RSS Feed
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Publisher’s Comments I usually let Jeremy Sellers, Ross Wood and others handle our sports news but I just have to comment on the extraordinary significance of three southwest Alabama football teams making the “Super Six” state championship playoffs in Birmingham. Some might say extraordinary luck but I know that a lot of hard work and planning on the part of players, coaches and supporters went into the successful seasons that paved the road to Birmingham. It is remarkable that three teams within about a 50 mile or so span from right here in rural southwest Alabama will be playing for championships in three of the six classes of the Alabama High School Athletic Association. It says something about sports in this part of the state but I believe it also speaks well of our young people’s ability, motivation and teamwork. I’ve often heard it said that our part of the state has a great work ethic and having the above-named skills honed so well at early ages could be a factor in good work skills later in life. The Leroy Bears are 12-2 after handily whipping Houston Academy 34-7 last week. They will take on Woodland, also 12- 2, in a rematch of the 2004 title game that the Bears won at 3 p.m. today (Thursday) at Legion Field. The Thomasville Tigers defeated a tough Andalusia squad 42-26 in a game that was a nail-biter at times to make the title game. The 13-1 Tigers will take on Guntersville, also 13-1, at 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) in the 3A game that is certain to be a thriller. The Tigers’ only other state championship was in 1988. Finally, the Sweet Water Bulldogs, a longtime powerhouse team, will be seeking their first state title since 2004. The team is 12-1 and will be playing Cedar Bluff, 13-1, for the 1A championship at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The Bulldogs defeated Maplesville last week 28-6 to get to go to Birmingham. I won’t be making the games (someone has to stay home to make sure we have coverage here on things) but I will be listening to the radio and tuning in the TV and pulling for all three of these squads. As I noted earlier, the players certainly deserve credit for getting to Birmingham. But their coaches deserve hearty applause too. Danny Powell of Leroy, Jack Hankins of Thomasville and Stacy Luker of Sweet Water all have to possess great coaching skills to get to this level. But they must also be good motivators too. I understand that bad stuff usually makes the news quicker than good. That is just the nature of the news business. But with these championship possibilities we have an opportunity to showcase our young people and the positive attributes of our region to a statewide audience. It is just football, I know that. But it is so much more too. That’s why we all need to be pulling for all three of these local teams. It doesn’t matter if we are Leroy’s and Thomasville’s sworn enemies during the regular season, things are different for this three-day championship series. Wins by our area teams will bring a positive focus to our region, our schools and our young people. That’s why I am sincere in saying: “Go, Leroy Bears!” “Go, Thomasville Tigers!”
“Go, Sweet Water Bulldogs!” Do us proud and bring home those first place trophies!
|
for larger version       |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
