State of the Program ... Arab (AL)
Arab (AL)
Head Coach: Kyle Routon (entering year 3 at Arab)
Staff: Klay Cranford, Keith Henderson, Hayden Henderson, Scott Cleland, Stephan Dasaro
One of the best programs in Alabama - regardless of class. Arab finished 2nd a season ago and despite losing some hammers to graduation should be back in the mix for a 5A team title in 2023. The Knights lose State Placer Caleb Roe, State Placers Kaden King, Jonathan Pugh, and Mohamed Al-khawlani as well as State Qualifiers Cabe Dunn, Austin Silva, and Jackson Harris. Most teams would take a huge step back after losing so much firepower … that is not the case with the Knights. Arab has an exceptionally deep program and the expectation is that the next in line will step up and fill that spot.
State Placers Joshua Roe and Patrick Lawler return and both will be hunting the top step. They will also be called on to lead the team as a whole. Roe and Lawler will be joined by Grant Bagwell, Braxton Johnson, Jonas Brown, Andrew Williamson, and State Qualifier Logan Silva to form the middle of the Arab lineup. Down low, Arab turns to returning State Qualifiers Colby Silva and Jaxon Ivey, but this also a strength of the Knights and Coach Routon will look to Carson Stillwell, Kadin Walker, Caden Hilyer, and Jacob Culler to step up and make some noise. Joel Gray, Landon Erie, Justin Latham, Braxton Johnson, Jonas Brown, Landon Schwarze, and Tyler Noblitt will look to claim a spot in the lineup from 126/132 through 152. Lawler and Roe kickoff the top and the final four weights should be a strength for Arab - especially given the move-in of 5A-6A State Champion Will Caneer who will take one of those spots from 195-285. Graydom Isom, Conner Knighton, Brody Enochs, Noah Smith, and Chase Terry will look to lockdown one of the others spots. Arab will be in the hunt for another title in 2023 - there is no doubt.
“The expectation here is to always be highly competitive and I don’t see why we can’t be again this year. We graduated a lot of seniors but I think we’ve got some guys that are ready for their turn. They’ve worked their tales off all off season in the weight room and wrestling room. I look forward to getting our guys from football weight to wrestling weight and seeing how our lineup will shake out.”
NOTE: All mentions of placers and qualifiers in the body are based on the 2021-22 season. If a wrestler placed higher or lower in a previous year it is not captured above.