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CECIL HURT
ALABAMA FOOTBALL
PREP FOOTBALL
Knights cruise to easy victory
JAKE COKER
No reason for Saban to name a starting QB if he doesn’t have to
By Joey Chandler Sports Writer
STAFF PHOTO | MICHELLE LEPIANKA CARTER
A
t some point, people are goi ng to get t he mes sage. Nick Saban is not giving you the message before he has to. Once again, Saban’s Thursday press conference had sort of a Sherlock Holmes feel to it, with reporters ( just doing their job, to be fair) looking for clues in every word. They were scarce. Saban listed three quarterbacks as getting the most work: Jake Coker, Alec Morris and Cooper Bateman. Gasp if you must — but those are the exact three quarterbacks he discussed (with st at ist ics no less, at least in terms of passing attempts) after last Saturday’s scrimmage. Furthermore, Saban said he might play t wo quar terbacks against Wisconsin in the Crimson Tide’s season opener next Saturday. Audible Gasp No. 2 — but remember he said the exact same thing (with examples, no less, as he alluded to the A J McCarron/Philip Sims competition in early 2011) a f ter the f irst scrimmage.
Next week will be like last week, only worse. People will throw out guesses and, if they sound good, social media — including a lot of national “experts” — will run with that for a while, until 48 hours or so passes and the next round of guesswork begins. I could make a case for any of the three main candidates but won’t.
So there really isn’t much new under the sun, and there probably won’t be next Monday either. That’s when Saban meets the press again and will ( perhaps) talk about who is getting the most practice time in preparation for the Badgers. Will he name a starter then? Wel l, consider t hese quotes from the Alabama head coach. “I don’t have a gun to my head. I’m comfortable with it.” “I could name a starter but I don’t want to have to un-name one.” So that should be it, right? No more speculation, only the calm and rational patience that A labama fans are noted for. Surely you’re kidding. Next week will be like last week, only worse. People will throw out guesses and, if they sound good, social media — including a lot of national “experts” — will run with that for a while, until 48 hours or so passes and the next round of guess work begins. I could make a case for any of the three main candidates but won’t. On the other hand, I don’t think Saban keeps referring to playing “more than one” as a smokescreen. That much seems pretty obvious. Even if he is tr ying to keep Wisconsin guessing, or a couple of guys competing, there is no reason to stop until game time is here, or at least closer. Unt il then, I’d suggest the Ouija board, or at least a few tea leaves — or at least renting an oxygen tank so you can keep on hyper ventilating into the next week.
Reach Cecil Hurt at cecil@ tidesports.com or 205-722-0225.
WHO COOPER BATEMAN
Tuscaloosa Academy opened its season with a 37-18 victory over Clarke Prep on Thursday night. The Knights dominated in the fi rst half, holding a 30-0 “Our offensive lead, which stuck through line did a great three quarters. “Our offensive line did a job tonight and great job tonight and I was reI was really ally pleased,” Tuscaloosa Academy coach Robert Johnpleased. The son said. “The defense played outstanding stopping the defense played Wing-T.” outstanding TA quarterback Keonte Chambers passed for 49 yards stopping the and one touchdow n. He Wing-T.” rushed for 137 yards and one touchdown. “He had a really big game TA coach and made some big passes for Robert Johnson us, and a lot of really good runs, so that was a big deal,” Johnson said. Robins Bonner blocked a punt late in the second quarter and tackled a Clarke Prep player in the end SEE K NIGHTS | 3C
STAFF PHOTO | ERIN NELSON
WILL ALEC MORRIS
STAFF PHOTO | ERIN NELSON
Central’s Keondre Stephens (44) tackles Brookwood’s D’Shaun Ivory during the second quarter of Thursday’s game at Central High School.
Central responds to top Panthers By Tommy Deas Executive Sports Editor
STAFF PHOTO | ERIN NELSON
IT BE?
Saban names top quarterback candidates; has no timetable for naming a starter By Aaron Suttles Sports Writer
ADVOCARE CLASSIC Alabama vs. Wisconsin
With just eight days remaining before the season-opening contest against Wisconsin, Nick Saban said three quarterbacks remain in contention for the starting job, and that he hasn’t ruled out playing multiple quarterbacks. Senior Jake Coker, redshirt sophomore Cooper Bateman and redshirt junior Alec Morris have separated themselves out of the five. “Those are the three guys that got the bulk of the work,” Saban said. “Everybody gets work. Everybody’s working but those guys got the bulk of the work.” Saban didn’t mention a hierarchy within that group, but as the game nears the rep division gets more critical. “Who those guys are exactly and what order they’re in exactly, that hasn’t been decided quite yet,” Saban said. “But I have been pleased with the way all three of the guys played this week. They’ve all done a really, really good job. I’ve
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When: Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. Where: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas TV: ABC Radio: 95.3 FM and 99.1 FM
For video from Nick Saban’s press conference and Thursday’s practice, visit www.tuscaloosanews.com and www.tidesports.com seen a lot of progress offensively this week.” The lack of a starting quarterback hasn’t hurt preparation, Saban said, noting that the team usually prepares two quarterbacks to play during a game week. He’s been pleased with the improvement the team is showing. “I think that’s been one of the most encouraging things, is I see some continuity, togetherness. The offensive line is a little more physical, SEE STARTER | 4C
Central High School gave Brookwood two points right off the bat in Thursday night’s football game, but the Falcons didn’t give up anything else. Central put up a dominant defensive performance at Falcon Field to win its season opener, 14-2 over the Panthers. Central’s secondary produced three interceptions and allowed only four completions in the final three quarters against Brookwood’s no-huddle, shotgun passing attack. In all, the Falcons allowed just 111 yards. “I was totally surprised because of the way we played in the jamboree (last week),” Central coach Dennis Conner said. “They came out and really played tonight.” Central’s opening possession INSIDE ended in a safety after a bad snap on a punt. Punter Jamarcus Ross PREVIEW scooped up the ball and punted it CAPSULES: out of his end zone rather than risk A look at giving Brookwood easy field posi- tonight’s prep tion, putting the Panthers ahead games | 3C 2-0 less than 2 minutes into the LATE START: game. Midway through the fi rst quar- Rest of teams in ter, senior running back Eldric West Alabama Jones bolted 94 yards up the mid- start season dle, racing all the way to the end tonight | 3C zone for a Central touchdown. Brook wood’s K ha r i Gra ha m blocked the extra point to leave Central up 6-2. It stayed that way until halfway through the third period, when Central quarterback Robert Jones scampered 5 yards up the middle for a touchdown. He passed to Timmie Gibson for the two-point conversion to make it 14-2. Brookwood stayed in it with a goalline stand late in the third period, stopping Central four times after the Falcons had fi rst-and-goal at the 2. Jones rushed for 198 yards on 21 carries to lead the Falcons. Kendrell Walker, Kaliex Turner and William Gayle Jr. intercepted passes to lead the Central defense. The game was marred by 34 penalty fl ags. “We’ve got to work to eliminate those penalties,” Conner said, “and we left about 21 points on the field.”