Gadsden City (0-0) at Auburn (0-0)
2013 result: Auburn 16, Gadsden City 13
Series record: Auburn 2, Gadsden City 0
By Gene Stanley/Correspondent
Gadsden City opens the season with a huge challenge.
The Titans visit Auburn High, which is ranked No. 5 in Class 7A in the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s preseason poll.
The Tigers finished last year as the Class 6A runner-up, losing to Hoover in the championship.
“This will be a good measuring stick for us, to see where we are as a team,” Titan coach Matt Scott said. “We’ve played them for a couple of years now and really enjoy it because they are one of the top programs in the state.”
Last year, Auburn beat Gadsden City, 16-13, but the Titans did have a chance to win at the end.
“That was an exciting game,” Scott said. “We can say we played the state runner-up down to the wire.”
A large portion of the Tiger offense returns, but the defense has a few holes to fill.
The quarterback and main running back both return. Calera offensive lineman Tyler Pritchett (6-5, 280 pounds) has transferred to Auburn and is considered one of the top linemen prospects in the state.
“They were so deep on defense that a lot of this year’s starters got a lot of playing time last year,” Scott said.
Even though it is a long drive to Auburn, Scott said the Titans enjoyed the game.
“It’s a cool stadium,” he said. “One end is enclosed and the guys really liked playing there.”