Local teams looking to advance their championship dreams
Published 12:00 am Friday, November 19, 2004
Demopolis High School
INJURIES
BREAK DOWN
The Demopolis Tigers are going to come out with strong offense and solid defense as they have all year.
Starting quarterback Devin Goodwin has thrown 38 touchdowns with only three interceptions.
The entire defense has only allowed 48 points this season and has now had seven shutouts.
The Tigers also had six shutouts last year during the regular season.
The Demopolis Tigers have a very strong team including a surprising deep bench.
Here’s a list of just a few of the star players for the Tigers who will not be departing after the season ends: Rod Jones (junior), Ezell Braxton (junior), Dontrell Miller (junior), Jacob Smelly (junior), Kyle Chancelor (sophomore), Rob Quinney (sophomore), Lucious Haywood (sophomore), and Calvin Bryant (sophomore).
Again, that’s just naming a few names out of the many that will be back next year in a Tigers uniform.
Demopolis has proven they are a very talented team with the many multiple-point blowouts on the year.
And in round one last week against Saint James, they took the first step in finally achieving their quest to bring a blue map home to Demopolis.
This is the third straight season that the Tigers have gone undefeated in the regular season under head coach Doug Goodwin.
Goodwin has already received a selection to be the offensive coordinator for the South squad.
Defensive coordinator Freddy Lawrence has once again shown that the blue-heat defense is one of the best in the state under his leadership.
Demopolis will be battling the Thomasville Tigers tonight in round two and should be able to take care of business and jump into the third round of the playoffs.
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Southern Academy
INJURIES
RB Erik Montz – out for season with knee injury.
BREAK DOWN
The Cougars have a load of talent and will be forced to use it after the injury to Montz.
Tonight against Autauga Academy, the Cougars will have to show they can win another game without their star running back.
But they have already done just that, as they beat No. 8 Shelby Academy, 20-7, in their final game of the regular season and took care of business against Chambers Academy in round one.
Under head coach Shaun Bonds, the Cougars are entering round two of the AISA playoffs with the goal of winning a state championship.
And that goal looks like it can be accomplished as long as the back-up running backs fill in for the injured Montz.
After proving they could win Montz-less by knocking off Shelby and Chambers, the Cougars look more prepared than ever to bring home a state championship to Southern Academy.
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Sweet Water High School
INJURIES
Dominic Holt (questionable).
BREAK DOWN
The Bulldogs have a deep bench and strong talent on both sides of the ball.
They will have to use that to their full advantage if they expect to get past Millry.
Sweet Water has been to the state championship game before, and beyond that – they have won a few.
This year’s Bulldogs team looks to be strong and talented enough to go all the way to the state championship.
The Bulldogs lost only two games during the regular season – one to 4A Thomasville and one to the highly touted American Christian Patriots.
And they ended the season with a 55-28 win over 4A Gulf Shores. Under head coach Stacy Luker, the Bulldogs are heading into the playoffs with the heart, talent, and desire to win a state championship.
Now it’s just a matter of going out and making it happen.
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John Essex High School
INJURIES
BREAK DOWN
The Hornets have had a remarkable run through the regular season and into the first round of the playoffs.
John Essex shocked many people when they knocked off Ariton in the first round.
And now they face an even greater challenge in going up against the Loachapoka Indians.
But this time, the Hornets get to play on their home field.
If the Hornets can find a way to sting their way into the third round, it’s quite possible we could see a local match-up between the Hornets and the Bulldogs.
Under head coach Al Shipman, the Hornets have proven they have the talent and desire to win the big games.
Tonight will be coach Shipman’s greatest challenge of the season, and hopefully the Hornets can walk away winners and move into the third round.
Only time will tell.
And “that time” comes tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Demopolis.
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