Dixie will face early test

By Andy Brown

Published: June 23, 2008

Dixie head coach Mack Williams has looked at his team’s schedule.

It is, however, the least of his worries.

“Our biggest concern is that we need a few more Johnny’s and Joe’s,” Williams said. “We’re just going to be mighty slim with our numbers again this year. It looks like we’re only going to have about 14 or 15 kids on the varsity team. We’ll have our hands full trying to compete, but we’re going to go out there and give it all we’ve got.”

Dixie, which has earned back-to-back playoff appearances since Williams returned as head coach in 2006, will open the season with longtime rival Lakeside Aug. 29 in Louisville. Williams figures it will be a stiff challenge for his team, which must replace AISA all-star Clark Cole.

“Whenever Lakeside and Dixie get together that’s always a tough game,” Williams said in an earlier interview with the Eufaula Tribune. “We’re going to find out real early what kind of team we’ve got. I know Coach Tom (Clements) is going to have his guys ready to play. I’m just thankful we’ve got them down here. We’d like to believe that gives us a little bit of an advantage, but the bottom line is we’re going to have to come out ready to play.”

The Rebels, who posted a 3-8 mark in 2007, will face another stiff test in the second week of the season when they hit the road for a showdown with Cornerstone Christian – the first of eight straight region contests.

Last season the Chargers finished with an 8-4 mark.

The following week, Dixie will host Lyman Ward Military Academy in the first of back-to-back home games. The Fighting Rangers finished the 2007 season with a 2-6 record.

Sept. 19, Dixie will face off with Coosa Valley, a 2-7 team in 2007, in Harpersville. The next week, the Rebels will travel to Ashford for a matchup with Ashford Academy. The Falcons were 2-8 last season.

Dixie will then travel to Lafayette for a showdown with Chambers, which dropped from Class AA to Class A. Chambers finished its 2007 slate with a 3-7 record.

Things get considerably tougher the following week when Dixie plays host to traditional power Crenshaw Christian Oct. 10.

“They’re always tough,” Williams said. “They’ve been one of the top teams in Class A for years.”

The Cougars finished 2007 with a 10-1 mark.

After an open date on Oct. 17, the Rebels will visit Abbeville for a game against Abbeville Christian on Oct. 24 and will close out the regular season Oct. 31 at home against South Montgomery County Academy.

The Generals were 2-8 in 2007, while the Raiders were 3-7 last season.

“Having as few players as we do, it’s going to be a tough for us, but we’re going to do the best we can do, and try and win a few more games than we have the past couple of years,” Williams said.