With Ellwood Christian’s recent move to AHSAA, a new county rivalry between the Eagles and Keith is starting to develop.

Keith is one of the premiere programs in the county, reaching the playoffs five consecutive years and the Bears are off to a promising 2-0 start this season.

On the other hand, Ellwood Christian reached the playoffs in its first season in AHSAA in 2012, showing the growth the program has made in a short period of time under head coach Mike Stokes.

This will be the first time the two programs have ever played at Orrville, where Keith has only lost one game over the last three seasons.

“Hopefully, playing at home is an advantage for us,” Keith head coach Harry Crum said. “Our kids are kind of fired up.”

Last season Keith defeated Ellwood 34-7.

After last season’s game it was clear that Stokes wants his program to one day be where Crum has the Bears, as a playoff contender year in and year out in Class 1A.

“We got whooped. I mean, it’s a good learning experience for us,” Stokes said after the game. “We played a lot of eighth and ninth graders, so one day we’ll be where they’re at. That’s what we’re working on.”

The Bears currently lead Class 1A, Region 3 following a 32-13 victory at Sunshine last week.

The Eagles are also tied at the top after a 52-15 pummeling of Holy Spirit gave Ellwood Christian a win in its first region game of the season.

 

Wilcox Academy at Morgan Academy

The Morgan Academy Senators (2-0, 1-0) have used quick starts and tremendous defense to smother their first two opponents, Pike Liberal Arts and Meadowview Christian. In the first half, the Senators have outscored their opponents 84-0 and Morgan won both games by a final score of 49-0.

This week Wilcox Academy (1-1, 1-0) travels to take on the Senators. Last week, Wilcox followed an impressive season opening victory over Southern Academy with a 56-6 loss to Monroe Academy.

Last season, the Senators defeated Wilcox 33-12.

 

Beulah at Dallas County

Dallas County (1-1, 0-1) hopes to bounce back following a 27-0 loss to Central-Clay County when they host Beulah (0-2, 0-1).

Last season, Beulah defeated the Hornets 41-14, but the Bobcats have gotten off to a slow start in 2013. In week one, they lost to Notasulga 29-15 and last week they fell to Childersburg 32-0.

 

Citronelle at Selma

Both Citronelle (1-1, 0-1) and Selma (1-1, 0-1) will be looking for their first Class 5A, Region 3 victory of the year when the two teams meet Friday night. The Saints are coming off of a 59-21 loss at Jackson.

The Wildcats actually led at halftime during last week’s 31-14 loss to Demopolis, but came up short in the second half.

Last season, Citronelle defeated Selma 28-14.

 

Southside at Straughn

Following big wins for each last week, Southside (1-1, 1-0) and Straughn (1-1, 1-0) are fighting to stay atop Class 3A, Region 1 this week. The Panthers rallied in the fourth quarter to knock off Cottage Hill Christian 20-12 to notch their first victory of the season.

Straughn fell to Andalusia to begin its season before defeating regional foe W. S. Neal 21-8 last week.

Last season, Straughn defeated Southside 36-14.

 

Eastwood Christian at Meadowview Christian

Both Meadowview Christian (0-2, 0-1) and Eastwood Christian (0-2, 0-2) are off to rocky starts in 2013, but Friday night one of the two teams will leave the field with their first win and momentum to carry towards the rest of the season.

Meadowview Christian has been held scoreless in a 47-0 loss to Sumter Academy and a 49-0 loss against rival Morgan Academy. Eastwood hasn’t fared much better offensively, falling to Jackson 48-0 and Marengo Academy 51-14.

Last season, the Trojans defeated Eastwood Christian 32-0.