Three area head coaches gone

The Morgan County Board of Education accepted the resignations of Brewer football coach Daniel Gullion and West Morgan’s Shannon Shaw tonight.

Brewer went 0-10 this past season. West Morgan lost its first four games and finished 4-6.

Also, the Moulton Advertiser reports Lawrence County head coach Shane Smothers has accepted an assistant role at neighboring Russellville.

Super 25 poll

The Alabama Sports Writers Association voted on a Super 25 poll at the conclusion of the football season, and a pair of area teams are included. Hartselle finished third in the rankings, while Tanner came in at No. 19. 

(First place votes, Class and final record in parentheses. First-place vote was worth 25 points, second 24, third 23 and so on.)
1. Prattville (25) (6A, 12-2) 714
*Won Class 6A Championship
2. Hoover (6A, 13-2) 648
*Class 6A Runner-up
3. Hartselle (1) (5A, 15-0) 629
*Won Class 5A Championship
4. Jackson (3) (4A, 15-0) 537
*Won Class 4A Championship
5. Oxford (6A, 12-2) 475
*Class 6A semifinalist
6. Vigor (5A, 12-3) 474
*Class 5A Runner-up
7. Hueytown (5A, 13-1) 419
*Class 5A semifinalist
8. Handley (3A, 15-0) 394
*Won Class 3A Championship
9. Mountain Brook (6A, 12-1) 389
*Class 6A quarterfinalist
10. Clay-Chalkville (6A, 1-9) 380
*10-0 on field; forfeited 9 games
11. Elba (2A, 15-0) 363
*Won Class 2A Championship
12. Briarwood Chr. (5A, 12-2)343
*Class 5A semifinalist
13. Central-Phenix City (6A, 11-3) 331
*Class 6A semifinalist
14. Daphne (6A, 10-2) 306
*Class 6A second round
15. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A, 12-1) 298
*Class 6A quarterfinalist
16. Marion Co. (1A, 14-1) 293
*Won Class 1A Championship
17. Oneonta (4A, 12-3) 268
*Class 4A Runner-up
18. Madison Acad. (3A, 12-3) 203
*Class 3A Runner-up
19. Tanner (2A, 14-1) 186
*Class 2A Runner-up
20. Linden (1A, 13-2) 185
*Class 1A Runner-up
21. McGill-Toolen (6A, 11-2) 145
*Class 6A quarterfinalist
22. St. Paul’s (5A, 11-2)<ws>109
*Class 5A quarterfinalist
23. UMS-Wright (4A, 9-5) 108
*Class 4A semifinalist
24. Clay Co. (3A, 12-2) 102
*Class 3A semifinalist
25. Fairhope (6A, 10-3) 96
*Class 6A quarterfinalist
 
Also receiving votes: Spanish Fort (5A, 9-4) 92; Bob Jones (6A, 10-2) 87; Center Point (5A, 11-2) 74; American Chr. (2A, 12-2) 71; Anniston (4A, 9-5) 64; Thomasville (4A, 10-2) 54; Sweet Water (1A, 10-4) 50; Bibb Co. (4A, 12-1) 49; Pinson Valley (5A, 9-3) 47; Ragland (1A, 12-1) 41; Edgewood Acad. (AISA, 13-0) 39; Blount (6A, 10-2) 34; Piedmont (3A, 12-1) 34; Bessemer Acad. (AISA, 12-1) 33; Muscle Shoals (5A, 11-2) 30; Dadeville (4A, 12-1) 27; Lineville (2A, 10-4) 27; Vestavia Hills (6A, 7-5) 27; Murphy (6A, 7-5) 23; Jackson Acad. (AISA, 12-1) 17; Deshler (4A, 11-2) 15; Rogers (3A, 11-3) 14, Auburn (6A, 8-2) 13; Pickens Co. (1A, 11-2) 12; Wetumpka (6A, 2-7) 10; Leeds (3A, 10-3) 9; Fultondale (2A, 10-3) 7; Monroe Acad. (AISA, 11-2) 7; T.R. Miller (4A, 9-3) 6; Flomaton (2A, 11-2) 5; Hanceville (3A, 10-1) 5; Northridge (6A, 10-2) 5; Collinsville (1A, 11-2) 1; Maplesville (1A, 12-1) 1.

Back at Bryant-Denny: Tanner vs. Elba

After an enjoyable lunch with Decatur Daily co-workers Gary Cosby Jr. and Deangelo McDaniel and Tuscaloosa resident/Bama beat writer Michael Casagrande, I’m back in Bryant-Denny for today’s Class 2A final between Tanner High and Elba.

It’s almost halftime in the 4A game between Jackson and Oneonta (coached by former Elkmont bossman Don Jacobs). Jackson leads 28-7. We’re about 2 hours and 45 minutes away from kickoff in the 2A final.

Follow us on Twitter @decaturpreps for updates throughout the game.

Final: Hartselle 13, Vigor 3

Hartselle won its first state championship with a 13-3 victory over Vigor on Thursday night. Gavin Marsh kicked a pair of field goals, and Blake Slayton added a TD for good measure with a minute remaining.

Quarterback Deacon Aldridge was the game’s MVP after rushing for 67 and throwing for 25 more. He injured his foot on the Tigers’ second possession of the game but didn’t miss a snap.

Upcoming: Class 5A state championship game

Follow me on Twitter (@decaturpreps) for updates throughout Hartselle High’s clash with Vigor. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Viewing guide: Hartselle (14-0) vs. Vigor (12-2)

The most important storyline you need to know for this one is that the winner is crowned the state’s best in Class 5A, but here are some other factors worth weighing for tonight’s 7 p.m. clash at Bryant-Denny:

• This game pits 5A’s best defenses, with Vigor allowing 7.4 points per game and Hartselle following at 9.7 a contest.
• Considering that, this one could be decided by special teams, and Hartselle has the edge there. Kicker Gavin Marsh has booted several clutch field goals this postseason, including the game-winner with four seconds left in a come-from-behind win against Center Point. He also kicked three last week in the Tigers’ semifinal win over Briarwood Christian.
• Vigor’s defense features three SEC commitments. The Wolves are led by Alabama commitment Darius Philon (6-foot-1, 282 pounds) and Arkansas commitment Jamichael Winston (6-5, 226) on the defensive line and Kentucky commitment Jacoby Glenn at cornerback. Vigor has recorded five shutouts and has allowed 33 points in four postseason games entering tonight.
• A win tonight would be Hartselle’s first state championship. The school played for state titles in 1980 and 1981 but lost both tries.

 

It’s championship week

Two area teams will play for football state championships later this week, and here are the stories you can expect to come from this Super (6) week:

Tuesday: Bob does the job — Despite an impressive 14-year career that includes more than 100 wins, nearly 20 playoff victories and a dozen winning seasons, Hartselle head coach Bob Godsey will coach in his first state championship game Thursday night against Vigor. 

For Wednesday: Hartselle heritage — Two current Hartselle High defensive linemen, Alec Durand and Blair Sittason, have fathers who were on the last Tigers team to play for a state championship in 1981. David Sittation and Russell Durand were both members of the 1981 squad that lost 39-20 to Eufala in the state championship game. David Sittason was a senior fullback and linebacker, while Russell Durand was a sophomore on the practice squad.

Don’t forget about the D – The Rattlers’ defense has been overshadowed by an offense that’s scoring nearly 45 points per game. Don’t forget about the D. 

For Thursday: Hartselle vs. Vigor, the game of the century. It’s not quite Alabama-LSU, but it does draw comparisons. Here’s hoping the team in crimson and white wins this time. 

1o Question’s with exchange student and Tanner kicker Marco Vassallo.

For Friday: Game coverage from Hartselle-Vigor, advance for Friday’s Tanner-Elba clash.

For Saturday: Game coverage from Tanner-Elba.

Also, check out my Sunday column on Hartselle at decaturdaily.com. Hang on, it’s gonna be a fun week.

Semifinal scores, Super 6 pairings

SEMIFINALS
CLASS 6A
Prattville 45, Central-Phenix City 12
Hoover 32, Oxford 22
CLASS 5A
Vigor 20, Hueytown 7
Hartselle 16, Briarwood Chr. 14
CLASS 4A
Jackson 26, UMS-Wright 14
Oneonta 21, Anniston 14
CLASS 3A
Handley 13, Clay Co. 6
Madison Acad. 34, Rogers 7
CLASS 2A
Elba 49, American Chr. 41
Tanner 24, Lineville 14
CLASS 1A
Linden 40, Sweet Water 7
Marion Co. 35, Ragland 14

SUPER 6 CHAMPIONSHIPS
All games at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa)
Thursday’s games
CLASS 3A
Handley (14-0) vs. Madison Acad. (12-2), 11 a.m.
CLASS 1A
Linden (13-1) vs. Marion Co. (13-1), 3 p.m.
CLASS 5A
Vigor (12-2) vs. Hartselle (14-0), 7 p.m.
Friday’s games
CLASS 4A
Jackson (14-0) vs. Oneonta (12-2), 11 a.m.
CLASS 2A
Elba (14-0) vs. Tanner (14-0), 3 p.m.
CLASS 6A
Prattville (11-2) vs Hoover (13-1), 7 p.m.

Kneejerk reactions: Hartselle 16, Briarwood Christian 14

Hartselle's Tyler Phillips had two of Hartselle's four interceptions against Briarwood on Friday night. (Daily photo by Jeronimo Nisa)

Hartselle High is headed to next week’s Class 5A state championship game, and there are few teams that deserve the opportunity more than this team.

Read past the jump to know why …

Quick hits: Hartselle 16, Briarwood Christian 14

Quickie recap: Hartselle intercepted four passes, the last coming in the closing seconds that sealed a 16-14 victory over Briarwood Christian. The win puts Class 5A No. 2 Hartselle in the state championship game for the first time since 1981 and also scored redemption against Briarwood, which defeated Hartselle in last year’s semifinals.

Quickie stats: Tyler Phillips (Hartselle), 2 INT; Charlston Williams (Hartselle), one INT and onside kick recovery in the game’s final minutes; Ben Craft (Briarwood), 24-of-25 for 226 yards and two touchdowns — both went to Canon Smith; Deacon Aldridge (Hartselle), 7-of-15 for 89 yards and 78 yards rushing.

Quotable: “It feels kind of numb right now. I’m proud of our coaches and our guys and this community that has been behind us. This is what it’s supposed to be like. To do it by beating a top-notch class program, in my opinion, is the pinnacle of football. I’m just proud of our guys. They had a calm about them all week that they would not be denied, and they played that way.” — Hartselle head coach Bob Godsey