. His coach Randall Taylor is very eager to get the 2012 season underway and for good reason. We have a lot more experience coming back. Defense we will have a blazing defense this year. Everybody is getting stronger, bigger, and faster. However when it comes time to talk about his running back, Taylor is all smiles. I think the biggest thing is his overall game. Heʼs 190 pounds, very strong, very explosive type of player, and not to mention he has very good vision. As for Ford himself, itʼs all about the team. I think we will challenge ourselves more as a team this year, I have feeling we are going to be pretty good. One thing is for sure, Friday Night Fever may never be the same after Ford gets done doing his work in 2012. Congratulations to Johnathan Ford and the entire New Hope High School
Rashawn Smith Outside Linebacker - Florence 6 3, 210 pounds The Florence Falcons are looking to soar high in 2012. New head coach Jamey Dubose will have plenty of talent to choose from as well. A big force on the defensive side of the ball will be Outside Linebacker Rashawn Smith. It didnʼt take Dubose long to figure out that Smith was a natural born leader. Heʼs a leader not only in the weight room, in the athletic facility but also in the classroom. Heʼs an outstanding person first and I think thatʼs what the biggest thing is. Great character leads over into the athletic part. For Smith, heʼs hoping to leave his mark on the program and he truly understands that itʼs going to take a total team effort to get the job done. We are taking it one step at a time first youʼve got to win the first game. And then take the next step and win the next game. That will hopefully take us all the way to the championship game. If you find yourself watching a Florence Falcon football game in 2012, make sure you zero in Rashawn Smith because you may like what you see on and off the field. Congratulations to Rashawn Smith and the entire Florence High School
Hunter Danley Quarterback - Sheffield 6 3, 185 pounds The Sheffield Bulldogs should make plenty of noise in 2012, helping them lead the way will be quarterback Hunter Danley. In his junior season Danley was solid for the Bulldogs, throwing the ball 95 times and completing 50 of those passes and racking up 1,135 yards to go along with 12 touchdowns. Sheffield Head Coach David Hufstedler has plenty of praise for his senior signal caller. How he prepares, how he leads through the week is what makes him special. Heʼs got talent, and he makes all of our calls for offense and he does a great job doing it. For Danley, all thoughts are on his senior season. They are like my family now; I can ask them about anything, go to them about anything and they are willing to help me. I am ready for us to get out there and see what we can do this year. I have a feeling the Sheffield family will be real proud of what we accomplish this fall. One thing is for sure, rooting for Hunter Danley will be easy to do this fall. Sheffield, get ready for something special in 2012, if you blink you may just miss a Danley Dinger. Congratulations to Hunter Danley and the entire Sheffield High School
Josh Matthews Running Back - Decatur 5 10, 215 pounds When it comes to talent, the Decatur Red Raiders seem to never be in short supply. In 2012 the same can be said as head coach Jere Adcock will have some horses to run. The biggest may be at running back as Josh Matthews returns to help carry the load. The 2011 season didnʼt go the way Matthews would have liked as injuries slowed down the speedy back. However, despite the injuries, Matthews carried the ball 115 times for 600 yards and managed to score 7 touchdowns. In 2010 Matthews topped the one thousand mark by racking up 1,093 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground and picked up 2 scores through the air. Heʼs a fine young man, one of the hardest working guys Iʼve ever coached. His commitment to being a good person is most important, says Decatur Assistant football coach Kenny Morson. For Matthews, the 2012 season is special simply because itʼs his time to shine. Iʼm trying to do my best to lead my team. My personal goal is to run as hard as I can every play my goal is to never stop my legs. One thing is for certain, Decatur should be in fine hands this season with Josh Matthews carrying the ball. And off the field, his leadership should help lead the way for success. Congratulations to Josh Matthews and the entire Decatur High School
Grant Hill Offensive Lineman - Huntsville 6 6, 315 pounds The 2012 season could be a special one for the Huntsville Panthers. Helping them lead the way could be offensive lineman Grant Hill. Hillʼs attitude could be a big reason for the Panthers success. All we can do is work hard and let that take us as far as we can and we have been working hard already. Hillʼs Coach Scott Sharp likes what he sees from his senior offensive lineman. Grant has all the tools that can make him very successful on the football field; he also has all the tools in the classroom that will take him very far in life. Sharp also adds, We need good solid senior leadership this season as we make the change in regions and we will be looking towards Grant to provide us with that this season. Grant will head into his senior season with his college decision already made as he has verbally committed to play for Alabama. So when looking at the Huntsville Panthers in 2012 make sure you glance along the offensive line and take a peek at the talented Grant Hill. Congratulations to Grant Hill and the entire Huntsville High School
Austin Dempsey Defensive Back - Hazel Green 6 3, 160 pounds The Hazel Green Trojans are poised to make a great run in 2012. Helping them lead the way should be defensive back Austin Dempsey. The rising senior is fully committed to helping his final season in a Trojan uniform successful. We are just trying to be the best team Hazel Green has ever had. Itʼs fun being the leader and our goal is to be the best team in Hazel Green history. As for his coach Matt Putnam, he realizes how special this season could be with Dempsey in the lineup. Austin was an All-State basketball player and he obviously has got great feet, great ball skills. Heʼs 6ʼ3 and is very long with long arms, and doesnʼt miss very many tackles, and itʼs very hard to throw over him. Thereʼs no doubt the Trojans are thinking team first in 2012 and Dempsey helping spread the message. My goal for this year is to help the team however I can and do whatever it takes to get the win. If you want to watch something special during Friday Night Fever, make the short drive to a Hazel Green football game and take a peek at Austin Dempsey and you just might see some special fireworks. Congratulations to Austin Dempsey and the entire Hazel Green High School
Cameron Toney Running Back - Huntsville 6 3, 225 pounds The 2012 football season for Huntsville High will see some new faces in different places but helping the Panthers patrol the middle of the field on defense will be one of the top linebackers in North Alabama Cameron Toney. Toney who has already verbally committed to Auburn has all the tools to play college football. His head coach Scott Sharp loves the intensity and leadership his senior brings to the field. Cameron is one of those players that you donʼt have to tell what to do; he has the instinct to be in the right place and the ability to make the play. But what makes him special is his leadership on and off the field; the younger guys really look up to him. He has the taken the role and helps our younger guys get better. For Cameron, heʼs hoping for big things in 2012. This next season is going to be really tough. I just want to see guys get out there and step up, and be the big men on the field. Thereʼs a lot of experience out there that will get the chance to step up and play at the next level, now we just have to do it and if we do, we will be successful. Make sure to catch a Huntsville High game in 2012 and catch a glimpse of Cameron Toney you could be seeing something special. Congratulations to Cameron Toney and the entire Huntsville High School
Dee Liner Defensive Tackle - Muscle Shoals 6 4, 280 pounds When talking about top talent in the state, look no further than Muscle Shoals Dee Liner. Liner, who committed to Auburn as a junior, is regarded as one of the top recruits in 2012 and will no doubt be a key force for the Trojans this upcoming season. Liner also has the numbers to back up the hype. In 2011, Liner posted 140 tackles, 10 sacks, 6 caused fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and topped it off 1 touchdown. His head coach Scott Basden is quick to point out what makes Liner tick. Deeʼs strengths are his quickness off the ball; he plays well at the point of attack, he pursues the ball exceptionally well, and he goes hard to the end of the play. For Liner, all the talk about being a top recruit is nice but the rising senior is hoping to cap off his final season in a Trojan uniform with nothing less than a state championship. The Trojans play in arguably the toughest 5A region in the state, but make no doubt about it, they have perhaps the toughest defensive tackle in the state, and if you get the chance to get a Trojans game in 2012, you will leave amazed. Congratulations to Dee Liner and the entire Muscle Shoals High School