PRESS PICKS: We pause for the memories of Sept. 11
STAFF REPORT
Making rash, definitive statements about the college football season can be dangerous (also true about high schools). Sure, count Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State among the best teams… we already knew that based on history.
But be careful regarding the likes of UCLA, Ole Miss and Texas. “They’re baaaack,” wasn’t a good look for the Longhorns a few years ago and it doesn’t work at the moment for the Longhorns.
Week 1 was fun. Week 2 could be better with plenty of elements of interest, with the underlying thoughts taking the country back to Sept. 11.
It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since the planes crashed into the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon. All can remember where we were when the tragedy stopped us in our tracks. It was our generation’s Pearl Harbor.
The sports world, like everything else, came to a complete halt. There were discussions as to when to return to the playing fields – and some were adamant it shouldn’t happen for several months
Others, such as Tommy Tuberville, Auburn’s coach at the time, got into a bit of a spat with then-SEC commissioner Roy Kramer over the situation of playing. It played out on Paul Finebaum’s show. Cooler heads prevailed and the SEC, like other conferences, chose not to play that following weekend.
Local high schools did play that Friday, which also caused some consternation for some. But as Dan Washburn, the AHSAA executive director, pointed out, it was what we needed – a diversion.
We hope we never have to deal with a tragedy such as this. Certainly, COVID-19 has created a similar pause, albeit much longer and a farther reach.
We look ahead with hope and ambition to brighter days. Football will help us get there.
Mike Peacock takes over the lead among the panel after the third week.
2021 Standings (Last Week)
1. Mike Peacock 28-7 (13-2) .800
2. Tim Gayle 26-9 (12-3) .743
Rick Hendrick 26-9 (13-2) .743
Graham Dunn 26-9 (11-4) .743
5. Michael Butler 24-11 (11-4) .686
Barry McKnight 24-11 (12-3) .686
Doug Amos 24-11 (10-5) .686
8. Dylan Hurst 23-12 (9-6) .657
Mike Peacock (River Region Sports)
28-7 (13-2) .800
R.E. Lee vs Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Lee
Andalusia at Pike Road – Pike Road
G.W. Carver vs Park Crossing – Carver
Pelham at Stanhope Elmore – Stanhope Elmore
Mercer at Alabama – Alabama
Alabama St at Auburn – Auburn
Liberty at Troy - Liberty
Air Force at Navy (9/11 Memorial) – Air Force
Texas at Arkansas – Texas
Missouri at Kentucky – Missouri
Pitt at Tennessee – Tennessee
Texas A&M vs Colorado (Denver) – Texas A&M
Oregon at Ohio St – Ohio St
Washington at Michigan – Michigan
Iowa at Iowa St – Iowa St
Rick Hendrick (WXFS 95.1 The Fox/PA of Montgomery Biscuits)
26-9 (13-2) .743
R.E. Lee vs Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Lee
Andalusia at Pike Road – Pike Road
G.W. Carver vs Park Crossing – Park Crossing
Pelham at Stanhope Elmore – Stanhope Elmore
Mercer at Alabama – Alabama
Alabama St at Auburn – Auburn
Liberty at Troy - Troy
Air Force at Navy (9/11 Memorial) – Navy
Texas at Arkansas – Texas
Missouri at Kentucky – Kentucky
Pitt at Tennessee – Tennessee
Texas A&M vs Colorado (Denver) – Texas A&M
Oregon at Ohio St – Ohio St
Washington at Michigan – Washington
Iowa at Iowa St – Iowa St
Graham Dunn (River Region Sports)
26-9 (11-4) .743
R.E. Lee vs Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Lee
Andalusia at Pike Road – Pike Road
G.W. Carver vs Park Crossing – Park Crossing
Pelham at Stanhope Elmore – Stanhope Elmore
Mercer at Alabama – Alabama
Alabama St at Auburn – Auburn
Liberty at Troy - Liberty
Air Force at Navy (9/11 Memorial) – Air Force
Texas at Arkansas – Arkansas
Missouri at Kentucky – Kentucky
Pitt at Tennessee – Pitt
Texas A&M vs Colorado (Denver) – Texas A&M
Oregon at Ohio St – Ohio St
Washington at Michigan – Michigan
Iowa at Iowa St – Iowa St
Tim Gayle (River Region Sports & Montgomery Independent)
26-9 (12-3) .743
R.E. Lee vs Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Lee
Andalusia at Pike Road – Pike Road
G.W. Carver vs Park Crossing – Carver
Pelham at Stanhope Elmore – Stanhope Elmore
Mercer at Alabama – Alabama
Alabama St at Auburn – Auburn
Liberty at Troy - Liberty
Air Force at Navy (9/11 Memorial) – Air Force
Texas at Arkansas – Arkansas
Missouri at Kentucky – Kentucky
Pitt at Tennessee – Tennessee
Texas A&M vs Colorado (Denver) – Texas A&M
Oregon at Ohio St – Ohio St
Washington at Michigan – Michigan
Iowa at Iowa St – Iowa St
Michael Butler (WTLS 106.5 FM/1300 AM/Tallassee Times)
24-11 (11-4) .686
R.E. Lee vs Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Lee
Andalusia at Pike Road – Pike Road
G.W. Carver vs Park Crossing – Carver
Pelham at Stanhope Elmore – Stanhope Elmore
Mercer at Alabama – Alabama
Alabama St at Auburn – Auburn
Liberty at Troy - Liberty
Air Force at Navy (9/11 Memorial) – Air Force
Texas at Arkansas – Texas
Missouri at Kentucky – Missouri
Pitt at Tennessee – Tennessee
Texas A&M vs Colorado (Denver) – Texas A&M
Oregon at Ohio St – Ohio St
Washington at Michigan – Michigan
Iowa at Iowa St – Iowa St
Barry McKnight (SportsRadio 740 /Voice of Troy Trojans)
24-11 (12-3) .686
R.E. Lee vs Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Lee
Andalusia at Pike Road – Pike Road
G.W. Carver vs Park Crossing – Park Crossing
Pelham at Stanhope Elmore – Pelham
Mercer at Alabama – Alabama
Alabama St at Auburn – Auburn
Liberty at Troy - Troy
Air Force at Navy (9/11 Memorial) – Air Force
Texas at Arkansas – Arkansas
Missouri at Kentucky – Kentucky
Pitt at Tennessee – Tennessee
Texas A&M vs Colorado (Denver) – Texas A&M
Oregon at Ohio St – Ohio St
Washington at Michigan – Michigan
Iowa at Iowa St – Iowa
Doug Amos (ESPN The Ticket & Troy Trojans Network)
24-11 (10-5) .686
R.E. Lee vs Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Lee
Andalusia at Pike Road – Pike Road
G.W. Carver vs Park Crossing – Carver
Pelham at Stanhope Elmore – Stanhope Elmore
Mercer at Alabama – Alabama
Alabama St at Auburn – Auburn
Liberty at Troy - Troy
Air Force at Navy (9/11 Memorial) – Air Force
Texas at Arkansas – Texas
Missouri at Kentucky – Kentucky
Pitt at Tennessee – Tennessee
Texas A&M vs Colorado (Denver) – Texas A&M
Oregon at Ohio St – Ohio St
Washington at Michigan – Michigan
Iowa at Iowa St – Iowa St
Dylan Hurst (River Region Sports)
23-12 (9-6) .657
R.E. Lee vs Sidney Lanier (Thur) - Lee
Andalusia at Pike Road – Pike Road
G.W. Carver vs Park Crossing – Carver
Pelham at Stanhope Elmore – Stanhope Elmore
Mercer at Alabama – Alabama
Alabama St at Auburn – Auburn
Liberty at Troy - Troy
Air Force at Navy (9/11 Memorial) – Air Force
Texas at Arkansas – Texas
Missouri at Kentucky – Missouri
Pitt at Tennessee – Tennessee
Texas A&M vs Colorado (Denver) – Texas A&M
Oregon at Ohio St – Ohio St
Washington at Michigan – Michigan
Iowa at Iowa St – Iowa