Last night I made the drive about 20 miles past the state line to glorious Theodore, Alabama to catch my first glimpse of Alabama high school football this season. Coming in from the other side were the defending state champions and undefeated Daphne Trojans who had marched in from the Eastern Shore take on the underdog Theodore Bobcats. With clear skies and temperatures in the 70's, it was a perfect night for high school football and the scene at Theodore High School was the perfect setting.
I was very surprised at how big and nice the stadium was, especially on the home side of course. Stretching from end zone to end zone and going upward 25-30 rows, you definitely do not have trouble finding a seat. And with its brick design outlayer instead of the traditional high school stadium metal it definitely resembed that of a small college stadium. As I was climbing up the middle set of concrete steps to make my entrance for the first time, I could hear a woman's voice in the stands ask, "Bubba where did Daddy go?" It made me feel at home. However, I did not catch Bubba's response on the whereabouts of Daddy.
Unlike many high school games the home and visiting team stands are completely accessible to each other. And positioned mid-way between them was a concession stand the size of mid-size family home. When it comes to a central base of operations for selling hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos and skittles, I say bigger is better! However, I was not completely satisfied with the way the concessions went. My "beef" though is with my fellow patrons and not the volunteer parents working it. In my multiple visits to purchase $3 hamburgers, the short lines took much longer than anticipated due to the confusion, indecision and lack of planning that seemed to constantly affect the customers in line ahead of me when they reached the ordering window. I may be unsure of myself in other areas, but when it comes to ordering food at a counter, damn I'm good and I expect the same from others around me!
Next to the concession stand just outside the fence to the North End Zone was the Bobcats practice field. I can only assume this was the North End Zone. In my hands and distributed between my three pockets were a pen, notepad, wallot, camera, blackberry, mini tape recorder and flip phone, all pulling my $10 Khaki Target shorts halfway down my ass, but no compass. I actually believe it was the east end zone, but end zones are always referred to as north and south not east and west, and far be it from me to use any inaccurate references.
Fortunately for spectators and specifically younger non-attentive fans, the Bobcats practice field was also completely accessible with the blocking sleds located out of the way on the far end. This is where the real game took place between the 10 and 11 year olds. But it wasn't just one game. There were at least a half a dozen unofficial pick-up games going on out out there simultaneously, with a half-breed, no collar German Shepherd that was running between all of them. The Beijing Summer Olympics did not have as much action taking place at one time as that which was occurring on the Bobcats practice field last night.
Unfortunately for the Bobcats, their nice facilites could not bring them an upset victory over the defending state champions, as they fell to the Trojans 41-20 in a very hard fought game. The contest had the makings of a blowout early when junior wide receiver Jonathan McGaster scored on a 60 yard run, but the tough, straight ahead running of Bobcats running back Dylan Busby (5-10, 195 lbs) kept his team in the game, and the score was tied at 14 at the half. Also impressive for the Bobcats was 6-2, 195 lb sophomore tight end Jerry Gibson who caught a 56 yard touchdown pass in double coverage from quarterback Jimmy Jones. He is definitely one to keep on the recruiting radar for the next few years.
The size advantage definitely belonged to the Trojans and in the second half they just wore the Bobcats down. Auburn commit, 6-2, 210 lb tailback TJ Yeldon, who was held in check in the first half, pounded his way through the Bobcats defense in the second half. Running with more authority from the start of the 3rd quarter, Yeldon broke tackles, cut into the open field and scored on two long touchdowns to give the Trojans a 28-14 lead in which they never looked back. Not sure if Yeldon will be the next great running back to come out of Auburn, but he definitely has a running style that resembles that of former Auburn great Stephen Davis.
The Daphne defense was led by Alabama commit Ryan Anderson. The 6-3, 250 lb Anderson alternated between middle linebacker and defensive end. His size makes him a looming force at middle linebacker as he appears to be cut from the same mold as current Crimson Tide Preseason All-SEC LB Dont'a Hightower (6-4, 260 lb). Anderson also had two 4th quarter sacks lined up as defensive end when the Bobcats were passing more and trying to play catch up. It will be interesting to see where Nick Saban uses Anderson, and to see he and Yeldon go at each other in the Iron Bowl in the next few years, should they develop and progress as expected.
- Win
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