The Blackmon brothers, Brian (left) and Ben will bring their teams, Opelika and Greenville respectively, to Cramton Bowl on Friday for the Champions Challenge. (Staff Photo)

Staff Report
(August 16, 2010)

Dare it be said…. It’s game week in high school football.

Several schools open play this weekend, some in exhibition fashion, across the River Region. There are a handful of games in AISA that do count in the standings, including Edgewood Academy’s trip to East Memorial Christian Academy and the annual battle between Hooper Academy and Lowndes Academy.

“It’s always the biggest game on the schedule,” said  Lowndes Academy quarterback Anderson Casey, who went to Hooper until seventh grade. “That’s a rival game. Their folks and our folks kind of overlap. It’ll break up a friendship.”

Action begins on Thursday with several games including Edgewood taking on East Memorial. The Wildcats finished second in Class AA last season and have big plans again in 2010.

“The ball will not always bounce your way but you may limit the bad luck by being prepared and avoiding injuries,” Carr said. “I believe we look pretty good and our goals are set. Most teams say that want to win their region or make it to the playoffs. Our goal never changes,” Carr explained. “Our goal is to win it all.”

Several jamborees are scheduled including the fifth-annual Champions Challenge, which begins on Friday at Cramton Bowl. Brothers meet when Greenville plays Opelika. Brian Blackmon coaches the Bulldogs while Ben is the head coach at Greenville. The two prepped at Robert E. Lee High School and later coached under Spence McCracken at Opelika.

“I know there has been talk of sportsmanship but I say that’s all over in this,” Ben Blackmon said with a smile during last week’s Champions Challenge press conference. “It’s an honor to be a part and to play my brother’s team.”

Also in the Champions Challenge, Trinity will face Jackson on Saturday followed by Spain Park and Auburn. Both games are at Cramton Bowl.

Leading up to the Challenge, Lee will entertain St. Paul’s and former Lee player and coach, Jimmy Perry. It is another battle of former pupils of Spence McCracken.

“It’s going to be a special night,” Lee coach Larry Ware said. “We want as many Lee alumni to come out and enjoy the game. Hopefully we can be ready to play and keep it respectable.”

Other games this weekend include Tallassee traveling to Wetumpka, St. James hosts Holtville, Montgomery Academy visits Alabama Christian and Marbury travels to Daleville in coach James Strickland’s debut. Another debut features Mike Shatzer and Montgomery Catholic traveling to Eclectic to play Elmore County.