PREP FOOTBALL: Tallassee hosts Gulf Shores in first round

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of stories previewing Friday night’s prep football playoff matchups. Today: 3A-5A.

Rodney Dollar has been pulling every string he can, asking around, using every connection in the coaching world he can think of to find out what kind of Gulf Shores team will be heading into J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium to take on his Tallassee Tigers on Friday.

One thing he keeps hearing is the Dolphins are really good.

“Everybody keeps saying they’re the best team in the region,” Dollar said. “We did not get a good draw.”

Call the Tigers tough-luck winners.

As a reward for their first region championship in Class 5A, they get a four seed in the first round that could have just as easily have won the adjacent region’s title if not for a five-team mess at the top.

“It’s not good. But I told the guys, ‘You’ve gotta work past that,’” Dollar said. “It doesn’t matter who you play in the playoffs, they’re gonna be good.”

It might have been a little easier pill to swallow if Tallassee wasn’t so banged up.

Second-leading rusher Quan Williams sat out last week’s win and is sitting out of practice this week, but Dollar said he will play Friday.

Not so for the lineman trio of Lucas Self (6-foot, 186 pounds), John Stuckey (6-2, 280) and Andrew Pressley (6-3, 357).

“Our line went from pretty big to not having anyone over 200 pounds,” Dollar said.

Valley at Vigor
First to fourth in a matter of two weeks.

In line to play the defending champions at their place in the first round.

You couldn’t blame the Rams for being a little down heading into Friday’s matchup with the Wolves at Prichard.

There is a silver lining.

This is not only the year to get Vigor, but it could be the time of year as well.

The Wolves were the only team in that Region 1 five-way tie that kind of backed their way into the playoffs. While Gulf Shores, LeFlore and Spanish Fort all ended their regular seasons on winning streaks, Vigor lost two of its last three.

So, unfortunately, did Valley.

But both righted the ship in the last week of the season, with Valley pulling out a comebacker win against Smiths Station and Vigor soundly beating a 6A playoff-bound Blount team.

West Blocton at Dadeville
Tigers coach Richard White knew junior Clint Westbrook was going to be a valuable athlete for his team.

He just didn’t know how valuable.

As a running back, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound junior has rushed for 583 yards and 14 touchdowns.

As a receiver, he has 262 yards and four touchdowns.

As a kick and punt returner, he has 438 and another score.

And he’s 3-for-3 for 113 yards and a touchdown passing.

That pretty much personifies “all-purpose.”

“I didn’t realize he was that multi-talented,” White said. “He’s been a pleasant surprise for us.”

Westbrook is one of a number of skill athletes that have made sure the powerful Dadeville offense hasn’t missed a beat in its second year under the spread.

Dadeville is averaging 364 yards and 35 points per game this season, including 41 points per game over the past four outings.

Just in time for that playoffs to start with run-happy West Blocton.

“They’re effective in what they do,” White said. “We’ve just gotta weather the first-quarter storm, so to speak, then do what we do.”

dmorrison@oanow.com | 737-2568