Hammontree powers Chiefs' resurgence

STEVENSON, Ala. -- Shawn Peek recognized the desire immediately. As the linebacker coach at North Jackson, he knew the program's defensive identity had been built by players whose toughness overcame any athletic shortcomings. Peek knew early on that Zach Hammontree had that drive, but he also noticed something different about the kid who was an undersized sophomore at the time.

"I hammered him and ripped into him just about every day at practice," Peek said. "Every little mistake he made, I was on him about it. But he would just look back at me and say, 'Thank you, Coach.' I've never had a kid thank me for riding him like that.

"We had kids with more ability at the time, but we made him a starter because we knew that it meant something to him to be out there. We knew we would get great effort from him on every play. He's just an old-school, hard-nosed player and is the type kid that has helped us turn this thing around this year."

The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Hammontree hurt his ankle in the season finale and wasn't expected to be back for the first round of the playoffs. But not only was he ready by Friday, but he didn't miss a snap at practice the week leading up to the Chiefs' opening-round win.

After two surprising playoff wins on the road the Chiefs finally return home but now must face top-ranked Cherokee County (12-0) in tonight's Class 4A quarterfinals. The Warriors, who lost in last year's state title game, start 10 seniors on offense and average 44 points per game. They are led by four college prospects, including running back Desmond Brown, who has committed to play for Clemson. Also, quarterback David Blanchard has signed to play baseball with Mississippi State, and receiver Gabriel Chambers has committed to Arkansas State.

"They're the best team we've seen all year, by far," Hammontree said. "But we've won two playoff games on the road, so we won't be intimidated by anybody. We just have to get the game into the fourth quarter because they haven't had a close game yet. It's our job to keep it close late and see what happens.

"I remember those days when it seemed like all our coaches would ride me about messing up. There were games where I would sit in my locker at halftime and cry because I wanted to get better so bad. I knew they just wanted me to play the way they expected me to, and I was determined not to let them down."

Hammontree is the leader of a three-senior linebacking corps who rank 1-2-3 on the team in tackles. In his third year as a starter, Hammontree has played both outside spots and now is in the middle. He has 117 tackles this year, the third season with more than 100 stops, including last year when he ranked second behind prep All-American and current University of Alabama freshman Tana Patrick.

The Chiefs linebackers have each been at the fieldhouse by 7 a.m. this week to get in extra video study, and the entire defense stayed 30 minutes after practice Wednesday to make sure every player was clear on this week's adjustments.

"This team is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to keep going," Peek said. "This program has been very blessed to have the type kids who are meant to be linebackers. They grew up playing the game and are just tough kids."