WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE BROOKS LIONS?

The Elkmont Red Devils are traveling this week.  The Brooks Lions are on the schedule this Friday.  So the question is, what will Elkmont be facing?

Brooks finished 5-5 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1999. The Lions lost a few assistant coaches throughout the summer, but brought in four assistants earlier this month, including AHSAA Hall of Fame coach Jackie Ferguson, who boasts three state championships. Black also touts former head coaches Jeff Peek and Barry Daniel on staff.  The Lions opened their 2015 season at Sheffield and sent the Bulldogs back to the doghouse, winning 56-20.

Offense
Senior Tyce Thomas will be starting at quarterback for the third year in a row. Thomas is a threat both running and passing.“Tyce has really matured, both physically and mentally,” Black said. “He is a really good athlete as well as an excellent leader for us. This could be a big year for him.

The Lions have another weapon in junior Kolton Medley, who will be starting for the third year. Medley will be used at running back, receiver and possibly even quarterback. Joe Gurley and Lazarius Decatur give Brooks two big-play threats at wide receiver. Marcus Haataja and Deondre Hampton take over at running back. The offensive line is led by senior center Eli Parker. Junior tackle Sawyer Hanback and sophomore guard Kameron Stutts are returning starters.
“Our guys know they have something to prove because we struggled offensively at times last year,” Black said. “They are ready to do things now which they just were not physically and mentally ready to do because we were so young the past two years.”

Defense
Eight starters return, including four linebackers. Senior Jake Whitehead is a two-year starter at inside linebacker. Sophomore Seth Yerby also started last year and he will be joined by junior Collin Anderson, who returns to Brooks after one year at Fairhope. Andrew and Matthew Rainey return at outside linebacker. “This may be the best group of linebackers we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Black said. “These guys have played a lot the past two years. Everyone is back and we’ve been able to build some good depth.”

The secondary should also be a strength with Medley, an all-area candidate at safety. Gurley, Brandon Atkinson and Decatur all have experience at cornerback and safety. The defensive line has experience with juniors Trent Tidwell and Payne Correll, along with senior Nick Spanides returning.

New Coach
Brad Black, an 11-year veteran assistant coach, will pace the sidelines as a head coach for the first time this season. Junior linebacker Colin Anderson said there really isn’t a difference in coaching styles between Black and Hill, although he noted that Black is a bit more vocal.“They’re both pretty much the same,”
 
Extra Points

In addition to starting at wide receiver and cornerback, Gurley is also one of the area’s top kickers. … Brooks finished 5-5 in 2014 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1999. “Not making the playoffs last year really hurt, and our kids know that it is unacceptable here,” Black said. “That has been a huge motivator for us during the offseason.” … Black said the key for the Lions is how the players mesh as a team. “The best teams we have had here have been the ones that are the closest,” he said. “They have to play together and play for each other. If these guys can become a true team then the sky is the limit for them.”

 
Roster: