BY THE NUMBERS6 - School records for senior kicker Cesar Diaz, including most career field goals made (19), longest field goal (50), most extra points (188) and most single-season field goals made (9).10 - Region 7-4A championships in the last 12 years for the Chiefs. North Jackson has failed to win its league title only twice in the program's 24-year history.13 - Average number of wins for the Chiefs the past six seasons.SCHEDULEAug. 30 Fort Payne (Thur.)Sept. 7 at Madison County*Sept. 14 Ardmore*Sept. 21 at DAR*Sept. 28 ScottsboroOct. 5 at Butler*Oct. 12 Randolph*Oct. 19 at J.O. Johnson*Oct. 25 Pope John Paul II* (Thur.)Nov. 2 at Deshler* Region 7-4A game
NORTH JACKSON CHIEFS
Coach: Shawn Peek (fifth year here, 43-8 here, 83-59 overall)
Stadium: R.D. Hicks Stadium
Address: 45549 AL Highway 277, Stevenson, AL 35772
RECENT HISTORY
The Chiefs rolled through the regular season undefeated, winning all but two games by double digits, in claiming their second straight Region 7-4A title. The first-round playoff game against Cleburne County was tied four times and the Chiefs trailed before scoring late and holding on for a seven-point win. Six turnovers and a blocked punt led to the Chiefs being knocked out in the second round by Fayette County. The final turnover came with 1:20 remaining and the Chiefs trailing by seven. A pass into the end zone was intercepted and North Jackson settled for an 11-1 season. Here's a look at the regular-season win total for the last five years:
Season 1 5 10
2011 ----------(10)
2010 ----------(10)
2009 ---------(9)
2008 ----------(10)
2007 ---------(9)
THREE STRENGTHS
1) Experience at quarterback. Although he is only a sophomore, Kitt Grider threw for more than 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns last year.
2) Depth in the line. While just two starters return on the offensive line and none in the defensive front four, plenty of talented young players should make this area a strength.
3) Familiarity. The players have been in the spread offense long enough now that confidence is high that they can score on any defense.
THREE CONCERNS
1) Defensive front seven. There are no starters back either on the defensive line or in the linebacking corps.
2) Thin in the skill positions. While there is talent among the starters, this is a team with more linemen than surefire playmakers.
3) Schedule. The Chiefs' nonregion slate includes two teams from higher classification and another, Deshler, that is a perennial state title contender.
THREE QUESTIONS WITH AUSTIN BLEVINS
(Senior defensive back)
Q: You were a rare freshman starter for one of the area's best programs. What was that first year like?
A: I got tested a lot. I played cornerback my first year, and teams would run at me and throw at me, so I got a lot of chances to prove myself. I was so nervous in my first game I wasn't real sure of myself. But after I made the first tackle of the game, I settled in.
Q: You start on both sides of the ball and were the Chiefs' leading rusher and one of the leaders in interceptions. Which side do you prefer?
A: Defense. I know most people like offense better because you get the ball and can score more, but I like to hit and I love that feeling of getting a pick[off]. I had eight interceptions last year, and that was the highlight for me.
Q: North Jackson has different goals than a lot of programs in the area. How high are the expectations this year?
A: Nothing has changed. We know we're supposed to play for the region championship and make a run at winning another state championship. That's what we want every year.
ROSTER
1 Tre Talley - Junior
3 Steffan Tolliver - Junior
4 K-Ci Hutchins - Junior
5 Chase Hicks - Junior
6 Octavious Matthews - Sophomore
9 Chase Darnell - Freshman
10 Daqwan Lowrance - Senior
11 Clayton Raulston - Senior
12 Tay Hutchins - Senior
13 Austin Blevins- Senior
14 C.J. Cobb - Sophomore
15 Austin Peacock - Senior
16 Seth Selby- Freshman
17 Cesar Diaz - Senior
18 Kitt Grider - Sophomore
19 Brody Grider - Freshman
21 Bray Eldridge - Freshman
22 Lataz Smith - Junior
23 Caden Grey - Freshman
25 Brett Barbee - Freshman
26 Greg Chubb - Senior
27 Matt Johnson - Freshman
28 Dakota Garner - Junior
29 Hayden Piercy - Junior
31 Cody Gass - Junior
32 Will Summers - Junior
33 J.R. Hood - Sophomore
34 Tyler Dunn - Freshman
35 Jordan Talley - Freshman
36 Nathan Brown - Freshman
37 Ryan Seale - Freshman
38 Tyler Matthews - Freshman
39 Quinton Dawson - Freshman
40 Donnie Thompson - Senior
41 J.P. Cooper - Sophomore
42 Dakota Clark - Sophomore
43 Johnny Padgett - Senior
44 Chris Evans - Freshman
45 Trae Franklin - Freshman
46 Cody Phillips - Freshman
47 Jade Luckhart - Senior
50 Caleb Rhodes - Senior
51 Robert Pylant - Junior
52 Eric Stafford - Junior
53 Adam Winnigar - Senior
54 Slade Culpepper - Sophomore
56 Anthony Morris - Senior
57 Cain Kenemer - Sophomore
58 Tyler Thomas - Sophomore
62 Myhel Meeker - Sophomore
63 Stanley Stewart - Freshman
64 Russell Hessey - Senior
65 Tyreek Dave - Sophomore
66 Grey Warr - Freshman
67 A.J. Hutchins - Senior
68 Tyler Davis - Sophomore
69 Trevan Cash - Sophomore
70 Petey Moore - Senior
72 Johnny Marmelejo - Sophomore
73 Dakota Holland - Freshman
74 Rakiim Liggins - Freshman
75 Evan Redd - Junior
76 Hank Oliver - Freshman
77 Daokta Adkins - Freshman
78 Thomas Pack - Freshman
84 Rhaley Hessey - Freshman
90 Kyle Crouch - Junior
96 Tyler York - Freshman