South Alabama Sports

    By JIMMY WIGFIELD Chauncey Dixon had 25 points and 11 rebounds and McIntosh’s girls closed with a 9-0 run over the final 2:40 of the game to upset No. 4-ranked Kinston 49-41 Tuesday in the Class 1A South Regional semifinals at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. Dixon made 9 of 17 field goals and 7 of 16 free throws as the No. 9 Demons (23-7) advanced to meet No. 6 Elba (18-2) in the regional finals Monday at 12:30…

    By JIMMY WIGFIELD MOBILE — UMS-Wright coach Terry Curtis walked into the Stimpson Foyer on Tuesday morning, just up the hall from his darkened office, took one look at the crowd gathered to hear him actually say he was retiring and began to weep. The tears flowed unabated as he shook hands and hugged those who had come to pay him tribute. Even his wife Jeanie worried that he wouldn’t get through the press conference without breaking down.…

By ARTHUR L. MACK Erik Speakman announced his resignation as Faith Academy’s football coach Monday after only one year on the job. Speakman, who directed the Rams to a 1-8 finish in 2024, cited family issues that required him to return to the Auburn-Opelika area. He told the Call News he hopes to find a job in that area. Speakman said he had to play a lot of freshmen and sophomores in 2024 but the experience they gained should pay…

      MONTGOMERY — There were audible gasps and moans of disbelief in the Protective Stadium press box as Jackson quarterback Landon Duckworth skillfully demonstrated his polished and formidable arm to a statewide audience for the first time during December’s historic Class 4A state championship game. Except for all the incredulous mutterings, it was not unlike a group of resident doctors watching a surgeon meticulously perform a heart transplant as easily as if he was replacing the battery in…

By JIMMY WIGFIELD MONTGOMERY — After decades of traveling hundreds of miles to play for a state football championship, teams in the southern part of Alabama will have a much shorter drive in the foreseeable future. Mobile’s Hancock-Whitney Stadium joined in a two-city rotation with Birmingham to host the Super 7 in 2026 and 2028 after the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Central Board approved the plan Wednesday. AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon made the recommendation after a nearly 40-minute…

      By JIMMY WIGFIELD MONTGOMERY — K.J. Lacey isn’t going to have much time to enjoy making history after being named the state’s Mr. Football on Tuesday. He is wanted back in Austin, Texas. The former Saraland four-star quarterback, who is now a freshman with the Longhorns, had to finish conditioning work in Austin Monday, so he wasn’t able to fly to Pensacola until late Monday night. Lacey and his family drove to Montgomery Tuesday morning and he…

By JIMMY WIGFIELD MONTGOMERY — Juan Johnson showed what he is capable of in his first year as a head coach, leading Baker to the best season in school history and its first playoff victory in 40 years. Unfortunately for the Hornets, he will be building his resume and another program after taking the job at James Clemens earlier this month. Johnson — who was named the Alabama Football Coaches Association Class 7A Coach of the Year Saturday in a…

    By JIMMY WIGFIELD MONTGOMERY — Saraland coach Jeff Kelly, his wife Lisa, their children Caden and Lucy and his parents Tommy and Neci had to drive 160 miles for a momentous family reunion Saturday but it was well worth it. When the Kellys reached the Embassy Hotel, they were met by Helen “Ace” Massey, the widow of late Citronelle coach Ronny Massey, who was in attendance not only to congratulate Kelly for being named the Alabama Football Coaches…