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Photo courtesy of Barry Clemmons
Oak Mountain Football
Wyatt Legas will be the starting QB for Oak Mountain this fall.
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Photo courtesy of Cari Dean
Chelsea Football
Zalon Reynolds hopes to have a strong senior year for Chelsea.
The Chelsea High School football team wants to buck a short trend. Oak Mountain will have no qualms if things stay the same.
The Hornets and Eagles will face off on Friday at 7 p.m. at Heardmont Park in the season opener for both squads. The previous four meetings between the schools have all yielded the same result: an Oak Mountain win.
The schools met for the first time in 2000 as Class 5A, Region 4 foes, with Oak Mountain taking a 35-0 shutout victory. The following year, the Eagles were even better, winning 47-0.
They did not play again until becoming Class 6A, Region 4 opponents in 2012 and 2013. Oak Mountain won both games by an identical 31-21 score.
Oak Mountain is now a 7A program, so the schools are no longer in the same classification, but will meet on the gridiron once again in 2016.
"We've got two good opponents right out of the gate, with Oak Mountain and Briarwood, that are going to test us," Chelsea head coach Chris Elmore said. "Whatever the results, I know we'll find something about ourselves those two games that'll make us better for that first region game."
Chelsea has started each of the last two seasons with a 5-0 record, and has a six-game winning streak in season openers.
In order to keep that streak alive, the Hornets will need their offensive weapons to make their mark early on. Quarterback Matthew Marquet, running back Zalon Reynolds, and wide receiver Jay Vickers have the talent and experience to make things difficult for any defense.
Oak Mountain returns three starters on defense, and head coach Cris Bell is searching for the players that will provide the necessary stability.
The Eagles present a rare challenge in today's game for a defense, as they still run the option offense. Bell said the team hopes to find ways to move the ball through the air effectively, as well, and Wyatt Legas will get the first crack at replacing Warren Shader at the quarterback position. The Eagles have the opportunity to start fast, after dropping the first three games last year.
Check back with 280living.com following the game for in-depth coverage of the Eagles and Hornets.
The Starnes Publishing prep football preview magazine is now available, and can be found in several locations across the area. Read more in depth on Oak Mountain and Chelsea by following the links.
