"Gip's Piks"
By Donald Gipson
An overtime win by West Limestone and a Decatur victory over Lee
was the only two misses in another 8-2 week.
So far I'm really having fun this year. 16 and four is pretty respectable.
Picking high school games has become more difficult because teams change
so much during the course of a year. But, here goes another week.
This week's "Piks" are:
EAST LIMESTONE vs WEST LIMESTONE
I don't know if anyone else realizes what the East Indians have accomplished
in their '97 opening two weeks, but I have sure been impressed. Why should
I be impressed with two losses? Look who they were too and check out the
games behind the scores and you will find out.
East will be at home for the first time this season. West won't be
able to contain.
East Limestone - 24, West Limestone - 0
BOB JONES vs HUNTSVILLE
Two great coaches. Two good football programs. Bob Jones and Huntsville
are both 2-0. One will have to give.
This week it wikk be the Panthers.
The Patriots have the talent and the numbers. Huntsville is young and
maybe a year away from an excellent team. Bob Jones has the home field
advantage.
The score may surprise you.
Bob Jones - 42, Huntsville - 14
BUCKHORN vs MCHS
The Bucks played a fine Scottsboro team a heck of a game before falling
40-28.
The Tigers from MCHS are much improved but they won't be able to stop
McDuffie & Co.
It may not be pretty as the Tigers may get mauled.
Buckhorn - 48, MCHS - 20
HAZEL GREEN vs NEW HOPE
It should be a better week for the New Hope Indians. Better, but they
just won't win.
Hazel Green, with the benefit of playing tougher competition will come
out on top.
Hazel Green - 28, New Hope - 7
SPARKMAN vs MUSCLE SHOALS
The Senators defense is as good as they have ever had. If Jamil Wallace
can play, I'll go with the Senators to go to 2-1.
Sparkman - 21, Muscle Shoals - 10
GRISSOM vs ATHENS
This may be another long night for the Grissom Tigers. After losing
to Johnson, Grissom must turn around and travel to Athens to take on the
fifth ranked, Golden Eagles.
As I've said before, Athens is very good.
Grissom - 7, Athens - 34
JOHNSON vs JESS LANIER
I don't know "diddly-squat" about Jess Lanier, but I do know about the
Johnson Jaguars.
Johnson has a potent offense and a respectable defense. That's enough
for me.
Johnson - 33, Jess Lanier - 3
LEE vs AUSTIN
This should be a fairly close game. Since it's being played at Austin,
the edge goes to the Bears.
Lee - 13, Austin - 20
MADISON ACADEMY vs ELKMONT
George, Oh George. Look who your Mustangs have to play this week. Elkmont
will be sky high following their defeat of Courtland. Sorry, guys.
Madison Academy - 0, Elkmont - 38
ARDMORE vs CLEMENTS
Just a wild guess. Ardmore has had a tough season so far.
Ardmore - 13, Clements - 21
That's all folks.
East Limestone lead for 3 quarters
before falling 21-7 to Hazelwood
By Donald Gipson
The East Limestone Indians went to Town Creek with with plans to lay
a bear trap for the Hazelwood Bears.
It took Hazelwood three quarters before they could pull out of the
Indian's trap and overtake East Limestone for a 21-7 come-from-behind win.
"This was the greatest defensive effort I've ever seen from an East
Limestone team," said Indian coach Phil Cavnar.
"We shut them out for three quarters before a couple of mistakes cost
us the game," added a tired Cavnar.
Late in the third period, East was forced to punt from deep in their
own territory. Without their regular snapper, the, Brian Looney had trouble
with the sanp and got off a poor kick off the side of his foot. It traveled
only 12 yards, giving Hazelwood the ball at the Limestone 27.
The Bears scored on the drive early in the fourth quarter, tying the
game at 7-all.
On the ensuing kick-off, Matt Smith gathered the ball in and was immediately
hit. "We all thought we heard a whistle so we relaxed," explained Cavnar.
"Then the ball popped loose and they (Hazelwood) picked it up and ran it
into the endzone," "The officials signaled a touchdown,and," added Cavnar,
"in less than two minutes we went from from leading 7-0 to being down 14-7."
Hazelwood scored again late in the game after recovering an East fumble
at the Indian nine-yard line. It took the Bears six plays to punch it over
the East goalline, making the final score 21-7.
East Limestone's touchdown came in the second quarter on a 4-yard run
by Marlon Bush. Patrick Vining kecked the PAT.
"Our kicking game hurt us again," stated Cavnar, "even though it has
improved."
East had 115 yards rushing to Hazelwood's 120. The East Limestone first
string defensive unit has given up only one TD all season.
"We gave it all we had," complimented Cavnar, "but we were playing
11 great football players and a 30-year old winning tradition." "But we
sure played them tough."
Hazelwood has won 10 state football titles.
East is at home Friday, hosting traditional rival West Limestone. West
Limestone defeated MCHS in overtime last week 20-14.
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PATRIOTS KICK SENATORS 12-6
By Donald Gipson
TONEY, AL-It started out to be an offensive game, filled with with lots
of exciting plays, with both teams scoring on big runs and long passes.
However, after the first three minutes, it developed into an intense, defensive
struggle with hard hitting, fumbles and field goals being the difference
in the 12-6 final outcome.
Both coaches praised the other teams efforts following the game played
between the pines at Sparkman High School.
"I tip my hat to Coach Childers and his defense," Bob Jones coach Frank
Sadler told reporters as he walked off the field surrounded by Bob Jones
fans. "They never gave up."
"I felt like we should have scored three more times but Sparkman denied
us." The Patriots lost one fumble in the endzone after what appeared to
be a touchdown and two more deep in Sparkman territory. One of those fumbles
was at the one foot line.
Childers was equally as impressed with the Bob Jones defense.
"Both teams played hard," said Childers. "Each coaching staff had great
game plans." "I thought we were going to win it on the final drive of the
game, but their defense stood up and stopped us."
It was an explosive beginning of a great Friday night high school football
game.
After taking the opening kickoff and getting a good runback, Sparkman
took just two plays to light up the scoreboard at the north end of the
field.
On a 1st&10 from their own 25, Jamil Wallace took the handoff and
went 29 yards to the Patriot 46.
Troy Brown scored on the next play on a reverse that covered the 46-yards
in to the Patriot endzone. The PAT attempt was fumbled and stopped leaving
the Senators ahead 6-0 with only :43 seconds gone off the clock.
Bob Jones answered quickly.
A personal foul penalty on the kickoff after a return up past midfield
set the Patriots up at the Senator 30.
Patriot QB Sean Sowles carried on a QB keeper to the Senator nine-yard
line. Karll Jackson lost six on the next play but Sowles hit a wide-open
Sean Gill from his tight end position for six-points.
The PAT attempt was wide but the score was knotted at 6-6.
A Sparkman fumble following the Bob Jones kickoff gave the Patriots
a first down at the Senator 16. Patrick Newley recovered for the Patriots.
Sparkman's defense stiffened, forcing a 34-yard field goal try by Bob
Jones' Brandon Carter. Carter's kick was good putting the Patriots up 9-6
with 7:55 remaing in the first quarter.
Bob Jones got another field goal from Carter midway through the second
period.
Starting from their own 40, the Patriots drove to Sparkman 28 before
the drive stalled. Carter split the uprights from 45-yards out adding to
Bob Jones lead, making it 12-6.
There would be no more scoring in the ballgame.
"Jamil Wallace gettinghurt in the first half hurt us on offense," Childers
stated. "We were only able to play him sparingly." Childers is high on
Wallace's abilities.
"If their is a better running back around when it comes to game time,
I haven't seen them."
Sadler commented about how his defense reacted. "They stretched but
didn't break." "Our offense didn't put the game away even though
we had some big plays."
Karll Jackson had 142 yards on 13 carries for Bob Jones. The Patriots
rushed for 255 yards. Sowles was 7 of 15 passing for 131 yards with one
interception.
Wallace picked up 108 yards on 21 carries despite being injuried.
The Senators had 13 first downs to the Patriots 12 but fumbles
played a big part in the out come of the game.
Each team fumbled the ball five times. Bob Jones recovered tow Senator
fumbles while Sparkman picked up three of the Patriots.
Each team is at home this Friday.
Sparkman host Muscle Shoals. The Patriots take on visiting Huntsville.
The Panthers are 2-0.
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