High School Sports

It's football season again.

Those four words, for so many, mean so much — especially in this state.

Granted, I'm an out-of-towner, and I'm not converting over.

See, I'm always going to be a city boy regardless of my current zip code, and despite the fact that my father is straight from "The Dec" (that's Decatur).

I'm not a college football fanatic either, though I do have a team I've followed since childhood (that's Florida State). However, you won't ever see me in the streets decked out in garnet and gold paraphernalia. I just like the football team, nothing more, nothing less. I graduated from A&M. That's Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (read: The Real A&M), a school where you're more popular on campus if you pledged a frat than if you're starting at running back.

That's why I have no problem being completely objective when it comes to covering the local preps scene, because I don't have any allegiances to any of the schools in The Star's coverage area.

Being from Florida puts me behind the 8-ball at times when it comes to having a grasp of the historical implications of certain storylines. For example, if I hadn't done my homework, Anniston and Oxford not playing each other in 2007 wouldn't have registered as colossal on my scale. But in another sense, I think that the bliss that comes along with such ignorance allows me to approach my beat with a fresh perspective that isn't jaded by said history.

Dealing with claims of bias from parties with vested interests is part a reporter's job, right along with conducting interviews and writing stories. It's what makes journalism jump more than your average desk gig. No two days are truly alike.

One day a proud mama or poppa is calling to tell you they thought you did a great job and they're adding the story you wrote to little Johnny or Jill's scrapbook to be reminisced over for a lifetime. Hey, sounds corny, but it happens.

But the next day a grown man with a wife, children and a career decides to dedicate a portion of his morning to call you — a guy who's two years out of college and who still has to resort to eating Ramen noodles from time to time — to tell you he thinks you "stink" (and worse) before you even get into work. Don't doubt that has happened.

But that's the enduring thing that I appreciate about the people around these parts — passion. You all care, and you care deeply. Whether you love it or hate it, I know you're going to let me know how you feel, and that's to be respected. Indifference doesn't move units, and your boy has to eat.

It's round two and it's been quite the ride. You know how it goes: For the next 10 months, I'll do my best to hit the public with this notes column. The Bird's Word picks contest is back (be easy on me folks), and of course there'll be plenty of features, previews and game stories.

Let's get it on.

• GETTING THROUGH IT: Former Woodland star Kaleb Futral arrived on campus at Huntington College on Aug. 13 to continue his football career. With a particularly noticeable smile and peaceful look upon his face, a fellow freshman sat across from him as he filled out his NCAA paperwork.

The next day at practice that teammate, Sam Collins, told one of the Hawks' coaches he didn't feel well. The coach sent the defensive lineman from Flomaton to the trainer, who recommended he go to the hospital. One day later, Aug. 15, Collins was dead.

"It was a shocker," said Futral, who'll see time mostly on special teams. "It was real crazy because at first nobody knew who he was so nobody knew what to do. Everybody was confused."

The team attended Collins' funeral Saturday.

"It was so sad to see his family," Futral said. "Your kid goes off to school and two days later he's dead. It's been hard to move on. The team talked and everybody just said you can't take today or tomorrow for granted. I think coach (Mike) Turk said it best. 'We're not going to get over it, but we have to get through it."

• THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Four Calhoun County schools just couldn't wait for Friday to play their opener. Anniston and Alexandria will clash at Lou Scales Stadium down in the Valley. Anniston, down from Class 5A, is coming off of a 20-0 skunking of Carver of Montgomery in its jamboree this past Friday at home. Alexandria is looking to improve, following a rare first-round playoff exit in 2007, this season.

Saks and Wellborn will rekindle their rivalry Thursday night, too. Wellbornwill travel to take on the Wildcats. Saks, which reached the second round of the playoffs last year, should be the favorite on paper. But so was Alexandria when the Valley Cubs put their No. 3 ranking in state and undefeated record up against the scrappy Panthers last season. This one could be interesting.

• MORE JAMBOREE SCORES: Randolph County Hosting: Piedmont 31, Randolph County 20; Cedar Bluff Hosting: Cedar Bluff 13, Wellborn 6; Wellborn 7, Sand Rock 7; Gaylesville 13, Donoho 0; Spring Garden 6, Gaylesville 6; Spring Garden 13, Glencoe 7.

• BOBO SIGNS: Former Oxford softball standout Allie Bobo recently signed a full scholarship to play at Auburn University at Montgomery.

The 2006 Oxford graduate spent the past two seasons at Central Alabama Community College. While at CACC, she was a first and second-team All-Alabama Community College Conference selection in 2007 and 2008, and was an All-ACCC Tournament selection in 2008.

Bobo was an All-Central Division team selection her freshman and sophomore seasons. She led the ACCC in home runs in 2008, and was second in 2007 when she took home conference tournament MVP honors. She finished her career with a .369 batting average, 21 home runs, 22 doubles, 86 RBIs and 102 runs scored.

This spring will mark AUM's first softball team.