Kia AutoSport Athletes of the Week: Russell County Football

Seale, AL – Last season the Russell County football team didn’t win their first game until the middle of October. This year, when the Warriors flipped their calendars to October they had a 5-1 overall record. Many could see this Warriors’ season as an overnight success, but Head Coach Dillon Griggs says he and his staff saw the potential years ago.

“You know we came down here four years ago, and we told the freshmen if you stick with us we believe we’re on the cusp of something special,” said Coach Griggs. “To see it going into fruition and to see their hard work it’s just nice to see them enjoy the fruits of that labor.”

To get to this point as a football team, Coach Griggs asked his team had to do something that could be difficult for anyone and that’s to be patient.

“Patience is not an easy thing. Just to think about all the high’s and low’s through the last four years. Just to know that they come and attack the day every day. It’s just a blessing to wake up every day and be around these 92 kids,” said Griggs.

The Warriors’ patience and their hard work has paid off in this 2024 season so far. It started by establishing a new culture around the Russell County football team.

“It’s great. The whole energy, effort and all that stuff it’s different from last year. All the results are just paying off,” said junior quarterback Bryson Riggins.

“It feels amazing for real. Just you know, keep grinding and keep doing everything we’ve been doing, and see what the outcome will be,” said senior defensive end Kameron Reese.

While the 5-1 overall record through six weeks is impressive, the Warriors are determined to reach much higher goals.

“We’re not used to it, a little bit, down here but I just tell my teammates just to be humble and everything is going to come,” said Riggins.

“We’re trying to win big for real. I want to end off my senior year with a big win and everything,” said Reese.

The victories aren’t only enjoyed by the football team, and the coaching staff. Head Coach Griggs says his team is helping to uplift their community, and he treasures his players’ loyalty.

“You know to see these kids these days be loyal, and to care about their school. To take pride in what’s going on locally it’s just really exciting and great to be a part of,” said Griggs.

Congratulations to our newest Kia AutoSport Athletes of the Week the Russell County Football team.

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