Football

Things to know about Anniston football heading into the 2023 season:

—Rico Jackson enters his first season as Anniston’s head coach. He’s 58-59 in 11 seasons as a head coach at Tarrant, Murphy, Escambia County, Aliceville and Fairfield.

—The Bulldogs went 11-1 in 2022, winning Class 4A, Region 4 and reaching the state quarterfinals, where they lost 35-28 to eventual state champion Andalusia.

—Returning All-State and/or All-Calhoun County picks: ATH Jayden Lewis, DB Jaden Dobbins, RB Malachi Taylor, DB Love Kirby, LB Kevontae Johnson, TE Khamar Holder, DL Collin Wansart, DL Que Elston.

—Players to watch: QB Gavin Doss, who led Saks to the playoffs in 2022, transferred to Anniston, as did Oxford RB Caleb Wynn, Oxford WR Ahmad Kelly and Alexandria WR/DB T.K. Downie. All  were All-Calhoun County players.