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PAGE 6A October 2023 PAGE 6B August 2024
Fyffe Red Devils Move Up To Class 3A
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Over the past several years the Fyffe High School football program has been one of the most dominate teams in the State of Alabama. Last year, the Red Devils’ program rolled up a total of 691 points on offense, finished the season with a perfect region record, and won the Class 2A State Football Championship, which marked the second consecutive state crown for Fyffe. “We try to be happy when it’s time to be happy
and go to work, when it’s time to go work,” commented Fyffe Head Coach Paul Benefield. With the start of the 2024 football season just around the corner, it is time for the Red Devils to go to work and begin their quest for a third straight state championship. “I think that all of our guys are bigger, faster, and stronger. Which is a good thing,” said Benefield. Another positive aspect of this year’s program is its leadership, which as of the 2024 DeKalb County Media
Day included 12 seniors. This year’s senior class has been the “foundation” of the Red Devils program for the past couple of years. “They have just been a really good group to coach,” added Benefield. Although Fyffe’s Coach, as well as the community, are proud of the effort and hard work of all the student-athletes involved in the Red Devils program, one 2024 senior that has been a recent topic of conversation is standout Logan Anderson. Anderson recently
committed to continue his career next year at Clemson University. We’re real proud of him and all he has accomplished.” Nothing seems to go to his head,” said the Red Devils coach. “If you work hard every year, you get better,” added Benefield. The Red Devils will need to continue working hard and improving each week in order to reach the playoffs and have an opportunity to play in the AHSAA Class 3A State Championship. Yes, you
read that correctly. It will be 3A this fall because the program moved up from Class 2A to Class 3A Region 8 this year. As of the 2024 Media Day, the Red Devils only had nine games on the schedule, but Benefield said he was still trying to find a tenth game for the upcoming season. “We start with Pisgah (August 29) and Collinsville (September 6), which is two of the better teams around,” added Benefield about the program’s first two away games of the season.
“We got to be ready to go from the first kickoff,” he said. Fyffe’s remaining schedule includes several familiar foes, along with a few new faces. The Red Devils 2024 football schedule includes Asbury (September 13), at Brindlee Mountain (September 20), at Coosa Christian (Thursday, September 26), Sylvania (October 4), at Whitesburg Christian (October 11), Holly Pond (October 18) and DeKalb County rival Geraldine (October 25).
Photo Courtesy Cheryl Boydston
Ider Football Moves Down To Class 1A
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger The 2024 football schedule for the Ider Hornets may look a little different this fall, as the program is moving from Class 2A to Class 1A Region 8. “We’re excited to get started this year,” commented Ider Head Coach Chad Grant. “It’s been a good summer,” he said, noting that he is really pleased with the “effort and attitude” that his players have shown. Despite a good summer and moving down to Class 1A, Ider still has some challenges to overcome this season. The Hornets are in a rebuilding year and the program does not have a lot of depth. “We're going to be young,’ commented Grant. Ider will field two seniors, three juniors, ten
Photo Courtesy Cheryl Boydston
sophomores, and twelve freshmen. “I am sure these guys are going to make mistakes being young, but you know what, that’s ok as long as they play hard. Because if you play hard, you can overcome mistakes.” Ider will open the season with three straight road games, starting with Section on August 23. The Hornets will travel to
North Sand Mountain on Thursday, August 29, before opening up Region action on Friday, September 6 at Woodville. “It is going to be important for us to come out and make a good showing in those first three ball games,” said Grant, noting Section and North Sand Mountain are both big rivalry games. “My number one goal
remaining schedule is going to be a challenge. “Have you seen our region,” said Grant. “It’s not like I won the lottery.” In addition to Woodville, Ider’s other Class 1A Region 8 games include: Valley Head (September 13), at Appalachian (September 20), Gaylesville (October 4), at Spring Garden (October 18), and Ragland
(October 25).
is I want these kids to go out and hit people in the mouth for four quarters and play until that whistle blows and play hard. And that’s all I expect. “Win or lose I can live with that,” commented Grant. “I can’t live without going out there and playing hard.” Playing hard may be the key to a successful season as the Hornets’
Ider will also play a non-region game against West End on October 11. The Hornets 2024 regular season will conclude with a home non-region game against Gaston on November 1. “Our schedule really gets tougher toward the end,” added Grant. “It’s going to be a fight every Friday night.”
Photo Courtesy Cheryl Boydston
Photo Courtesy Cheryl Boydston
2024 Ider Cheerleaders
2024 Fyffe Marching Band
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