Pre-season Power Poll #4

#4 – Gadsden City Titans

Head Coach: Joe Billingsley [3rd Year]

2007 Record: 10-2 [lost to Spain Park in the 2nd round]

Key Dates in ’08 – Tuscaloosa County – Week 1, Gadsden City – Week 4, Etowah – Week 5, Pell City – Week 7, Clay-Chalkville – Week 9.

Star to Watch: Dale Trimble – Defensive Back

With four and 5-star recruits oozing from its’ sidelines, it’s easy to see why Gadsden City is abuzz with anticipation. Names like Dre’Kirkpatrick, Kendall Kelly and Darrell Smith have stolen the headlines up until this point. But with one glance at their supporting cast, you’ll notice that they aren’t alone.

The biggest and brightest star, not mentioned by name, shined last Friday night against the Hoover Bucs. Dale Trimble, a 5-10 junior cornerback, lit up the Hoover receiving core with big hits and pulled down an acrobatic interception. His talents will be on display this season with teams wanting to steer clear of Kirkpatrick.

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Although it was tough to see last week, the Titan quarterbacks are capable, evidenced by a 1,000-yard sophomore passing campaign by Brad Clay in 2007 and the emergence of depth under center. The running backs will be solid. And we already know about the pass catching threats with Kelly and Smith.

Perhaps the biggest question mark with this team is an inexperienced offensive front line. That fact was also on display in the jamboree as the Buc defenders had little trouble getting penetration, something that will need to be sewn up before playoff time. Maybe a little more game time will help this unit develop into the missing piece for the 2008 Gadsden City Titans.

With their depth on defense, this team might be able to pull through most of the season even without the offense putting up big numbers.

But before we leave this offense for dead, let’s not forget they were facing off with a Hoover defense that’s been known to shut down some potent offenses in the past couple years. They also had to block a great linebacker in Jonathan Probst, a feat that wasn’t accomplished.

Outside of amazing talent, the Titans have one of the most important factors possessed by any championship level team, confidence. Just watching this team play, posture and talk, they believe they have what it takes to get to the ultimate prize on the 6A level.

One other note; due to a scheduling conflict, the Titans will be on the road for 6 out of 10 games this season, concluding their season with 5 of their last 6 being on the road.

**Photos of the Gadsden City-Hoover jamboree are located in the PhotoZone.

2008 Schedule:

8/29 – Tuscaloosa County [H]

9/5 – Huffman [H]

9/12 – Pinson Valley [A]

9/19 – Oxford [H]

9/26 – Etowah [A]

10/3 – Shades Valley [A]

10/10 – Pell City [H]

10/17 – Hewitt-Trussville [A]

10/24 – Clay Chalkville [A]

10/31 – Fort Payne [A]