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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

With the challenges of playing up in Class 7A behind them, the Chelsea Hornets hope that 2024 brings them closer to returning to the playoffs as they take on a slate of more evenly-matched opponents.

Despite only posting three wins over the course of his first two seasons, I’ve long felt like head coach Todd Cassity’s impact on the program hasn’t had a chance to show in the win column, and this may be the year it starts to turn around.

Now, the improved facilities that have taken shape over the past couple of seasons have a promising group of players who can start capitalizing on that potential.

However, any assessment of Chelsea going into this season has to start with what it lost: a multi-year starter at running back in Emerson Russell, multiple leading receivers including Jaxon Shuttlesworth and All-County defensive playmakers like Anderson Brooks and Owen Key.

Add in a quarterback battle midway through the offseason and on the surface, it looks like the Hornets will need to fill a lot of holes. That is, before you look at who’s stepping up this year.

The defense looks to be a strong play-making unit with Romello Cooper and Ethan Prickett leading the way alongside others like Porter Schott, Kenny Wesley and Grant Evans.

At media days. Cooper went as far as to claim that this unit can match up with anyone, and with that level of confidence throughout the group, they’ll be sure to play with a lot of intensity that could cause some problems for other teams.

Offensively, those skill position gaps will be filled with quarterback Miller Bauman, running backs Chase Stracener and Morgan Barnes and wide receiver CJ Durbin. All have impressed either in game action or over the spring and summer and could make an impact in a bigger role.

Beyond those players, Chelsea also has lots of depth that could either produce a surprise breakout player or help if injury problems arise. Cassity has claimed the Hornets are two deep at almost every position, including a rotation of 10 receivers and seven linebackers.

Success won’t be a given even with the drop down as Class 6A, Region 3 still possesses strong teams like Helena, Spain Park and Benjamin Russell along with other county rivals in Pelham and Calera.

An easier non-region schedule with just one 7A opponent in Oak Mountain should help Chelsea generate some momentum and beat out last season’s win total while contending for one of the last few playoff spots out of Region 3.

 

Prediction: 5-5. After a pair of challenging years, it feels like this is the moment of truth for Chelsea to prove it is heading in the right direction against a slate of more evenly matched opponents in and out of region play.

To do that though, the Hornets’ new starters will have to quickly prove that they can fill the holes left behind by a talented group of exiting players, including many offensive playmakers and defensive leaders.

Chelsea’s new crop has impressed in the times it saw the field last season and in the spring, but now it’s about translating that potential into on-field success.

The Hornets have two things going for them: a favorable early season schedule and a deep roster. Chelsea won’t have to face the likely top three teams in Class 6A, Region 3 in Helena, Spain Park and Benjamin Russell until the final three weeks of region play.

That means they can use non-region play and the early part of the region slate to gain momentum and challenge for one of the remaining playoff spots. Their depth should also keep them fresh as they hit that challenging stretch run should injuries arise.

I think there are plenty of opportunities for this roster to secure wins throughout the year and get back in the playoff conversation, but regardless of if they fall short of that goal this year, I believe they will take a positive step toward a better future.