WEST POINT, Ala. – It’s nearly time to kick off another football season in Cullman County and the West Point Warriors have been hard at work this offseason preparing to get back on the gridiron. Head Coach Kevin McCravy is entering his second season at the helm and after spending his first offseason split between West Point and Russellville, he’s been happy to be with his team every step of the way this time around.
“We ended the year last season with 53 players and started spring with 90 so the program is growing. That number is sitting around 78 right now so the roster has grown a little bit. We’ve had a really productive offseason and have worked really hard,” McCravy said. “We got started right after Thanksgiving and we haven’t stopped so it’s really good to see the personal barriers that these kids have torn down throughout the offseason. It really helps that I was here for the offseason and not driving from Russellville every day. So, that’s really helped me to be present every day for the offseason program. I’ve got my feet planted now and being here in the offseason has probably been the biggest difference so far.”
One of this year’s returning starters, running back Ollie Howell, has taken on a leadership role this offseason and is trying to bring even more of the young players along so they can contribute on Friday nights.
“I think the most important thing for us to teach the young guys coming is the heartbeat of our culture and our team. That’s one thing that we’ve really been trying to push to our younger guys. Just letting them know that we’re here for them if they need it and we’re here for them on the field too,” Howell said. “I just started my walk with Christ myself in January and I just recently started really praying and it’s helped me calm myself before I go off to a camp or do anything. I’ve just been asking Him to give me the power to do my best every day.”
One of the things that McCravy and his staff have focused on in the lead up to this season is building depth. To help create that depth, competition has been expected and encouraged inside the building and McCravy believes that mentality will help the Warriors outlast their opponents this fall.
“Creating competition has kind of been our main theme throughout this offseason. Right now, I can’t say for sure that this person is starting or that person is starting because every day we’re competing. Nobody is really guaranteed anything right now and that’s how we’re approaching things,” McCravy said. “That’s one of the things we’ve done this offseason is create depth at certain positions and the kids know it too. They know when they go out on the field that someone is going to be pushing them every day. They know that they may be the starting tight end today but there’s someone right behind me that could take that spot tomorrow. That’s something we’ve really hung our hat on this offseason, just keep pushing each other, create competition every day and we’ll decide who’s going to line up on Friday night. That’s been a really good thing for us as a team is creating that competition.”
2025 West Point Football Schedule (5A, Region 7)
Aug. 22 – at Haleyville
Aug. 29 – at Good Hope
Sept. 5 – Fairview*
Sept. 12 – at Lawrence County*
Sept. 26 – Hayden
Oct. 3 – at Priceville*
Oct. 10 – East Limestone*
Oct. 17 – at Russellville*
Oct. 24 – Ardmore*
Oct. 30 – Brewer
*Region Game
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