By Michael Butler

This will be year three since John Goodman’s return to the helm of the Tallassee High School baseball program. Goodman was the skipper for two state championships in the 1990s (1995, 1998) and an assistant for the other five under Ronnie Baynes (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991).

Goodman’s Tigers reached the second round of the playoffs two years ago and the quarterfinals last season. Last year’s team went 19-11 putting up the program’s deepest run in the post-season since 2017.

Brady Mason was the lone graduate of the 2024 squad. He is now at Huntingdon College.

“He did an outstanding job leading the team,” Goodman said. “Everybody stepped up and grew up. They started learning baseball. We were able to get as far as we could with our talent.”

Goodman returns 13 seniors this year, the most on a roster since the Tigers won their last state title.

“In ’98 we started eight seniors – actually nine with the DH. Justin Ellis, one of our coaches this year, was on that team. We have a bunch of daddies who were on that team.”

The program has come full circle with kids of former players who Goodman coached.

“It’s fun to see them in the bleachers now,” he said. “(1998) didn’t have a dominant pitcher either. They were all about the same, just like this (team). Now that bunch could swing a bat and play defense. This bunch reminds me of them so much.

“This bunch has been playing together just about their entire lives. They’re best friends. Our pitching is our lifeline. We do not have a dominant arm. We’re working about 12 guys. They’re all about the same.”

Catcher Brue Milner is back as one of the few younger players on the roster. Last year he became Tallassee’s first freshman to be selected first-team all-state. Milner led the team in batting average (.355), hits (33), doubles (9), homeruns (7) and RBIs (44).

“They’ve worked extremely hard in the off-season,” Goodman added. “They understand now what it takes. Maybe with the maturity that we’ve got we can do something.”

Tallassee drops back to 4A this season, but Goodman thinks the road to repeating as an area champion will be more difficult.

“When you throw Trinity in the mix, it’s going to be tough,” said Goodman of the Wildcats, which reached the 4A quarters last year. “You’ve got LAMP and Catholic, who are both solid. Whoever comes out of area could have a chance of meeting again late in the playoffs or one could make a run.”

Tallassee has three games on tap this week to open the 2025 campaign. The first matchup is at Stanhope Elmore on Thursday, Feb. 13. The junior varsity is slated to begin at 4:30, followed by the varsity game. The Tigers travel to Elmore County on Friday, Feb. 14 for another JV/varsity doubleheader starting at 4:30. The home opener will be a tripleheader of games versus the Panthers. Southside Middle School plays first at 11 a.m.