The fifth annual al.com Champions Challenge Preseason Prep Football Classic will kick off the 2010 high school football season this Saturday at Montgomery. Two powerhouse schools in Spain Park and Auburn are the two teams that will square off in Class 6A. Both teams went deep into the 2009 state playoff race and hope to continue on that winning path.
Both teams were hit hard by graduation and in the skill position on offense. Auburn Head Coach Tim Carter, 40-11 overall, looks to rebuild after graduating the winningest class in Auburn High history. With 9 players moving on to play college football and the loss of 13 starters, Auburn has many question marks entering the 2010 season. There are some key contributors who return from a year ago, led by JaMichael Payne. At 6'1 330 lbs. JaMichael is the cornerstone of the Tigers defensive front, leading the Tigers in tackles in 2009. The strength defensively lies at the linebacker position where 4 players return with significant experience (Jerron Brown, Rashaad Hugley, Jadez Menifee, and Mitchell Roland). Add newcomers Winfred Caldwell and JD Woods and this is definitely the deepest position on the field. The secondary must replace two 3 year starters at the corner position and have moved Elgeronda Williams from safety to fill one of the vacancies. Rodney Joiner a returning starter at safety provides the experience to oversee a youthful secondary.
Offensively the Tigers lost all 5 starters on the offensive line along with running back Augustus Brooks and QB Calvin Jenkins (the WSFA Player of the Year). The offensive strength lies at receiver where the Tigers return starter Jason Webb and DJ Holley from the 2009 campaign. Along Rotavious Dowdell and Cody Core this position could be explosive in 2010. At RB the Tigers return Desmond Purter at the H position rounding out the returning starters. He will be joined by Junior Tamarcus Warren, Marcus Harris, and Drew Snyder. On the offensive line Caleb Peterson and Clay Machen give the Tigers to promising Juniors at the tackle positions, both have the size to be Division I players. On the interior the Tigers will be led by Senior Alex Fike at Center, Trevor Howard and Austin Gamper at Guard. Depth will be provided by a host of underclassmen led by Parker Corbin. The Quarterback position is the most critical with the loss of Jenkins and competitive of all the offensive spots with Will Campbell and Cameron Echols battling tooth and nail for the starting job.
One area the Tigers are confident in is the kicking game where Will Campbell and Mason Wachter return to handle the kicking chores. Alex Fike also returns for his 3rd year as the starting snapper.
The Spain Park Jaguars lose three running backs, a quarterback and two wide receivers from a 2009 playoff team. Junior Quarterback Reid Reinagel will lead the Jaguars offense. Reinagel didn't get much playing time last year due to injury in the first part of the schedule. Along with their inexperience, the Jaguars will have to play their first three regular season games on the road. "In the past, we haven't played well at home except for last season and played well on the road," said Jaguars Head Coach David Shores. "Our kids look forward to playing at new places and travelling is just a part of the game and I don't think it will effect us that much. Our kids are excited about going to Montgomery and playing in the Crampton Bowl along with being on TV."
The Jaguars do have experience on the offensive line and on defense. "Those are the two areas that we are going to need to lean on early in the season," added Shores. "We think we have four running backs that will play well for us. We have to get better in the kicking game though."
Game time for this preseason contest will start at 7:30 p.m.
