By DREW GRANTHUM / Sports Writer

HARPERSVILLE — It’s safe to say Coosa Valley Academy head coach Arlton Hudson is looking forward to kicking off the 2013 season.

The Rebels’ first game Aug. 23 on the road against rival Cornerstone Christian will serve to gauge the effectiveness of weight training Hudson implemented throughout the fall and spring.

“(You) go out there and see where you are,” he said. “We look forward to it. We had a great offseason, (and) a great fall.”

Following a 4-7 record in his first year as head coach at CVA, Hudson immediately set out to make the team stronger. The workout plan, combined with the influx of transfers, has Coosa Valley cautiously optimistic.

With the season on the horizon, Hudson is still tweaking the positions to try and get the best fit for each.

“We had a quarterback battle,” Hudson said of fall practice. “Zach (Spratlin) came out on top. Bradley Carroll moved to fullback. Niko (Teofilo) is playing a variety of places.”

Hudson said despite only having about 18 players on the roster, CVA will do all it can to give players breaks during the game.

“(We’ll) go out there against competition and find out people (to rely on) down the line,” he said. “We have our rotation to some people. (We’ve) got to play iron man football.”

Like Coosa Valley, opponent Cornerstone will feature mostly new faces starting. Hudson said the key to winning was to stick to their game plan.

“Coach Smith has new guys just like I do,” he said. “We just have to read and run assignments on defense. We’re probably going to be a little more pass happy on offense.”
Hudson also said ball control will be important.

“Hopefully our size on the line will allow us to control running the football,” he said. “We have a few difference makers this year. I feel if we play fundamental football, we’ll be fine.”

The game will kick off at 7 p.m. at Michael B. Willis Memorial Field, located at 24975 Alabama 25, Columbiana.