Sumiton Christian receiver Cody Taylor (24) runs routes as quarterback Andrew Rhodes takes the snap during practice at the school on Monday. The Eagles play a jamboree game at Parrish on Thursday. (Photo by Johnathan Bentley)
The Sumiton Christian football coach saw his Eagles finish 0-10 last year in one of the toughest regions in the state.
Now with Sumiton Christian back in Class 2A, he feels his team can compete on a week-to-week basis playing more comparable competition.
“Everybody is excited about going to 2A. It’s going to be different not having to play Cordova, Aliceville and Gordo,” Patterson said.
Instead, the Eagles play the likes of Oakman, Falkville, Fultondale and Cold Springs.
Patterson put 24 players through practice on Monday. The team is preparing for Friday’s jamboree game at Parrish.
“Everything is upbeat,” Patterson said. “We had a good spring. We beat Shades Mountain and Parkway Christian in the jamboree. That was something positive.”
The Eagles needed some positives after a 2009 season that saw Sumiton Christian finish as one of only three 3A teams that didn’t win a game. The Eagles allowed 409 points on the season, the third most in Class 3A.
“I’ve fired myself as defensive coordinator,” Patterson joked.
Tommy Chandler is the defensive coordinator this season.
“Defense is usually a little ahead of offense at this time of year, but that’s not the case with us. The kids have had to learn a new defense. We are running the same base, but the calls have changed. The kids have responded well. They’ve bought into coach Chandler. That’s what I was hoping would happen,” Patterson said.
Bart Black is the team’s offensive coordinator, Justin Blevins is the offense and defensive line coach and Samuel Ansley is a volunteer assistant.
Depth is a problem with the Eagles.
“If we have one of about five guys get hurt, that would really bring us down,” Patterson said.
Sumiton Christian, which spent the last six years in Class 3A, is in a nine-team region this season, which means the Eagles play only two non-region games this season. The season opener is Friday, Aug. 27 at home against 2A, Region 7 opponent Falkville. The non-region games include Decatur Heritage on the road in Week 3 and Corner at home in Week 10.