By Gary Lloyd
Hewitt-Trussville head football coach Hal Riddle would like to have an obligation the first week of December.
He’d like to be on a bus to Tuscaloosa, preparing for the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 6A state championship game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
To accomplish that goal, Hewitt-Trussville must first reach the playoffs, something it failed to do last season for the first time since 2006.
“I hope these guys will tell you they’ve seen more from the head coach because he wasn’t excited about it,” Riddle said at last month’s Jefferson and Shelby County High School Football Media Day, accompanied by senior linebacker Hunter Reid and senior running back Peyton Palmer. “The work ethic has been good this winter and through the summer.”
Hewitt-Trussville sophomore quarterback Zach Thomas should see playing time this fall.
photo by Ron Burkett
Class 6A, Region 6 poses an assortment of tough opponents. Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook are likely the class of the region, the two teams Riddle forecasts as the top squads.
“At Vestavia, I see the same staff with the guy in charge (Buddy Anderson) since I’ve been working so the past 34 or so years that has been the same,” Riddle said. “They’re going to run the football and when you try to come up, they’ll throw the ball over your head.”
Other teams likely in the mix for playoff spots from the region are Shades Valley and Gardendale.
Reid said the team is a lot more driven this season. Palmer said the team does not feel any pressure, just some expectations of reaching the playoffs.
“I think we should be right back in there,” Palmer said.
Hewitt-Trussville’s goals this year include maximizing potential, getting the defense off the field on third down and finishing offensive series with points on the board.
“The good teams do,” Riddle said.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
