Montgomery, AL – In a groundbreaking season for the Valiant Cross Academy golf program, the 2025 team has made history by qualifying for the AISA State Championship as a full team for the first time ever. This milestone marks a significant achievement not only for the academy but also for the AISA—fielding five team players alongside four individual qualifiers from the same school for the first time in state history.
Founded in 2015, Valiant Cross Academy—a private, all-boys Christian school in Montgomery dedicated to developing young African American men through academic excellence and spiritual growth—launched its golf program in 2017. Since then, under the leadership of Head Coach Quincy Leonard, the team has steadily grown from humble beginnings into a legitimate contender on the state stage.
Throughout the program’s history, individual players have shined, including Quincy A. Leonard who qualified as aa 7th grader, Zion Hall in his senior year, and Mikewes Green as an 8th grader. Talented golfers such as Julian Deloach and Aidan Walters have also contributed to the program’s growing reputation.
But 2025 has brought a new era of success for Valiant Cross. This year’s team, made up of Miqwez Green, Khalil King, Kyle Thomas, Kayden King, and John Cosby, will represent the academy at the AISA State Golf Championship as a full team—a first in program and state history.
In addition to the five-man team, four more Valiant Cross golfers qualified individually: James Cosby, Tyler Jernigan, Julian Deloach, and Aidan Walters, rounding out a remarkable total of nine players heading to the championship.
Don Rickard, Assistant Golf Coach at Valiant Cross for two years, says “It has been an absolute joy to watch Quincy Leonard, the Coach, work with these middle school and high school male scholars. He has a full time job, he and his wife’s three children are very accomplished golfers in high school and college. Quincy has a foundation that is paving the way for young people to learn and thrive in the game of golf. Yet, I would suggest that he, knowingly, is really about building young people of discipline, focus, confidence, and a love for others. Golf is just one medium to get there.
Rickard continues by saying, “This year for the first time Valiant Cross is fielding a team (5), and 4 unattached entrants into the Alabama State High School golf tournament. These young scholars and Coach Leonard have dedicated many hours, sacrificing other pursuits, to get here. Valiant Cross is all about raising up young scholars that are godly men, fully participating citizens, making plans for their good and the good of the community. As I said, it is a joy to be allowed to be a part of this journey.”
The team has enjoyed an impressive season, recording five top-five finishes, placing in the top three on three occasions, and capturing their first team victory at the Springwood Invitational, where Miqwez Green also claimed low medalist honors.
“This is the result of a lot of hard work, discipline, and commitment,” said Coach Quincy Leonard. “We’ve been building this program from the beginning, and I’m just so proud of these young men. Their character, their effort, and their love for the game have brought us here.”
Assistant Coach Don Rickard has played a vital role in player development and tournament preparation throughout the season. Together, the coaching staff has focused on fostering growth on and off the course.
As they head into the state championship, Coach Leonard remains focused on the bigger picture. “We’re going to compete, gain experience, and give it everything we have,” he said. “If we do that, the rest will take care of itself.”
Valiant Cross Academy continues to mold the next generation of leaders, and this historic golf season will be remembered as a testament to faith, perseverance, and the power of vision.
For more information contact Quincy L. Leonard
Founder, LEO GOLF Academy
(334) 721-4LEO (4536)
