#HSFT16: Stop No. 22 – Aliceville Yellow Jackets

ALICEVILLE, Ala. (WCBI Sports) – Aliceville High School won six games a year ago in its 3A Alabama region. The Yellow Jackets reached the playoffs in head coach Rico Jackson’s first season.

The team said this summer that last year is a good stepping stone and that it’s ready to take the next step.

“We didn’t accomplish the ultimate goal but we set a foundation,” Jackson said. “I feel like we’re ready to build off that foundation. This year we’re looking to advance further in the playoffs.”

The players echoed those thoughts from their coach.

“I believe last year we had to get accustomed to the system,” senior quarterback Santiago “Taco” Taylor said. “Now that we’re here, everyone has bought in.”

“He just lets us know that we can’t take anything for granted,” senior running back Jamar Richardson said.

Richardson has offers from at least nine schools as a defensive back, including Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Alabama. He’s one of 15 seniors on this Yellow Jackets team.

Aliceville is dropping down from 3A to 2A this season. It means all new opponents in the region.

“We’re going to have to do our research,” Jackson said. “It’s still good football. We’re going to have to prepare well.”

Many will say that it’ll be an easier road in 2A. Aliceville said it’s still focused on being the best it can be.

“Outside, yeah, people assume it’s going to be an easier role,” he said. “But I don’t feel that way. I feel like we’re going to have to play regardless.”

“We’re just ready to play, no matter if it’s 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A,” Taylor said.

The teams in Aliceville’s region are mostly to its south and southeast. Some are as far away as a two-and-a-half hour drive.