ROCKDALE COUNTY – After what was thought-about a less-than-stellar season in 2024, the Alcovy Tigers appeared to construct momentum towards a greater season in its spring sport in opposition to the Heritage Patriots on Friday.
With a whole lot of Tiger followers in attendance, each groups competed in additional of a twin follow setting fairly than a standard scrimmage. The competition included four-down drills, seven-on-seven matchups in addition to a 20-minute game-time situation.
Frontrunner emerges in QB1 battle
One of many largest questions for the Tigers is on the quarterback place.
Final 12 months, the Tigers rolled out three beginning quarterbacks. However none appeared to click on for the Tiger offense, resulting in an offseason battle for the highest job.
Ayden Goddard, the crew’s major starter for 2024, was not a type of names competing for the spot. This 12 months, Goddard is about to play a gadget-like function, as he lined up at each operating again and vast receiver all through the competition.
Relatively, it was incoming junior Trey Bryant who took the vast majority of the crew’s first-team reps.
Bryant, who transferred from Eastside, appeared sharp for the Tigers, finishing most of his passes to quite a few wideouts. The younger quarterback additionally delivered on quite a few down the sector throws, together with one to Kavion Sutton for a 40-yard landing.
On the final play of the 20-minute timed portion, Bryant delivered a 20-yard strike for the one rating of the timed quarter.
After the sport, Bryant instructed The Covington Information that he’s excited for the chance he’s receiving with the Tigers.
“It felt good,” Bryant mentioned. “I really like the crew. I really like how we’re rising and dealing.”
However whereas Bryant delivered a strong displaying, the QB1 job is just not formally his but.
Head Coach Spencer Fortson mentioned that the race is a three-way battle between Bryant, Sutton (who performed a number of video games at QB final 12 months for the Tigers) and a 3rd prospect who was unable to attend the spring sport.
“We acquired three guys at quarterback proper now and been battling the entire time, so we’re gonna nonetheless go at it this summer time,” Fortson mentioned.
Booker primed for breakout senior season
One of many main highlights from Friday’s contest was the standout efficiency of rising senior Kaeden Booker.
Booker, who was a second-team All Cov-Information returner final season, noticed time at each vast receiver and defensive again final season. Particularly, he’s set to step into the WR1 spot with Ashton Hawkins departing the crew.
The 5-foot-7 speedster confirmed his elusiveness at each positions, hauling in a handful of receptions – together with one for a rating – and breaking apart a number of passes.
Booker mentioned he’s excited to construct off of his efficiency on Friday for his senior season.
“It felt nice being again on the market,” Booker mentioned. “I wished to be out right here and play soccer once more, man, I really feel nice. I find it irresistible.”
Fortson praises Tiger’s efforts in spring contest
With a robust displaying in opposition to Heritage, Fortson had many nice issues to say concerning the Tigers’ efficiency.
“It’s good to see our offense clicking a bit bit,” Fortson mentioned. “We acquired lots of guys taking part in either side of the ball proper now, so we see lots of fatigue. So we undoubtedly know what we have to do going into {the summertime}.”
The third-year head coach additionally expressed his pleasure relating to the younger expertise, with many freshmen and sophomores seeing prolonged time on the sector.
“We’re seeing some spurts from right here and there for a number of the guys that we count on to return on,” Fortson mentioned.
With a profitable spring outing and elevated focus, Fortson hopes that his squad can enhance on its 2-8 file and make a push into the postseason.
“We have now grown loads over these final three years,” Fortson mentioned. “We’ve acquired lots of guys in there that perceive the work they should put in. We’ve seen a giant change within the offseason exercises. Guys which are dedicated to being there each single day because the offseason. So we’re seeing some good issues. We simply gotta proceed to construct on it.”
