After two years of heartbreak, Coosa Christian football seniors ready to make one final run

It's been two offseasons of heartbreak for Coosa Christian football .

After the 2022 season, when a last-second Hail Mary pass by Pickens County took them down in the semifinals, the players said they were going to use that feeling to get better and bring home a state title. In 2023, they got past Pickens County and into the state title game, but gave up a 14-point lead to start another offseason of asking what if.

For the players, including senior quarterback John David Justus, the loss in the state title game was worse knowing they were so close.

"It was one of the worst feelings that I have ever had playing sports. Nobody wants to lose in states, especially after going that far and being up half the game. Nobody wants to comeback and lose to that. It's one of the worst feelings I have ever had," Justus said.

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Just like last offseason, the Conquerors have used the pain they felt to get better on the field and in the weight room. It's a delicate balance, though, trying to use that loss for motivation but also trying to move on to a new season. They are still working through some of the final steps of coming together as a new team, but they are confident once they get through that, they will be fine as they know what it takes.

"For sure, we have some things we need to work on, like team things, we need to merge together. Once we get that down pat we know what it takes, two years in a row we have went to round four or beyond. Once we get it down pat, we'll be good," Justus said.

The good news is that they return plenty from not just a state title team, but players who have helped the rebuild from the day head coach Mark O'Bryant took over the program in 2020. Justus accounted for 30 touchdowns and more than 2,100 yards last season, while O'Bryant's son Clete is an athlete in every sense of the word. He racked up more than 120 tackles playing a linebacker-safety hybrid position and had seven offensive touchdowns.

They bring back three of their four leading tacklers, as well, and three of their five leading rushers. They also have strong depth across the trenches. They have an experienced group, but with that comes a group that has previously experienced success.

The biggest challenge for the Conquerors is how they battle complacency, and Mark O'Bryant knows that.

"It's the million dollar question, it's a really good question. Complacency is the root of all killers," the head coach said. "... Complacency here can be achieved really easy. If you're okay playing, that's another reason that I play way up. You can't be complacent or you'll get run off the field."

One thing that could help is the schedule O'Bryant laid out, which includes Pierce County in Georgia, Pell City and Tuscaloosa Academy. It's highlighted by defending Class 2A state champions Fyffe, who are now in Class 3A, but they will help show the Conquerors the big difference between Class 1A and 2A, the depth of top teams.

"There's not, there's probably in 1A you got four to six teams that are really good. In 2A you have double that," O'Bryant said. "Its the same plays."

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: After two years of heartbreak, Coosa Christian football seniors ready to make one final run