Tigers look to continue perfect home start

The Demopolis Tigers (1-1) found their groove last week with a 34-0 shutout victory over Greensboro. In the contest, A.J. Jackson and Anthony Besteder both crossed the century mark in rushing yards and DeDe Davis was once again the leading receiver for DHS. Brandon Simmons also had himself a ball game with two touchdown receptions.

DHS looks to keep the good times rolling in the Class 5A Region 3 opener against Central-Tuscaloosa.

Central (0-2) hang tough with Class 6A Jackson-Olin before the Mustangs scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to put away the Tuscaloosa squad 25-12. Running back Javonta Leatherwood had 19 carries for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Leatherwood has accounted for all of Falcons’ touchdowns on the season.

The Tigers are 5-0 all-time against the Falcons and thumped Central last year in Tuscaloosa 44-0.

Sweet Water travels to Thomaston to face A.L. Johnson

Two teams looking for their first wins of the season will clash in the Class 1A Region 1 opener for both squads as the Sweet Water Bulldogs (0-1) travel to face in-county A.L. Johnson Eagles (0-2).

Sweet Water comes in after a tough season opening loss to Thomasville. Both teams were tied at 8-8 until the Tigers came out aggressively in the second half and scored three touchdowns in the third quarter. Despite all that, the defense was still impressive picking off Corrigan Thibadeaux three times with Sasha Smith collecting two interceptions and Trent Sams snagging a pick in the end zone. Shamar Lewis led the offense with 98 yards on 13 carries.

ALJHS enter after a 26-6 loss to Monroe County. The Eagles were able to find the end zone for the first time under new head coach Roosevelt Moore, but the team still has some ways to go under the coach who came in just a couple of weeks before the start of the season to adjust to sudden leadership change.

SWHS holds a 25-5 edge in all-time meetings against ALJHS including a 42-6 win last season

Marengo High plays second of season opening road tour in Millry

Eventually the Marengo High School Panthers (1-0) will play a home game, but this is not that week as MHS hits the road to open Class 1A Region 1 against the Millry Wildcats (0-1).

The Panthers opened the season with a dominant 62-0 win over Choctaw County. The ground game was an embarrassment of riches with Alphonzo Lewis rushing for 193 yards and three touchdowns on eight carries, Roosevelt Thompson going for 63 yards and a score on six carries in addition to six 2-point conversion runs, Qindaris Ausbon had 51 yards and a touchdown on five carries and Calvin Ferguson had 52 yards on four carries.

Millry on the other hand did not get much offense going against Class 2A Washington County. The Wildcats may lean on a duel quarterback system, turning to senior Riley Hill or sophomore Tate Warr.

This all-time series is tied at 12-12. Last year, the Panthers evened the series with a 47-14 home win.

Linden hoping to bounce back against Fruitdale

After a shocking result against Hillcrest-Evergreen with the Patriots dropping the game 35-6, the Linden (0-1) look to right the ship with the Class 1A Region 1 opener against the Fruitdale (0-2) Pirates.

Losing a starting quarterback can be tough especially when that guy is trying to be the stop gap to replace a losing a large senior class. That was the case for Grady Brown who suffered a hip injury in the spring exhibition two weeks ago. The loss manifested itself against Hillcrest and the Patriots struggled to get the offense moving.

Fruitdale has also struggled offensively and has not scored a point all season while surrendering 78 points in the two games so far.

Quarterback Dawson Owens and running back Eric Boykin figure to be key players as the Pirates look to establish the ground game.

Linden is 7-0 against Fruitdale and have outscored the Pirates all-time 400-18. Last year’s game was a 61-0 decision in favor of LHS.

Marengo Academy on the road to start region play in Greensboro

The Marengo Academy Longhorns (0-2) couldn’t have opened with a much tougher schedule facing two AISA-AAA teams in back to back weeks, but that all changes as MA opens AISA-A Region 2 play against Southern Academy (0-1).

Last week, the Longhorns lost their home opener to Monroe Academy 41-0. Despite facing a school with more depth, William Drake found room to rush for 93 yards on 17 carries.

Southern Academy opened last week with a 24-12 loss to AISA-AA Jackson Academy, but figure to poise a tough challenge with both teams playing finally playing similar competition.

The Longhorns and Cougars are 8-8 all-time, but MA has been dominant in the last two matchups outscoring SA 88-0 in that span.

ALABAMA SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POLL Week 2 – Sept. 6, 2017

(First-place votes and current record in parentheses)

Class 7A

1. Central-Phenix City (19) (2-0) 280

2. Hoover (5) (1-1) 236

3. Thompson (1-0) 187

4. Hewitt-Trussville (1) (1-0) 178

5. McGill-Toolen (2-0) 151

6. James Clemens (1-0) 121

7. Spain Park (2-0) 111

8. Auburn (2-0) 81

9. Mountain Brook (2-0) 40

10. Baker (2-0) 18

Others receiving votes: Theodore (2-0) 10, Enterprise (1-1) 7, Oak Mountain (2-0) 2, Bob Jones (0-2) 1, Murphy (0-2) 1, Sparkman (1-0) 1.

Class 6A

1. Austin (15) (2-0) 264

2. Blount (5) (2-0) 226

3. Pinson Valley (4) (2-0) 208

4. Oxford (1) (2-0) 202

5. Ramsay (0-1) 109

6. Opelika (1-1) 97

7. Wetumpka (2-0) 84

8. Spanish Fort (1-1) 59

9. Daphne (1-1) 39

10. Jackson-Olin (2-0) 24

Others receiving votes: Hartselle (2-0) 21, Sidney Lanier (2-0) 16, Homewood (2-0) 11, Saraland (2-0) 11, Minor (1-1) 9, Muscle Shoals (1-1) 9, Benjamin Russell (1-0) 8, Clay-Chalkville (2-0) 7, Albertville (2-0) 6, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (0-2) 4, Baldwin Co. (2-0) 3, Carver-Birmingham (2-0) 2, Hazel Green (0-1) 2, Park Crossing (1-1) 2, Shades Valley 2-0) 2.

Class 5A

1. Briarwood Chr. (15) (1-0) 267

2. St. Paul’s (10) (2-0) 254

3. Alexandria (2-0) 176

4. Carroll (1-0) 159

5. Beauregard (0-1) 147

6. Wenonah (1-0) 126

7. Greenville (1-0) 69

8. Mae Jemison-Huntsville (2-0) 60

9. Pleasant Grove (1-0)34

10. Central-Clay Co. (1-1) 33

Others receiving votes:  Jackson (1-0) 23, Vigor (0-2) 22, Eufaula (1-1) 15, Curry (2-0) 12, Sylacauga (2-0) 8, Brooks (0-1) 4, Jemison (1-1) 4, Faith Academy (1-0) 3, Guntersville (1-0) 3, Williamson (2-0) 3, Moody (1-0) 2, Citronelle (1-0) 1.

Class 4A

1. UMS-Wright (23) (2-0) 292

2. Leeds (1) (2-0) 197

3. Rogers (1) (2-0) 192

T4. Andalusia (1-1) 142

T4. Fayette Co. (2-0) 142

6. Handley (0-1) 135

7. Hokes Bluff (1-0) 130

T8. Madison Acad. (0-1)  59

T8. Tallassee (2-0) 59

10. Thomasville (2-0) 19

Others receiving votes: St. James (1-1) 18, Wilson (2-0) 15, Deshler (2-0) 7, Madison Co. (1-0) 7, Dale Co. (2-0) 6, Saks (1-0) 3, Alabama Chr. (2-0) 1, Dadeville (2-0) 1.

Class 3A

1. Mobile Chr. (20) (1-0) 284

2. Piedmont (5) (1-1) 231

3. Ohatchee (2-0) 195

4. Montevallo (1-0) 156

5. Gordo (1-1) 143

6. Oakman (1-0) 112

7. Weaver (2-0) 89

8. Pike Co. (1-0) 78

9. Randolph Co. (1-0) 55

10. T.R. Miller (1-0) 41

Others receiving votes: Hillcrest-Evergreen (1-0) 21, Opp (0-1) 9, Plainview (2-0) 4, Clarke Co. (0-1) 3, Flomaton (2-0) 2, Glencoe (2-0) 1, Lauderdale Co. (0-1) 1.

Class 2A

1. Fyffe (24) (1-0) 297

2. Lanett (1) (2-0) 222

3. Leroy (1-0) 170

4. Aliceville (0-1) 169

5. Elba (0-1) 147

6. LaFayette (1-1) 123

7. Luverne (1-0) 63

8. Tanner (1-1) 52

9. Goshen  (1-0) 43

10. G.W. Long (0-1) 42

Others receiving votes: Sulligent (2-0) 27, Sand Rock (0-1) 19, Abbeville (1-0) 12, Cleveland (1-0) 9, Washington Co. (1-0) 6, Horseshoe Bend (1-0) 4, New Brockton (0-1) 4, Fayetteville (1-0) 3, West End (1-1) 3, Ider (1-0) 2, J.U. Blacksher (1-0) 2, Tarrant (0-1) 2, Thorsby (1-0) 2, Keith (1-1) 1, Sheffield (0-2) 1..

Class 1A

1. Maplesville (25) (1-0) 300

2. Pickens Co. (1-0) 201

3. Brantley (1-0) 184

4. Addison (2-0) 166

5. Sweet Water (0-1) 152

6. Marengo (1-0) 101

7. Linden (0-1) 97

8. Georgiana (2-0) 57

9. Cedar Bluff (0-1) 46

10. Hackleburg (1-0) 32

Others receiving votes: Houston Co. (2-0) 28, Notasulga (1-1) 13, Isabella (1-0) 11, Decatur Heritage (1-0) 9, Wadley (1-0) 8, Brilliant (1-1) 7, Lynn (2-0) 5, Cherokee (2-0) 3, Meek (2-0) 2, Spring Garden (0-1) 2, Coosa Chr. (1-1) 1.

AISA

1. Autauga Acad. (24) (3-0) 297

2. Escambia Acad.  (4-0) 219

3. Monroe Acad. (1) (3-0) 199

4. Bessemer Acad. (2-2) 166

5. Glenwood (2-1) 144

6. Chambers Acad. (2-0) 128

7. Pike Liberal (3-0) 117

8. Jackson Acad. 3-0) 59

9. South Choctaw Acad.  (2-1) 50

10. Abbeville Chr. (1-2) 18

Others receiving votes: Lee-Scott Acad. (1-1) 10, Springwood (2-0) 6, Fort Dale Acad. (2-0) 4, Pickens Acad. (2-0) 4, Southern Acad, (0-2) 3, Lowndes Acad. (1-1) 1.

The Alabama Sports Writers Association prep committee members are: Paul Beaudry (Chairman), Alabama Media Group; Lizi Arbogast, Alexander City Outlook; Joe Medley, Anniston Star; Andrew Garner, Atmore Advance; Josh Bean, Birmingham News; Rob Rice, Blount Countian; Shannon Fagan, Cherokee Herald; Ross Wood, Clarke Co. Democrat; Jake Winfrey, Cullman Times; Johnathan Bentley, Daily Mountain Eagle; Justin Graves, Decatur Daily; Nicholas Finch, Demopolis Times; David Mundee, Dothan Eagle; Lee Peacock, Evergreen Courant; Craig Thomas, Florence TimesDaily; Jeremy Smith, Freelance (Demopolis); Chris McCarthy, Gadsden Messenger; J.J. Hicks, Gadsden Times; Daniel Boyette, Huntsville Times; Ben Thomas, Mobile Press-Register; Stacy Long, Montgomery Advertiser; Jason Bowen, Scottsboro Daily Sentinel; Lavonte Young, Talladega Daily Home; Joey Chandler, Tuscaloosa News; Evan Dudley, Wetumpka Herald. Not voting: Alec Etheridge, Shelby County Reporter; Josh Dutton, Andalusia Star-News; Cody Dowler, Fort Payne Times-Journal; Scott Fields, Opelika-Auburn News; Shannon Allen, Sand Mountain Reporter; Thomas Scott, Selma Times-Journal.