Alabama high school football: 9 breakout stars from the Gadsden area at the midway point

Even with all the research ahead of the season, sometimes a player will break out during the Alabama high school football season .

This year, at least nine Gadsden area athletes have broken out while at the midway point of the football season. Most of those breakout performances have helped lead their teams to fast starts on the year, with some of the undefeated or one-loss teams featuring breakout stars. Some were known last year, like all-area selection Brody Blevins, who is now starring at quarterback, but some are breaking out, like Kai Franklin.

Here are nine breakout stars from the Gadsden area:

Brody Blevins, Westbrook Christian

Blevins was a Gadsden Times all-area selection last year, so he's not completely a breakout player, but that honor was as a defensive back, and he's now leading the Warriors at quarterback. He has run for 662 yards and nine touchdowns while throwing for 299 more and three scores. So far, he's looking like the next great Steve Smith-coached quarterback.

Jameel Boyd, Southside

Boyd has taken over the reins from Mason Teague for the Panthers and has been a star so far. He ran for almost 200 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Lee earlier this year and has been a major contributor for the Panthers.

Tae Diamond and Keyshawn Woods, Cherokee County

It was assumed that this duo would be taking on the gap left by Jacob Cornejo, but they have exploded onto the scene as one of the best 1-2 punches in the area. Diamond has run for 542 yards and nine touchdowns, while Woods has 510 yards and nine scores.

Kai Franklin, Gadsden City

Franklin has gone 64 of 103 for 877 yards and eight touchdowns for the Titans in the first four games. He has stepped into the quarterback role, leading the Titans to a 3-1 record this year as a junior.

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Sam Garrison, Susan Moore

Garrison has thrown for 466 yards and seven touchdowns on the year as the Bulldogs got off to a 2-3 start. He has shown prowess on the ground with 733 yards and six touchdowns, too.

Brenton Hale, Hokes Bluff

Hale is coming off of a 151-yard, three-touchdowns night against Anniston, supplanting his breakout season with a big night in a playoff-impacting game. On the year, he has run for 307 yards and five touchdowns for the Eagles, who are 4-0. He's a part of a potent backfield with Bryce Whitaker, who has 424 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

Kane Robison, Sand Rock

Robison's breakout started at the end of the last season, and he has basically picked up where he left off in the first five games of the year. So far, he has run for 473 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards a carry. He is a major reason the Wildcats are out to a 3-2 start.

Clayton Sadler, Spring Garden

Sadler has been a great breakout star to a potent Spring Garden backfield. He has carved out his own role, running for just around 100 yards in each game, breaking the century mark once as the Panthers have gotten to a 5-0 start.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Alabama high school football: 9 breakout stars from the Gadsden area at the midway point