2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Cedar Bluff begins new era with Beckett

Cedar Bluff senior quarterback Jacob Burleson fires a pass to a Tiger receiver at a recent football practice. Photo by Shannon Fagan.

CEDAR BLUFF – One of the more remarkable turnaround stories in Northeast Alabama high school football last season was the Cedar Bluff Tigers.

The Tigers were sitting at 1-4 after the first month of the season. Their lone victory was a 14-12 squeaker against Class 1A, Region 7 opponent Sumiton Christian.

But the Tigers’ switch flipped on when the calendar turned to October. They went 5-0 to finish the regular season at 6-4 to earn the region runner-up spot and a home playoff game against Hubbertville.

It’s that kind of season, that kind of culture, and those lofty expectations that excite new head coach Alan Beckett.

Beckett was hired as just the third Cedar Bluff head coach since 1995. He took over for 15-year veteran Jonathan McWhorter back in late May.

“I like being somewhere that people get bent out of shape over football, that it matters to them,” Beckett said. “I want to be somewhere that takes it serious. That’s this kind of place. People have expectations they pass on to the kids here. It matters and they know it matters.”

Much like they learned to adapt last season, the Tigers seem to be responding well to their new head coach.

“I like the way he runs his offense and defense,” senior running back/defensive end Preston Burt said. “He’s got a lot of crazy stuff I haven’t heard of before, but it works. I’ve seen some of the schools he’s been to and the plays they did. They’re pretty nice. I like them.

“I’m ready for the new things he’s got. I’ve got one more year left, and I’m going to play it as hard as I can.”

Cedar Bluff’s backfield is one of the more experienced groups the Tigers have heading into 2021. In addition to Burt and fellow senior Nick Clifton, the Tigers also return senior quarterback Jacob Burleson.

Burleson said he’s more comfortable now than he was at this time last season.

“I can go through my reads a lot more now that I know what to look for,” he said. “I’m going to try and be like a point guard in basketball, just get it to them (the Tiger playmakers).

“I felt like toward the end of last season, everybody started clicking together and knew exactly what to do. Everybody gained a lot of mental experience, and we got that back this year. We’ve got a lot of guys coming back and they know what to do now. Last year they were just getting the experience, but now they should be able to play ball. I’m ready for my senior year. I’m looking forward to a great season.”

One of the reasons Burleson is looking forward to a great season is new Tiger offensive coordinator Ricky Medlock.

Medlock was added to Beckett’s coaching staff via the recommendation of new Cedar Bluff boys basketball coach and football assistant Nathan Wehunt. Wehunt and Medlock worked together on the football staff at Coosa, Ga.

“Ricky Medlock is the quarterback whisperer,” Beckett said. “Anytime somebody’s coached for 40 years, they’ve got a wealth of knowledge. He’s got great charisma. Kids gravitate to him. He’s excited to be here and can’t wait to get there every day. He’s great with the kids. He pushes them but loves on them, and that’s my kind of guy. He was a great find.

“I think Jacob is a good fit for what Coach Medlock brings to the table. He’s a big, tall (6-foot-3) pocket kid with a good arm. He’s intelligent. He has a good football IQ. He’s really picked up the offense. He’s really in there grinding. He’s the ideal kid. I just came from a bigger school (Gadsden City) and he could’ve played there. I think he brings a lot to the table. I think he’ll continue to roll.”

Beckett feels Burt and Clifton will compliment Burleson’s style well.

“Preston is a running back who can also catch the ball. He’s big target, big frame, loves contact, North-South kind of kid. Nick is a shifty runner who can change direction on a dime. They’re two totally different dimensions,” Beckett said.

Beckett expects juniors Bucky Leek, Austin Richardson and Kade Browning to be the Tigers’ top receivers.

“Bucky Leek is an explosive guy, and Austin Richardson had a really nice summer. I was really proud with some of the plays he made,” Beckett said. “Kade Browning is a really good possession receiver. He has good hands. He had a really good summer. We’ll see if it translates.

“We’ve got a few different guys who can touch the ball, and Jacob ran the ball well last year also. We look forward to what happens with the lights on Friday nights.”

While the backfield and receivers are two of the more experienced areas the Tigers feature, the offensive and defensive lines are lacking in that department. But Beckett feels there is “definitely some potential” in the trenches.

“We’ve just got a couple of guys who don’t have a lot of snaps,” he said. “Dylan Kinard has a bunch of snaps, and Dawson Wheeler has some snaps. Dylan is at tackle. He’s just a big, physical, strong kid. He’s drawing a little bit of attention from the next level. Preston is at defensive end. His motor is always running. Carter Dillingham is going to help us a little bit up front defensively. He’s a kid who’s new. He hasn’t played a lot, but he’s really strong. Malachi Jelks will also play some defensively. He’s also athletic.”

“They just haven’t played a lot, but they have a lot of ability. It’s just a matter of them growing into it. You just have to rep it and just be comfortable. We’ve got a couple of guys who have just got to play a little bit.”

Browning and junior Hagan Stallings are expected to lead the Tiger linebackers. Clifton, Leek, Richardson and junior Aiden Green will patrol the Tiger secondary.

“I feel like we’ve got some playmakers, some go-getters and a good culture, but my worries are there’s not a ton of depth,” Beckett said. “We’re thin in some places. We’ve got to get better and more consistent up front.”

Browning feels the Tigers are ready for the season to begin.

“I think we’ve been doing well (at practice),” he said. “We’re motivated. We just want to get out on the field. I think we’re going to carry that fire we had toward the end of last season and carry that on throughout this season. I can’t wait.”

Cedar Bluff opens the 2021 regular season Aug. 26 at Spring Garden.

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