Two former Dallas County players are now playing football at Autauga Academy.

Octavius Palmer and Tyreshon Freeman are competing for starting roles for the Generals, who won an AISA state championship last year. Autauga Academy (13-1 last year)  is the top-ranked team in the AISA of the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) poll.

Palmer remains at quarterback, a position he’s held the last few seasons at Dallas County High School. Freeman is playing wide receiver and cornerback for the Generals.

Freeman said he’s looking forward to playing with Palmer. They were rivals when Selma High and Dallas County played.

“It’s cool knowing I can with play with somebody I’ve been playing with my whole life,” Freeman said. “He knows how I play, I know how he plays. We’re taking advantage of the opportunity we have.”

Palmer and Freeman said playing at Autauga Academy gives a fresh place to start over.

“I wanted to better my opportunity and get away from Selma,” Palmer said. “I’m enjoying being at Autauga Academy. I can better my situation for college. Autauga Academy is teaching me more.”

“It’s a good environment to play in at Autauga Academy,” Palmer said. “I came to Autauga Academy for a better opportunity.”

The 6-foot-5 Palmer knows expectations will be high because the Generals are coming off a state championship.

“I have some big shoes to fill,” Palmer said. “I like challenges. It’s more of a fast-pace. Everything is so fast at Autauga Academy.”

Freeman, who opened last year as the Saints’ starting quarterback, said he doesn’t mind changing positions.

“I have always played wide receiver and cornerback,” Freeman said. “I’m having fun playing those positions because it’s football.”

Both hope the recruiting interest picks up. Faulkner State has expressed interest in Freeman. Alabama State has shown interest in Palmer.

The Generals open the season against Bessemer Academy on Aug. 23 at Birmingham-Southern.