Patriots open football season Friday
The ninth-ranked Homewood Patriots kick off the 2015 football season by hosting Decatur on Friday at 7 p.m. at Waldrop Stadium.
The two teams met in Decatur last year in the opener, the Red Raiders escaping with a 13-10 win.
That game was a defensive struggle. Patriots coach Ben Berguson expects something different this time around.
“I think you’re going to see two much-improved offensive teams,” he said. ”I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a track meet. I hope we can score some points.”
Decatur had a veteran defense last season, with nine returning starters. The Red Raiders return four this season.
On offense, starting quarterback Griffin McCollum is back, as is running back Scott Littrell.
“I think offense will be their strength,” Berguson said. “They go from under center, run a lot of two-back stuff. They’re kind of a run-first offense and play-action pass off of it.”
Berguson said the Patriots will throw the ball more this season. Dual-threat quarterback Carson Griffis is beginning his third season as the starter and has improved as a passer. “A couple of years ago, you might have said he could only beat you with his feet,” his coach said. Griffis also has a group of receivers with size he can go to, including 6-foot-3 Kevin Patterson, 6-2 Alec Marsch and 6-2 Ronald Claiborne, who is returning to the football field for his senior year after concentrating on basketball.
Although the Pats’ offensive line is young, Berguson believes they can create enough space for 1,000-yard rusher Derrick Underwood.
For the Patriots defensively, Griffin Gentry, who racked up 106 tackles from his defensive end spot in 2014, anchors the line. The Troy commitment has two outstanding returning starting linebackers behind him in Tobbie Taylor and Antarius Mitchell.
The Red Raiders were 9-4 last season, falling in the 6A quarterfinals to eventual state champion Clay-Chalkville. Veteran coach Jere Adcock is beginning his 20th year as the head man at Decatur.
The Patriots, 9-3 last season, lost in the playoffs’ second round to Gardendale.
Homewood has another non-region game next week, facing 7A rival Vestavia Hills at Waldrop Stadium. That weekend will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Class 5A state champions.