Etowah (0-0) at Northridge (0-0)
Series record: Have not met
By Gene Stanley/Correspondent
The Etowah High Blue Devils start off their football season with a trip to Tuscaloosa with Northridge in their sights.
While the Jaguars finished last year with only a 2-8 record, Etowah coach Drew Noles said that this would be one of the toughest games of the year for his team.
“They’ve got several big-play threats on offense,” Noles said. “They’ve got two quarterbacks – both can throw well and both are elusive. They’ve got two receivers who will play on the next level and one of them is an SEC-type receiver. They are very strong on offense.”
With that said, the Jaguars also return nine starters off last season’s defensive unit. In all, Northridge graduated only nine seniors.
The school is only in its 12th season. Mike Smith has been coach the entire time.
“They’re always well coached,” Noles said. “They’re not the type of team that will beat itself. And athletically, they’re, if not the top team, then they’re in the top two that we play.”
Etowah will be without some key starters, so Noles is looking for youngsters to step up and make plays.
With the long road trip, Noles is hoping some Blue Devils fans will make the drive.
“I’d rather play a local team,” he said. “Local teams make for better draws. But you have to play who you can find to play.”