By John Goolsby, For the Tribune
IRONDALE-The Shades Valley Mounties recorded their first winning season in five years in 2022. The 2023 team is looking to take the program to the next level.
Coach Rueben Nelson enters his third year at Shades Valley with the expectation that his Mountie team will improve on last season’s 5-4 record.
“We are looking to play a hard-nosed brand of football,” said Nelson.
The Mounties will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball in 2023.
Antwan Peake is the offensive coordinator, and Richard Richardson, a former Mountie under Robert Higginbotham, and Martee Pope will lead the defense.
Both Peake and Richardson were on Nelson’s staff that won the 2016 6A championship at Ramsay.
Peake’s offensive philosophy is “fast tempo, physical, balanced, spread them out, and gash them up the middle.”
Jacob Millhouse will coach quarterbacks, JaMarius Dismuke returns to coach the offensive line, and Kendric Cook will coach receivers and tight ends. Peake will handle the play calling along with coaching the running backs.
Robert Nelson, Jr. returns to coach the defensive line. Derek Slater will be coaching linebackers. Pope returns to coach corners, and Richardson will handle safeties.
At quarterback, Valley returns senior Steve Brown. Sophomore Zayden Bolden, who saw action last year, will back Brown up.
Brown scored 23 TDS and gained over 2,000 yards last season. “We have got to get a lot out of Steve at quarterback,” said Nelson. “I think he’s one of the most talented guys in the metro and has a chance to have a really good year.”
Brown is looking forward to his senior season. “I want to elevate my game to the next level,” said Brown. “We want to do things that Shades Valley hasn’t accomplished in a long time.
The Mounties were extremely young on the offensive line last year. “We started two freshmen and two sophomores,” Nelson said. “Now they are a year older and stronger.”
Julian Maddox, Ajari Jones, Manuell “Aidan” Smith, V, Peyton Kid, Jadon Ford, and Will Looney are potential starters.
Maddox, a junior, will be returning at center. “What we want to accomplish as a line is to help the team make it to the playoffs,” he said.
At receiver, the Mounties will be looking to replace “Mr. Everything” Christian Thomas. Returning junior Ji’Quez Daniels saw significant playing time last year. Daniels had 25 receptions for 256 yards and 3 TDs last season.
Quincy Crawford, who missed last season due to an injury, is expected to make an impact. “He will add a big punch to what we do,” said Nelson. “He’s a guy that can make plays on the ball real fast.”
The Mounties added several receivers in the off-season. Look for Christian Gorman, Kendric Smith, Jayden Gilmore, Javien Williams, Laddarius Powell, and Dre’Shan Cook to see action.
Seniors David Ware and Ethan Johnson and sophomore Geordan Clarke saw considerable playing time at running back last year. Freshman Armon Goldsby will join the returning trio.
Defensively the Mounties should be much improved,
Zion Cathey, Johnny Steele, and Justin Miller are potential starters. Terrance James, Kyle Deramus, Kayvian Riley-Stallings, and Carlos Ford will see action along the defensive front.
“Up front, defensively, we knew we would have to continue to get better,” Nelson said. “I think we have done that.”
Senior All-State linebacker Ethan Johnson will anchor one linebacker spot. As a junior, Johnson recorded 153 tackles in only nine games. “If Ethan has the same type of year that he had last year, he’ll go down as one of the best linebackers to ever come through Shades Valley,” said Nelson.
Johnson, who has nine offers, including Army, Coastal Carolina, and Appalachian State, is looking to elevate his play on the field and his role in the locker room. “I want to play fast and be very explosive this year,” said Johnson. “I also accept the role of being the leader of the defense.”
Look for Landy Saxon to start at the other linebacker position. Carterius Ford and Jared Brundidge will see action.
In the secondary, sophomore Jamie Small and junior Jacaryous Burrow return after seeing playing time last year. Wide receiver Torez McCall moved to the secondary and expects to see time with Crawford and Myran Reed.
Senior Jair Aguilar will return as a kicker.
“We can’t make excuses; we have to get it done,” said Nelson. “We have to live up to a standard of excellence that was established here years ago. We have to get back to where wearing the black helmets means something.”
Shades Valley opens the season at home in Frank Nix Stadium on August 25 against Stanhope Elmore.