By Andrew Edwards
Elmore/Autauga News
Marbury High School has found their new Head Football Coach in Hayden Stockton. The school hired Stockton after former head coach JB Wallace took the same position at Prattville High School.
“We’re extremely excited for Coach Stockton to lead our program, as he’s regarded very highly in the coaching world,” said Marbury Principal Lyman Woodfin. “He’s a great guy and is very knowledgeable about the game. It was a difficult coaching search and we had a lot of applicants, but we’re confident that he’s the right man for the job.”
Stockton has a distinguished coaching pedigree, serving as the defensive coordinator at Enterprise High School, Clay-Chalkville High School and Stanhope Elmore High School. He was also head coach at West End High School and an assistant coach for Jacksonville State University. He most recently coached linebackers at Central-Phoenix City High School.
Stockton hopes to nurture a winning culture at Marbury that will start on the practice field.
“We want to create a relentless group that flies around in practice at a fast pace. We need to simulate that in-game atmosphere before we step foot on the field for gameday,” Stockton said. “If we do the homework the right way, then that will better prepare us for the test.”
Stockton said that his approach to the game will be very businesslike.
“I’m not here to waste anyone’s time. We’re going to have a professional, businesslike attitude every time we step on that field. That’s going to serve us well in the long run,” Stockton said.
As a coach, Stockton said that he has three main goals for his players to achieve – to be the best they can be academically, athletically, and socially.
“I want my players to be a winner in each of these categories. Of course, I want them to reach their maximum potential on the field – but it’s not just about that. I’m going to preach the importance of academics and staying involved in the community to the players. Those are the qualities that last a lifetime, and I hope that they are able to take what they learn off the field and use it to better themselves for the rest of their lives,” Stockton said.
In the short time since he was hired, Stockton said that the reception from the Marbury community has been fantastic.
“We’ve seen so many people who are excited to have us as part of the Bulldog family. Everyone seems to be welcoming us in with open arms, and we’re eager to get to know people in the community as well,” Stockton said.
Stockton will get the chance to do so next Tuesday at his meet and greet at 6 p.m. in either the Marbury lunchroom or football field, depending on the size of the crowd.
Stockton said he and Woodfin are currently in conversation about details involving a potential spring practice, but that nothing has been finalized yet.
