Tag: Gulf Shores

NC State commit Ronnie Royal makes a one-handed interception

North Carolina State commit Ronnie Royal made a spectacular interception grab this week.

North Carolina State commit Ronnie Royal served up an impressive one-handed touchdown catch on Thursday.

It was more than just a highlight moment from Royal, as the play was instrumental in Gulf Shores (Gulf Shores, Alabama) capturing the first state title in program history on Thursday night. The win saw Gulf Shores improve to 15-0 on the season.

Royal is a four-star defensive back who had a strong offer list when he committed to the Wolfpack in mid-June.

The one-handed interception from Royal is beyond impressive. Late in the third quarter, Royal did well to read a deep ball, step up and pull down a one-handed interception where he extended just one arm to pull in the turnover.

And Royal walked away from it like the play was no big deal, simply tossing the ball to the game official. He palmed the top of the ball and managed to keep a foot in bounds while pulling down an incredible interception.

But no big deal, am I right? Unreal athleticism.

 

(Also, this is some really nice camera work for a high school football game).

The moxie to pull off this play in a state championship game, knowing full well that if he got it wrong, he was likely giving up six points…

Royal had a strong Power Five offer list that also included Arkansas, Boston College, Florida State, Illinois, Mississippi State, Missouri and South Carolina among other programs.

Former Notre Dame defensive coordinator takes new job

He’s returning to where he once coached, but it’s not at Notre Dame

Former Notre Dame defensive coordinator [autotag]Brian VanGorder[/autotag] is taking over a job he once already held.  Don’t worry though Irish fans, it’s not in South Bend.

VanGorder, who was Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator from 2014 through the first few weeks of 2016, VanGorder is now the defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores (Ala.) High School.  It’s a job that he held previously in 2021 as he spent last season coaching at national powerhouse American Heritage in Hollywood, Florida.

VanGorder was the 2003 recipient of the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.  He won the award while being the defensive coordinator at Georgia.

Since being forced out at Notre Dame following the rough start to the 2016 season, VanGorder has been on the move frequently.  He had stops again at Georgia and then Oklahoma State before spending 2018 as the defensive coordinator at Louisville.  He then spent 2019 and 2020 at Bowling Green before coaching one year previously at Gulf Shores in 2021.

[lawrence-related id=70460,70291,70273,67999]

Well-known former Notre Dame assistant finds new job

A former Notre Dame assistant who oversaw much Irish heartbreak has found a new gig.

Say the name “Brian VanGorder” to just about any Notre Dame fan and you’ll get one of two reactions.

The most likely one is something close to gagging, vomiting, or an eye-roll.

The other could be perhaps the most well-known gif in regards to Notre Dame football, as VanGorder celebrated a stop in 2014’s 31-0 win over Michigan.

VanGorder split time between the college game and NFL since 1989, including from 2014-2016 as he served as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator.

As Notre Dame fans know, the defense during that run left more than just a little bit to be desired.

All of the following happened under VanGorder’s watch at Notre Dame:

  • 31+ points allowed in the final seven regular-season games of 2014
  • Last-second defensive meltdown at Stanford in 2015 that cost Irish CFP bid
  • Allowing 50, 36, and 38 points to Texas, Michigan State, and Duke respectively to start 2016 before being fired.

VanGorder held various positions at Georgia, Oklahoma State, and Bowling Green since departing Notre Dame, but now his time in the college game has officially come to an end as he has taken a new job as the defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores High School in Alabama.

VanGorder won the Broyles Award in 2003 as the nation’s top assistant coach in college football when he was Georgia’s defensive coordinator.

Hammerhead shark release calls for Father’s Day embrace

Bryan Johnson and his son William enjoyed a bonding experience on Father’s Day with the catch and release of an 8-foot hammerhead shark.

Bryan Johnson and his son William enjoyed a bonding experience on Father’s Day with the catch and release of an 8-foot hammerhead shark at Gulf Shores, Ala.

“It’s incredible,” William Johnson told NBC 15. “You fight for an hour just to get a two-minute glimpse of a monster.”

RELATED: Angler lands record trout, but reaction is mixed

While the Sunday morning catch of such a large shark from the beach must have been exciting, the touching moment occurred after the shark swam safely back to sea. The men celebrated with a hearty embrace amid cheers of “Happy Father’s Day!” from onlookers.

Video footage of the release, and the reactions, can be viewed here.