First region game should be tough test for rebuilding Selma football team

By George L. Jones

The Selma Times-Journal

One down, nine to go.

That’s the way the Selma football team is looking at things.

After introducing themselves to the 2006 season in a very boisterous way this past Friday, the Saints are preparing for the long haul and what should be a tough region schedule.

Tonight’s opponent, Jeff Davis, fell just outside of the Alabama Sports Writers Association top 10 at No. 14 with 10 votes.

But Selma is looking at other numbers than the ones in polls.

“I’ve got a good feeling about this game against Jeff Davis,” Selma coach Brian Montgomery said.

He also isn’t worried about the short week before the contest. The Volunteers, after all, are subject to the same disadvantage.

As far as the rankings, Montgomery figures his players are split on how many of them pay any attention.

“Some do, some don’t,” he said. “We’ve gotten all the practice in this week that we need. The coaches did a great job preparing us for Jeff Davis. Last year, they slipped away from us because we pretty much beat ourselves. They scored 21 points off tipped passes.”

The Saints posted a 42-point shutout of cross-county rival Southside Friday night, but Montgomery said there were lots of things about that game that were cosmetic.

They will have to improve a lot to beat what will be a solid opponent this week.

“Our (defensive) alignment was horrible,” Montgomery said. “Our quarterback may have looked good to the fans, but his reads weren’t that good. The blocking also needs to improve, and the running backs missed a couple of cuts that could have gotten them extra yardage down the field.”

The defensive backfield may be the biggest concern for the Saints. They weren’t really tested that much last game, but that will change.

“The cornerbacks are going to have to be really, really precise about their judgment of the ball,” Montgomery said.