Hello to all my many football fans and gurus. I am sitting on the front porch in my rocking chair, sweating like a pig at the slaughterhouse. Can you believe how hot it is? Somebody told me it was hotter than a chili pepper eating contest. I had another feller tell me it was hotter than a sauna in Death Valley. Coach Saban told me it was hotter than Alabama fans after a National Championship loss. All I know is it is mighty hot.
Football season is back! I sure am proud. Ethel has been trying to get me to work in the garden. Heck, that thing is burnt to a crisp! First time I ever had fried green tomatoes on the vine. Ok, enough of that; let’s talk football. I guess we will start with 2A and the Mighty Big Red Machine /The Fyffe Red Devils! They finished last year 15-0 and State Champs again. The ole ball coach just keeps rolling in the championships! They lost some good players from last year’s team, but they will still be the team to beat! They have the Anderson Kid back from injury. If he can stay healthy, he will be a stud. They also have the Wilks kid back on the line. He is a load. All I can say is watch out; the Big Red Machine will be rolling again.
Those Pisgah Eagles have a bunch of boys coming back. Coach Luke Pruitt has built the program from the ground up, and they are loaded and ready to strap on the helmets.
Collinsville should be good after an 8-2 season last year. They are still young, but Coach Willingham has them believing they can win.
The Ider Hornets had a tough one last year due to injuries. They should be better this season with a big front. I look for them to be improved.
NSM is coming off a disappointing season. They have several kids returning and should get back to playing Bison football.
The Section Lions have a new coach in Riley Edwards, who has moved from Crossville to Section. The Loins will be better with Coach Edwards at the helm.
I class 1A, the Valley Head Tigers are coming off a good season with an 8-2 record. They lost two good ones in Bain and Robinson in the backfield. They return some beef on the line of scrimmage. This should be another Great season for the Tigers!
Woodville has a new skipper in Coach Joel Poole. Coach Poole has been around for years. Woodville made some strides last year, winning two games. Coach Poole will build off last year and should be competitive this season.
Now, let’s talk 3A football. The Sylvania Rams are coming off a run to the Semi-Finals. Coach Vann has the community excited about this season. They have high expectations, and for good reason. They have a ton of returning players back after a 10-4 season last year. I look for some big things out of the Rams this season.
The Geraldine Bulldogs rolled to the 3rd round last year. They have 15 returning seniors, and this could be the year for the Bulldogs. If they can stay healthy, a showdown could be coming on September 22 when the Rams and Dogs clash!
The Plainview Bears hope to improve on the 4-6 season last year. They lost a big group of seniors, but they have a talented group of young kids ready to step up. If these young kids grow up quickly, the Bears could surprise some folks this season.
In 4A, we have the North Jackson Chiefs. They had a disappointing 2-8 season last year. They have brought in some new coaches and have some kids returning. They should be a better football team this season.
In Class 5A, the Scottsboro Wildcats finished with a 7-5 record last year. That got better each week, and this season should be better as the kids have bought into what Coach Bell is doing!
On a sad note, the Crossville Lions have decided not to have a varsity team this season. They will play a Junior High Schedule instead.
In 6A, the Fort Payne Wildcats are ready to get started after a 9-3 season last year. Plenty of players are returning; this could be one of Coach Elmore’s best teams!
Well, I think we covered all of this year’s teams, and now let’s talk about Week 0! Pleasant Valley travels to Collinsville. The Panthers of Collinsville are chomping at the bits to get this season started. I look for Collinsville to take the win 31-17. On Thursday night, Coosa Christian travels to Geraldine. Coosa Christian had a great season last year. This will be a good test for the Bulldogs. Geraldine wins 28-14. NSM drops off the mountain to Valley Head. NSM would love to start the season off with a win. I am afraid that will not happen. Valley Head gets the win in a close one, 24-21. Priceville travels to Plainview. This was a good game last year, with Priceville getting the win. This is a new season, but the results will be the same. Priceville slips past Plainview 28-21. Scottsboro travels to Fort Payne to try to capture the Top Cat Trophy. This should be a slobber knocker. I think the Cats of Fort Payne will hang on to the Trophy with a 21-17 win. Section heads to Decatur Heritage. The Lions will make it close, but this is not horseshoes. Decatur Heritage wins 28-24. In 7A, we have Thompson hosting Opelika. This should be a big game, with Thompson winning 41-31. Now to College Ball. Notre Dame and Navy play in Dublin, Ireland. Do those folks even know what football is? This ain’t soccer! Notre Dame wins 31-17. UTEP travels to JSU. JSU is in its first year of Division 1 football. It may be an eye-opener for the Gamecocks! UTE wins 31-24. Hawaii travels to Nashville to take on Vandy. Does Hawaii like country music? They will like SEC football as they beat Vandy 24-17!
Well, that is a rap on Week-0. I hope you have a big shade tree to sit under. It’s going to be hotter than blue blazes! Save me a spot by the fence and a cold cup of water! See you next week!
BUM