Latest / The Gulf Coast Sports Pulse with Gulf Coast Media / Episode 9 - Region titles and the battle for the Eastern Shore

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Episode 9 - Region titles and the battle for the Eastern Shore · The Gulf Coast Sports Pulse with Gulf Coast Media

• 0:21
  SPEAKER_02: Hello and welcome back to the Gulf Coast Sports Post.
• 0:24
  SPEAKER_02: My name is Parker Gillam, as always, a sports editor here with Gulf Coast Media and uh joined by local athletics guru John Mullen as we discuss all the recent happenings in Baldwin County high school football as the uh the regular season approaches its end with just two weeks left um in the season, really just one week left of region play for most teams um in Baldwin County as teams are really gearing up for playoffs and you know working out their kind of positioning and seeding and you know seeing seeing how they can uh set themselves up with the most favorable pathway.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_02: Um and so when when we're looking at uh you know this last week in Slate of Games, which um you know, we pitched last week was loaded in terms of just you know impacts on region titles, on playoff positioning, etc.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and kind of the headliner occurred on the hill.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but it was Golf Shorts who celebrated a top it, cruising to a 36-0 victory, remaining undefeated, clinching a region title at 5A region one.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and just uh the best way for me to oversimplify this game is to discuss how the Dolphin defense allowed legitimately less than 10 total yards of offense.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_02: I believe it was four in the end, um, is what it exactly was.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_02: Um and from what I've been seeing and can remember, I they didn't allow a single play past the 50-yard line, which I don't know which of those two numbers is more impressive.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but just I mean, you'd be hard pressed to find any better defensive performance in in you know high school football this season, I would say, you know, especially going against a team that you know was of the caliber at Spanish Ford was.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_02: So I mean their their offensive stars for Gold Shore certainly showed out as well.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, Carter Davis had um an electric touchdown catch to kind of spark the offense early on after some early struggles, and um, you know, he got a second touchdown.
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_02: Elijah Malone, Jacksonville State commit also um had a really nifty touchdown run where he um you know ran essentially 20 yards to gain two yards and score a touchdown from the goal line.
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but it the sh the story was really that defense and just how they they own the line of scrimmage.
• 2:20
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, from Caleb Williams um to Gabriel Irvin, uh Kingston Gardner, all those guys up front, just I mean, own the line of scrimmage.
• 2:26
  SPEAKER_02: Spanish Ford, obviously, we talked about came in as a run-heavy team.
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_02: They needed to get that ground game going, and no matter who was running the rock, uh, they really couldn't.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_02: So um, you know, watching it in person was one thing.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_02: I guess John, you also, I believe, watched it on TV as well.
• 2:41
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, were you seeing similar, similar, similar things in terms of takeaways from the game?
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_02: And just just how do you evaluate what the statement that Gold Short made?
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, definitely.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: Um, they've been playing good defense all year.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_00: They have not played lights out like that, you know, limiting somebody to less than 10 yards of offense.
• 2:59
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and maybe they're peaking right at the right time, you know.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: The offense has been there most of the year.
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, I can't remember a time they struggled on offense.
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_00: They've got some explosive players, but now when you combine that explosive playing with the the the defense, and that's a pretty good combination.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_00: Um there they're there's gonna be a force to be reckoned with, I would think.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, and a HUD Smith talked post-game about um just how how the defense has really been evolving throughout the season.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_02: They they know and they've had the talent, but it's just um, you know, making them almost live up to those those expectations are the standard that they kind of have set for themselves.
• 3:34
  SPEAKER_02: And it seems like they're hitting that right now.
• 3:37
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and it's just it's a team, you know, to your point where you look at you know, top to bottom throughout the jet chart, I mean, this this is the making of a state title caliber team.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_02: Not saying they're gonna go win it.
• 3:47
  SPEAKER_02: There's a ton of other really tough uh, you know, schools, as we all know, um, you know, that they would have to go through.
• 3:54
  SPEAKER_02: But I they check every box.
• 3:56
  SPEAKER_02: I think the the one question, the two question marks you probably would still have at this juncture is it again, Major Oddsmith has done nothing to suggest otherwise, but you do have to talk about a sophomore playing in big-time playoff games.
• 4:07
  SPEAKER_02: How does that go as a quarterback?
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_02: Um, it'd be this secondary for Golf Shores.
• 4:11
  SPEAKER_02: Um, it's had some moments, obviously it gets overshadowed by that front seven.
• 4:15
  SPEAKER_02: It's had some moments where it's been a bit leaky, and so I do think that's something else teams might want to um, you know, look to test at least, see if there's a chink in the armor.
• 4:23
  SPEAKER_02: But really, I I wouldn't even consider either of those weaknesses.
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_02: Those are really just potential question marks at this point.
• 4:29
  SPEAKER_02: So um, yeah, I mean, I massive statement for Gulf Shores.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and you know, they'll they'll kind of look to close out an undefeated regular season um, you know, over these next two weeks, which would be really impressive.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_02: As for Spanish Fort, you know, a very disappointing result coming off a dominant win over Theodore getting this home game where where you had everything on the table.
• 4:48
  SPEAKER_02: Um, they do uh host essentially a mirroring game with Sarrilland coming to town this weekend for now, second place in the region.
• 4:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um, it'll be tough to bounce back in that one, but but the Toros will really need it um kind of as they head into playoff looking to take some momentum.
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_02: So um be interesting to see kind of how those those two teams develop down the stretch.
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_02: Um but moving on to kind of a another local rivalry, uh Foley went just with road, took care of Robert still 52 to 7 to reach five and three on the season.
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_02: Uh John, I'll let you kind of lead the way with this one since you saw it develop.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but I'll also ask about as someone new to the area, I I was hearing it's dubbed the Battle of 59 or Battle of I-59.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_02: Is that true?
• 5:27
  SPEAKER_02: Have you ever heard that before?
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: Um, no.
• 5:31
  SPEAKER_00: But yeah, uh 59, yeah, state state route 59, not understanding.
• 5:35
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, um, yeah, I can see that.
• 5:37
  SPEAKER_00: Uh somebody asked me the other, you know, when they heard I was covering the game, they like, well, that's a big rivalry.
• 5:42
  SPEAKER_00: And I said, well, it might have used to be, but it hasn't been recently.
• 5:46
  SPEAKER_00: And um Jackson Dixon made sure that it wasn't again uh Friday night either.
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_00: He I didn't realize till after the game I started adding things up.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_00: It's like, wow, that that guy had an outstanding game.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_00: He must he had 200 yards of uh all purpose uh yards.
• 6:01
  SPEAKER_00: He uh returned the opening kickoff, you know, the midfield, one play later, um you know touchdown.
• 6:08
  SPEAKER_00: You know, he hadn't he had at least three touchdowns, I think.
• 6:11
  SPEAKER_00: And um some long pass and a long run.
• 6:13
  SPEAKER_00: He had a long run from scrimmage.
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_00: Um too much for Robertsdale.
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_00: Um they they couldn't field a kickoff, you know, basically.
• 6:21
  SPEAKER_00: Um they they got two turnovers on kickoffs and where they started at the 30, and you know, they scored after those like two or three plays later, and it was out of hand real quick.
• 6:30
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, it did seem like Foley jumped on him early.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_02: Um it's interesting you you mentioned Dixon as well.
• 6:35
  SPEAKER_02: Um I saw this, and I believe I saw this after this game on Friday.
• 6:39
  SPEAKER_02: So this should be true still true.
• 6:41
  SPEAKER_02: He is three touchdown receptions away from I'm gonna say matching Julio Jones.
• 6:46
  SPEAKER_02: Actually, I think it's breaking Julio Jones' um record.
• 6:49
  SPEAKER_02: And I gosh, I I should know if it is single season or career.
• 6:52
  SPEAKER_02: I believe it's single season touchdown record um for him because I mean he's had yes, going off last week, he's now had one in every at least one in every single game um of this season.
• 7:03
  SPEAKER_02: And so, yeah, he's a couple away.
• 7:04
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, we'll we'll touch on their game this week.
• 7:07
  SPEAKER_02: I'll be on site.
• 7:07
  SPEAKER_02: Hopefully I'll you know potentially be able to see him do that.
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_02: But you know, with two games left and then you know, at least one playoff game, and the the kind of trajectory he's going on, I mean I shoot, I could see uh I could see him breaking uh breaking Mr.
• 7:19
  SPEAKER_02: Jones' record, which would be really impressive considering I I bet when Julio left here, they did not think anybody was gonna come close to that for a while.
• 7:26
  SPEAKER_02: But man, Dixon has uh he he's been some in his owner, a very different player than Julio for sure, in terms of just being more of a uh, you know, not necessarily as much of a big body where as opposed to more of a just speedy, elusive guy that you know can just either vertically or just catching screens and swing passes can make something happen.
• 7:43
  SPEAKER_02: So um definitely will be interesting to be on Dixon watch, I guess, as the weeks go by and seeing if he can uh he can end up breaking that record.
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_02: Um but last but not least, uh we kind of wanted to touch on another uh it was a big headlining game in the area.
• 7:57
  SPEAKER_02: Um it just it Bayside Academy, it was a result that was just as impactful as Gulf Shores, but it couldn't have developed in a more opposite way.
• 8:05
  SPEAKER_02: Um they they really stunned uh Mobile Christian.
• 8:09
  SPEAKER_02: Admirals rallied from a 14 point fourth quarter deficit.
• 8:12
  SPEAKER_02: They ended up winning 27 to 20 after entering that final quarter, trailing 20 to 6.
• 8:17
  SPEAKER_02: And with a region title on the line, that means Bayside Academy has claimed uh that Region 1 championship over Mobile Christian as both of the teams that are at the top of their region.
• 8:28
  SPEAKER_02: Um and man, I mean, that that the comeback included a pair of blocked punts, a handful of key sacks, and plenty of clutch plays through the air, which allowed Bayside to kind of rally for that win.
• 8:39
  SPEAKER_02: And it's it's it's uh it's a result that's going to be talked about on that campus for for quite some time.
• 8:43
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, and just to lay some of the things out, I mean, yeah, it was one block punt.
• 8:48
  SPEAKER_02: Um, that that Mobile Christian actually recovered and still tried to get the first down off of they couldn't.
• 8:52
  SPEAKER_02: That really sparked that first scoring drive.
• 8:54
  SPEAKER_02: But again, it was Davis Barnett, uh, you know, um, you know, Mason Edwards, Walker Collins, all them making big time plays when they needed it most in their fourth quarter.
• 9:02
  SPEAKER_02: Um, after they had some turnovers and just offensive struggles early in the game.
• 9:06
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and then it was a second block opponent that got them to uh, I believe, it was either the tie of the game or it was the one that ended up allowing them to take the lead.
• 9:13
  SPEAKER_02: I believe it was to tie.
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_02: And then Barnett in the closing minutes finds Mason Edwards on a on a fade route to score the game-winning touchdown.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_02: Um, just a storybook kind of ending for Bayside Academy, um, you know, in terms of uh being able to take down um, you know, a rival from across the bay with so much on the line um and just how it how it played out.
• 9:34
  SPEAKER_02: Just every aspect, special teams defense, offense all contributed.
• 9:38
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and so very entertaining to watch.
• 9:40
  SPEAKER_02: Um so John, I guess your your thoughts on Bayside Academy being able to pull this off.
• 9:44
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, I know you didn't watch the game yourself, but um just Bayside being able to, for the second straight year now, win a region title and really be one of the favorites at this level.
• 9:52
  SPEAKER_02: Just kind of your your thoughts on how they've been playing.
• 9:55
  SPEAKER_00: Well, um, it kind of reminds me of Guff Shores versus Blunt, you know, how they came back and won that game.
• 10:00
  SPEAKER_00: You know, they scored 16 points, two touchdowns, and two two-point conversions in the fourth quarter to win.
• 10:05
  SPEAKER_00: But you also got to think that um Mobile Christian's probably thinking, we want to see these guys again down the road in the play.
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_00: And they're they'll probably play in the playoffs again.
• 10:14
  SPEAKER_00: And Mobile Christian's gotta have a little fire in their belly after blowing up 20 to 6 lead in the fourth quarter, uh, especially with block, you know, block punt.
• 10:22
  SPEAKER_00: And um, you can't ever give that quarterback from um Bayside uh Barnett.
• 10:26
  SPEAKER_00: He can't give him a window because he's just so good, you know.
• 10:29
  SPEAKER_00: You keep you let him stay close and he's gonna find a way to complete that pass to make, you know, keep his team in it.
• 10:34
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I mean, a couple a couple of his throws late in that game were were really high-level stuff, um, which I mean again, and you have to re-emphasize this kid is still just a junior and you know is is going to be, you know, I think setting, if he hasn't already, setting ton of school records by the time he's done there.
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but but yeah, to your point, yes, Mobile Christian, I think, definitely does want them again.
• 10:53
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I think they obviously believe they can beat them.
• 10:55
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I think there were also, you know, we won't get too much into it, a lot of controversial calls and moments in that game.
• 11:00
  SPEAKER_02: You know, the game-winning touchdown pass had, you know, a look a little bit of contact and a lot of a lot of movement while the ball was still up in the air between the receiver and defensive back.
• 11:08
  SPEAKER_02: You know, who knows either way?
• 11:09
  SPEAKER_02: There's a lot of hand fighting going on.
• 11:11
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but could be one to to watch out for as playoffs commence and see, you know, when that bracket comes out, especially, you know, how soon will these two teams potentially play each other if they advance?
• 11:21
  SPEAKER_02: So um, but yeah, another another big one for for Baldwin County uh teams.
• 11:25
  SPEAKER_02: Uh they're I believe in my Baldwin County football standings post, they were all 13 teams combined or 14 games above 500.
• 11:33
  SPEAKER_02: I think it's 68-54, 58-44, one of the two of those.
• 11:37
  SPEAKER_02: Um 14 games, yeah.
• 11:39
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and so yeah, I mean, I overall successful season, you know, with two weeks left still, but successful season for Baldwin County football, I would have to say.
• 11:47
  SPEAKER_02: Um that kind of leads me into my my major takeaway, though.
• 11:50
  SPEAKER_02: And um, you know, from my perspective, it's kind of the similar to what we talked about last week, but um, I I have to I have to openly admit that I have to reevaluate who my top team in the county is.
• 11:59
  SPEAKER_02: I because I think, you know, both of us honestly might have gone on record and saying last week, but I know I did that if Gold Shores did go up to Spanish Ford and just really took care of business, I'd give them an edge over Daphne.
• 12:09
  SPEAKER_02: And then the Trojans also lost by one point to Mary Montgomery.
• 12:12
  SPEAKER_02: Um, they went for a two-point conversion late in the game, uh, kind of following their own comeback and weren't able to get it done.
• 12:18
  SPEAKER_02: Um, by no means bad loss, and you know, it doesn't count toward region play, obviously, but still notable nonetheless.
• 12:24
  SPEAKER_02: And so with the Dolphins defense playing at such a high level and the depth of that offense, you know, just the weapons that they have, you know, week in and week out, they're beginning to show the signs, as we said, of makings of a team that can at least make a strong push towards a state tile.
• 12:37
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, plenty with a strong team standing in their way, but but Mark Hoddspith certainly is a group that's capable of getting his second championship with the program, um, one that they've kind of built towards ever since that last one in 2023, it seems like.
• 12:48
  SPEAKER_02: So I'll give them the slight edge for now, but still plenty, you know.
• 12:52
  SPEAKER_02: A Gulf Shore still has to play um, you know, Bayside next week, which could be a really interesting game.
• 12:57
  SPEAKER_02: Daphne Fairhopes this week, Foley plays St.
• 12:59
  SPEAKER_02: Michael.
• 12:59
  SPEAKER_02: So still got a couple of matchups that you know can can give us some more food for thought heading into playoffs.
• 13:04
  SPEAKER_02: But it's it's it's looking more and more like Gulf Shores might be the one, um, you know, maybe alongside Bayside with the best shot to to make a state title push.
• 13:11
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, but plenty more kind of kind of to see how these these last two weeks go by.
• 13:15
  SPEAKER_02: John, uh, what are you what are you kind of taking away from from things as we uh head into the latter stages of October?
• 13:21
  SPEAKER_00: Well, um I I think back to when I talked to Coach Hudsbutt um to do a preseason story, and he was talking about how he thought that um the ability was there and the talent and every and everything was in place for them to make another run at it.
• 13:36
  SPEAKER_00: And at the time when he told me that, I'm thinking, yeah, you know, just about everybody says that when they start out, you know, but uh but he had a look, a very confident look in his eye.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_00: And now I know what that look was about.
• 13:46
  SPEAKER_00: And as they sit, you know, here eight and oh, and and go to Spanish sport and win and go to Sarlin and win.
• 13:52
  SPEAKER_00: Um he's been coaching football a long time.
• 13:54
  SPEAKER_00: He knew what he, I think he knew what he had.
• 13:56
  SPEAKER_00: Um and I and he was quiet, he didn't brag or anything like that.
• 13:59
  SPEAKER_00: He was just hard to get answers out of.
• 14:01
  SPEAKER_00: But because he, you know, I I think that's because he was confident and he he knew uh what would you know the the chance that they had uh with the players and and everybody coming back and they've done nothing to uh disappoint.
• 14:14
  SPEAKER_00: Um like the one scare against Blunt, you know, when they that's the game they really they they were terrible in that game until the last quarter, you know, and then came back and won it.
• 14:23
  SPEAKER_00: But uh they've I think he was on to something there at the start of the year.
• 14:28
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I would say so too.
• 14:29
  SPEAKER_02: And that it's kind of a sign with that game, that's a sign of a change of caliber team, is when you're not playing at your best and you're still able to win.
• 14:35
  SPEAKER_02: And so I think that's that's almost something that maybe proved even more to Hudsmith that they can do it.
• 14:40
  SPEAKER_02: Um but yeah, to your point, uh like you said, to re-emphasize, I mean, yes, they went up to Spanish Ford.
• 14:45
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I mean, it was a running clock in the fourth quarter.
• 14:48
  SPEAKER_02: It is very, very rare.
• 14:49
  SPEAKER_02: I I mean, I I can't imagine it's it's been any time recently that there's been a running clock up on the hill with Spanish Ford losing um a game.
• 14:57
  SPEAKER_02: And that was, I mean, again, that all-time series record is now 16 and 3 in favor of Spanish Ford.
• 15:03
  SPEAKER_02: Spanish Ford Gulf Shores won in 2025 and 2026.
• 15:07
  SPEAKER_02: Before then, they won the first meeting in, I believe it was 04, and then it was 16 in a row for Spanish Ford.
• 15:12
  SPEAKER_02: It's just really the the changing of the guard, not that Spanish Ford has, you know, fallen off by any means, but the changing of the guard, really impressive to see Gattel, Hudspith, and that whole program and the fan base were um they were celebrating that one.
• 15:25
  SPEAKER_02: That was that was a big win for them to go up there and get that.
• 15:28
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but now we'll kind of shift our attention to the upcoming slate of games, you know, plenty more big matchups uh this weekend um as we kind of delve into the uh the most pivotal times this season.
• 15:38
  SPEAKER_02: Um last week a region play for for most teams, and um, we'll kind of start with with definitely the headliner, 38th meeting between Daphne and Fairhope and an Eastern Shore rivalry that holds plenty of history and almost as kind of almost as many implications, really, this week.
• 15:53
  SPEAKER_02: You know, both both sides own a winner foley, and so therefore a region title and a favorable playoff position is on the line Friday night at Jubilee Stadium.
• 16:02
  SPEAKER_02: Um, before I kind of delve into my thoughts, we'll have a couple people on site to cover this one, but just what what are your John, what are your early thoughts on just you know, Daphne coming off their first loss since week one, whereas Fairhope um, you know, stumbled against Baker a couple weeks ago, but they're coming off a nice bounce back win against Davidson.
• 16:20
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, we've been looking forward to this game all year, and but we also envisioned them coming in undefeated, and and and neither neither one of them are now, but uh that doesn't make it any uh smaller because whoever, like I say, whoever wins is the reason champ.
• 16:34
  SPEAKER_00: And uh it'll be it'll be a big uh a big battle, a good battle.
• 16:37
  SPEAKER_00: Um kind of again some um I guess not contrasting styles.
• 16:42
  SPEAKER_00: Um I think Fairhope may have a better passing offense than Daphne does, and we know they both run the ball very well.
• 16:48
  SPEAKER_00: But um, you know, it'll be a um a good spirited game.
• 16:52
  SPEAKER_00: Um they they want both kids, those kids want to win a region title.
• 16:56
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, even though they're gonna go to the playoffs regardless, but they still want that, you know.
• 17:00
  SPEAKER_00: When they get older, they're gonna say, we won the region that year, you know.
• 17:03
  SPEAKER_00: That's not going away.
• 17:04
  SPEAKER_02: And you won the region by beating your arch rival in the final region contest.
• 17:08
  SPEAKER_02: I mean, that's that's that's about that's that's Friday night lights and it's and it's finest kind of uh like I wrote in the preview this week, in terms of the the weather and the environment and the implications.
• 17:16
  SPEAKER_02: I think Friday Night Jubilee Stadium is gonna be the quintessential um you know Friday night lights experience.
• 17:21
  SPEAKER_02: And so that that'll be a lot of fun to take in.
• 17:23
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but yeah, to your point, um, I I would argue the opposite that I do think Daphne's passing attack is probably a little bit stronger than Fairhope's.
• 17:30
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but but other than that, yes, I think very evenly matched.
• 17:32
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I think it's uh, you know, one of the things in my keys I wrote about this week, it's it's an age old cliche, but you know, legitimately the battle in the trenches this weekend will be massive because Fairhope prides themselves on generating push-up front, you know, being a run for his team, and you know, more so than anything else, when that late third quarter, fourth quarter rolls around, it they're gonna be fresher and you know, still run just as hard as they were in the first quarter when their opponents generally haven't been.
• 17:58
  SPEAKER_02: Um, granted, Daphne uh with Coach King, I mean, they're they're conditioned, they're trained.
• 18:03
  SPEAKER_02: I don't think that's necessarily gonna be something that Fairhope can bank on this week in terms of the Trojans slowing down in that final quarter.
• 18:09
  SPEAKER_02: But um it's just, yeah, I mean, there's so much.
• 18:11
  SPEAKER_02: You got two Trey Gardner versus Christian Seager, two veteran quarterbacks, the running backs are quality, the the both defenses have D1 talent.
• 18:18
  SPEAKER_02: It's it's just it's the makings of a classic.
• 18:21
  SPEAKER_02: I would be stunned if either team, you know, I think in both teams, Daphne going on the road, and Mary Montgomery is a very good team, so I don't consider that bad loss by any means.
• 18:28
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but them going on the road last week and losing, Fairhope losing to Baker.
• 18:31
  SPEAKER_02: I feel like they got their duds out of the way in region play.
• 18:34
  SPEAKER_02: And so now they're really, they're really focused, um, you know, and locked in as as uh this game kind of approaches.
• 18:39
  SPEAKER_02: So um it'll be interesting.
• 18:41
  SPEAKER_02: Daphne will actually go um, as we said last region game for both teams.
• 18:45
  SPEAKER_02: Fairhope's gonna host Viger the next week, which will be a really kind of tough um, you know, before I guess gearing up for playoffs game, getting them warmed up.
• 18:53
  SPEAKER_02: Um and then Daphne uh ended up mutually agreeing to cancel their series or series, cancel their game um with Hillcrest up in Tuscaloosa.
• 19:01
  SPEAKER_02: They were gonna travel up there for that game next Friday.
• 19:02
  SPEAKER_02: So they're actually gonna um they're now gonna go play next Thursday at Tate over in Florida um in Pensacola.
• 19:09
  SPEAKER_02: And so that's they kind of switched up that um, you know, uh their last week of the season.
• 19:13
  SPEAKER_02: I just you know, I imagine A, both teams were undefeated um in region play or in overall in region play and first place didn't feel the need to make all that trip and all that happen.
• 19:23
  SPEAKER_02: So um, yeah, so definitely, definitely a big one.
• 19:26
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, in Daphne, and as I said, we will have plenty of coverage from from that this weekend.
• 19:31
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but we will we'll have two reporters on site there.
• 19:34
  SPEAKER_02: I'm actually gonna be uh myself over uh at Ivan Jones Stadium in Foley, though.
• 19:39
  SPEAKER_02: Um the other half half of that top four of the region is squaring off.
• 19:43
  SPEAKER_02: Lions are gonna be welcoming um those aforementioned Vikings for pivotal contest.
• 19:47
  SPEAKER_02: Foley, I again, unless I'm mistaken, um, would love to lock up third place in the region with a victory.
• 19:52
  SPEAKER_02: Um, you know, they're obviously they're still gonna um finish behind Daphne and Fairhope due to those losses, um, but can certainly claim third place easily with this.
• 20:00
  SPEAKER_02: Um and the the visitors are really just kind of looking to bolster their own standing.
• 20:04
  SPEAKER_02: You know, obviously the caveat that they aren't able to make a postseason appearance due to uh offseason recruiting violations and um, you know, those kind of punishments being upheld in the courts.
• 20:13
  SPEAKER_02: Um and so none of these games, their games that they played have counted for region standing technically.
• 20:17
  SPEAKER_02: Um so for instance, Daphne is still undefeated in region play on the official record.
• 20:22
  SPEAKER_02: Um, but regardless, Mare Montgomery just proved last week they can take down Daphne, uh one of the teams that we were talking about is best in this county um beforehand.
• 20:30
  SPEAKER_02: And so I think Mare Montgomery is looking without playoffs, looking to finish this season strong, looking to beat up and all the other teams in the region so that they can sit there and say, hey, if we were eligible, we would have made some noise.
• 20:41
  SPEAKER_02: Um and they're gonna be looking to come into Foley and really make a statement.
• 20:44
  SPEAKER_02: So I'm I'm very interested, you know, knowing Coach Brian Moore and this team and that staff, I don't think there's gonna be any issues of, you know, oh, is the team getting up for this game knowing it doesn't have any, you know, real region implications?
• 20:56
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I don't think that'll be a concern.
• 20:58
  SPEAKER_02: I'm interested to see do they bring the same level of intensity that Mar Mary Montgomery does to this game?
• 21:04
  SPEAKER_02: Um because they're gonna take a lot of momentum, uh, the Vikings will into this one.
• 21:09
  SPEAKER_02: So um, yeah, John, I guess do you do you think Mary Montgomery can make kind of two upsets in a row, pretty evenly matched game.
• 21:15
  SPEAKER_02: It's tough to call this one an upset, but going on the road, do you do you think they they have a shot?
• 21:19
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, they do.
• 21:20
  SPEAKER_00: Um I talked bad about them last week because I said they played all the lower level teams in the region and had beaten them, and then they they came out and beat the top team in the region.
• 21:29
  SPEAKER_00: Like I say, they don't count, but oh yeah, they'll they'll they can play with Foley.
• 21:33
  SPEAKER_00: Um that may be a little extra incentive for them.
• 21:36
  SPEAKER_00: They're thinking our season is really this is our season.
• 21:39
  SPEAKER_00: This is these are our playoff games, these last two games.
• 21:42
  SPEAKER_00: This is all we're gonna get.
• 21:43
  SPEAKER_00: And and they can put a blemish on Foley's record.
• 21:45
  SPEAKER_00: Um that'll drop them down.
• 21:47
  SPEAKER_00: I don't know how that affects them and Baker.
• 21:49
  SPEAKER_00: You know, Baker's the the next team, but uh since Mary Montgomery can't go those top four, then I guess Baker will be the one that gets to go uh in the fourth slot.
• 21:58
  SPEAKER_00: It'll be my guess.
• 21:59
  SPEAKER_00: They're like Three and three in um region play.
• 22:03
  SPEAKER_00: Um they'll they'll end up being the fourth, I think.
• 22:06
  SPEAKER_00: And I'm I'm sure Mayor Montgomery would love to go in there and beat them.
• 22:09
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, that's yeah, I was double checking it.
• 22:12
  SPEAKER_02: Uh but yeah, Baker is a game back.
• 22:13
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and they're playing, they're hosting Robert Still this week.
• 22:16
  SPEAKER_02: So you would assume more than likely that Baker's gonna get that win.
• 22:19
  SPEAKER_02: So it really is if Foley loses, um, or excuse me, Foley beat Baker as well.
• 22:24
  SPEAKER_02: So actually they they've probably already got third place.
• 22:26
  SPEAKER_02: I digress.
• 22:27
  SPEAKER_02: They've already got third place locked up because they have the head-to-head over Baker.
• 22:30
  SPEAKER_02: Um, it would just be if they share it versus, you know, claim it outright, I guess would would be the difference.
• 22:35
  SPEAKER_02: So uh regardless, uh I should I think be a close competitive game, you know, regardless of the outside, you know, kind of impacts.
• 22:43
  SPEAKER_02: I think just in terms of Friday night, I think it will be a very hard-fought game between both teams.
• 22:48
  SPEAKER_02: I just think even from a local perspective, you know, Mary Montgomery, at least from what I can tell, has um been a fairly strong program recent years.
• 22:54
  SPEAKER_02: And I I believe I believe Foley holds the all-time record, but Mary Montgomery had won a lot more recently.
• 22:59
  SPEAKER_02: And so there also just might be some motivation for Foley to finally get one over on him.
• 23:03
  SPEAKER_02: Um the last game we kind of wanted to talk about, um, and not going too much into the game itself, but just, you know, well, we'll touch on those aforementioned Dolphins a little bit as well.
• 23:11
  SPEAKER_02: They're they're gonna look to complete a flawless run, the regional play when they host Theodore uh this weekend.
• 23:17
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I know they're already talking about getting the the largest crowd that the Mick has ever seen.
• 23:21
  SPEAKER_02: Um, and they're just with them looking so dominant as of late.
• 23:24
  SPEAKER_02: The only real question I have is, you know, it the game we touched on before.
• 23:28
  SPEAKER_02: Gold Shore is one game where they showed those weaknesses and maybe a sign of a hangover coming off the Sarah Lynn game when they played Blunt.
• 23:34
  SPEAKER_02: Do you think there is any chance of that coming out coming to fruition this time, or do you think they they've learned from that lesson, you know, coming off of a big win and are gonna be up to stuff?
• 23:44
  SPEAKER_00: Well, after the blunt game, one of the the kids I talked with was Carter Davis, and he's and he said, Um, I said, Well did you learn from this game?
• 23:51
  SPEAKER_00: And the first thing he said was, Not I'm never gonna take an opponent opponent lightly again.
• 23:55
  SPEAKER_00: So we did we did we didn't take them serious enough, and and we almost got beaten.
• 23:59
  SPEAKER_00: And I don't think they'll do that again.
• 24:01
  SPEAKER_00: And it's uh really the similar situation, coming off a really big win and uh in the region, and then playing another region team that uh they've they've gotten beaten pretty bad, Theodore has in some games.
• 24:12
  SPEAKER_00: I think Sarah Land really beat them bad.
• 24:14
  SPEAKER_00: But um You know, I I think Gelf Shores will take care of their business.
• 24:18
  SPEAKER_00: Um it could be a little excitement early, but uh I wouldn't be surprised if if they jumped on them quick.
• 24:26
  SPEAKER_00: Um but it you know I think I don't think Gelf Shores would be surprised this time.
• 24:32
  SPEAKER_02: I would doubt it too.
• 24:33
  SPEAKER_02: I think I also I mean the motivation of you know, they've already got first place in the region locked up, but to to be able to finish an undefeated run through region play.
• 24:39
  SPEAKER_02: I mean undefeated overall, obviously, but they would still have to twin next week against baside as well.
• 24:44
  SPEAKER_02: But um I think that's motivation enough for this team.
• 24:47
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I think it's something that you know Hudsmith is they probably talk about, you know, every year is one of their goals is you know, finishing a top region, potentially go undefeated.
• 24:54
  SPEAKER_02: You can check one of those off kind of um on your way this weekend.
• 24:57
  SPEAKER_02: So uh yeah, I'll be interested to see how they come out.
• 24:59
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I think another big key, you know, is it's gonna be balancing.
• 25:02
  SPEAKER_02: You know, you you want to keep these guys rested and healthy before this, you know, hopefully deep playoff run.
• 25:07
  SPEAKER_02: And so it, you know, we'll we'll see.
• 25:08
  SPEAKER_02: I think maybe the goal would be to get you know, get some of the starters out by halftime if in a perfect world, but uh we'll just have to see if their uh Gold Shores is able to jump out to a lead, uh lead like that.
• 25:18
  SPEAKER_02: But um yeah, overall, um, I think that'll about kind of kind of wrap up all we have for you guys today.
• 25:23
  SPEAKER_02: Uh, like I said, two more weeks left in ice co football regular season.
• 25:26
  SPEAKER_02: Um, a lot of a lot of stuff is going to be going down with with playoffs and all the brackets coming out, um, as well as postseason awards and all that kind of stuff coming up.
• 25:34
  SPEAKER_02: So uh so yeah, do be do be turned into our website and social media pages, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, all that stuff just to uh stay tuned with with what's going on and what uh uh what all of our um you know kind of writers in the area are covering on Friday nights.
• 25:48
  SPEAKER_02: Um but other than that, if you joined what you heard, be sure to share the episode on social media and tell family, friends, or just everything can be interested in sports podcasts, Baldwin County Twitch.
• 25:56
  SPEAKER_02: And we'll be back with another episode at the same time next week.
• 25:58
  SPEAKER_02: So enjoy this weekend's lady games.
• 26:00
  SPEAKER_02: Catch up with you guys then.