A good year, by any standard
By Staff
Justin Schuver, Sports Editor
When Danville's team dropped out of the Class 3A state tournament with a loss to Leeds Saturday morning, it marked the official ending of the 2006-07 sports season. What a season it was.
Of the five area high schools, each made the playoffs in at least one sport. It was also a season of historical firsts, as Brewer advanced to the boys and girls soccer postseason for the first time in school history. Back in the fall, the Lady Patriots made the Elite Eight in volleyball for the first time as well.
The Falkville boys won a state title in indoor track, then followed up the sweep with a win in the outdoor version of track-and-field as well. And the girls finished second, losing by just 4.67 points.
Football saw two teams advance to the postseason, with Hartselle riding a wave of playoff success all the way to the Class 5A semifinals. And were it not for an unlucky deflection in the last two minutes of that game against Athens, the Tigers' run might have gone even further.
Also making the playoffs was Falkville, as the Blue Devils advanced to the postseason for the second straight year – a remarkable feat considering the team didn't win a single game in the 2005 season.
Although Priceville didn't make the playoffs, the Bulldogs still had an impressive season considering it was the school's first year in Class 4A competition – a major jump after competing in Class 2A in 2006. Priceville literally came one point away from making the postseason after dropping a 7-6 game to Ardmore in the final area contest of the season.
In addition to Brewer advancing to the Elite Eight, Hartselle and Danville both made it as well – with Danville reaching the plateau for the second straight year and Hartselle making the trip for the first time in the program's history. Although none of the three came away with a title in Pelham, it was still an impressive showing for Morgan County.
Winter sports had their successes as well, with Brewer, Hartselle and Danville each reaching the regional tournament in girls' basketball. The Lady Tigers advanced even further, making it to the final four in Birmingham before falling to eventual champion Ramsay.
Though Hartselle did not win a team championship in wrestling, the Tigers' Caleb Blanton did win an individual title in January in the final match of his senior season.
Baseball and softball had their share of successes as well, as Danville and Hartselle each made the postseason in baseball, with the Hawks making a run to the Class 3A semifinals before falling to eventual champion Hokes Bluff.
Not to be outdone, the Lady Hawks had a postseason run of their own, finishing in a tie for fifth after losing to eventual champion Leeds. It capped off a banner year for Danville's girls' athletics program, as all three major sports (volleyball, basketball and softball) advanced at least as far as the round of 16 – Hartselle's girls' teams accomplished the same feat.
Each of the five area schools has something to be proud of in last season's list of athletic accomplishments. Each got a chance to have a moment in the sun to earn pride for its school and community.
No matter how you slice it, this past school year was an outstanding year for local athletics. Let's hope next year is even better.
