Southern Choctaw, South Choctaw
remain alive in Alabama playoffs
By By Jimmy Boone / EMG sports writer
Nov. 14, 2003
Only two West Alabama teams remain alive in the high school playoffs.
South Choctaw Academy will travel to Elmore to face Edgewood Academy in the semifinals of the AISA Class AA State Playoffs tonight, while Southern Choctaw will hope to continue its run toward a third straight AHSAA Class 2A state championship as the Indians travel to Dothan to face Houston Academy.
The South Choctaw Academy Rebels (8-3) will bring a balanced attack as they seek their first appearance in the championship round in 12 years.
Charlie Taylor was a player for the Rebels in that game, but today he is the coach.
Weeks ago Justin Bonner raced for 168 yards and a touchdown for South Choctaw in a 38-14 win over Hooper.
When the Rebels need to get the ball in the end zone, they turned to fullback Josh Conner.
Conner only rushed the ball eight times, but scored four touchdowns while gaining 56-yards.
Taylor said his team showed grit as they fell behind quickly.
Against Edgewood (11-1), the Rebels will face an attack from the air. Edgewood Quarterback Kyle Moore led the AISA in passing during the regular season while receiver Phillip Moore was third in receptions.
Kyle Moore completed 138 passes in 204 attempts for 2,570 yards and 33 touchdowns in the regular season, while only giving up six interceptions. Phillip Moore had 36 receptions for 693-yards and was fifth in scoring in the AISA with 99 points.
Taylor said his team will have to find success in the running game to answer Edgewood.
The key to success for the Rebels will begin with the offensive line.
Taylor said a key point in his battle plan is the center of his offensive line. Center Bradley Herndon and left guard Jacob Jenkins will be pivotal in the Rebels success.
Taylor said he knows that Edgewood will try and stop the run.
Quarterback Rob Dahlberg has thrown for over 750 yards this season.
The two teams do have to common opponents. Edgewood defeated Hooper 33-6 earlier in the season. Last week Edgewood defeated Patrician 22-16 while South Choctaw defeated Patrician 17-14 two weeks ago.
Southern Choctaw
at Houston Academy
Houston Academy (8-3) claimed a mild upset last week as it traveled to Billingsley and took a 24-21. This week Southern Choctaw will have to travel to Dothan to face Houston Academy.
The two teams met last year in the playoffs, with the Indians claiming a 21-0 win. The Indians (8-2) have won the AHSAA Class 2-A state championship the last two years. Last week Southern Choctaw claimed a 39-20 win over South Lamar.
At halftime, however, the Indians only led 9-6. Southern Choctaw roared to life in the second half.
Detric Causey led the Indians with 163 yards rushing including four touchdowns.
The Indians scored three touchdowns in the third quarter, including two by Causey.
After scoring on a 49-yard burst, the Indians recovered an onside kick. Causey then completed the drive with a five-yard run. In the fourth quarter Causey scored on an 81-yard run.
Cedric Foster added 69-yards for the Indians including a 31-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
The Indians stingy defense only gives up an average of 13 point per game while the offense averages almost 20 points a game.
The teams do not have any common opponents this year.
