By Michael Butler

The Tallassee football team made the biggest turnaround in all of Alabama last season improving from 1-9 the previous year to 9-3. That included a trip to the third round of the state playoffs, the deepest run for the Tigers since 2016.

It was not unfamiliar for first-year coach L.A. O’Neal, who took Booker T. Washington from a 1-8 program the year he arrived in Tuskegee all the way to the semifinals in his final season. BTW had just one post-season appearance prior to O’Neal’s stint. He led the Eagles to the playoffs two times in three years initiating the call from Tallassee.

Last season’s success here raised the bar for a follow-up act in 2025.

“If you don’t have expectations,” O’Neal said, “it means you didn’t do anything the year before. We’ve changed the perception of the program.”

O’Neal said a mentality change was the first step.

“The kids had to believe. We had to get them in that weight room. The weight room builds confidence.”

The Tigers lost two early games against Montgomery Academy and Booker T. Washington with nine total turnovers.

“After those games we talked about doing the things we’re supposed to do. Handle our business and make teams beat us.”

That philosophy worked. Tallassee went on to win its next eight games before falling to eventual state champion Jackson in the quarterfinals. The eight-game win streak was the longest at Tallassee in 25 seasons.

“I’m in a good spot,” O’Neal said of the Tallassee position. “I’ve been around good people. I’ve got a really good staff that hold me accountable and the kids accountable. They show them a lot of love. We coach them hard as well. They’re a great group of men.”

One coach who remains close by is L.A.’s father, hall-of-famer Jackie O’Neal.

“It’s a blessing to have him stop by the weight room, to see what we have going on the field and those conversations after Friday night games. He’s still got football in him.”

The younger O’Neal was named the Alabama Sports Writers Association 4A Coach of the Year in 2023. He was selected to the coaching staff for the AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Classic after Tallassee’s surprise season last year.

“We’ve got a really good opportunity to have a good ball club,” O’Neal said of a team that graduated 23 seniors. “We’re not sneaking up on anybody this year. We were region champs last year. Everybody’s coming for us.”

The season kicks off with a preseason scrimmage against Jemison on Aug. 15 before the regular-season opener against Montgomery Academy the following Friday. Both matchups will be at home where there have been noticeable upgrades.

“It’s going to be rocking at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium on Friday nights. We’ve got brand new turf, a brand new jumbotron and brand-new jerseys. We’ve got our white set and a gold set. I’m excited.”