Tigers, Panthers face off in rivalry showdown

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

When the Elmore County and Tallassee football teams take the field this Thursday night, all records are being thrown out the window.

Elmore County enters the rivalry game with a 4-1 overall record and a 1-1 region record while Tallassee is 2-4 this season and 0-2 in region play. The teams both play in AHSAA Class 5A, Region 4.

Tallassee started the season 2-0 but has lost four consecutive games for the first time since 2015 and only the second time under current head coach Mike Battles. It’s also the first time the Tigers have started region play 0-2 since 2011.

But despite the records, Tallassee has dominated Elmore County as of late. The Tigers have won six straight with their last loss coming in 2015. They’ve won 9 of the last 10 games and lead the overall series, 36-23-1.

With that being said, first-year head coach Kyle Caldwell knows not to look at records.

“You can throw out records any time these teams play each other,”

Caldwell said. “I’m an Auburn fan and anytime they play Alabama, they’re going to give them their best no matter what the records are. To us, they’re 6-0 right now. They play very physical at the