Bulldogs Bulldoze Devils!




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  Make it 5 wins in a row now as Sheffield methodically destroyed the Red Devils from Elkmont 1 quarter at a time.  After taking a 7-0 lead the Bulldogs were able to push it to 14-0 before the half.  In the third quarter the Bulldogs scored on their first drive making it 21-0.  In the fourth they added another TD making it a 28-0.  Elkmont scored late but it was a 28-7 region win setting up the battle at Lauderdale County next week.

Tigers Score Early and Often!




Click on photo to see pictures of the game!
On the very first drive the Tigers drove for a score.  It would prove to be one of many as the Tigers cruised to a 62 - 28 homecoming win over East Lawrence. Will Minor rushed 8 times for 127 yards and 4 TD's ...in the FIRST HALF alone!  Just when East looked to make a little noise and score two quick TD's in the 3rd Quarter cutting the lead to 48-20 Ricardo Carter intercepted a pass and raced 68 yards for the Touchdown and a 54-20 lead.  Each team scored once more for the final margin.  Next week Deshler will host West Limestone for first place in the Region. 

 

Brooks at Wilson

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Top Scoring Offense and Defense

ScoringOffense School	Total pts	Avgpts
Muscle Shoals	228	45.6
Deshler	177	35.4
Brooks	173	34.6
Central	170	34
LCHS	158	31.6
Colbert Heights	155	31
Red Bay	147	29.4
Rogers	136	27.2
RA Hubbard	122	24.4
Russellville	121	24.2

Top Defenses

School	Total pts	Avg
Muscle Shoals	47	9.4
Hatton	48	9.6
Sheffield	54	10.8
Rogers	61	12.2
Red Bay	66	13.2
Deshler	68	13.6
Florence	75	15
LCHS	93	18.6
RA Hubbard	98	19.6
Colbert Heights	101	20.2

Its Friday Night!



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Band prepares to play

 

Falcon fans are loud!



Drum Major Eaton

People always associate Friday nights with high school football here in Alabama.  The players, the coaches, the rivalries.  Everyone loves to root for the home team, the alma mater, or just attend a good game.  The players put in hours of practice and prepare all week, if not all year, for "Friday Night".  But what about the other stuff.  To a pure sports fan they might question what else there is besides the actual game?  But to so many in the stands, as well as so many on the sidelines, they realize ALL that a high school football game encompasses.  First.... 



Majorette Williams

The Band.  The pageantry, the school fight song, the alma mater.  Who doesn't love the big bass drum. You can hear it for a mile outside the stadium announcing that it is Friday Night and it is game time!  Band members practice all summer long.  They work all year.  They get excited not just about helping their team s performance...but the halftime show.  Carleigh Eaton, Drum Major at Florence High School, says "My favorite part of the game is definitely halftime.  It gives us a chance to show the crowd what we really work for."  And make no mistake...band members work hard.  "I wish people understood how much work and effort we put into practicing. We don't just play at football games, we go to competitions throughout the season. We practice twice on week nights, and the percussion have practiced all day on a Saturday.  I attended a camp this summer for 5 days, and I would practice quite often on my own."  It takes a lot to put on a good performance and everyone loves listening and watching a good band.  The color guard the majorettes and the musicians all working together in unison.  Much like a good team.  Jordan Williams, a Florence majorette that started twirling in kindergarten and has been practicing ever since, understands how they must work together, and how much fun it can be.  "the best part is the friends I have made". But she also knows the hard work.  She says the worst part is "the sun at band practice...VERY hot!". 

 2) Cheerleaders.  Talk about a lack of respect.  These girls spend most of their hours behind the scenes making signs, goody bags, working on stunts and cheers...just to have most people dismiss what they do and make fun of them.  The fact is...the game would not be the same without them.  Isn't that what "home field advantage" is all about?  The noise.  The crowd.  These girls are the ones leading the effort to make sure the crowd is loud.  They too spend summers working and practicing.  They sometimes have been tumbling or taking gymnastics since they were young in order to be a better cheerleader. 

Either way - all the things they do go into creating an atmosphere of "nothing is more important than this game" for the players come Friday night.  Caroline Grissom of Muscle Shoals says they practice 8-12 Monday - Friday in the summer..but she "loves everything about it"and  Kayla Blackstock of Rogers concurs they too practice 2 - 4 hrs Monday - Friday and sometimes Saturday but she "loves football and everything to do with it".  

Patrick Twesme says being on the field
in front of people acting
crazy is the best



3) Mascots.  Who doesn't feel like its a bigger deal when the mascot is busy entertaining the fans.  These guys are great fun and add so much to the atmosphere. Wanna talk about a tough job? Ever felt how hot it is in one of those blind heat traps.  Wow!  4) Fans.  From the parents, grandparents, and siblings that come to cheer, to the alumni that still find their way to the stadium years after graduating.  Current students dress up, socialize, paint their chest, scream, yell, and do whatever to release energy and hopefully be able to walk away proud that their team did well.  5) Volunteers.  Think of all the work it takes to line the field.  To run the concession stand.  To make sure every last detail is handled so that all the coaching staff has to worry about is winning.  Yes - it takes a lot of people to make it work.  It involves an entire community.  Friday Nights are special...the games are great...it's truly much more than just a game. Its Friday Night! 

Mid Season All Stars 4A - 6A

The regular season is halfway over.  These are the players and units that are worthy of "all-star" recognition.  They have had outstanding starts to the 2011 season. 

QB

Doss can run and pass

Kendrick Doss (Florence) - Completing over 60% of his passes this season and accounting for most of the Falcon TD's either through the air on on the ground.  He is a dual threat and has gotten better as the year progresses. 

Skylar Beck (Brooks) - Like Doss, Beck is a threat to run as well as pass.  He also makes plays on defense.  He is a big reason the Lion offense averages 35 points per game.

Minor gets tough yards

RB

Will Minor (Deshler) - Has rushed for just over 700 yards in only 5 games.  Averaging over 140 yards per game...and thats against very good competition.  He hits holes quick, but he also runs over people.  Great start to the season as the Tigers are looking very good. 

Devan Sullivan (Muscle Shoals) - The Trojan line seems to open holes and allow any runner good yards.  Sullivan seems to have the ability to turn the corner and make 5 yard holes into 50 yard TD's.  He is also a threat on special teams as well.

Sullivan is always a threat to score

Offensive Line
Muscle Shoals - Any given game this line allows Sullivan, Montgomery, Nance, or Gist to run for big gains.  They moved the ball very good against every team they have played this season.
Deshler - The Tigers offensive line has allowed multiple runners 100+ yard rushing games.  They are scoring over 35 pts per game.  That means they win in the trenches. 

WR
JJ Green (Florence) - Favorite target of Doss, Green has the ability to get yards after the catch as well as find ways to get open in an offense that throws a lot.  Great first 5 games.  He is a big reason the Falcons have the second most passing yards in the area.
Murphy Harrison (Central) - Sometimes used as a runner, when the Wildcats face a passing situation he is the go to man.  Makes plays after the catch and has had some impressive single game statistics.

Defensive Front
Muscle Shoals - Anchored by Dee Liner this front line does not allow teams success running the ball.  They make life miserable for opposing running backs.  They are a big reason the Trojans only allow just over 8 points per game. 
Florence - These guys have stopped some very good teams from running.  Eggleston and Smith continue to improve and make plays that discourage most teams from running.

Defensive Secondary


Liner clogs the middle

Florence - No one has been successful passing on the Falcons.  They pick off too many passes.  With Brown, Coman, Petty, and Hart it is hard to find a place to throw without one of them picking it off.

Deshler - Even teams that typically have success throwing, like Russellville and Brooks, were unable to really hurt the Tigers secondary.  Donley dares anyone to throw downfield on this defense.

Special Team/Both Ways/Multiple Positions

These are the guys that are versatile or play well wherever they are used.

Clint Prestage (Brooks) - running, catching, or playing defense.  Prestage makes a difference.  Clint is a threat to score wherever he touches the ball...either offense or defense.

Beniquez Brown (Florence) - Power running.  Hard hitting on defense. Cover safety that intercepts and return for TD's.  Brown is everywhere for the Falcons.  They depend on him on both sides of the ball.  Opponents always know where #42 is at all times. 



                    

Mid Season All Stars

Five games into the season.  It is the halfway mark of the regular season.  In many sports there is an "all-star" break in which players with a great 1st half are rewarded and recognized for their outstanding play.  We will do the same.

A-3A

QB

Tyler Grigsby (Rogers) - High completion percentage.  Great decisions.  Can run.  Wins.  Easy choice...he has really done a great job guiding this offense, making all the right throws and runs as well.
Cole Claunch (Colbert Heights) - Excellent accuracy.  He throws well and has continued to do well even as teams completely prepare for the aerial attack.  Lots of yardage no matter who the competition.  Has had a very good start to the season. 


RB
Charles Jackson (Sheffield) - You can count on Jackson for a couple of scores, a long run, and 100+ yards seemingly every game.  The Bulldogs have not lost since his return from a game 1 absence.
Chandler Russ (Shoals Christian) - Hard to ignore back to back 200+ yard rushing games.

Offensive Line
Lauderdale County - These guys make running lanes for anyone.  At least three DIFFERENT runners have had 100 yard rushing games.  These guys have  multiple 400+ rushing nights.  Very solid. 
Red Bay - This line has simply pounded away at people.  Each game this season they have won the battle in the trenches.  This is why they are 5-0 on the season.

WR
Colby Spann (Colbert Heights) - An electric player that can score from anywhere.  Definitely a receiver that a defense has to put their best man on....and yet he still often breaks the long one.
Cody Stevens (Rogers) - Has had some very good games.  The passing game here helps keep defenses honest and Stevens is a big part of that. 

Defensive Line
Rogers - No one has had success running on the Pirates.  Linebackers Raleigh Killen and Zane Taylor stop anything the front doesn't.  Three shutouts in 5 weeks. 
Hatton - Even high powered offenses like RA Hubbard have trouble moving the ball on these guys.  They are extremely tough to run against.
Red Bay - Just as the offensive lines opens holes and wins games - this defensive line doesn't allow anyone to run.  They are the other reason the Tigers are undefeated.

Defensive Secondary

LCHS - Each week it seems this secondary makes big interceptions.  Even a team that throws as well as Brooks was unable to hurt this secondary.  Good athletes and a good scheme.
Sheffield - Bulldog defenders are only giving up 10 pts per game.  They intercepted an accurate passing Colbert Heights team 3 times in 1 game including a late 4th quarter pick to seal the win.
Rogers - Several players have multiple interception games.  You dont shut people out if your secondary is weak.  This one is strong. 

Both Ways/Special Teams
These are the "extras".  The guys who have played great but either at multiple positions or as special teams players.  Guys that you want on your team wherever they line up to play. 

Austin Kerr/Alex Woodard (Rogers) - Austin and Alex have both had games where they run for 100+ with multiple TD's and make interceptions.  Great first half to the season.
Jamie Dorrah/Craig Saint (Phil Campbell) - Both of these Bobcats have had tremendous games running, receiving, and on special teams. 
Jake Newton/Samuel Grisham (LCHS) - these two players have taken turns having exceptional games.  They are QB/RB's that are a big reason the Tigers are doing so well.

Watch Tomorrow for the 4A - 6A All-Stars

Player of the Week: Week 5

Coman recovers a fumble...again!

GOLD - Kivon Coman (Florence) - Not many times is a defensive player recognized and rewarded for his individual play.  Then again its not often a player forces three fumbles AND recovers them.  All three were on critical Trojan drives and were in the red zone as Florence defeats Muscle Shoals 27-22.



Grisham ran for 276 yards!



SILVER - Samuel Grisham (LCHS) -  Unbelievable numbers.  A night people often talk about for many years since it wasn't padding stats against a weak opponent.  These numbers were against a good Brooks Lions team.  276 rushing yards and 4 TD's in a 49 - 26 win.



Doss accounted for all 4 Falcon TD's







BRONZE - Kendrick Doss (Florence) - Quarterbacks jobs are to lead their team to win.  Some do this by simply managing the game.  Doss did better.  He took over the game.   4TD's and 262 total yards! 147 rushing yards and 3 TD runs combined with 11 of 18 passing for 115 yards and a TD in a 27-22 win.




HONORABLE MENTION
Will Minor (Deshler) - 117 yards rushing and 2 TD's in a 42-14 win over Colbert County
Zach Harris (Cherokee) - rushes for 111 yards in a loss to Shoals Christian
Will Bishop (Shoals Christian) - Throws for 127 yards and 3 TD's as the Flame win big
Daniel Hayes (Central) - 144 yards on 12 carries with 3 TD's in a win over Butler
Charles Jackson (Sheffield) - 108 yards on 12 carries with 2 TD's in a 19-14 win
Jake Montgomery (Muscle Shoals) - 113 yards and a TD on 10 carries in a loss to Florence
Evan McFall (Central) - 122 yards and 2 TD's on 11 carries in a 62 - 20 win
Austin Kerr (Rogers) - Scoring 2 TD's and 1 interception in the end zone to beat Lexington 28-0
Steven Wood (Red Bay) - 166 yards rushing in a win over rival Belmont, Miss. 26-7
Chandler Russ (Shoals Christian) - 219 yards on 18 carries in a 55-13 win
JJ Green (Florence) - caught 8 passes for 102 yards and a TD in a win at home against Muscle Shoals
LCHS Offensive Line - Helped several runners combine for 485 rushing yards in a 49-26 win at Brooks
Colby Spann (Colbert Heights) - Caught a receiving TD and returned a punt 85 yds for another TD in a loss