Guntersville (5-0, 3-0) at Etowah (3-2, 3-0)
Last week: Etowah idle; Guntersville 28, Arab 24
Last meeting: Etowah 25, Guntersville 0 (1987)
Series record: Etowah leads 16-13
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
An off-week in the middle of the season could conceivably make Etowah an even more dangerous team.
But another dangerous team comes calling in the form of Guntersville.
This game will go a long way in determining the eventual Class 5A, Region 7 champion, as the teams are tied atop the region standings.
“They’re very balanced in what they do,” Blue Devils coach Drew Noles said. “They have a good quarterback in Major Henderson. If he’s not the fastest guy on the field, he’s close.
“And he can throw the ball well, too. They have some speed on the outside in their receivers.”
GHS running back Jordan Bentley was an All-State selection last year.
The off week gave Etowah a chance to rest its legs.
“Practicing isn’t the same as playing,” Noles said. “But (the off week) still helped us to get some rest and some good practice.
“We conditioned hard and hit the weights hard. Hopefully, the extra rest will help our injured players get back in shape.”
Against Fairview on Sept. 19, Paul Ruiz rushed for 288 yards and five touchdowns on 15 carries. He scored three third-quarter touchdowns on runs of 35, 25 and 45 yards.
Stacy Williams rushed for 166 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.