2011 Bests

4A-6A All-Prep Team
FIRST TEAM
QB - Kendrick Doss (Florence)
LB - Dylan Hogue (Central), Davian Eggleston (Florence), Ethan Felton, Zach Mize (Muscle Shoals)
RB - Will Minor (Deshler), Beniquez Brown (Florence), Dillon Gist (Muscle Shoals)
DL - Dee Liner (Muscle Shoals), Rock Slaughter (Muscle Shoals)
OL - John Broaddrick (Central), Jamarcus Ford (Deshler), Ben Thomas (Central), Julian Cole (Florence)
WR - JJ Green (Florence), Brandon Creasy (Deshler), BJ Bailey (Deshler)
DB - Kivon Coman (Florence), Jose Bentoncourt (Russellville), Levi Fell (Muscle Shoals)
Special Teams - Devan Sullivan (Muscle Shoals)

SECOND TEAM
QB - Skylar Beck (Brooks)
LB - Logan Ezell (Russellville), Wilson Cook (Wilson), Chandler Sartain (Muscle Shoals)
RB - Clint Prestage (Brooks), Daniel Hayes (Central), Tyler Boyd (Russellville)
DL/OL - Kaelan Bonds (Russellville), Chris Petty (Central), Josh Tillary (Russellville)
WR/DB - Jordan Gist (Russellville), Aaron McClusky (Brooks), Murphy Harrison (Central)

Best Rushing Attack - Muscle Shoals
Best Passing Attack - Florence Falcons
Most Balanced Offense - Brooks Lions
Best Rush Defense - Muscle Shoals
Best Pass Defense - Florence Falcons
Most Improved - Brooks Lions
Brightest Future - Deshler Tigers
Most Exciting Games - Florence/Muscle Shoals,
Central/West Limestone, Muscle Shoals/Chelsea, Brooks/Deshler, Central/Deshler, Florence/Bob Jones,

Region Standings for 5A and 4A

5A    Muscle Shoals has won their Region as have the Deshler Tigers.  But how do the rest of the teams shape up and who will they be playing? 

TEAM     Record    Rgn W/L  Rgn Game left
1.  Muscle Shoals    7-0       6-1     Lee-Huntsville
2. East Limestone    6-2       5-1    Athens
3. Athens                 4-4       4-2     East Limestone
4. Russellville          3-5       3-3     Columbia
4. J.O. Johnson        5-3       3-3     Lawrence Co.
The Trojans will be at home against the Region 5 4th place team.  This is according to the AHSAA and is different from years past.  This Region is the Birmingham area.  Currently fourth place is Shelby County and Pinson Valley.  They play each other Friday night.  Russellville needs to win and Hope Johnson loses.  If so they will be the #4 and will travel to Briarwood Christian. 

4A
4A has played a little less complicated barring any major upsets in Week 9.  Deshler will be at home against the Corner/Haleyville winner.  Brooks will be the #2 seed and will host Dora  while Central travels to Midfield.  Of course any major upsets in Region 5 could change that but dont expect any in this region.

3A and 4A Region Standings

4A
Place   School   Overall    Region    Remaining Region Games
1        Deshler     7-0          5-0             Priceville, Wilson
2        Brooks      5-2          4-1             West Limestone, East Lawrence
3        Central      5-2          3-2             Wilson, Ardmore
3        W Limstn  4-3         3-2              Brooks, Priceville
5        Ardmore    3-4          2-3             East Lawrence, Central
6        E Lawrnc   1-6         1-4             Ardmore, Brooks
6        Priceville    2-5        1-4              Deshler, West Limestone
6        Wilson       1-6         1-4             Central, Deshler

Deshler would have to lose both remaining games not to win the region.  So count them in as a #1 seed.  Brooks can take second with a win over West as they hold the tie breaker edge over Central.  The Brooks/West Limestone game probably determines who gets to play at home in Round 1.  Deshler will probably host Corner, Haleyville, or Oak Grove, while whoever finishes fourth will travel most likely to Fayette County.  Currently the #2 and #3 seed would be playing Dora and Midfield.  With two weeks to play region games there is always the chance of upsets changing it all.

3A
Place   School      Overall   Region    Remaining Schedule
1       Rogers           6-1          5-0         Sheffield, Danville
2       Laud County  6-1          4-1         Danville, Colbert County
2       Sheffield         5-2          4-1         Rogers, West Morgan
4       Colbert Co     3-4          3-2        Elkmont, Laud. County
5       Elkmont         4-3           2-3        Colbert Co., Clements
6       West Morgan 2-5           1-4       Clements, Sheffield
6        Clements       1-6           1-4        West Morgan, Elkmont
8        Danville         1-6           0-5        Laud. County, Rogers

A win by Rogers this week over Sheffield would make for a simple 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.  If Sheffield were to win it will get very interesting.  Top two most likely host Cordova or Holly Pond while the 3rd and 4th would travel to Hamilton and Hanceville.

Region Standings

With three only three region games remaining, the coming weeks will determine the fate of most local teams playoff hopes and positions. 


6A
Florence is currently in a 4 way tie for third place.  Fortunately for the Falcons they play the 2nd place team this weekend.  A win over Decatur would tie them for second place with an edge over Decatur because they would have won the head to head match up.  Being second means playing a first round playoff game at home. 

5A
Muscle Shoals is in total control.  With East Limestone in second but having lost to the Trojans head to head Muscle Shoals would have to lose 2 of the next 3 games in order to be passed at the top. The bigger question is will Russellville get in.  The golden Tigers are in a 4 way tie for 3rd.  With Muscle Shoals this week it will take some very good play the next three weeks for it to work out well for Russellville.

4A
Deshler is on top.  Again.  With a win this week over West they could seal the deal.  A loss would tie them with West and Brooks at 3-1.  Wilson needs to win out.  Central and Brooks appear on track to be in the playoffs but are still battling for home field advantage in Round 1.  Brooks has the advantage with the win over Central head to head but still has to play West Limestone. 

3A
Big games await.  Rogers and Sheffield sit undefeated in region play; however, Rogers has already defeated LCHS.  Sheffield travels to LCHS this week.  Should LCHS win and then Rogers lose to Sheffield it could get very interesting.  Either the next 2 weeks will clear it all up or make it all tied up.  These 3 are fighting for home field advantage while Colbert County is fighting to make the playoffs.  They are currently in 4th.

2A
Red Bay is 4-0 in the region and has already won head to head with second place Colbert Heights, Lamar County, and Lexington.  Red Bay's remaining region opponents are 3-15.  Looks good for the Tigers.  Second place and home field advantage in round 1 is up for grabs.  Colbert Heights and Lexington are both 3-1 and will play in week 9.  Might be a deciding game for both teams. Hatton is currently fifth but gets to play Lexington and Lamar County in the coming weeks.  Wins over these could put them in the playoffs.

1A
Two teams are 4-0.  Shoals Christian is 3-1 with Phillips while RA Hubbard is 2-2.  The Flame control their destiny as two of the three teams ahead of them remain in the weeks ahead - wins put them in the playoffs....possibly even at home. Losses and it could be much more complicated for both RA Hubbard and Shoals Christian.

Brooks at Wilson

Click to see game pictures

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! 

Trojans average nearly 50 points per game!

During the first three weeks of the 2011 High School football season, there has been no shortage of point production from several teams in the area.  The Muscle Shoals Trojans not only average 47.7 points per game, but they are 10 points ahead of Colbert Heights, who comes in second with 37.7 PPG.  Can they keep up this pace?  We will have to wait and see.  Here is how the top ten stacks up:



  Team                                      Average Points Per Game
  1.  Muscle Shoals                                     47.7
  2.  Colbert Heights                                    37.7
  3.  R.A. Hubbard                                       35.7
  4.  Brooks                                                 33
  5.  Deshler                                               32.3
  6.  Red Bay                                             28.7
  7.  Shoals Christian                                  27.3
  8.  Central                                                 27
  9.  Wilson                                                26.3
10.  Russellville                                          25.3

High Powered Offense

The team with the most points wins. Every single time.  That is the object of the game - to score more points than the opponent.  These teams have had no problem putting points on the board.  At least not last week.  These teams all average at least 25 points per game.  Some are consistent while one team scored 6 in week one only to solve the problems and hang 53 on the board the following week.  Once again these teams are a combined 15 - 5.  Just like the top defensive teams were.  And again...three of the five losses were to teams on this list in head to head matchups.  So if lots of scoring is what you want to see... these are the teams to watch. 

TEAM                         Point per Game

1. Muscle Shoals                 45
2. Colbert Heights               43.5
3. Central                            40.5
4. Deshler                           38
5. RA Hubbard                   29.5
5. Russellville                       29.5
7. Wilson                            29
8. Brooks                           25.5
8. Red Bay                         25.5
10. Sheffield                        25

Preview: Wilson at East Lawrence

Cody Gross and his Wilson Warriors will travel to East Lawrence for their first regional game this year.  Last year the Warriors escaped with a 6 - 0 victory.  The two teams are in very similiar situations.  Wilson has a new coach and is coming off a 3 - 7 season as well as a week 1 defeat.  East Lawrence has a new coach in Ernie Ferguson, was 2 - 8 last season, and lost last week as well.  Friday night should be a great way for each coach to measure their teams progress. Wilson improved over last years performance against a very good Lauderdale County team.  East lost to a Lawrence County team that was winless last season.  The game should provide a little more offense than last year but in the end the result will be the same.  Wilson will escape with a victory.  Advantage - Wilson.

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. 

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