AHSAA Class 3A , Region 3

2005 Record: 5-5 (3-4 Region)

Making the move from Class 4A to 3A this season, the Montevallo Bulldogs are looking to make themselves at home in a new region. Coach Jim King’s squad has a number of new faces on the roster this year, after losing 16 seniors from the 2005 team. The Bulldogs will look to build on a 5-5 season, but King will focus his players primarily on character, discipline and hard work. Performance on Friday night, King said, is directly related to the kind of person his players are the rest of the week.

While the Bulldogs have every team’s goal of reaching the playoffs, King expects his players to compete hard with character and class. Once they’ve done that, King said, the rest will take care of itself. The Bulldogs will try to make up for a lack of strength with ability. King expects to do a number of shifts and motions with his players to get angles up front rather than trying to power the ball through the opposing defense.

Quarterbacks

Senior Desmond Piper steps into the starting role under center this year for the first time in his career. King said he is looking to the 6-foot-2, 175 pound player to lead his squad. King believes Piper’s athletic ability will take care of the game and his leadership will take care of the rest. Freshmen Kevin Callendar will be backup.

Running Backs

Senior Phillip Evans will start at tailback for the Bulldogs, while seniors Brandon Broadnax and Mario Lilly will clear the way for him at the fullback position. King will use junior Derek Nelson at both positions. Freshmen Toney Kent and Drew Harris will provide depth in the backfield.

Wide Receivers

Senior wide receiver Mason Parker is arguably King’s strongest and fastest player on the offensive side of the ball. Parker will be joined by sophomores Dajuan Fulgham, Kelvin Reed, Alex Gaddis and junior Stefan Gilbert in the Bulldogs’ receiving corps.

Offensive Line

One of the best leaders on King’s squad, senior offensive lineman Kyle Stewart, will be a force in the trenches this year. Stewart will be joined by freshman Jay Franks, juniors Tremain Smith and Alex Murdoch and seniors Zac Stansell and T.J. Cottingham. Reed will start at tight end for Montevallo.

Defensive Line

Mario Lilly will start as the strong-side defensive end while Kelvin Rankin and Cottingham will compete for time on the weak side of the line. Juniors London Andrews and Corey Miller will start as tackles. King’s offensive line will back up their counterparts on defense.

Linebackers

Broadnax, Nelson and Evans will share the linebacker rotation with junior Sam Nathews and senior Anthony Davis.

Defensive Backs

King’s secondary is young this season – with two freshmen and a sophomore starting for King. Sophomore Alex Gaddis gets the nod at one corner spot with freshman Tony Kent covering the opposite side. Callendar will be Montevallo’s last line of defense at the free safety position.

Kickers

Mason Parker, Ebans, Desmond Parker and Reed will compete for the place-kicking and punting duties.

2006 Schedule

Sept. 1@Billingsley

Sept. 8@Lafayette

Sept. 15v. Marbury

Sept. 22v. Mgt. Catholic

Sept. 29@W. Blocton

Oct. 6@Mgt. Acad.

Oct. 13v. Beulah(HC)

Oct. 20v. Calera

Oct. 27@B.B. Comer

Nov. 3v. Vincen