Fairhope Storm suits up for 2021

Home opener set for March 27 at Fairhope Municipal Stadium

TONY WHITEHEAD, Gulf Coast Media Sports
Posted 3/1/21

FAIRHOPE, Ala.  – The Fairhope Storm kicks off their second season with a road game at Biloxi. Although the semi-pro team, like others, has  had to deal with the pandemic, they …

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Fairhope Storm suits up for 2021

Home opener set for March 27 at Fairhope Municipal Stadium

Posted

FAIRHOPE, Ala.  – The Fairhope Storm kicks off their second season with a road game at Biloxi on March 13. Although the semi-pro team, like others, has  had to deal with the pandemic, they accomplished a lot as a novice program in a novel league since last spring. The Storm made the playoffs in 2020 and finished 11th  overall in it’s rookie season in a league totaling 35 teams. They also won  their first round playoff  the 2020 post season , but lost to the eventual West Division champions.

Head coach Fred Riley said the team has about half of 2020’s roster returning with the other half a mix of experience and first-year players

“It’s looking and feeling like the chemistry and energy is really good. Just a lot of potential for us this year,” he said.

“We think that we are also a little older and a little wiser as a staff having learned a lot last year about what it takes to win in semi-pro football. We like this team we’ve put together. It’s actually a little younger overall compared to last year. But I think the youthful talent together with the experienced guys coming back will be a good fit for us.

"It’s a near half-and-half mixture of new guys and veterans and that will be a real positive thing for us overall. Of course, we always emphasize the sense of ministry and service here. We each have each others’ back. And the chemistry feels right.”

Some returning key players include Darius Powell of Foley High, LaMarcus Farmer who also played at UAB out of Spain Park, inside linebacker Austin Lindsey who returns as a team captain. Jarius Bush at center also returns with solid playing experience as well as leadership-role-model credibility.

“We’re expecting big things from Austin as a player and a leader and Jarius, too. He will be a real impact player on the offensive side, of the ball” Riley said.

Another local player returning to the Storm will be Storm special team’s place kicker Jose Mendoza. He is also a former Foley Lion who Riley believes was the best kicker in the league last year along with long snapper Tristan Catlin (also of Foley High).

Paris Chambers out of McGill-Toolen Catholic is a newcomer but is expected to make a big impact at quarterback. Chambers led the Yellow Jackets to the state championship in 2015. Riley added that up front helping to protect the ball handlers will be Hercules Keil (Foley) and Gabe McKinney (W.S.Neal).

“Adding some guys like Gabe and Hercules will have a positive impact and allow us to do a lot more offensively,” Riley said.

The offensive formation will probably return to a basic spread look, especially early, in order to adjust to personnel – especially at tight end.

On the defensive side, the Storm will show a “basic” three-four as well as a “pressure” three-four.

Storm defensive coordinator Edwin Frazier likes what he sees so far on that side of the ball.

“My philosophy is and always has been to be aggressive and fly to the ball,” he said. “We create turnovers and give the ball back to the offense. I’m defensive minded – like that old saying: “Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships,” is something I believe.“

The former Williamson High and University of Florida player added that it still takes talent and dedication to stop opposing offenses in their tracks.

“Of course, you have to have the players and I think we have a real talented line up this season. And I think the players are excited to step on the field again. I know I am,” Frazier added. “We have a lot of maturity  that will elevate us to the next level. And with a mix of some key pieces coming back and some new young guys with state championship experience, they are used to winning and that’s what we want to aim for every day.”

Linebacker Austin Lindsay out of Gardendale will be the Storm’s defensive captain.

“Austin is a returning guy with a lot of experience and he’s a good leader and role model,” Frazier said. “In the secondary we have DmarJae Casey who’s also back. He is a great guy when it comes to finding the ball. And MarJae loves contact and can get there in a hurry.” 

Casey is another former Foley Lion. The Storm opens on the road March 13 at Biloxi and travels again March 20 to play at the Alabama Steel. The Storm’s home opener is set for March 27 at Fairhope Municipal Stadium at 7 p.m.

For  updates  and more information see:  Visit  FairhopeStorm.com Related Link below

FAIRHOPE STORM PLAYERS, POSITION, HIGH SCHOOL

2- KJ MINNIEFIELD- DB, DAPHNE HIGH

3- LAMARCUS FARMER -WR, SPAIN PARK HIGH

4-HUNTER MONTE-RB, DAPHNE HIGH     

5-DARIUS POWELL- WR, FOLEY HIGH 

6-DWAYNE KOEN- DB, BALDWIN COUNTY HIGH      

7-ERIC WESTRY- LB, PRATTVILLE HIGH  

8-TREY DIXON-WR, FLOMATON HIGH   

9-LAMICHAEL KIRKSEY- LB, MCGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC

10-AJ EVANS- DB, DAVIDSON HIGH     

11-BRASTON SIMMOMS- DB, MGM HIGH  

12-JOSHUA NORWOOD-WR, BLOUNT HIGH    

13-KYREE LEGGETT-DB, VIGOR HIGH

14-PARIS CHAMBERS-QB,  MCGILL-TOOLEN CATHOLIC   

15-GE BARRON- WR, ESCAMBIA COUNTY HIGH   

16-JOSE MENDOZA- P/PK, FOLEY HIGH   

17-DMARJAE CASEY-DB, FOLEY HIGH   

19- XAVIER POWELL- WR, B.C. RAIN

20-CODY NORRIS-WR, DAVIDSON HIGH

21- XAVIER  POWELL,  B.C. RAIN    

22- JAMEL GRACE-LB, FLOMATON HIGH  

23-MARQ QUINNIE-RB, MGM HIGH  

24-RONALD COOPER-DB , VIGOR HIGH

26- JIM BROWNING-DB, HOUSTON, TEXAS 

27-AUSTIN LINDSAY- LB, GARDENDALE HIGH  

29- TASHAON PETTWAY DB, BLOUNT HIGH

33-JUSTIN CHESS-DB, WILLIAMSON HIGH 

34-TRISTAN CATLIN-DL, FOLEY HIGH  

44-JAMAL VINES -RB , SPANISH FORT HIGH

45- TY WILLIAMS- DL, W.S. NEAL

48- DEVIN BETTS- LB, EXCEL HIGH  

50-GREG RUGGS- OL/DL, BLOUNT HIGH    

52/74- BREVIN ELDRIDGE- OL/DL, BLOUNT HIGH

55-RAYMOND BROWN-OL/DL, BLOUNT HIGH   

56- FRED MCDONALD= DL/OL, GULFPORT, MISS. 

57-GABE MCKINNEY-DL/DL, W.S. NEAL HIGH

58-HERCULES KEIL-OL/DL, FOLEY HIGH  

62-JARIOUS BUSH-OL/DL , BLOUNT HIGH

65- RAY HUNT- OL/DL, BLOUNT HIGH

74/52- BREVIN ELDRIDGE- OL/DL, BLOUNT HIGH

The Storm 2021 Football Schedule

MARCH 6 OPEN

MARCH 13 BILOXI DRAGONS AWAY

MARCH 20 ALABAMA STEEL AWAY  4PM

MARCH 27 BIRMINGHAM CHARGERS HOME 7PM

APRIL 3RD EASTER WEEKEND

APRIL 10 CLARKSVILLE CHIEFS HOME 3PM

APRIL 17 ALABAMA SABERS AWAY  TBA

APRIL 24 BILOXI DRAGONS HOME TBA

MAY 1 ALABAMA STEEL HOME   TBA