Tigers, Rebels poised for long postseason run

By Dusty Harper (Contact) | Alex City Outlook

Published Tuesday, November 3, 2009

As we roll into November, playoff football is here and two teams from Tallapoosa County have a great chance to be alive late in the month and possibly even December.

The Dadeville Tigers and Reeltown Rebels both finished the regular season at 9-1. Reeltown went undefeated in Class 2A, Region 3 to secure its 19th region title in school history, while the Tigers were runners-up in Class 3A, Region 3 behind top-ranked Trinity.

Both teams enter the postseason on a roll to say the least. The Rebels won the last nine games of the year, all by at least 22 points. The Reeltown defense shut out five opponents in a row at one point and six of the last seven. Reeltown allowed 51 total points, the fewest amount in all of Class 2A.

Linebacker Shaquille Roberson led the way defensively for Reeltown. The junior accounted for 104 tackles, 12 sacks and 2 interceptions this season. Nelson Robinson has snatched 7 interceptions to anchor the secondary.

Dadeville is currently riding a six-game winning streak. After a loss to Trinity, the Tigers have put up 5 touchdowns or more every week. Quarterback Kyle Caldwell and all-purpose player Clint Westbrook have lit up opposing defenses during this streak.

Caldwell has completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,176 yards, 12 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions in the last six games. In the same stretch, Westbrook has averaged 10 yards per carry on 47 attempts and scored 11 rushing touchdowns. He’s also been a huge threat as a receiver and out of the Wildcat formation, which has been very effective for Dadeville.

Reeltown’s offense has flourished, too. The Rebels average 34 points per game, thanks mainly to 40 total rushing touchdowns. Willie McKenzie (804 yards, 13 TD), Ki-shawn Powell (522 yards, 7 TD) and Trey McKeithen (494 yards, 8 TD) have done most of the damage.

Both teams have players that have been in this situation before, which is another advantage. In 2008, Dadeville won a playoff game for the first time in eight years, while Reeltown advanced out of the first round for the first time in four years. Both teams missed the playoffs in 2007.

The road won’t be easy for either team. Dadeville should have an advantage in round one at home against 7-3 West Blocton, but the Tigers could have to face a pair of nine-win teams (Cordova and Trinity) in rounds two and three.

Reeltown could potentially face the No. 1 and 2 teams in the state (Pickens County and Leroy) in rounds three and four. The Rebels were fourth in the polls before last week, but the top three teams all lost, so Jackie O’Neal’s team may be the top-ranked in the final poll, which comes out today.

The race to the Super Six at Bryant-Denny Stadium next month will be news across Alabama. With the way they’re playing, Dadeville and Reeltown are in prime position to stay in those headlines for weeks to come.

Dusty Harper is the sports editor of The Outlook.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---