The Selma Times-Journal

Finally the monkey is off Dallas County’s back.

Now a gorilla is waiting in the shed.

One week after beating Keith for their first win of the season, the Hornets (1-4, 0-3 5A Region 3) have to take on Shelby County this Friday.

The Wildcats (3-2, 2-1) are coming off a loss to Calera and have only lost to Chilton County in region play.

DCHS coach Trey Baggett said there is nothing eye-popping about this team.

But what they do, they do well.

“They’re not huge up front, and they’re not a speedy team,” Baggett said. “They’re just a solid football team on all sides of the football.”

Shelby County runs the option out of the I formation and is solid defensively.

The Hornets will be hurt this week because of some injuries to key players, most notably starting quarterback Randal Hamilton.

“A bunch of guys are just banged up, so we’re going to be short several guys this week,” said Baggett. “Our starting offensive guard, Jeremy Ellis, is still out with a knee. Randal Hamilton has some minor injuries, so he’ll be out this week. We’re going to start Drew Blackmon, but Alex Collins could also see some time.

“You hate to have a setback at the quarterback position. I felt Randal was starting to get the handle of running the offense. We did some things well Friday night, and I hope everything else on the field keeps improving.”