The Daphne Trojans open the 6A, Region 2 race this week at Baldwin County High in Bay Minette.

DHS comes off a road win at Alma Bryant while the Tigers fell to Theodore to open the regular season. DHS won 16-13 at home in 2009 off a field goal in the rain in the final seconds.

"A big key for us is to not turn the ball over and contain their speed, " said DHS coach Glenn Vickery. "We need to improve in all phases."

BCHS has a long tradition of playing winning football and can not be taken lightly, he added.

"They have a storied history in this county. Jordan Ebert is one of the top athletes in this area. He does a great job at quarterback, Demario Butler is a great receiver and Namon Scott is a fine running back. Defensively, BCHS is fast, well coached and play very physical. Coach (Jay) Koziol is one of the best defensive coordinators in the state. BCHS and Daphne have had some games with overflow crowds and lots of intensity. Records and standing never matters when we play each other."

McGill-Toolen at Fairhope

The Pirates's home/region opener features 1-0, No. 7-ranked McGill-Toolen.

The Yellow Jackets topped 4A UMS-Wright 41-16 while Fairhope fell in OT at No. 3-ranked 5A Spanish Fort 12-6.

FHS shut out the Jackets 24-0 last year as Pirates coach David Faulkner and former Fairhope Pirate player Mike Dean met for the first time as head coaches.

No. 7 TR Miller

visits Bayside Academy

The Admirals welcome the No. 7-ranked, 3A Region 1 opponent T.R. Miller Tigers who dropped their first game last week to Escambia County. Bayside Academy opened with a home win over Millry 35-7.

The Admirals hope to avenge their last-minute, heart-breaker loss to the perennial 3A powerhouse last year 28-24.

Bayside is 0-2 against T.R. Miller.

Gulf Shores hosts Spanish Fort

The Spanish Fort Toros, fresh off a 16-6 overtime win over 6A Fairhope, head to Gulf Shores to face the 0-1 Dolphins in 5A, Region 1 play.

“Our goal is to play for a region championship this year,” Spanish Fort coach Bryant Vincent said. “In order todo that we have to get off to a good start in region play.”

Otis Smith scored twice, including the game-winning touchdown, for Spanish Fort against Fairhope last week. The Toro defense held Fairhope to just two field goals.

“I was extremely proud of our players’ effort and relentlessness,” Vincent said. “I thought we were very physical and displayed tremendous toughness. On the flip side, we made a ton of mistakes that we must correct in order to get a region win.”

Vincent said that every time the Toros square off against the Dolphins “it is always a war.”

“Gulf Shores is a very dangerous football team,” he said. “On offense they spread the field and (Brandon) Silvers can make all the throws. They will challenge our defense every snap. On defense they are big and physical up front. They disguise their coverages well and will pose us several match up problems.”

The Toros defeated Gulf Shores 21-20 at home in 2009.

Gulf Shores lost 56-21 to 6A Robertsdale last week.

–Eric Mann,

Sports Coordinator

Lions, Bears renew rivalry at Foley

The Foley Lions and Robertsdale Golden Bears meet with identical 1-0 records in a 6A Region 2 rivalry game tonight.

Foley defeated Murphy 27-7 last week, while Robertsdale stunned Gulf Shores 56-21.

“Robertsdale is very talented with a lot of returning talent,” Foley head coach Todd Watson said. “They have a good quarterback in Caleb Sumrall and a good running back in Samuel Tolbert.”

Robertsdale’s 56 points against Gulf Shores were just six points shy of a school record, set in 1948.

“Any time you can score 56 in a game you have things clicking well. I thought they played very well last week.”

Foley defeated Robertsdale 35-7 last season.

–Eric Mann,

Sports Coordinator