By Gary Lloyd
TRUSSVILLE — It can easily be considered the most difficult schedule in the state of Alabama.
The 10 opponents that make up Hewitt-Trussville’s 2014 schedule combined for a 76-39 record a season ago. Four of those teams — Gadsden City, Mountain Brook, Spain Park and Tuscaloosa County — lost in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs. Clay-Chalkville fell in the second round. Vestavia Hills reached the Class 6A semifinals, losing to eventual state champion Hoover.
Hewitt-Trussville finishes a practice last month.
photo by Ron Burkett
The Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board of Control in January approved the new seven-classification system for championship play for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years.
Hewitt-Trussville is now a Class 7A, Region 3 football school with Hoover, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Spain Park, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County and Vestavia Hills.
Hewitt-Trussville junior quarterback Zac Thomas said the teams on the Huskies’ schedule have dominated.
“It’s going to be a hard road, but I think we can come out on top,” he said.
First-year head coach Josh Floyd said Class 7A is “definitely a great challenge.” He said it doesn’t get much better than the history and tradition that fills the league and region.
“It’s what everybody says it is, probably the toughest league in Alabama,” Floyd said. “It’s a great challenge we’re excited about. I think it’s exciting for the kids because they know they’re playing the top competition.”
Players are confident. The new offseason conditioning program has added to their belief. During summer practice last year, players would get tired and sometimes walk between drills. This summer, they run from drill to drill, and they’re still fresh.
“We’re super optimistic about the schedule and I feel like we can match up with anybody in the state,” said junior middle linebacker Bailey McElwain.
Floyd said Hewitt-Trussville must play its best game week in and week out. That keeps players motivated.
“There are no gimmes,” Floyd said.
Floyd said Hewitt-Trussville is trying to get to the level as a Hoover, a Vestavia Hills, teams that routinely reach the playoffs and go deep once there.
“We love it,” said junior running back Jarrion Street. “We love competition. I think we can take on the challenge and do very well in 7A.”
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
