Preview: Thomasville vs. Hueytown

The high school football season kicks off next week in the state of Alabama and will have a sneak peak this weekend of teams playing in the Champions Challenge in Montgomery at the Cramton Bowl.

Thomasville (15-0) vs. Hueytown (11-2)
Friday, Aug. 19, 7:00 p.m.

Head Coaches: Jack Hankins, Jr., Thomasville (96-22-0), 10th year. Matt Scott, Hueytown (16-7-0), third year.

Pre-season rankings: Thomasville is ranked No. 1 in the ASWA preseason 4A state rankings, and Hueytown is No. 2 in Class 5A.

Hueytown in 2010

The Gophers scored 410 points in 2010 for an average of 31.5 ppg, and allowed only 276 for a 21.2 ppg average and finished second in Class 5A, Region 4 behind Pleasant Grove. Hueytown was 6-0 at home and 5-2 on the road.

Quarterback Jameis Winston, considered one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects after finishing tied for first in the National Elite 11 QB Challenge in California earlier this summer, returns in 2011 to lead the Gophers offense. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound standout announced Aug. 3 he will be signing with Florida State. Winston threw for more than 2,300 yards last season and rushed for another 650. Also returning is fellow All-State selection Chris Rabb, a 6-0, 210-pound defensive lineman/linebacker.

Thomasville in 2010

The Class 4A state champion Tigers rolled to a 15-0 record and scored a state high 667 points, a 44.5 ppg average, and allowed only 157 points, 10.5 ppg. Key returning standout from last year’s team is Tyler Hayes, a 6-3, 215-pound two-way standout. The All-State linebacker has already committed to the University of Alabama.

Eric Taite also returns at wide receiver/defensive back and noseguard Lukador Lanier is back to help anchor the defense with Hayes, who rushed for 716 yards and 11 touchdowns last season on 72 carries and recorded 72 tackles. Quarterback Tevin Waters also returns after completing 54-of-93 passes for 1,054 yards last season.

Hueytown's key wins in '10

The biggest may have been a 28-14 second-round playoff win over 2009 state champion Demopolis. The most amazing was a 48-47 win over Fairfield in week 7. The Gophers were also 3-0 against 6A competition.

Thomasville's key wins in '10

The Tigers’ biggest win came in the Super 6 Class 4A finals at Jordan-Hare Stadium as Thomasville set a Super 6 record with its 59-34 win over Deshler. The toughest victory of the playoffs came in round three in a 35-26 win over previously unbeaten Dadeville. Big regular-season wins came over 2010 Class 1A state champ Sweet Water (26-6), 2009 Class 5A state champion Demopolis (41-7) and 2009 Class 4A state runner-up Jackson (35-7).

---

Follow Andrew Bone on TWITTER for the very latest recruiting news.


ahsaa.com