E.A. Sports Today

The week that was

Observations from the rear-view mirror on the Friday night high school football scene

By Jay Pace
For East Alabama Sports Today

With a week of region play now officially in the books, we’re starting to see the contenders separate themselves from the rest of the pack. And the list of teams we find at or near the top are the usual suspects.

After watching its state best 25-game winning streak come to a halt in its opener against Rockmart (Ga.), Class 3A juggernaut Piedmont is back to being, well, Piedmont.

The Bulldogs followed up last week’s 42-20 win over rival Cherokee County with an impressive 61-14 win over Glencoe Friday night at The Field Of Champions.

Quarterback Cardavion Myers has settled in nicely as the Bulldogs signal caller. The senior accounted for 232 total yards (155 pass, 77 rush).

As we near near the one-third point of the season, two things remain clear: Cardavion Myers is a freakish athlete who’s capable of taking this team as far as it wants to go and despite the early-season whispers of their possible demise, the Bulldogs have proven the road to a Class 3A state championship still runs through Piedmont.

The beat rolls on for Oxford (3-0) as the Yellow Jackets took apart another quality opponent in Brewer. The Jackets scored early and often, cruising to a 42-7 win over the previously unbeaten Patriots. Oxford hasn’t seriously been challenged yet winning their first three games by a combined 104-20. Ladies and gents, Oxford is the real deal.

Meanwhile, in Death Valley, Alexandria is undefeated after three weeks for only the second time since 2008. The Valley Cubs and their run-oriented offense continue piling up the points, scoring almost at will. Through three games, the Valley Cubs are averaging 42.3 points per game while their defense is equally impressive giving up only 10.6.

This is vintage Alexandria football. If this team can stay healthy, the rest of Class 5A better stand up and take note. There’s an old, familiar face on the block. Hello, Alexandria! It’s nice to have you back.

Speaking of being undefeated, Randolph County flexed its considerable muscle, blowing out Ohatchee 42-6 on The Creekbank. The stakes are even higher this week as two-time defending state champion and second-ranked Piedmont travels to Wedowee with the top spot in the region race hanging in the balance.

Sylacauga also remained undefeated, claiming its 12th straight win over Lincoln on Friday night. The Aggies, who have never lost to Lincoln, beat their former defensive coordinator 45-24 to move to 3-0.

Meanwhile, the Golden Bears fell to 0-3. It’s one thing to be winless; it’s quite another to be averaging 33.3 points a game and still be winless. Yet, that’s the case for the Golden Bears who are giving up 45 a game. Wow!

If Lincoln can muster some semblance of a defense moving forward, the Golden Bears just might do a little something.
Since we’re on the winless side of the scale, Jacksonville fell to 0-3 after a tough overtime loss to its hated rival Saks 34-27. The Wildcats move to 2-0 and are now 5-1 against their old coach, Clint Smith.

For the second time in as many years, Gadsden City is 0-3 to start season. First-year head coach Bart Sessions has found the going rough in his transition to Class 7A after posting a 34-5 record in three years at 6A power McGill-Toolen, Sessions is now 2-11 in his second year in 7A. Sessions spent last season at 7A Tuscaloosa County where he went 2-8 before replacing Matt Scott at Gadsden City this year.

And while neither the Golden Eagles nor the Titans have managed to pick up a win yet, don’t be fooled into thinking these are bad football teams. Jacksonville has lost to three teams that are a combined 6-2. Region play has just begun and the Golden Eagles still control their destiny.

Wellborn got off the mat in a big way Friday night, blanking Pleasant Valley 28-0. Anniston also picked up its first win of the young season, thumping Class 4A Region 5 foe Ashville 26-6.

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