State of the Program ... Alcoa (TN)
Alcoa (TN)
Head Coach: Brian Gossett (entering 15th season at Alcoa; 20th overall)
Staff: J.D. Smither, Mo Harrison, Jim Blackford
The 2020-2021 season impacted some programs significantly more than others across the Southeast. There were teams that got very few matches and others that decided not to have a season at all. Alcoa struggled as a team, but still found some individual success in 2021. One way to do that is to get 2020 285 lb. State Champ Lance Williams back in the mix. Williams won a state title as a freshman, but missed the second-half of the 2020-2021 season because of injury. Williams is a force both on the mat and on the gridiron (already fielding offers from SEC schools during his Sophomore season).
Alcoa also returns a very young squad and several 2021 State Qualifiers. Both Owen McCall and Trevor Almand qualified as sophomores a year ago and should be hunting for a spot on the podium in 2022. Keep an eye on Ryan Stephens and Brandon Mora - both return and will look to make some noise in 2022. The Tornadoes also add freshman Troy Almand who should make an impact in 21-22. The Tornadoes have the pieces to make some noise in 1A in 2022 after a challenging 20-21 season.
“The program hopes to get back on solid ground after a difficult season in 2020-2021.”