Sam Chandler
Chelsea Football
Chelsea head coach Chris Elmore with Zalon Reynolds, left, and Matthew Marquet, right, at the Jefferson-Shelby Media Days on July 25, 2016, at the Gardendale Civic Center.
Chelsea High School had its chance on Monday to preview the upcoming football season at the Jefferson-Shelby Media Days.
Coach Chris Elmore, flanked by senior offensive stars Zalon Reynolds and Matthew Marquet, spoke on all aspects of his team, beginning with his group’s dependability.
“(The offseason has) gone well,” Elmore said. The kids are dependable and are there when you ask. Of the 86 varsity players, 66 have missed four or less workouts this summer.”
The Hornet offense averaged nearly 32 points per game last season and returns a bevy of playmakers, including Marquet at quarterback, Reynolds at running back, and Jay Vickers at receiver.
“If we’re going to do something special, it’s going to be this year,” Marquet said.
There are a few more parts to replace on the defensive side of the ball, but Elmore feels comfortable with the work both sides of the ball got in the summer.
He said, “We’re inexperienced on defense. We played a lot of seniors, especially in key spots. We were able to get some of those guys reps in practice and also in 7-on-7 events. Offensively, we’ve got a lot of guys back there and really, it’s just continuing to improve what we do.
“There are several guys on defense, if they play to their potential, we’re going to be pretty good,” Elmore said.
Chelsea reached the postseason last fall, and with that experience, look to get back there and make the next step: win a playoff game.
“When we make it to the playoffs, we know that we’ve been here and we’re going to come out with a win,” Marquet said.
Both Marquet and Reynolds have solid records in the classroom as well, and Reynolds made sure to note his favorite subject.
“I’m a math guy,” he said.
