Alabama Ledger August 2022

PAGE 8 August 2022

Fyffe Football Moves Back To Class 2A

By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger

Tough love, hard work, and dedication are just a few of the many terms that Fyffe Head Football Coach Paul Benefield has used when talking about the Red Devils football program and players. The veteran coach believes that being hard on his players and showing them some “tough love” helps make them responsible for their actions, as well as helping them to become better individuals both on and off the playing field. Benefield wants his players to be able to strap on their boots and go to work, no matter what life brings. As far as work is concerned on the football field this fall, Benefield said that his players have spent part of their pre-season practice working to learn assignments and to be become more comfortable at each position on the field. Benefield added that this year’s team does have some experienced players returning, but not much depth. “Some experience in places we have, hopefully is going to help us,” added Benefield. Fyffe will find out just how much that experience will help the program, when the Red Devils open the 2022 season at Geraldine on August 26. It will be their first game back in Class 2A competition, after spending the past two seasons at the Class 3A level. Last fall, Geraldine snapped Fyffe’s 51 game winning streak with a 20-19 victory. The Bulldogs are one of three non-region games on the Red Devils fall slate. The other non-region games include DeKalb County foes Sylvania and Plainview. “They’re close by and as long as they want to play, we’re going to play them,” added Benefield about playing the neighboring county rivals. Fyffe is also ranked No.1 in the 2022 pre-season Class 2A Poll. The Red Devil's complete 2022 schedule is below: August 19 OPEN August 26 Fyffe at Geraldine September 2 NSM at Fyffe September 9 Fyffe at Whitesburg Christian September 16 Section at Fyffe September 23 Fyffe at Plainview September 30 Collinsville at Fyffe October 7 Fyffe at Sand Rock October 14 Fyffe at Pisgah October 21 Ider at Fyffe October 28 Sylvania at Fyffe The Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) Foundation is gearing up for the 2022 Mustang Scramble golf tournament and fundraiser. The event will be held on September 8, at Goose Pond Plantation Golf Course in Scottsboro. Tee times are at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The NACC Foundation will provide lunch for participants. “Our Foundation is such an asset to the college and our students,” stated NACC President Dr. David Campbell. “The golf tournament is one of the many ways the Foundation raises money for scholarships. Foundation Director Heather Rice and Assistant Rachael Graham direct the tournament with volunteer help from many of our staff and Presidential Hosts. You golfers out there, we would love for you to participate in a day of fun and for a good cause too!” The NACC Foundation is excited about this year’s Mustang Scramble Give-a-Way! This year’s prize is two coolers: the "BRÜTANK" 55-QUART ROLLING COOLER & "BACKTAP™" 3GAL BACKPACK COOLER. Both coolers are BruMate brand and feature the Drink Dispenser tap. For a donation of $10 for one ticket or $40 for five tickets, you can support the NACC Foundation and possibly be the proud owner of this great prize. To purchase tickets, contact Heather Rice or Rachael Graham at 256.228.6001 ext. 2301 or ext. 2391. The Give-a-Way winner will be announced on September 8 at the Mustang Scramble Tournament, and patrons do not have to be present to win. There is still time to assemble a team and register. Contact the NACC Foundation by calling 256-638-4418 ext. 2391 or ext. 2301. Interested participants may also email Heather Rice at riceh@nacc.edu or Rachael Graham at grahamr@nacc.edu to register for the tournament. All donations to the NACC Foundation are tax deductible. Funds raised by the Foundation are used to support scholarships and the mission of Northeast. For more information visit nacc.edu. Mustang Scramble

Sylvania Faces Tough Schedule By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger 2022 Fyffe Red Devils Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger

Piedmont the next week on September 2. Following a tough schedule through September and October, that includes trips to Geraldine, Pisgah, and Plainview, the Rams will close out the 2022 regular season at Fyffe on October 28. Sylvania’s complete 2022 schedule is below: August 26 Saks at Sylvania September 2 Sylvania at Piedmont September 9 Ohatchee at Sylvania September 16 Sylvania at Geraldine September 23 Sylvania at Pisgah September 30 Glencoe at Sylvania October 7 Sylvania at Plainview October 14 Hokes Bluff at Sylvania October 21 Westbrook Christian at Sylvania October 28 Sylvania at Fyffe

Following an 8-3 season last fall and a trip to the opening round of the AHSAA State Playoffs, the Sylvania Rams are hoping for another winning season under second year head football coach Tyler Vann. In 2021, the Rams finished in second place in Class 3A Region 6 with only two regular season losses. These include falling to Saks in the season opener and a three- point loss to county rival Fyffe in week four. In the state playoffs the Rams fell to the Piedmont Bulldogs, a program that eventually went on to win last fall’s Class 3A State Crown. This season Sylvania will have a chance for revenge against all three opponents, starting with a home game against Saks on August 26. The Rams will travel to

Fort Payne Moves Into New Region By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Photo Courtesy of Andy Vance 2022 Sylvania Rams The Wildcats will also have a new turf to play their home games on this fall. Fort Payne’s first home game is

The Fort Payne football program will kick off the 2022 season on August 19 against Scottsboro in the annual “Battle of the Wildcats”. Fort Payne won the match-up last year with a 28-0 victory. Fort Payne finished the 2021 season with a 6-5 overall record and earned a spot in the opening round of the AHSAA Playoff after finishing in third place in Class 6A Region 7. This year the Wildcats, under the direction of fifth year head coach Chris Elmore, will move to Class 6A Region 8. The new region opponents will include Mae Jamison, Lee Huntsville, Hazel Green, Buckhorn and Gadsden City, which moved down to 6A from 7A this year.

set for August 26 against the Etowah Blue Devils. Fort Payne’s complete 2022 schedule is below: August 19 Fort Payne at Scottsboro August 26 Etowah at Fort Payne September 2 Fort Payne at Mae Jemison September 9 Gadsden City at Fort Payne September 16 OPEN September 23 Fort Payne at Arab September 30 Lee Huntsville at Fort Payne October 7 Hazel Green at Fort Payne October 14 Fort Payne at Buckhorn October 21 Fort Payne at Athens October 28 Cherokee County at Fort Payne

2022 Fort Payne Wildcats Photo Courtesy of Mountain Valley News

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