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Nathan McDaniel stepping down as Elberta High football coach, athletic director

Elberta High head football coach and athletic director Nathan McDaniel is stepping down after five years at the school. McDaniel turned in his resignation Friday morning. “It’s been an incredible honor and privilege to serve as the head football coach and athletic director at Elberta High School for the last five years,” he said in […]

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Nathan McDaniel stepping down as Elberta High football coach, athletic director

Elberta High head football coach and athletic director Nathan McDaniel is stepping down after five years at the school.

McDaniel turned in his resignation Friday morning.

“It’s been an incredible honor and privilege to serve as the head football coach and athletic director at Elberta High School for the last five years,” he said in a statement. “Elberta has been a blessing for me and my family, and I am eternally grateful for them, principal Branton Bailey, the Baldwin County Board of Education and the towns of Elberta, Summerdale and Lillian.”

McDaniel said the decision to step away was “100 percent” his call. The Warriors went 10-40 in his tenure but took significant steps forward in facilities and competitiveness during his time at the school.

“It has been a pleasure and an incredible challenge to try to get this program off the ground,” he said. “When we arrived in 2020, we didn’t even have the basic tools to compete at any level. Now, they have state-of-the-art facilities that will set this place up for future success. I feel like it is time for me to step aside and explore other opportunities.”

McDaniel said he would remain as athletic director for the remainder of the school year and re-evaluate what is next at that point.

“I am eternally grateful for the friendships and experiences that we have made over the last five years,” he said. “Elberta is a wonderful place, and I am blessed to have been a part of it. God is faithful, and I am excited to see what’s next.”

In a social media post, McDaniel also thanked his assistant coaches and the Elberta players along with his wife Tamara and their daughters, Mia Marie and Alma.

“We have awesome kids,” McDaniel said in his post.

McDaniel was just the third coach in Elberta’s short history. Greg Seibert started the program. The team went 5-9 in two seasons as a junior varsity program under Seibert, while playing mostly against varsity competition. Lanny Jones followed him but resigned in April 2020, having not coached a game.

The Warriors compete in Class 5A, Region 1 along with Vigor, Williamson, Citronelle, UMS-Wright, B.C. Rain, LeFlore and Faith Academy. Four of those schools (Vigor, UMS, LeFlore and Faith Academy) will also have new coaches in 2025.

McDaniel’s first head coaching job came at Baldwin County High where he went 31-29 in six seasons from 2014-2019.

Prior to his arrival at Baldwin County, he spent two years as defensive coordinator at Daleville, four years as linebackers coach at Prattville and two years as defensive coordinator at Daphne. He was a part of Prattville state championship teams in both 2008 and 2011.

Elberta vs. Gulf Shores

Elberta head coach, Nathan McDaniel speaks to his team prior to their game against Gulf Shores in Elberta, Ala., Friday, August 20th, 2021. (Travis Middleton | preps@al.com)Travis Middleton | Preps@al.com

BALDWIN COUNTY COACHES

Longest tenured current head football coaches in Baldwin County.

Phil Lazenby (Bayside Academy, Bayshore Christian) – 18 years

Tim Carter (Fairhope) – 10 years

Kenny King (Daphne) – 9 years

Keith Smith (Snook Christian) – 7 years

Chase Smith (Robertsdale, Orange Beach, Spanish Fort) – 6 years

Deric Scott (Foley) – 5 years

Philip Rivers (St. Michael) – 4 years

Mark Hudspeth (Gulf Shores) – 4 years

Barrett Trotter (Bayside Academy) – 2 years

Wade Waldrop (Orange Beach) – 1 year

Andrew Davis (Baldwin County) – 1 year

Based on football seasons completed.

The Robertsdale and Elberta jobs are currently open.

High School Sports

Weekly Rankings Notes

Las Vegas Clark athlete Dre Pollard, one of the most versatile players out west, owns offers at running back, receiver, and cornerback. One of Nevada’s top sprinters, Pollard ran multiple sub-10.7-second 100-meter times this spring, including a 10.61. That speed shows on the football field. Pollard plays with both initial quickness and the top-end speed to […]

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Weekly Rankings Notes

Las Vegas Clark athlete Dre Pollard, one of the most versatile players out west, owns offers at running back, receiver, and cornerback. One of Nevada’s top sprinters, Pollard ran multiple sub-10.7-second 100-meter times this spring, including a 10.61.

That speed shows on the football field. Pollard plays with both initial quickness and the top-end speed to pull away from a defense. As a junior, he rushed for 707 yards on 13.1 yards per carry, while catching 36 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns. Pollard also totaled 500-plus return yards, three return TDs, and recorded 32 tackles and one INT as he showed natural cover skills.

The athletic 6-foot, 175-pounder’s ceiling might be highest at corner, but some schools seem willing to let him start out on both sides of the ball. He’s now rated a high three-star 88 could continue to trend up with a strong senior year. – Biggins

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Preview

CIF San Diego Section Girls Lacrosse Championships When: Saturday Where: San Dieguito Academy Tickets: $17 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Division 1: (2) Del Norte (13-5) vs. (1) Carlsbad (18-4), 5 p.m. Preview: This is a rematch of last year’s Division 1 championship game, which Carlsbad won 9-8 in overtime. Expect this year’s […]

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Preview

CIF San Diego Section Girls Lacrosse Championships

When: Saturday

Where: San Dieguito Academy

Tickets: $17 for adults, $10 for students and seniors.

Division 1: (2) Del Norte (13-5) vs. (1) Carlsbad (18-4), 5 p.m.

Preview: This is a rematch of last year’s Division 1 championship game, which Carlsbad won 9-8 in overtime. Expect this year’s game to be close, too. Carlsbad beat Del Norte 8-7 in double OT this season.  Sophie Larson leads Carlsbad with 64 goals. Lisa Magill tops the team with 102 ground balls while Ella Avery leads with 24 assists. … Del Norte has won championships in 2013 (Division 2) and 2018 (Division 1).

Division 2: (2) Canyon Crest Academy (9-12) vs. (1) Rancho Bernardo (16-5), 2 p.m.

Preview: Canyon Crest needed overtime to beat Patrick Henry 15-14 in the semifinals. Senior Petra Kozakowski leads CCA with 98 goals. CCA lost to Fallbrook 10-8 in last year’s Division 2 finals. … Rancho Bernardo is led by freshman Rebecca Johnson (69 goals) and juniors Sydney Smith (51) and Milla DePrince (40). RB has cruised in the playoffs with 15-8 and 15-3 wins and beat Canyon Crest 14-9 in the regular season. Rancho Bernardo is looking for its first section title. CCA won the Division 1 crown in 2013.

Division 3: (2) Olympian (12-10) vs. (1) Tri-City Christian (14-3), 11 a.m. 

Preview: Olympian beat West Hills (13-4) and Mission Bay (7-6) to advance to the finals. … Tri-City Christian’s program is in its second year. The team features no juniors or seniors. The Eagles are led by Jordan Campaigne (104 points), Serina Arreola (70), Nyla Vargo (67) and Eden Carter (56). … Both teams are looking for their first section titles.

— DON NORCROSS

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Highlights

Unioto’s baseball team captured the Scioto Valley Conference title and the Gold Ball for going undefeated in the league after dispatching rival Zane Trace. Unioto’s softball team wasn’t as lucky however, as they saw their postseason come to a close with a loss to Chillicothe. Here are the Chillicothe-area high school sports highlights from Wednesday […]

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Highlights


Unioto’s baseball team captured the Scioto Valley Conference title and the Gold Ball for going undefeated in the league after dispatching rival Zane Trace.

Unioto’s softball team wasn’t as lucky however, as they saw their postseason come to a close with a loss to Chillicothe.

Here are the Chillicothe-area high school sports highlights from Wednesday and Thursday.

OHSAA Softball

Thursday

Chillicothe 11, Unioto 1: CJ Rittinger struck out 13 over six innings, giving up three hits and one run (not earned) in the Division III district quarterfinal. She also had two RBIs on a 2-for-4 night. Vivian Morgan went 2-for-3 with three runs, a double and three RBIs. Danika Simpson went 2-for-4 with two runs. Cadie Boltenhouse had three RBIs with a double and a triple. For Unioto, Mackenzie Paugh scored the lone run.

Wednesday

Waverly 2, Warren 0: Lexi Smith struck out 12 in seven innings of work, giving up four hits and one walk. Addi Hudnell went 2-for-3 with a run. Whitley Brown was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Jo Colley scored the other run for the Tigers.

Regular season softball

Wednesday

Chillicothe 11, Paint Valley 1: Alyssa Dudley went 4-for-5 with three runs and three RBIs. Danika Simpson went 2-for-4 with a run. Vivian Morgan was 1-for-5 with a run and a double. Cadie Boltenshouse went 2-for-3 with four runs and two RBIs. Isabella Witte went 4-for-5 with a run and three RBIs. CJ Rittinger went six innings, giving up three hits, one run, and striking out 13. She also scored a run. For Paint Valley, Delainey Mannion went 1-for-3 with one run. Kasarah Cantrell had the RBI.

Baseball

Thursday

Unioto 6, Zane Trace 1: KB Perkins had a complete game where he gave up eight hits, no earned runs, and struck out eight. He also went 2-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and four RBIs. Jaxon Zickafoose went 2-for-5 with two runs and two stolen bases. Caden Cutright went 1-for-3 with a run and a stolen base. Caden Speakman went 3-for-4 with a double. Keegan Snyder went 0-for-1 with two runs and three walks. For Zane Trace, Coen Larson scored the lone run.

Adena 6, Trimble 0: Austin Magill had a complete game, giving up one hit and striking out eight. He was also 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI. Marcus Jackson went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI.

Waverly 10, Chillicothe 4: Kage Alexander went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI. Landon Remy went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI. Braylon Spriggs pitched five innings, gave up three hits, no runs and struck out seven. Mason Sparks, Liam Cross and Hunter Hauck all scored runs. For Chillicothe, Mason Brown went 2-for-4 with a run. Vincent Haller went 2-for-2 with a run and an RBI.

Piketon 11, Vinton County 1: Zack Hannah got the win, going four innings, giving up one hit, no runs and striking out six. He was also 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run and three RBIs. Buddy Wilson was 2-for-4 with three runs, two RBIs and three stolen bases. Jace Ritchie was 1-for-2 with a double, a run and a stolen base.

Wednesday

Paint Valley 11, River Valley 1: Preston Fauber went 1-for-3 with two runs, a double and two RBIs. Willy Wheaton went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs. Carson Free went 1-for-4 with a run and a double. Brayden Kirkbride went 1-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. Jase Rinehart went 1-for-4 with a run. He also pitched six innings, giving up one hit, one run (not earned), three walks and striking out three. Brennen Ison went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

Huntington 7, Lucasville 6: Matthew Jordan went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Junior McDonald went 2-for-4 with a run. Seth Throckmorton and Kevin Barr each scored a run. Gabe Beardsley went 0-for-2 with a run and an RBI. Brayden Elliott went 1-for-2 with a run and an RBI.

Chillicothe 10, Piketon 0: Mason Brown hit a homer on a 2-for-3 night with two runs and two RBIs. Vincent Haller went 1-for-2 with two runs and an RBI. TJ Barr went 1-for-1 with a run and an RBI. Jack Oyer had two RBIs. Truitt McGlone went 1-for-3 with a run, a double and an RBI. Trent Wade had a run and an RBI. Wade also pitched two innings and gave up one hit and struck out two. Aydin Scales pitched two innings and struck out four.

Wheelersburg 4, Zane Trace 3: It was 3-3 after three innings, but in the bottom of the seventh, Wheelersburg walked it off. Two of the runs were caused by the Pioneer’s errors. Mason Hartley went 1-for-2 with a run. Gavyn Allen went 0-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Quinton Allen scored the other run for Zane Trace.

Boys tennis

Noah Flores was the only Chillicothe player to advance to the districts as the Cavaliers competed at the sectionals at Pickerington Central High School on Wednesday. Flores beat Aidan Harvey of Pickerington North High School (6-1,6-1). In the second round, he beat Noah McCorkle of Big Walnut High School (6-1, 6-2). In the third round, he beat Madden Slack of Bishop Watterson High School (6-1, 5-0 retired).

Flores will return to Pickerington Central High School on May 17 to play two more matches for district seeding. This is the second year in a row that he has made it to districts.

Yohan Abreu lost at singles in the first round to Jose Rojas Guerreror of Pickerington Central High School (6-0, 6-1). Lyric Graves lost at singles in the first round to Luke Ball of Gahanna Lincoln High School (6-0, 6-0). Benjamin Yandila and Malachi Upshaw lost at doubles in the first round to Ross and Jones of Pickerington Central High School (6-2,6-1). JB Maravilla and Elijah Yandila won their first round match against Swaney and Theuamthalaray of Canal Winchester High School (6-0, 6-2) but then lost their second round match against Davelli and Pacheco of Delaware Hayes High School (6-3, 6-0).

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High School Sports

Highlights

No. 4 Mountain View earned a 9-1 upset victory over No. 1 Owyhee on Thursday to reach the semifinal round of the 6A baseball state tournament. Author: ktvb.com Published: 11:25 AM MDT May 16, 2025 Updated: 11:25 AM MDT May 16, 2025 1

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Highlights

No. 4 Mountain View earned a 9-1 upset victory over No. 1 Owyhee on Thursday to reach the semifinal round of the 6A baseball state tournament.

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Preview

CIF San Diego Section Boys Lacrosse Championships When: Saturday Where: Westview High School Tickets: $17 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Open Division: (2) La Costa Canyon (12-6) vs. (1) Torrey Pines (13-5), 5 p.m. Preview: La Costa Canyon is no stranger to the Open Division championship game. This marks the Mavericks’ third trip […]

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Preview

CIF San Diego Section Boys Lacrosse Championships

When: Saturday

Where: Westview High School

Tickets: $17 for adults, $10 for students and seniors.

Open Division: (2) La Costa Canyon (12-6) vs. (1) Torrey Pines (13-5), 5 p.m.

Preview: La Costa Canyon is no stranger to the Open Division championship game. This marks the Mavericks’ third trip to the Open Division title in the last five seasons. The Mavericks look to senior midfielder Evan Henke and Finn Nilsen to capture their first CIF title since 2017. … A win Saturday would mark Torrey Pines’ seventh consecutive Open Division title. Torrey Pines leans on goal scorers Ross Jacobsen and senior captain John Prior.

Division 2: (2) San Dieguito Academy (14-2) vs. (1) Westview (12-6), 2 p.m. 

Preview: San Dieguito Academy has been an offensive juggernaut in the postseason, tallying 16 goals in both the quarterfinal and semifinal matches. … Westview cruised to a quarterfinal win over West Hills and survived an 11-10 overtime scare against Patrick Henry to advance to the title game.

Division 3: (3) Mater Dei Catholic HS (13-5) vs. (1) Classical Academy (17-3), 11 a.m. 

Preview: Mater Dei Catholic has survived a pair of gut checks in the march to the title game. The Crusaders pulled out a 14-11 win in the quarterfinals over the Preuss School, before clinching their ticket to the championship game with a 9-8 overtime victory over No. 2-seeded Valhalla. …  Classical Academy has met little resistance in its playoff march, coming away with a 14-2 victory over Olympian in the quarterfinals and a 13-5 win in the semifinals against Clairemont.

CLARK FAHRENTHOLD

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Cowboys vs. Arizona State, Game 1

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Cowboys vs. Arizona State, Game 1


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