Browne excited about growth as Aggies ready for summer, fall | High schools

ALBERTVILLE, Ala. — Entering his second year as head coach of the Aggies, Bert Browne is excited about the impending growth of Albertville football.

In order to have an open week during the regular season, Browne opted to skip spring practice and jamborees. In doing so, state rules only allow teams to spend two hours per week practicing — but without contact.

Even though it doesn’t seem like a lot of time, the team makes every second count. Browne said he felt really good after the Aggies’ offseason.

“Our guys worked really hard,” he said. “We still lack size. We’re still not going to be bigger than everyone we play, but our guys are working hard.

“I look forward to another year of growth.”

During the spring, the Aggies focused primarily on drills and improving fundamentals, in addition to implementing offensive and defensive schemes.

Last season, the Aggies were led by then-eighth-grader CJ Zuniga at quarterback. Browne said he was pleased with Zuniga’s development, as well as the rest of the team. However, in 2024, the Aggies will still be quite young.

“He’s doing really well,” Browne said. “Our offensive line is getting stronger and it’s getting better. We started four sophomores last year, and these guys are coming back as juniors… But we’ll still be very young. We will only have around ten seniors this year. I have about 28 juniors. But we have 40 sophomores and 45 freshmen.

A strength at this point for the Aggies could lie in the skill positions.

Although many of them are quite young, Browne said there are a lot of talented players.

Before kicking off the regular season this fall, Albertville will host Fort Payne for a jamboree on Thursday, August 15.

The Class 7A Aggies finished the 2023 season 0-10 (0-6).