The Sports Ledger www.TheSportsLedger.com JSU Football To Open 2025 Season in Orlando The Jacksonville State University football program will be looking to repeat as the Conference USA Champions next fall under the direction of first year Head Coach Charles Kelly. The Gamecocks will play 12-games next fall, with the 2025 schedule consisting of five home games at AmFirst Stadium and seven road games. This past December, Jax State closed out the football season with a 30-27 loss to Ohio in the Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida. This coming fall, the Gamecocks will to return to the sunshine state for the season opener. Jacksonville is set to open the Charles Kelly era on Thursday, August 28 at UCF. This game will also mark the return of UCF coach Scott Frost, who rejoined the Knights program this past December. Frost was previously at the helm of the UCF program from 2016 to 2017, before leaving Florida to coach at Nebraska. Jacksonville will return home for the program's first Conference USA game of the season on Saturday, September 6 against Liberty. "We're very excited about the 2025 football schedule," said Vice President for Athletics Greg Seitz. "Our five home games feature opponents with whom we've had some memorable battles, and these matchups will give us a great opportunity to deepen those rivalries. We can't wait to see everyone at AmFirst Stadium this fall." Jax State will be back on the road for their second non-conference game at Georgia Southern on September 13, then will host Murray State on September 20 for the lone home non-conference game of the season. This will be the 20th meeting between the Gamecocks and the Racers, a series that dates back to Jax State's time in the Ohio Valley Conference. After traveling to Southern Miss on September 27, the Gamecocks will have a bye before kicking off Weekday CUSA games in October. League play resumes on Thursday, October 9 at Sam Houston, then the Gamecocks will host new CUSA member Delaware on October 15. It will be just the third meeting all-time between Jax State and Delaware and first since the 2020 FCS Quarterfinals. Following a bye on October 21, Jax State will travel to Middle Tennessee on Wednesday October 29 in the Weekday CUSA final, followed by a trip to the Sun Bowl to take on UTEP on Saturday, November 8. Jax State hosted the Miners to open the 2023 season, marking the first Conference USA game in program history. The Gamecocks will host Kennesaw State on November 15, before traveling to FIU the following week. JSU will wrap up the regular season in a rematch of the 2024 Conference USA title game at home against Western Kentucky. Game dates are still subject to change to accommodate national television selections by CBS Sports Network and ESPN. Television selections will be made at a later date and game times are still to be determined. Deposits for 2025 season tickets are being accepted now. Season ticket holders from the 2024 season will have seats held and no deposit is necessary. Deposits will hold your place in line for the 2025 season. Sales and renewals will begin on March 3rd. A member of the ticket office staff will contact you to assist with seat selection. Single-game tickets will go on sale August 1. For more information, call 256-782-8499.
Alabama Ledger www.AlabamaLedger.com
PAGE 7 February/March 2025
Collinsville 6th Grade County Champs The Collinsville Panthers swept the 2025 4th, 5th, and 6th grade county tournaments. The Panthers won all three grade levels, including the 6th grade tournament finale. Collinsville's 6th grade girls defeated Plainview 19-12 in the championship game on Saturday, January 25. To reach the title game, the Panthers defeated Valley Head an Fyffe. Collinsville Photos By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
SIDELINE SPORTS
NICK DIXON FIELD - The Boaz City Board of Education has named the Boaz High School baseball field, in honor of former Pirates' head baseball Coach Nick Dixon. The field is now called "Nick Dixon Field." Coach Dixon was at the helm of the program from 1994-2000 and from 2004-2013. He guided the 2007 team to the state semifinals. His 2008 team made it to the state quarterfinals. Additionally, numerous players under his leadership earned college scholarships and several played professionally. MIAMI COACH STEPS DOWN – Jim Larrañaga, the all-time winningest head coach in University of Miami men’s basketball history, has stepped down. Associate Head Coach Bill Courtney was appointed Interim Head Coach. NACC NAMES SOCCER COACH - Tom Shanklin has been named as the inaugural head coach for the Northeast Alabama Community College men’s soccer program.
Collinsville 5th Grade County Champs The Collinsville 5th grade girls basketball team upset Sand Rock 23-16 to win the 2025 County Tournament on Saturday, January 25. To reach the County Championship game, Collinsville opened the tournament with a victory over Cornerstone Christian. The Panthers also picked up a win over Ider. Sand Rock rolled into the championship game with victories over Sylvania and Plainview.
Collinsville 4th Grade County Champs The Collinsville 4th grade girls No. 1 basketball team won the 2025 DeKalb County Championship with a 38-11 victory over Geraldine on Saturday, January 25. To reach the county championship game, the Panthers defeated Fyffe and Ider.
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger Geraldine 4th Grade Girls Runner-up The Geraldine 4th grade girls claimed the runner-up spot in the 2025 DeKalb County Tournament. Geraldine reached the finals by defeating Plainview and the Collinsville girls No. 2 team.
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neighbor?
Brandon Boswell h Pharmacist/Owner h 256-524-2981 “Caring for You Like Family”
I’m There
Brandon Boswell, PharmD Pharmacist/Owner
M. Chris Kuykendall
1827 Gault Ave. North Fort Payne, AL 35967
Bus: 256-845-4984 Fax: 256-845-7509
(256) 524-2981 (256) 524-2987
588 South Valley Avenue P.O. Box 498 Collinsville, AL 35961
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