Ashford hopes for over 500 points and playoff entry

Now the Yellowjackets are ready to upset their opponents, break the .500 mark and secure a spot in the state playoffs for the first time in a decade.

“This senior year, freshman year, they were 0-10 and then they were 2-8. My freshman year last year, they were 4-6,” Stapleton said. “So I think it's gradually gotten better. I think now it's time to get over the hump.”

Stapleton feels that he and his players are more comfortable with each other after an initial tryout in the first year.

“Last year we call 'Year Zero,'” Stapleton said. “This is more like Year One. Last year you could pull back the curtain and see what you have. Last year we had some new kids come in who had never played football before, so this is their second time as well. I think it helped everyone, from the players to the administration, to go through a full cycle.”

This year's Ashford team consists of a more experienced group compared to Stapleton's first year.

“We only lost seven seniors,” Stapleton said of the Class 4A program. “Last year we were very young. We had a lot of sophomores and now those sophomores are in their third year.”

“Our team used to be young, but we're not young anymore, as I consider a junior to be a senior. They've played a lot of football, so we'll have a lot of experience when we come back. I'm excited to see how this group, this team, comes together. We'll know on August 23rd.”

The Jackets' season opener will be at district rival Rehobeth on August 23, reviving a rivalry that was played every year from 1946 to 2021. The 76-game series is the longest rivalry between the two schools.

Ashford relies on nine regular players from last year's team (4:6) in offense and defense.

On offense, AJ Lewis (Jr., 5-11, 205) returns as quarterback after taking over the position from middle linebacker midway through last season.

“He had to play quarterback the second half of the year because of an injury and he's actually done pretty well,” Stapleton said. “I'm excited to see him take the reins of the offense. He's good with his legs. He's a strong kid. He's not the biggest guy, but he's stocky and not afraid to run the ball and drop his shoulder.”

In just four games, Lewis completed 26 of 43 passes (60.4 percent) for 515 yards, with eight touchdowns and three interceptions, while rushing for 305 yards and three touchdowns.

Braylon Bigham (Jr., 5-9, 195) and Jay Ragland (Jr., 6-0, 205) return as running backs, while Coy Paramore (Sr., 5-11, 175), Tylan Peterman (Sr., 5-11, 175) and Alex Swain (So., 6-0, 160) return as wide receivers in the starting lineup.

Paramore will also play running back and receiver. Zorren Peterson (Jr., 5-10, 170) and Zay Johnson (So., 6-0, 185) are also expected to play wide receiver.

Three regular players are back in the offensive line – juniors Judah Bolden (6-0, 240) and Eli Hicks (6-2, 245) as well as sophomore Fabian Tamez (5-10, 275).

Freshman George Wheelus (5-10, 215 pounds) is expected to take over the center position, while junior Reid Walden (6-0, 205 pounds) is expected to start at tight end. Wesley McLendon, a returning starter on defense, will also likely get playing time on the O-line.

Ashford returns three starters at all three levels in defensive line, linebacker and secondary.

Up front, McLendon (Sr., 5-11, 205) and Cam Critten (Sr., 5-9, 205) return to the defensive end positions, with Hicks sandwiched between them as nose guard. ZiDavieon Walker (So., 6-3, 250) is another player who will play a lot in the D-line.

Behind them at the linebacker position are returners Ragland, Maddox Tillery (Sr., 5-10, 185) and TJ Morris (Jr., 5-10, 175). Ragland led the Jackets last year with 76 tackles, including 20 tackles for loss and six quarterback sacks.

In the secondary, Bigham and Peterman return as safeties and Peyton McBride (Sr., 5-9, 165) as cornerback.

Quin Jones (Jr., 5-9, 155) is also expected to start as cornerback and JJ Jackson (Fr., 5-10, 150) as strong safety.

Paramore returns to handle punting duties for Ashford. Parker Brewer (Jr., 5-10, 225) is the projected kicker, with Lewis holding and Wheelus snapping for the scoring kicks.

A year ago, Ashford was just a few plays away from a winning season and a spot in the state playoffs, losing two games by four points and another game by two points in the third overtime. All three games were regional losses.

“We've been close many times and that's on us,” Stapleton said. “We have to finish it, but that takes a certain maturity. Hopefully these guys understand that now that they're growing up and in their senior years, they can finish it.”

YELLOWJACKETS AT A GLANCE

>> Head coach: David Stapleton (2nd year at Ashford and as head coach, 4-6)

>> Record 2023: 4-6 overall, 2-6 in Class 3A, Region 2

>> Results 2023: Graceville (Florida) (win, 42-6); at Providence Christian # (N, 0-21); Pike County # (N, 13-28); at Houston Academy # (N, 6-48); Straughn # (N, 13-17); Slocomb (win, 14-12); Daleville # (win, 50-44); New Brockton # (N, 26-30); at Northside Methodist # (win, 40-20); at Opp # (N, 48-50, 3 OTs)

>> Points scored/per game: 252/25.2

>> Allowed points/per game: 276/27.6

>> Returning offensive starters (9): QB AJ Lewis (Jr., 5-11, 205); RB Braylon Bigham (Jr., 5-9, 195); RB Jay Ragland (Jr., 6-0, 205): WR Coy Paramore (Sr., 5-11, 175); WR Tylan Peterman (Sr., 5-11, 175); WR Alex Swain (Sun., 6-0, 160); OL Judah Bolden (Jr., 6-0, 240); OL Fabian Tamez (Sun., 5-10, 275); OL Eli Hicks (Jr., 6-2, 245).

>> Returning defenders (9): DE Wesley McLendon (Sr., 5-11, 205); NG Eli Hicks (Jr., 6-2, 245); DE Cam Critten (Sr., 5-9, 205); LB Jay Ragland (Jr., 6-0, 205); LB Maddox Tillery (Sr., 5-10, 185); LB TJ Morris (Jr., 5-10, 175); DB Peyton McBride (Sr., 5-9, 165); S Braylon Bigham (Jr., 5-9, 195); S Tylan Peterman (Sr., 5-11, 175).

August 23 in Rehobeth

30 August Cottonwood

September 6th in Dale County #

13 September Geneva #

September 20 in Pike County #

27 September at Headland

Oct. 4 at Straughn #

October 11th in New Brockton #

18 Oct Opp #

October 25th Daleville #

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