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The best of the best in Alabama High
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2024 Team Previews
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| Sipsey Valley Bears |
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Head Coach: Joey Milligan (third season) Career Record: 5 seasons, (23-32) At Sipsey Valley: 2 seasons, (10-12) Stadium: 2024 Enrollment: 398 Rank: 139th in the AHSAA, 49th in Class 5A |
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Overall Record: 44-102 (30.0%) Last 25 years: 44-102 (30.0%) (Rank: 350th in the AHSAA, 53rd in Class 5A) Since 2010: 44-102 (30.1%) (Rank: 333rd in the AHSAA, 53rd in Class 5A) Last Playoff Appearance: 2023 Last Region Championship: Never Last Winning Season: 2023 Last Losing Season: 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Class: 4A
Region: 3
Record: 6-5 (Team record for wins in a season) Region Record: 4-3, (third) Playoff Record: First round loss to Andalusia by a score of 43-6. Final ASWA Poll: Not Ranked Scoring: 355 (32.3) Defense: 290 (26.4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Class: 5A
Region: 3
Strength of Schedule: 36-69 (34%) (388th in the AHSAA, 57th in Class 5A) Region Strength: 26-38 (41%) Non-Region Strength: 10-31 (24%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sipsey Valley completed the 2023 season with a 6-5 record. With their 4-3 region record and a third place finish in Class 4A region three, the Bears earned a spot in the playoffs in 2023. Sipsey Valley's season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs when they fell to Andalusia by a score of 43-6. The Bears improved in 2023 with their first winning season since 2012. No team at Sipsey Valley ever won more games in a season than the six victories last year. The last time they won as many was back in 2012. The Bears have never won a playoff game in the school's history. They would like to break through and pick up that first post season victory in 2024. Since 2010, Sipsey Valley has gone a combined 44-102. Their 30.1% winning percentage ranks 53rd in Class 5A over the past fourteen seasons. Over the past 14 seasons, Sipsey Valley has not won much with a record of 44-102. Their 30.0% winning percentage ranks 53rd in Class 5A and 350th in the AHSAA. The Bears have struggled on the football field with only two winning seasons during this time. Graduated All-State Players: Sipsey Valley lost 4A All-State linebacker Jon Welch to graduation. He was named to the first team last season. Also graduating was teammate receiver Wyatt Bailey. Head Coach: The Bears are led by head coach Joey Milligan who is entering his third season at the helm. He has compiled a record of 10-12 over the past two seasons at Sipsey Valley. Under his direction the Bears have qualified for the playoffs a total of two times. They have not won a region crown with Coach Milligan. Over the course of his career, Coach Milligan's teams have qualified for the playoffs a total of four times . Season Outlook: The Sipsey Valley Bears will play in Class 5A region three during the 2024 season. The Bears move up in classification to Class 5A. They may find the going slightly tougher with the move. The Bears of Sipsey Valley qualified for the playoffs in consecutive seasons for only the second time in school history. Can they make it a trifecta in 2024? The six wins last year tie for the most since the school first fielded a varsity football team. They have also won more games than the previous season each of the past three years. They move up to 5A and join Region 3 which is not one of the strongest in the state so their playoff chances could actually be improved with the move. The Bears could find themselves challenging for one of the playoff spots for region three this season with a few breaks and a little improvement. Unfortunately, Sipsey Valley finds themselves in a very competitive region with other playoff quality teams. They may need to pull off an upset or two to have any chance at the postseason. Players to Watch in 2024: QB LJ Cormier will be returning after completing 181-of-324 passes for 2,666 yards and 27 TDs last season. RB Ayden Abernathy will be back too for his senior season after rushing for 571 yards and 7 TDs last season. Also returning will be DE Brock Woodruff who collected 94 tackles (57 solo) and 3 sacks last season. Returning Starters: QB Lance Cormier, FB/MLB Jayden Howard, RB Isaiah Bennet, WR Ashten Long, FB/DT Joseph Knox, G/DT Westorn Meggs Season Opener: The Bears open the 2024 season on the road against non-region opponent Greene County on Friday, August 23 at Greene County Stadium. Last year the Greene County Tigers finished with an overall record of 2-7 and in seventh place in Class 2A region five. Sipsey Valley and Greene County have met a total of 3 times on the football field. The Bears have a 3-0-0 record against the Tigers. They last met in 2013 with Sipsey Valley winning by a score of 41-0. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Great Moments in Alabama High School Football History
The Tuscaloosa Black Bears were considered one of the best programs in the nation from 1925-1931. Their record over that span was an amazing 61-0-3.
The Tuscaloosa Black Bears were considered one of the best programs in the nation from 1925-1931. Their record over that span was an amazing 61-0-3.
