Patriots speak at media days

Homewood High School took part in the Jefferson-Shelby Media Days on Tuesday at the Gardendale Civic Center, and head coach Ben Berguson was joined by linebacker Antarius Mitchell and running back Chestin Jones to preview the upcoming season.

“Expectations are high, because we’ve had four consecutive nine-win seasons,” Berguson said.

Berguson joked about wanting to find a “magic wand” to get the Patriots that 10th win, but there are a bevy of starters to replace first.

Homewood lost 18 of 22 starters on either side of the ball off of last year’s squad, that advanced to the second round of the playoffs and losing a close battle to eventual Class 6A runner-up Clay-Chalkville.

But with the success comes a slight changing of the guard when it comes to the team’s goals.

Berguson said, “We’re beyond having a goal of just making the playoffs every year. Our goal is to win the region now.”

Wide receiver Fred Williams is the only returning starter on offense, and Berguson singled out TyShawn Buckner as the team’s best receiver at the moment.

“We’re expecting TyShawn to have a breakout season,” Berguson said.

The Patriots will look to Larkin Williams and Ty Hatcher to split the quarterback duties initially, with the hope that one will separate himself as the season progresses.

Mitchell leads the linebacker corps and C.D. Daniels paces the secondary. Mitchell has total confidence that the defense will follow his lead.

“I put my trust in them that they will go out there with me and play their hearts out with me,” he said.

Daniels recently received his first offer from Samford, and Berguson said he could be the next “big prospect to come out of Homewood.”