Saraland coach Jeff Kelly has led the Spartans to four straight Super 7s and the Mobile-area’s best record in the last three years (40-3). (Call News file photo)
Alex Page has taken over as Mary G. Montgomery’s coach after Zach Golson was dismissed for committing recruiting violations, according to the Alabama High School Athletic Association. (Helen Joyce/Call News)
By JIMMY WIGFIELD
Mary G. Montgomery has cancelled plans to have its Aug. 21 season opener at home against Saraland televised, Spartans coach Jeff Kelly said Wednesday.
Kelly said WJTC-TV officials notified him of the move, which he said was backed by the Mobile County Public School System.
Saraland and the Vikings have been the two preeminent teams in the Mobile area in the last four years — the Spartans are 40-3 with four straight appearances in the Super 7 while MGM is 31-5.
“I just don’t understand the decision to not highlight all the great things about high school sports,” Kelly said in a text message to the Call News. “Nonetheless, we look forward to kicking off our season next week in Semmes against a great opponent.”
MGM has gone through a tumultuous last three months after the Alabama High School Athletic Association ruled the school had committed violations of the recruiting rule and punished it with a one-year restrictive probation and playoff ban and suspended coach Zach Golson for a year. Golson was ultimately fired from his job by the Mobile County Public School System, although he was involved in a hearing at the MCPSS headquarters Wednesday seeking to retain a teaching position at MGM.
The game had been scheduled since January and WJTC-TV 44 was set to broadcast it.
“I was notified by WJTC administration today that the TV broadcast of our first game versus MGM was being cancelled by MGM school officials and (the) MCPSS,” Kelly said. “We are disappointed in that decision, as it gives kids from both schools a chance to showcase their hard work on TV. Most kids won’t ever get the chance to play on TV and it is an honor.”
Kelly said he was surprised the school backed out of the contract with all of the negative publicity surrounding the investigation.
“I know they’re a really good team with a lot of great players and a proven coaching staff,” Kelly said. “They’re going to be a tough challenge for anybody.”
The teams are scheduled to open the 2027 season in Saraland.
“If we’re lucky enough to get chosen for the game of the week to open the season next year — or any game for that matter — we would never pass on the opportunity,” Kelly said.
Kelly said in January he expected a huge turnout for the game and Golson said there was talk of moving it to Hancock-Whitney Stadium on the University of South Alabama campus.
“It’s an exciting way to kick the season off,” Kelly said at the time. “I know the kids will be excited about that. A lot of those guys know each other. … They’ve had a great run and we’ve been pretty good lately, too.”
Golson said at the time his players would be motivated to play the Spartans.
“They’ve definitely been the standard for the last five to 10 years,” he said of Saraland. “We’ve been the best two teams in the 251 and that was one of our goals when we got to Mary Montgomery, being the best in the 251. We’re going to get a chance to go prove it. It’ll definitely give our kids something to be motivated about, just knowing that they’re going to get to go play on a big stage like that.”
The Call News has been unable to reach anybody at WJTC or Mary G. Montgomery for comment.
