SPORTS LEDGER August 2023 Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com Page 1B The
Plainview coach still on gridiron after 40 years
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger With over 20 seniors on the 2023 football team and more depth, the Fort Payne Wildcats are looking forward to getting back on the gridiron this fall. “The players enjoy being around each other and competing,” said Fort Payne head coach Chris Elmore. That’s a positive thing for the Wildcat’s program, as the 2023 schedule is loaded with competitive and tough games. “We don’t have a week off,” commented Elmore. Fort Payne finished last season in second place in Class 6A Region 8. During the regular season, the Wildcats lost two games, falling to Gadsden City and Athens. Overall, Fort Payne finished with an 8-3 record and the program reached the opening round of the Class 6A state playoffs. Elmore said that he believes this year’s program will be more focused on what they can control and do better. “We've got to be the best we can be,” added By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Hall of Fame Coach Dale Pruitt has been fortunate to spend 40 years on the gridiron as a high school football coach. “I don’t know anything else to do,” said Pruitt, noting that he really doesn’t fish, golf or hunt. “I enjoy it,” he said about coaching. Pruitt was a member of the 2022 DeKalb County Sports Hall of Fame. He started his forty-year run as the head football coach at Pisgah High School, and he has coached at Plainview, Fort Payne, Albertville, Dade County, GA and two stops at Marion County. His teams have appeared in the postseason twenty-nine times, and he has accumulated over 300 career wins. The legendary coach will be back on the gridiron for the 2023 season at Plainview High School, where he has spent the majority of his career. He has been at the helm of the Bear's program for a total of 28 years.
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Rhett Dean (#1) runs for a Boaz C-Team touchdown against the Aggies during the youth program's season opener on Saturday, August 19. Touchdown Pirates
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Plainview Coach Dale Pruitt
With over 40 players on the 2023 roster, Pruitt is “excited’ about Plainview’s upcoming season and he hopes that the Bear’s program will be successful this fall. Staying healthy, protecting the football and being able to kick the ball are some of the things he believes will be necessary for a successful season. Pruitt added that his players have worked to get
stronger, and he said the Bears have more people that can play multiple positions. Plainview will be competing in Class 3A Region 6 and will be trying to improve upon a 4-6 record last fall. Pruitt added the Bear’s schedule has not changed and it will be “competitive and tough” this fall. Plainview is set to open the 2023 season on August 25 against Priceville.
Fort Payne set to play competitive schedule
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
The Alabama Sports Writers Association has ranked Fyffe as the top preseason team in Class 2A. The Red Devils were the only unanimous No. 1 team. Fyffe finished last season with a perfect 15-0 record and the program won the Class 2A State Championship. The Red Devils will be looking to return to the state title game again this year. Fyffe opens the 2023 season against Geraldine on September 1. Fyffe Ranked No.1 in Preseason
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Head Coach Chris Elmore, along with representatives from the Fort Payne High football program, recently discussed the upcoming football season with media members.
Elmore, noting this team will go into every game expecting to win. “You want to challenge your kids weekly," he said. The Wildcats are set to open the 2023 football season with a home game against rival Scottsboro on Friday, August 25, 2023. Elmore said the battle of the Wildcats is a “big” early season game. Fort Payne is set to travel to Etowah for the second game of the season
on September 1. The Wildcats will host Mae Jemison on September 8 in the first Region game of the year. Other Class 6A Region 8 foes for 2023 include: Gadsden City, Lee Huntsville, Hazel Green and Buckhorn. Fort Payne’s other non-region games include match-ups against Arab and Athens, as well as the regular season finale on Nov. 3 at Cherokee County.
Sardis Cheerleaders Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Guntersville Cheerleaders Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
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