Can you believe that we are in week 4? This season is flying by. I just wish it would slow down. I am just getting warmed up! Before we talk football, let’s talk about the Bear vs. Ethel saga. Ethel went to Walmart and bought some Bearproof garbage cans. I asked Ethel if they had them in stock, and she said yes. I never have! Would you have ever thought that we would need bearproof garbage cans in Northeast Alabama? Times are changing. I remember when you had to go to the Great Smokey Mountains to see a Bear. Nowadays, you can go into your backyard and see one. Ethel has been on the watch for the Bear, but it has not come back around. I am not sure what Ethel said to the Bear, but I know it can be pretty bad when she gets mad. I am glad it was the Bear she got after, not me. Well, that’s about enough of that for this week.
This week we will be featuring Coach Ronnie Haushalter. Coach Haushalter graduated from McKees Rocks High School in Pennsylvania and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. He played quarterback for UT-Chattanooga. Coach Haushalter got the Valley Head Coaching job in 1960 and coached at Valley Head for nine years. He coached at Jacksonville State for one season before taking the Fyffe job, where he stayed until his retirement after the 1994 season. Coach Haushalter had three teams go undefeated during the regular season, 1970, 1973, and 1984, and his teams won 8 area titles at Fyffe. Coach Haushalter finished his career with a 215-143-5 record. He led Valley Head to a state runner-up spot in the playoffs in 1967. At Fyffe, his 1984 and 1986 teams advanced to the quarterfinals. Coach Haushalter was named Coach of the Year several times and was inducted into the Alabama High School Athletic Associations Hall of Fame in 1997. Coach was one of the most successful coaches in Alabama High School State History. We remember the Great Ronnie Haushalter in today’s featured coaches. Now on to some football.
We had some great games last week. So let’s get started. Crossville hosted Boaz. Crossville improved, but it is hard to tell by the score, Boaz 55- Crossville 0. In Huntsville, they said it was the game of the week. Whitesburg Christian was 3-0 hosting Fyffe. Really? Folks around here had no doubt about what was going to happen! Fyffe 49- Whitesburg Christian 6. Geraldine traveled down the road to Hokes Bluff. No problem, Geraldine 23-Hokes Bluff 2. NSM headed down the road to Ider. It was homecoming for Ider, and NSM was 0-3, so everybody thought it would be a fun homecoming for Ider. Well, no one told NSM about all that. NSM 42 Ider 18. Plainview traveled to # 1 Piedmont. The Bears gave Piedmont all they wanted for three and half quarters. Piedmont scored late to make it 34-21. Collinsville traveled to Pisgah. What a great game. Collinsville led till the fourth quarter. The Pisgah Eagles do what they do! Come back in the fourth quarter to secure the victory 40-28. Sylvania had no problem with Ohatchee 42-14. Randolph manhandled North Jackson 52-14, while Sand Rock whipped Section 35-6. Appalachian took care of Woodville 48-8, and Gadsden City shut out the Fort Payne Wildcats 18-0. Bama played in a heart stopper, winning 20-19 with a late field goal. Auburn slid past San Jose State 24-16. Tennessee beat Pittsburgh in overtime 34-27. Kentucky took care of Florida 26-16. What a great week of football, and this week is even better!
Let’s start with the Sylvania Rams traveling down 75 to Geraldine. You talk about a slobber knocker; this matchup is what High School Football is all about. This game is a big region match. The winner takes a step toward hosting in the playoffs. This one is going to be fun. I have been pondering on this one all weekend. Who should I pick? Well, after a good night’s sleep, it came to me. Geraldine squeaks by Sylvania 24-21.
Pisgah will have no trouble with Ider, with Pisgah winning 38-14. Section goes to Fyffe for Fyffe’s Homecoming, where Fyffe wins 48-7. St. John Paul travels to North Jackson. North Jackson gets their first win 28-7.
Scottsboro travels to Arab. It could be a long night for the Wildcats! Arab wins 28-14. Glencoe comes to Rainsville to play the Plainview Bears. It is Homecoming for the Bears, and the Bears will get their first victory of the year, winning 35-21. Sand Rock drops off the mountain to Collinsville. This should be a Great game. I am going with the Rock in a close one, 24-18. Crossville heads down the road to Sardis. Even though this game will be close, Sardis wins 24-14. Whitesburg Christian goes to the big woods of NSM. NSM is tough at home, and NSM wins 28-20.
Valley Head travels to Coosa Christian for an exciting matchup. Valley Head had a bye last week, and Coosa Christian beat Decatur Heritage. I think Valley Head gets the win 34-24.
Woodville travels to Vina. I am not sure where that is. Ina close one, Vina wins 21-20. Penn St heads south to Auburn. This college battle will be close, but I think Penn. St pulls out the victory 28-24. The Georgia vs. South Carolina contest will not be close, Georgia 41, South Carolina 17. Texas AM saves Jimbo with a 24-17 win over Miami. LSU holds on to beat Mississippi St 41-38.
Well, that takes care of another week. It is getting fun! Make sure you save me a spot by the fence. See you at the game! Until next week, watch out for Bears!