By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
We’re still more three weeks away from the opening kickoff of the 2008 high school football season, but several local schools have high hopes going into the season.
In fact, expectations are high enough to start talking about playoff spots as teams get ready to start a new year.
And it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see as many as four of the five area schools earn playoff bids this season.
Hartselle, coming off a tough season that ended with a 4-7 mark and a loss in the first round of the state playoffs last year, could be in for a tough challenge this season.
Class 5A, Region 8 has a couple of powerhouse teams in Russellville and J.O. Johnson that should start off the season in the top 10 rankings.
Both teams lost a lot of talent to graduation, but should be better this fall.
Athens, East Limestone and Lee should also be in the hunt for playoff spots, while Muscle Shoals is probably a dark horse with a new coaching staff.
Brewer heads to the nine-team Region 6 lineup in 5A. Both Cullman and Erwin are expected to battle for the region title with the Patriots, Mortimer Jordan and Walker expected to be in the hunt for postseason slots.
Priceville has a tough task in Class 4A, Region 7 with potential top 10 foes North Jackson, Plainview and Fairview looking strong again this fall.
The Bulldogs will have a battle from Guntersville and Douglas for one of the four playoff spots.
In Class 3A, Danville has the potential to make it to the playoffs in the reworked Region 7 alignment. Winfield and Good Hope are both solid programs and Hamilton has dropped down from Class 4A.
Key games for the Hawks will be against Carbon Hill, J.B. Pennington and Vinemont.
Falkville will be playing in Class 2A, Region 7, a region that is pretty balanced behind state powerhouse Addison.
Addison is young and is probably two years away from equaling the dominance of the 2005 team, though.
The Blue Devils will face challenges from Cleveland, Cold Springs, Oakman, Sulligent, Winston County and Lamar County in the hunt for playoff spots.
Sports editor Todd Thompson can be reached at 773-6566 or by email at todd.thompson@hartselleenquirer.com