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

2023 Team Previews




Anniston Bulldogs
Head Coach: Rico Jackson (first season) Career Record: 11 seasons, (58-59) At Anniston: First season Stadium: Lott/Mosby Memorial Stadium 2022 Enrollment: 341 Rank: 171st in the AHSAA, 26th in Class 4A

History

Overall Record: 595-400-27 (60.0%)
Last 25 years: 134-136 (50.0%) (Rank: 187th in the AHSAA, 29th in Class 4A)
Since 2010: 75-70 (51.7%) (Rank: 170th in the AHSAA, 29th in Class 4A)
Last Playoff Appearance: 2022
Last Region Championship: 2022
Last Winning Season: 2022
Last Losing Season: 2020

2022

Class: 4A Region: 4
Record: 11-1
Region Record: 6-0, (first)
Playoff Record: Quarter-finals loss to Andalusia by a score of 35-28.
Final ASWA Poll: 2nd
Scoring: 494 (41.2) (Team record for points scored in a season)
Defense: 170 (14.2)

2023

Class: 4A              Region: 4
Strength of Schedule: 61-46 (57%) (48th in the AHSAA, 11th in Class 4A)
Region Strength:  29-37 (44%)
Non-Region Strength:  32-9 (78%)

2022 Results

8/19	@ Walter Wellborn (3A)	52-18	W
8/26	vs. Villa Rica GA	24-19	W
9/2	@ Munford (4A) *	55-7	W
9/9	vs. Jacksonville (4A) *	30-23	W
9/16	@ White Plains (4A) *	49-13	W
9/22	@ Piedmont (3A)	30-28	W
9/30	vs. Handley (4A) *	32-7	W
10/7	OPEN
10/14	@ Talladega (4A) *	62-0	W
10/21	vs. Cleburne County (4A) *	42-0	W
10/28	OPEN
Playoffs
11/4	vs. Sipsey Valley	52-0	W
11/11	@ B.T. Washington	38-20	W
11/18	vs. Andalusia	28-35	L

2023 Schedule

8/25	vs. Walter Wellborn (3A)
9/1	@ Andalusia (4A)
9/8	vs. Munford (4A) *
9/15	@ Jacksonville (4A) *
9/22	vs. White Plains (4A) *
9/28	@ Piedmont (3A)
10/6	@ Handley (4A) *
10/13	OPEN
10/20	vs. Talladega (4A) *
10/27	@ Cleburne County (4A) *
11/3	OPEN
11/10	@ T.R. Miller

Class 4A Region 4
Team	2022 Record	Region	Scoring
Anniston (4A)	11-1	6-0	494-170
Handley (4A)	11-2	5-1	472-215
Jacksonville (4A)	8-4	4-2	436-276
Munford (4A)	6-5	3-3	307-303
Cleburne County (4A)	2-8	2-4	208-343
White Plains (4A)	2-8	1-5	189-360
Talladega (4A)	0-10	0-6	151-586

2023 Preview

       Anniston completed the 2022 season with a 11-1 record. The Bulldogs cruised through the regular season with a perfect 9-0 record going into the post season. Last year Anniston captured the region four title and a number one seed in the Class 4A playoffs. They finished region play with a 6-0 record. It was the first region championship for the Bulldogs since the 2011 season. Anniston lost in the quarter-finals of the playoffs last season to a good Andalusia team by a score of 35-28.

       The Bulldogs won as many games as in any season since 1994. The 494 points scored by the Bulldogs last year were a team record in a single season. The Bulldogs hope to continue the success they had last season. Coach Jackson saw improvement as they won eleven games following a 5-5 record in 2021.

       The high-scoring Anniston offense ranked 23rd in the AHSAA. They averaged 41.2 points a game.

       The Bulldogs defense dominated most opponents as they ranked 29th in the AHSAA. The defense gave up just 14.2 points a game.

       Since 2010, Anniston has gone a combined 75-70. Their 51.7% winning percentage ranks 29th in Class 4A over the past thirteen seasons.

       Over the past 25 seasons, Anniston has managed to compile a record of 134-136. Their 50.0% winning percentage ranks 29th in Class 4A and 187th in the AHSAA.

       The Bulldogs will be under the direction of new head football coach Rico Jackson as they enter the 2023 season. Coach Jackson is a veteran head coach having served at Fairfield, Aliceville, Escambia County, Murphy and most recently at Tarrant. Over the course of his career, Coach Jackson's teams have qualified for the playoffs a total of three times and won one region championship.

       The Bulldogs lost a lot of talented players from the offense to graduation but will return many starters to a very good defense. They have several players coming through the transfer portal so do not overlook the Bulldogs in 2023. With five more victories Anniston can become the 39th team in Alabama to win their 600th football game.

       The Bulldogs enter the 2023 season riding a 13 game regular season winning streak. Anniston has won 10 consecutive region games.

       The Bulldogs should be in contention for a playoff spot in region four this season. Hosting a first round playoff game on their home turf would be an advantage.

      Jayden Lewis will return at CB to lead the Anniston defense in 2023.

      Malachi Harris will also return to the offensive line.

       The Bulldogs open the 2023 season at home against non-region opponent Walter Wellborn on Friday, August 25 at Lott/Mosby Memorial Stadium. Last year the Walter Wellborn Panthers finished with an overall record of 6-5 and in fourth place in Class 3A region four. The Panthers lost in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs to St. James by a score of 54-7.

       Anniston and Walter Wellborn have met a total of 37 times on the football field. The Bulldogs have a 20-16-1 record against the Panthers. They last met in 2022 with Anniston winning by a score of 52-18.

       Anniston lost 4A All-State offensive lineman Ryqueze McElderry to graduation. He was named to the first team last season. Also graduating were teammates receiver Jaylon Cunningham and athlete Kamron Sandlin.

       The Bulldogs return 4A All-State Junior defensive lineman Grayshaun Swain. He was named to the first team last season. The Bulldogs also return Senior defensive back Jayden Lewis. He was named to the first team. The Bulldogs also return sophomore linebacker Hezekiah Harris. He was named to the second team. The Bulldogs also return Junior defensive back Jaden Dobbins. He was named to the honorable mention team.

Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History

Collinsville completed the 1931 season with a record of 1-4-5. The five ties will forever be a state record since all games are now decided by overtime.