Drought is over
- Updated: September 13, 2016
Ohatchee, Weaver break into state football poll; more than 10 years have passed since the two county 3A schools have been ranked
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
It has been so long since Weaver and Ohatchee have been in the statewide football poll Weaver head coach Daryl Hamby was still an assistant the last time it happened. And Ohatchee coach Scott Martin, well, he wasn’t even in the state yet.
The Bearcats (3-0) and Indians (4-0) both broke into the poll for the first time in years Tuesday, pulling in at Nos. 10 and 9 respectively this week in Class 3A — just in time to play each other in a pivotal Region 5 matchup Friday night at Weaver.
“Every coach will tell you it’s exciting to have your program recognized, so we’re excited about that,” Ohatchee coach Scott Martin said. “But there’s a lot of hard work that goes into it and you know it only takes two hours to lose that recognition even if you play against a good football team.
“Weaver’s got the whole package, by far the best team we’ve played so far this year. We’ll have to see if we can keep pace with what we’ve done so far, but I think our kids are looking forward to being able to go out and play this type of football game.”
The teams have played 31 times before but never when both were ranked; a lot of that has to do with the fact they haven’t been ranked in such a long time.
It has been 10 years and a week since Weaver was last ranked. The Bearcats last graced the rankings Sept. 6, 2006, at No. 7 in 3A — 115 polls ago. They’ve been ranked only 32 times since 1972. The highest they’ve ever been ranked was No. 4 in the final poll of 2005.
For Ohatchee, the drought has been even longer. The Indians were last ranked in the 2002 preseason poll (2A No. 6) — 160 polls and six head coaches ago. They’ve been ranked just 37 times since 1972. They were No. 1 this week in 1961.
“So both teams have kind of made milestones,” Martin said. “I don’t think whether you win the game or lose the game … obviously, it helps you in the region, but it’s not going to change what either team has done with their program.
“Both programs have improved dramatically over the last three years. It ought to be a great game.”
Hamby is an old-school kind of coach who doesn’t put a whole lot of stock in the polls, but he understands getting in them will be important to his players. He also knows they bring another team dynamic into play.
“You’ve got to show your maturity when you get recognition; how are you going to respond to that,” he said. “You used to be the hunter and now you’re the hunted, so it’s a whole different ballgame. There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with the ranking.”
Piedmont (4-0) is ranked No. 1 in 3A again this week, giving Calhoun County and Region 5 three of the top 10 teams in the classification. Oxford (4-0) is the only other county team in the rankings, remaining at No. 6 in 6A. Undefeated Jacksonville (4-0) remains just outside the 4A top 10 for the second week in a row.
Around the area 5A Etowah (No. 6), 4A Munford (No. 7) and 1A Spring Garden (No. 4) and Wadley (No. 10) are all among their respective top 10s.
LAST TIME THEY WERE RANKED
Here’s a look at the last time the Calhoun County teams have been in the Alabama Sports Writers Association statewide football poll.
Alexandria — Aug. 30, 2016 (No. 9 in 5A)
Anniston — Sept. 12, 2012 (No. 7 in 4A)
Donoho — Nov. 4, 2014 (No. 4 in 1A)
Jacksonville — Nov. 4, 2014 (No. 8 in 4A)
Jax Christian — Never
Ohatchee — Aug. 1, 2002 (PS) (No. 6 in 2A)
Oxford — Sept. 6, 2016 (No. 6 in 6A)
Piedmont — Sept. 6, 2016 (No. 1 in 3A)
Pleasant Valley — Nov. 11, 1984 (No. 7 in 2A)
Saks — Nov. 3, 2015 (No. 5 in 4A)
Weaver — Sept. 7, 2006 (No. 7 in 3A)
Wellborn — Sept. 1, 2015 (No. 7 in 3A)
White Plains — Oct. 13, 1994 (No. 10 in 2A)
ASWA STATE FOOTBALL POLL
(First-place votes and record in parentheses)
Class 7A
1. McGill-Toolen (28) (3-0)
2. Hoover (2) (3-1)
3. Hewitt-Trussville (4-0)
4. Central-Phenix City (2-1)
5. Spain Park (3-1)
6. Bob Jones (3-1)
7. Lee-Montgomery (3-0)
8. Davidson (3-1)
9. Enterprise (4-0)
10. James Clemens (1-2)
Others receiving votes: Mary G. Montgomery (3-1) 25, Mountain Brook (3-1) 15, Thompson (2-1) 13, Murphy (1-2) 8, Foley (3-1) 4, Vestavia Hills (1-2) 3, Jeff Davis (2-2) 2, Auburn (2-2) 1, Huffman (2-1) 1, Theodore (3-1) 1.
Class 6A
1. Blount (24) (4-0)
2. Spanish Fort (1) (3-1)
3. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (2) (4-0)
4. Opelika (2) (4-0)
5. Clay-Chalkville (1) (3-1)
6. Oxford (4-0)
7. Gardendale (4-0)
8. Park Crossing (3-1)
9. Hartselle (4-0)
10. Minor (4-0)
Others receiving votes: Pinson Valley (2-2) 9, Wetumpka (3-1) 7, Benjamin Russell (2-1) 5, Albertville (4-0) 2, Bessemer City (2-2) 2, Saraland (2-2) 2, McAdory (2-1) 1, Parker (3-0) 1, Ramsay (3-0) 1.
Class 5A
1. Jackson (23) (3-0)
2. St. Paul’s (6) (3-1)
3. Russellville (3-0)
4. Mortimer Jordan (3-1)
5. Beauregard (2-0)
6. Etowah (3-1)
7. Scottsboro (1) (3-0)
8. Calera (4-0)
9. Guntersville (2-1)
10. Lee-Huntsville (2-1)
Others receiving votes: Eufaula (3-1) 28, Central-Clay Co. (3-1) 17, Carroll (3-0) 15, Brooks (2-2) 7, Demopolis (3-1) 7, Vigor (2-2) 4, Sylacauga (3-1) 2, Cleburne Co. (2-1) 1, Jemison (2-2) 1, Mae Jemison-Huntsville (3-1) 1, Wenonah (2-1) 1.
Class 4A
1. Leeds (19) (4-0)
2. UMS-Wright (7) (3-1)
3. Madison Acad. (2) (2-1)
4. Haleyville (1) (4-0)
5. Andalusia (3-1)
6. Cordova (1) (3-1)
7. Munford (2-1)
8. Thomasville (2-0)
9. North Jackson (2-1)
10. Rogers (4-0)
Others receiving votes: Jacksonville (4-0) 23, West Limestone (3-1) 22, Tallassee (4-0) 14, Randolph (3-1) 6, Handley (1-2) 5, Montgomery Catholic (3-1) 2.
Class 3A
1. Piedmont (28) (4-0)
2. Gordo (1) (3-0)
3. Opp (3-0)
4. Montevallo (1) (3-0)
5. T.R. Miller (2-1)
6. Oakman (3-0)
7. Mobile Chr. (2-1)
8. Colbert Co. (2-1)
9. Ohatchee (4-0)
10. Weaver (3-0)
Others receiving votes:
Class 2A
1. Elba (30) (3-0)
2. Fyffe (3-0)
3. G.W. Long (3-0)
4. Lanett (4-0)
5. LaFayette (4-0)
6. Cleveland (3-0)
7. Washington Co. (2-1)
8. Tanner (2-2)
9. New Brockton (2-1)
10. Red Bay (4-0)
Others receiving votes: Leroy (2-1) 19, Aliceville (2-1) 8, Sheffield (3-1) 6, Goshen (3-0) 5, Tarrant (1-2) 3.
Class 1A
1. Maplesville (26) (2-0)
2. Linden (4) (3-0)
3. Pickens Co. (3-0)
4. Spring Garden (3-0)
5. Brantley (2-1)
6. Cedar Bluff (2-1)
7. Addison (4-0)
8. Sweet Water (2-1)
9. Decatur Heritage (2-1)
10. Wadley (3-0)
Others receiving votes: Georgiana (3-1) 19, Berry (3-1) 14, Hubbertville (2-0) 8, Lynn (4-0) 4, Hackleburg (2-1) 3, South Lamar (2-2) 2, Isabella (3-0) 1, Notasulga (2-2) 1.
AISA
1. Bessemer Acad. (29) (4-0)
2. Autauga Acad. (1) (3-0)
3. Monroe Acad. (3-1)
4. Escambia Acad. (3-1)
5. Lowndes Acad. (3-0)
6. S. Choctaw Acad. (3-0)
7. Marengo Acad. (2-1)
8. Pike Liberal (3-0)
9. Chambers Acad. (3-0)
10. Fort Dale Acad. (2-1)
Others receiving votes: Springwood (3-0) 20, Glenwood School (3-0) 11, Jackson Acad. (3-1) 4, Lee-Scott (1-2) 3, Morgan Acad. (2-2) 3, Hooper Acad. (2-1) 2.
Cover photo: Weaver side by Al Muskewitz, Ohatchee side by Mandy McFall/AKM Photography
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