Returning starters aim for back-to-back Region titles

After a tough ending to a great season last year, the Homewood football program is gearing up for the 2013 season with lots of returning starters and a big question mark at quarterback. Eight starters return from an offense that averaged almost 40 points a game last season, and many seniors are being recruited by colleges across the Southeast.

Head coach Doug Goodwin emphasized that offensive experience would be valuable.

“Experience is this team’s strong point, especially on the offensive side,” Goodwin said. “It’s our third year to be here, so they know what to expect out of us and we know what we’ll get out of them. You can’t replace experience.”

However, two important positions have yet to be filled: quarterback and middle linebacker. Those two positions are typically the leaders of the offense and defense.

Luke Porter, who also starred as cleanup batter for the Patriots baseball team, led the football team at quarterback to a 9-2 season last year. His graduation leaves sophomores Carson Griffis and Griffin Rivers and junior Brett White competing for the job.

“Our offense depends a lot on who wins the quarterback job,” Goodwin said. “All of them do some things well, and none of them really separated themselves in the spring. I believe we can win with all three of them.”

The linebacker corps also lacks experience after the departure of Mark Rawls, Conner Rivers, Forrest Gaines and Aaron Avery. Linebackers are especially important in the 3-4 defensive scheme that Homewood runs.

“Linebacker will be the key to our year,” Goodwin said. “We’ve got to find some people that can come in and replace those guys. We run a 3-4 defense, which means everything is tailored around the linebackers, and that’s where we are least experienced.”

But those two position battles should not scare any Patriot fans. With returning offensive experience and good coaching, this team is expected to do well after last year’s success. After the school’s move from 6A to 5A last year, Homewood had a good regular season followed by a shocking first round loss.

“Our loss in the first round last year was tough,” Goodwin said. “Can’t put it into words. Really disappointing. None of us expected to lose in the first round. We had some injuries and Greenville played really well and made one more play than we did at the end of the game. It was extremely disappointing, and hopefully we’ll still feel that when we start playing this year.”

After this season, several seniors will be looking to play at the next level. Offensive lineman Jordan Sims is being heavily recruited by the entire SEC and power schools like Oklahoma, Nebraska and Florida State.

As the Patriots prepare for their 2013 schedule, starting with a tough game against Vestavia Hills that will certainly test the team’s weaknesses, the players and coaches are focusing on improving on the little things, one day at a time.

“If we take care of trying to get better each and every day then the bigger stuff takes care of itself in the long run,” Goodwin said. “Naturally, it’s every team’s goal to win as many games as possible and win the state championship. While that stuff crosses our minds, the biggest thing we focus on is just trying to get better each and every day.”

2012 Results: After moving from 5A to 6A, the Patriots went 9-2 and won the Region 4 championship. The season ended with a shocking first-round playoff loss to Greenville.

Head Coach: Doug Goodwin (14-7 in two seasons at Homewood).

Key Losses: QB Luke Porter, RB Justin Hardy, C Zach Sims, LB Mark Rawls, LB Conner Rivers, LB Forrest Gaines, LB Aaron Avery, OL Jesus Gallardo, DE/P Jay Williams.

Key Players: OL Jordan Sims, RB Walter Rutledge, S/WR Derico Harris, WR Devontae Wallace, OL Nick Baskin, TE Robert Fittro, RB Devonta Barnfield, DT Dwayne Orso, WR Orlando Swan, TE Sean Eaton.