C.J. Cobb will be the new quarterback for the new-look Chiefs.North Jackson Chiefs
Coach: Tony Johnson (first year here, 1-9 overall)
Last year: 7-5, losing twice within the region to finish third. The Chiefs reached the second round of the Alabama Class 4A playoffs before losing to Oneonta.
'13 dreams: It was a long and frustrating offseason with former coach Shawn Peek being let go after the season and his replacement, David McKinney, resigning just before the start of spring practice. Tony Johnson was hired during the summer and inherits a team with just four starters back on each side of the ball and a large sophomore class that likely will do a lot of playing. Despite all the turnover and inexperience, Johnson admits he still expects the program to continue its winning tradition.
13-for-13 contenders: Junior C.J. Cobb (5-foot-8, 170) will be a first-year starter at quarterback in Johnson's new multiple offense. As he gains a grasp of the offense, he'll need linemen Robert Pylant (6-2, 240) and Mykel Meeker (6-0, 260) to protect him and receivers Steffan Tolliver (6-2, 170) and Brett Barbee (5-8, 170) to step up.
Number of interest: 20. The number of sophomores who will start or at least play a lot this season.
13 years ago: The Chiefs had three running backs with more than 600 yards for the season, including quarterback Steven Allison, who also threw for more than 650 yards. The team earned the program's 100th all-time victory, winning the Region 7-4A title, and finished with a 9-2 record.
Program superstition: As Chiefs players and coaches exit the locker room to walk toward the field, each one reaches up to touch the simple slogan "Win" that is painted in red letters against a black background over the doorway.
1-through-3: Junior quarterback C.J. Cobb
Q. How tough was it to have last year's head coach let go, his replacement leave abrupty and to have to go through spring practice without knowing who your coach would be?
A. It was pretty rough. Especially to have one new coach just ride out on us like that. But we all have a lot of respect for Coach [Sam] Houston (the school principal who served as coach through spring practice). He didn't have to be out there with us like that, but he did because he cares about us and the program. He kept us together and that meant a lot.
Q. What was the biggest difference in Coach Johnson from previous coaches, and how did he gain the team's trust?
A. He's a lot more organized. He makes you feel like he's got a plan for everything, and that gives us confidence in him. The first day he stood in front of us he told us he understood that he hadn't proven anything yet but that he loved us. We knew he meant it because he had moved his whole family here already. That meant a lot to all of us after what we had been through.
Q. What's the biggest difference for you this year in moving to quarterback?
A. I definitely feel like I have to be more of a leader on the team now. I'm speaking up more because quarterback is a position that demands you do that. It's just different. But I know I've got good athletes around me, so I'm not going to feel like I have to do everything. I just try to encourage everybody to play as hard as they can.
2013 Schedule
Aug. 30 at Fort Payne, 8
Sep. 6 Madison County*, 8
Sep. 13 at Ardmore*, 8
Sep. 20 DAR*, 8
Sep. 27 at Scottsboro, 8
Oct. 4 Butler*, 8
Oct. 11 at Randolph*, 8
Oct. 18 J.O. Johnson*, 8
Oct. 25 at Pope John Paul II*, 8
Nov. 1 Deshler, 8
*Region 7-4A game
2012 Stats
PASSING C-A-I YARDS TDS
Kitt Grider 148-226-9 2,053 17
RUSHING ATT. YARDS TDS
Devonta Hutchins 69 445 8
Dakota Garner 69 373 4
RECEIVING NO. YARDS TDS
Daqwan Lowrance 60 820 11
Austin Blevins 23 443 4
TACKLES SOLO ASSISTS TOTAL
Cody Gass 54 55 109
Jonathan Padgett 64 38 102
Petey Moore 32 38 70
Roster
No. Name Class
1 Tre Talley Senior
2 Omar Brown Freshman
3 Steffan Tolliver Senior
4 K-Ci Hutchins Senior
6 Octavius Matthews Junior
7 Tre Harris Freshman
9 Colton Patton Freshman
10 Chris Evans Sophomore
11 Chase Darnell Sophomore
12 Brett Barbee Sophomore
13 Devan Ballard Freshman
14 C.J. Cobb Junior
15 Matt Johnson Sophomore
16 Seth Selby Sophomore
17 Brody Grider Sophomore
18 Victor Quezada Senior
19 Jonathan Hill Freshman
21 George Owens Junior
23 Caden Grey Sophomore
28 Jonathan Johnson Freshman
30 Cody Dunn Junior
31 Cody Gass Senior
33 Tyler Dunn Sophomore
37 Ryan Seale Sophomore
39 Quentin Dawson Freshman
40 David Melvin Freshman
41 Dylan Barbee Freshman
42 Johnny Marmolejo Junior
45 Trae Franklin Sophomore
50 Triston Richardson Sophomore
51 Robert Pylant Senior
52 Jovon Sanford Sophomore
53 Joe Halverson Sophomore
54 Dakota Atkins Sophomore
56 Dakota Clark Junior
58 Tyler Thomas Junior
63 Stanley Stewart Sophomore
65 Tyreek Dave Junior
68 Chase Culpepper Freshman
69 James Jackson Sophomore
71 Nick Gamble Freshman
73 Dakota Holland Sophomore
74 Rakim Liggins Sophomore
75 Evan Redd Senior
79 R.J. Gibson Sophomore
81 Grey Warr Sophomore
Head coach: Tony Johnson