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

2024 Team Previews




Athens Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Cody Gross (ninth season) Career Record: 12 seasons, (75-60) At Athens: 8 seasons, (48-38) Stadium: Athens Stadium 2024 Enrollment: 1,003 Rank: 38th in the AHSAA, 6th in Class 6A

History

Overall Record: 595-427-36 (58.0%)
Last 25 years: 158-129 (55.0%) (Rank: 124th in the AHSAA, 28th in Class 6A)
Since 2010: 74-78 (48.7%) (Rank: 200th in the AHSAA, 34th in Class 6A)
Last Playoff Appearance: 2023
Last Region Championship: 2020
Last Winning Season: 2023
Last Losing Season: 2021

2023

Class: 6A Region: 7
Record: 8-3
Region Record: 3-2, (third)
Playoff Record: First round loss to Oxford by a score of 45-27.
Final ASWA Poll: Not Ranked
Scoring: 419 (38.1)
Defense: 301 (27.4)

2024

Class: 6A              Region: 7
Strength of Schedule: 47-62 (43%) (336th in the AHSAA, 51st in Class 6A)
Region Strength:  29-36 (45%)
Non-Region Strength:  18-26 (41%)

2023 Results

8/24	@ East Limestone (5A)	63-14	W
9/1	vs. Bob Jones (7A)	35-28	W
9/8	vs. Decatur (6A) *	44-16	W
9/15	@ Muscle Shoals (6A) *	28-66	L
9/22	vs. Mae Jemison (6A)	55-27	W
9/29	OPEN
10/6	@ Cullman (6A) *	34-28	W
10/13	@ Hartselle (6A) *	14-21	L
10/20	vs. Columbia (6A) *	49-14	W
10/27	@ Fort Payne (6A)	29-28	W
11/3	vs. Russellville (5A)	41-14	W
Playoffs
11/10	@ Oxford	27-45	L

2024 Schedule

8/23	@ Mae Jemison (6A)
8/30	vs. Buckhorn (6A)
9/6	@ Cullman (6A) *
9/13	OPEN
9/20	vs. Jasper (6A) *
9/27	vs. Hazel Green (6A)
10/4	@ Muscle Shoals (6A) *
10/11	@ Hartselle (6A) *
10/17	vs. Columbia (6A) *
10/25	vs. Decatur (6A) *
11/1	@ Russellville (5A)
11/8	@ Homewood

Class 6A Region 7
Team	2023 Record	Region	Scoring
Muscle Shoals (6A)	11-1	5-0	510-204
Hartselle (6A)	9-3	4-1	359-234
Athens (6A)	8-3	3-2	419-301
Cullman (6A)	5-6	2-3	257-282
Decatur (6A)	3-7	1-4	237-281
Columbia (6A)	0-10	0-5	50-413
Jasper (5A)	1-9	1-6	164-372

2024 Preview

       Athens completed the 2023 season with a 8-3 record. With their 3-2 region record and a third place finish in Class 6A region seven, the Golden Eagles earned a spot in the playoffs in 2023. Athens's season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs when they fell to Oxford by a score of 45-27.

       It marked the first time since the 2020 season that the Golden Eagles qualified for the playoffs.

       Since 2010, Athens has gone a combined 74-78. Their 48.7% winning percentage ranks 34th in Class 6A over the past fourteen seasons.

       Over the past 25 seasons, Athens has managed to compile a record of 158-129. Their 55.0% winning percentage ranks 28th in Class 6A and 124th in the AHSAA.

Graduated All-State Players:
       Athens lost 6A All-State receiver JayShon Ridgle to graduation. He was named to the second team last season.

Head Coach:
       The Golden Eagles are led by head coach Cody Gross who is entering his ninth season at the helm. He has compiled a record of 48-38 over the past eight seasons at Athens. Under his direction the Golden Eagles have qualified for the playoffs a total of five times. They have won one region crown with Coach Gross. Over the course of his career, Coach Gross' teams have qualified for the playoffs a total of eight times and won two region championships.

Season Outlook:

       The Athens Golden Eagles will play in Class 6A region seven during the 2024 season.



       Athens enters the 2024 season with a string of 6 consecutive wins on their home field at Athens Stadium.

       After missing the playoff for a couple of seasons the Golden Eagles got back last season but fell to Oxford in the first round.

       Even with the addition of Jasper to Region 7 this season the Eagles should be able to capture one of the four playoff spots available.

       Athens returns five starters from last season on offense and four on defense. They will be led by quarterback Brogan Gross who has the experience to be very effective.

       Coach Gross had this to say about the Golden Eagles in 2024. ''With our region, it is always a tough battle from week to week with great rivalries that have great environments for high school football. We have an experienced offensive line and a returning 3 year starter at QB. Our defense improved week to week last season and expect to continue that growth throughout the 2024 season. ''

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

Players to Watch in 2024:
      QB Brogan Gross will be returning after completing 189-of-274 passes for 2,447 yards and 28 TDs last season.

      FS Walker Harrison will also return after racking up 83 tackles (31 solo).

Returning Starters:
OFFENSE: LT- Spencer Dowland; LG- Jeb Shinkunas; RG- Pratt Johnsey; RT- Ben Davis; QB- Brogan Gross
DEFENSE: DL- Landyn King; LB- Jack Jones; SS- Walker Harrison; CB- Clarence Jones
NEWCOMERS: TE- CJ Croone; RB- Xavier Edwards; FS- Brayden Mooney; CB- Jaxon Unger

Season Opener:
       The Golden Eagles open the 2024 season on the road against non-region opponent Mae Jemison on Friday, August 23 at Louis Crews Stadium. Last year the Mae Jemison Jaguars finished with an overall record of 3-8 and in fourth place in Class 6A region eight. The Jaguars lost in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs to Parker by a score of 61-14.

       Athens and Mae Jemison have met a total of 3 times on the football field. The Golden Eagles have a 3-0-0 record against the Jaguars. They last met in 2023 with Athens winning by a score of 55-27.

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.