Dadeville’s White named Class 3A Coach of the Year

Dadeville head coach Richard White had a mission following an 0-10 campaign in 2007.

That mission was to completely revamp his program — new offense, new defense, new workout philosophy, new attitude.

White even joked, “Heck, we even changed the helmet color.”

The changes worked for out for the best in 2008, as Dadeville made a remarkable turnaround, becoming the first team in state history to go from 0-10 to 10-0 in a regular season in back-to-back years.

The Tigers eventually made the record 11-0 in the playoffs before falling to Gordo in the Class 3A second round.

Dadeville’s accomplishment did not go unnoticed around the state. White ended up being the benefactor as he was named the Class 3A Coach of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as the 2008 ASWA All-State Football teams were released Saturday.

“I’m surprised,” White said. “It’s an honor and really says a lot for the kids and coaches and how hard they worked this year.

“When you go 0-10, it really humbles you, and I know the kids didn’t like that feeling from last year. So they came in, bought into the changes we made and made it work.”

White was just one of 29 area individuals to be recognized by the ASWA.

All totalled, 13 players from local schools earned All-State first-team honors in their respective classes.

In Class 6A, a pair of Auburn High Tigers earned first-team nods after helping lead their team to a 12-1 record. Akin McQueen was named the state’s top Class 6A tight end after catching 25 passes for 528 yards and six touchdowns.

He was joined on the first team by teammate John Sullen, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound offensive lineman.

Opelika’s speedy running back/kick returner Corey Grant was named an honorable mention athlete in 6A, while Bulldog teammates Josh Rowe and Kent Black were named honorable mention linebacker and punter, respectively.

Central-Phenix City running back Orwin Smith was named honorable mention running back.

Class 5A was loaded with area talent from Valley, Tallassee and Beauregard.

Valley’s Jared Danford was named first-team placekicker, Valley’s Enrique Florence was named first-team defensive back, Valley’s Jody Tapley was named first-team linebacker, Tallassee’s Hunter Mullins was named first-team punter and Tallassee multi-purpose threat Tyler Grant was named first-team athlete.

Chris Stice of Tallassee and Kyle Brown of Beauregard were named honorable mention offensive linemen and Valley’s Brent Osborn was named honorable mention punter.

Class 3A saw a pair of Dadeville players honored, as quarterback Eric Vickers and wide receiver Tre McKinney were named honorable mention

In Class 2A, senior defensive lineman Jared Washington of Lanett earned first-team honors after collecting 96 tackles with 11 sacks in 2008.

In Class 1A, Loachapoka’s Tommy White was named a first-team defensive lineman after collecting 81 total tackles with 11 sacks.

Notasulga’s Mathias Wallace was named an honorable mention linebacker in Class 1A.

In AISA, Chambers Academy’s McKeldric Daniel was named a first-team running back after rushing for 2,038 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Lee-Scott’s Zach White was named a first-team offensive lineman, Glenwood’s Perry Couch was named a first-team defensive lineman and Glenwood’s Arthur Williams was named a first-team athlete.

Glenwood running back Marcus Woods, Chambers offensive lineman Ricky Daniel, Lee-Scott linebacker William Scott, Lee-Scott punter Shane Corbett and Lyman Ward athlete Justin Minor all received honorable mention recognition.