By: Tim Lambert
With all the worries going into this year about high school sports being played at all, it may come as a surprise to some that local teams are on the verge of winding down their regular fall seasons and preparing to start post-season play. Volleyball area tournaments began earlier this week (we’ll have those results in next month’s column) and it actually feels a little like the “real normal.”Athletes, coaches, and fans have had to approach things a little differently; but at least we’re getting our sports, and I guess that’s a win in itself. Here are local football and volleyball highlights by school:
Ardmore
The varsity and JV volleyball teams swept Mae Jemison, Lee, Clements, and St. John Paul II. The JV and middle school Lady Tigers took the Limestone County tournament championships with wins against East Limestone.
Athens Bible
The varsity volleyball team turned back Falkville and Whitesburg Christian.
Athens High
On the gridiron, the Golden Eagles defeated Hartselle (19-7) and Buckhorn (47-14). The Lady Golden Eagles beat Boaz, Brewer, Elkmont, Briarwood Christian, Hatton, West Limestone, and East Limestone in volleyball action; both varsity and JV teams got wins over Austin.
East Limestone
The varsity football team defeated Brewer (42-0) and Ardmore (45-14); the JV team stopped Ardmore (20-6); the middle school Indians posted victories over Brewer (26-10), Ardmore (28-18) and Elkmont (34-8). Wins over West Morgan, Buckhorn, and Ardmore came on the volleyball courts. The varsity Lady Indians claimed the Limestone County tournament crown, turning back Elkmont.
Elkmont
The JV football team held on to beat East Limestone (20-13).
James Clemens
On the football field, the varsity Jets knocked off Huntsville (35-14) and Briarwood Christian (41-21–after Lee was forced to cancel); Florence forfeited the next week, then they returned to action with a win over Grissom (35-14).
Lindsay Lane
Volleyball victories came against Lexington, Colbert Heights, Woodville, Oakwood Adventist Academy, Clements, and Decatur Heritage. The JV football team blanked Asbury 26-0.
Tanner
The Rattlers upended Whitesburg Christian (41-7). Varsity volleyball won against East Lawrence, Whitesburg Christian, and Oakwood Adventist Academy.
West Limestone
Varsity football wins came against West Morgan (37-15), Brooks (29-27), and Wilson (37-6); the JV team eclipsed East Limestone (18-7); the middle school Wildcats overcame Clements (32-8). On the volleyball courts, the Lady Wildcats topped Colbert Heights,
Local runners finished in the top ten in various cross country races. The ABS varsity boys placed seventh in the 1A-2A division at the Kudzu Hills Invitational, while the Lady Trojans came in third. Elkmont’s boys were ninth in 3A-4A. The Jesse Owens Classic was run over the course of two days this year, with small schools competing on day one. Lindsay Lane’s varsity boys finished sixth in 1A-2A; the Lady Lions placed fifth. The ABS boys were tenth, with the Lady Trojans fourth. West Limestone’s girls were eighth as a team. The ABS junior high boys posted a fourth place; Lindsay Lane’s Dylan Rich was tenth as an individual. At the Fairview Hay of a Run meet, the ABS varsity girls came in fourth in 1A-4A, while the varsity Trojans were eighth.
Congratulations go out to James Clemens’s Connor Legere, Lindsay Lane’s Ava Whitmire, and West Limestone’s River Helms for their commitments to take their games to the next level. Connor made a baseball commitment to Cedarville University (OH), Ava committed to Maryville College (TN) to play softball, and River committed to Georgia Tech’s football team.
By: Tim Lambert
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