By By Jimmy Boone / EMG sports writer
Aug. 8, 2003
YORK, Ala. Despite the fact that Sumter Academy's Ryan Poe does not even have enough players to run a full scrimmage, the first-year head coach is still excited about the potential his Eagles have for the upcoming year.
Poe, who returns to coaching after spending three years doing graduate work, knows the task will be daunting.
His coaching experiences include being assistant coach at Pickens Academy and head coaching stints at Southern Academy and Demopolis Academy. Ironically, all three of the schools are on the Eagles schedule this year.
Last year Sumter Academy was 4-3 in the Class AA Region 1 competition. The Eagles will open the 2003 season by traveling to Warrior Academy in Eutaw.
After that, the Eagles will face a murderers' row of Wilcox Academy and Marengo Academy. Marengo is the defending Class AA state champion and reached the championship game by defeating Wilcox Academy in the semifinals.
The team Marengo defeated in the championship game is Southern Academy, who Sumter will face on Oct. 24.
On Sept. 19 Sumter Academy opens a three-game road trip by facing South Choctaw. The Eagles travel to Carrollton to face Pickens Academy on Sept. 26, and then visit Escambia.
Patrician Academy will visit the Eagles on Oct. 10 with Lowndes Academy coming in on Oct. 17.
Following the road trip to Southern on Oct. 24, the Eagles close out the regular season on the road as they visit Demopolis on Oct. 31.