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   The best of the best in Alabama High   
  School Football over the past 100 seasons.






2024 Team Previews 

  


Ariton Purple Cats

Head Coach: Steven Kilcrease (ninth season)
Career Record: 13 seasons, (108-45)
At Ariton: 8 seasons, (66-29)
Stadium: Robert F. Zumstien Stadium
2024 Enrollment:  198
Rank:  280th in the AHSAA, 11th in Class 2A

 History 
Overall Record:   366-284-1   (56.0%)
Last 25 years:   148-128   (54.0%)  (Rank: 151st in the AHSAA, 21st in Class 2A)
Since 2010:   83-73  (53.2%)  (Rank: 167th in the AHSAA, 23rd in Class 2A)
Last Playoff Appearance:   2023
Last Region Championship:   2022
Last Winning Season:   2023
Last Losing Season:   2020

 2023 
Class:  2A              Region:   2
Record:  6-5
Region Record:   5-2, (third)
Playoff Record:   First round loss to Highland Home by a score of 45-6.
Final ASWA Poll:   Not Ranked
Scoring:  311 (28.3)
Defense:  285 (25.9)


 2024 
Class: 2A              Region:   2
Strength of Schedule: 52-57 (48%) (237th in the AHSAA, 31st in Class 2A)
Region Strength:  31-43 (42%)
Non-Region Strength:  21-14 (60%)



 2023 Results 
 8/25  @ Dale County  (4A)   20-33   L  
 9/1  vs. Highland Home  (2A)   7-35   L  
 9/8  vs. Geneva County  (2A)  *  35-6   W  
 9/15  @ G.W. Long  (2A)  *  27-33   L  
 9/22  @ Zion Chapel  (2A)  *  35-0   W  
 9/29  vs. Straughn  (3A)   34-21   W  
 10/6  @ Cottonwood  (2A)  *  7-43   L  
 10/13  @ Abbeville  (2A)  *  54-20   W  
 10/20  vs. Wicksburg  (2A)  *  49-42   W  
 10/27  vs. Samson  (2A)  *  37-7   W  
 11/3   OPEN 
 Playoffs 
 11/9  @ Highland Home    6-45   L  

 2024 Schedule 
 8/23   OPEN 
 8/30  @ Georgiana  (1A)       
 9/6  vs. Houston County  (2A)  *      
 9/13  @ Abbeville  (2A)  *      
 9/20  vs. G.W. Long  (2A)  *      
 9/27  vs. Dale County  (4A)       
 10/4  @ Providence Christian  (2A)  *      
 10/11  @ Cottonwood  (2A)  *      
 10/18  @ Samson  (2A)  *      
 10/25  vs. Geneva County  (2A)  *      
 11/1  @ Brantley  (1A)       


Class  2A Region  2
Team 2023 Record Region Scoring                            
Cottonwood (2A) 10-2 7-0439-229
G.W. Long (2A) 7-4 6-1330-276
Ariton (2A) 6-5 5-2311-285
Providence Christian (3A) 5-6 5-3211-294
Houston County (1A) 5-5 4-4232-232
Samson (2A) 3-7 2-5157-304
Abbeville (2A) 1-9 1-6128-375
Geneva County (2A) 0-10 0-740-328

 2024 Preview 


       Ariton completed the 2023 season with a 6-5 record. With their 5-2 region record and a third place finish in Class 2A region two, the Purple Cats earned a spot in the playoffs in 2023. Ariton's season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs when they fell to Highland Home by a score of 45-6.

       Since 2010, Ariton has gone a combined 83-73. Their 53.2% winning percentage ranks 23rd in Class 2A over the past fourteen seasons.

       Over the past 25 seasons, Ariton has managed to compile a record of 148-128. Their 54.0% winning percentage ranks 21st in Class 2A and 151st in the AHSAA.

Graduated All-State Players:
       Ariton lost 2A All-State  defensive back Ian Senn to graduation. He was named to the first team last season. Also graduating were teammates offensive lineman Jamarion Govan and linebacker Tanner Johnston.

Head Coach:
       The Purple Cats are led by head coach Steven Kilcrease who is entering his ninth season at the helm. He has compiled a record of 66-29 over the past eight seasons at Ariton. Under his direction the Purple Cats have qualified for the playoffs a total of eight times. They have won three region crowns with Coach Kilcrease. His 108 wins rank 57th among active coaches in the AHSAA. Over the course of his career, Coach Kilcrease's teams have qualified for the playoffs a total of twelve times and won four region championships. Coach Kilcrease won two state championships prior to arriving at Ariton, the last coming in 2009 at Pike Liberal Arts.

Season Outlook:

       The Ariton Purple Cats will play in Class 2A region two during the 2024 season.

      

       Under the direction of Coach Kilcrease the Purple Cats have reached the playoffs in each of the past nine seasons. Can the Cats build upon that streak in 2024?

    The Purple Cats should be in contention for a playoff spot in region two this season. Hosting a first round playoff game on their home turf would be an advantage. They have reached the playoffs every year since 2014 and will once again be in the hunt for a spot in 2024.

Returning Starters:
QB Addison Senn, RB/OLB Triston Silavent, RB Jaden Caple, RB Avaughn Brown, WR Brody Joyce, TE/MLB Tristan McGuire, MLB/NG Trey Connell, NG/T Gabe Jones

Season Opener:
       The Purple Cats open the 2024 season on the road against non-region opponent Georgiana on Friday, August 30 at Harmond Field. Last year the Georgiana Panthers finished with an overall record of 10-2 and in second place in Class 1A region two. The Panthers lost in the second round of the Class 1A playoffs to Leroy by a score of 27-13.

       Ariton and Georgiana have met a total of 5 times on the football field. The Purple Cats have a 1-4-0 record against the Panthers. They last met in 2013 with Georgiana winning by a score of 38-29.

  


Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History

Demopolis scored a record 761 points during the 2004 season. The Tigers finished the season 15-0.