PREP FOOTBALL: Auburn High looks to remain dominant

Editor’s Note: This is the last in a series of stories previewing tonight’s prep football playoff games. Today: 6A.

While the circumstances surrounding Auburn High’s entrance to the playoffs this season might seem familiar, things sure are different this time around.

The Tigers sit at 10-0 heading into a first-round game at Duck Samford — just like last year — but it’s a different 10-0.

The 2008 Auburn Tigers were somewhat of a surprise, winning their first region title in four years and beating opponents by convincing, but not outstanding margins.

The 2009 Auburn Tigers have not snuck up on anybody. And neither have they let anybody get even close to sneaking up and beating them.

This year’s Auburn team is outscoring opponents 403-106, has five wins by more than 30 points, nine wins by more than 20 points and only one game — a 26-12 win over No. 6 Central — in which the starters saw significant time in the fourth quarter.

This year’s Auburn team is number one in the state.

“Maybe there’s a little more confidence as a group this year,” Tigers coach Tim Carter said. “They feel like they’ve maybe got some unfinished business. I think they’ve set their goals pretty high, and they’ve got several of those still to accomplish.”

It’s official: Auburn is no longer the hunter in 6A.

It is the hunted.

The Tigers are making their ninth straight trip to the postseason under Carter and former coaches Robert Maddox and Dwight Jones, so they’re not exactly new to this process.

Carter was also an assistant under both of those men, so he isn’t either.

But he also realizes the years of being pleasantly surprised to crack the quarterfinals are over for the forseeable future.

“It’s something about that familiarity, that we’ve been here and it’s not such a shock,” Carter said. “We’ve had some success in the playoffs, and I don’t think our kids are intimidated by the thought of being in the playoffs. But at the same time, they know the challenges that await us.

“It’s tough. There’s no doubt about it.”

At midseason, senior quarterback Calvin Jenkins expressed his certainty that his team could play 15 weeks this season.

And while possible matchups with Prattville, Hoover and Vestavia Hills await, it all starts with Lee-Montgomery tonight.

The Generals have given up only 119 points this year — with 38 coming in an early season loss to Prattville — but have also scored only 94.

Carter said Lee’s got enough speed on defense to cause some headaches.

“They’re multiple, give you a lot of different looks,” Carter said. “That’s what you want on fast defenses, if you can confuse the offense. I think they can do a good job of that.”

Last year in this position, Auburn beat Sidney Lanier, 35-22.

This year the Tigers head into the postseason with the knowledge that they can go deep in the playoffs and the expectation that they can make this season last five weeks longer.

At least if the first 10 weeks were any indication.

“We’ve played at a high level all year,” Carter said. “I want us to continue to play with a sense of urgency. Because we do have to play a little better every week to have a chance to run the table.”

dmorrison@oanow.com | 737-2568

Lee-Montgomery (4-6) at No. 1 Auburn High (10-0)
Lee Key Players: DL Edwin Berry (Sr., 5-8, 280); LB Terrance Smith (Jr., 6-1, 190); RB/LB Shermaine Washington (So., 5-11, 200)

Auburn Key Players: RB Augustus Brooks (Sr., 5-10, 175); CB Dequavious Cobb (Sr., 6-0, 175); QB Calvin Jenkins (Sr., 6-0, 180)

Stat Pack: Brooks has rushed for 821 yards and 15 scores ... Cobb has seven interceptions ... Jenkins has accounted for 1932 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Series Information: Auburn beat the Generals, 31-13, in 2007. The Tigers have won three in a row.