A look back – Alexandria
- Updated: July 22, 2020
EDITOR’S NOTE: The coronavirus pandemic has turned our world upside down these past few months and the absence of sports has been tough on avid sports fans. We can only hope the football seasons can go off as scheduled this fall. As we wait, there has been plenty of time to reflect on high school football in Calhoun County.
The following is part of a 14-part series compiled by East Alabama Sports Today contributor Brant Locklier that looks back on the past decade of football for each of the 13 county football-playing schools. The 2020 season that may or may not be will be center stage for the first time at the Calhoun County QB Club Media Day July 24.
Special thanks goes to Ashleigh Jackson, who keyed in all the scores and the website, “The History of Alabama High School Football,” for their information.
Alexandria – Another Ginn Calling the Shots
Summary: There have only been four coaches at Alexandria since 1948. The Valley Cub program has put up some staggering numbers under them. Lou Scales (220-141-12) coached from 1948 through 1985. He was followed by Larry Ginn (195-54) from 1986-2006, then Frank Tucker (77-44) from 2007 to 2018 and now Todd Ginn (14-8) entering his third season.
Larry Ginn’s teams were 101-20 in the decade of the 90’s with two state championships. Todd Ginn is trying to duplicate his dad’s success and last year’s 8-3 mark showed that he may well be on his way to doing so.
The last decade saw the Valley Cubs go only 68-41, good by most standards, but below Alexandria expectations. The Valley Cubs have never had a losing decade and it does not look like that streak will come to an end anytime soon.
High Point: The high point of the decade was the 2015 11-2 team. They were 8-1 in the regular season with their only loss a 25-0 shutout at Anniston. The Valley Cubs allowed 20.8 points per game, while scoring 37.5 points per game. They won their first three play-off games and were sitting at 11-1 and had a semi-final game upcoming with Mortimer Jordan, a team they had beaten during the regular season.
Low Point: The low point was the ending of the (3-7) 2013 season when the Valley Cubs lost their last three games and the last one was at home to Leeds 44-17.
Home Record: Alexandria is tough to beat at home. The Valley Cubs put together a 38-16 record at Lou Scales Stadium over the decade. They were undefeated at home in the 2017 and 2019 seasons. They averaged 33 points a game at home during the decade.
Away Record: The Valley Cubs were 29-25 on the road in the last decade.
Play-Offs: Alexandria made eight play-off trips in the decade, and ended with a 5-8 record. The 2015 team made it to the semi-finals before losing to Mortimer Jordan. They had play-off wins in 2011 and 2019 and the rest of their appearances were one and done.
Streaks: The decade ended with the Valley Cubs having completed six straight winning seasons and riding a six-game home winning streak. They won 11 straight regular season games in the 2014-2015 seasons. They started the 2015 season with seven straight wins and the 2019 season with six consecutive wins.
Coaches: Frank Tucker coached the Valley Cubs the first eight years of the decade posting a 54-33 record. Todd Ginn followed him in 2018 and is 14-8 after two seasons.
Players: Linebacker Devin Burton, kicker Grayson Forrest and athlete Ronnie Royal were all-state selections in 2019. Athlete Grayson Chaffin (2017), offensive lineman Dakota Sams (2014-2015), athlete Jamal Tucker (2015), running back Keenan Woodruff (2015), defensive back Justice Owens (2012), offensive lineman Taylor Watts (2012) and running back Jarline Lee (2011) were other all-state selections during the decade.
Toughest Opponent: Anniston gave the Valley Cubs the most problems during the decade as the Bulldogs won 4 of 6 games. Arch-rival Jacksonville was always a tough game with Alexandria owned a 6-4 edge in the series.
Easiest Opponent: Douglas ranks as the easiest opponent during the decade as the Valley Cubs went 4-0 and averaged 52 points a game in the four wins. The Valley Cubs were 4-1 vs St. Clair County and 5-1 against Boaz.
Best Offense: The best offensive team of the decade was the 2015 team as the Valley Cubs averaged 37 points a game on their way to an 11-2 season. They scored 65 points on Cherokee County, 56 points on Moody and 50 points on St Clair County to highlight the season.
Best Defense: The 2019 defense under second-year coach Todd Ginn only allowed 14 points a game and posted a pair of shutouts. Seven times during the season they held their opponents to two touchdowns or less.
Best Team: The 2015 team posted the best record of the decade (11-2) and had the deepest playoff run as they defeated West Point 41-2, Pleasant Grove 36-14 and Russellville 22-14 before reaching the semi-finals of the state playoffs. They were knocked off by Mortimer Jordan 42-36, a team they had beaten during the regular season 39-36.
2020 Alexandria Schedule
(Pre-pandemic, opponent 2019 record in parenthesis)
Aug. 21 – Open
Aug. 28 – vs. Jacksonville (12-3)
Sept. 4 – at Center Point (9-4)
Sept. 11 – at St Clair Co. (0-10)
Sept. 18 – vs. Corner (7-4)
Sept. 25 – at Cleburne Co (1-9)
Oct. 2 – vs. Hayden (3-7)
Oct. 9 – at Lincoln (9-3)
Oct. 16 – vs. Moody (4-6)
Oct. 23 – at Leeds (2-8)
Oct. 30 – vs. Piedmont (14-1)
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