New region means new challenges
Published 7:31 pm Monday, December 19, 2011
While the Saints will welcome a new group of regional opponents in 2012, the Saints will still play Southside at Memorial Stadium and take on new cross-town rival, Ellwood Christian Academy. -- File photo
While some familiar foes remain on the schedule, the Selma High School Saints football squad will see some new faces on the 2012 lineup.
The Saints were placed in Class 5A region 3, which spans from Dallas to Mobile County and includes the 2011 Class 4A state champion Jackson High School Aggies.
Head coach Leroy Miles said his team will have to make a few adjustments in scouting and travel along the way.
“The Mobile trips on a bus, you are looking at a three-hour ride so it is very possible we are going to have to leave school early,” he said. “We’ll probably have to eat a pre-game meal on the road. It’s always tough when you have to change your routine, but we are going to take on the challenge.
Aside from Selma and Jackson, the region includes Citronelle, Sumter Central, Demopolis, Satsuma, Saraland, and Greenville.
Fortunately, Miles said, the Saints will not see the true impact of travel until the 2013 season. In 2012, the Saints will play seven games within the friendly confines of Memorial Stadium. Two of the games, Southside High School and Ellwood Christian Academy, will be away games on paper. But, because the Southside rivalry is traditionally played at Memorial Stadium, and Ellwood shares the stadium for home games, the Saints will not have to leave town.
For the games that do require a three-hour ride, Miles said they will likely split the trips with a stop along the way to prevent stiffness.
“If it’s a long ride, a lot of times the kids will fall asleep and get stiff,” he said. “It’s always tough. What we will probably have to do is take a break somewhere, a rest stop or something, and stretch out.”
Overall, Miles said the region will prove tough for his team because there are so many teams that have traditionally been strong football programs.
“I think the new region is going to be very competitive, but if you are going to be the best, you have got to beat the best,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it and giving the kids a chance to play against some of the talent from the Mobile area.”
Miles said in the future he would also like to add Keith and Dallas County to the schedule.
