PREP NOTEBOOK: Jackson has Greene County off to best start since 2004

Certain professions in life require confidence as a mandatory job prerequisite.

Coaching falls into that category.

So when Bruce Jackson took the head coaching position for the Greene County High School football team, he believed strongly in his ability to turn the program around and make it a winner.

Since 2004, the Tigers hadn't won more than three games in a season, going 2-8 (2004), 2-8 (2005), 3-8 (2006) and 2-8 (2007).

Jackson accepted the job two weeks before school started and wasn't afforded the time for two-a-day practices or to establish a summer weight lifting program.

So far, it hasn't hindered Greene County (5-2, 3-2), as evidenced by last week's upset against defending Class 3A state champion Cordova, 54-49.

The Tigers are in fourth place in Region 4 behind Gordo, Cordova and Sumter County, which are all tied atop the region with 4-1 records.

Greene County plays at Sumter County on Oct. 24.

Jackson is in his first season as a head coach after spending four years at Stillman as defensive backs coach. He was the defensive coordinator on Central's state championship team last season.

He said his belief that you can win if you do things the right way is why he took the Tigers' job.

'I feel like you can win anywhere,' Jackson. 'You can do it anywhere if you establish good character and discipline and you teach them the right way. That's the way I feel regardless of where you're at.'

Jackson said he visited with Central coach Melvin Pete after Greene County's upset of Cordova.

'It was big. He was very proud of me,' Jackson said. 'He told me, ‘You can't hide any more. You're name is out there now.'

'We talked about the win for about a minute. Then we kind of started reminiscing.'

Jackson said his goal was to simply build a program.

'For this season, we're trying to prepare to change,' Jackson said of his program's perception. 'I know we weren't in the weight room. I've spent a lot of time teach them techniques. Working more and more with certain players. How well they catch on will determine how far we go.'

The Tigers started the season with a win against Wilcox-Central 20-6, before losing to Aliceville 20-6. They won three straight against West Blocton (62-21), Sumiton Christian (46-23) and Livingston (42-20) before dropping a contest to Gordo 44-14.

Greene County collected its biggest win of the season last week in a shootout against Cordova.

'I already knew coming in we'd have a hard time stopping them,' Jackson said. 'We have a lot of ninth and 10th graders on defense trying to stop (Tim Simon). He's a big guy. We tried to get as many guys to the ball as we could. You just can't win that battle.

'But we kept hitting them and stay disciplined.'

Greene County hosts Northside on Friday.

Volleyball playoffs

American Christian Academy won the Class 2A, Area 7 Championship Monday night.

The Patriots defeated Fultondale 25-14, 25-14 and 25-10 to claim the title.

ACA will play Thorsby at Ohatchee on Saturday at 11:15 a.m. in the regional tournament. If the Patriots win, they play the winner of the Shades Mountain/Isabella game at 1:30 p.m.

If ACA places first or second in the regional tournament they will host a sub-state playoff game on Oct. 23.

ACA coach Kevin Mosley said the Patriots' success goes through their senior setter Bekah Hoppis.

'Everything goes through our setter,' Mosley said. 'Bekah is a tremendous athlete. Many teams ask me when she is graduating. With her athleticism she can turn bad plays into good plays. She literally touches the ball every possession. She's what makes our team go.'

Holy Spirit (30-8) won the Class 1A, Area 6 title Monday night defeating Jefferson Christian 25-17, 25-18 and 25-13 and Parkway Christian 25-22, 25-22, 25-16.

Holy Spirit (30-8) will play the runner-up of Region 7 on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Donoho in the regional tournament.

If the Titans finish first or second they will host a sub-state playoff game on Oct. 23.

Holy Spirit coach Jennifer Cusimano said a weekend tournament helped focus her team.

'My whole team has stepped it up,' Cusimano said. 'We played in a tournament in Gulf Shores last weekend and the girls played with some confidence. I told them they were playing like a completely different team.

'They are playing up to their potential.'

Tuscaloosa Chrisitan reunion

The Tuscaloosa Christian football team will celebrate the 25th reunion of its 1983 Alabama Christian Education Association state championship team Friday night before its game against Victory Baptist School.

There will be a reception from 4 p.m. till 6 at the school.

Head coach Johnny Jones and assistant coach Jimmy Montgomery will present each player with a commerative plaque at halftime.

For more information E-mail J.D. Vick at jvick@tcswarriors.org

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron.suttles@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0229.