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SATURDAY-SUNDAY • OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
THEWETUMPKAHERALD.COM
VOL. 11, NO. 40
County considers other bids for Thames building
By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
Now that the city of Wetumpka has formally approved the bid it submitted to the county on Oct. 11, the Elmore County Commission now has two formal bids to consider regarding the acquisition of the old
Thames Pharmacy building, with the second proposal coming from the Adullam House. It is not clear however which, if any, proposal the commission will accept at its next regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 24. At the previous meeting, Commission Chair David Bowen suggested that the city and Adullam
House meet to discuss a joint proposal that the county could consider. The Adullam House made the initial proposal on the property after open discussions during previous meetings before the commission. Corey Arwood / The Herald The Adullam House’s proposal was The old Thames Pharmacy/Board of Education building is currently submitted to the county on June unoccupied. The building has recently been part of a bidding war See THAMES • Page 3 between the city of Wetumpka and Adullam House.
Cell phone records presented in Hughes case
Wetumpka women die in car crash By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Evidence was revealed in the highprofile case of a previous downtown Wetumpka business owner who has been in jail for over a month on rape and burglary charges from an incident that was said to have been welldocumented in cellphone communications. Elmore County Sheriff’s officials were asked at the Tuesday Hughes hearing of Charles (Chase) Bryant Hughes Jr. to verify the damning data that was said by local District Attorney Randall Houston to essentially amount to sexual blackmail. The hearing resulted in Hughes’ bond being raised on his first-degree rape charge from the $100,000 it was set at in September shortly after the alleged incident on Sept. 11. It was raised to $250,000 Tuesday, and along with the $30,000 issued with the burglary charge last month his total bond is now set at $280,000. Houston said the defense had asked See HUGHES • Page 3
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Corey Arwood / The Herald
Jesse Liechty, owner of Tallassee Automotive, stands with Mayor Bobby Payne and city officials, along with his staff, at the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for the major upgrades to the dealership and its new facility.
SHINY AND RENEWED Tallassee Automotive holds grand reopening
not just the community but the big time surrounding areas, all of Elmore and even as far as Lee County,” said Payne on A local automotive dealership just Thursday. held its grand opening after a year’sThe two-showroom dealership is made worth of renovations and expansion in up of two facilities that sit side-by-side Tallassee and its owner called the updates traveling west along Alabama State Route a reaffirmation of their “commitment to 14. the city.” Owner, Jesse Liechty said they acquired Mayor Bobby Payne was at the ribbon the building around July 2015 and worked cutting for Tallassee Automotive, which since then on its renovations. constitutes both Tallassee Ford and Even though the business has been Tallassee Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Ram. operating from the location for some time Payne gave a strong endorsement of the now, Liechty said they wanted to have all business, it’s ownership and staff. their remodeling efforts complete before “Needless to say I think it’s going the ribbon cutting and grand opening to be a real shot in the arm, … for the, See GRAND REOPENING • Page 7
By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Two Wetumpka women were involved in a fatal crash when the SUV they were travelling in collided with a tractor-trailer leaving the driver wounded while the passenger died from her injuries shortly after the wreck Tuesday, according to ALEA officials. State Troopers responded to the scene on Alabama 115 about three miles outside of Kellyton, along with the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office, both the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and CSO officials said. According to the ALEA report, Gloria Grier Allen, 66, was a passenger in the 2002 Toyota Sequoia driven by Sharon Marie Allen, 39, both of Wetumpka. The incident was said to have occurred around 8 p.m. A 2007 Freightliner semi was the other vehicle described in the incident. Gloria Allen was seriously injured in the collision, according to the report, and
Main Street training shares four-point approach By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
For two days this week area leaders were involved in Main Street Alabama’s “Basic Training” course learning the ins and outs of the Main Street Four-Point approach. The four-point approach is a nationally proven model that Main Street organizations throughout the country use to help return life to their downtown areas. The four areas are organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring. Participants in the course were treated to two days of in-depth training covering each of the four points with three-hour classes for each of the points. According to Main Street
Alabama President/State Coordinator Mary Helmer, Main Street is a volunteer driven organization. “Our goal is to impart knowledge to our participants so that they can train the volunteers,” Helmer said. “We offer in depth knowledge as to how each of the points work.” Helmer said she was very pleased with the participation from Wetumpka. “I was very pleased with the people who attended and the questions they asked,” she said. “Every community has its own pace and we are pleased with their (Main Street Wetumpka’s) pace. They are where they need to be. I am really pleased that they hired a director and they are in the pro-
pka m u t e W
cess of moving forward.” The new director is Jenny Stubbs, who attended both days of the training session. She said that the information provided was very informative. “Both days were fantastic,” she said. “It was full of information, that on its face seems simplistic but has the capacity to have a big impact on your community.” Helmer said the next step for Main Street Wetumpka is to have a board retreat which will include looking at the community’s vision statement and the Main Street Alabama resource report recommendation and putting that plan into action by setting goals. According to Helmer, that retreat will occur on Nov. 18.
See ACCIDENT • Page 3
Stubbs named Main Street Wetumpka director By WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
Main Street Wetumpka recently hired local businesswoman Jenny Stubbs as its executive director. Stubbs is a long-time resident of Wetumpka, who according to a press release Stubbs submitted by See MAIN STREET • Page 7
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TheWetumpkaHerald.com
Two men indicted in 2015 robbery, shooting of elderly Eclectic woman By COREY ARWOOD Staff Writer
Two Montgomery men were recently indicted by an Elmore County grand jury in the 2015 shooting and robbery of a near 80-year-old Eclectic woman and both now face more charges and increased bonds, according to court records. The incident was reported nearly a year ago on Nov. 3, 2015 when the then 78-yearold woman was said to have been entering her home while the two men were allegedly inside. It was then she was shot twice, Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said last year. The alleged shooter was believed to be Dexter McDuffie, 28, who was charged at the time with first-degree burglary, assault and placed in jail on a $150,000 bond raised by District Judge Glenn Goggans from an initial $75,000. However, as of his October indictment, McDuffie has now received two extra charges of assault first-degree and
attempted murder. According to the records, his bond was raised once more to $250,000, by Circuit Judge Sibley Reynolds. He has been in McDuffie Elmore County Jail for roughly a year now, however the second man, Pedro Gwon Bennett Bennett, 33, has been free on bail since Nov. 22, 2015, records show. It was reported Bennett was initially arrested two days after the incident and charged with first-degree robbery and assault. However, as a result of the recent grand jury rulings, he now faces three charges with an additional charge of first-degree assault, and was assigned a $100,000 bond by Reynolds.
ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
Shelter encourages pet owners to spay, neuter cats By REA CORD Executive Director of HSEC
For our supporters that work for the Alabama State or Federal Government and want to donate financially, no better way than through the 2016 State and Federal Combined Campaigns. If you are a State of Alabama employee, then you can donate to us through the State Combined Campaign and our Agency Code is 106803. Federal employees (which includes active military) can donate to us through the Combined Federal Campaign and our Agency Code is 70006. These campaigns are critical to non-profits and help make donating to deserving charities easy as supporters can donate either one time or via monthly payroll deduction. We want to thank all who so generously donate to help not only our shelter, but non-profit agencies everywhere. As we look to the fall and winter months our intake of kittens will greatly decline and this is also the perfect time to help reduce spring kitten numbers by getting any cats you care for
spayed or neutered. Why do we say this? Because reducing intake will lead to reduced euthanasia since there hopefully won’t be so many unwanted kittens in need of homes. Also because easily 20-25% of the cats we take in come to us as feral (wild) kittens/ cats that are sadly just not adoptable. So far this year we have taken in 1,618 cats, have found homes for 504 and have 173 in the shelter and foster homes. With so many cats to pick from, a cat that is not socialized to humans and safe to handle simply has no chance at adoption. After all, no one comes to a shelter to adopt a wild kitty that cannot be handled and will bite and scratch because it is has never been socialized. For those who feed these feral cats at their home, work or elsewhere, we beg you to take the next and most responsible step and get them spayed or neutered so they don’t continue to reproduce. There is no doubt that many of the feral cats in our communities also help with vermin control so the best thing is to trap it (or them), take it to your veterinarian or the spay-neuter clinic in Montgomery
to be ‘fixed,’ bring it home and let it live there as one cat - not one, then six, then 15, then 25 – you get the picture. If the cat is already there and attuned to living off the land, then this is a very humane solution where the feral cat(s) is concerned. What is most needed is to stop the continuous reproduction of cats for which there are no homes. If you are dealing with a large number of feral cats and need advice on how to work a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program, we are happy to give you advice and pointers on how be successful at TNR and the issues you also have to consider. The Alabama Animal Alliance in Montgomery also has tremendous expertise in TNR and you can call them at 334-239-7387. Spaying and neutering not only saves lives now but also into the future so please help reduce shelter cat intake and euthanasia by being reducing the number of unwanted cats in the first place. For shelter information go to www.elmorehumane.org, call 334-567-3377 or email hselco@ bellsouth.net.
Meet Dexter – HSEC Pet of the Week
RODNEY GRIFFITH Lake Martin Properties
Dexter is a two-year old male, Dachshund/Beagle mix, about 25 lbs. He is a very good natured fellow, loves children and gets along well with other dogs. He loves to play and is very attentive so no idea why he has been with us since July. His favorite treat is cheese....so come meet our sweet fellow and don’t forget to bring him some cheese! Our adoption fees are $100 for dogs & $50 for cats under one-year-old; cats over one-year-old can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee completely covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, de-worming,
microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough, free health exam with your participating veterinarian. To meet all the great pets at our shelter come to 255 Central Plank Road, Wetumpka, AL, 36092, go to our website at www.elmorehumane. org for more information, email us at hselco@ bellsouth.net or give us a call at 334-567-3377. We are open for adoptions Mon–Fri 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
OCTOBER 22-23, 2016 • Page 3
Thames
continued from page 1
6. The proposal, a copy of which was provided by the county, states that Adullam has been actively searching for office space to purchase/lease for a period of several months and that the organization was extremely interested in finding property in downtown Wetumpka due to the city’s proposed revitalization plan. According to the proposal, Adullam is seeking to lease “both the store front at 121 East Bridge St., the old Thames Pharmacy (presently used for storage), and the office space above it, formerly the Board of Education…” The proposal states that the property would be used for office space for nine workers, some of whom would be needed to oversee four orphanages in Moldova. The proposal calls for a 99 year lease at a cost of $1 per year, also Adullam would agree to perform all necessary renovations to the building. During a previous meeting of the commission it was made clear by County Engineer Richie Beyer that the building requires significant electrical and asbestos removal work. Adullam House representative Angie Spackman said during the meeting that Adullam had some $150,000 it could contribute to the renovation work. The proposal further states that Adullam would overhaul the front of the building to provide the proper façade in keeping with the overall downtown project. The proposal further states that a lease agreement is being offered because Adullam could not purchase the property due to restrictions in the deed.
The city of Wetumpka’s proposal states that the city seeks to acquire the Thames building to further its goal of revitalizing downtown. The city points to its significant public investment including $850,000 in sewer, water and storm sewer improvements and the upcoming $1.2 million streetscape project. The proposal states that the city is seeking to, “Develop a critical mass of commercial uses using the current building stock.” As part of its proposal the city references its recent selection as an Main Street Alabama-designated community and its creation of a Downtown Redevelopment Authority. Specifically, the city wants to use the Thames building for mixed-use purposes including commercial/ residential or commercial/office space. The proposal suggests three methods for the city to acquire the Thames property in descending order based on the city’s preference. These proposals are: Swap the Thames building for the Hill Street parking lot currently owned by the city. Lease to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority on condition of rehabilitation. Sell to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority at the market price. As part of the proposal the city also offers the city attorney’s opinion on the deed restrictions with respect to the property. According to that opinion the property may be sold/used for commercial purposes, but proceeds must be used to support the Tulane Charity Fund
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Hughes that the amount be changed from the “cashonly” status to regular bond, but ultimately Circuit Judge Glenn Goggans ruled against their request. It was also requested that Hughes, 27, be placed under the supervision of his parents with an ankle-monitor, however Goggans ruled he was a flight risk and a danger to others as violence was used in the “offense,” said Houston. An ECSO official said he was called to verify the information from the cell phone records, including about 7,000 images of around 12 different women collected over a period of years, some, he said, overlapping the time frame of events that led to the alleged incident. They were broken down into files, and organized by each woman’s name, he said. The ECSO official asked for anonymity due to the ongoing investigation. It was reported that the images of the women
continued from page 1
were largely nude photos and taken at various times and during sex acts. They were later said to be used to essentially coax or urge the women into later acts. Houston said he was not sure if the other women revealed in the photos were aware or not the pictures were being taken. He said he was focused solely on the September incident. However, the sheriff’s official said three other women had come forward and attested to the veracity of the claims of Hughes’ character. The allegation of the women, he said, was that Hughes had used similar tactics on them as well. He also said he felt more women would come forward as the case progressed. In the initial rape account, Hughes was accused of breaking into the victim’s home through the back door and assaulting her while she showered. The significance of the text messages the official
Accident taken to University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. According to the report, she died a short time after being transported to UAB Hospital. Sharon Allen was taken to a local hospital, it said, for treatment. No other information was available Thursday afternoon while State Troopers continued their investigation, ALEA officials said. Coosa County Sheriff Terry Wilson said some of his deputies helped with traffic at the scene.
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of Elmore County. It also states that the city is willing to obtain a declaratory judgment to support its legal position. The original will, which left the property to the county, was of Horatio B. Tulane originally signed in May of 1897. The will created a trust for Tulane’s nieces and nephews and after their death, “the principle (sic) sum in whatever invested, and in whatever form it appears - shall be paid over to the County of Elmore, in the state of Alabama – for the express and singular uses and purposes – of charity for the poor, who are actually destitute, and in absolute need- and the official of said county – to whom said money or property is paid shall be an honest and sober and discreet man, and shall be required to make bond in double the value of said money and property – payable to said county – said official to be selected by the county commission of said county – and said money and property – or the rents and interest therefrom shall be used for no other purposes – but shall be perpetual.” The will further provided that the fund would be known as the Tulane Charity Fund of Elmore County. The estate of Tulane and the county eventually reached an agreement, with assistance from a special act passed by the Alabama legislature in February of 1899, whereby the county received $600 and two parcels of property, including the Thames Building.
said was that Hughes had allegedly spelled out what he was going to do to the victim two days prior to the incident. “On this particular weekend he made a threat and the act occurred just as he said in the message,” the ECSO official said. But Hughes’ defense was that it was all a sex game, Houston said, and that the two communicated to each other in this manner regularly. His manner of speech in what was said to be thousands of text messages was regularly offensive and the sheriff’s official said it was presented by Hughes’ defense to be merely how Hughes talked with the women. However, he said this time, while Hughes was reportedly in another relationship and living with a different woman, the victim had asked him to stop sending the messages. “She was not playing a sex game with him that day,” said Houston, who
continued from page 1
He said it was a “terrible wreck” and a “terrible tragedy.” In Gloria Allen’s obituary after a long list of family members it stated she was a longstanding member of a local church in the Seman community. And it followed with a
glimpse into her life, and read, “Gloria’s favorite hobby was finding discarded things and making them beautiful again, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.”
went on to say, “I don’t think she was afraid of him until after this happened.” He said he felt the victim was under the impression Hughes was just “being a jerk.” Attempts were made to reach Hughes’ attorneys by phone and email, however no response was received by the time of publication. Hughes was the owner of Apex Fitness, a gym in downtown Wetumpka. The business has since changed its name and is under new ownership. Now, Houston said, after the investigation was completed, the information would be presented to a grand jury in January.
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Steve Baker, Publisher William Carroll, Managing Editor Opinions expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the management of The Wetumpka Herald
Page 4 • OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
OPINION
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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
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T
Battle over the Thames Pharmacy building
he battle over the old Thames Pharmacy Building at 121 East Bridge St. is in many respects a comedy of errors, committed mostly by the city, but also by the county. The saga started simply enough several months ago when the Adullam House came before the Elmore County Commission to present a proposal regarding the building. I personally interviewed Adullam House representatives and I was struck by their idea to reform the old building and thought it was a great idea for downtown Wetumpka. As time went by however, it became apparent another bidder was interested in the property and so the process remained open for several months to give the city time to craft a proposal. That is one of the things that strikes me most about this issue. The Adullam House presented its proposal in early June and yet the city was allowed several more months to submit a bid, only officially presenting it to the commission at its Oct. 11 meeting. Why the county allowed four more months to elapse before the city bid is beyond me, but allow it they did. Interestingly, with all of those months to proffer a bid, city officials didn’t really think it was important to bring the matter before the entire city council at some point in the intervening four months for a vote. No, they decided instead to inform some of the council members privately about the deal and then submit the bid to the county prior to actually obtaining approval. To say this is putting the
WILLIAM CARROLL Managing Editor
cart before the horse wouldn’t be sufficient enough, this is almost more akin to having a cart and forgetting you need the horse, then wondering why the cart will not move on its own. This past Monday, the city council finally approved the bid that had already been submitted, although interestingly they failed to ask the most pertinent questions about the transfer. The resolution calls for the transfer of the Hill Street parking lot, which the city owns, for the Thames property. While Councilman Percy Gill did ask questions about why the process was done backwards, no one asked basic questions that elementary school children serving as school class officers would be smart enough to ask. 1. What are the appraisal values for the Hill Street property and the Thames property? 2. Does the Thames building require remedial work? If so how much will this work cost? 3. If, as the city attorney Regina Edwards asserts, the property can be transferred, but proceeds must be used for the Tulane Charity Fund of Elmore County – exactly what will those proceeds consist of and why would the city wish to transfer the property to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority if the funds cannot be used for downtown development, but must instead be used, as the original will suggests, for “charity for the poor?”
Last I checked economic development is not charity for the poor. Sadly though this is a common theme for the city of Wetumpka. Proposals are made and approved with little or no discussion. I know from information we have received, that many of the city council members do not know the answers to any of the questions I proposed above. How then do they vote on things they know nothing about? Not sure, but they do it all the time. In fact, the documents appear to make it clear that the properties and funds paid over to Elmore County are to be used for the express and singular purpose of charity for the poor. Based upon the history of the Thames building it is quite clear that historically it has in fact not been used for that purpose. For instance now it is simply being used for storage of documents. How that fits the “express and singular” use of charity of the poor I am not sure. Perhaps the poor get some special benefit from the county using the building as a warehouse. The restrictions also create a number of problems for the city that it seems have still not been answered. When City Planning and Program Director David Robison spoke to the commission last week he noted the city attorney’s position, but then a few sentences later noted that the DRA would use rental funds for economic development projects. The will is clear that the rents and interest therefrom can be used for no purpose other than for charity of the poor and are “perpetual” meaning the
DRA can’t use those proceeds for anything other than the Tulane Charity Fund. While I have already asked this question, it bears repeating. Why would the DRA want such a property? The argument is perhaps that they can control who goes into the property, but the reality is the funds are useless to them. Also, neither the city nor the RDA has offered a proposal whereby they will resolve the issues the building has. According to county officials, the building needs significant electrical work and asbestos removal. It is also in some state of disrepair and would require significant investment of funds to bring back to its former glory. The county has already made it clear they will not waste taxpayer dollars to repair the building. Why then is the city so willing to waste similar taxpayer dollars? Especially when they are having a budget crisis of their own, with significant cuts to a variety of city programs on the horizon? The reality is the Adullam House has the best possible proposal. They will use private dollars to renovate the building, thus saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. By doing this they are taking on the risk of the building themselves. They also perfectly fit the requirements stated in the will of Horatio B. Tulane in that their services help poor and indigent children who are without their parents. Whether the county sees it this way at its upcoming meeting on Monday remains to be seen, but some sense of sanity has to prevail in this already clouded scenario.
There’s nothing like performing in a theater
T
here are pilgrimages that certain groups must make at least once in their lifetime: hippies to San Francisco, baseball fans to Cooperstown, and old people to Branson. I’m not old, but I did a show in Branson in 2009. Old people really dig my humor, and I really dig them. Like them, I dig circus peanuts, too. I’ve performed in a lot of places, including bars, churches, comedy clubs, restaurants, ball rooms, convention halls and arenas, just to name a few—not bad for a stuttering guy. I’ve even performed for troops all around the world, which include a couple of undisclosed locations. You name it, and I’ve probably performed there. I’ve even performed in Tuscaloosa a few times. One of those times was at Bama Theater. While I love performing for troops and other groups who hold a special place in my heart, as far as venues go, there is nothing quite like performing in a theater with my name on the marquee.
JODY FULLER Guest Columnist
Theaters remind me of a simpler time. Several years ago, I was one of four comedians scheduled for a show at the State Theater in Albany, Georgia. The marquee simply read “Four Comedians.” Now, imagine driving by the movies and seeing a marquee that read “Fourteen Movies.” Would that entice you to pull in and check it out? Likely not. The State Theater had been recently renovated, so people weren’t accustomed to attending events there anyway. The promoter of the show didn’t know what the heck he was doing—bless his heart. There was not only an annual festival that took place the same weekend every year going on at the same time, but Georgia was playing South Carolina under the lights on ESPN.
Like it or not, pigskins trump punchlines in the Peach State. We had four people show up for the show. This past Thursday night, I had a gig at the Princess Theater in Decatur. Boy, was it nice. There was cake in the greenroom! It was a fundraising and awareness event for the Decatur Kiwanis Club. They had my name, along with my friend Tim Steed’s name, beautifully displayed on the marquee. By beautiful, I mean in black plastic letters, but it was beautiful to me, although I was kind of hoping for “Two Comedians,” to be honest with you. I sometimes have a weird sense of humor. I actually met Tim at that gig in Branson in 2009. Tim performed for about a half hour, and then I followed him with a full hour. It would’ve been great to have a few more people there, but it was still a really good crowd for a Thursday night and they laughed a lot. The acoustics in the theater were outstanding.
I told a lot of jokes and a lot of stories and they laughed hard when I wanted them to except for three occasions when either I told stories I’d never told before or stories that just needed to be dusted off a bit. I have a dream to see my name on marquees at theaters all across the country. I work hard and have to believe that one day that will come true. If I didn’t believe that, why would I be in this business? What are your realistic dreams and what are you doing to make those dreams become a reality? I even want to see my name on a marquee in Branson, but I got word from Mel Tillis’ people that Branson wasn’t big enough for two stuttering guys. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller.com. For more information, please visit www.jodyfuller.com.
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Main Street the organization brings many years of experience in both marketing and leadership. Stubbs, a graduate of the University of Alabama, has lived throughout the South working as a writer and editor of numerous publications including River Region Health and Fitness and LEAN magazine. “I have spent the last several years writing a lot about communities throughout Alabama,” she said noting that this experience has given her a broad base of knowledge when it comes to downtown areas. Stubbs, who officially started work on Monday, said it has been a busy week. “Right now I am just trying to digest all the information,” Stubbs said. Part of that information was presented this week by Main Street Alabama, Stubbs said she participated in both days of the “Basic Training” seminar. “Initially we will rely heavily on Main Street Alabama, following the successful information they provide,” she said. “We want to use that to cater to our local community. It will definitely be a step by step process.” Stubbs said one of the primary goals is to help and work with existing businesses in the downtown area. Stubbs and her husband Troy know all about downtown businesses as they are the owners of Frios. “I am familiar with a lot of local business people already,” Stubbs said. “I
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
OCTOBER 22-23, 2016 • Page 7
continued from page 1
consider them my friends, I think that helps with this position.” Stubbs said that one of her goals is to take and enhance the things that make Wetumpka great. “I grew up here, we are in a unique position being between the crater and the river,” she said. “My goal is to do what I can to improve downtown. Part of who we are as a city is who we were. I think we want to keep the integrity of downtown intact and focus on our architecture and history.” Stubbs said she knows that with the upcoming streetscape project there will be difficulties but that she is confident the city will shine through. “I really believe Wetumpka will reach its potential,” she said. “It’ll get a little messy before it gets cleaner, but now we have a plan of how to move forward.” Stubbs said that in mid-November she will be working with Main Street Alabama to compile information and set goals for the program. “We will be keeping the public informed of our goals and our progress as we go along,” she said. “We want the public involved in everything we do. I think once people see the changes coming downtown it will embolden others to participate.” For those interested in becoming a member of Main Street Wetumpka, you may email info@ mainstreetwetumpka.org for more information.
Corey Arwood / The Herald
After a year of renovation and expansion Tallassee Automotive held it’s grand reopening ceremony.
Grand Opening ceremony. “[We] wanted to get the remodeling done to show a new face for the city to bring to the city as far as a new renovated look … a clean fresh look for the city and just reaffirming our commitment with our investment into the city of, the beautiful city of Tallassee,” said Liechty.
continued from page 1
The General Sales Manager, Tim Robinson, said even the equipment they used to work on vehicles was new, and they entirely updated their service department. Liechty cut the ribbon in the ceremony, standing beside Payne surrounded by his staff. “If you need to buy a car and if you know what you
want in this area right here, hey somebody knows what they’re doing and they know how to sell a car and that’s what you gotta have, you gotta have good dedicated people good dedicated salesmen, who tell the truth, and this crowd does, and that’s the reason they’ve been successful,” Payne said.
Page 8 • OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
TheWetumpkaHerald.com
ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
Submitted / The Herald
Students win Superintendent Attendance Challenge
Dr. Andre Harrison presented each of these students with the Superintendent’s Attendance Challenge Award for their grade division - which included a brand new Chromebook computer (donated by our computer vendors). Top left, Clay Edwards won in the K - 4th division. Top right, Tori Headley won the 5-8th division, and Colton Greene, bottom left, won the 9th grade division. All students with perfect attendance during September were entered into a drawing and the technology department assisted with randomly selecting a winner per grade division. Harrison said they are proud of all of the students for their dedication to school and attendance efforts.
Unemployment rates remain low at 4.8% By MITCH SNEED Editor
Elmore County’s jobless rate remained steady in September at 4.8 percent, up slightly from August’s 4.7 percent and down from the 5.9 percent unemployment rate recorded in the county in September 2015. Those numbers mean that Elmore County again has the second lowest unemployment rate in the state. According to numbers released Friday, Elmore’s results were in line with the state, which saw seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate of 5.4 percent, unchanged from August’s rate and significantly lower than September 2015’s rate of 6.1 percent. “Our unemployment rate held steady this month, remaining at its lowest point during my administration, which also happens to be its lowest point in more than eight years,” said Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley in a released statement. “We are continuing to see record low numbers of people who are unemployed, with September’s count marking the second lowest number
of unemployed since 2008. We are continuing our efforts to ensure that every Alabamian who wants a job has one and these numbers show we are having success in that endeavor.” The state’s September rate represents 117,125 unemployed persons, compared to 116,296 in August and 130,259 in September 2015. The number of employed persons in September is 2,048,257, up from 2,040,517 in August, and well above the 2,011,146 recorded in September 2015. The last time that the state’s unemployment rate was at or below 5.4 percent was in May 2008, when it was 5.2 percent, according to a release from the Alabama Department of Labor. September’s count of 117,125 was also the lowest number of unemployed since May 2008, when the number was 113,343. Manufacturing employment in Alabama measured 263,000 in September and 263,500 in August. The last time this number was higher was in December 2008, when it measured 271,300.
Unemployment rates at a glance County/ Region
Sept. 2016
Unemployed persons
Aug. 2016
Sept. 2015
Tallapoosa Coosa Talladega Clay Randolph Chambers Lee Macon Elmore Alabama U.S.
5.1% 5.7% 6.6% 5.5% 5.4% 5.1% 4.8% 7.0% 4.8% 5.4%* 5.0%*
986 257 2312 318 511 791 3545 571 1750 117,125* 7,939,000*
5.1% 5.7% 6.4% 5.9% 5.7% 5.0% 4.9% 7.2% 4.7% 5.4%* 4.9%*
5.8% 6.1% 6.4% 5.7% 5.4% 5.7% 4.8% 7.7% 4.9% 6.1%* 4.9%*
*– The state and national unemployment rates are seasonally adjusted. All county rates are not seasonally adjusted. Information from the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations
“Another highlight from this month’s jobs numbers is the fact that our manufacturing employment is nearing pre-recession levels,” said Fitzgerald Washington, secretary of the Alabama Department of Labor. “Manufacturing has long been a strong industry in Alabama, and most of these jobs have higher than average salaries. August and September of this year are nearing our highest levels of manufacturing employment.” Counties with the lowest unemployment rates are: Shelby County at 4.2 percent, Lee and Elmore counties at 4.8 percent, and Cullman and Cherokee
counties at 4.9 percent. Counties with the highest unemployment rates are: Wilcox County at 13.4 percent, Clarke County at 10.5 percent, and Lowndes County at 10.3 percent. Major cities with the lowest unemployment rates are: Homewood and Vestavia at 3.6 percent, Hoover at 4.1 percent and Alabaster and Madison at 4.3 percent. Major cities with the highest unemployment rates are: Bessemer at 10.1 percent, Selma at 9.9 percent and Prichard at 9.4 percent. (Portions of this story are from a Alabama Department of Labor release)
2016 GENERAL ELECTION POLL WORKER SCHOOL ELMORE COUNTY OCTOBER 26, 2016 3:00PM - 5:00PM TRAINING WILL BE CONDUCTED AT THE Wetumpka Civic Center 410 S. Main Street Wetumpka, AL 36092
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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
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ELMORE COUNTY POLL WORKERS November 8, 2016 General Election TALLAWEEKA BAPTIST Mary Ellen Peters William Goss Betty Ruff Carolyn Peters Janet Renee Smith Johnny Justiss Margaret Miller Mary Taylor Payne Myra Law
GOD’S CONGREGATION Cynthia Martin Carolyn Smith Inez Rhone Davis Norma Gill
WETUMPKA CIVIC CENTER Charles Edwards James Jacobs Robert Sutton Barbara Knight Barbara Jones Debra Golden Faye Jacobs Jim Anderson Deborah Anderson Juanita Brand Renae Venable Robert Brown Monica Brown Oscar Robinson Jenny Guy Lewis Walls
FRIENDSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT Vicky Lackey Catherine Butler Sherrie Reeves Steven Dennis
ASBURY KENT COMMUNITY CENTER Edwin Walker Nancy Andrews Patricia Mooney Randal Teel Tammy Brantley
KOWALIGA FIRE DEPARTMENT Rita Wright James Birmingham Paul Wright Stacy Swindall
REDHILL COMMUNITY CENTER Elaine Hall Eloise Hilyer Sam Wade Shelby Rodgers
ECLECTIC BAPTIST CHURCH Montez Boutwell Wanda Burt Celia Baggett Ginger McGinty James Lanier June Eason Libbye McGhee Neysa Lazenby
SEMAN COMMUNITY HOUSE Lalah Shaw John Sides Katherine Sides Linda Evans
SANTUCK COMMUNITY CENTER Dorothy Dawson Gaynell Puckett Diane Gilbert Kim Mosheim Lois Baugh Nancy Brunson Sheila Puckett Suzanne Mann
WALLSBORO COMMUNITY CENTER Rita Ward Delane Hyde Betty Logan Jessie Williams Harold Dunson Edward Johnson Mary Henderson Ruby Gray Elsie Lee Bass Juanita Snow Linda Carter Jacqueline Clarke
WEOKA COMMUNITY CENTER Judy Rainey Charles Hickman Charles Powell James Butler
BUYCK FIRE DEPARTMENT Barbara Dreyer Richard Holman Arcuqlia Pearson Marie Kostick Jeri Lynn Brown
TITUS COMMUNITY CENTER John Mince Ann White Nell Boydston Patricia Harris
NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH Rebecca Browning Deborah Manasco Dianne Pittman June Mabry
CAIN’S CHAPEL LIFE CENTER Martha Hardy Mary Wingard Joel Barfoot Alicia Hammonds Angela Blankenship Asenath Coker Deborah Armstrong E.W. Coker Bessie Butter-Carter Faye Moody Henry Woodall Joe Collier Sara Geddie William George Winford Collier
DEATSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT Guy Vanderman Cynthia Dobyne Janice Thayer Ronald Berry Sharon Robinson
CRENSHAW PARK ELWanda Penn Doris Roberts Pennie Smith Yuna Braswell
NEW HOME BAPTIST CHURCH Barbara Ann Knight James Dozier
David Mercer Sammie Aldridge Donna Gilliand Jerry Clay Lyle Nanthia McGinn Shelby Varner Susan Montgomery Oliver Aldridge
COOSADA TOWN HALL Doris Zeigler Doris Beatty Joann Wilson Donald Owenby Mary Alice Owenby Roy Rogers Sheanna Fields Virginia Sutherland
CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Tommy Sparks RJ Arceneaux Ray Russell Marilyn Hubbard Gary Williams Elise Arceneaux Keith Guyse Peggy Guyse Aalyiah Jackson Antjuan Jones Bill Harrington Karen John Nehemiah Harris Teresa Hicks Candy Masters Dawn McAdams Myrtle Livingston Peter Jones Shana Jones Virginia McAdams Beth Tidwell Christine Neuber Jeff Neuber Kathleen Tharp Linda Sparks Shari Stoudemire Teresa McGriff Vicki Parker Wanda Price
VICTORY BAPTIST
Johnny Moore Marvin Hattaway Robert Waits Almand J. Westbrook Eugenia Westbrook Eunice Williams Gayle Page Kaylon Beers Mary Deshon Mary Trammell Mary Jane Myers Rebecca Waits Shirley Haase Theresa Bocquin
MILLBROOK CIVIC CENTER Willie Mae Duncan Emma Rudolph Frederick Brown Jacqueline Zeigler Kevin Duncan Bertha Brown Beverly Jenkins Bryishun Pernell Carol Yarbrough Cynthia Hill Fenola Long Karen Hopson Lela Mae Jackson Susan Smith Verna Green Margaret Lindsey
FAIN PARK COMMUNITY CENTER Ed Sanford Errol Law Sandra Wilkerson Annie Holt Betty Crowe Betty Barrett Howard Stanley Janice Cash John Blankenship Lee Cash Nancy Holdbrooks Nancy Blankenship Robbie Killen Sandra Hill Sharon Ervin
RUSHENVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH Amie Langley Carole Langley Charles Tew Jeanette Tew
BLUE RIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH Charlene Hiebel Susan Hansen Jean Waggoner Nadine Jacobs Patricia Gause Tony Jacobs Tracey Edwards Shakira Ross
MULDER MEMORIAL METHODIST CHURCH Bob Barker James Bedingfield Reida Spear Karen Harlow Tracy Harmon Gloria Johnston Jeanette Kempter Heather Godwin Joette Castleberry Craig Hopson Ray Mason Michael McGill Paula McGill Johanna Bise Charlotte Hopson Marilyn Dozier Michael Williams Dorothy Williams Patricia Lambrecht Patricia Alford Robert Quinn Sylvia Buckhannon
ROCK SPRINGS VOTING HOUSE Hazel Taylor Dolores Wisener Donna Churchwell Hope Taylor
ABSENTEE – WETUMPKA JUDICIAL COMPLEX Milton Welch Addie Stubbs Charlotte Walls Melissa Taylor Tammie Willis
OCTOBER 22-23, 2016 • Page 9
CRATA hosts bear awareness meeting By BETSY ILER TPI Magazine Editor
Alabama Black Bear Alliance Director Daniel Powell addressed a gathering of about 50 people at the Red Hill Community Center Tuesday evening to increase awareness of black bears, their travels and habits and recent population growth. Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association (CRATA) sponsored the event. “Since we are expanding the trail system into the Yates Lake area, we thought it would be a good idea to have people be more aware of bears,” explained CRATA founder Jimmy Lanier. “There have been several sightings of bears in our general area recently – one in Union at a birdfeeder.” A large male bear was spotted moving across the area last spring, but Powell said the likelihood of running up on a bear while deer hunting this fall is slim at best. “This is a secretive animal,” Powell said. “It is such a secretive animal that no one knows how many there are in the state. This animal does not want to be seen, and chances are that you will not see one.” A past president of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, Powell said he has been interested in the black bear since childhood and has conducted extensive research on the habits of black bears in Alabama. “The female black bear does not move around, so they don’t recolonize areas very well,” he said. “Places where
the early settlers killed bears have not been recolonized because female bears stay within about 3 miles of their home areas.” Even so, Powell said, the bear populations have grown in those sections of the state where bears are known to live, notably the northeastern and southwestern parts of Alabama. But male bears tend to roam during breeding season, Powell said, and those are the animals that were spotted at birdfeeders, on riverbanks and beside highways in East Central Alabama from April to June this year. Good bear habitat includes thick woods, and this area does have avenues of such habitat. Bear sightings this year, Powell said, topped the charts. “There were more bear sightings reported this year than ever before,” he told the Red Hill gathering. Powell shared stories of bears he has followed, trapped and relocated in South Alabama, including one that traveled 450 miles in five months after its mother was killed on a highway. However, he cautioned residents to avoid feeding bears and to leave the animals alone if one is sighted. “If you do come up on one – I had a friend who owned a fishing camp in Alaska tell me – be a bigger bully than he is. They think they are big bullies, and he won’t leave unless you’re a bigger bully than he is, so look him in the eye; yell at him to get out of there,” he said. “And then, logon to www. alabamablackbearalliance.org and report the sighting.”
Obituaries Gloria D. Allen ALLEN, Gloria D. passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at the age of 66 as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Visitation will be held Saturday, October 22 at 12:00 p.m. at Thelma Baptist Church in Wetumpka with the funeral to follow at 2:00 p.m. and the graveside service immediately afterwards at the Beulah Baptist Church cemetery. Gassett Funeral Home of Wetumpka directing. She was preceded in death by her parents: Joe and Eloise Grier. She is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, Al Allen. She leaves behind three
children and their spouses who loved her dearly: Tish (Trent) Hill, Heath (Sharon) Allen and Amanda (Lee) Williams. “Nina” will be missed by her five grandchildren: Hope and Caroline Hill, Autumn and Spencer Allen and Abbi Williams. She is survived by her sister, Sonja (Danny) Brown and brother, Tex (Nancy) Grier. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was a faithful member of the Seman Congregational Church for many years. Gloria’s favorite hobby was finding discarded things and making them beautiful again, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.
Area Calendar October 22
The Holtville Riverside Baptist Church will be hosting a car and motorcycle show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with an awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m. There will be two classes for cars, best stock and best custom. There will be four classes for the motorcycles, best stock and best custom two wheels and best stock and best custom for three wheels. Judging will be conducted by the crowd. The entry fee for the event is $25, all proceeds go towards the purchase of a church van. For more information contact Pastor Kenneth at 334-315-9504.
October 23
Calvary Baptist Church Wetumpka will be having their monthly Men’s Ministry Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Invite a friend, family member or both.
October 24
Elmore County Democrats are invited to attend the next Democratic executive committee meeting 6 p.m. The meeting will be held on the 2nd floor of the Elmore County Courthouse in Wetumpka. The Executive Committee is looking to improve and grow the Democratic Party. Your interest and participation will be welcomed.
October 29
The Eclectic Cotton Festival Dog Show will be held at 10:30 a.m. in front of Town Hall. All dogs are welcome to enter the contest, owners must bring proof of rabies vaccinations with them. All pets must be on leashes and the contest is free to enter. There will be awards for biggest lap dog, smallest dog, best trick, best costume, ugliest and most unusual dog. A best in show trophy will be provided to the best overall participant. Registration for the event is prior to the commencement of the show.
October 29
Rock Springs Baptist at 375 Rigsby Rd, Tallassee, is hosting its annual community Fall Festival on
Sat, Oct. 29, beginning at 5 p.m. All guests, all ages, are welcome. Program features a free hot dog supper, hay ride, cake walk, and marshmallow roast, games, face painting, go fish and much more. Children in costume are welcome. Come, bring canned beans or corn for ministry to a food pantry.
October 29
Eclectic Youth Football and Cheerleading League is hosting a Halloween Dance and Drive from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Elmore County High School old gym. The event is for children ages 4 to 12 and admission is free with a canned food item or $3 donation. Refreshments and glow sticks will be available for purchase. Canned food and donations will be given to the Eclectic Kindness Ministry. For information contact eyfcleague@gmail. com.
October 30
Calvary Baptist Church Wetumpka will be hosting its annual Fall Festival on Oct. 30 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Come on out for a great night of games, candy, fun and fellowship.
November 5
Camp Stew and Indoor Yard Sale Cedarwood Community Church, Hwy 231 N. Wallsboro, Wetumpka from 7 a.m. to noon. Stew is $8 per large container that is microwaveable and reuseable. All proceeds from stew and yard sale go to church building fund. For more information, you may contact Laura Knight at 5672457; Jo Parker at 514-0242 or church office at 567-0476.
November 6-9
The Wetumpka Church of Christ will host a Gospel meeting beginning Sunday Nov. 6-9 with Mel Futrell. Brother Futrell currently serves as the pulpit minister at the Shades Mountain church in Birmingham. The theme of the meeting is “Christ Above All”. Sunday 6th services begin with Prayer service at 8:30 a.m. Bible study at 9 a.m. Worship assembly at 10 a.m. The
sermon title will be “Pictures of Christ”. Immediately after services all are invited to a meal and fellowship. Visitors are encouraged to stay and enjoy good food and fellowship. Monday through Wednesday services begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday 7th “The Uniqueness of Christ” Tuesday 8th - “The Cross of Christ” Wednesday 9th - “Jesus the Human Being” Nursery will be provided at all services. Visitors, family, friends, are cordially invited to come worship with us.
November 15, January 10, February 4 and March 14
The Wetumpka Public Library, along with the Elmore County Museum, invites veterans and family members to sign up and participate in a free monthly reading discussion program on the experience of war, beginning September and ending in March. Discussions will be held in the Elmore County Museum from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: Nov.r 15, Jan. 10, Feb. 14, and March 14. All books and films will be provided for each participant in advance of each discussion. Recent veterans of the global war on terror are particularly encouraged to participate.
November 14-21
Eclectic United Methodist Church will serve as a drop-off location for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child— the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. During National Collection Week, Nov. 14 – 21, Eclectic residents will donate shoeboxes—filled with school supplies, hygiene items, notes of encouragement and fun toys, such as a doll or soccer ball—for Operation Christmas Child to deliver to children in need around the world. This year, Eclectic residents hope to contribute several hundred shoebox gifts toward the 2016 global goal of reaching 12 million children.
FRIDAY NIGHT SCOREBOARD WITH GAME COVERAGE INSIDE
OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
Wetumpka 41 .......... Benjamin Russell 14 Tallassee 56.................Elmore County 22 Sidney Lanier 26 ...... Stanhope Elmore 20
2016 SPORTS EXTRA
Bessemer Acad. 48 .....................Edgewood 6 Handley 47 ...........................Holtville 34 Reeltown 52 .................... Fayetteville 42
Childersburg 48 ...................Dadeville 46 Horseshoe Bend 33 .............. Woodland 8 Central-Coosa 33 ..... Southside-Selma 18
SPORTS EXTRA October 22-23, 2016
High school football from The Alexander City Outlook, The Wetumpka Herald & The Tallassee Tribune
Wetumpka takes the field against Benjamin Russell in its season-finale Class 6A, Region 3 game at Hohenberg Field Friday night.
ALABAMA’S BIGGEST WEEKLY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL EDITION
1
PAGE 10 • OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
SPORTS
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ELMORE COUNTY WEEKEND
CHAMPIONS
Edgewood rolls to first state championship since 2011 By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
When you’re on a roll, it takes a lot to stop you. Edgewood Academy could not be stopped in a dominating straight-set victory for the AISA Class A state championship over the reigning state champs Cornerstone Christian at Faulkner University Thursday. Storming into the state title contest on a 17-match win streak, including two wins over the Chargers during that stretch, the No. 4-ranked Wildcats (22-3) rode the roll early and often and refused to lose to capture their first championship since 2011. “Before this last game, we were in the locker room sitting there, and everybody kept saying, ‘this is it, y’all,’” EA senior middle hitter and state tourney MVP Kevi Hansen said. “‘No other chance.’ We came out so excited and once we got up in that first set, they’re not getting it. All we kept thinking was ‘they’re not going to get it.’ “Every time we’ve played Cornerstone, it’s been a real close game. We got up and we could see Cornerstone collapse. We knew if we kept pounding, they weren’t going to come back. And hallelujah they didn’t.”
Even dropping its first set in nearly a month against Autauga Academy right before in the semifinals couldn’t derail Edgewood. “The Autauga set that we dropped, they played great,” ‘Cats volleyball coach Sellers Dubberley said. “They weren’t playing poorly. Obviously, you don’t want to lose a set right before the state championship game, but we’ve been on a roll. “That Cornerstone team we just beat, that’s a really good volleyball team. We’ve got to be playing at a really high level to make them look bad.” Through both state tourney matches, Cory Diaz / The Herald Hansen led EA with 28 kills and eight Edgewood volleyball took home the AISA Class A state championship Thursday defeating reigning blocks. Fellow senior Morgan Brown, state champs Cornerstone Christian at Faulkner University. who earned All-Tournament Team things, but they are the ones out there “I do think (I played my best honors, added seven kills and three winning games,” Dubberley said. volleyball). It was a great day for all of blocks. Junior Peyton Rodie collected “There is a lot of talent here. I felt like us. I’m thankful for my coach because eight kills and three aces, while I had the pieces, if I can coach them up, sophomore hitter Avery Roberts totaled he’s taught me a lot this season that I I feel like the pieces are there to win a never knew before. It was a great day.” nine attacks. championship.” Edgewood has advanced to the state Senior setter Anna Barnes collected Experiencing the shortcomings the tourney four of the last five seasons, 51 assists and eight aces, while Kenzie but couldn’t break through. Both Brown last four years, Hansen couldn’t find the Johnston had 15 digs on defense. words. and Hansen said the missing piece was “We went into it with our feet on “There’s not really words to describe Dubberley, leading the ‘Cats to the the ground, and we didn’t get too the feeling of winning. We’ve made championship in his first season. But confident,” Brown said. “Our main it this far so many times and finally thing was confident, not cocky. We just the coach deflected the credit. reaching our goal of so many years is “I mean the girls are the ones out believe in each other, we have a really overwhelming.” there playing. Obviously, we changed strong bond and it helped a lot. some things and I implemented some
Defending champs Spanish Fort splinter Wetumpka at regionals By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Coming up second in the Class 6A, Area 6 tournament meant Wetumpka drew defending 6A state champions Spanish Fort, Area 2 winner, in the opening round of the South Super Regional Volleyball Tournament Friday. The Toros, ranked No. 2 in 6A, were in their top form, making quick work in straight sets, 3-0 (8-25, 6-25, 7-25), eliminating the Indians. Setting the tone with a 7-0 run to open the contest, Spanish Fort led wire-to-wire as the Tribe struggled to put anything together for much of the match. “I think we have a lot of talent,” WHS first-year
volleyball coach Margo Thomas said. “I think the speed of the game was quicker than a lot of our players are used to. The up-tempo games, they’re getting more and more common and our level of play has to pick up with that high level of speed. “Every time we get out on the court, we’ve got to believe that we can hang with any opponent regardless of what they’re ranked. Also we can take from today that every year, the level of play gets higher and higher. We’ve got to rise with that level, we’ve got to work on our game in the offseason. We can’t wait until next season to pick up a volleyball, we’ve got to continue to improve our
Cory Diaz / The Herald
Wetumpka junior outside hitter Jordan Stewart (23) tries to spike the ball over two Spanish Fort defenders during Friday’s Class 6A South Super Regional first-round match at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex.
game.” Junior outside hitter Jordan Stewart paced the Indians with five kills. Fellow junior hitter Kasie Thomas added a couple of kills. Winning just four of its first 17 matches, Wetumpka
(13-17) closed the season going 9-3, including the loss to Benjamin Russell in the area tournament final, to reach the regional tourney for the third straight year. “We started out a little shaky, and the girls really
have peaked at the right time. The last couple weeks of the season, we were playing confidently, we were winning games consecutively,” Thomas said. “We just have to keep that push and raise our level of play.
Saraland sinks Stanhope in straight sets at regionals By CORY DIAZ Sports Editor
Cory Diaz / The Herald
Stanhope Elmore junior middle hitter Jayla Thomas (3) leaps up to attack the ball against Saraland during the first round match of the AHSAA Class 6A South Super Regional Tournament at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex Friday.
Stanhope Elmore’s historic run came to an end Friday, losing to No. 10 Saraland, 3-0 (8-25, 6-25, 8-25) in an AHSAA Class 6A South Super Regional Tournament opening round match at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex. Playing in its first regional tournament match in seven years, the Mustangs couldn’t handle the Spartans, a regional stalwart, reaching the tourney each of the last four seasons. “We played a really fundamentally sound team that’s obviously been playing volleyball and playing together for a long time,” SEHS volleyball coach Virginia Barber said. “I told them just look at the level of play, we’re not there yet. We got here, but we’re not competitive with these teams now, but we’re going to get
there. We’re on our way.” Guiding the program back to the regional tourney in her first season at the helm, Barber credited her trio of seniors, setter Dauson Alexander, opposite Haniyah Harris and Kaylin Johnson, for helping lead the team to do something the program hadn’t accomplished in a while. “I don’t know that it was me, but I think they started buying into each other and played as a team little bit better,” Barber said. “We do a lot of stuff -- weight room -- and building confidence there, too. That’s a lot of my philosophy. That helps when they have more confidence in each other. “We told them we’re going to miss the seniors. But I’m excited about our future and I’m excited to be able to have them and work on it in all summer, and building off being here.”
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OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
2016 SPORTS EXTRA
Childersburg 48, Dadeville 46
Dadeville’s playoff hopes die in OT in Childersburg
By CATHY HIGGINS Sports Editor
Dadeville’s playoff dreams were crushed this week as the Tigers finished their season with a heartbreaking 48-46 overtime loss to Childersburg in Thursday’s road region game. Dadeville started out strong by being the only team to put points on the board in the first quarter. Not to mention the fact that it was achieved on the first possession of the night with five plays that ended with junior Donqavious Tucker rushing 34 yards for the touchdown with 9:59 left. With the extra point, the Tigers led 7-0 for the duration of the quarter. Dadeville added to the lead in the second quarter when Tucker made an amazing 92-yard run for the touchdown on the first play after Dadeville’s Jalen Sullivan intercepted the ball from Childersburg. This extended Dadeville’s lead to 13-0. However, Childersburg finally scored with 3:25 left in the half when D.K. Mann made a 3-yard rush for the touchdown. They would shift the lead before the half was over when Mann rushed 38 yards for the TD with 32.6 seconds left. A 2-point conversion by Noah Garrett put Childersburg in the lead at the end of the first half 14-13. The second half would be a true battle for domination with both teams tying up the score multiple times. The first was in the third quarter with
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Dadeville’s Phillip Russell stiff arms Childersburg’s Syheem Young Thursday night. The Tigers season ended with the loss as there is no hope of them making the post season.
a 20-20 score. Childersburg scored first when seven plays led Dashawn Leonard to rush 20 yards for the touchdown with 9:21 left on the clock. Dadeville soon followed suit when junior Kadore Glenn made a 10-yard TD with 4:58
left. The subsequent extra point brought the first tie of the night, 20-20. Childersburg pulled ahead in the fourth quarter when six plays set Maurice Bennett up for a 25-yard touchdown with 8:59 left in the quarter
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and Darryl Bradford, along with Noah Garrett, executed a 2-point conversion, bringing their lead to 28-20. But that was only temporary. As the quarter neared its end, Dadeville tied the score again with a 31-yard touch-
down run by Glenn and the Tigers’ 2-point. Then came overtime. This was a duel, with each foe scoring and matching the other until, in triple overtime, Tucker failed to complete a See DADEVILLE • Page 3
OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
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2016 SPORTS EXTRA
Dadeville
continued from page 3
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Dadeville’s Donquavious Tucker was a dual threat against Childersburg, breaking up a pass intended for Childersburg’s D.K. Mann,above, and carrying the ball, right.
2-point conversion that would have continued the tie but instead gave Childersburg the win, 48-46. The loss came without star quarterback Margarius Buchanan at the helm, as he was nursing a hamstring injury. However, Tucker stepped up to the plate by making five touchdowns, one of which was made on a 92-yard run. Plus, he made all three of Dadeville’s
overtime TDs. Head coach Richard White was bitterly disappointed with the loss. “We were not prepared, as coaches that’s our fault,” he said. “They were prepared, we were not. That’s the bottom line. The loss drops Dadeville’s season record to 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the region.
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2016 SPORTS EXTRA
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OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
Tallassee 56, Elmore County 22
William Carroll / For The Wetumpka Herald
Tallassee senior Logan Goodman (21) catches a pass from Tiger quarterback Casey Baynes early in the first quarter that gave Tallassee a 6-0 lead. The Tigers would go on to cruise against rival Elmore County 56-22.
Tigers dominate Panthers, eye playoffs By William Carroll The Wetumpka Herald
Except for a brief glimmer of hope for Elmore County High School late in the first half, the Tallassee Tigers ran away with the game and cemented their spot in the state playoffs Friday night in Eclectic. Tallassee opened up the scoring on the first drive of the game as they moved 65 yards down the field for the opening touchdown of the game and a 6-0 lead. The drive was saw sophomore Markevious Mathews hit runs of 12, eight and four yards to get the ball into Panther territory. The drive was finished off with a touchdown pass from junior quarterback Casey Baynes to senior Logan Goodman for 32 yards. After a three and out by ECHS, Tallassee again drove 80 yards, again Mathews carried the brunt of the load, gaining 48 yards on 5 carries, including an 18 yard touchdown run to put the Tigers ahead 14-0.
The Panthers then drove the ball into Tiger territory but failed to convert on 4th down and gave the Tigers the ball back on their own 43. Two plays later the Tigers had built a 22-0 lead thanks to a 55 yard touchdown pass from Baynes to senior Jamarcus Miller and a two point conversion by Baynes. Both teams then drove deep into the other’s territory before having drives snuffed out. The Panthers failed on 4th down inside the Tallassee 10 and later Baynes threw and interception to ECHS senior quarterback/safety Will Venable inside the Panther 10. After a stalled Panther drive the Tigers once again displayed their quick strike ability when Baynes hit Mathews on a screen pass that he took 50 yards to the house and a 29-0 Tallassee lead. ECHS though battled back late in the second quarter taking the ball 70 yards in six plays capped by a one yard touchdown run by sophomore Donovan Jones. After a successful two-point conversion ECHS trailed
29-8. On Tallassee’s next possession Baynes again threw the ball to Venable and the Panther senior returned the ball to the Tiger 20 yard line, two plays later Jones again scored from four yards out and the teams went into the break with Tallassee leading 29-14. Coming out of the break ECHS had all of the momentum, but it was quickly snuffed out on a trick play pass thrown by senior Tyric Belyeu which was intercepted by senior Nicholas Talley and returned 30 yards for the touchdown and a 35-14 Tallassee lead. ECHS would continue to show fight in the third quarter as they took the following drive 63 yards in nine plays capped by Jones’ third touchdown of the game. The Panthers would bring the score to 35-22 in favor of the Tigers, but that is as close as the game would get. Tallassee would score on drives of 37, 63 and 70 yards to close the scoring in the game at 56-22 and give the
Tigers a huge win in the rivalry. Tallassee coach Mike Battles Jr. said this was a big region win for his team as he awaited scores from other Class 4A Region 3 games. “No matter the records this is still Tallassee-Elmore County, it is a big rival game,” Battles said. “Our kids have been thinking about this the last 364 days.” Battles said he is optimistic about his team’s chances as the playoffs approach. “We lost three (games) in the middle of the season,” he said. “We fumbled the ball 16 times during those three games, but we had opportunities to win every one of them. This team has been great all year. I really love this team. I really enjoy being out there with this bunch. I can’t tell you how many games we are going to win or how far we are going to go in the playoffs, but this effort is the same type of effort we have seen all season.”
OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
2016 SPORTS EXTRA
5
William Carroll/ For The Wetumpka Herald
Above: Elmore County High School had few bright spots Friday night against Tallassee, but one of the bright spots was sophomore Donovan Jones, who has three touchdowns on the night including this one yard plunge in the second quarter. Below: Tallassee sophomore Markevious Mathews again had a big night for the Tigers.
2016 SPORTS EXTRA
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OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
Handley 47, Holtville 34
Cory Diaz/ The Wetumpka Herald
Holtville senior defensive tackle Jacob Nowak (56) and sophomore defensive lineman Justin Hauswirth (64) wrap up an Elmore County runner earlier this season.
Handley hands Holtville 29th straight loss By Cory Diaz For The Wetumpka Herald
Holtville moved closer, but is still searching for a complete game as it fell at Handley, 47-34, Friday night. Much like last week versus county and region rival Elmore County, the Bulldogs quickly found themselves down 21-0 in the first quarter at Handley. But HHS outscored the Tigers, 34-26, the final 36 minutes of the game -- 27-12 after halftime. “They jumped out to a threescore lead on us,” Holtville head football coach Hunter Adams said. “We didn’t play well defensively or offensively in the first half. Just like at Leeds a couple of weeks ago, once
we were able to gather our composure, we start moving the football, force a few turnovers, score some points and the close the gap in the second half. We played much better in the second half.” The loss was the Bulldogs’ 29th straight. Senior quarterback Zach Weldon led HHS with a touchdown run and pass. Freshman Kolby Potts added two scores on the ground, and junior upback Evan Headley notched a touchdown in the second half, marking five different Dawgs to score in the last two Class 4A, Region 3 games. “We’ve been working on things, trying to find some sort of cohesive offensive strategy. Some max
personnel, two-back stuff with the reverses, moving the ball a little bit,” Adams said. “We had a very productive offensive second half.” Defensively, Holtville forced and recovered a Tiger fumble and junior safety Alex Boling intercepted a pass. With one regular season game to go, Adams said he hopes his team can turn Friday’s finish into a win at Beulah. “It’d be great to finish strong and piece those things together, where we have strong defensive play and consistently on offense moving the ball. Couple that with big plays on special teams and force some turnovers, and maybe we can do it.”
OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
2016 SPORTS EXTRA
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Reeltown 52, Fayetteville 42
Reeltown overtakes Fayetteville, playoff dream alive By SHANE DUNAWAY The Daily Home
FAYETTEVILLE -- Fayetteville’s patchwork defensive unit struggled to contain Reeltown’s rushing attack, and a late offensive surge came up short in the Wolves’ 52-42, high school football loss to the Rebels at Farmlinks Field on Thursday. The Rebels pounded the Wolves’ defense, scoring eight rushing touchdowns in the first three quarters and churning out 483 yards on the ground in a game the Wolves needed to stay in the Class 2A, Region 5 playoff chase. “It’s a game of big plays,” said Wolves head coach John Limbaugh. “They made a lot of big plays, but we made some, too. Defensively, we were hurting, but I’m proud of my guys. “We’re down. We’ve got broken legs. We’ve got bad knees. We’ve got concussions. We had six players out of the game tonight who were starters, so we See REELTOWN• Page 15
Reeltown’s Mitchell Flurry carries the ball against Fayetteville Thursday night.
Tucker Webb / The Daily Home
2016 SPORTS EXTRA
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OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
Wetumpka 41, Benjamin Russell 14
Cory Diaz/ The Wetumpka Herald
Wetumpka senior running back DeAndre Williams (5) stretch the ball over to score a touchdown during Friday night’s season-finale versus Benjamin Russell at Hohenberg Field.
Indians blister Ben Russell in season finale By Cory Diaz The Wetumpka Herald
Wetumpka wrapped up its best regular season in six years Friday at the expense of Benjamin Russell, shredding the Wildcats, 41-14, at Hohenberg Field. Led by senior defensive linemen Trent Holley and Jay McDonald, the Indians’ defensive starters pitched its third shutout of the year, neutralizing the rush attack headed by 1,000-yard rusher Necolby Maxwell, to improve to 8-2 and nail down the Class 6A, Region 3 three-seed. “We’ve really played well defensively most of the year,” Wetumpka head football coach Tim Perry said. “Some games we give up big plays, but if you break the film down, nobody has really, drive after drive, driven down the field and scored on us. Our guys just believe in what we’re doing scheme-wise, they’re understanding it
more and more. “When you consider our strength of schedule -- our region is probably one of the top two strongest in the state. It’s saying a lot for our defense to pitch three shutouts against some of the opponents we’re playing. The credit goes to our defensive coaches, who break teams down, get tendencies and put our guys in position to make plays.” On the Wildcats’ second play from scrimmage, Maxwell picked up 14 yards on the ground, which be the longest run the Tribe starters would allow all night. But BRHS would find itself in field goal range at the WHS 10, but Dylan Moncus missed on a 27-yard attempt. Wetumpka then drove the field, and sophomore quarterback Jadarious Martin put the Tribe on top with a 9-yard touchdown run on the opening play of the second quarter. Tyler Loza added the PAT as WHS lead, 7-0.
The Indians’ offense would punch in their two drives, while a holding penalty on a 65-yard touchdown run from Maxwell two plays after Martin scored hurt Ben Russell’s chances to get back in the game. Senior running back DeAndre Williams barrelled his way in from 6 yards at the 5:29 mark and Martin scampered in from 5 yards just before the break as Wetumpka took a 21-0 lead into halftime. “That’s been the story all year long,” Wildcats head football coach Danny Horn said. “Offensively, we move the ball. When we get down there and we have a penalty or a negative play, and it just messes up the whole drive. You know, we’re not a real explosive team. If you don’t have a lot of speed, penalties kill you. “They got great speed, they utilize it well. Defensively, we just missed a lot of tackles. You got to be in position to make tackles, and most of the time we
were chasing them.” Williams notched two more touchdowns, from 69 and 51 yards, in the third, putting Wetumpka ahead 34-0, finished off his big night with nine carries for 158 yards and three scores. Martin had 11 carries for 78 yards and went 4-for-6 passing for 62 yards. With 9:54 remaining, junior cornerback Trey McCreary picked off a Landon Cotney pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown, extending WHS’s lead to 41-0. “I bobbled it at first, but I stuck with it,” McCreary said of his first interception of the season. “It’s been tough going through this year, playing a lot and I fought through it. When I took it back, it was a nice cutback I saw and I just took it back. “I feels good to have (my teammates) behind me. I love them, they’re just my brothers.” See BLISTER, Page 9
OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
2016 SPORTS EXTRA
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Cory Diaz/ The Wetumpka Herald
Above left: Wetumpka junior wide receiver Keedrick Adams runs the ball upfield against Benjamin Russell. Above: Indian defensive coordinator Tyler Johnson and senior defensive lineman Trent Holley (50) congratulates junior cornerback Trey McCreary (17) after his interception return for touchdown. Below left: Wildcat running back Necolby Maxwell (3) runs with Travarris Bozeman (42) in pursuit.
Blister Maxwell would get the ‘Cats on the board with 7:32 left, finding the end zone on a 47-yard scamper. Freshman Hezekiah Hunter scored the game’s final touchdown on a 5-yard run. After next week’s bye, Wetumpka will travel to McAdory for a rematch of last year’s first round playoff game. With his team winning its eighth game Friday, Perry knows the Indians are heading to the postseason in a positive
continued from page 8
direction. “This group right here, what we’ve gone through now during the regular season -- we’ve made road trips It’s the playoffs, it’s what you shoot for,” Perry said. “Eventually everybody’s going to have to travel in the playoffs. We tell our guys, we make it to the finals, you have to travel. That’s not going to be an issue I don’t think.”
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2016 SPORTS EXTRA
OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
Horseshoe Bend 33, Woodland 8
Kenneth Boone / The Outlook
Horseshoe Bend takes to the field earlier this year, right, while Trace Meadows tries to break a tackle.
Generals headed to playoffs with win over Woodland By CATHY HIGGINS Sports Editor
Horseshoe Bend has secured a spot in the Class 2A post-season area playoffs, thanks to Thursday’s 33-8 road-game triumph over Woodland. This time around the triumph was not led by senior Drew Hill, although he ran for a 60-yard touchdown and had 132 yards on 12 carries. But Woodland came ready for him. “Drew did a good job,” Horseshoe Bend head coach Jason Franklin said. “But they boxed him in.” Instead, Thursday night belonged to Trace Meadows, who had 114 yards receiving on 7 carries, 33 yards rushing and three touchdowns — 2 receiving and 1 rushing. Helping to lead the Generals’ scoring was junior Cade Worthy, who went 6 of 8 passes for 183 yards and two
touchdowns. They had help from Brandon Heard, who rushed 31 yards on 6 carries. The game started at a snail’s pace with the first quarter remaining scoreless. “I didn’t think we played as well as we needed to in the first half,” Horseshoe Bend head coach Jason Franklin said. But by the end of the second quarter the Generals proved they came to play as Horseshoe Bend scored two touchdowns. The first came with 2:30 left in the first half when Worthy threw a screen pass to Meadows, who went 99 yards for the touchdown. Jose Torres Cruz followed that up with a kick for the extra point. Then with just 3 seconds left in the second, Worthy threw a touchdown pass to Meadows, closing the first half with Horseshoe Bend leading 13-0. The Generals continued to charge in the second half as
Horseshoe Bend’s Braxton Walls intercepted a Woodland pass in the third quarter and returned it 34 yards for the touchdown with 7 minutes left on the clock. Grant Taylor kicked the extra point, extending Horseshoe Bend’s lead over a still scoreless Woodland to 20-0 at the end of the quarter. In the final quarter of the game, Woodland managed to score one touchdown with 3 minutes left in the game, as well as a 2-point conversion. But their efforts were futile as Horseshoe Bend answered with not one, but two touchdowns and an extra point in the fourth quarter. Those came when Hill opened the fourth quarter with a 60-yard rush for the touchdown and Taylor followed with the extra kick. Before the game ended, Meadows made his final TD of the night with a 4-yard run. When the dust settled, See GENERALS • Page 15
OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
2016 SPORTS EXTRA
11
Sidney Lanier 26, Stanhope Elmore 20
Corey Arwood/ For The Wetumpka Herald
Stanhope Elmore quarterback Tripper Warlick fires a pass downfield in the last drive for the Mustangs during Friday’s game.
Mustangs, Poets clash in region battle By Corey Arwood The Wetumpka Herald
Temperatures fell but tempers flared as the Stanhope Elmore Mustangs battled the Sydney Lanier Poets in a knockdown drag-out flagflying free-for-all of a game that carried heavy weight for the playoffs, but ended in a close loss of 26-20 for the Mustangs. The first quarter of the game could have passed for a stalemate between equally opposing forces. But early in the second, the Poets took a lead they would barely keep throughout the game. It was by no means a definite lead, despite the times Sydney Lanier High School was up by three touchdowns and all seemed lost for The Mustangs. Within a few plays though they had bounced back were within strik-
ing distance of a few points to make it a game. That pace kept up throughout all four quarters. The first quarter closed out 0-0, the second 20-7. In the last minute of the second quarter a completed pass to #9 Martin closed with a 26-yard touchdown. But the Poets followed the Mustang upswing, and in the last 30 seconds of the half managed a decisive touchdown. It wasn’t over, though and SEHS gunned their way through a few plays with gains of positive yards. And on their last 5 seconds made a 15-yard play and a first down to close the half. That was the entire game. But the third quarter was a freefor-all of personal fouls, unsportsmanlike conduct, yellow flags and 15-yard giveaways by the Poets that
walked SEHS right into the Lanier end zone. It was technically less than 30 seconds into the quarter, but roughly five minutes worth of time had been devoted to the referees attempts to figure our who had fouled whom. It worked out for the Mustangs though, and brought them within that illusive striking distance they would encroach on repeatedly throughout the night. After both teams had regained their cool, The Poets gained another six points, their last of the night with 6-minutes left in the fourth quarter. The SEHS defense never let up throughout the night, and the more heated the tempers became the more intensely they seemed to push the Poets back. A series of fumbles nearly added insult to injury for the Mustangs, after a series of positive gains in the last remaining minutes of the game,
while they were down 26-14 in the fourth quarter. But they managed to recover by forcing a fumble from the Poets on the very next play. And with six seconds left in the fourth quarter the Mustangs fell just inside the end zone bringing the score to it’s final 26-20. Even though it was playoff-determining game, Coach Mike Dean kept calm, positive and looked to the future, and the “real season.” “We Got Selma on a short week, we go to work, the sun’s going to come up, you don’t feel sorry for yourself you can’t whine and complain, the key is for me it’s unfinished business we’re going to go to work next week, we’re going to get better, get these seniors out on a winning note, and then I’m going to give them a week off and the real season begins the week after,” said Dean.
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OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
2016 SPORTS EXTRA
Football Statewide scores AHSAA interclass
Pike County 54, Goshen 13 Ramsay 23, Smiths Station 0 Verbena 54, Autaugaville 0 Bullock County @ Abbeville B.T. Washington @ Chilton County
7A
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Auburn 28, Jeff Davis 21 Baker 42, Foley 14 Bob Jones 43, Buckhorn 26 Central-Phenix City 58, Prattville 3 Davidson 41, Murphy 14 Fairhope 31, Alma Bryant 12 Gadsden City 48, Huntsville 21 Hewitt-Trussville 21, James Clemens 20 Hoover 20, Thompson 0 McGill-Toolen 43, Theodore 7 Mountain Brook 24, Huffman 17 Spain Park 23, Oak Mountain 20 Sparkman 42, Grissom 0 Vestavia Hills 41, Tuscaloosa County 0
6A
Albertville 42, SouthsideGadsden 28 Austin 20, Athens 13 Baldwin County 28, LeFlore 20 Bessemer City 47, Brookwood 13 Carver-Montgomery 35, Russell County 21 Chelsea 51, Helena 23 Cullman 34, Brewer 14 Daphne 41, Robertsdale 7 Decatur 23, Muscle Shoals 22 Dothan 21, Northview 20 Fort Payne 23, Pell City 21 Gardendale 54, Center Point 26 Hazel Green 28, Florence 14 Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 59, Selma 14 Hueytown 15, Homewood 10 Jackson-Olin 31, Parker 21 Minor 60, Walker 42 Opelika 35, Pelham 17 Park Crossing 56, ClayChalkville 17 Pinson Valley 21, CarverBirmingham 14 Sidney Lanier 26, Stanhope Elmore 20 Spanish Fort 31, B.C. Rain 20 Wetumpka 41, Benjamin Russell 14
5A
Alexandria 36, Crossville 14 Boaz 42, Douglas 0 Briarwood Christian 12, Pleasant Grove 7 Brooks 16, East Limestone 15 Calera 43, Marbury 0 Carroll 35, Greenville 15 Charles Henderson 37, Headland 20 Dallas County 23, CentralTuscaloosa 11 Demopolis 56, Jemison 7 Eufaula 28, Rehobeth 7 Fairfield 37, Moody 30 Fairview 21, Springville 17 Guntersville 14, Arab 9 Jackson 27, Citronelle 10 Mae Jemison-Huntsville 34, Lawrence County 21
Mortimer Jordan 60, Hayden 36 Russellville 40, Ardmore 17 Scottsboro 56, Etowah 26 Shelby County 50, Woodlawn 34 St. Paul’s 48, Faith Academy 21 Sylacauga 27, Cleburne County 22 West Point 47, Curry 12
4A
Anniston 27, Oneonta 17 Ashville 35, White Plains 21 Bibb County 53, Sipsey Valley 22 Cherokee County 35, Jacksonville 21 Dale County 28, Ashford 27 Danville 51, Priceville 7 Dora 28, Good Hope 7 Haleyville 38, Fayette County 0 Handley 47, Holtville 34 Leeds 49, Munford 25 Madison Academy 54, DAR 14 Madison County 51, Westminster Christian 21 Montgomery Catholic 29, Alabama Christian 3 Northside 35, Oak Grove 14 Randolph 28, Sardis 27 Rogers 10, Wilson 3 Saks 34, Hokes Bluff 28 St. James 33, Trinity Presbyterian 21 Tallassee 56, Elmore County 22 Thomasville 35, Satsuma 27 UMS-Wright 42, Monroe County 0 West Blocton 77, Holt 22 West Limestone 26, Deshler 19 Winfield 14, Hamilton 7
3A
Bayside Academy 44, Flomaton 24 Beulah 34, B.B. Comer 20 Central-Coosa 33, Southside-Selma 18 Clements 13, Elkmont 7 East Lawrence 30, Colbert Heights 24 Fultondale 33, Locust Fork 0 Geraldine 21, North Sand Mountain 14 Gordo 47, Greene County 0 Holly Pond 27, Vinemont 22 J.B. Pennington 37, Susan Moore 6 Lauderdale County 39, Colbert County 7 Mobile Christian 27, Cottage Hill Christian 0 Montevallo 49, Carbon Hill 0 Montgomery Academy 28, Prattville Christian 16 Oakman 27, American Christian 14 Ohatchee 40, Glencoe 7 Opp 32, Daleville 29 Plainview 20, New Hope 0 Providence Christian 41, Houston Academy 7 Randolph County 28, Walter Wellborn 27 Slocomb 47, Straughn 27 T.R. Miller 49, Clarke County 35 Weaver 44, Pleasant Valley 0 West Morgan 17, Lexington 7 Wicksburg 29, Geneva 28
2A
Aliceville 54, Billingsley 29 Cleveland 28, Cold Springs 0 Collinsville 32, Section 0 Elba 48, Zion Chapel 21 Fyffe 56, Gaston 14 G.W. Long 41, Cottonwood 13 Geneva County 48, Barbour County 19 Ider 34, Westbrook Christian 26 Keith 34, Thorsby 12 LaFayette 66, Lanett 26 Leroy 40, J.U. Blacksher 28 Luverne 46, CentralHayneville 16 Mars Hill Bible 28, Hatton 6 New Brockton 57, Calhoun 0 Ranburne 41, Vincent 19 Red Bay 30, Phil Campbell 13 Samson 28, Ariton 17 Sand Rock 42, Asbury 12 Southern Choctaw 44, Chickasaw 0 St. Luke’s 41, Choctaw County 0 Sulligent 35, Lamar County 21 Tanner 42, Falkville 16 West End 73, Winston County 28
1A
Brantley 63, McKenzie 7 Cedar Bluff 29, Spring Garden 24 Cherokee 41, Waterloo 20 Decatur Heritage 42, Lynn 26 Gaylesville 50, Jacksonville Christian 24 Georgiana 43, Houston County 24 Hackleburg 45, Shoals Christian 18 Hubbertville 40, Brilliant 8 Kinston 50, Florala 24 Linden 61, J.F. Shields 0 Maplesville 43, Loachapoka 0 Marengo 78, McIntosh 12 Marion County 33, Holy Spirit Catholic 7 Millry 30, A.L. Johnson 8 Notasulga 54, Highland Home 7 Pickens County 61, Berry 14 Pleasant Home 45, Red Level 40 R.A. Hubbard 32, Southeastern 23 Ragland 49, Appalachian 28 Sumiton Christian 53, Meek 32 Sweet Water 60, Fruitdale 0 Tharptown 27, Vina 26 Wadley 61, Donoho 16 Winterboro 48, Victory Christian 32 Woodville 12, Coosa Christian 6
AISA
Autauga Academy 41, Escambia Academy 34 Bessemer Academy 48, Edgewood Academy 6 Chambers Academy 50, Abbeville Christian 37 Clarke Prep 43, Pickens Academy 37 Cornerstone Christian 42, Coosa Valley Academy 14 Fort Dale Academy 35, Hooper Academy 17 Glenwood 48, Springwood 28 Lakeside School 22, Evangel ChristianMontgomery 19
OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
13
2016 SPORTS EXTRA
Coosa Central 33, Southside 18
Cougars take homecoming victory over Southside
By CATHY HIGGINS Sports Editor
Central Coosa had a doubly good night Friday with a 33-18 homecoming win over region opponent SouthsideSelma, thus securing a spot in the Class 3A post-season playoffs. Leading the Cougars to victory was senior quarterback Raymond Graham, who scored four touchdowns, rushed 140 yards on 20 carries and made two passes for 26 yards. The Cougars staked their claim early in the game by snatching the ball from the Panthers’ possession when Central Coosa senior J.T. Hill made an interception at the Southside-Selma’s 10-yardline and returned it for the touchdown with 10:21 left in the first quarter. Graham followed it up with a 2-point conversion for lead of 8-0. Just over the halfway mark into the first quarter, Southside-Selma answered with their own score when an 8-play drive set sophomore Malik Johnson up to rush 16 yards for the touchdown with 5:24 left in the quarter. But perhaps it was a sign of things to come when the Panthers’ attempt to tie with a 2-point conversion fell short and they only succeeded in narrowing Central Coosa’s lead by 2 points. However, the Cougars widened the gap again late in the second quarter when a sixplay drive enabled Graham to make his second touchdown of the night with a 32-yard rush with 3:29 left in the first
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Coosa’s Donta Daniel brings down Southside Selma’s Christopher Edwards Friday night. Daniel had an interception that he returned for a touchdown as well.
half, which he supplemented with his second 2-point conversion for a 16-6 lead over the Panthers. The Cougars aimed to maintain dominance early in the second half. Their first possession was a 9-play drive that set Graham up for his third touchdown with an 8-yard rush with 9:06 left. The 2-point conversion widened Central Coosa’s lead to 24-6.
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But Southside-Selma came back fighting, even with the paltry support of only 18 folks in the vistors’ stands. The Panthers made back-to-back touchdowns late in the quarter. First came senior Christopher Edwards’ 4-yard touchdown with 3:18 left in the quarter. Next, junior Edward Moore regained possession from the kickoff. This set Edwards up for another score with a
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16-yard run with 2:50 left, narrowing Central Coosa’s lead to 24-18. But the Cougars sealed the deal in the fourth quarter with two final scores. The first one came after a 7-play drive sent the Central Coosa to a fourth down at the 10-yardline, which set junior Louis Dill up to make a field goal with 4:05 left on the clock. Next, an interception after the
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kickoff set a drive up to enable Graham to once again score. This time from the 4-yardline with 2:11 left in the game, Friday’s 33-18 win brings Central Coosa’s season record to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the region. The impact of the night sent the excited Cougars dousing head coach Barry Simmons with a bucket of ice. “It was a good win,” See COOSA • Page 14
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OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
2016 SPORTS EXTRA
Coosa
continued from page 13
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Above, Chanel Ellington stands with her father Bernard for photographs after being named homecoming queen. Right, the Cougars’ Raymond Graham runs against Southside.
Simmons said as the Central Coosa High band played the school’s alma mater in the background. “We knew it was going to be tough. We knew they weren’t going to quit. We’re really proud of how we played. We played for four quarters. I’m proud of how they played with effort. It’s fun when they play like this and get to reap the benefits.
“I’m really proud of the kids, the coaches and the community,” Simmons added. “I’m really proud of everybody.” Meanwhile, Southside-Selma falls to 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the region. Central Coosa closes its regular season next week at home by hosting Childersburg. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Friday at Keith Bullard Stadium.
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2016 SPORTS EXTRA
Generals
continued from page 10
Kenneth Boone / The Outlook
Horseshoe Bend’s Joseph Hill has plenty of blocking from in his teammates. With the win the Generals make the playoffs for the first time in recent memory.
Horseshoe Bend had dominated the night. Thursday’s win brings the Generals’ season to 6-3 overall and 4-3 in the region. They close out the regular season next
week at home as Horseshoe Bend hosts Wadley. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Thursday at Battle Stadium. Franklin is bracing the Generals to take on their last foes of the regular season next Thursday.
“They’re undefeated and this will be tremendously challenging,” he said. “This will be a good test before the playoffs.”
Reeltown
were piecemealed (together) on defense. But our guys hung in there and did their best. I’m proud of them. “These guys never gave up. They kept trying to score points. We’re going to put together a good game plan, and we’re going to come back here next week to play (B.B.) Comer … We’re going to end this thing for our seniors with a W. They’ve won more ballgames at Fayetteville than any group of seniors ever, so we’re going to end this thing on a good note with them.” Reeltown leapt to 13-0, first-quarter lead courtesy of a 69-yard touchdown run by Trakevon Hughley and a 57-yard dash by quarterback Jamon Matthews. But Fayetteville’s battered defense produced the first points for the Wolves after forcing Reeltown running back Cameron Faison to fumble on the final snap of the quarter. Payton McKee scooped up the loose football and returned it 41 yards to bring the Wolves within 13-6. Hughley shredded the Wolves’ defense for his second touchdown on a 66-yard run with 7:56 in the second for a 20-6 lead. Fayetteville closed the gap to 20-18 courtesy of quarterback Sam Manning, who scored once on a 2-yard sneak, and after a fortuitous fumble recovery on the ensuing kickoff by Houston Goins, hit wide receiver Bailey DeLoach on a 36-yard touchdown pass out of a fake punt formation. DeLoach limped off the field with an injury on the score, but he didn’t miss many plays. With under two minutes to play in the half and Fayetteville driving in Reeltown territory, Manning threw his second interception of the half, to Rebels defensive back Eric Shaw. Reeltown turned the turnover into points with a 7-yard run by Hughley on the final play of the first half to give the Rebels a 26-18 edge at the break. The Rebels surged into the third quarter with a trio of touchdowns – a 35-yard run and a 1-yard sneak by Matthews plus an 8-yard run by Faison – to build a stout 46-18 advantage. But the Wolves answered back with a 13-yard touchdown run by McKee and a two-point conversion run by DeLoach, who swapped positions in the lineup with Manning, to cut the lead to 46-26.
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OCTOBER 22-23, 2016
Bessemer Acad. 48, Edgewood 6
Cory Diaz/ The Wetumpka Herald
Edgewood Academy senior center Blake Walters (65), along with other offesive linemen, set up blocks earlier this season.
Bessemer coasts past ‘Cats in region contest By Corey Arwood The Wetumpka Herald
Edgewood Academy was hit with another substantial loss of 48-6 to Bessemer Academy Friday, but from the Wildcats’ coach perspective, that 6 meant more than the Rebel’s eight combined, even though it equaled disaster. Afterall, Eric Folmar said it had been the same from the start of the
season, a junior varsity team up against, as he said, up against “a really good football team.” And to add to the usually striking age, weight and height differences between EA and their opponent’s game after game, it is the team’s first year in their higher AAA ranking, he said. “It’s just the same all year,” said Folmar. But he wasn’t downtrodden by the losses.
He said they were learning, growing and getting better and with only one football player on their makeshift varsity junior-varsity team, it was about all they could do. And it was evident they were getting better he said. Put on an even playing field against players their same ages and build, Folmar said the JV team was 4-and-1 for the year. I believe so they’re experiencing things at a level they wouldn’t nor-
mally have to experience it’s a level week in and week in out they haven’t had since 2007 With things having been about as bad as they could be season-wise, Folmar said moving forward his players would only get better. “It’s good for our kids in the long run,” Folmar said. Next week spells the end of The Wildcats’ regular season, with a home-game against Fullington Academy.