Alabama commit Sterling Dixon’s decision to transfer away from Mobile Christian hasn’t changed the Leopards’ goals for 2023.

“Absolutely not,” head coach Ronnie Cottrell said.

Dixon, the reigning 3A Lineman of the Year, announced his transfer to Class 6A Spanish Fort last week.

“That situation had gone on for a long time,” Cottrell said at Mobile County Football Media Days last week. “Literally schools were trying to get him and talk to him – and I’m talking about third parties – since our season ended last year. It wasn’t something totally unexpected, but I did not expect it to happen when it did.”

Dixon had 172 tackles and 18 sacks for Mobile Christian as a junior, but Cottrell is still confident in his returning team.

“Our goals did not change,” he said. “I still think we have one of the best linemen groups. We feel like we have a great team. We will miss Sterling because we love him. We wish him the best, but our guys are very focused and have done an excellent job. I don’t think it will affect us as much as many people might think.”

Mobile Christian reached the Class 3A state semifinals last year before losing to eventual state champion St. James. The Leopards overcame an 0-6 start that included four forfeit losses and two overtime losses to make another deep playoff run.

Though Dixon is gone, the team still has plenty of star power including senior defensive back Camden Lawson, junior center Bo Cagle, senior athlete Aaron Rogers, junior defensive end Floyd Boucard, junior linebacker Kentonio Kelly and senior end/offensive tackle Bryson Fillingim.

“We will be fine without Sterling,” Lawson said. “He’s a good friend and I wish him the best, but we have to worry about our team right now. We have younger guys who can lead and step into a similar role.”

Cottrell said, without Dixon, the Leopards likely will go to more of a four-man defensive front.

“Sterling is more a hybrid, standup guy,” he said. “We will probably use Bryson and Floyd in more of a four-man look. We will miss him in pass rush. He always had a knack of getting to the quarterback. We could move Kentonio down to that position as well.”

Cottrell said the team’s biggest challenge during fall camp is to grow as a unit.

“We’ve got to become a team when adversity strikes,” he said. “I think we have a resilient group, and that is what we are going to hang our hat on. We are going to be very physical, try to be a good run team and, hopefully, control the line of scrimmage.”

Cottrell also said he likes what he has seen from junior Damien Gatson, a baseball player who has taken over at quarterback.

Mobile Christian hosts Athens (Ga.) Academy on Aug. 25 to open the season.