OAK   MOUNTAIN   LAYS  STRONG  FOUNDATION

The Eagles played outstanding on defense in 2004

The Oak Mountain Eagle football team ended the 2004 season with a win but more importantly they began something that could be very special. On a Presidential election week, Oak Mountain didn’t leave anything to debate about who was the better team in their 26-13 victory over Erwin. There were no red states or blue states on this night, but instead only the state of the Eagle’s red and blue was determined. By the end of the night, it was determined that the state of Oak Mountain football could look forward to many more good years. Oak Mountain scored early and coasted to the homecoming win over Erwin. Erwin was easily overmatched and even though the Eagles didn’t overly impress first year head coach Jerry Hood, they did get the job done. “We’ve got to learn how to do homecoming better, but I really believe that these seniors know they helped build something that’s really going to be special.” While there’s nothing Coach Hood would have wanted more than this senior class to earn a birth in the Alabama High School Playoffs, they did earn everyone’s respect with the effort and dignity that they showed throughout the season.

The season opened up with high expectations and high emotions but without the benefit of having very much time to put in the new offense, the Eagles struggled early. No one could have guessed that Fairfield would go on to win in Area Championship, but the tigers nipped the Eagles and used the win to catapult them into an outstanding season.  The next week found the Eagles traveling to Spain Park to play in an unbelievable rainstorm. The Eagles grounded Spain Park ’s potent offense and played some unbelievable defense. Ryan Fordham established himself as an anchor on the defensive side of the ball in route to a season where he would account for almost 120 tackles. (video link)

 

Ryan Fordham lead all tacklers and reaked havoc for the Eagle opponents

Pete Ridley started, what would be a very memorable season for the senior. He served up quite a few pancake tackles and his emotion was contagious! Durward Jeffries , Chad Houston, Reid Owens and Alex Foreman  made the passing game for their opponents almost impossible. They had many “coverage” sacks. Foreman even got a pick against the much heralded Neil Caudle and almost completely shut down Clemson bound Tyler Grisham. (video link)

The next few weeks saw other standouts emerge. Whether it was a run or a pass, Anthony Madonia was a presence everywhere.

 

 

   Anthony Madonia and Ryan Shoemaker get instructions

Logan Scheneker, Chad Houston and Sam Hill started racking up a lot of tackles and big plays. One couldn’t help notice the big play potential of Patrick Foshee either. He always seemed to make sure that he was at the right place at the right time.

Foshee always had his motor running full speed        .                     

There were also the gutsy performances by David Marshall, Omar Cribbs, “Magic” Williams and Ridley on the defensive line. It was their pressure that allowed the defensive backs to reek havoc. When the Eagles got its most athletic players back from injury, Chris Johnson and Brett Barnhill, the defense had arrived and was now complete. Barnhill quickly climb the charts in the high school rankings for tackles per game. Just as good as Johnson has always been for the Eagles on the field, he’s even better at being a quality leader off of the field. The defense played extremely hard. They went out and made Defensive Coordinator, Coach Pledger very proud each and every week. Special teams had its highlights too. Defensive standout, Paul Keith growled with every knock down that he had!

While the defense was getting it together the offense was improving every week too, starting with the offensive line. Scott Deaton

         Mark Melichar shows great downfield blocking skills

started showing fans why the Crimson Tide signed the big left tackle. David Hopper joined in for the fun in blowing people off of the ball so the running game with James Hope and Nick Anderson could get going. Deaton and Hopper’s senior leadership really started showing. Brian Martin centered the improving line and was always solid. Mark Melichar was extremely impressive showing the Eagle future on the offensive line by grading out extremely high each and every week. D.J. Looney earned the nickname “smiley” because even when he crushed his opponents, his smile never went away. Galen Rush helped out at tight end with dependable hands but his blocking ability was leaned on more than anything. Hope brought this 4.4 speed and Anderson brought a combination of nifty moves with power and now the offense had a good foundation to build on. More...