Veteran coach Shane Smothers, whose previous stops include Jasper,
Lawrence County and Georgiana, has returned to Walker County to lead
the Cordova Blue Devils for the 2021 season.
Listed as one of his top three jobs, Smothers stated his ties to the
county and the community made taking over the Cordova program an easy
decision.
“I’m from Walker County, was baptized and married here – I know all
about Cordova and the community. I played on that field from the time
I was eight years-old through high school. I just got me fired up to
be a part of it,” Smothers said. “The Lord led us and we felt really
good about the opportunity. We’re thankful we’re here.”
Cordova struggled in its first season as a Class 5A team, finishing
1-9 and going winless in Region 5 play.
The Blue Devils will benefit with the return of Cody Headrick, the
county’s top passer, who threw for 1,673 yards on 122 of 255 passes
with 10 touchdowns. His top target, senior Cade Naramore, also returns
after catching 41 passes for 659 yards with five touchdowns. Jake
Kiser will line up at runningback.
Smothers reported that 50 varsity players reported for summer
workouts, joined by 26 players at the middle school levels – numbers
that show excitement about the program.
“50 kids will allow us to do a lot more than I originally anticipated.
We will have guys who will play both ways and develop their skills
outside of their primary position and I’m really excited about that,”
Smother said. “It allows us to be chain-movers on offense and
chain-stoppers on defense. More than anything, we want to be physical
up front and control the line of scrimmage.”
The Blue Devils’ daunting region schedule includes home games against
Pleasant Grove, Ramsey and Carver-Birmingham, with John Carroll,
Wenonah, Parker and Fairfield on the road. In non-region play, Cordova
host Dora in the season opener, followed by county rivals Carbon Hill
and at Oakman to conclude the year.
Cordova Blue Devils 2021 Schedule
8/21 7:00 PM
Dora High School
8/27 7:00 PM
Carbon Hill High School
9/3 7:00 PM
Pleasant Grove High School
9/10 7:00 PM
at John Carroll Catholic High School
9/17 7:00 PM
Ramsay IB High School
10/1 7:00 PM
at Wenonah High School
10/8 7:00 PM
G.W. Carver-Birmingham High School
10/14 7:00 PM
at A.H. Parker High School
10/22 7:00 PM
at Fairfield High Preparatory School
10/29 7:00 PM
at Oakman High School
