By Ashley Hargrove
ashley@athensnews-courier.com
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Throughout the offseason and during the weeks leading up to the first game of the year, there was talk amongst football fans in the northwest corner of the state as to how well Elkmont would fare this season.
Coming off an 8-4 season and a runner-up finish in Class 3A, Region 8 that helped secure a third straight playoff appearance, the Red Devils would seem to possess the ability to be a top contender in the region this year. But, there are doubters, especially since the team has a new coach at the helm.
So far, they've made a statement by starting the year 2-0. They will have a chance to prove naysayers wrong beginning Friday when they face their first true region test of the year as they travel to Greenhill to take on Rogers. The two teams last met in 2005, with Elkmont scoring a 14-12 victory.
Rogers, which has spent the last four seasons in Class 4A, has been known to be a perennial playoff team, having made the postseason five of the last seven years and advancing to the quarterfinals twice during their last stint in Class 3A. Last week the Pirates bounced back from a 23-0 loss to rival Brooks, to upset a Lauderdale County team that many expected to be the best team in the region this season.
If Elkmont can get past the Pirates this week and Lauderdale County next week, the Red Devils should be in good position to continue their trend of competing for a top spot in the region, despite what many said to begin the season.
And while it may be no small task taking on Rogers and the Tigers in back-to-back weeks, one thing is for sure — David Wilson will have his team ready for the challenge.
Last week I finished 5-1 in Pigskin Picks to bring my season record to 8-3. Here’s how I see this week’s contests:
Brooks 42, Ardmore 14
Russellville 35, Athens 21
Clements 24, Danville 17
East Limestone 28, Johnson 14
Elkmont 24, Rogers 21
Tanner 31, Fultondale 7
West Limestone 49, East Lawrence 24
