PRESS PICKS: High school season opens in sorrow
STAFF REPORT
The opening weekend of high school football arrives but it brings sadness with it.
The passing of Robert E. Lee offensive lineman Dmitri McKee once again reminds us of the adversities of the sport and of the coaching profession as well.
Lee was to play Daphne this weekend to start what coach Eric Hudson believed would be a memorable season for the Generals. Now, he and his team must deal with pain and sorrow of losing a teammate and friend.
The Lee athletic program has been dealt a difficult hand over the last few years. In a very wicked way, grief has become the norm on the campus.
Ironically, the school was to celebrate the life of longtime coach and teacher Dwayne Berry during a special event prior to Saturday’s game. Berry passed away in January due to complications from COVID-19. That event will be rescheduled.
The losses of former basketball player Rod Scott and football player Shaq Johnson remain a heavy memory for all Lee alumni. There have been other dreadful moments in the last few years, which will be left unsaid.
It’s easy to point fingers but consider the fact that thousands of young men have spent the better part of the summer preparing for the season. They run, pass, catch in heat from late May until early August.
In most cases, they do it without provocation. Without it, they might be in more danger of injury – it’s the simple reason and fact of why they practice in the heat.
Let’s hope the season can be a tribute to McKee and the Generals.
Doug Amos is the defending champion as we begin another season of Press Picks.
2020 Final Standings (Bowls)
1. Doug Amos 193-73 (10-8) .725
2. Graham Dunn 189-77 (11-7) .711
3. Tim Gayle 188-78 (14-4) .707
4. Michael Butler 187-79 (12-6) .703
5. Rick Hendrick 185-81 (13-5) .694
6. Mike Peacock 176-91 (9-10) .661
7. Barry McKnight 175-90 (11-7) .658
Darrell Puckett 175-90 (13-5) .658
Doug Amos (ESPN The Ticket & Troy Trojans Network)
193-73 (10-8) .725
Alabama Christian at Trinity (Thu) - Trinity
Tallassee at Reeltown (Thu) - Reeltown
Jeff Davis vs. Sidney Lanier (Sat) – Jeff Davis
Moody at Elmore County – Elmore Co
St. James at Montgomery Academy - MA
Pike Road at McGill-Toolen – Pike Road
Marbury at Montevallo - Marbury
Prattville at Wetumpka – Prattville
Billingsley at Prattville Christian – Prattville Christian
Macon East at Lowndes Academy – Macon East
Graham Dunn (River Region Sports)
189-77 (11-7) .711
Alabama Christian at Trinity (Thu) - Trinity
Tallassee at Reeltown (Thu) - Tallassee
Jeff Davis vs. Sidney Lanier (Sat) – Jeff Davis
Moody at Elmore County – Elmore Co
St. James at Montgomery Academy - MA
Pike Road at McGill-Toolen – Pike Road
Marbury at Montevallo - Marbury
Prattville at Wetumpka – Prattville
Billingsley at Prattville Christian – Billingsley
Macon East at Lowndes Academy – Macon East
Tim Gayle (River Region Sports & Montgomery Independent)
188-78 (14-4) .707
Alabama Christian at Trinity (Thu) - Trinity
Tallassee at Reeltown (Thu) - Tallassee
Jeff Davis vs. Sidney Lanier (Sat) – Sidney Lanier
Moody at Elmore County – Elmore Co
St. James at Montgomery Academy - MA
Pike Road at McGill-Toolen – Pike Road
Marbury at Montevallo - Marbury
Prattville at Wetumpka – Prattville
Billingsley at Prattville Christian – Billingsley
Macon East at Lowndes Academy – Macon East
Michael Butler (WTLS 106.5 FM/1300 AM & Tallassee Times)
187-79 (12-6) .703
Alabama Christian at Trinity (Thu) - Trinity
Tallassee at Reeltown (Thu) - Reeltown
Jeff Davis vs. Sidney Lanier (Sat) – Sidney Lanier
Moody at Elmore County – Elmore Co
St. James at Montgomery Academy - MA
Pike Road at McGill-Toolen – McGill-Toolen
Marbury at Montevallo - Marbury
Prattville at Wetumpka – Prattville
Billingsley at Prattville Christian – Prattville Christian
Macon East at Lowndes Academy – Macon East
Rick Hendrick (WXFS 95.1 The Fox/PA of Montgomery Biscuits)
185-81 (13-5) .694
Alabama Christian at Trinity (Thu) - Trinity
Tallassee at Reeltown (Thu) - Tallassee
Jeff Davis vs. Sidney Lanier (Sat) – Jeff Davis
Moody at Elmore County – Elmore Co
St. James at Montgomery Academy - MA
Pike Road at McGill-Toolen – McGill-Toolen
Marbury at Montevallo - Marbury
Prattville at Wetumpka – Wetumpka
Billingsley at Prattville Christian – Prattville Christian
Macon East at Lowndes Academy – Macon East
Barry McKnight (SportsRadio 740 /Voice of Troy Trojans)
175-90 (11-7) .658
Alabama Christian at Trinity (Thu) - Trinity
Tallassee at Reeltown (Thu) - Tallassee
Jeff Davis vs. Sidney Lanier (Sat) – Sidney Lanier
Moody at Elmore County – Elmore Co
St. James at Montgomery Academy - MA
Pike Road at McGill-Toolen – McGill-Toolen
Marbury at Montevallo - Marbury
Prattville at Wetumpka – Wetumpka
Billingsley at Prattville Christian – Billingsley
Macon East at Lowndes Academy – Macon East
Mike Peacock (River Region Sports)
176-91 (9-10) .661
Alabama Christian at Trinity (Thu) - Trinity
Tallassee at Reeltown (Thu) - Tallassee
Jeff Davis vs. Sidney Lanier (Sat) – Jeff Davis
Moody at Elmore County – Elmore Co
St. James at Montgomery Academy - MA
Pike Road at McGill-Toolen – McGill-Toolen
Marbury at Montevallo - Montevallo
Prattville at Wetumpka – Prattville
Billingsley at Prattville Christian – Billingsley
Macon East at Lowndes Academy – Macon East
Dylan Hurst (River Region Sports)
0-0
Alabama Christian at Trinity (Thu) - Trinity
Tallassee at Reeltown (Thu) - Tallassee
Jeff Davis vs. Sidney Lanier (Sat) – Sidney Lanier
Moody at Elmore County – Elmore Co
St. James at Montgomery Academy - MA
Pike Road at McGill-Toolen – Pike Road
Marbury at Montevallo - Montevallo
Prattville at Wetumpka – Prattville
Billingsley at Prattville Christian – Billingsley
Macon East at Lowndes Academy – Macon East