Pre-season Power Poll #9

#9 – Heflin Tigers

Head Coach: Michael Shortt

2007 Record: 9-2 [2nd Round loss to Andalusia]

Key Dates in ’08 – Lineville – Week 1, Lincoln – Week 2, Cherokee County – Week 5, Saks – Week 7, Handley – Week 9, Alexandria – Week 10.

Star to Watch – C.C Watson – Defensive Back/WR/RB

Ever since a dominant run at the turn of the century when the Heflin Tigers chalked up three consecutive 10-win seasons and won a total of 8 playoff games – to include a state championship game appearance in 2002, they’ve yet to advance beyond the 2nd round.

Even though the latter teams have fallen painfully short of the 3rd round – missed extra point in overtime against Thomasville in 2005, they’ve still managed to claim 2 region crowns.

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Last year’s team appeared to be on the doorstep of a third region title in as many years before Handley came out of nowhere and knocked off the then unbeaten Tigers at L.E Bell Field in Heflin. Since then, the discussion has centered on who would be the favorite in Class 4A Region 4 entering the 2008 season. Considering Handley has not been mentioned in the power poll yet, one should be able to figure out what we think.

But just because Handley is ranked higher in this poll doesn’t mean that Michael Shortt and company don’t have a great shot.

Heflin returns a bevy of starters. From quarterback Brad Easley to all-purpose athlete C.C Watson, the Tigers have a ton of guns to work with. That is meant both literally and physically.

“It looks like Heflin brought about seven or 8 lineman here today,” said Cherokee County head coach Tripp Curry when asked about the Tigers size at the FCA passing camp in Oxford earlier this summer. “They really look good.”

While a Tryone Prothro type speed doesn’t exist, most players have a great balance of size and speed to go along with a hitting mentality. The only question looms across the front lines.

Last season Cleburne County lost four of 5 starters on the offensive front including Florida State signee Blake Snider. But even with the loss of Snider and several others, Coach Shortt didn’t seemed too concerned throughout the summer. He is confident in the guys up front.

What could be an even bigger loss is the departure of long-time defensive coordinator Tony Snider who left to be an assistant at Alexandria – the second coordinator to leave Heflin for the Valley in the last few years.

2008 Schedule:

8/29 – Lineville [H]

9/5 – Lincoln [H]

9/12 – Munford [A]

9/19 – Anniston [H]

9/26 – Cherokee County [A]

10/3 – Central Coosa [A]

10/10 – Saks [A]

10/17 – Childersburg [H]

10/24 – Handley [A]

10/31 – Alexandria [H]