Football season approaches for the Cullman Bearcats:
GDW Analysis:
Mark Britton Field/Oliver Woodard Stadium came alive Thursday evening with Cullman High School's "Meet the Bearcats."
The new school year is under way. Fall sports approaches with the school recognizing the football program, from the high school, middle school and youth ranks.
Varsity and junior varsity volleyball also got their opportunity to receive attention, along with a performance from the Cullman High School band.
Public address announcer Tommy Warhurst summed it up in the right perspective. Setting the tone to have home field advantage when the Bearcats are facing the opposition.
Cullman has five games on the field turf, looking to be solid under an atmosphere to maintain success the program has endured.
Danny Stiff is in his 2nd year leading Cullman football.
The Bearcats gained late season momentum in 2023 that would send them into the AHSAA 6A playoffs. Cullman won two of its final three games.
A 21 to 14 victory early in the season at Decatur was huge. That win enabled the 'Cats to be a playoff team for beating the Red Raiders in head to head play.
Since 2020, the Bearcats have gone 14 & 7 on the home field, a winning percentage of .666.
Coming to Britton Field/Woodard Stadium this season will be Mortimer Jordan August 30, Athens September 6, Hartselle October 4, Columbia October 11 and Buckhorn October 25.
Cullman is in Region 7 of Class 6A. A publication has predicted the Bearcats to be a playoff team for this season with Muscle Shoals expected to win the region followed by Hartselle and Athens to finish ahead of the Bearcats.
Traditional rivals Hartselle and Decatur will be under guidance of new coaches.
Bert Newton is now at Hartselle with John Ritter taking over the lead role in Decatur.
Newton last season was associate coach at Hartselle, Ritter was leading a solid 5A program nearby in Russellville.
Cullman has brought back a rival. The Brewer Patriots host the Bearcats September 27. They meet for the first time since 2017.
Brewer is now led by Matt Plunkett, who coached the Bearcats in 2018.
Before the meet and greet, the Bearcats conducted a workout on field in moving onward with the season opener to be on a Thursday, August 22 in Madison against the Bob Jones Patriots.
This is the first time these two have tangled on the gridiron.
The Patriots have been consistent with three consecutive 5 & 6 seasons.
"Meet the Bearcats" has been an event Cullman has coordinated for several years.
The spirit that engaged Britton Field/Woodard Stadium Thursday evening, let it be known a festive atmosphere is on the verge for the team in black and gold.
Photo of Cullman cheerleaders performing during "Meet the Bearcats" Thursday at Britton Field/Woodard Stadium.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton
