Mobile Christian has long been known for the skill-position talent that has powered its offense, but if the Leopards hoist a state championship trophy this December, coach Ronnie Cottrell says it may be his linemen doing the heavy lifting.
A goal-line stand by the defense and a consistently dominant push from the offensive line highlighted Mobile Christian’s 21-7 spring-game win over St. Stanislaus on May 18 in Poplarville, Miss., a performance that put the Leopards’ strength at the line of scrimmage on full display.
“I like this team,” Cottrell said after the victory. “From a defensive perspective, I think we’ll be outstanding. This could be one of the best offensive lines I’ve had here. I think we can do extremely well in 3A.”
The stakes are clear for Mobile Christian this fall: the program’s goal remains winning the school’s first AHSAA state football championship, a pursuit made more urgent after the Leopards were forced to forfeit three region wins last season for using an ineligible player. Despite that setback, Mobile Christian still won six straight games before a semifinal loss ended any shot at a third appearance in the Super 7.
Cottrell said that disappointment still motivates his players.
“This is an outstanding senior group,” he said. “They’ve been very focused since the season was over and they played that way Thursday. I sense they have a chip on their shoulders. They want to make this season special.”
Much of that push will come from the trenches. The defensive front is led by four-star linebacker/defensive end Sterling Dixon, who holds a commitment to Alabama, while the offensive line is anchored by junior center Bo Cagle, who is developing into a significant college prospect in his own right.
“The offensive line got a lot of movement and the defensive line held the point (of attack),” Cottrell said. “You can see our strength program has helped our team.”
Dixon’s presence was felt even in a limited stat line — he finished with just four tackles, including one for a big loss, a sign that the rest of the defensive front is holding up its end. The goal-line stand itself was made by other linemen, stopping St. Stanislaus twice from inside the 3-yard line.
“We do have a clearer picture, especially what our defense looks like,” Cottrell said. “They were phenomenal. When your defensive line can hold the point and keep people off your linebackers, it’s hard to not be successful.”
Junior linebacker Aiden Ransom stopped a third-down attempt, and the interior defensive line held firm on the decisive fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Junior defensive lineman Jaevin Jenkins recorded five tackles, three of them for losses.
“Defensively, we’ve got a lot of experience and talent,” Cottrell said. “When you have (safety) Camden Lawson on the back end and Sterling up front, we’re playing very well and connected.”
Offensively, Mobile Christian will break in an inexperienced quarterback room this fall, with sophomore Damian Gaston and freshman Jamison Roberts sharing snaps, along with freshman running back P.J. Brown. Their youth will be offset by an experienced offensive line led by Cagle, Diego Camboia and Bryson Fillingim.
Notably, the Leopards committed no turnovers in the spring game despite a freshman and a sophomore splitting time at quarterback.
“We took care of the ball,” Cottrell said.
Gaston completed 9 of 12 passes for 85 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown to Carson Cooper on a play where he escaped pressure, reversed field and found his receiver on the baseline.
“It was a very poised play,” Cottrell said. “Both quarterbacks played well. I was particularly pleased with their ability to keep their eyes downfield and make plays.”
Brown rushed for 61 yards on five carries with touchdown runs of 12 and 15 yards, while junior receiver Jordan Woullard added four catches for 62 yards.
Mobile Christian will also be breaking in a new home surface this fall — new artificial turf is being installed at Harrison Stadium in June, and the Leopards are scheduled to play four of their first five games there.