Young but seasoned Patriot squad set to go
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
In 2012, West End High had a very young football team.
Now, strike the word ‘very’ and say the Patriots are a young squad.
Last year, West End had six seniors and five juniors. In 2013, there are again six seniors but nine juniors – and the eighth-graders and freshmen from a year ago are
Morris once again at the helm of the Bulldogs
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
The first time Swane Morris became head football coach at Gaston High, it took him a season to show a lot of improvement.
Morris’ first edition of the Bulldogs in 2001 went 1-9 and Morris’ second team finished 7-4. Gaston never again missed the playoffs during his nine-year tenure.
Morris left Gaston following the 2009 season
Clifton takes over in Conqueror country
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
From his years at Cedar Bluff High, both as a player and coach, Scott Clifton knows something about winning football games.
Now he hopes to bring that winning experience to a school – Coosa Christian – that has struggled since joining the Alabama High School Athletic Association in 2005.
After an 0-6 start last season,
Marty Smith resigns as SHS football coach
By Matthew Martin/Messenger Correspondent
Southside enters the 2013 high school football season with high expectations and the Panthers were hoping to make big news on the gridiron.
On Wednesday (Aug. 21), however, Southside made off-the-field news in at a most inopportune time.
Head football coach and athletic director Marty Smith unexpectedly turned in his resignation, leaving the Panthers in search
Local volleyball teams set for season
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
Sardis
Sardis High has all of the ingredients of an outstanding volleyball team.
Scott Sandlin’s squad now needs to make it over a hump or two before it can be considered the school’s best ever.
“We feel pretty good, considering we went 29-16 last year on varsity and 12-4 on the junior varsity,” the coach said. “We lost three seniors
In & around the SEC Season outlooks, predictions
West Division
Alabama Crimson Tide
The defending national champions open up the season away from home, but the schedule sets up nicely for the Crimson Tide to make another championship run. Alabama has a bye week before traveling to College Station to take on Texas A&M and has a bye week before LSU visits Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama plays Ole Miss
Doing what’s best for our children’s education
Education should not be a partisan issue. We should always do what is in our children’s best interests.
I believe strongly in working with the business community to develop curriculums that prepare our children not just for a college education, but also for entering the workforce.
Last week’s announcement of the new Business Education Alliance (BEA) brings this idea to the center
Early baseball in Gadsden
The Vagabond is a member and administrator of the Facebook group, “Welcome to Gadsden.” The group has over 4,000 members and anyone is able to join.
The page includes several historical postings each day.
If you are a Facebook member, you can find it at www.facebook.com/groups/Gadsden/
Recently, group member Robert Elton submitted the following post:
“[This is] From my old school buddy,
20th annual Hardin Center auction will celebrate the 1920s
By Donna Thornton/News Editor
Celebrate the Roaring ‘20s with the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts’ 20th annual auction on Aug. 23.
The auction will raise money to support the center’s many programs – the Imagination Place Children’s Museum, Etowah Youth Orchestras, Gadsden Community School for the Arts and other Hardin Center projects.
Tickets are $40 per person in advance and