Hugh Freeze-1st & 10 Club- Post Meeting Wrap Up
Monday, October 7th, the 68 Ventures Bowl hosted the third 1st & 10 Club meeting of the season featuring Hugh Freeze, Head Football Coach at Auburn University. Coach Freeze led the Tigers back to postseason play last year with berth in the Music City Bowl.
Freeze spoke in depth on how excited he is about the young talent that is on the roster at Auburn. He recognized that the Tigers record is not where they would like it to be, but noted that that is part of building a program and establishing a winning culture. Coach Freeze stated that against Georgia they played a total of 35 freshmen. He is proud of how the team seems to show improvement week to week, noting that after struggling to protect the football in weeks prior the Tigers did not give up a single turnover to Georgia.
Coach Freeze also touched on the ever changing landscape of College Football and the impacts of NIL. He stated that the most enjoyable part of his job is building a program with young men and helping them grow over the course of their careers. He notes that it is harder and harder to do today. Freeze stated that “This idea of jumping around if things aren’t going real well, that’s not real life.” And “I don’t want to lose the relational part of coaching.”
Coach briefly gave his thoughts on his history coaching in the 68 Ventures Bowl. He talked about how coaching Liberty University to the programs third bowl victory in Mobile in 2021 was exciting and how much his team enjoyed the hospitality during the week they spent in Mobile.
Coach is thankful to have an open date this past weekend as his team looks to refresh and get their feet back under them to prepare for the long haul of SEC play. Freeze will lead Auburn back on the field on Saturday October 19th as they face a tough road test against Missouri.
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 season. They are as follows:
Defensive Player of the Month, Antonio Coleman. (Sr.), Defensive Lineman, Saraland High School.
Antonio Coleman is a standout defensive lineman for the Saraland Spartans, and is verbally committed to the Auburn Tigers. This season Antonio has recorded 20 tackles, 9 solo, 14 assists, 1 sack, 5 hurries, 4 TFL’s, along with 1 forced and recovered fumble for a touchdown. Last season, Coleman posted equally impressive numbers while helping the Spartans to the Class 6A State Championship game.
Offensive Player of the Month, Kolin Wilson (Sr.), Running Back, Gulf Shores High School
Kolin Wilson, while primarily a running back, is truly a jack of all trades. This season he has carried the ball 127 times for 1,078 yards and 9 touchdowns, caught 9 passes for 139 yards and another touchdown, and completed 10 passes for 106 yards and another TD. Kolin has totaled 1,323 all purpose yards and 11 TDs. Last year on the way to winning the 5A state title with the Gulf Shores Dolphins, he totaled 2,241 all purpose yards and 32 TD’s. Kolin is verbally committed to Mississippi State
Special Teams Player of the Month, Blayne Munson (Sr.), Kicker, Baker High School
Blayne Munson is the kicker for the Baker Hornets. Blayne is a 3 year starter for the Hornets. This season Blayne has averaged 39.3 yards per punt with a long of 55. He has placed his punts inside the 20 yard line 7 times this season. He has 13 touchbacks, is 15/20 on field goal attempts with a long of 45 yards, and is 44/46 on PAT’s.
Lineman of the Month, Bo Cagle. (Sr.), Offensive Lineman, Mobile Christian.
Bo Cagle has earned the nickname “Bulldozer” for his incredible strength and prowess in blocking for the Leopards. He is 6’3” and 313 lbs. Bo has recorded 32 pancake blocks this season and Mobile Christian set a single game record of 528 rushing Yards. He is capable of bench pressing 500 lbs, squatting 700, and dead lifting 700. Last year Bo helped Mobile Christian to a state championship and did not allow a single sack or QB hurry.
Team Focus Member of the Month, Landon Crockett, Theodore High School
The Team Focus Member of the Month was presented by Joseph Hall, Representative of Team Focus. Team Focus is a mentoring organization for young men without father figures in the home. This was awarded to Landon Crockett. Landon started at Team Focus 2 years ago.
The next meeting will take place on Monday, November 4th, with keynote speaker Keith Gill, Commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference.
