New Beginning: McComb Hoping To Bring Competitive Spirit to Oak Mountain

Oak Mountain coach Shane McComb with, from left, Drowdy Hackbarth, Colton Moore, Jacob Porco, and Sean Ray.

By Rubin E. Grant

New Oak Mountain football coach Shane McComb hit the ground running after being hired in January and officially taking over in April.

“There was a lot of work to do behind the scenes,” McComb said. “I had to hire a new staff ‘cause I only kept one assistant from the previous staff. I brought in eight new coaches. They’re a great group of guys, not just coaching but also the type of people they are.”

McComb had spent the past seven years as head coach at Palm Desert High School in Southern California. He led Palm Desert to six consecutive district championships with a 33-2 record in district play over their last 35 games.

In addition to hiring a new staff, McComb upgraded the Eagles’ equipment and, more importantly, began changing the mindset of his players with Oak Mountain coming off a 3-7 season in 2022.

“The culture switched,” McComb said. “We had 15 kids who quit, but the guys we have are guys who really want to be here. They have bought into the work ethic.”

McComb installed a new offense and new defense. The offense will emphasize a variety of formations and motion and the defense will play an attacking style.

“Every Friday night we want to battle and we want to compete,” he said. 

Oak Mountain will have a young team, with six or seven freshmen expected to start. 

“We’ve got a lot of youth with a lot of potential,” McComb said. “We’ve moved guys around to create depth.”

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

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

Junior Will O’Dell returns for his second season as the Eagles’ starting quarterback.

“He’s really improved from spring up until now,” McComb said. “He’s really bought in to what we’re doing with formations and movement.”

Senior Drowdy Hackbarth, who will start at free safety, will serve as O’Dell’s backup. 

Running Backs

The Eagles will have two sophomores at running back, Le’Kamren Meadows and Marty Myricks.

“They’re both put together well and have good vision and athleticism,” McComb said.

Receivers

“We’re going to do receiver by committee,” McComb said. 

Seniors Sawyer Smith and Tristyn Vardaman will head up the committee.

“Sawyer is going to be a huge guy for us on offense,” McComb said “Tristyn has strong hands and we’re going to play him in the slot. I think he’ll be great there.”

Junior Jacob Moore is expected to be a contributor and freshman Colby King will join Vardaman in the slot.

Senior Jackson Blackwell, junior Niko Varvoutis and freshman Peyton Gamble are in the mix to play tight end. 

Offensive Line

The offensive line has some size and experience. Junior Colton Cason (6-foot-1, 240 pounds) will start at center with junior Cordell Williams (5-11, 315) and senior Luke Parmer (6-3, 285) starting at the guard spots. Junior Barron Meadors (6-3, 250), and sophomore Bradley Haizlip (6-3, 230) will man the tackle positions.

Freshman Luke Kelly (6-0, 215) will also play a lot. “He’s got a chance to be really good,” McComb said. 

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

McComb is high on freshman Peyton Gamble, who will play defensive end and nose guard. 

“He’s stepped up,” McComb said. “He’s strong and explosive. He has a bright future.”

Senior Ian Laughlin has moved to defensive end after playing offense last season. Junior Daveon Johnson and Varvoutis also will play on the edge.

Sophomores Joey Lewis and Jordan Pierce-Harris will receive the bulk of playing time on the inside. 

Linebackers

Senior middle linebacker Jacob Porco (6-1, 200) is the leader of the defense.

“I’m excited about him,” McComb said. “I wish I had him a couple more years. He’s picked up the new defense great. He’s coachable, got savvy, great closing speed and he’s strong.”

Sophomore Colton Moore, junior Caleb Jaworski and freshman William Yoder are competing for roles at outside linebacker.

McComb likes the makeup of Yoder. 

“He’s got a good mind for the game,” McComb said. “I believe he has a bright future.”

Secondary

Hackbarth will play safety, with junior Robert Yoder at the nickel position and junior Cole Kelly at weak side safety.

Freshman Jayden Aparicio (6-1, 175), McComb’s stepson, will play a prominent role at cornerback. “He’s long and lengthy and has amazing ball skills,” McComb said. “He has a chance to be a big-time player.”

Juniors Sean Ray and Malachi Plummer and freshman Kylan Baker also will play cornerback. 

McComb described Ray as “one of the best athletes” on the team. Ray and Aparicio also will spend time at receiver.

SPECIAL TEAMS

McComb believes senior kicker James Whatley has the potential to play NCAA Division I.

“He consistently puts the ball deep in the end zone on kickoffs, he’s good from 55 yards on field goals, and he’s a heck of a punter,” McComb said.