High school football kicked off on the Gulf Coast last night with three games on the Gulf Coast. Fairhope defeated Spanish Fort 17-14 in a thrilling 4th quarter comeback, Daphne shut Murphy out 19-0 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, and Gulf Shores was too much for St. Michael, winning 41-20.
But the game everyone has been talking about for months will take place in Saraland tonight, with the Spartans taking on Nashville powerhouse Lipscomb Academy. There will be division one prospects all over the field on both teams.
Saraland, of course, is coming off their first ever state title last season in 6A and is led once again by most of the same core. The dynamic duo of quarterback KJ Lacey (committed to Texas) and wide receiver Ryan “Hollywood” Williams (committed to Alabama) will look to build on last year’s ridiculous season where they took the state by storm as sophomores. Williams is the reigning Mr. Football winner, the first ever sophomore to win the award in the state of Alabama.
Saraland also returns star running back Santae McWilliams, another rising junior who was a key piece to the state title run last season. McWilliams was huge down the stretch for the Spartans and figures to be a key piece of the offense once again.
What does not get talked about enough is the Saraland defense, which is led by Antonio Coleman (offers from Alabama, Clemson, and Auburn), Jamison Curtis (committed to Memphis, Xavier Crenshaw, and many other stars. The Spartans defense figures to be even better in 2023 than they were in 2022, which is a scary sight for the rest of the state.
Lipscomb’s defense is led by two of the best players in the state of Tennessee, cornerback Kaleb Beasley and linebacker Edwin Spillman (both committed to Tennessee). On offense, the Mustangs will be led by Deuce Knight at QB, a junior who holds offers from Auburn, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. Lipscomb also has a dangerous weapon at receiver of their own in Dillon Lorick, who is committed to East Carolina.
The matchup tonight will be under a national spotlight with ESPN in town for a television broadcast. You can also listen to the game on 105.5 WNSP, or on the Sound of Mobile app!
It should be a great one at Spartan Stadium tonight.
