BY THE NUMBERS8 - Average total of wins the last three seasons. After the program had struggled for several years, Coach Tinker has the Hornets expecting to contend for the playoffs each season.5 - Returning starters on the offensive line. Whoever takes over as the main ball carrier will have plenty of help up front.4 - Road games during a five-week stretch, including three road region contests that could determine the Hornets' playoff chances.SCHEDULEAug. 31 AddisonSept. 7 West End*Sept. 14 at Westbrook Christian*Sept. 21 at Fyffe*Sept. 28 at Cherokee CountyOct. 5 Section*Oct. 12 at North Sand Mountain*Oct. 19 Gaston*Oct. 26 at Sand Rock*Nov. 1 Sylvania* Region 6-2A game
IDER HORNETS
Coach: Brent Tinker (10th year, 39-56 here and overall
Stadium: Wayne C. Hardman Field
Address: 1064 Crabapple Lane, Ider, AL 35981
RECENT HISTORY
With a stout offensive line led by all-state right tackle Hunter Townson, the Hornets used a power run game to qualify for the 2A playoffs once again. Senior running back Teague Whitaker carried most of the offensive load, helping Ider win seven regular-season games. The Hornets traveled to Oakman in the first round and never recovered after falling behind early, making a second straight first-round exit. Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:
Season 1 5 10
2011 -------(7)
2010 -------(7)
2009 ----------(10)
2008 ---(3)
2007 ---(3)
THREE STRENGTHS
1) Offensive line. All five starters return, led by UT-Chattanooga commitment Hunter Townson.
2) Defensive line. The four starters up front are back, making up a stingy unit to run against.
3) Overall experience. The Hornets have six starters back on each side of the ball, and this group of seniors has advanced to the playoffs the previous three years.
THREE CONCERNS
1) Linebacker. There is very little depth or experience after all three starters from last year graduated.
2) Unsettled at quarterback. The Hornets will use a two-QB system for the first time under Tinker. Junior Wayne Hyler is a dangerous runner, while senior Landry Gaddis a better passer and probably has a better overall handle on the offense.
3) Secondary. The defensive backfield is very young and inexperienced.
THREE QUESTIONS WITH HUNTER TOWNSON
(Senior offensive lineman)
Q: You're 6-foot-4, 280 pounds. Have you always been the biggest kid in your class?
A: Not at all. I was actually one of the smallest in my whole class until junior high. Around eighth grade I got to be about 5-6, then 5-8, then by the next year I was 5-11 and then 6-3. I just grew real fast over a couple of years.
Q: Once you realized you had the ability to play at the next level, what was your biggest concern with recruiting?
A: That college coaches wouldn't be able to find me all the way in Ider. Most people don't really know where it is or how to get there, so it was a real worry that they would never find me or think that someone from a small school could play in college.
Q: The backs get a lot of attention for scoring, so what motivates offensive linemen?
A: The pride of putting somebody else on their back and making the hole for our backs. I take a lot of pride in having the coaches' faith to run behind me.
ROSTER
Roster
1 Wayne Hyler
2 Caleb Higdon
3 Matthew Collins
4 Trevor Phillips
5 Justin Abernathy
6 C.J. Smith
7 Jacob West
10 Dillon Read
11 Trevor Peek
12 Landry Gaddis
14 Kyle Toney
15 Ty Dobbins
20 Dylan McMahon
21 Austin Carter
22 Blake Sweeton
24 Devin Dobbins
25 Tyler Downer
28 Elijah Smith
29 Houston Ward
30 Noah King
32 Josh Simpson
34 Alex Woods
35 Andrew Woods
36 Kade Richey
42 Tyler Ogle
44 Levi Goolesby
45 Jarett Palmer
50 Daniel Wilson
51 Chris Wells
52 Levi Durham
54 Justin Abernathy
55 Ethan Durham
58 Tyler Still
60 Justin Lea
61 Elijah Edgeworth
65 Justin Bearden
66 C.J. Smith
70 Hunter Townson
71 Alex Gilbert
74 Cody Swanson
75 Darick Phillips
77 Sawyer McKay
80 Matthew Tyler