Area Sports
AHSAA tries compromise but it might not heal the division between public and private schools
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Friday’s pronouncement by the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Central Board was a compromise designed to keep high school athletics from completely rupturing and to keep inept politicians with misguided and possibly corrupt motives from interfering in areas they have no expertise in. But the verdict to keep public and private…
Read MoreAHSAA splits public and private schools for playoffs, gets rid of multiplier and competitive balance
By JIMMY WIGFIELD MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Central Board shook the ground under the feet of athletics on Friday and it will take two years or more to see the fallout. In an historic move, the Central Board voted 13-2 to separate public and private schools for…
Read MoreJackson’s E.J. Crowell named Mr. Football
By JIMMY WIGFIELD MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Former Jackson running back E.J. Crowell was as sure of winning the Mr. Football award as he was of winning a game and shattering any defense that tried to stop him. But when his name was called Tuesday and he secured the state’s most prestigious individual…
Read MoreFlournoy welcomed at Central Phenix City: ‘I’m gonna win’
By JIMMY WIGFIELD PHENIX CITY, Ala. — Cody Flournoy won’t necessarily feel more weight on his shoulders to succeed at Central Phenix City than he did in Jackson, where he won the last two Class 4A state football championships with some of the best talent the state has ever seen. It’s true that…
Read MoreCody Flournoy leaving Jackson for Central Phenix City job
By JIMMY WIGFIELD Cody Flournoy, who coached Jackson to two straight dominant seasons as the Class 4A state champion, has accepted the Central Phenix City job. Flournoy — who is 80-31 overall in nine years as a head coach, including 69-21 in seven seasons with the Aggies — confirmed the hire Tuesday night…
Read MoreThe Horn sounds: State’s winningest coach wants rules enforced no matter who breaks them
_________________ “People tell me all the time, ‘Well, this is a new era.’ I’m tired of hearing it. It’s not a new era. The rules have been there for years and some are not going by them.” Central Clay County’s Danny Horn _________________ LINEVILLE, Ala. — Danny Horn is the quintessential high school…
Read MoreWith historic decision looming, most AHSAA coaches don’t seem to want a split from private schools and worry about a messy divorce
__________________ Most coaches don’t seem to want a split but major change seems inevitable in an increasingly rancorous environment marked by transfers and recruiting __________________ By JIMMY WIGFIELD It seems unlikely that the status quo will survive when the Alabama High School Athletic Association officially announces its reclassification on Jan. 23 and possibly renders…
Read MoreAuburn gives Arkansas 40 Minutes of Hall in a badly needed win
AUBURN, Ala. — If you are an Auburn fan, put a bag over your head and plugged your ears since September, then suddenly had your senses restored Saturday night, it’s likely you would have thought Bruce Pearl was still coaching the Tigers and they were heading back to the Final…
Read MoreBama’s feeling its Oats after romping over Kentucky
TUSCALOOSA — The local Dominos offered 50% off on pizzas Saturday if Alabama made 10 three-pointers against Kentucky. The Crimson Tide had that many by halftime, when it led by 16 points and had its boots pressed against the Wildcats’ windpipe. Let’s say Alabama fans were rolling in dough. All the…
Read MoreCompromise needed before disaster strikes Alabama high school sports
______________________________ A simmering feud between public and private school athletics in Alabama has come to a boil and a landmark decision could soon settle it. At the heart of the issue is recruiting — each says the other does it. A split is the worst possible answer but can it be avoided? ______________________________ Terry…
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