Trinity players Josh Watkins, Weston Epperson and Clay Finkelstein look on as Randy Ragsdale addresses the media during Wednesday’s Champions Challenge press conference. (Staff Photo)

Staff Report
(August 12, 2010)

It is somewhat different but Weston Epperson isn’t complaining.

The Trinity senior receiver has been a part of plenty of the Wildcats’ jamborees over the last few years, most of them on their home field. But this year, he and the seniors get a special treat.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said during Wednesday’s Champions Challenge press conference at the AHSAA central office.

“The atmosphere is a little different but it is exciting to know that we will be a part of this.”

Randy Ragsdale gave his seniors the choice to participate in the fifth-annual event which features three preseason games at Cramton Bowl. The Wildcats will face last year’s Class 4A runner-up Jackson on Saturday, Aug. 21 at 5 p.m.

“They were empowered,” Ragsdale said. “They were the first people I went to and asked about it.”

The answer was an emphatic “yes.” Many of the players will play for the first time in the Bowl, unless they were part of a YMCA team.

“Back in the day, that’s where you wanted to play once you grew up. It will be a big crowd so it should be exciting,” wideout Clay Finkelstein said.

If River Region football fans needed any other encouragement to attend, consider the matchup of brothers who prepped at Robert E. Lee High School.

Ben Blackmon will bring the Greenville Tigers to Montgomery to face Opelika and brother Brian on Friday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. The two have never met as head coaches although the two attempted to set up a preseason game a year ago only to have it rained out.

“This is all about brotherly love,” Ben Blackmon said. “I’m sure when people watch they will see two teams that look almost identical. They may be a little bit bigger, little bit faster and a little bit stronger but we’ll give it our best shot.”

The brothers both played for former Lee coach Spence McCracken. Both coached for the Hall of Famer. Brian took over the Opelika program from McCracken in 2009.

“You’ll see a lot of familiarity in what we do compared to what Spence ran,” Brian Blackmon said. “I learned from a lot of good people but he had the most influence on what I have done, both on and off the field.”

The third game features two Class 6A teams looking to break through the Hoover-Prattville championship barrier. Spain Park will play Auburn to close out the Challenge on the evening of Saturday, Aug. 21.

“We’ll count the game on our record if we win but not if we lose,” Auburn coach Tim Carter said with a grin. “Our kids are excited about the opportunity to play in an atmosphere such as this.”

Tickets are available through the AHSAA office.