Derek Dooley- C Spire 1st & 10- Post Meeting Wrap Up

This past Monday, October 23rd, the 68 Ventures Bowl hosted its final C Spire 1st & 10 Club Meeting of the season. The club welcomed Derek Dooley, who joined the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2022 as the Offensive Analyst. This past weekend Alabama played Tennessee at Bryant Denny Stadium, where they won 34-20 over the Volunteers.

During last night’s club meeting, Dooley spoke on the atmosphere of the team saying “our big challenge is being able to sustain and focus and play that way for four quarters.” Dooley does not believe the team has reached that point in the season, but they have the potential to do so.

He gave his personal opinion on the transfer portal and NIL saying that if used the proper way a lot of good can come from it. He believes the college football community as a whole has seen a larger impact of the portal this year, than any year in the past. Having 19 of the top 25 teams still in the running for the championship going into week 9 shows just how the portal is impacting schools, and allowing players to find the best fit for them. However, like anything that isn’t regulated heavily there are downfalls to it as well.

When Derek Dooley was asked “what have you learned most from your father and Coach Saban, ” Dooley answered, “they had similarities and a core of what they believed in the development of players and the team. They believed in hard work and creating a level of discipline”.

Team Focus Member of the Month, Tripp Thornton

Aaron Dias, Director of the Mobile Chapter of Team Focus, presented the award for Member of the Month to Tripp Thornton, a current 5th grader at Dawes Intermediate. Tripp was recently selected as Character Kid at Dawes Intermediate for his grade. This is his first year in Team Focus, yet he is already someone who brings a high level of enthusiasm to each event.

The Student Athlete of the Month Awards were presented by WNSP 105.5, Corey LaBounty. These players were selected based on their performances in the 2023 season. They are as follows:

Defensive Player of the Month, Antonio Coleman (Jr.) Defensive Tackle, Saraland.

Antonio Coleman is a junior defensive tackle from Saraland High School. Coleman is a part of a defense that only gives up 11.6 points per game. He has a total of 38 tackles, 14 solo and 24 assists. Coleman is verbally committed to the University of Alabama.

Offensive Player of the Month, Jared Hollins (Sr.) Quarterback, Mary G. Montgomery.

Jared Hollins is a senior quarterback at Mary G. Montgomery High School. He helped MGM clinch its first regionional title since 1985. Hollins is 120 of 173 passes for 2,029 yards with 23 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He was recently named one of two quarterbacks to represent Alabama in the 37th Annual Alabama vs Mississippi All-Star Game. Hollins is committed to play football at the University of South Alabama next year.

Special Teams Player of the Month, Campbell MacKellar (Sr.) Kicker, Fairhope.

Campbell MacKellar is a senior kicker at Fairhope High School. He is 8 out of 9 on field goals and has a long of 42 yards. MacKellar is also 14 out of 14 on extra points for the year.