Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
5:04 pm Friday, August 6, 2004

Some old, some new and some moved at Newton Co.

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Aug. 6, 2004
DECATUR While many of the same faces will be seen coaching at Newton County High School again this year, some have swapped sports and some newcomers have been added.
Jeff Breland returns for his sixth season as head football coach. His first five teams have won 52 games while losing only 11.
Also back are veteran assistants Mike Spence and Ben Kitchings. Newcomers are Kyle Watson, Jody Hawkins and student coach Curt Blackburn.
In slow-pitch softball, Justin Chaney moves from the football program to take over for 36-year veteran Mack Fanning, who retired following the 2003-04 school year. His assistant will be Steven Harris, who was also with the football program last year.
Newton County has brought in longtime girls basketball coach Willis Tullos to replace Natalie Vance.
Tullos was 224-24 with three state championships at Choctaw Central from 1994-2001. Tullos will also coach girls track.
Johnny Slaughter, the last remaining head coach when the school was founded in the fall of 1990, returns as the boys basketball coach.
Sidney Cook will coach both cross country teams along with the boys soccer squad. Chad Bond will coach girls soccer and tennis. Watson will coach boys track.
Track will be a new sport this spring as the school has a track around its football field but has yet to use it in an official capacity.
Chaney will also be the head coach in fast-pitch softball with Dustin McGee his assistant.
Wyatt Tullos returns as head baseball coach with Harris his assistant.
Kitchings will coach the golf team. Buffy Hale and Kristi Brown will coach the cheerleaders.

Also on Franklin County Times
2 pieces of turnout gear lost during fire
Main, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 24, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Two turnout jackets were damaged during a Thanksgiving Day structure fire while firefighters were conducting an interior attack. Fire ...
Council to renew fines and notices
Main, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 24, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Enforcement actions for a group of deteriorating downtown buildings will resume after council members voted Dec. 16 in favor of the ac...
Public donations make baby box possible
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Alyssa Sutherland For the FCT 
December 24, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — City Council members have approved the purchase of a Safe Haven Baby Box using funds donated for that purpose. Two different families, ...
EMS train for K-9 emergency treatment
Franklin County, Main, News, ...
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
December 24, 2025
FLORENCE – Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jaret Yancey and his K-9 officer Mateo have only been together for a few months, but the pair have already...
West Elementary hosts ‘Polar Express’ celebration
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 24, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- West Elementary School marked the Christmas season with a series of activities centered on music, generosity and long-standing holiday...
Innovate Alabama critical to state’s economic future
Columnists, Opinion
December 24, 2025
Alabama has long been recognized for its success in industrial and manufacturing recruitment. Our state offers aggressive incentives and support to at...
Cultura Garden Club celebrates Christmas
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
December 24, 2025
By Susie Hovater Malone Columnist Christmas for Cultura Garden Club members this year meant gathering around a table, sharing food made with care and ...
THS assistant principal gets championship ring
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 24, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE — Tharptown High School’s faculty surprised Assistant Principal Sherry Parker with a championship ring recognizing her role on the 1981 V...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *