Colbert County working toward 2024 postseason run

The Colbert County Indians are no strangers to the state playoffs.

CCHS has only missed the postseason twice in the past 44 years, after all. However, the Indians have not made it past the second round since 2015.

Making a deeper postseason run is one of the main goals for third-year head coach Scotty Hannah’s team.

“This team is kind of a blank slate,” he said. “I think we’re only going to have four starters back on offense. We are going to move some people around. Our quarterback is probably going to be B.J. Thornton, and he has never taken a snap in a high school game before.

“We are really encouraged with what we have seen in the offseason with guys we are working in different positions. We are not going to have a lot of depth on the offensive line, but the guys we have there we are pleased with.”

Colbert County posted records of 6-5 and 7-5 over the past two years and has given up almost as many points as it scores.

Hannah said he and his team have a good chance to be better on the defensive side of the ball this year by returning eight starters that are comfortable playing multiple positions.

“Even with a lack of depth, we feel like a strength of ours is players being able to play multiple positions,” Hannah said. ” We are really dedicated to the weight room, and we know how important it is. Not only for strength, but for helping to prevent injuries. With our lack of depth, we are going to have to be fortunate in the injury area.”

Colbert County loses Phil Campbell in the region but adds Rogers and Sheffield. The Indians will face Central in the season opener on Aug. 23.

“Playoffs are the standard,” Hannah said. “We realize that only twice over the last 44 years Colbert County has not gone to the playoffs. We embrace it. It’s the pressure we put on ourselves. We look forward to trying to uphold what the people behind us have given us.”