PRESS PICKS: New season but old problem still exists in prep football
STAFF REPORT
The first week of high school football got off to a good start but there were a couple of games across the state that were cancelled due to our old nemesis, COVID-19.
We all expected there to be games interrupted by the virus, particularly since this new strain seems to have more effects on younger people than before.
In all, four games were cancelled, including Holtville’s tilt with Goshen. It is the second year in a row, the Bulldogs dealt with the virus in the first week, only Jason Franklin fielded his team a year ago (and won) despite having several players sitting out.
This time he collected the “W” and rescheduled a scrimmage against Shelby County.
“We have a policy of ‘next man up’ and we had to use that a couple of times,” he said. “These guys want to play and we understand how hard it is to compete while dealing with this virus. But if we can field a team with the necessary number of players, we will play.”
It’s an attitude that seems to be working for Franklin and the Bulldogs. While every situation with the virus is different, there are rumors floating around that coaches are using it as a crutch to avoid games. The two associations (AISA and AHSAA) have made it clear that games are to be played if at all possible.
One game has been cancelled this week. Winless last season, Brindlee Mountain will be out this Friday and next due to the virus, extending one of the state’s longest losing streaks.
Let’s hope this doesn’t become the norm like last year.
Newcomer RRS correspondent Dylan Hurst joined veteran Tim Gayle at the top of the standings after one week of picks.
2021 Standings (Week)
1. Tim Gayle 8-2 (8-2) .800
Dylan Hurst 8-2 (8-2) .800
3. Graham Dunn 7-3 (7-3) .700
Mike Peacock 7-3 (7-3) .700
5. Barry McKnight 6-4 (6-4) .600
Doug Amos 6-4 (6-4) .600
7. Michael Butler 5-5 (5-5) .500
Rick Hendrick 5-5 (5-5) .500
Tim Gayle (River Region Sports & Montgomery Independent)
8-2 (8-2) .800
Jeff Davis vs. R.E. Lee - Lee
Sidney Lanier at Paul Bryant – Paul Bryant
Stanhope Elmore at Prattville - Prattville
Wetumpka at Tallassee – Tallassee
Montgomery Academy at Trinity – Montgomery Academy
Elmore County at Dadeville – Dadeville
Reeltown at St. James – St. James
Catholic at Charles Henderson – Catholic
Nebraska at Illinois – Nebraska
Hawaii at UCLA – UCLA
Dylan Hurst (River Region Sports)
8-2 (8-2) .800
Jeff Davis vs. R.E. Lee – Jeff Davis
Sidney Lanier at Paul Bryant - Lanier
Stanhope Elmore at Prattville - Prattville
Wetumpka at Tallassee – Tallassee
Montgomery Academy at Trinity – Trinity
Elmore County at Dadeville – Elmore County
Reeltown at St. James – St. James
Catholic at Charles Henderson – Catholic
Nebraska at Illinois – Nebraska
Hawaii at UCLA – UCLA
Graham Dunn (River Region Sports)
7-3 (7-3) .700
Jeff Davis vs. R.E. Lee - Lee
Sidney Lanier at Paul Bryant - Lanier
Stanhope Elmore at Prattville - Prattville
Wetumpka at Tallassee – Wetumpka
Montgomery Academy at Trinity – Montgomery Academy
Elmore County at Dadeville – Dadeville
Reeltown at St. James – St. James
Catholic at Charles Henderson – Catholic
Nebraska at Illinois – Nebraska
Hawaii at UCLA – UCLA
Mike Peacock (River Region Sports)
7-3 (7-3) .661
Jeff Davis vs. R.E. Lee - Lee
Sidney Lanier at Paul Bryant – Paul Bryant
Stanhope Elmore at Prattville - Prattville
Wetumpka at Tallassee – Wetumpka
Montgomery Academy at Trinity – Trinity
Elmore County at Dadeville – Dadeville
Reeltown at St. James – St. James
Catholic at Charles Henderson – Catholic
Nebraska at Illinois – Nebraska
Hawaii at UCLA – UCLA
Barry McKnight (SportsRadio 740 /Voice of Troy Trojans)
6-4 (6-4) .600
Jeff Davis vs. R.E. Lee - Lee
Sidney Lanier at Paul Bryant – Paul Bryant
Stanhope Elmore at Prattville - Prattville
Wetumpka at Tallassee – Tallassee
Montgomery Academy at Trinity – Montgomery Academy
Elmore County at Dadeville – Dadeville
Reeltown at St. James – St. James
Catholic at Charles Henderson – Catholic
Nebraska at Illinois – Nebraska
Hawaii at UCLA – UCLA
Doug Amos (ESPN The Ticket & Troy Trojans Network)
6-4 (6-4) .600
Jeff Davis vs. R.E. Lee - Lee
Sidney Lanier at Paul Bryant – Paul Bryant
Stanhope Elmore at Prattville - Prattville
Wetumpka at Tallassee – Tallassee
Montgomery Academy at Trinity – Trinity
Elmore County at Dadeville – Dadeville
Reeltown at St. James – St. James
Catholic at Charles Henderson – Catholic
Nebraska at Illinois – Illinois
Hawaii at UCLA – UCLA
Michael Butler (WTLS 106.5 FM/1300 AM & Tallassee Times)
5-5 (5-5) .500
Jeff Davis vs. R.E. Lee - Lee
Sidney Lanier at Paul Bryant - Lanier
Stanhope Elmore at Prattville - Prattville
Wetumpka at Tallassee – Wetumpka
Montgomery Academy at Trinity – Montgomery Academy
Elmore County at Dadeville – Dadeville
Reeltown at St. James – St. James
Catholic at Charles Henderson – Catholic
Nebraska at Illinois – Nebraska
Hawaii at UCLA – UCLA
Rick Hendrick (WXFS 95.1 The Fox/PA of Montgomery Biscuits)
5-5 (5-5) .500
Jeff Davis vs. R.E. Lee - Lee
Sidney Lanier at Paul Bryant – Paul Bryant
Stanhope Elmore at Prattville - Prattville
Wetumpka at Tallassee – Wetumpka
Montgomery Academy at Trinity – Trinity
Elmore County at Dadeville – Dadeville
Reeltown at St. James – St. James
Catholic at Charles Henderson – Catholic
Nebraska at Illinois – Nebraska
Hawaii at UCLA – UCLA