1 of 3
Photo by Todd Lester.
Adam Reaves (9) is one of three returning wide receivers for the Hornets.
2 of 3
Photo by Todd Lester.
Senior running back Collier Blair (1) has been one of the most productive facets of Chelsea’s offense since he was a freshman.
3 of 3
Photo by James Nicholas.
Chandler Pruitt (29) is one of five key players back in the secondary, presumably the strength of the Chelsea defense.
Editor's Note: As of press time, the high school football season was still set to begin Aug. 21. It was unclear whether the season would be altered due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chelsea High School football program took a significant step forward last fall in head coach Dustin Goodwin’s second season. After struggling to a 2-8 record in 2018, the Hornets surged to win six games last fall.
“We built pretty good in year two on top of what we built in year one,” Goodwin said.
Despite being forced to vacate its first win of the season, Chelsea still advanced to the state playoffs for the first time since 2016.
“We had some ups and downs, but most of all, we remained pretty consistent, which is something we preached to them,” Goodwin said.
Like every other program around the state, Chelsea missed the opportunity for spring training due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Hornets also dealt with shutting down summer workouts in late June for a few weeks due to the virus.
The Hornets are replacing roughly eight starters on offense and a handful on defense, but Goodwin is confident his players will step up and make names for themselves this fall.
“I know our kids are going to work hard and compete,” he said.
OFFENSE
Chelsea averaged 28 points per game on offense last season and hopes to continue a positive trajectory this fall. Goodwin said the program has implemented parts of its system into the freshman and middle school teams, so the learning curve should not be too steep for new varsity players.
“I want us to be consistent and productive,” Goodwin said.
The Hornets will be looking for their third different starting quarterback in Goodwin’s third year, with the likes of Nic Neaves, Cooper Griffin and Hayden Garrison all battling for that spot. Adam Reaves is a slot receiver who took some snaps last fall as well.
The most steady and productive force on the offense for the last three years has been running back Collier Blair, the tailback who runs with far more force than his height and weight would suggest. He’s currently listed at 5-foot-6, 175 pounds.
Chad Carbonie backed up Blair last year, but he is a key player on the Hornets’ defense, so Goodwin is looking to develop some depth there.
“That’s a goal of ours, is to find one or two other guys that can step up and spell Collier,” Goodwin said.
Holton Smith, Gabe Ruffin and Reaves are all back out wide to help out whichever quarterback is distributing the football this season.
Up front, Cody Cooper is the lone returning player with significant experience, as he served as the Hornets’ sixth lineman a year ago. He’s the elder statesman there, with the Hornets looking for answers to fill the rest of those slots.
DEFENSE
Goodwin believes the secondary could be the strength of the entire team this fall, with five returners back with that position group. Hasani Lyons, Jake Adams and Carbonie all played at the cornerback spot, with safeties Carson Freeman and Chandler Pruitt still around to roam the back end as safeties.
Along the defensive line, Garyson Maddox and Marquis Turner started last fall and return, while Donovan Bivins and James Turnes contributed as well.
There are still plenty of questions to be answered, though, particularly in the middle at the linebacker position.
SPECIAL TEAMS
One area Goodwin won’t have to spend a ton of time figuring out who will play is on special teams. Placekicker Cooper Neal graduated, leaving a void there, but Sam Niven is the team’s punter and capable of filling that role in addition if needed.
“We just want somebody that’s fairly consistent from 35 yards and in and able to make our extra points automatic,” Goodwin said of the kicking role.
Senior Xander Echols is also back and has been the long snapper for the Hornets since he was a freshman. Echols recently committed to UAB and is recognized as one of the top players at his position in the region.
SCHEDULE
Chelsea will not have to travel far from home at all during the 2020 campaign. The Hornets compete in Class 6A, Region 5 and will play all four of their out-of-region contests against teams from Shelby County.
In non-region action, the Hornets open the season at Oak Mountain, followed by a home date with Helena. In the middle of the season, the Hornets will head to Pelham and conclude the regular season at home against Calera.
“We wanted to stay closer to home. They are all good quality opponents with good players and good coaching staffs,” Goodwin said.
In region play, Chelsea will host Briarwood, Woodlawn and Huffman and travel to Homewood, Shades Valley and Mountain Brook.
“It’s every bit as competitive, if not more, than it was last year,” Goodwin said of a region that notably added Mountain Brook. “It makes it fun because you have to show up ready to go week in and week out.”
