Spotlight On: Bessemer Academy

Hometown: Bessemer, Alabama

Group: AISA AAA

By Ryan Rohde

SportsPower Correspondent

After opening its doors in 1970, Bessemer Academy was just one of the many new private schools across Alabama designed for white students who wanted to segregate from black students.

After all, the town of Bessemer hails just 10 miles southwest of Birmingham, where racism was ever-present during that period.

Fast-forward almost thirty years to 1997 and the town of Bessemer had changed. The steel industry was gone, the formerly majority caucasian town was now 70 percent black, and Bessemer Academy was struggling to keep its head above water.

With more and more whites leaving Bessemer, and enrollment plummeting at the school, academy officials needed to make a change in order for the school to get back in good standing with the community.

Ultimately, they decided the best way to make a difference was to build a football powerhouse.

“A great debate team is not going to bring in students. But a great football team will," said Ben Allison, a former member of Bessemer's board of directors, in a 2005 New Orleans Times-Picayune article by Josh Peter.    

The plan the school followed was simple. First, the initial step in building a formidable, respectable program was to hire a new coach.

Bessemer was not known for its football prowess, so there weren’t any established coach knocking on the door. Soon, however, the school decided to hire Mark Freeman, a car salesman and local Pee-Wee football coach.

Next, Freeman and the school understood that in order to build a quality team, they would need the best athletes, black or white. And this was going to be no easy task at a school with an openly racist past and inclusion in the Alabama Independent School Association, a league formed for teams that wouldn’t play against teams with black players. 

Meanwhile, Freeman’s first year at Bessemer resulted in a 4-7 campaign, while the second season showed marked improvement by going 6-4. Clearly, the team was improving, but there was still something missing.

Then, LaRon Yow enrolled at Bessemer during the ’00-‘01 school year. His mother sent him to Bessemer because she was worried about the learning environment at Jess Lanier, the town’s only public high school.

Yow was the team’s only black player that season. He started out playing receiver, but Freeman moved him to defensive line and watched the talented athlete finish his senior year with 19 sacks.

Additionally, Freeman also raised eyebrows when he hired a black assistant coach without the school board’s approval. Roderick Foster was a standout player at Alabama-Birmingham and the school’s first black employee outside of the maintenance or janitorial staff.

In the Times-Picayune article by Peter, Foster said he took the job to “open the doors to the community of Bessemer and to whoever thought it was a white school.”

Other black players followed in Yow’s footsteps. By 2001, the Rebels went 9-2 and made reached the AISA state championship before falling to Monroe Academy. The following season, Bessemer went undefeated while winning the school’s first championship.

Today, Bessemer’s enrollment today stands at almost 500 students, 43 of them being black and 12 of them members of the football team. After clearing that hurdle in ’02, the Rebels also won state championships in ‘04, ‘06 and ‘07.

And so while Freeman no longer coaches at Bessemer, the former head coach was certainly a vital part of the school’s success and has clearly left his mark on Alabama high school football history.

Indeed, Bessemer succeeded where other Alabama private schools did not over the years. 

They learned acceptance and inclusion, and it has made all the difference in the world.

Next up: October 10 vs. Morgan Academy (State PR: 55.39, Rank: 37).

Spotlight on: Gateway Gators

Hometown: Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Group: PA AAAA

By Andre Coles

SportsPower Correspondent

The Gateway Gators refuse to settle for anything less than a state championship in 2008. After coming within one point of the title game last season, this year’s squad is poised to finish the task.

The Gators continue to use last year’s second place finish against state champ Pittsburgh Central Catholic as motivation in every game this campaign.

Meanwhile, in a recent interview with Michael Love of YourSouthHills.com, head coach Terry Smith echoed those sentiments and explained his team’s passion for a championship this season.

“The kids are focused on it right now. This is an experienced group who is working hard. Having that bad taste in their mouth makes them work even harder.”

As a result, the ‘08 squad has been leaving a bad taste in the mouths of every opponent so far this season. The Gators are already off to a 6-0 start and have outscored opponents 278-38.

The Gators' success this season has been no fluke either, as the squad has a more than capable leader in Smith, along with a talented cast of players that carry out his philosophies and passion on the field.

Smith, who is a former Gator and Penn State University receiver himself, has never endured a losing season at Gateway. Overall, in his seven years at the helm, Smith is 59-18.

And leading with his experience as a coach and a player, Smith feels like this season’s squad might be his best in some time.

In an interview with Dave Mackall of the Tribune-Review, Smith said, “Potentially, this is the best team. There’s a lot of talent and a lot of valuable experience here. And we work hard.”

Smith’s message is certainly saying a lot for a program that has sent over 45 student-athletes to compete collegiately since he took over in ‘02, including this year’s group of impressive seniors of which four have already made Div. I commitments.

Big name seniors Dorian Bell and Corey Brown have already committed to Ohio State University, while Colin Rodkey and B.J. Stevens have chosen Indiana University and Miami of Ohio, respectively.

These players provide the experience and leadership Smith speaks of. 

“The returning starters are leading by example and leading verbally. They’re doing everything we’ve asked of them.”

With that being said, as the second-ranked team in Pennsylvania according to FootballPower’s most recent poll, the Gators will face their toughest challenge of the season this upcoming week. 

For the first time in its history, Gateway will face a formidable Trojans squad of Erie McDowell High (State PR: 69.90, Rank: 37).

As long as the Gators continue to use last year’s loss in the WPIAL championship as motivation, while continuing to follow Smith’s lead and ride their experienced and big name seniors, this squad should be wearing medals around their necks when the season comes to a close.

Next up: October 10 at Erie McDowell.

Check out the Gateway Gators own team Website here!

Spotlight on: Summerville Green Wave

Hometown: Summerville, South Carolina

Group: SC Class 4A

By Ryan Rohde

FootballPower Correspondent

His name is legendary around the Palmetto state. South Carolina named a day after him in 1977 and Harry Truman was even president when he began his current profession.

One might wonder who might warrant such an impressive resume: perhaps a politician, an actor or humanitarian? Actually, it's Summerville (State PR: 65.88, Rank: 21) head football coach John McKissick.

558 wins, 10 state titles, and 30 regional championships later, McKissick still patrols the sidelines for the Summerville Green Wave. Now embarking in his 57th season at Summerville, McKissick is the winningest football coach at any level.

McKissick’s coaching career actually commenced in Clarkton, North Carolina, where he was hired as the head football coach not knowing it was a 6-man program. In reality, he knew very little about 6-man football, so he read a book about it and soon lead his team to a 7-2 record – all while coaching the boys and girls basketball teams and the baseball squad.

Understandably, he only stayed at Clarkton for one year.

Then in the summer of 1952, McKissick applied for head coaching position at Summerville. The job was open after the Green Wave won two state titles and the previous coach moved up to the college ranks. McKissick won the job over some highly qualified coaching candidates and clearly, the decision paid off, and not just on the football field.

The 82-year-old is known as a father and even grandfather figure around the South Carolina city of around 30,000.

"I think the most important element of coaching is teaching the kids how to be successful; that it takes hard work; that it takes perseverance; to keep trying,” said McKissick in a recent article by Alan Ross of AmericanProfile.com. “In football, you get knocked down a lot; in life, you get knocked down, but you’ve got to get back up."

The Summerville athletic program has honored the long-time coach by naming a college scholarship after him. This scholarship is awarded to the football player who does not receive an athletic scholarship, but exemplifies what John McKissick preaches in the classroom and on the field.

Meanwhile, more than 3,000 players have heard his message during his 56 years of coaching.

"John McKissick is a life-lesson coach," said Billy G. Baker, who has known the Summerville coach for 35 years and is the co-author of two books with McKissick, Called to Coach and Called to Coach II.

What may be even more amazing than his records or accomplishments is that all 3,000 plus athletes that came out for the Green Wave earned a jersey. The living legend has never cut a player that has come out for the team in all of his years of coaching.

And he has kept that mentality since day one.

Perhaps the reason the athletes keep coming out is that he keeps the game as easy as possible.

“The game is so simple - all it is tackling, running and blocking,” said McKissick in a recent NFLHS.com article by David Krider.

And that is exactly what McKissick does these days; he keeps everything simple.

After the Friday night games, he and his wife head straight to their beach house for the weekend, travel back home on Sunday and then starts preparing for the next week’s game. That is the legend’s routine.

If you ask any regional experts or coaches, they too would say that his routine works just fine.

Next up: October 3, 2008 vs. West Ashley (State PR: 53.02, Rank: 30). 

Spotlight On: St. Xavier Bombers

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

Group: Ohio Division I

By Andre Coles

FootballPower.tv Correspondent

Saint Xavier Athletic Director John Sullivan believes that Bombers Football is more than just accolades and achievements. 

“At St. Xavier, we believe the goal of games is to win, while the goal of athletics is to grow," says Sullivan.

Clearly, Sullivan understands the true meaning of athletics for the young adults at St. Xavier.

“Our program’s mission is very simple: Strive for the magis (for the greater glory of God) in everything we do,” Sullivan said. “Our goal is to produce championship caliber young men that understand that winning is more than who scored the most points at the end of the 4th quarter. Ultimately, we want our young men to be better people when they leave the St. Xavier football program than when they arrived.”

With those ideals in place, the Bombers football program, headed by a superior head coach in Steve Specht, has undoubtedly produced productive members of society, and at the same time, top-notch athletes who have risen to the elite ranks in sports.

Currently there are 38 former Bombers on college football rosters with 14 of those individuals being from Specht's undefeated state championship squad of 2007.

Meanwhile, Rocky Boiman and Lamar Marshall also represent the Bombers in the National Football League.

And with a coaching staff that believes in the school mission and preaches it every day, it’s no wonder that the Bombers have been at the top of an elite list in Ohio football.

The program also has a very capable leader in Specht. The former Bomber is in his 14th season with the team and his 5th as the head coach.

In an interview with Danny Hotochin of USAFootball.com, Specht outlined his passion for coaching and the mentors who helped teach him valuable lessons along the way. That passion merged with the positive influences in his life, and the mantra of the athletics department, has a direct effect on the program today. 

“I know I wanted to coach when I was in high school,” Specht said. “I had the good fortune of playing under some great coaches. My coaches had a direct impact on my passion for the game.”

Among those coaches is current Florida head coach Urban Meyer, who was once Specht’s secondary coach.

All the while, Specht is quick to point out that perhaps his biggest influence came from former Bomber head Steve Rasso, who is a current member of the Ohio High School Football Hall of Fame. 

Says Specht, “I learned an awful lot from him about football and an awful lot about life. When I talk about my football philosophy as far as teaching, these kids about football and life -- that’s what Rasso did for me.”

Specht appears to have taken what he has learned and kept the tradition of Bombers football in full stride.  Overall, Specht owns a 43-5 overall record and boasts two undefeated state championship teams and back-to-back appearances in the highly competitive Ohio vs. USA Challenge.

Meanwhile, this year’s squad is off to a tough start in comparison to seasons past.  The ‘08 Bombers are currently 3-3 with losses to three of the toughest teams in the country: Colerain (OH), Trinity (KY) and Elder (OH). 

It should be noted that the Bombers play one of the nation’s toughest schedules, with opponents spanning across five states and wins already against three very difficult opponents in Prattville (AL), Indianapolis Cathedral (IN) and Don Bosco Prep (NJ).

Indeed, St. Xavier is still among the Greater Catholic League's elite. There is no doubt that Specht and the Bombers – with four games left in the regular season to earn a playoff berth – will seek to do their best, all while striving for magis along the way.

Next up: October 3, 2008 at La Salle (State PR: 50.92, Rank: 70).

Team Spotlight: Everett Crimson Tide

Location: Everett, Massachusetts

Group: Massachusetts Eastern Mass

By Andre Coles

Michael Matarazzo, web administrator for the Everett High football team, understands exactly what high school football means to the community of Everett, Massachusetts. It’s bigger than touchdowns and tackles and Matarazzo displays the message loud and clear and for everyone to see on the team’s homepage.

“The history of Everett High School’s Crimson Tide Football Team is the story of more than just football. It is the story of a working-class community and its pride in the achievements of its youth. It is the story of the sons and grandsons of immigrants who rose to levels of prominence in the world of high school football and in life.”

On the field, those achievements have been felt for multiple generations as the Everett football program has attained an elite status in the state of Massachusetts – and around the nation – for more than a century. It’s easy to see why the Everett community takes such great pride in its football team.

Not only has the Crimson Tide won a multitude of Suburban League titles and Greater Boston league Championships, but the historic program has produced seven Eastern Massachusetts Super Bowl winners in the past eleven seasons, including the last two.

Adding to the history of Everett is the great talent the program has produced from working class roots. Perhaps most familiar is the late Dan Ross, an eight-year veteran of the National Football League, who is best known for his record setting performance in Super Bowl XVI with the Cincinnati Bengals. The former tight end set a record with 11 receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns, which was the most for a tight end in Super Bowl history.

Ross and fellow Everett alum Swede Oberlander are members of the College Football Hall of Fame.

The program has also produced arguably one of the best high school teams in history.  The 1914 squad not only finished the season undefeated at 13-0, but no opponent found a way to score on the team either. The state and National Champions outscored opponents 600-0.

Meanwhile, Everett’s history and success strongly correlates with its togetherness as a community. In a city with 36,000 people Everett boasts two Pop Warner football programs. These youth programs have been integral in building the foundation for the Everett High teams of today. 

The Crimson Tide won three straight Super Bowls from ‘01-‘03, with the members of these teams all playing together on the Pop Warner Squads.

The success of Everett’s past is still prevalent today. The ’08 version of the Crimson Tide is already off to a 3-0 start with its recent 48-26 win over Dracut (State PR: 85.00). All the while, the Tide is currently the top rated school in the SportsPower Massachusetts rankings with a mark of 95.00. 

Indeed, for over 100 years, Everett has produced winners on and off the football field. If the past is any indication, they will likely do so for another century.

Now, that’s certainly something for a community to get behind.

Next Up: Friday, September 26 vs. St. John's Prep (State PR: 91.00, Rank: 11).

Spotlight on: Jenks Trojans

Hometown: Jenks, Oklahoma

Group: OK Class 6A

By Omar Muhammad

The Jenks Trojans define success on the gridiron in Oklahoma. The Tulsa-area squad has dominated the Class 6A competition for decades and has accumulated a dozen state titles since 1976. 

But while the Trojans are renowned for their victories and state championships, they may be better known for their bitter rivalry game each year with the Union Redskins dubbed the “Backyard Bowl Game.” 

The Jenks-Union rivalry goes back to 1949 thanks to both schools being only 10 miles apart. Says Barry Lewis, prep sports writer at the Tulsa World, one has to factor in the friends, family and teachers that have embraced the feud as well. 

Meanwhile, both teams are in the same conference in every sport except for football. And while in football they may not be in the same district, the two rivals are still in the same classification. 

Seeing that these two 6A football teams have combined for the last 12 state titles in Oklahoma also fuels the rivalry. And it probably helps that the competition has featured many incredible finishes, including a nail-biter on September 12 when Jenks rallied from 14 points down in the 4th quarter to send the game into overtime, only before Union clinched it, 24-17, in the extra session.

In that contest, Union held a 17-3 lead heading to the fourth quarter before a quick pair of touchdown passes from Beau Marsaln to Tramaine Thompson helped the Trojans tie the score and send the game to overtime.

In the extra period, Union received the ball first and went to tailback Jeremy Smith, who scored on a one-yard run to give the Redskins a 24-17 lead. Then, Jenks moved the ball inside the five-yard line during its overtime possession, but on a fourth and goal, Marsaln was sacked to end the game.

While the Trojans certainly wanted the victory for bragging rights and pride, perhaps the team shouldn’t look into the loss too much. Historically, according to Lewis, the loser of the regular season rivalry game in four of the last five years has actually gone on to win the state title. 

All the while, the Backyard Bowl game spreads through the locals with their spirit and traditions. 

The contest is easily the most highly anticipated by Tulsa-area fans all season long. One perfect example of that is the 20,000 plus supporters that annually attend the contest. The game has the atmosphere of a college bowl game, complete with a trophy, and due to its popularity, is now played at Chapman Stadium on the campus of the University of Tulsa.

Being the two best teams in Oklahoma, and being the biggest rivalry in the state, these teams have compiled some great stories for the history books.

In both 2000 and 2005, Union scored last-minute touchdowns to take the lead, only to have Jenks score in the last seconds on a long passes to win the game.

Then in ‘07, Jenks scored with 90 seconds left to take the lead, only to see Union score with 17 seconds remaining and then go on to win in overtime. 

But perhaps the biggest high scoring affair came in ‘97, when Union beat Jenks 55-45 in a back and forth shootout. 

It’s easy to see why the Jenks football program has opened up the eyes of many national and local fans. From the numerous accolades, to the traditions passed down and to the one of a kind rivalry with Union that has produced incredible finishes and achievements, the Trojans also define what high school football is all about.

Next up: Friday, September 26 at Claremore (State PR: 82.00, Rank: 7).

Southern Region

Spotlight on:         Lowndes

Hometown:           Valdosta, Georgia

Group:                 GA Class AAAAA

By Adam C. Warner

After a sound 22-7 victory over Georgia power Peachtree Ridge (State PR: 41.00, Rank: 43) on September 5, the Lowndes Vikings passed their first major test of the season and appear poised to capture their fourth state championship in five years in 2008.

The Vikings have come a long way since their first year as a program in 1966 when the squad finished 1-8-1 (Lowndes would go 26-66-3 during its first 10 seasons).

But in 1976, head coach Joe Wilson ushered in a new era in Vikings football and guided the team to a 95-49 overall mark in his 13 years at the helm – all while steering the team to two regional titles and one state championship.

And ever since, the Vikings (currently ranked No. 2 in our latest Mega Division Top Ten Poll) have earned the distinction by media and coaches alike as a state and national juggernaut.

Most recently, with head coach Randy McPherson at the reigns, the Vikings have never enjoyed more success. The squad is 68-12 over the last six plus seasons with four regional titles and three state

championships. Meanwhile, with an assembly line of talent coming through – including Randall Godfrey, Vincent Burns and Jay Ratliff in recent seasons -- Lowndes hasn’t even endured a losing campaign since 1994.

Lately, the team has garnered national attention when ESPN named Lowndes’ hometown of Valdosta, Georgia as TitleTown USA (beating out Boston, New York and Columbus in the process). During the spring, fans across the nation nominated towns and cities across the country based on their championship pedigree and a panel reviewed the nominees, culminating in a fan vote to determine the winner.

Meanwhile this season, Lowndes continues to make headlines as ESPNRise’s No. 2 team in the nation and PrepNation’s No. 4 squad. Already at 3-0 this year after impressive wins with playmakers Greg

Reid and Gerald Demps leading the way, one can be sure that the Vikings will make another run at a state title – all while turning heads along the way.

Next up: Friday, September 19 vs. Colquitt County (State PR: 90.00, Ranking: 16).

Northeast Region

Spotlight on:         Jeannette

Hometown:           Jeannette, Pennsylvania

Group:                    PA Class AA

By Andre Coles

Any doubts concerning a fall from grace by Jeannette this year were fully erased this past weekend as the Jayhawks (State PR: 91.00, Rank: 4) continued their dominance with a convincing 45-0 win against South Allegheny (State PR: 55.00, Rank: 72). The Jayhawks have cruised through the first third of their 2008 slate, posting an impressive 129 points on the scoreboard.

All the while, the Pennsylvania power has seen a new star emerge from the pack in Ohio State commit Jordan Hall. With the speedster lining up in the backfield and making opponents miss left and right, the Jayhawks look to be well on their way to their third straight WPIAL AA championship game.

Many prognosticators and football fans alike falsely accused the ‘07 Jayhawks of being a one-man team with standout Terrelle Pryor making national headlines and racking up state records left and right. Indeed, the current Buckeye was the nation’s top recruit last season and is the only player in PIAA history to pass and run for over 4,000 yards in a career.

But despite the void left in his absence this year, the Jayhawks have remained on top in Pennsylvania AA football thanks to a well-rounded team filled with playmakers and a coaching staff that plays to players’ strengths.

The Jayhawks, led by third year head coach Ray Reitz, are 57-3 since the ‘03 season, and are an astounding 38-4 since ‘05 when Reitz took over the program. Reitz also boasts an impressive .904 winning percentage and is one of only eight coaches in the state to have an undefeated season.

And while the ‘07 Jayhawks set a state record with 860 points scored, it has been evident that this year’s squad has had no problems putting points on the board despite a shift in focus as team.

Said Reitz in a recent interview with EasternPAFootball.com, “We returned most of our offensive line from last year, and our defense might be quicker than last year’s group.”

Reitz couldn’t be more on target. The Jayhawk defense has yet to even surrender a touchdown this season in three blowout victories.

It has become increasingly clear that Jeannette may be currently one of the best small school teams in the nation, let alone Pennsylvania. But it’s also evident that this is one program that is built on more than its star players -- as evidenced by the team’s overall success this decade.

The ‘08 squad is poised to make this year just as memorable as the last few in Jeannette. Said Reitz to EasternPAFootball.com, “We have the potential to be a very good team.”

If the first three games are any indication, Reitz has hit the nail right on the head.

Next Up: Friday, September 19 @ Waynesburg Central(State PR: 27.00, Rank 114)

Talk about dedicated fans. Check out how Jayhawks fans follow and support their hometown squad! See Jeannette’s fans and followers.