Photos by Image Arts.
0814 football
The Spartans’ Drew Odum (4) is the team’s top receiver and kick returner.
That kid
Every team needs “that kid,” a player who displays heart, leadership or other intangibles — not only under the Friday night lights but also during the sweltering heat of August practices.
Hill Kirkland and George Eagan represent what it takes to be successful in football at Mountain Brook,” said. “Hill has the intangible quality to make those around him elevate their game. George is unselfish and is passionate about reaching his maximum potential as a person and athlete.
-Coach Chris Yeager
Spartans confident heading into 7A wars
Mountain Brook High faces a rocky climb. The third-smallest school in Class 7A, the Spartans are in Region 3 with Hoover, Spain Park, Vestavia Hills, Oak Mountain, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County and Hewitt-Trussville.
But Spartans coach Chris Yeager, entering his ninth season as head coach, has never backed down from a challenge, and his warriors won’t this season, either.
Coming off a 7-4 record and a state playoff berth in Class 6A, Yeager said, “I personally like the challenge of being one of the smallest teams in our classification. Returning a two-time starter at quarterback and one of the top athletes in the Birmingham metro area at wide receiver boost that confidence, and six starters return on defense. Mountain Brook figures to survive the battle to place among the top four teams in this region to make the playoffs. But it’ll be a war every Friday night.”
OFFENSE
Jacob Carroll is back as the starter at quarterback for the third straight season. Drew Odum had a fabulous junior year, hauling in 64 receptions for 1,081 yards and 10 touchdowns. If he can match that season or even better it, Mountain Brook should be able to move the ball in chunks. Yeager is still looking for a workhorse running back, or maybe a group of backs, to lead the ground game, but he always seems to find some.
Yeager cites tight end Hill Kirkland as one of the leaders on offense. “Hill … represents what it takes to be successful in football at Mountain Brook High School,” Yeager said. “Hill has the intangible quality to make those around him elevate their game.”
DEFENSE
Six starters are back: Joe Donald, Ridley Culp, George Eagan, Daniel McCool, Parker Crane and Weston Williams.
Stephen Little has moved to defensive back from wide receiver, and Yeager raved about his improvement. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone work harder … he has had a great summer.”
Yeager is looking for more improvement from his secondary and leadership on both sides of the ball as some veteran leaders graduated. But one of those leaders will definitely be linebacker Eagan. “George is unselfish and is passionate about reaching his maximum potential as a person and an athlete,” he said.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Spartans are always solid in the kicking game and special teams, and this year should be no different. Harrison Ritchie will handle most of the kicking duties. Odum will be a threat on returns.
Will Davis contributed to this report.
