By Staff
Glenn Jackson
Franklin County Times
Great start for Franklin County
Franklin County is off to a successful start in 2007 with two undefeated teams and two teams with .500 records.
Below is a summary of last week's games and a look at tonight's matchups:
Red Bay Tigers (2-0)
The Tigers are off to a great start in 2007, going 2-0 overall and 1-0 in Class 2A, Region 8. The Tigers defeated Phil Campbell 29-7 in last Friday night's region contest. The Tigers got a huge night from senior Pablo Makepeace, who recorded 254 yards of total offense including a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown, a rushing touchdown and a 47- yard field goal. Josh Senkbeil and Cody Tucker also had touchdowns for the Tigers. The Tigers' defense was led by Senkbeil, Adam Henson, Tyler Nichols and DJ Elrod.
The Tigers will get their toughest test of the year this Friday night as they host the Tanner Rattlers at Fred Bostick Jr. Memorial Stadium. The Rattlers have won Region 8 the past two years and were picked as the top contender for 2007. Tanner defeated West Morgan last Friday night 27-19.
Phil Campbell Bobcats (0-2)
The Phil Campbell Bobcats haven't got off to the best of starts, going 0-2 overall and 0-1 in Class 2A, Region 8 play. However, in the Bobcats' defense, their first two games were played against 4A Haleyville and Red Bay, one of top teams in the region. Bay. The Bobcats' defense seemed to improve from Week One, and the offense moved the ball in last Friday night's contest against Red Bay. The Bobcats lost to the Tigers 29-7, but never quit.
Phil Campbell will hit the road to take on West Morgan. The Rebels are also currently 0-2 overall and 0-1 in region play. The Rebels lost to Tanner last Friday night 27-19.
Tharptown Wildcats (1-1)
The Tharptown Wildcats experienced another first last Friday night. The Wildcats avenged their opening loss to Vina with a 28-14 win over the Mt. Hope Yellow Jackets. This was the first win in the new stadium for the Wildcats.
The big playmaker of the night was Daniel Scott for the Wildcats. Scott returned twokickoffs for touchdowns – 85 yards and 91 yards – in the first half against the Yellow Jackets. Tyler Cagle and Manny Ricardo also had big nights for the Wildcats. The Wildcats will travel to Waterloo this Friday night to take on the undefeated Cougars, who beat Lyman Ward last week.
Vina Red Devils (1-1)
Vina didn't fare as well in Week 2 after winning its season opener at Tharptown. The Red Devils suffered their first loss of the season to the Shoals Christian Flame 43-22 last Friday night at Red Devils Stadium.
However, the Vina offense put up 22 points on one of the top teams in Class 1A, Region 8. Nash Creekmore turned in another stellar performance with another kick-off return for a touchdown, and the Red Devils got another steady performance from quarterback Brett Townsend.
Vina will try to bounce back this week as they take on undefeated Brilliant. Brilliant is coming off a big win last Friday night by upsetting Class 1A, Region 8 favorite R.A. Hubbard 14-13.
Russellville Golden Tigers (2-0)
The Golden Tigers have got off to a great start in 2007 under new head football coach Doug Goodwin. Coach Goodwin and the Golden Tigers had theirway with the Brewer Patriots Friday night on their way to a 47-10 whipping.
The Golden Tigers dominated every phase of the game. Michael Abernathy had 13 carries for 163 yards and two TDs on the night. Cory Trapp was 6-of-14 for 71 yards and Caleb Mitchell pitched in with a 24-yard TD run for the Tigers.
In the second half, the young Golden Tigers got to showcase their skills. Jake Ward capped off the scoring for the night when he found Blake Jackson for the game's final touchdown. Russellville may find this week's road much tougher as it travels to Hartselle in another region matchup of Tigers vs. Golden Tigers.
Hartselle is 0-2 on the season overall and 0-1 in region play, but Week 1's loss was to 6A Austin. And last week the Tigers were defeated by Decatur, one of the region favorites.
Glen Jackson is a guest columnist for The Franklin County Times. Jackson is president and CEO of Southeastern Athletics, Inc. He can be reached at (256) 332-5513.