2024 Team Previews
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Baker Hornets |
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Head Coach: Juan Johnson (first season) Career Record: 0 seasons, (0-0) At Baker: First season Stadium: Hornet Field 2024 Enrollment: 1,809 Rank: 4th in the AHSAA, 4th in Class 7A |
History | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Overall Record: 244-475-9 (34.0%) Last 25 years: 91-165 (36.0%) (Rank: 312nd in the AHSAA, 28th in Class 7A) Since 2010: 77-69 (52.7%) (Rank: 163rd in the AHSAA, 19th in Class 7A) Last Playoff Appearance: 2023 Last Region Championship: 1989 Last Winning Season: 2023 Last Losing Season: 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class: 7A
Region: 1
Record: 8-3 Region Record: 5-1, (second) Playoff Record: First round loss to Auburn by a score of 27-17. Final ASWA Poll: 8th Scoring: 357 (32.5) Defense: 276 (25.1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class: 7A
Region: 1
Strength of Schedule: 58-50 (54%) (110th in the AHSAA, 20th in Class 7A) Region Strength: 33-42 (44%) Non-Region Strength: 25-8 (76%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2024 Preview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Baker completed the 2023 season with a 8-3 record. With their 5-1 region record and a second place finish in Class 7A region one, the Hornets earned a spot in the playoffs in 2023. Baker's season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs when they fell to Auburn by a score of 27-17. The Hornets won as many games as in any season since 2014. The Hornets last playoff victory came during the 1984 season. They would love to break through this year with a post season win. Since 2010, Baker has gone a combined 77-69. Their 52.7% winning percentage ranks 19th in Class 7A over the past fourteen seasons. Over the past 25 seasons, Baker has managed to compile a record of 91-165. Their 36.0% winning percentage ranks 28th in Class 7A and 312nd in the AHSAA. Graduated All-State Players: Baker lost 7A All-State receiver Bryce Cain to graduation. He was named to the first team last season. Also graduating were teammates linebacker Leland Normand and athlete Josh Flowers. Coaching Change: Steve Normand after just five seasons as the head football coach at Baker, steps down. It was the most successful five year span the Hornets have ever known on the field. His teams reached the playoffs four times. Normand spent a total of 20 years on the staff at Baker and will be missed by the school. 2024 Head Coach: Juan Johnson accepted the head coaching job at Baker in February. He was the offensive coordinator at Hewitt-Trussville the past four seasons and was on the staff for a total of eight seasons. Previously he was an assistant coach at T.R. Miller. Johnson played his high school football at T.R. Miller and helped the Tigers win the 2000 state championship. He also played college football at Tuskegee before embarking on his coaching career. Season Outlook: The Baker Hornets will play in Class 7A region one during the 2024 season. The eight wins last year were the most at Baker since 2014 so things appear to be looking up for the Hornets. The loss of Josh Flowers at QB to graduation will be difficult to replace. The Hornets also lost thousand yard rusher Roderick Clark to graduation. They will also be without their leading receiver Bryce Cain who graduated. So the Hornets need to basically replace their entire offensive production. They return just three players on offense and five on defense in 2024. The Hornets should be in contention for a playoff spot in region one this season. Hosting a first round playoff game on their home turf would be an advantage. Players to Watch in 2024: MLB Quinterirus Robinson led the Hornets with 120 tackles (47 solo) and will be returning in 2024. Also returning will be FS Donavan Hudson who contributed 99 tackles last season. Returning Starters: OFFENSE: Jatavion Adams , Brandon Lewis, Jordan Emerson DEFENSE: Zac Williams OLB/ DE, Quinterrious Robinson LB/ Star, Donovan Hudson S, Juwan Springs S, Kevin Gaines OLB NEWCOMERS: Blayne Munson P, Chris Levy Long Snapper, Tramir Lett LB/RB , Khatori Marion WR, Josh Jones WR , Tate Graham QB Season Opener: The Hornets open the 2024 season on the road against non-region opponent Theodore on Friday, August 23 at C.A. Douglas Field. Last year the Theodore Bobcats finished with an overall record of 7-4 and in third place in Class 6A region one. The Bobcats lost in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs to Hueytown by a score of 14-0. Baker and Theodore have met a total of 59 times on the football field. The Hornets have a 10-48-1 record against the Bobcats. They last met in 2023 with Baker winning by a score of 36-20. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History
The Hazlewood Golden Bears have won 11 state titles. The most of any team in any classification since the playoffs began in 1966.
The Hazlewood Golden Bears have won 11 state titles. The most of any team in any classification since the playoffs began in 1966.