REDZONE 2021: Demopolis Tigers
Tigers Want to Be Most Physical Team in State
When a great season ends in a disappointing fashion, the loss makes motivating the team for the following season easy. Demopolis head coach Brian Seymore has had to run players out of the weight room this offseason as the Tigers strive to be the most physical team on the way to a state championship – a team Coach Seymore calls his most physical team in 23 years of coaching.
“We want to be the most physical team,” said Seymore. “I challenged the team all year and they’ve put in the work. We are going to hit our opponents. I almost think of it like an MMA match and making teams want to tap out in the fourth quarter. Besides injury, that’s the most important thing we must work on, and it starts in the weight room.”
That physicality starts up front with the offensive line with Curtis Peagler, Brody Osburn, Browder Braswell and AJ Howerton. The group of seniors have been with the program for a long time. Individually, they are all strong and physical players with the mindset to make Demopolis successful.
Seymore noted how the line has a nasty attitude, which he likes, as the team’s offensive game plan is to get behind this group and run the ball downhill for physical, grinding games with the ability to take big play shots on the Tigers’ terms.
Meanwhile, the defense is expected to cause a lot of headaches to opponent offenses this season. The DHS defensive unit combines size and speed with returners with in-game playoff experience who take pride in stopping the run and being physical.
Donald Means, Jr. will be the anchor of the defensive line. The only senior along the defensive front, Means is versatile enough to play any position on the line because of his ability to rush the passer and stop the run.
Grey Sharpe is a returning veteran and two-year starting linebacker. He’s an emotional leader for the team because of drive, hard work and motivation. Expect him to be a huge presence at the second level for the Tigers.
One reason the team is so intent on being physical this year was because of how the season ended last year, with a second-round loss to Faith Academy following an undefeated, 10-0 regular season.
“Playoffs are about matchups, but I think we caught a hot Faith Academy team last year,” said Seymore. “I’m not making excuses, because they were very well coached by Jack French. I think we were really banged up, especially in the backfield.”
Seymore will look to limit carries of Craig Nichols after his limited availability at the end of last season due to a heavy workload. While Nichols is more of the power back, KJ Rowser, who is the slasher of the backs, will shoulder a bigger load.
Cam’ron Wright and Jeremy Conwell will see their roles increase this season. Wright is going to have to serve as a “jack of all trades” for the Demopolis offense. Expect to see Wright involved all over the field as the team attempts to find unique ways to get the ball in his hands. The dynamic playmaker will also see time in the defensive back field. Meanwhile, Conwell will have a chance to step up and show his worth at wide receiver after spending time last season behind two Tigers who signed NCAA Division I scholarships.
1 – Cam’ron Wright – SR, 2 – Matthew Witherspoon – SR, 3 – Kelvin Rowser – JR, 4 – Demetrius Allen – JR, 5 – Javian Blanks – JR, 6 – Craig Nichols – JR, 7 – Kenon Rowser – SR, 8 – Harrison Carroll – SR, 9 – Montgomery Freeman – JR, 10 – Jaytavion Scott – JR, 11 – Jeremy Conwell – SR, 12 – Jake Bumgarner – FR, 13 – Kevin McElroy – SO, 14 – Kentrell Adams – JR, 15 – Matthew Saelens – FR, 16 – Vincent Deas – SR, 17 – Drew Seymore – SR, 18 – Jose Tellez – FR, 20 – Isiah Henley – SO, 21 – Ja’Marian Bennett – FR, 22 – Grey Sharpe – SR, 23 – Joseph Gantt – SR, 24 – RJ Clayton – SR, 26 – Tayshaun Mickens – SR, 27 – Dawson Drake – FR, 28 – Jamarcus Vawters – FR, 29 – Dyllon Williams – FR, 30 – Mason James – SO, 32 – Anthony Weaver – SO, 33 – Lamarion Kelly – SR, 34 – Keishawn Rowser – FR, 35 – Austin Wright – FR, 41 – Thomas Bedsole – SO, 42 – Ryan Bumgarner – SR, 43 – Ethan Malone – SO, 44 – Donald Means Jr. – SR, 46 – John Robert Copeland – SO, 50 – Seth Davis – SO, 52 – Dexter Boston – JR, 54 – Omarian Harris – JR, 56 – Browder Braswell – SR, 57 – Preston Gibson – FR, 58 – Omarian Belton – FR, 59 – Jacoby Collins – SO, 60 – Nathan Ogden – JR, 61 – Brody Osburn – SR, 62 – Alexander Mullens – FR, 63 – Christian McGhee – JR, 64 – Anthony Howerton – SR, 70 – Tony Zinnerman – SO, 72 – Jay Johnson – SO, 73 – Curtis Peagler – SR, 74 – Jay’Marion Wright – JR, 79 – Dawson Park – SR, 85 – Ben Johnson – FR, 86 – Luke Bumgarner – FR, 89 – Clint Mullen – SO