Prep football season finally arrives
The high school football season is finally here, starting tonight (Thursday) when the biggest in-county rivalry game kicks off in Excel.
Frisco City High School vs. Excel School, also known as "The Battle of Escambia Creek," is arguably the biggest high school game in the county year-in and year-out because over the years it's been one of the most competitive. In most cases, when these two schools butt heads there is no clear-cut favorite, and this year is no different.
Before I go out on a limb and give my picks for this week and the rest of the season, everyone should know that I wish nothing but the best for our local teams this season and hope that they get a victory each week.
With that said, here's my take on this week's slate of games.
Frisco City at Excel: This year's edition of this storied rivalry should be very interesting. In fact, it's almost too close to call. I think this year's game will boil down to two factors - line play and the fourth quarter.
Both teams boast giants on their offensive and defensive lines, and this battle in the trenches has the potential to be one of the best in years.
Excel's got a group of large, strong offensive linemen, particularly Mark McCants (280 pounds), Brandon Smith (275 pounds) and JoJo Hawkins (250 pounds).
Frisco boasts Thomas "T.J." Perkins, a 265-pound juggernaut, and Leonard Hollings, a quick-footed, 205-pound offensive guard. Perkins, who played at Class 6A Daphne last season, is so wide that opposing defensive linemen might have an easier time rolling off the side of the Earth than putting a spin move on this guy.
Fourth quarter play will also be a huge factor in this game. Excel's roster is a little deeper, and it will make a difference, especially late in the game as each team feels the effects of the August heat and humidity. The team with the conditioning edge will most definitely be in the driver's seat late in the fourth quarter.
In the end, I think Excel has the edge in both of these areas, giving the Panthers what they need to pull out a close win. Excel 21, Frisco 12.
Monroe Academy at Wilcox Academy: The biggest question surrounding this year's Monroe Academy team centers on how well its untested offensive line will perform. This year's offensive line features no returning starters from last year's team, leaving a big question mark regarding how well the team's running game will fair this season. If the offensive line has a good night, I predict that the Vols will do well in Camden against Wilcox Academy. Monroe 21, Wilcox 13.
Blacksher at Florala: I got a chance to see Florala first hand Friday night in Frisco City, and they looked to have a pretty strong team. They're stacked with more than few big, solid players and I'm not even talking about their linemen. Entering tomorrow (Friday) night's game as the No. 10-ranked team in Class 1A, I look for Florala to make short work of the Bulldogs as Florala prepares to move up in the Class 1A poll. Florala 32, Blacksher 14.
Shields at Monroe County: I enjoyed watching Shields and MCHS knock heads when I was a kid, and I'm pleased to see that the two schools have renewed this great rivalry. Last year's game between MCHS and Shields was the first meeting between the two schools since 1993. MCHS, with a 20-4 all-time record against Shields, should have a few more guns than the Panthers this season, and I think it will show Friday night. MCHS 28, Shields 6.
Frisco City High School vs. Excel School, also known as "The Battle of Escambia Creek," is arguably the biggest high school game in the county year-in and year-out because over the years it's been one of the most competitive. In most cases, when these two schools butt heads there is no clear-cut favorite, and this year is no different.
Before I go out on a limb and give my picks for this week and the rest of the season, everyone should know that I wish nothing but the best for our local teams this season and hope that they get a victory each week.
With that said, here's my take on this week's slate of games.
Frisco City at Excel: This year's edition of this storied rivalry should be very interesting. In fact, it's almost too close to call. I think this year's game will boil down to two factors - line play and the fourth quarter.
Both teams boast giants on their offensive and defensive lines, and this battle in the trenches has the potential to be one of the best in years.
Excel's got a group of large, strong offensive linemen, particularly Mark McCants (280 pounds), Brandon Smith (275 pounds) and JoJo Hawkins (250 pounds).
Frisco boasts Thomas "T.J." Perkins, a 265-pound juggernaut, and Leonard Hollings, a quick-footed, 205-pound offensive guard. Perkins, who played at Class 6A Daphne last season, is so wide that opposing defensive linemen might have an easier time rolling off the side of the Earth than putting a spin move on this guy.
Fourth quarter play will also be a huge factor in this game. Excel's roster is a little deeper, and it will make a difference, especially late in the game as each team feels the effects of the August heat and humidity. The team with the conditioning edge will most definitely be in the driver's seat late in the fourth quarter.
In the end, I think Excel has the edge in both of these areas, giving the Panthers what they need to pull out a close win. Excel 21, Frisco 12.
Monroe Academy at Wilcox Academy: The biggest question surrounding this year's Monroe Academy team centers on how well its untested offensive line will perform. This year's offensive line features no returning starters from last year's team, leaving a big question mark regarding how well the team's running game will fair this season. If the offensive line has a good night, I predict that the Vols will do well in Camden against Wilcox Academy. Monroe 21, Wilcox 13.
Blacksher at Florala: I got a chance to see Florala first hand Friday night in Frisco City, and they looked to have a pretty strong team. They're stacked with more than few big, solid players and I'm not even talking about their linemen. Entering tomorrow (Friday) night's game as the No. 10-ranked team in Class 1A, I look for Florala to make short work of the Bulldogs as Florala prepares to move up in the Class 1A poll. Florala 32, Blacksher 14.
Shields at Monroe County: I enjoyed watching Shields and MCHS knock heads when I was a kid, and I'm pleased to see that the two schools have renewed this great rivalry. Last year's game between MCHS and Shields was the first meeting between the two schools since 1993. MCHS, with a 20-4 all-time record against Shields, should have a few more guns than the Panthers this season, and I think it will show Friday night. MCHS 28, Shields 6.
posted by Lee Peacock at 1:47 PM
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