High School Sports

A constant refrain from Talladega County Central coach Chris Mahand has centered around the large target located on his team's collective back.

"They've got a big target on our back with having us ranked second in the state, so regardless of what the team is capable of doing we're going to get their A-game just to show the quality of team they are in beating the No. 2 team in the state," he said.

"We're definitely going to have to bring our A-game because the other teams are going to bring theirs."

That target will only grow larger as the season begins Friday — the Fighting Tigers (14-1 and defending 1A runner-up in 2007) travel to 2A Ranburne to open the season with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

"They're starting to get the concept," Mahand said Wednesday. "People in the community keep telling them what they expect — they've got big expectations for the season.

"I think the boys are starting to understand how big the target is. Other teams can make their season by beating Talladega County Central."

Practice for the opener with the Bulldogs (7-4) hasn't been easy — Mahand's Tigers didn't go outside on Monday and were outside only part of Tuesday.

"It was pretty much a steady downpour," he said. "I didn't want to risk any injuries.

"We were able to get a full day out there (Wednesday), so that's big."

The Fighting Tigers can expect a steady ground game from their opponents, one that the third-year coach says has a reputation for efficiency.

"They're always very sound," said Mahand. "They do what their coaches ask them to do and they execute very well.

"Anytime you face a team like that this early in the season, it's gonna give you problems. They won't make many mistakes, and if we make too many, that could really hurt us."

That kind of attack will test the Talladega County defense, one of the best in the state in 2007. The Fighting Tigers can do some testing of their own when they have the ball.

Senior quarterback Dion Duncan and receiver Eric Garrett figure to be big parts of the gold-and-blue attack.

"The biggest thing we have to work on right now is that experience factor," Mahand said.

"I think we have the ability to be a good football team, but we need to get some games under our belt. We didn't get the chance to play in a jamboree game last week, and that may have set us back a little."

More than anything, however, Mahand understands the Tigers' out-sized expectations.

"If you have a young coach or a building program, what better way to build yourself up than to knock off TC Central?" he said. "That target is pretty big, and everybody's going to be coming after us."