Rebels showing promise
After slow start, West Morgan has shot at Region 8 title

After rebounding from a slow start to the season, the work is not done for the West Morgan Rebels.

In fact, they may be beginning to hit their stride.

Early on, it looked as if it might be a down year for West Morgan, but after a hot streak, the Rebels now stand at 3-3 overall and 2-2 in Class 2A, Region 8. They’re quietly putting together a promising season.

“I think after the way we started the season off, we were 1-3 and we’ve improved from that point and we’re looking at continuing that,” West Morgan coach Pierre Coggins said. “I think our kids have gained a lot of confidence in the past few weeks. Our defense has really played well in the past three games, and our offense has really improved every week.”

The Rebels defense also has been sufficient, keeping opponents at bay with 20 points a contest, while its offense eclipses opponents’ total at 31.2 points a game.

After losing its first two games of the season, West Morgan has won three of its last four. Its two losses in Region 8 are to Red Bay and Tanner by a combined 11 points.

Addison and Red Bay, who will face off Oct. 19, are unbeaten in Region 8 play and are tied for the lead.

West Morgan will have its chance at finishing in the top two in the region and hosting a first-round playoff game. The Rebels likely will need a win when it plays at Addison on Oct. 26.

It was in a 31-28 loss to Red Bay that gave West Morgan its wake-up call.

West Morgan led 28-10 with 4:44 seconds to go, but let the win slip away.

“Since then, we’ve learned we have to finish games, and I think that what we’ve been doing the past few weeks,” Coggins said. “As far as the team progressing, I’m really pleased. We’re going along about like we thought.”

East Limestone sees quality competition: Both East Limestone and North Jackson are known for smash-mouth football. They are also known as perennial winners in 4A, Region 7.

And when the two played Friday with the homestanding Chiefs taking a 24-7 win, they found out they have a few more similarities as well.

“It’s hard hitting and great sportsmanship,” North Jackson coach Mark Rose said.

In the Indians vs. Chiefs contest, both sides did the tomahawk chop from the opening kickoff.

The East Limestone contingent was large and loud and North Jackson had its usual strong support. Neither band took a minute off and both cheerleading squads were active from start to finish.

It was quality football and quality spirit in Stevenson.

The two teams hope they have one more thing in common: a trip to the state semifinals in their future. The semis would mark the next time the squads would meet if they finish first and second in Region 7 as they have traditionally over the past seven years.

Hazlewood stays hot: The Hazlewood Golden Bears stand alone as the only undefeated team in the area that covers Morgan, Limestone and Lawrence counties.

The Golden Bears’ offense is averaging 33.3 points a game over the span, scoring their second highest total of the season Friday night in a 48-16 win over Phillips-Bear Creek, and their defense is giving up just 8.8 points a contest.

And while Hazlewood has started with a six-game winning streak, the Decatur Red Raiders follow with a five straight wins, setting up a meeting with undefeated and 5A No. 2 Russellville on Friday.

Addison and Speake also have won five straight.

Athens sticks close: With the high school football regular season officially more than half over, the Athens High Golden Eagles are on familiar turf.

Athens is 2-4 this season, but it’s not the regular season where the Golden Eagles have made a name for themselves. Instead, it’s the postseason where they thrive.

But Friday, the Golden Eagles played an undefeated Russellville team as close as anyone has all season long.

Athens lost to 5A, Region 8 power Russellville 14-10 on a late touchdown in a contest that the Golden Eagles led at halftime.

The only other team to hold Russellville to 14 points this season was Hartselle, which lost 14-0 to the Golden Tigers on Sept. 14.

The only opponent to come closer to beating Russellville this season was 6A Austin, which fell by a field goal 24-21 on Sept. 28.