Head Coach: Joey Whittington
Year at Bell: 14th
Last year’s record: 5-5
Seniors: 16
Returning Starters: Six on offense and defense
You went 9-4 in 2024, then kind of stepped back last year. What’s your goal for this year?
Just, honestly, the reason, the biggest reason for our step back last year was injuries to begin the season. I mean, we didn’t get a chance to play the Oak Hall game due to weather, couldn’t get that rescheduled, and then we played Trenton and Franklin County and just sustained a lot of injuries in through those two games, Some injuries are not preventable. We dealt some issues that are just weird injuries for football, but anyway, they happen. And I think what we saw, you know, we started out 0-4, and after that, we started getting some guys back, some of the new guys, younger guys that had to fill in, they started figuring it out. And then we went 5-0, which got us to 5-4 going in the playoffs, then we lost in the first round. I think what we learned from that is, A, we got to stay healthy, which that’s something you need a little bit of luck with, as well as preventing as much as you can on the injury front, and B, just developing that leadership, you know, the 9-4 team in ‘24 they had great leadership, and I feel like this team also possesses that. We’re still working on that, but I think with good leadership and staying healthy, this team can have a very successful year.
The SSAA expanded again. What did you feel like going into this year? How does that change? If it changes anything.
Different dynamic. We went up to 20 schools, so I think we’re right at 40. Obviously more competition. You know, , we’re not gonna run away from competition. I think it’s just a different setup. I mean, the setup’s going to be very similar. They’re going to go Nos. 1 through 8 in the north, Nos. 1 through 8 in the south for the state championship bracket, and then they’re going to go 9 through 16 in the north and in the south for like a, you know, a silver bracket, an invitational tournament, whatever they term it as. So it’s kind of the same format as it has been. Just there’s just more competition in there now. If you look at a lot of the old FHSAA rural class has joined SSAA. I think growth is good. We’re looking forward to the to that challenge of an expanded conference.
Who are some guys that have stuck out to you so far in practice, and maybe over the summer?
If people have been following our team for the last couple of years there are certain names that I think just jump out to people, you know, we got Landin Williams returning. This will be his 3rd year, starting running back. He’s a workhorse. Back there does a great job for us. RJ (Leffler) is returning a 2nd year’s quarterback. Third year as a varsity starter. He’s kind of taken over that running the program thing, did that last year as a quarterback, but just kind of being that leader on the field, he’s a dynamic player. He does a good job for us. Corbin Abarca, a four-year starter at left tackle. He’s had a really good start to camp. Those guys had a pretty good summer. We get Kaleb Williams back. Kaleb Williams, unfortunately last year only got to play in like a game and a half and then missed the rest of the season. He’s one of those injuries. We get him back. Landin, you know, him and Landin make a dynamic duo in the backfield and he helps us out a lot on defense. And then O-line. We return four out of five starters. And then our defensive secondary, with Dean Glass at safety, and Noah Bagby and Lane Sheffield at the cornerbacks. You know, they started every game last year. Little young, you know, was kind of a new experience for him last year, but they all returned, and they’ve had a great start to camp. We had a great 7 on 7 experience with them this summer. So I think I think those are two units. You know, offensive line with the running backs and then DBs, I think are two units to build off of right now.
What are some games that you think are important for this season and it being successful?
I think anytime you play a local team, traditionally, Trenton, Branford, those are always big games on the schedule, good community events around here. They’re, your neighbors, so those are games that you always look forward to. Dixie County, second year being on the regular season schedule for us, and then the first game out of the gates because SSAA makes you play a fellow SSAA school on the first game. And both of us had one and then they went back to the FHSAA. So we kind of had to move our game up, but just having another neighbor on the schedule and it being a good challenge right out of the gate. I think those three are because of the distance relationship to each other, those games kind of become important to you, and we’re looking forward to those games. We’ve been preaching this year and this is kind of the way I’ve always been. One game at a time. Like right now this week (last week) is kind of a blend week. We’re working on getting ourselves better and getting a little prepared for Dixie, and then we’ll take it one game at a time. But obviously your local rivalries are the ones that are always big for the boys in the community.
Trenton moves to later in the schedule. How does that change that dynamic?
We both thought it’d be good to kind of, like, , build. Obviously, there’s some good when you play early in the season, you know, the last couple years, we’ve been the 2nd game of the season. There’s always some fun in that because it kind of sets the tone where we’re at. And I think moving it back, me and Coach Frye had a conversation, just wanted to move it back a little bit that way we could get some games under our belt. And you know, the hope is that, especially for the Gilchrist community, is that both teams are trending in the right direction,. It brings a lot of energy and an exciting atmosphere for the boys to play in and, and a true small, in-county, rural football game. Those are those are great for these for these kids and for the community. So just kind of moving it back and hoping to to kind of to build that game up.
Is there anything that you think everybody needs to know about your team?
I think the boys are excited. We, as a coaching staff, are excited. They been working hard. We’ve had we’ve had a great eight days of practice to start out the season. The boys have showed up. They’ve worked hard. And I think, if we, like I said, we can stay healthy and keep developing that leadership, I think we can put a pretty good product on the field this year.