Danville-West Morgan postponed

— posted by Mike Cummings

Tonight’s prep basketball games between Danville and West Morgan have been postponed until Thursday due to the threat of severe weather in the area.

Danville girls coach Paul Wilson said Danville High dismissed students at 1:30 p.m. today, meaning the school district could not allow students to use school buses to travel to games. That would cast doubt on the status of games involving Brewer, Falkville and Priceville.

I called Austin High to confirm tonight’s home game against Sparkman, and an office worker said the game is still on.

I’ll post more info as it comes in.

Daily Double, 11-30

— posted by Mike Cummings

Where did 2010 go? It’s the last day of November and I’m still trying to figure out how March is already over. Whew. There aren’t too many prep sports headlines today, but here are a few that will hopefully slow down time enough to help me figure out what happened to my 27th year on the planet.

• Taking advantage: Decatur’s boys score a big win over Hartselle in the Tigers’ season debut, which came just three days after six of the nine varsity players featured in the Class 5A football semifinals. Nothing against Decatur, though — they have an excellent team regardless. Link
• Athens, Clements girls roll at home: A short prep roundup for Tuesday. Link
• Former West Limestone player up for Miss. honor: Tommy Reyer is one of 10 finalists for the Conerly Trophy, which annually goes to the top college football player in Mississippi.
• Local influence: A look at how college and professional football players from local high schools fared this past weekend. On a side note, I still can’t believe a former Elkmont player now plays for the New York Giants. What a culture shock that must have been for all involved. Link

And finally, from the fact of faked file, today’s YouTube video. You decide.

Viewing guide: The week ahead

– posted by Cody Whitlock

It’s the final week of high school football, and only one area high school team still stands. Class 1A R.A. Hubbard meets Sweet Water in Thursday night’s state championship game at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Here are a few stories to expect in anticipation of the big game:

For Wednesday: The Courtland and Town Creek communities haven’t celebrated a state championship in about 10 years, and that’s a long drought for the folks along Hwy. 20 in Lawrence County. R.A. Hubbard, formerly Courtland, won five state titles from 1988-99. Hazlewood, which merged with Courtland to form R.A. Hubbard nearly two years ago, won 11 state titles. Today, I chatted with head coach Nicholas Vinson and several players about the importance of restoring that state championship tradition. 

For Thursday: The game with Sweet Water is a rematch of the 2004 state title game, which Sweet Water won 35-7. How is R.A. Hubbard prepared differently this time? 

For Friday: Game coverage.

For Saturday: Follow-up on R.A. Hubbard’s season.

Stay tuned …

Ex-West Limestone football player Tommy Reyer …

– posted by Cody Whitlock

… is one of 10 finalists for the Conerly Trophy, which is awarded annually to the best college football player in Mississippi.

Reyer

Reyer recently completed his junior season at Division III Mississippi College, where he threw for nearly 2,500 yards and 17 touchdowns while completing 59 percent of his passes. He also ran for 263 yards on 119 carries and another five scores.

The 2008 West Limestone grad will join nine other finalists, including Ole Miss quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, at a ceremony Tuesday night at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in Jackson.

Daily Double 11-29

– posted by Cody Whitlock

It’s Monday, it’s raining and there are no new headlines to share from the prep sports world.

But enjoy the promised YouTube video, nonetheless.

Raise your hand if you think Andre Johnson owns Cortland Finnegan.

Open Mike Monday: The Debut

—posted by Mike Cummings

Welcome to what I hope is the first of many editions of a new feature I’m calling “Open Mike Monday.” During the first few weeks, I’ll try out different things in this space, but for now, the Open Mike will include my weekly soapbox moment, a quick recap of the previous week’s biggest moments, a shout-out to some of the previous week’s top individual performances, and power rankings for boys and girls basketball teams in the River City area.

I hope you enjoy it.

And if you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know.

Daily Double, 11-28

— posted by Mike Cummings

Prep sports headlines and a YouTube video for a nice, sunny Sunday afternoon.

• Austin girls win Round 1: Lady Black Bears beat Decatur in Brewer tournament. Link
• Hartselle Tigers proved they’re winners: Sunday follow-up from Friday night’s dramatic Class 5A football semifinals. Link
• Nance helps lift Hawks to win in overtime: Danville girls win Thanksgiving tournament with strong field of teams, including beaten finalist Good Hope. Link

Today’s video shows the potential dangers of when Zambonis attack. Those sportscasters remained amazingly calm considering they almost got ran over.

Daily Double 11-27

– posted by Cody Whitlock

Saturday’s are pretty boring when Alabama and Auburn aren’t playing, huh? Oh well, here are today’s top prep headlines to keep you entertained.

Hartselle fell three points shy of the Class 5A state championship game after Briarwood Christian kicked the game-winning field goal in OT. Link.

The River City area wasn’t shut out of the Super 6, though. R.A. Hubbard blanked Parrish 14-0 to advance to next week’s 1A state title game. Link.

There were a few high school basketball games Friday night. Read the hoops roundup for details.

Reeltown’s 34-0 win over Tanner in last week’s Class 2A quarterfinals was a miletone win for head football coach Jackie O’Neal. Read more here.

Batting Stance Guy is always a YouTube favorite.

I can’t take credit for discovering this gem, though. The folks over at Daily Bama Blog and I watched these clips the entire summer of 2008.

Kneejerk reactions: Briarwood Christian 24, Hartselle 21 (OT)

– posted by Cody Whitlock

Here are the first few paragraphs of my column that will appear in Sunday’s Decatur Daily. 

HARTSELLE – If Friday night’s game between Hartselle High and Briarwood Christian was only the semifinals, the Class 5A state championship game promises to be a real treat.

In a game that had all the billing of a state title game, No. 2 Briarwood knocked off top-ranked Hartselle 24-21 in overtime at J.P. Cain Stadium.

The visiting Lions advance to face Spanish Fort in Thursday’s championship game at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium, but Hartselle – which ended its season with 12 wins – proved its place among the state’s elite.

Read why I think Hartselle is among the best of the best and the rest of my thought’s in tomorrow’s paper.

Friday’s scores, next week’s pairings

– posted by Cody Whitlock

Scores from Friday’s semifinals:
CLASS 6A
Daphne 47, Davidson 14 
Hoover 44, Mtn. Brook 20 
CLASS 5A
Spanish Fort 37, McAdory 16 
Briarwood Chr. 24, Hartselle 21 (OT)
CLASS 4A
Thomasville 38, Bibb Co. 14 
Deshler 28, North Jackson 14
CLASS 3A
Leeds 25, Gordo 7  
Hamilton 27, Piedmont 21 
CLASS 2A
Leroy 34, American Chr. 16 
Reeltown 28, Lineville 21 
CLASS 1A
Sweet Water 20, Linden 6 
R.A. Hubbard 14, Parrish 0 

Next week’s state championship pairings:
At Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium 
Thursday
CLASS 3A
Leeds (14-0) vs. Hamilton (14-0), 11 a.m. 
CLASS 1A
Sweet Water (11-3) vs. R.A. Hubbard (13-1), 3 p.m.
CLASS 5A
Spanish Fort (12-2) vs. Briarwood Chr. (13-1), 7 p.m.
Friday
CLASS 4A
Thomasville (14-0) vs. Deshler (12-2), 11 p.m. 
CLASS 2A
Leroy (13-1) vs. Reeltown (13-1), 3 p.m.
CLASS 6A
Daphne (14-0) vs. Hoover (14-0), 7 p.m.