It’s a perfect example of the kind of selflessness and teamwork Jemison coach Jake Hogan said has allowed Jemison’s football team a 5-1 start to the regular season.

Randy Satterfield, a star senior receiver accustomed to being a crucial part of the team’s offense and trying to earn college scholarship offers, hasn’t caught as many passes this season as he would like. With a strong running game and a sophomore without much experience at the quarterback position, Satterfield’s touches have been limited.

But instead of becoming frustrated, Satterfield has focused on helping quarterback Kevin Nunn and the rest of the team improve.

“Randy has done a good job of helping Kevin progress,” Hogan said. “He’s the type player that is going to help the quarterback. Randy is a coach on the field.

“Our senior leadership has been strong, and Randy has been a big part of it.”

Of course, there’s always room for improvement for Satterfield and the rest of the Panthers. That’s especially true coming off a 21-7 win over West Blocton that wasn’t as fulfilling as JHS might have hoped.

After the game, coaches focused on a “never satisfied” mantra.

“They were a scrappy group of kids, and they’re well-coached,” Hogan said. “The good thing is we never really felt like the game was out of hand. We just left some points on the field. That’s the type of thing we’re not going to be able to do in the next few weeks.”

Jemison’s next three opponents (Corner, Dora and Calera) are all either one game ahead or one game behind Jemison in the region standings.

Hogan has reminded the Panthers that they were 5-1 last season before dropping their final five games of the season, including a loss in the first round of the state playoffs.

Part of the formula for avoiding a similar slide will be ensuring Satterfield remains involved in the offense.

Hogan said coaches use a “touch sheet” to make sure everyone is contributing. Satterfield’s goal might be 10 to 15 touches for any given game. A running tally is kept, and the sheet is evaluated at halftime of the game.

If Satterfield, or any of Jemison’s other offensive weapons, hasn’t touched the ball as much as coaches would like, an effort is made in the second half to correct the anomaly.

While the Panthers feature a run-oriented attack, Hogan said Satterfield is important because he can beat a defense deep. That threat prevents defenses from stacking up defenders near the line of scrimmage to stop the run.

“It’s really easy to get into a game and rely on who has the hot hand,” Hogan said. “Defensive coordinators are smart; they know what adjustments to make. We have to make sure everybody is involved.”

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Honorable mention

Darius Davis, Thorsby

•Completed seven passes in 11 attempts for 110 yards in a 61-16 loss to Trinity.

•Rushed 18 times for 100 yards and one touchdown.

Terence Dunlap, Maplesville

•Rushed for three touchdowns—from 5 yards, 6 yards and 35 yards—in a 63-6 win over Ellwood Christian.

Cade Hatch, Chilton Co.

•Recorded three interceptions and four tackles in a 13-3 loss to Sylacauga.

•Returned two punts for 37 yards.

Jared Mims, Verbena

Terrance Nolen, Billingsley

•Rushed 13 times for 52 yards and two touchdowns in an 18-0 win over Keith.

Tyler Smith, Isabella

•Rushed 31 times for 119 yards and one touchdown in a 25-14 loss to Lanett.

•Completed five passes in 16 attempts for 43 yards.

Nevin Todd, Chilton Christian Academy

•Recorded a team-high eight tackles in a 71-21 loss to Faith Christian.

Previous winners

•Week 1: Keyshawn Jemison, Jemison

•Week 2: Damian Mitchell, Maplesville

•Week 3: DeRodgus Campbell, Isabella

•Week 4: Beau Waid, Chilton Co.

•Week 5: RaeQuane Jones, Jemison