Pell City’s Jay Brown hopes tonight is a step back towards the ordinary.Following an incredible 2007, the Panthers (6-5 in ’07) hope to get back on the winning track tonight when they travel to take on 5A Shelby County in their season opener.
“We’re ready to go,” Pell City head coach Jay Brown said Thursday. “I think it’s time to play, time to see how people are gonna perform on the big stage.”
They’ll get a stern test from the Wildcats, who finished 6-4 in ’07 and missed the playoffs only because of an agonizing loss to rival Chelsea.
That compares similarly to the injury-plagued Panthers, who closed the ’07 season by losing four of five, including a three-week stretch in which they failed to score a point.
Things look dramatically different headed into this week’s opener after a jamboree whipping of Jacksonville.
“I thought (the jamboree) went really well,” said Brown. “We were able to play everybody the last three quarters, nobody got hurt, so it went really well.”
The first quarter-and-a-half was a dazzling show by new quarterback Elliot Wilson, who completed 17-23 passes for 160-plus yards and three touchdowns. On the receiving end of all three scores was receiver Jordan Alverson.
“Our defense did really well, too,” Brown said. “We did get beat on one play-action, but that’s going to help us.
“Really, I thought we got lucky by agreeing to that two-year deal with Jacksonville. They run the ball very similar to Shelby County, so we hope that pays off.”
Wildcat head coach Ryan Herring said he’s not entirely sure how his team stacks up with Brown’s.
“We’re looking alright,” he said Thursday. “Nothing really special.
“Really, the kids are working hard, but I’m not sure how we’re gonna stack up against a team like Pell City. We’re gonna have to play mistake-free or we’ll get embarrassed.”
The Panthers’ head coach was slightly more complimentary of Herring’s squad, which returns 16 seniors this fall.
“They’ve got a heck of a team,” Brown said. “I think they have like 9 starters back on defense, and they’ve got a couple of backs that can really go.”
The lead performer in that lineup is fullback Darion Sutton, a 6-1, 220-pound wrecking ball. In addition, Herring’s group returns four of five starters on the offensive line.
“They’re really tough,” Brown said. “They run the option and really get after you.
“It’s gonna be a big challenge for us.”
Pell City isn’t 100 percent going into the game – receiver Tommy Moss, who struggled with injuries a season ago, will sit out tonight’s game with a thigh bruise. And receiver Karl Nobles is already done for the season with a knee injury.
Panther fans will also be anxious to see the progress of Wilson, who takes over for Bronson Honeycutt in PC’s spread offense.
“We think he’s (Wilson) a really good runner,” Brown said. “We didn’t want him to run in the jamboree, but he can. The offensive line has done a good job so far.
“But Elliot, he’s working real hard – he had a great spring and he’s had a great fall experience already.”
Kickoff for tonight’s game is set for 7 p.m.
