By John Goolsby, For the Tribune
SPRINGVILLE – Springville head coach Jon Clements enters his third year at Springville High School looking to improve on last year’s 1-9 record.
The Jemison native is optimistic about the Tiger’s future despite having some players leave the program.
“We are excited about the guys that have stayed, and we are excited about our seniors,” Clements said. “I really like our team chemistry, and we have a lot of leadership.”
Clements has been on the staff of some of the top programs in the state and knows what it takes to build a program. Building a program starts in the weight room during the off-season, and the Tigers have seen improvements in that area.
“The kids have done a tremendous job in the weight room,” he said. “They have really transformed their bodies and made a true commitment.”
Staff continuity and developing a pipeline of players is also a crucial part of program’s success, and Clements has worked hard on that front also. “We were able to bring back our entire staff except for one,” he said. “That’s a positive.”
“We have added to our junior high staff,” he said. “That has been a key area for us, and we are getting it going in the right direction.”
Clements has been able to rally the community to help the program financially. “We’ve raised over half a million dollars the last three years, and it has gone directly back to the kids,” he said.
“The booster club, led by Larry Adams, has really stepped up,” Clements said. “We have been able to get them new helmets, new shoulder pads, a new weight room, new uniforms, and get a bunch of cosmetic things done.”
On the field, the Tigers should be improved. “I like the group we’ve got, and I like who we have in key spots,” Clements said.
Springville plays an extremely tough non-region and region schedule. “We are going to be battling uphill schedule-wise, and we have our work cut out for us,” he said. “It should be pretty fun.”
Clements is expecting big things from senior Noel Cox. “He is somebody we look to for a lot of things,” he said. “He plays offense, defense, returns kicks, and he’s our holder. He does it all.”
“He’s everything that is right about high school sports, Clements said. “He’s a guy that shows up to work and then goes home.”
“Junior Jake Connor will have to do a lot of things for us as well,” he said. “Nathan Baldwin on the line will be a three-year starter, and Mahlon Averson at running back has continued to get better and better.”
The Tigers will have to replace two freshmen who played quarterback last year. The duo transferred to other area schools. “That put us a little behind the eight ball, and it will be quarterback by committee,” Clements said.
“We have some pieces, and there are good things ahead for Springville,” he said. “It’s fun to go to work because you know what you are going to get.”
Even though the Tigers have not had a winning season, made the playoffs, or won a playoff game since 2009, Clements has found a home and a program with the history and the foundation to be successful.
Clements hopes to return the program to the success it enjoyed from 1990-2009 when it went 150-81, spent 80 weeks in the top-10, won seven region titles, made the playoffs sixteen times, and won sixteen playoff games.
“I’m so blessed to get to work here and get to work for and with great people,” he said. “Our kids are fantastic. Friday nights are fantastic.”
“It’s a real special place, and I wish a lot more people got to experience it as I do,” he said.
“Springville is home to us. We didn’t come to Springville to change it. We came to Springville because we wanted to be a part of it.”
Springville kicks off the season in a Fall jamboree against Dora and then opens at home against Etowah on August 24.