Extra Point Previews: Northside Methodist Knights

DOTHAN, Ala ( WDHN ) — It can be difficult moving from the AISA ranks to the AHSAA in high school football, but going into their third season of playoff eligibility, the Northside Methodist Knights feel like it’s time to show they belong.

“What we’re preaching this year is acting more like your family member at the table at the Alabama High School Athletic Association,” said Knights head coach Stefan Gainey. “Instead of acting like a guest, it’s time that we start showing up like we belong. So that’s how we kind of go on about the summer. Just saying, hey, we’re here. You belong. Start showing up with a little more confidence.”

The Knights lost a lot of experience and production from their 2023 team—seniors that had played for three-plus seasons—but those players helped instill a better work ethic in those to come after them. Coach Gainey says this year’s Knights are all about taking care of business.

“Jordan Sanford is the heartbeat of our defense. He’s been a three-year starter at linebacker, so he’s the quarterback of our defense,” Gainey said. “Very happy to have John Michael Mordecai back at quarterback leading us offensively. A young receiver, Jeremy Jeffcoat, who’s been doing really well for us, as well as offensive line. We have Ross Overby back as a three-year starter as well as Cash Smith. So those are a couple of names that we really need to show up.”

Of course, the ultimate goal every year is to make the playoffs and compete for a state championship, but this year’s Knights will have a chance to make history almost every single week.

“We have coined this year the bowl game year. We have 10 teams on our schedule that we’ve never beat or we’ve never played. So we’re approaching this year, every win is legendary,” Gainey explained. “We’re putting a bowl game tag on it because, as we know, bowl games usually create rivalries or you get to see matchups that you’ve never seen before. So we’re choosing to look at it in a positive way. We’re putting a positive spin on it, so it’s bowl game year for us.”

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