600th win for Deshler Tigers

Deshler and Russellville.  Both Tigers. Both with Tradition.  Both Successful. For the 84th time the two schools met.  Deshler leads the series 44-36-4 but dropped last years game 13 - 34.  Everyone from the two towns of Tuscumbia and Russellville was there. Both wanting to see what the new faces bring to their respected teams. Both teams piled up 339 yards of offense.  Deshler had 279 on the ground to Russellvilles 269.  Passing yards favored Russellville by ten.  The scoreboard did not look nearly as close as the game or the stat sheet.  Deshler wins 41 - 21 spoiling Coach Jacksons debut with the Golden Tigers.  For the Deshler Tigers it was a night of opportunity.  Collecting 2 fumbles and two interceptions as well as picking up three balls of their own on the ground - the young men from Deshler found a way to win. 

Will Minor carried the ball 21 times for 160 yards and got into the end zone 4 times.  The offensive line helped when it was needed most as the Tigers were successful on big 4th down plays including one that resulted in a touchdown in the first half.  It was a huge win to start the season - but it also was a big win in the storied program of Deshler as it was the 600th victory for the school.  This is the third highest total in the state of Alabama. To do it in a big game atmosphere against a team like Russellville makes it that much more impressive.

Devan Parker under pressure!



Falcons Fly High!

Last year the Falcons hosted Vestavia Hills and lost 36 - 7.  What a difference a year makes.  Coach Briggs defense was able to keep Vestavia out of the end zone until they had built a 13 point lead.  With just under 3 minutes in the third quarter Vestavia scored their only touchdown of the night.  Beniquez Brown scored two touchdowns, both from inside the 5 yard line give the Falcons all the points they would need.  QB Kendrick Doss ran for 104 yards on 12 carries. This is an impressive win on the road for the Falcons and should help give them some confidence going into region play as to how good this team can be.

Tigers Spoil Coaches Debut

Rogersville's favorite star athlete debuts as the Wilson Warrior's new head coach and brings non other than his alma mater to town.  Unfortunately, the Tigers are returning a plethora of players from a very good 2010 team.  The Warriors are working to get there.  For now the Tigers are still too much.  They prove why they are the favorites to win the 3A region this year.  The warriors fought until the end but it was too far gone as Lauderdale County rolled to a 34 - 16 victory.  The Tigers rolled up a total of 377 rushing yards.  The offensive line for Lauderdale County made it look easy at times.  Next week regional opponent Rogers will be another tough test. 

Coach Wood and Wildcats Get the Win

Three weeks ago Heath Wood became the Head Coach of the Central Wildcats.  Wing T remains.  The offfensive line is intact.  Coaches often say games are won and lost in the trenches...well the Wildcats have new leaders and new skill position players but the outcome is the same.  The Wildcats fight to an impressive 39 - 21 win over a good Lexington team in a game that was close for much of the way.  Big plays before the half by Murphy Harrison and early in the 2nd by Zachary Anthony helped push the Wildcats to the win. 

Lions Survive!

Brooks and Rogers are the Lions longest running rivalry.  The two schools met for the 40th time Thursday night.  The lions have won 28 of these meetings including 23 - 0 last season.  But the Pirates return 18 starters from last year.  It could be a different ballgame.  This year Brooks started with a bang but had to score late to seal the win with a touchdown at 1:45 to play in the game.  The score gave the Lions a 32 - 20 cushion.  After spotting Brooks 14 early in the first quarter the Pirates fought back into the game closing to within 6.  With 6 minutes to play the Pirates almost recover a fumble.  The Brooks offense, however, regained control of the ball and proceeded to march the length of the field putting the closing exclamation point on the game with under two minutes to play. 

Trojans Trounce Indians!

There was a day when the Colbert County - Muscle Shoals game was over at halftime.  But in times past it was the Indians in control.  The Indians have won 34 of the 45 meetings between the schools. Not the past two years though.  For the second straight year Muscle Shoals rolls up an impressive first half en route to a victory.  48 first half points for the Trojans led to a  48 - 7 final.  Couldn't ask for a much better start to the season.  Coach Basdens Boys did nothing to change the #1 Power Ranking for the Shoals Area.  They looked impressive.

Muscle Shoals fans had plenty to cheer about

Trojans punch the Indians!

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!?

Finally!  The LOOONG boring wait between seasons has come to a close.  High School football is underway.  With teams across the state beginning on Friday night a few local teams decided to get a head start.  We are glad because it allows us all to catch a couple of extra games and keeps us from waiting any longer.  Brooks Lions will host the Rogers Pirates tonight at 7 pm.  The Muscle Shoals Trojans will host the Indians from Colbert County.  Both games are cross classification with the larger school hosting the smaller school.  Brooks and Muscle Shoals are not only larger schools playing at home, but both are returning teams that should be tough to beat.  Look for season opening wins for the Lions and the Trojans!

Game of the Week

Russellville at Deshler
7 pm Howard Chappell Stadium
Both have experienced unbelievable success for a long time.  Both are supposedly "rebuilding" as each team is hit hard by graduation.  However, everyone knows these teams are always ready with new players ready to step in and perform at a high level.  Russellville brings a new coach and is on the road.  Deshler lost a few more players; yet, Russellville is replacing a superstar.  Should be an exciting game.  One to remember.  Could force some some young or inexperienced players to grow up fast.  Look for the Golden Tigers to be a bit ahead of Deshler Tigers.  R'ville 34 Deshler 28

Teams with the most/least familiar faces

Some coaches always complain of being young and inexperienced...some teams actually ARE.  Other teams have a wealth of returning talent.  Although the measure of talent is not necessarily in whether one starts or not - it is a good indicator of how much experience one might have.  Below are some of the teams that have the most as well as the teams with the least returning players/starters or upperclassmen.

Interesting comparisions
Brooks returns 9 starters on offense  /   Deshler returns 4 starters in all
Muscle Shoals returns 9 offensive starters  /   Russellville lost 10 defensive starters
Lauderdale County returns 15 starters  /  Tharptown only has 18 players in all
Rogers returns 18 starters  /  Lexington and Wilson combine for 14 returning starters
RA Hubbard has 8 returning starters on defense /  Colbert County only has 10 upperclassmen
                                                                        /  Waterloo has 3 seniors, 25 players 7 - 12

Pre- Season Rankings

1. Muscle Shoals Trojans
Too much experience returning from a good team.  Transfers from local schools add depth to an already talented squad.  Could be a few weeks before we get to see them truly tested.

2. Florence Falcons
Few teams in the state have a talent like Beniquez Brown.  No one in this part of the state does.  They will be a good 6A team.  That means they are probably better than most teams around here.  Muscle Shoals on Sept 23 will be a great chance to see how good they really are.

3.  Russellville
New coach and lots of new players.  Missing are the superstars from the past few years yet somehow this program usually finds a way to be among the best. Expect to see this team be very good - but maybe not as solid as the past few years have been. 


4. Deshler
Down or rebuilding years at Deshler are almost non-existent.  With the loss of so many to graduation this past year the Tigers will look different.  However, this program tends to "figure it out" quick and be a playoff contender.  Much about how the #3 and #4 ranked teams in this poll measure up will be settled in week one as Deshler hosts Russellville.
5. Lauderdale County
They may be only a 3A team but with most all starters returning from a successful 2010 season look for the Tigers to be near perfect in their class. 
6. Brooks Lions
This team played a lot of youngsters in 2010.  This season should be the payoff.  Defense should be stronger which will help them to win a few extra games.  Offense will be good. 
7. Rogers Pirates
Too many returning starters.  Veteran coaches wait for years for this many upperclassmen.  The Pirates will do well and will be a challenger to repeat as 3A regional champion.
8. RA Hubbard
The defending 1A state runners up will have to replace several key positions.  They will be good as usual.
9. Colbert Heights
This program has been winning for awhile now.  They are always good.  This is the year that they may move up a notch and become even better.  With a few breaks they could be more than just a 1st round playoff team.
10. Central Wildcats
Even with a new coach and new players at skill positions this team could be very good.  Coming off a 10 win season it will be interesting to see if this team takes another step forward or if it falls back towards mediocrity.

Players of the Week

Check here each week as individuals and units will be recognized for outstanding performances.
Categories will include 1) Defense   2) Offense   3) Special Teams, as well as players that perform well at multiple positions.  This will be highlighted at the beginning of each week as we reflect on the games from the weekend. 

Power Rankings

Each week Prep Preview will rank the local schools overall.  This ranking is based on all classifications.  A small school in the Power Rankings should do very well in their own class.  Each week these will be updated and the coming games previewed.