Wildcats looking to finish season strong
The Colbert Heights Wildcats are looking to make a change in the second year with Brett Vick as head coach.
The change is simple — keep the winning streak going.
The Wildcats started the 2024 season 4-0 and began the 2025 campaign 5-0.
CHHS went a combined 0-11 after those hot starts.
“We have to take that next step against better teams and execute through adversity when things don’t go our way,” Vick said. “We couldn’t quite get over the hump at the end. I’m hoping we’ll be more disciplined all the way around, and hopefully that will lead to some more points.”
Standing in the way of that goal is a brand new 2026-2028 AHSAA reclassification that left Colbert Heights as the only remaining Class 3A school in the county.
Clements, Elkmont, Lauderdale County and Rogers remain on the schedule, while West Limestone, Central and Wilson move down from 4A.
“It’s where we want to be,” Vick said. “Our region is solid from top to bottom. I want us to compete against those teams. I want to raise our standard and get our program to the same level those guys are.
“Our coaches are having to correct guys less because we have players stepping up and making those corrections for us. Last Thursday, we didn’t have a great day. We didn’t have a good start to practice. We finished with a 7-on-7 session that was not very good.
“Our players got together and they coordinated another practice that evening. They reached out to the coaches and said we have everybody here, we’ll be here at this time whether you can make it or not, and we’re going to make it right. I think that’s a big step for us in taking ownership of this team. That tells me mentally and culturally making the right moves.”
The rivalry game against Colbert County will remain on the schedule as a nonregion game and season opener.
“There is no better way to open up a season than to bring in a county rival,” Vick said. “I want us to get used to playing really good teams. I want the speed of the game to slow down as we move through the schedule. We should be battle tested by that first region game.”
Vick joined the program late last year. Now, he has had a full offseason to help prepare the Wildcats for the 2026 campaign.
“It’s been great getting to have a full offseason with these guys,” he said. “I feel like Coach (Tyler) Jeffreys always did a good job from a strength and conditioning standpoint. I think we have picked up from there, gotten faster and improved our agility overall.
“We have had another year to install what we’re doing. Even though we just graduated a big senior class, I feel really good about what we have coming up.”
