By Tyler Waldrep Historic seasons have a way of sneaking up on people. Perhaps that’s what makes them so special. Last year, Oak Mountain’s inclusion in Region 3 of the new Class 7A had some questioning the program’s ability to stay competitive. Coach Cris Bell’s team responded with the school’s second 10-win season. “They have confidence that they can play with anybody,” … [Read more...]
Lesson Learned: Spain Park Hopes to Return to Playoffs
By Lee Davis Spain Park probably learned an important lesson about how difficult life can be in Class 7A’s Region 3 last season. “I’m not an expert on the history of high school football in Alabama,” said Shawn Raney the Jaguars’ head coach. “But I couldn’t imagine a team beating Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills in the same season and not making the playoffs. That’s exactly … [Read more...]
Talkin’ Football: After Controversy, Rebels Ready for Season
By Lee Davis Nobody can blame Vestavia Hills coach Buddy Anderson for being ready for some football. After a summer of controversy over the Rebels’ mascot, Anderson – and everyone else in the Vestavia football family – is ready to move on. “All of that is behind us,” Anderson said. “The full focus is on the season ahead.” The Rebels are hoping to bounce back from an … [Read more...]
Still Super: Sullivan Treasures Relationships the Most
By Lee Davis Pat Sullivan earned a lot of hardware in his days as a star Auburn University quarterback and later as a coach. Sullivan won the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s outstanding college football player in 1971. In the 1980s, he directed the Tigers’ offense as Auburn won three consecutive Southeastern Conference championships. But his most prized awards from athletics … [Read more...]
High Finance Football
By Sue Murphy I was musing the other day (I do that), and a terrible thought came to me: With budget cuts running rampant, what if someone decided to get rid of high school football? Now, I haven’t been to a high school football game in years. But back when my daughters were teenagers, Friday night football kicked off every fall weekend. My daughters were in the band and, … [Read more...]