Homewood football looks to avenge its season-opening loss to John Carroll when they travel down Lakeshore to take on the Cavaliers once again for their first game of the 2024 season. Success against the Cavaliers, and any other opponent this year, will heavily rely on the performance of a veteran core of players after a minimal departure of last year’s senior class.
The Patriots are looking to improve an an uneven 2023 season, which was almost a tale of two halves. The 36-31 stunning loss to John Carroll on the first night of the season began an 0-3 start. But the Patriots won six of their final seven regular season games, earning a spot in the 6A playoffs. They hoped to use that hot streak to gain postseason momentum, but fell to eventual state semifinalists Pike Road in a heartbreaking 10-9 loss in the first round.
The team finds itself in a new region this year, as it returns to Region 5 after two years in Region 3. They will compete with teams such as Minor, Jackson-Olin, Gardendale, Mortimer Jordan, Woodlawn and Parker.
Head coach Ben Berguson emphasized his team’s experience and believes they’ll be dangerous if they can replicate their form from the second half of last year.
“We can beat anyone in this region,” Berguson said. “If we show our experience and play like we did in the final stretch of last season, we can be fine.”
Here is a look at each position heading into the season opener:
OFFENSE:
Any chance of a successful season relies on senior quarterback Will Myers. The 5’10, 185-pound QB had a stellar junior season. Myers accounted for 1,424 passing yards and 504 yards on the ground along with 22 touchdowns. He relied heavily on his legs as a great runner, but his passing excelled tremendously as the season went on. In the offseason, Myers noticed improvement in each offensive position and hopes to establish balance this year.
“We have multiple good receivers, backs and linemen,” Myers said. “That was proved in the practices and 7 on 7s over the summer.”
Junior Kaleb Carson returns as the backup QB. He is efficient with his arm power and can make plays by throwing downfield.
Senior Evan Ausmer will remain the starting back. The 5’8 back carried for 512 yards on 105 carries for five touchdowns last season. The team hopes to use him a lot running the ball. Ausmer is very quick and can get yards easily. Senior Eric Davidson will replace AJ Crear as the backup.
The receiving class will be fairly new this year after the departure of King Walker and Alijah Lavender who both now attend school in Florida. Kylen Newell returns as the top receiver with the most experience. Connor Brunner and Tomon Felton will be the other starters. Kaleb Carson will spend some time in the receiving position along with David Walden and sophomore Landon Pettus. The three of them will rotate with the starters all throughout the season.
There is little change to the tight end position. Juniors Hayes Decoudres and J.T. Watts will be the main rotators and both get equal playing time, both have great versatility and can make plays both receiving and blocking. Kicker Whit Armistead will occasionally line up in the position.
At center Henry Studinka will fill in for Jack Watson. Marvin Patrick and Bardon King will fill in as the left and right guards. Khalil Winchester will be another option offensive coordinator Heath Brunner can use at the left or right guard. Walker Williams and Clayton Thornton will be the left and right tackles.
DEFENSE:
The loss of Talton Thomas, who transferred to Parker this past spring, is a huge blow for defensive coordinator Freddy Lawrence and the rest of the defense. The rising senior got his first Division 1 offer from West Georgia in May. He provided great speed and a superb number of Tackles For Loss (TFL) for the Patriots. However, experienced players such as Trust Darnell, Joey, Luckianow and Luke Eldridge will bring great hustle and strength to that side and can make an impact. Henry Templeton and Luke Berguson will play some and are willing to make big plays as well.
Will Ray, Randall Jaquez and Ford Hawkins all return with experience from last year. Noah Jones will rotate some along with sophomores Rod Lambert and Gray Keown.
Maleik Smiley and punter RC Gartman return as the top corners from last year and can make some big plays. George French and John Martin are other options Lawrence can use.
CJ Tidmore and John Griffin both return to the safety spot and hope to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Whit Armistead returns as the kicker for the special teams unit. RC Gartman will be the punter along with Hardy Butler as the long snapper.
COACHING STAFF:
The coaching staff welcomes two new faces. Eldrick Hill, previously at Paul W. Bryant High School, will coach the safeties and Jackson Hall arrives from Jacksonville State to coach the offensive line.
