Major Applewhite-1st & 10 Club- Post Meeting Wrap Up
Last night Monday, August 19th, the 68 Ventures Bowl hosted the first 1st & 10 Club meeting of the season welcoming Major Applewhite, Head Football Coach at the University of South Alabama. Coach Applewhite was named the fourth head coach in the history of South Alabama on January 18, 2024.
Applewhite, being local to the Gulf Coast, expressed his joy and gratitude that he is able to stay close to where he has called home his whole life. Applewhite is no stranger to the Jaguar community as he has been with the program for the past three years, in the role of Offensive Coordinator. Through his leadership as Offensive Coordinator, the 2023 Jaguar offense set a program record for points in a single season with 430 on the year.
Major Applewhite states that not only are they striving to win championships, they are also hoping that through “producing a product worthy of people watching”, the South Alabama Jaguars can bring the “home football team” pride back into the City of Mobile. “We want our city to be with us and behind us. No matter what other team fan you are, we should all be Jaguar fans”.
Coach opened up Q&A with the members and was asked what strengths his team had this year to which coach responded that they have a lot of returning talent and a lot of gameday experience amongst the offensive line and he is excited to see them get the ball to the ground this year. Applewhite also expressed that with the landscape of College Football changing, South Alabama Football is changing with it. They plan on doing what they need to, to stay competitive in the NIL world, and be strategic in the use of funds they do have.
Coach is very pleased with where the team is currently and looks forward to kick-off against North Texas next Saturday, August 31st.
The Anchor Cares Student Athlete of the Month awards were presented by WNSP 105.5 Corey LaBounty. These players were selected for their recent performance in the 2024 preseason. They are as follows:
Defensive Preseason Standout, Anthony “Tank” Jones. (Jr.), Linebacker, St. Paul’s High School.
Anthony Jones is a Junior linebacker for the St. Paul’s Bulldogs. Tank had 114 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks as a sophomore last year. As a freshman, Anthony had 114 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, and 2 interceptions. Not only does he play defense, he runs a little offense too; total of 11 touchdowns in his career. Due to his success over the past two years, Anthony is ranked 6th in the class of 2026 in the entire county.
Offensive Preseason Standout, K.J. Lacey (Sr.), Quarterback, Saraland High School
K.J. Lacey is a three-year varsity Quarterback Starter, a former state champion, and is currently a Texas Longhorns verbal commit. Lacey completed 219 of 315 passes for 3,448 yards with 42 touchdowns and 8 interceptions while rushing for 5 more touchdowns. So far during his high school career he has passed for 7,859 yards.
Special Teams Preseason Standout, Cam Lytle (Sr.), Kicker, Spanish Fort High School
Cam Lytle is a Special Teams kicker for the Spanish Fort Toros. Cam was number 1 in touchbacks in 6A last season, and number 6 in the state for Senior Specialist. He was 34 of 35 on point after attempts and Cam’s longest field goal made was 42 yards.
Team Focus Member of the Month, Anthony Costell (Jr.), Theodore High School
The Team Focus Member of the Month was presented by Aaron Dias, Alabama Director of Team Focus. Team Focus is a mentoring organization for young men without father figures in the home. This was awarded to Anthony Costell. Anthony started at Team Focus when he was 11 years old, and is now a junior at Theodore High School. Anthony has learned how to be humble and how to act as a gentleman.
The next meeting will take place on Monday, September 19th, with keynote speaker Kane Wommack, Defensive Coordinator for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.
