Bragging rights can be on the line on opening night.
Such will be the case when the South Lamar and Lamar County High School football team renew acquaintances in the season opener at 7 p.m. at George Bell Stadium in Vernon, Ala.
Lamar County coach Ken Adams and South Lamar coach Josh Harper believe their squads have just enough talented returnees for each program to take a step forward this season.
“We really believe this is the year we can turn the corner and make some strides,” Adams said. “The challenge has been building the program back. We have had to get players to buy in to what we were trying to accomplish. The work ethic has been great. Now we are ready to see if we can put it all together.”
Lamar County went 13-1 and advanced to the fourth round of the Class 2A state playoffs in 2009. It finished 10-2 and reached the second round of the playoffs in 2008.
A year ago, Lamar County finished 4-6, while South Lamar went 3-7. South Lamar won the head-to-head battle, 27-20.
“The theme of our offseason has been injuries,” Harper said. “We are hoping to have enough players to compete. We will play a lot of players in different positions (tonight) trying to create some depth. The attitude has been real good. We went from one win to three wins last season. This group wants to keep improving this season.”
In preseason action last weekend, Lamar County took a 21-8 two-quarter victory against Gordo. The Bulldogs received a solid outing from quarterback Dallas Cockerham and tailback Alex Wheeler. Linebackers Tyler Sprouse and Lemetrius Williams led the defense.
South Lamar fell to Pickens County 35-0 last week. With the Stallions returning 19 starters, optimism remains high.
“If we can stay healthy, we can have a successful season,” Harper said. “Based on training camp, that is a big if. The goal at the beginning of the season was to play several players so we didn”t have to play as many players two ways. However, the injuries have shaken up the depth chart. It is game time, though, and we are ready to go, so we will see what happens.”
The Stallions will be without quarterback Jordan Smith, who will miss two to four games with a broken thumb. Harper expects to play senior Trent Wilson and sophomore Canaan Fleming.
A talented group of receivers includes senior Kyle Robertson, senior Jacob Beeksman, and sophomore Dalton Pollard. Despite the injury to Smith, the Stallions still expect to throw the ball regularly.
Meanwhile, Lamar County expects a tough, physical challenge from its neighborhood rival. Since the teams scrimmaged on different nights last week, the coaching staffs at both schools had a unique, first-hand chance to scout.
“I assume they didn”t show us anything and we didn”t show them anything,” Adams said. “This is such a big rivalry game. It is a great way to start the year. The kids are excited and ready to play.”
Aliceville at Greene County
Coach Charles Moody makes his debut tonight when Aliceville takes on Greene County in the season opener for both teams. Moody is in his second season at Aliceville. He spent last season as defensive coordinator.
“We have been getting ready for this night for a month,” Moody said. “The attitude and work effort has been tremendous. Fall camp has been very good to us. I am excited about some of the things we should be able to do on both offense and defense.”
Moody and his squad have been working out the kinks after a 27-14 victory against Central Tuscaloosa last week in a controlled scrimmage.
“The kids just wanted to hit somebody else,” Moody said. “It was good to look at some of our young players. For some, it was their first chance to play under the lights. Now, we move on and open with a very talented Greene County squad.”
Aliceville went 6-4 and lost in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs last season. Greene County went 6-5 and lost in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. The Tigers won 16-0 in the opener last season.
Pickens County at American Christian Academy
Pickens County hopes to build on the momentum of its 35-0 preseason victory against South Lamar when it travels to American Christian Academy.
Patrick Plott begins his second stint as coach at Pickens County. He hopes his high-octane offense can build on last week”s practice. Sophomore quarterback Devonte Simon is expected to lead the Tornadoes. Defensively, Pickens County will rely on the talents of Warren Betts and LaJuan Doss.
Pickens Academy at Restoration Academy (7:30 p.m. kickoff)
Pickens Academy will try to bounce back after dropping an 18-7 decision to Southern Academy last week in its season opener.
Oliver Owens caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Josh Lewis in the fourth quarter for the Pirates.
The Class 2A, Region 1 game is the season opener for Restoration Academy.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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