Carryover Effect: Young Patriots Hoping Success Breeds Success

Homewood coach Ben Berguson with, from left, Jack Watson, Will Keown, Jaxon Brooks and Will Myers.

By Rubin E. Grant

Whenever Homewood scores its first touchdown of the 2023 season, it won’t be scored by someone who played for the Patriots last year.

The Patriots scored 400 points in 2022, and except for extra points and field goals, all of it came from their class of 30 seniors.

Quarterback Woods Ray was mostly responsible, passing for 2,677 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushing for 812 yards and 11 TDs. The Patriots finished 10-3 and reached the Class 6A quarterfinals before losing 57-56 in overtime to eventual champion Saraland.

Another key weapon gone is receiver Jackson Parris, who had 80 receptions for 1,288 yards and 13 touchdowns.

So, the Patriots will have a host of new faces on the field this season. They return only two starters on offense and three on defense.

“We’re young,” Homewood coach Ben Berguson said. “We’ve got a lot of question marks. But success normally breeds success, so I hope some of that 10-win season will have some carry over.”

Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the 2023 Patriots:

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

Junior Will Myers will take over at quarterback with the departure of Ray, who is at Dartmouth. 

“Will is one of the best leaders I’ve been around,” Berguson said. “He knows how to take control of a room when he walks into it. He’s a very elusive and shifty runner. He also can throw it, although his arm is not as strong as Woods’. But Woods was a once-in-a-generation player.”

Sophomore Kaleb Carson will serve as Myers’ backup.

“He’s a tremendous athlete and a dual threat, too,” Berguson said. “There’s no drop-off when he’s in the game.”

Running Backs

Junior Evan Ausmer will be the Patriots’ primary ballcarrier. He’s the younger brother of former Homewood standout receiver Trae Ausmer.

“He’s real explosive,” Berguson said of Evan Ausmer. “He’s also got good hands, so we’ll use him as a receiver out of the backfield.”

Senior A.J. Crear will share some of the running load. 

“He’s a good runner and will allow us to use some two-back sets,” Berguson said.

Junior Eric Davidson will also play and is a dangerous pass-catching threat.

Receivers

The Patriots will rotate three players at wide receiver, juniors King Walker and Alijah Lavender and sophomore Tomon Felton. 

“What I like is all three are over 6-foot tall and will give us some length on the outside,” Berguson said. “Tomon is fast and gets great separation.”

Three players will be used in the slot – senior Camron Fortson, junior Kyle Newell and sophomore David Walden.

Senior Alex Law, sophomore John Esslinger, and juniors Connor Brunner and R.C. Gartman provide depth.

Four players will be employed at tight end, junior Whit Armistead, sophomore Hayes DeCourdres, sophomore J.T. Watts and senior Nicholas Hughes. Hughes will serve as a hybrid player, playing fullback when the Patriots need one.

Offensive Line

“I believe the strength of our team will be the offensive line,” Berguson said. “We’ve got two starters back, left tackle Jaxon Brooks (6-2, 285 pound senior), a three-year starter, and center Jack Watson, a four-year starter.”

The other starters will be junior left guard Walker Williams, junior right guard Marvin Patrick and junior right tackle Luke Jenkins.

Sophomore Henry Studinka and junior Khalil Winchester provide depth.

“I think the experience we have on the line will be the key to us being able to run the football,” Berguson said. 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

Senior Hayden Eldridge is the only returning starter on the defensive line, but senior Will Keown (6-3, 220) has become the vocal leader. 

Sophomore nose guard Randall Jaquez is small (5-8, 200 pounds) but is a quick and disruptive force.

Sophomore Ford Hawkins and senior Richard Fields also will play.

Linebacker

Junior Talton Thomas will be the strong side linebacker. He had more than 100 tackles last season as a sophomore. 

“He has a presence on the field,” Berguson said.

Sophomore Luke Eldridge will play inside linebacker along with junior Trust Darnell. The other outside linebacker is senior Maurice Johnson.

Sophomore Joey Luckianow and junior Luke Berguson will provide depth at outside linebacker.

Secondary

Junior Malek Smiley and sophomores George French and John Martin will rotate at cornerback. Gartman will be in reserve.

Rotating at safety will be junior C.J. Tidmore and sophomores John Griffin and Henry Templeton.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Armistead will handle place-kicking duties. 

“I’m excited about him,” Berguson said. “He’s bigger and stronger, and he can kick the ball into the end zone. He’s a soldier ‘cause he’ll also play some tight end and linebacker.”

Gartman will be the punter. 

“He does a good job,” Berguson said. “He has a strong leg. He’s a good athlete.”

Sophomore Hardy Butler will be the long snapper, following in the footsteps of his brother, Brody, who is now at Middle Tennessee State University.