Tigers are getting even younger now
By Staff
Justin Schuver, Sports Editor
When the Tigers set up under center Friday, it's entirely possible that their backfield could be made up entirely of freshmen and sophomores. Junior quarterback Wes Chenault was lost for the season after an ankle injury knocked him out of the end of the Athens game, and now sophomore Tony Weaver will take the reins of the Hartselle offense.
With Weaver under center and sophomore Montrel Murphy and freshman Marquez Jones seeing time at running back, the most important skill positions in Coach Bob Godsey's rushing attack are now filled with young men barely old enough to shave.
The youth on offense has made it all the more important for senior defensive stalwarts like Johnny Jones and Joe McClanahan to step up, and they have certainly done so. This late in the season, it looks as though Hartselle's defense is going to have to carry it into the postseason, and so far they've done their job. Keeping the potent offenses of Russellville and Athens to just 19 and 13 points respectively is nothing short of amazing.
The offense might go through a few more growing pains, such as in the second half against Athens when Hartselle failed to pick up a first down, but the defense should always be solid.
Here's this week's picks:
Hartselle Tigers (4-3, 3-2) at Cullman Bearcats (5-2, 3-2): This game is essentially a must win in terms of making the playoffs. As if this rivalry needed anything else added to make it an even more exciting game…Tigers 24, Bearcats 17.
Oakman Wildcats (2-5, 1-4) at Falkville Blue Devils (2-5, 2-3): If you were at the Priceville-Falkville game Thursday, you saw the growth of a quarterback and maybe even a future leader for the Blue Devils. Jonathan McNatt, just a freshman, has come in and given the Devils a rock under center in its last few games, and all of a sudden Falkville looks like a team that might be able to squeak into that last playoff spot in Region 7…Blue Devils 28, Wildcats 13.
Priceville Bulldogs (3-4, 2-3) at Cordova Blue Devils (6-1, 5-0): Cordova beat Falkville by 45 points at Falkville. Falkville beat Priceville by 14 points at Priceville. According to the Transitive Theory of Football, the Bulldogs will need a miracle to pull this one off…Blue Devils 42, Bulldogs 14.
Danville Hawks (3-4, 2-3) at Carbon Hill Bulldogs (0-7, 0-5): The Hawks can get back to .500 records in both the region and overall standings with a win over the punchless Bulldogs. I have the feeling Danville's going to be letting off some pent-up frustration, Friday…Hawks 45, Bulldogs 10.
Muscle Shoals Trojans (1-6, 0-5) at Brewer Patriots (1-6, 0-5): One of those teams will end Friday night with a region win. Muscle Shoals gave Hartselle fits in the first half of their game, so I'll go with the Trojans…Trojans 31, Patriots 21.
No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0, 3-0) at Mississippi Rebels (2-3, 0-2): The Ed Ogreron experiment is slow catching on in Oxford. Gee, I wonder if David Cutcliffe is looking for a job…Crimson Tide 31, Rebels 7.
No. 21 Auburn Tigers (4-1, 2-0) at Arkansas Razorbacks (2-3, 0-2): Okay, I've underestimated Auburn this season.
Their defense has been dominating and Brandon Cox is starting to develop into a good quarterback. Arkansas is a better team than their record says, but they won't be able to beat the confident Tigers…Tigers 28, Razorbacks 21.
No. 1 USC Trojans (5-0) at No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-1): The last time Notre Dame played a No. 1 team in South Bend on Oct. 15 was in 1988. In the famous "Catholics vs. Criminals" game, the Irish squeaked past No. 1 Miami by a score of 31-30. Sounds good to me…Fighting Irish 31, Trojans 30.
