Pickens County HS Tornadoes (AL)

REFORM, Ala. (WCBI) – Pickens County is raving about its new energy and excitement heading into this season.

James Thompson steps in as head coach. He turns 31 this week but has ten years of experience, last coaching at 6A Carver in Montgomery.

“Everybody wants a winning football team,” Thompson said. “I’m definitely grateful for this opportunity. We’re no different than everyone else. Our goal is to win a state championship and to be playing in Tuscaloosa in the first week in December.”

The players are buying in.

“A new, high intensity,” junior quarterback Zach Thomas said. “We’re working hard every day. We come out here with a new, exciting energy.”

The Tornadoes finish at the top of their region this past season in their first year up in 2A. Thompson says it’ll be the line that will lead the team to its 11th-straight playoff appearance.

“Our offensive line, our quarterback, real strong, a veteran group up front,” Thompson said. “That’s the group that we’re going to be dependent on to carry us.”

Thompson also mentions junior returning quarterback Zach Thomas as a key to the offense.

“Coach always talks to us about leadership,” Thompson said. “I feel that we’re coming together as family.”

For a team that has just nine losses in the past four seasons, a state title is always the goal.

“It kind of is,” senior lineman Tyshawn Washington said. “That’s the plan for this year. We have to get to Tuscaloosa.”

“If we believe in ourselves our fans will also,” senior lineman Chris Cobb said. “We don’t want to let our fans down so we’re going to do it for them too.”

Pickens County begins the season at Addison August 21.