Spotlight: Justin Woods

Justin Woods-#13

Senior-Defensive Back

" I expect us to focus on the game in front of us not the games in the future and succeed."

Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration and why?
A: Tim Tebow. First because he's a pure athlete and one of the greatest players in the game. He has all the fame in the world but he allows all his glory to go to God. I really like how he balances the game he loves with being an icon for Christ.

Q: What do you look most forward to during the season?
A: Just being out of the field with those guys and growing closer as a family. To work together as a unit for one common goal.

Q: What do you do as a hobby or other than football?
A:  I really enjoy spending time with my friends and family because they mean the world to me.

Q: What's your favorite quote?
A:  "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Because it's saying that you're going to face hard times but have faith and trust in God because he has overcome all these things.


Q: What memory will you never forget from being on this team?
A: All the time spent with this team not just on the field, but working out with them in the off seasons and all the time we all spent together on dinners and get togethers. It's a really special family bond.


Q: What motivates you on gameday?
A:  The fans. And of course Coach Partridge's pregame speech. That get's the whole defense going.


Q: If you were to have another position on the football team, what would you want it to be?A: If I had to choose anything besides Safety I guess Quarterback. Just seems fun.


Q: If you could be known for one thing what would it be?
A:   Being someone who stood for more than just what everybody else did. To be a leader on and off the field.



Q: What do you think it is about Hewitt that makes football season such a special time?
A:  The atmosphere. The South is huge on football and at Hewitt it's a way of life. From the parents to the students to the players everyone loves high school football. How could you not?

 

Q: If you could say one thing to all of the fans, what would it be?

A: Keep doing what you're doing. It's so awesome for us to hear ya'll cheering so loud and getting crazy for the football team. Oh and MUSH!

First Publication of the season: August 25, 2011

My first publication in The Trussville Tribune was a picture of Colby Cryer's game-winning field goal at the Jamboree against Pinson.

Check out The Trussville Tribune's Facebook page here!

Check out The Trussville Tribune website here!

Check out pictures from the Jamboree game here!

Check out this article here!

Spotlight: Zach Battles

Zach Battles-#51

Senior-Nose Guard

"We are bringing the freaking Hammer, no matter who is in the way."

Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration and why?
A: My biggest inspiration is Anthony Robles. He is the prime example of it's not how good of cards you get dealt but how well you play them. He won a national title in D1 wrestling with being born with only one leg. Everything is possible with God.

Q: What do you think it is about Hewitt that makes football season such a special time?
A:  What makes HT football so special is that we are one big family. Everybody knows everybody. After every game my parents tell me they saw "so and so." Trussville is one big community where everybody knows everybody and it has that family bond on Friday nights. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Q: What do you look most forward to during the season?
A: I look foward to every Friday night. The feeling you get when the HT is on your chest, lights are on, band is playing, stands are full, and 120 brothers beside you. Nothing can describe it.

Q: What do you do as a hobby or other than football?
A: Other than football, I hang with my friends, workout, play video games, and just enjoy life.

Q: If you could be known for one thing what would it be?
A:  If I could be known for one thing, it would be being the athlete that loved everybody and loved Jesus. "He was always smiling, but when he had pads on he was no joke."

Q: What's your favorite quote?
A: "Hate to lose more then you love to win."

Q: What motivates you on gameday?
A: A few things motivate me on gameday: not letting my brothers, family, and coaches down. Seeing the Dog Pound full and crazy makes me want to play even more, and seeing 3 of my best friends that are fellow seniors out makes me wanna play for them.

Q: If you were to have another position on the football team, what would you want it to be?A: If I could play another position, it would have to be QB. Yeah, they get killed and beat up, but they get all the glory and fame. Everybody loves the QB (Carr Tigner).

Q: What memory will you never forget from being on this team?
A: I'll never forget the memories and time I have spent with the guys. All the cutting up, shabooyas, pranks, workouts, pracitces, blood, sweat, and tears we have shed together. There is nothing in life that compares to a band of brothers like this. I LOVE every one of those guys and I owe them a HUGE thank you for everything.

Q: If you could say one thing to all of the fans, what would it be?

A: This is actually my favorite question.. The fans are one thing I'll always remember about Hewitt. They don't realize how much I and the team love them. They are better than Alabama fans, Auburn fans, Hoover fans, Clay fans, THEY ARE THE BEST. I cant thank them enough for all they do.
MUSH!

Who's your pick for Birmingham?! ....Mine's clearly Carr Tigner! Vote!

Hewitt's Quarterback, Carr Tigner, is a candidate for The Birmingham News metro player of the week! Make sure you vote for Carr! Vote here!

Spotlight: Denzel McDonald

DENZEL McDONALD-#9

Senior-Defensive Back

Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.-Vince Lombardi

Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration and why?
A: Matt Partridge, because he has been in our shoes, and he cares about us.

Q: What do you think it is about Hewitt that makes football season such a special time?
A:  I think it's the close relationships and the tradition of the town that makes it so special.

Q: What do you look most forward to during the season?
A: I always look forward to seeing the Dog Pound going crazy and the atmosphere on Friday nights.

Q: What do you do as a hobby or other than football?
A:  I play video games and listen to music.

Q: If you could be known for one thing what would it be?
A: I want to be known for having the most interceptions, kickoff returns, or punt returns in a career.

Q: What's your favorite quote?
A: “If you look good, you feel good, If you feel good, you play good, If you play good, they pay good.” -Deion Sanders

Q: What motivates you on gameday?
A: When my dad, Matt, or Coach Partridge sends me a inspiring text on game day.

Q: If you were to have another position on the football team, what would you want it to be?
A:  I would want to be a Corner Back so I would still be apart of HTD.

Q: What memory will you never forget from being on this team?
A: I will never forget Carr giving up his starting safety spot to be our starting quarterback.

Q: If you could say one thing to all of the fans, what would it be?
A: Thank you for all of the support and y'all are the best fans football has ever seen!

Spotlight: Nick Weller

NICK WELLER-#3

Senior-Linebacker

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender" Vince Lombardi

Q: Who is your inspiration, and why?

A:  Chad Phillips because he has been with the MIT program since I was in the 8th grade. He pushes everyone to their limits to make them mentally and physically stronger.

Q: What do you think it is about Hewitt that makes football season such a special time?

A: Our fan base is amazing! They always cheer us on no matter the situation. Also, knowing you have 120+ friends always having your back.

Q: What do you look most forward to during the season?

A: Our team proving everyone wrong every year.

Q: What do you do as a hobby or other than football?

A: Play xbox and hangout with friends.

Q: If you could be known for one thing what would it be?

A: Leaving everything "on the field" whether it be during football or a job.

Q: What's your favorite quote?

A: "It's not whether you got knocked down; it's whether you get back up" -Vince Lombardi

Q: What motivates you on gameday?
A: Seeing how excited everyone is especially in the school.

Q: If you were to have another position on the football team, what would you want it to be?
A: Halfback just because it's fun to hit.

Q: What memory will you never forget from being on this team?

A: My junior year when we were predicted to be 5-5, and we went 9-3.

Q: If you could say one thing to all of the fans, what would it be?

A: Keep up the enthusiasm! We love hearing our fans screaming and cheering for us.





Friday Night Lights.

So...we've started another football season! It makes me so happy to see "my" guys out on the field doing what they love, and giving everything to achieve the ultimate goal-the state championship. My football guys (Hewitt-Trussville) started last night, and played against Gardendale. I'm not sure if it was "10,000 Strong," but I'll tell you that those guys were the most fired up I've seen them in a long time, and I see those guys a lot. As all of Trussville, and most of Gardendale knows..I was tackled last year at the HT vs. Gardendale game and EVERYONE saw it, but I'm happy to report that I didn't get "MUSHed on" this year- see tackle here. Everyone always says to me..."Anna, thank you so much for what you do," but it's more of a privilege for me to walk out on the field with their son, it's not a job for me. I always call the football team "my football boys" or "my football guys" because that's what they are. I don't want to be just another photographer taking his picture as he makes his first tackle or wins his last high school game, I want to be the friend with him along the way to say "you got this," to pat him on the back and say "you'll get them next time" and to show their struggle to get what they want in the photo I take of them. I don't really know what it is about high school football, and especially Hewitt football, but once you've left, you're never really gone. I feel like the luckiest person to be able to say, "yep, I hang out with the the Hewitt football team." This group of guys this year are so close to my heart, and I love every single one of the players. I will never forget getting offered the job of  working for The Trussville Tribune, and thinking it wasn't what I wanted, but now...I don't want anything different. I consider myself blessed to walk among this team, and I have The Trussville Tribune  to thank for that. I would've never imagined enjoying this job so much, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Anyhow, since I've already written a "mushy" blog post- no pun intended, I'll leave y'all with this, I'm so proud of my football guys for their victory against Gardendale! We have a great season up ahead of us, so everyone watch out! They're most certainly "bringing the hammer!"

Here are a few photos from the Gardendale game! Enjoy!