South Alabama Sports

    If there was a state championship game between teams regardless of their class — one that would be historic and fulfill every competitive craving — Jackson versus Saraland on Friday night would be on a very short list, although it’s a seminal game with no serious consequences for the loser, as was proven last season. For that reason — and with all the college talent on the field — neither team is likely to play cautiously or conservatively,…

By JIMMY WIGFIELD Most teams that face Jackson on a football field do so with blood, sweat and fears. But not Saraland. “They’re deserving of all the publicity they have gotten,” Spartans coach Jeff Kelly said, “but I guarantee you our guys — we’re a proud program that is excited to kick the season off against a very good opponent.” In a game in which neither team considers itself the underdog, the Aggies and Saraland will smash into each other…

    Staff Report Defending Class 4A state champion Jackson is unanimously ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll conducted by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. The Aggies, who are heavily favored to win a second straight Blue Map, received all 18 first-place votes. Saraland, which will visit Jackson for a season-opening showdown on Aug. 22, is ranked No. 3 in Class 6A and received two first-place votes. Also ranked are Mary G. Montgomery (No. 6 in Class 7A), Vigor…

    By ARTHUR L. MACK  MOBILE — St. Paul’s edge rusher Tank Jones, the state’s top-ranked football recruit in the 2026 class, committed to Oregon on Thursday. The five-star prospect’s decision was broadcast live nationwide on ESPN’s “Pat McAfee Show” and Jones received a thunderous ovation when he announced he had chosen the Ducks over Texas A&M and Alabama, which had been considered the favorite. “Eugene (Oregon) will be something different for me,” Jones said. “It’ll be something unique.…

By JIMMY WIGFIELD JACKSON — Jackson quarterback Landon Duckworth committed to South Carolina on Friday, choosing the Gamecocks over Auburn in a decision he said has been set for a long time. The four-star Duckworth (6-3, 195) — who is rated the nation’s No. 8 quarterback in the 2026 class by Rivals, the No. 6 dual-threat quarterback by ESPN and among the national Elite 11 — had committed to South Carolina as a freshman, then de-committed to explore his options.…

          SARALAND — Ryan Williams, football player extraordinaire, entrepreneur and entertainer — he excels at all three — hurled something like 500 touchdown passes Sunday morning on the field where it seemed he caught nearly that many only a couple of years ago. But the ones he threw to kids of all ages at his camp at Spartan Stadium might end up being more meaningful than all the ones he caught on the way to becoming…

      By JIMMY WIGFIELD JACKSON — Few in the crowd that jammed into the Jackson Community House Thursday evening knew where E.J. Crowell had decided to play college football, perhaps because Crowell himself didn’t know for sure until the early-morning hours. “It was last night,” he said. “Probably one-something in the morning.” Even Jackson coach Cody Flournoy claimed he didn’t know ahead of time, so those in the audience who came to witness the next pages in the…

    By JIMMY WIGFIELD JACKSON — E.J. Crowell is in a hurry. A hurry to make his own hole before his blockers can. A hurry to complete his high school career, which he has already outgrown. A hurry to become an SEC superstar, to stand on the Heisman Trophy stage, to pose with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being drafted, a hurry to show that a teenager from The Depot can make it big. Crowell also runs with fury,…

Cottage Hill Christian Academy’s Shadarius Toodle is the No. 12 linebacker in the country according to On3’s composite ratings and said his flip from Auburn to Georgia Sunday was based on his chances of making the NFL and being used in an expanded role with the Bulldogs.           By ARTHUR L. MACK Cottage Hill Christian Academy star linebacker Shadarius Toodle flipped his commitment from Auburn to Georgia on Sunday. Toodle (6-3, 235), a four-star prospect who…

By JASON BOOTHE CHATOM — Justin Whitsett was named Washington County High School’s permanent head football coach Thursday evening by the Washington County Board of Education. Whitsett was appointed the interim coach last year to finish out the 2024 season following Johnny Carpenter’s sudden resignation last October for unspecified reasons. “I’m blessed and thankful for the opportunity,” Whitsett said. “Our guys are hungry for the season and ready to create a new culture at Washington County High School.” The Bulldogs…