South Alabama Sports

      SARALAND — It was an awkward way to start the showdown for Saraland quarterback K.J. Lacey, who after the first play looked every bit like he needed some more aspirin and maybe even a cot. Even worse, if he had a relapse of his 101-degree fever and he or anyone else had to be taken to the hospital, it might have been faster to crowd surf out to the main road atop the hands of those who…

By JIMMY WIGFIELD SARALAND — Everybody in a record crowd of 7,000 fans crammed into Spartan Stadium and the other 21 players on the field found out in the most breathtaking fashion Friday night the truth above all other truths about K.J. Lacey, who plays high school football at its highest peak. When there’s a K.J., there’s a way. Saraland’s quarterback finally got his 101-degree fever to break the morning of the game, then went out and broke Jackson’s defense…

      SARALAND — With two of America’s best quarterbacks and two of Alabama’s most combustible offenses on the field, it would seem the rebuilt defenses of Saraland and Jackson might have a better chance Friday night if they stand out on nearby I-65 and try to trip up tractor trailers. The Spartans’ defense lost nine of 11 starters. The Aggies lost their entire front and an inside linebacker. These facts are not lost on Saraland quarterback K.J. Lacey…

    Not long ago, people laughed at the prospect of Semmes becoming a city. Isn’t that the languid place far out in the fringe of Mobile County where they grow flowers and rarely win a football game? Well, the giggling has been squelched. Not long thereafter, people rolled their eyes over talk of forming a police department and building a new city hall, all without collecting any property tax. [√] Police department. [√] New city hall. On top of…

  By ARTHUR L. MACK Ryan Williams Sr., the father of former Saraland football star Ryan Williams, has joined the Vigor football staff as defensive backs coach. Williams, a standout defensive back himself, played at B.C. Rain, signed with Auburn, transferred to Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi for a season, then signed with Louisiana Tech in 2010, where he started for one season before suffering a knee injury in 2011. Williams remained actively involved with football after his career, working…

    By ARTHUR L. MACK Native Mobilian Casey Converse, a member of the 1976 U.S Olympic team and a successful college coach, died on Aug. 8 after a long battle with cancer. Converse, 66, attended UMS-Wright and moved to California after his junior year to further his swimming career. He made the 1976 U.S. Olympic team and swam in the 400-meter freestyle event. Although he didn’t win a medal, he was well on his way to becoming a renowned…

    Football coaches have come and gone through Fruitdale with the regularity of log trucks rumbling up and down U.S. 45, although more quietly. In fact, when people other than relatives haphazardly stop in the tiny Washington County settlement — population 228 — it is usually for something at the ubiquitous Dollar General, or for the fried goods, coleslaw, pizza and sausage dogs from the Corner Store or some barbeque from Fatty Matty’s, the two establishments on either side…

    By JIMMY WIGFIELD MONTGOMERY — Growing concern about transfers in high school sports, especially football, might be an overreaction, a high-ranking Alabama High School Athletic Association official said Wednesday. “The perception is not reality,” said Kim Vickers, the AHSAA’s associate executive director and eligibility coordinator. “The perception is that schools are recruiting players but the reality is that the parents are shopping them around. They think their son is going to be the next Bo Jackson if they…

      Staff Report Saraland and Jackson will be ranked No. 1 in their respective classes entering their season-opening clash on Aug. 23 in Saraland. The Spartans are favored to win the Class 6A state title and the Aggies are favored to win it all in Class 4A in the Alabama Sports Writers Association preseason poll. Other local teams ranked in the preseason top 10 are No. 7 Mary Montgomery in Class 7A, No. 6 Mobile Christian in Class…

___________________________ Fewer and fewer want to climb the hills when the easy way is open, even if it requires cheating, and this attitude has taken hold of some who claim they love what sports teaches. But I think they slept through that class. ___________________________     St. Paul’s coach Ham Barnett didn’t plan to say what he did but his disillusionment and disgust boiled over. “It’s unfortunate what high school football has become,” Barnett said during the recent Mobile County…