Athens High’s football team usually has high expectations going into every season. But with a large number of talented players returning, the Golden Eagles’ expectations were a little bit higher this year.

With Athens coming off two consecutive deep playoff runs – ’04 Class 5A semifinals and ’05 Class 5A quarterfinals – and with this year’s team being loaded with seniors, the 2006 Golden Eagles were drawing comparisons to the 1976 state championship team before the season started.

Two players who helped create the buzz around this year’s team were defensive lineman Alfred McCullough and quarterback Rob Ezell. The seniors have enjoyed standout careers at Athens and both lived up to their billings once again this year. The Alabama Sports Writers Association has named Ezell a finalist for Class 5A Back of the Year, while McCullough has been named a finalist for Class 5A Lineman of the Year.

Ezell threw for more than 2,000 yards this season with 18 touchdowns, but the biggest impact he has made on Athens’ offense is with his legs – rushing for nearly 700 yards with four touchdowns.

“Coach (Allen) Creasy does a good job of designing plays that put us in position to be successful,” Ezell said. “I’ve had a few good runs this year and some of them have led to big plays.”

At a generous 5-foot, 11-inches, Ezell doesn’t possess the prototypical quarterback stature. But combine his speed and mobility with an uncanny ability to throw the ball downfield on the run, and Ezell possesses the skills necessary to be one of the most effective high school quarterbacks in the state.

“Sometimes it’s hard to see over the offensive linemen,” he said. “But I’m more comfortable outside the pocket anyway. That’s the way I’ve always played, so I guess I’m just used to it.”

The pressure to have a successful season wasn’t the only burden McCullough had to deal with this year. When McCullough became the first local player to verbally commit to the University of Alabama in August, he was instantly thrust into the limelight. He believes the newfound fame makes other teams put a target on his back. But he thinks the challenge has helped him be successful this season. McCullough recorded 68 tackles, 11 sacks, batted down four passes and forced two fumbles this season.

“I’ve felt like everyone has been gunning for me all year,” McCullough said. “Everyone knows who I am and I know they’re going to bring out the best when we step on the field. I don’t mind the challenge though. I look at it as respect. I believe when I’m challenged, it brings out the best in me.”

After he made his commitment, McCullough knew there would be some fame attached. At first, he liked being in the limelight, but now he realizes it’s not really that important.

“I remember when Wes Brown (who signed with the University of Tennessee in 2004) was going through this a few years ago,” McCullough said. “I wanted to go through what he was experiencing, but now I realize all the fame isn’t really that great. We have a lot of good players on our defense who are really important parts of our team. Those are the guys who need the credit. All I want to do is play football and have some fun while we win some games.”

Ezell said all the preseason hype added extra pressure on the players to be successful this season. But he noted that playing under pressure is just one of the many aspects of playing on a tradition rich, successful football program, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“There were a lot of people expecting us to do well this year,” he said. “Sure, it added a lot of pressure on us, but as a player, you want to be on teams with high expectations. We’ve played in a lot of big games here at Athens, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

After finishing the regular season with a 7-3 record, Athens proved why it was a preseason favorite to make noise in the playoffs by knocking off No. 8 Briarwood Christian and No. 2 Fort Payne in the opening rounds of the Class 5A playoffs.

On Friday the Golden Eagles travel to Region 8 rival Hartselle – who won the regular season meeting 35-31 – for the Class 5A quarterfinals.