Editor’s note: This is an opinion column.
By Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor
The first week of high school football in the state of Alabama — for some reason ridiculously called ‘Week 0’ — is done. Let’s take a look at what we learned about teams in The Tribune’s coverage area, along with a few observations about other teams in and around our area.
Bobby Mathews.
Clay-Chalkville
The defending 6A champs looked great in overpowering a former playoff foe in Briarwood. While the offense was naturally very good, I thought special teams was really strong. When the Lions fumbled a kickoff, Matthew Yafondo scooped it up and scored; Mario Byrd returned a punt for a touchdown. And defensively, the Cougars held an offense that’s led by a FBS-level quarterback to 160 total yards.
Of note in 6A: Hueytown lost its opener to 5A Ramsay. I thought the Rams would be improved, but not enough to take down the No. 2 team in 6A. The Cougars and Golden Gophers play this Friday in Hueytown, and head coach Drew Gilmer will not let his team go into that atmosphere thinking they’ve got it in the bag.
Moody
New head coach Jake Ganus will never be confused with Nuke Laloosh from the movie Bull Durham (kids, ask your parents), but he did, in fact, “announce (his) presence with authority” in the Blue Devils’ 55-21 victory over Pell City. Let’s be clear: This ain’t the same ol’ Blue Devils. Cole McCarty threw for 363 yards, passed for four touchdowns, and ran another in. Davion Dozier had 235 of those yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone, and he looks stronger, faster and flat-out better than last year.
It’s pretty clear that the standard at Moody has been raised. That’s bad news for Sylacauga, who visits Friday night as the Blue Devils reveal their new turfed field to the public.
Hewitt-Trussville
Is this a down year for 7A, Region 3? Hewitt-Trussville, Thompson and Hoover all lost in the first week of the season. When is the last time that happened? I don’t know off the top of my head, but I do know that the Huskies are gonna be all right. Peyton Floyd threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns against one of the better defenses he’s going to see all year, and the Huskies’ defense will be very good — and possibly great — down the stretch. Quick shout-out to senior linebacker Hunter Jones, who nabbed an interception in the last first game of his high school career.
The Huskies will next play Gadsden City this coming Friday, and they’ll likely get back to their winning ways in their home opener.
Shades Valley
I’m going to be blunt here: Last year’s Mounties team would have folded. With 35 seconds to play in the game and Stanhope Elmore driving to potentially take the lead and win the game, Shades Valley instead made their stand. The Mounties held on fourth down and preserved a tight victory over one of the more storied programs in Alabama high school football history. Successful seasons hinge on moments like that one. Reuben Nelson won a state title at Ramsay back in 2016, and you’d better believe he’s set on making the Valley a contender again.
Shades Valley next travels to Fairfield, which will be a big test to see where the team is early in the season.
Center Point
Trash talk is all fun and games until Jabari Collier and Troy Bruce run for 454 yards and combine for eight touchdowns. Just ask the Jasper Vikings, who were chirping all night at the Eagles as Center Point put on a show, winning 55-27. The Eagles’ defense looks salty, too. One of the things about Center Point is that they demand respect. If they feel disrespected — by fans, by officials, by their opponents — they are even more dangerous. Coach George Bates has some tough, talented players on that squad, and they play to win.
Center Point hosts Aliceville Friday in the Eagles’ home opener.
Pinson Valley
Keywone Posey came to play. The sophomore — that’s right, sophomore — quarterback threw for 313 yards and three touchdowns against Florence as Pinson Valley won 34-14. Amare Thomas hauled in two scores on 119 yards receiving, and suddenly Pinson — who seemed to be poised for another down year — looks like a contender again. Lee Guess gets his first win as a head coach, and people will be getting back on the Indians’ bandwagon. The defense was impressive as well, stripping the ball and scoring a touchdown of its own.
Pinson Valley hosts McAdory in the Indians’ home opener Friday night.
Leeds
The Green Wave struggled with Mortimer Jordan before pulling out a 21-7 road win. And listen: Winning ugly sure beats the heck out of looking great and losing. Here’s one thing I know about Leeds football: Those kids will be nose-to-grindstone at practice, and they’re going to be in every game. They’ll look more impressive when their offensive line returns to full strength. That can’t come soon enough for the Green Wave.
Leeds hosts Pell City in the Green Wave’s home opener on Friday.
Springville
The Tigers suffered through a rough first game against a very good Etowah squad. There are bright spots: new starting quarterback Asa Morrison will do well as the season progresses, and as the younger starters on the Springville team begin to understand what real game speed is like, I expect to see improvement there as well.
The Tigers could show that improvement as soon as this Friday, when they host Mortimer Jordan.
It’s a long season, folks, and we’re just getting started.
Bobby Mathews is sports editor of The Tribune and author of the novel Living the Gimmick. Reach him on Twitter: @bobbymathews or email him at bobby.mathews@trussvilletribune.com.
