Tigers Face Challenging Schedule in 2007
by Dwight Turner
Ardmore High School’s Varsity Football Team will face a challenging gridiron schedule in 2007. Coming off a successful 8-3 campaign, which saw the Tigers make the first round of the playoffs, the team is optimistic going into the new season.
The Tigers will play a jamboree game at Richland on August 24. Although this is a jamboree game for Ardmore, it is more than that for the Raiders. The outcome of the August 24th contest will count on Richland’s 2007 record.
“This is always a tough situation for us,” said Tiger Head Coach Tracy Malone. “They will be playing for real, but we have other considerations. I feel like if we have players who come out and work hard in practice, even if they are not starters they deserve to be rewarded by playing time in our jamboree game. I intend to get as many people involved as possible.”
Malone also stated that he did not want to get anyone injured during the jamboree game and said he would evaluate whether or not the Tigers would continue playing Richland after this season.
Ardmore opens its AHSAA schedule on August 31 at Elkmont. The competitiveness of this game goes without saying. Ardmore and Elkmont are long-standing rivals.
On September 7 the Tigers have their home opener against area foe East Lawrence. The following week, Ardmore makes the long trek to North Jackson to take on the powerhouse Chiefs.
Ardmore returns home on September 21 to host Columbia in another area game. In last year’s contest between these two teams, held in a monsoon at Milton Frank Stadium, the Tigers eventually prevailed.
Ardmore remains at home on September 28 to take on county rival West Limestone, then hit the road again on October 5 for another area game against Madison County. East Limestone comes calling at Cooper Field on October 12 for what may be one of the most exciting games of the season.
Ardmore then goes on the road for two games, traveling to Priceville on October 19, then to DAR on October 26. The Tigers will close out their regular season schedule at home against county foe Clements on November 2.
Coach Malone is optimistic about the Tigers’ chances in 2007 and states that the team laid a solid foundation last season.
The Tigers will open spring practice this Saturday, May 5.