Trussville City Council honors undefeated HT football teams

By Crystal McGough, Editor

TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville City Council adopted three proclamations Tuesday night, Nov. 14, 2023, recognizing and honoring Hewitt-Trussville’s seventh, eighth and ninth grade football teams for undefeated seasons.

Head Coach Terry Gillespie with some members of the HTMS undefeated seventh grade football team. (Credit: Crystal McGough)

“We have three teams to honor tonight,” Councilmember Lisa Bright said. “They are all three undefeated in football and we love to bring in our students, athletic and academic, to come in and just give them a little proclamation and encouragement.”

The first proclamation, numbered 2023-22, honored the undefeated seventh grade football team, stating:

“WHEREAS, the 7th Grade Football Team displayed dominance on both sides of the line of scrimmage throughout its 2023 season, en route to its 2023 Metro Area Championship; and

“WHEREAS, the Team’s stingy defense yielded only 90 points over 8 games; and

“WHEREAS, the Team’s offense steamrolled its opponents all over the gridiron, accumulating 3308 yards and 370 points (Per Game Averages – 414 yards & 46 points); and

“WHEREAS, this marks the fourth Metro championship (2012, 2015, 2022) for the 7th Grade Football program; and

“WHEREAS, Head Coach Terry Gillespie earned 7th Grade Metro South Coach of the Year honors

“NOW, THEREFORE, with this proclamation, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Trussville,

Alabama do hereby congratulate Hewitt-Trussville, Head Coach Terry Gillespie; Assistant Coaches Scott Bromley, Bryan Hinds, Darren Robertson, Chris Pike, Carter Pharis, Tyler Colvert, Clint Argo, Matt Ryan and Tyler Echols; Strength Coach Steward Carlisle; Athletic Trainer Travis Bayles; Student Trainers Onree Pruitt III, Mallory Selesky and Reese Headley; the entire team and their families on their successful season. We eagerly look forward to the Class of 2029’s future contributions to our varsity team. GO HUSKIES!!”

“I just want to say thank you to everyone that’s hear to honor this great group,” Coach Gillespie said. “… It’s such an honor to have your community involvement and support with athletics, especially our football program in middle school. … One thing I’ve said about this group all year is that they are very coachable. They’re willing to learn, they have a good work ethic … they are great learners of the game … So, congratulations to this group and thank you, city council, for your recognition.”

Next, Bright read Proclamation No. 2023-23, recognizing the undefeated eighth grade football team:

Head Coach Scott Bromley with some members of the HTMS undefeated eighth grade football team. (Credit: Crystal McGough)

“WHEREAS, the 8th Grade Football Team displayed dominance on both sides of the line of scrimmage all season, en route to its 2023 Metro Area Championship; and

“WHEREAS, the Team’s stingy defense yielded only 81 points over 8 games; and WHEREAS, the Team’s offense steamrolled its opponents all over the gridiron, accumulating 3098 yards and 327 points (Per Game Averages – 387 yards & 41 points); and

“WHEREAS, the Class of 2028 has now gone undefeated in back-to-back seasons, for the first time in Middle School history; and

“WHEREAS, Head Coach Scott Bromley earned 8th Grade Metro South Coach of the Year honors

“NOW, THEREFORE, with this proclamation, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Trussville, Alabama do hereby congratulate Hewitt-Trussville, Head Coach Scott Bromley; Assistant Coaches Terry Gillespie, Bryan Hinds, Darren Robertson, Chris Pike, Carter Pharis, Tyler Colvert, Clint Argo, Matt Ryan and Tyler Echols; Strength Coach Steward Carlisle; Athletic Trainer Travis Bayles; Student Trainers Mallory Selesky and Reese Headley; the entire team and their families on their successful season. We eagerly look forward to the Class of 2028’s future contributions to our varsity team. GO HUSKIES!!”

“We appreciate the city recognizing us like this; I think it’s awesome for these players,” Coach Bromley said. “… They worked really hard all year last year in the process for months and months and months of preparation for the season, and they’ve put a lot of hard work and effort and focus into what they were doing. We put 35173 all over our stuff … I really wanted these guys to aim at something bigger than themselves and play for a community and just to kind of have that mindset.”

Lastly, Bright read Proclamation No. 2023-24, recognizing Hewitt-Trussville High School’s undefeated ninth grade football team:

Head Coach/Defensive Coach Dylan Teague with some members of the HTHS undefeated ninth grade football team. (Credit: Crystal McGough)

“WHEREAS, the 9th Grade Football Team ruled both sides of the line of scrimmage all season, en route to its 2023 Metro Area Championship; and

“WHEREAS, the Team’s stingy defense yielded only 1,421 yards and 81 points over 8 games, while sacking opposing quarterbacks 17 times, recovering 9 fumbles and catching 9 interceptions (one for a Pick-6); and

“WHEREAS, the Team’s well-balanced offense steamrolled its opponents all over the gridiron, accumulating 1012 yards on the ground and 1241 yards by air; and

“WHEREAS, the Team ran the proverbial table by defeating Gadsden City, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Hoover, Huffman, Thompson, Vestavia Hills and Spain Park; and

“WHEREAS, the Team completed its first undefeated season since 2018, under then-Coach Jake Garrett

“NOW, THEREFORE, with this proclamation, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Trussville, Alabama do hereby congratulate Hewitt-Trussville, Head Coach & Defensive Coach Dylan Teague; Offensive Coordinator Alex Deal; Assistant Coaches Brad Hettich, Bryan Hinds, Josh Floyd, Juan Johnson, Dylan Haraway, Sean Talsma and Brad Boyette; Trainers Mitch Bibb and Tarvis Bayles; the entire team and their families on their successful season. We eagerly look forward to the Class of 2027’s future contributions to our varsity team. GO HUSKIES!!”

“I just want to say that this is a special group of young men that we had the privilege to coach this year,” said Coach Teague. “I appreciate the city of Trussville for all their support and recognition, and the community and the parents and all the coaches that helped make this a great year.”

In other business, the council:

• Adopted a resolution approving longevity pay for certain city employees
• Adopted a resolution authorizing self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) purchases for the fire department over three years, with no bidding required
• Held a public hearing on a prospective alcohol license for Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux
• Adopted a resolution approving Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux ABC license
• Adopted a resolution approving a professional services agreement with Witt O’Brien’s
• Adopted a resolution approving a non-binding letter of intent with Smith/Packett Med-Com LLC

The next meeting of the Trussville City Council will be Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. The council will hold a workshop at 5 p.m. that day with the regular meeting following immediately.