2012 result: Etowah 27, Alexandria 14
Series record: Etowah 12, Alexandria 4
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
“One of the best teams we’ll play all year.”
That’s the way Etowah High football coach Drew Noles rates first-week opponent Alexandria, especially after seeing the Valley Cubs defeat Oneonta in a jamboree last week.
“They’re just a great football team that does everything right,” Noles said. “They were region champions last year and have a lot of those players back. They’re a veteran team that will get after it on both sides of the ball.”
Alexandria’s running backs – Alton Ball and Deion Thomas – concern Noles.
“The tailback (Ball) is explosive and can find the hole,” Noles said. “And the fullback (Thomas) is a big bruiser who can pound the line.
“The offensive line is big and quick while the defensive line is explosive. They get after the ball.”
Quarterback Luke Tucker is the son of Valley Cubs coach Frank Tucker.
Meantime, Etowah is in a rebuilding year with a very young team.
“We’re a work in progress,” Noles said. “We had a good preseason, but that only helps so far. We expect to improve with each game we play.”
The Blue Devils didn’t play in a jamboree game this fall.