Photos by Ted Melton
Briarwood vs Chelsea
A Briarwood defender tackles Chelsea's Joseph Turns (3) during a game between Chelsea and Briarwood on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, at Lions Pride Stadium in Birmingham.
The Chelsea High School football team has not fared well against crosstown rivals so far this season, so the Hornets will likely be more than fine with taking a road trip.
They will do that on Friday night, as they open Class 6A, Region 3 play at Wetumpka at 7 p.m.
Chelsea began the season with a 21-10 defeat at the hands of Oak Mountain, and last week, saw its three-game winning streak over Briarwood snapped in a 19-7 defeat.
Replacing all 11 starters on offense has been no easy task, as the Hornets have combined for 17 points in their first two games, but they have now had eight quarters to establish some rhythm and identify playmakers. Those two things will be needed against Wetumpka.
Wetumpka’s offense has combined for 97 points through its first two contests, a 47-29 win over Prattville and 48-24 victory over Eufaula.
Chelsea’s defense will have its hands full in the matchup, but that side of the ball has played pretty well through two games. Will Hayes and Hunter Offord had fumble recoveries in the game against Briarwood.
Last fall, the Hornets came out on top, 35-28, in the matchup between the two teams. Chelsea jumped out to a 21-point lead and had to stave off a late comeback attempt.
The tandem of quarterback Matthew Marquet and running back Zalon Reynolds combined for 377 yards in the win. The Hornets are still trying to find a way to replace their production this fall.
Turner Griffin and Alec Little have split time at quarterback for Chelsea so far this season, and Griffin played well against Briarwood last week. Griffin was 10-of-18 for 110 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
Kendrick Simpson and Collier Blair have primarily shouldered the load in the backfield to this point. Against Briarwood, Simpson rushed eight times for 35 yards, and Blair chipped in with 19 yards on the ground.
But if there is one person who was impressed by the improvement he saw from Chelsea, it is Briarwood coach Fred Yancey, who believes the Hornets are on the cusp of rounding into form.
“They’re going to shock some folks as they keep going because they did improve," he said.
*Gary Lloyd contributed to this report.
