Written by: Jaret Bates
Football is in the air. That can only mean one thing, star-studded matchups! The one taking place in North Mobile County this Friday night, Class 6A #1 Saraland and Class 4A #1 Jackson is a matchup we have not seen since 2013.
For Saraland, the Spartans enter 2024 with a bittersweet taste in their mouth lingering from 2023.
2023 for Saraland ended with a heartbreaker to Clay-Chalkville that came down to the final seconds when returning Spartan signal-caller, KJ Lacey, scrambled but was up-ended just short of the goal line. Following the defeat the Spartans also lost 2x Mr. Football, Ryan Williams to reclassification. However, the Spartans return a good chunk of the crew that pushed them to a State Championship game appearance.
Leading the charge for Saraland is Jeff Kelly who is entering his 14th season as the head man in the land having amassed a 132-36 record. The Spartans also return the likes of WR Dillon Alfred as well as Antonio Coleman and class of ’26 talent DeShawn Spencer. Santae McWilliams and receiver C.D. Gill will also be part of Saraland’s offensive attack.
The Saraland community will open up the 2024 campaign with a huge game at Spartan Stadium much like they did in 2023. While the glitz and glamor of a national broadcast won’t be ‘in the land’. Head Coach Jeff Kelly and co, will be just fine opening the season in the friendly confines in front of a crowd that has become increasingly difficult to play in front of. The Spartans have been historically dominant in their home digs, losing just 1 home opener in school history, that being to Blount in 2016. Combine that with the fact Saralans’s last loss at Spartan Stadium came October 2nd of 2020 in a heartbreaker to Spanish Fort, it will be 1,421 days since their last loss at home when the Spartans kick it off this friday night, August 23rd.
Jackson will line up across the field from Saraland this Friday looking to play spoiler to start the ’24 season. With a star studded lineup that includes Junior QB Landon Duckworth, Running Back EJ Crowell, Wide Receiver Keeyun Chapman, and DB Jamarrion ‘JUICE’ Gordon. There is no shortage of talent in this matchup.
Led by Cody Flournoy, the Aggies finished the 2023 season with a 20-17 loss to Booker T. Washington in the 3rd round of the playoffs. Jackson outscored opponents last season by nearly 32 points on average.
The Aggies have also been historically dominant in season openers having not lost a Week 1 game since 2007. The 16 year streak of starting the year with a 1 in the ‘W’ column started in 2008, the first season for Jackson’s then head coach, Jeff Kelly.
Kelly has coached against Jackson 3 times in his tenure at Saraland, all 3 coming in his first 3 years with the Spartans, going 0-3 against his former employer.
Jeff Kelly and the Spartans are looking for their first win against the Jackson Aggies this Friday, while Cody Flournoy and the Aggies are looking to end a home winning streak that dates back nearly 4 years.
With Star Studded rosters and a recent history of dominance this matchup is certainly going to provide some exciting moments. Kickoff is slated for 7pm.
The game will be available on 96.5 The CRAB part of the Sound of Mobile and on The FREE Sound of Mobile App available in the App Store and Google Play Store.
Coverage provided by Saraland City Schools, presented by AllState Agent Kenneth Morgan, and supported by Southern Response Services.
