Alabama on National Stage

ESPN2 is in Alabama to broadcast a game tonight at 8:00pm central standard time, but it is not for a collegiate affair. They will broadcast one of the most anticipated rivalries in the state, Daphne Trojans (5-0; 2-0) and Foley (5-0; 3-0).

The 6A classification Region 2 match-up is not an old storied rivalry, but it is heated. This game decided the region winner in 2006 (Daphne) in a 42-41 see-saw game with the sure victor turning into a pumpkin before the clock reached midnight. It also resulted in the runner-up pulling the short straw as they were the first to face the undefeated and eventual state champs Prattville.

Daphne has won this matchup every year since 1998. Foley took the contest from 1993-1997. Will a new name sit atop the region leader board or will Daphne extend their streak?

History and Coaches:

Daphne started their program in 1989. They have played 208 games with a 141-67 record. Since 2000 the school has prospered in the talent rich ground of the Mobile area. Daphne has tallied 85 wins versus 16 losses during this time.

Coach Steve Savarese was the coach at Daphne from 1998-2003 and compiled a 70-11 record for a cumulative record of 286-80. Glenn Vickery has continued to nurture that success since 2004 when he left neighboring school Davidson. Vickery has a 39-10 record since taking the Trojans' coaching position.

The Trojans won a state title in 2001 under Savarese and were state championship runner-up in 2000, 2003 also under Savarese. Again in 2005 they were runner-up in Coach Vickery's second season.

By comparison, the Foley Lions have been around longer (1924), but have no state titles in their possession despite having a 23-game win streak from 1960-1962. Before the playoff system the sportswriters chose the state champion, and the Lions were overlooked for their two perfect seasons 1961-62 in favor of Sidney Lanier (9-1) and Cullman (10-0).

Foley High School Alum Kenny Stable would see this happen again while at the University of Alabama in 1966.

The Lions have played 793 games through the years with a record of 495-272-26. Coach Ivan Jones (1955-1968) was one of the most successful coaches at Foley with a 108-28-3 record.

Current Coach Todd Watson, a Baldwin county native, took over the reigns in 2005 after Lester Smith returned to coach the school from 2001-2004. Smith had his greatest success in his first run through Foley from 1969-1985. Overall Smith had a record of 127-85-2.

Watson was an assistant coach to Rush Propst at Hoover High School outside of Birmingham.

Vickery and Watson are threatening to eclipse them all. Watson is 28-4 in his two and a half year tenure.

Players:

Foley and Daphne have seen their share of talented players from quarterbacks Pat White to Stabler. Defensive linemen Kenny King and Jeremy Clark.

This year's teams may host some of the best, none more well known than Scout.com's No.1 receiver in the country, Foley senior Julio Jones (6-4, 210). The talented track and football star has a ticket to attend just about any university across the nation. Jones has not announced his college decision and will not divulge until signing day 2008.

Lions' senior defensive back Robert Lester (6-2, 205) is garnering a good deal of attention with scholarship offers from Kentucky, Mississippi State, Marshall and South Carolina. Interest is growing daily for his talent.

Foley's senior quarterback is Devin Smith. Mike Washington (6-1 180) is another senior receiver who can make big plays. If Daphne commits to defending Julio too much, senior running back Lavance Mitchell may have something to say about the outcome. Senior place kicker Trey Smith might get called upon to make a big kick.

Daphne is certainly not talent poor on the other side of the ball. In fact the argument could actually prove they have more talent across the board.

The Trojans have the talented senior running back Reggie Hunt (5-10, 185) who rushed for over 700 yards last season, but was hampered by a sore ankle early this year. Coach Vickery feels Hunt is back in fine form, and the ankle should not cause any problems in this game. Hunt committed to Auburn University in August.

Offensive lineman Teavis Durgin (6-6, 305) will open holes for Hunt, and he sits with offers to LSU, West Virginia and Tennessee.

Senior quarterback Coley White (6-1, 170) started this year after backing up Chris Lambeth last season. White has scholarship offers to Central Michigan, Georgia Tech and an opening to join brother Pat at West Virginia.

Senior defensive backs Will Stringer (5-11, 170) and Chaz Cottrell (5-8, 170) will have a tall task to monitor Mr. Jones. Prattville's Ricardo Bates (5-11) did a good job in 2006, and during the spring Opelika's K.R. Snipes (5-11) also ably handled the job. But this isn't spring scrimmage. There is a lot on the line.

The numbers:

Foley, has a 33.4 point scoring differential against opponents thus far while Daphne has a 25.6 gap.

Foley is hungry for this win after last year's heartbreak. They will have the homefield advantage, but Daphne is a very salty bunch.

Tonight's game will broadcast from Ivan Jones Stadium for the national ESPN2 audience.

ScoutSouth.com--Your source for Alabama high school football.