Which mascot is scarier? Lions? Or Tigers?

By David Morrison
High School Sports Reporter
Published: November 21, 2009

The Trojans scored on their first drive. Then the Tigers realized they didn’t like that very much and beat the crud out of the home team for the rest of the game.

This guy saw it live. So did this guy.

On a related note, Cameron Luper = going to be verrrry good in a couple of years. I’m not even sure the freshman is fully through puberty yet, and he’s already making people look silly.

So this sets up a matchup with three-time defending state champ Prattville at the Duck next week. About two hours after the Iron Bowl ends.

We’ll see just how many people this city can hold, by God.

Also, two shoutouts before I get to the recap.

First, to Miss Connie, the friendly Daphne parking attendant. She said nobody ever writes nice things about the parking people in the paper, so I told her I would. Well, I lied. But here’s a little something for you on my blog anyway, Miss Connie.

Also to Carter, a little towheaded Auburn partisan that also asked me to put him in the paper. I didn’t. So blog shoutout for you too, Carter.

He also gave me this gem. When he saw me doing my stats, he asked if I was writing my story. When I told him I was just keeping the stats, he said, “Oh, so you’re basically an assistant coach.“

Eh…kind of…I guess…

Also, do I ever sleep? I think it’s pretty obvious by this point that I don’t.

AHS   14   10   13   7 — 44  
DHS   7   3   0   0 —  10

1st Quarter—(DHS) T.J. Yeldon 2 run (Brandon Roberts kick), 7:51. 6 plays, 63 yards, 2:39
              (AHS) Augustus Brooks 2 run (Mason Wachter kick), 4:12. 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:37
              (AHS) Tony Holland 35 pass from Cameron Luper (Wachter kick), 0:44. 1 play, 35 yards, 0:07
2nd Quarter—(AHS) Calvin Jenkins 3 run (Wachter kick), 11:20. 2 plays, 16 yards, 0:29
              (AHS) Wachter 28 field goal, 9:03. 4 plays, 2 yards, 0:51
              (DHS) Roberts 28 field goal, 5:06. 6 plays, 17 yards, 1:33
3rd Quarter—(AHS) Desmond Purter 3 run (Wachter kick), 10:49. 3 plays, 32 yards, 1:09
              (AHS) Purter 17 pass from Jenkins (run failed), 1:31. 4 plays, 56 yards, 0:55
4th Quarter—(AHS) Austin Shiver 1 run (Wachter kick), 9:15. 8 plays, 28 yards, 4:13

TEAM
First Downs: AHS 23; DHS 15
Rushing: AHS 47-296, 4; DHS 29-43, 1
Passing: AHS 6-13-62-2-0; DHS 14-29-178-0-2
Total Plays-Yards: AHS 60-358; DHS 58-221
Penalties-Yards: AHS 4-30; DHS 10-65
Fumbles-Lost: AHS 2-2; DHS 6-4
Punts-Yards: AHS 2-72; DHS 4-129
Time of Possession: AHS 24:25; DHS 23:35

INDIVIDUAL
Rushing: AHS—Augustus Brooks 15-159, 1; Calvin Jenkins 10-56, 1; Marcus Harris 8-16; Cameron Luper 4-43; Tomarcus Warren 3-13; Desmond Purter 3-7, 1; Jerrell Evans 1-5; Austin Shiver 1-1, 1; TEAM 2-minus-4 . DHS—T.J. Yeldon 16-67, 1; Russ Moseley 7-minus-14; Israel Lamprakes 5-minus-7; Cameron Peterson 1-minus-3.
Passing: AHS—Jenkins 5-12-27-1-0; Luper 1-1-35-1-0. DHS—Moseley 14-27-178-0-2; Lamprakes 0-1-0-0-0; TEAM 0-1-0-0-0.
Receiving: AHS—Purter 2-22, 1; Brooks 2-1; Holland 1-35, 1; D.J. Holley 1-4. DHS—Lamprakes 6-64; Yeldon 4-64; Justin Jackson 2-37; Darius Baker 2-13.
Tackles: AHS—Julian Holloway 7 (sack, FF, FR); Rodney Thomas 7 (FF, FR); Kevin Griffin 7; Pee Wee Cobb 6; Todd Thompson 5 (INT); James Ponder 4 (sack); Rashaad Hughley 4 (FR); JaMichael Payne 3; Jerron Brown 2; Mitchel Roland 2; Allen Brown 1; Griffin Clark 1; Tae Griffin 1; Jadez Menifee (INT); J.D. Woods (FR). DHS—Roderick Tate 7; Trevell Perdue 6; Ryan Anderson 6 (FR); Tyler Powell 6; Chris Hill 5 (FF); Michael Pierce 5; Kyndal Minniefield 5; Peterson 4; Kevin Wilson 4; Joshua Combs 1; Andrew Castrillow 1; Peter Lesch 1; Torren McGaster (FR).

Playoff previews ... all up in your area (parte tres): Auburn at Daphne

By David Morrison
High School Sports Reporter
Published: November 20, 2009

Not that many teams left. But the playoff previews keep coming. One a day until Friday.

Today: Auburn High at Daphne in the Class 6A quarterfinals:

Auburn High Tigers (12-0)

Aug. 28 vs. Valley (W, 28-7)
Sept. 4 vs. Dothan (W, 37-14)
Sept. 11 at Enterprise (W, 41-7)
Sept. 18 at Northview (W, 48-9)
Sept. 25 vs. Jeff Davis (W, 47-0)
Oct. 2 vs. Smiths Station (W, 49-28)
Oct. 9 vs. Russell County (W, 37-0)
Oct. 16 vs. Central (W, 26-12)
Oct. 23 at Opelika (W, 41-15)
Oct. 30 at BTW (W, 49-14)
Nov. 6 vs. Lee-Montgomery (W, 30-6)
Nov. 13 vs. Wetumpka (W, 27-24)

Points scored: 460 (38.3)
Points allowed: 136 (11.3)
Rushing yards: 2891 (240.9)
Passing yards: 1534 (127.8)
Total yards: 4425 (368.9)
Rushing yards allowed: 1322 (110.2)
Passing yards allowed: 1044 (87.0)
Total yards allowed: 2366 (197.2)

Key Players
RB Augustus Brooks, Sr., 5-10, 175: 162 att., 1071 yds., 6.6 avg., 19 TD
CB Dequavious “Pee Wee” Cobb, Sr., 6-0, 175: 27 tackles, 7 INT
QB Calvin Jenkins, Sr., 6-0, 180: 88-of-143 passing, 1485 yds., 16 TD, 6 INT; 787 rush yds., 13 TD
DL JaMichael Payne, Jr., 6-0, 295: 53 tackles, 4.5 for loss, 1 sack
WR Jason Webb, Jr., 6-3, 185: 20 rec., 490 yds., 24.5 avg., 5 TD

Daphne Trojans (6-6)

Aug. 27 at Davidson (L, 14-21)
Sept. 4 at Pace (Fla.) (L, 7-27)
Sept. 11 vs. Satsuma (W, 38-21)
Sept. 18 at McGill-Toolen (L, 14-28)
Sept. 25 vs. Murphy (L, 7-43)
Oct. 2 at Foley (W, 34-29)
Oct. 9 vs. Baldwin County (W, 16-13)
Oct. 16 at Fairhope (L, 7-35)
Oct. 23 vs. Robertsdale (W, 27-0)
Oct. 30 at Niceville (Fla.) (L, 14-49)
Nov. 6 at Theodore (W, 41-19)
Nov. 13 at Fairhope (W, 16-14)

Points scored: 235 (19.6)
Points allowed: 299 (24.9)

Key Players
WR Justin Jackson, Jr., 6-3, 180
QB Russ Moseley, Jr., 6-0, 190
RB T.J. Yelding, So., 6-0, 180

Auburn on the road: 4-0
Daphne at home: 3-1
Last meeting: Daphne, 56-20, on Nov. 7, 2003.

Pick: Auburn 24, Daphne 19

If new developments arise in Smith lawsuit, Chizik will handle them in ‘right way’

By Mike Szvetitz
Sports Editor, Opelika-Auburn News
Published: November 19, 2009

Here’s tomorrow’s notes today.

Gene Chizik said Thursday night that any new developments in the lawsuit against running back Eric Smith will be dealt with “the right way.”
Decari Jenkins, an Auburn University student, is suing Smith, 19, for compensatory and punitive damages after Smith allegedly assaulted Jenkins, 22, in the parking lot of the Lexington Hotel in Auburn on Aug. 21.
The lawsuit also alleges two unnamed AU football players were involved in the incident.
“I’m not at liberty to talk about those types of issues,” Chizik said. “We’ve done everything that we needed to do when the whole thing arose three months ago. I’m not aware of any official anything that has happened right now.
“I know there is stuff out there. I can assure that we will deal, again, with everything the proper way if that does occur. There hasn’t been anything that I’m aware of right now that has happened. Again, when it’s our time, and we have to deal with that, we’ll address it in the right way.”
Smith was suspended from the team for 2 1/2 weeks after the August incident, missing the first game of the season against Louisiana Tech.
Since, Smith has played in every game, rushing for 99 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown, while catching 17 passes for 225 yards.

LB Evans next in line
Jonathan Evans might get the first start of his career next Friday against Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
The true freshman filled in for starting linebacker Eltoro Freeman last week in the Tigers’ loss to Georgia, after Freeman went out with a concussion in the third quarter.
Evans finished with four tackles in a quarter and a half of play.
Now, Evans has a chance to pad those stats if Freeman, who hasn’t practiced since the injury, can’t go against Alabama.
“Again, Toro is going to be a day-by-day situation,” Chizik said Thursday night. “We don’t really know when that will be. But if Jonathan has to be the guy, he had to be the guy in the second half of the Georgia game.”
Defensive coordinator Ted Roof likes what he’s seen so far from Evans during the bye-week practices.
“He’s getting better every day,” Roof said. “He’s done a good job. He’s gotten better at making more plays, more active. That’s what we expect him to do, that’s what’s got to happen.
And the experience he received last weekend will go along way, says Roof.
“Oh yeah, it’s critical,” the defensive coordinator said. “There’s only one first time and that was his first time really being in there when the game was still in the (balance). I thought he did a good job for the first time. He didn’t panic. I’m sure internally things were moving pretty fast, but I thought he did some nice things and I look forward to more and more nice things as time goes forward.”
Both Chizik and Roof wouldn’t discuss who might be after Evans on the depth chart, if Freeman can’t play.
Chizik did say, however, that he didn’t see Adam Herring (heel), who has started four games this season, being available.
“At this point, I don’t see that being an option,” Chizik said, “but I’m not ruling that out, either.

In which your intrepid preps reporter predicts the future again, hopefully better than last time

By David Morrison
High School Sports Reporter
Published: November 19, 2009

Last week’s record: 42-12

This week? I’m batting 1.000. There, called it.

AISA (finals)

Class AAA
Pike Liberal Arts 23, Bessemer 21

Class AA
Monroe 23, Edgewood 22

Class A
Crenshaw Christian 27, Patrician 24

AHSAA (quarterfinals)

Class 1A
Sweet Water 30, Loachapoka 15
Linden 24, Brantley 19
Appalachian 27, R.A. Hubbard 18
Hackleburg 29, Gaston 23

Class 2A
Leroy 25, Pickens County 21
Reeltown 22, Washington County 21
Clay County 19, Winson County 17
Lamar County 31, Ider 17

Class 3A
Straughn 25, Cordova 19
Trinity 27, Luverne 18
Leeds 25, Madison Academy 14
Hamilton 26, Piedmont 24

Class 4A
UMS-Wright 28, Handley 23
Bibb County 26, Jackson 22
Deshler 27, Midfield 16
Cherokee County 37, North Jackson 20

Class 5A
Spanish Fort 28, Briarwood Christian 21
Demopolis 27, LeFlore 21
McAdory 22, Hartselle 19
Russellville 21, Cullman 19

Class 6A
Prattville 26, Davidson 23
Auburn 24, Daphne 19
Hoover 26, Bob Jones 21
Gadsden City 20, Spain Park 19

Playoff previews ... all up in your area (parte tres): Reeltown at Washington County

By David Morrison
High School Sports Reporter
Published: November 19, 2009

Not that many teams left. But the playoff previews keep coming. One a day until Friday

Today: Reeltown at Washington County in the Class 2A quarterfinals:

Reeltown Rebels (11-1)
Aug. 27 vs. Dadeville (L, 21-24)
Sept. 4 at Francis Marion (W, 38-6)
Sept. 11 at Highland Home (W, 46-15)
Sept. 18 vs. Goshen (W, 34-0)
Sept. 25 at Loachapoka (W, 27-0)
Oct. 2 vs. Zion Chapel (W, 35-0)
Oct. 9 vs. Keith (W, 41-0)
Oct. 16 at St. Jude (W, 22-0)
Oct. 23 at R.C. Hatch (W, 29-6)
Oct. 29 vs. Notasulga (W, 47-0)
Nov. 6 vs. Vincent (W, 33-0)
Nov. 13 vs. St. Jude (W, 45-6)

Points scored: 418 (34.8)
Points allowed: 57 (4.8)
Rushing yards: 3678 (306.5)
Passing yards: 646 (53.8)
Total yards: 4324 (360.3)

Key Players
RB/DB Trey McKeithen, Sr., 5-9, 175: 90 att., 631 yds., 7.0 avg. 8 TD; 65 tackles, 6 sacks, INT
RB/DB Willie McKenzie, Sr., 5-8, 150: 129 att., 1015 yds., 7.9 avg., 15 TD; 46 tackles, 4 INT
RB/LB Ki-shawn Powell, Jr., 5-8, 155: 91 att., 601 yds., 6.6 avg. 9 TD; 61 tackles, 4 sacks
TE/LB Shaquille Roberson, Jr., 6-3, 205: 124 tackles, 12 sacks, 3 INT
TE/LB Nelson Robinson, Sr., 5-10, 165: 42 tackles, 7 INT

Washington County Bulldogs (10-2)
Aug. 27 at Jackson (L, 27-55)
Sept. 4 vs. Southern Choctaw (W, 27-15)
Sept. 11 at Leroy (L, 21-28)
Sept. 18 vs. Mobile Christian (W, 21-6)
Sept. 25 at Faith Academy (W, 34-2)
Oct. 2 at Red Level (W, 17-6)
Oct. 8 vs. Millry (W, 14-13)
Oct. 16 vs. Excel (W, 33-21)
Oct. 23 at Flomaton (W, 47-20)
Oct. 29 vs. Fruitdale (W, 23-13)
Nov. 6 vs. Houston County (W, 49-7)
Nov. 13 at Elba (W, 35-14)

Points scored: 348 (29.0)
Points allowed: 200 (16.7)

Key Players
QB Caleb Beech, Jr., 6-1, 175
WR Ladarren Holcombe, Jr., 6-2, 175
RB Devonta Parker

Reeltown on the road: 5-0
Washignton County at home: 6-0
Last meeting: First meeting.

Pick: Reeltown 22, Washington County 21