The wait is over, for as today the Demopolis High Tigers go to Montgomery for what will be their last three games of the season.

It’s been 18 years since a Tigers’ team has been to Montgomery, but if the Tigers come away with another state championship, it will be that 18-year wait that makes this trip that much sweeter.

There may be some worries though throughout town that the Tigers won’t be able to pull this one off. There may even be some that say, they’ll crack. But when you have a team that’s hitting .321 with 317 runs on 344 hits and 259 RBIs, not to mention has an ERA of 2.74, you don’t crack, you win championships.

Besides this is not a team that has ever cracked under pressure. They may have gotten beaten by a better team, but they are not likely to crack, nor are they likely to lose.

Hokes Bluff may be the 2003 4A defending state champions, but in 2004 the Tigers look to be the better team. Coming into this final match-up, Hokes Bluff has scored 42 runs in the playoffs, while giving up 15 runs. Demopolis has collected 52 runs during the playoffs, while giving up 18.

The Eagles are averaging seven runs per game offensively, while giving up an average of 2.5 runs per game. The Tigers average 8.5 runs per game offensively, while giving up an average of 3 runs per game.

You couldn’t find a more, well matched pair of teams. But the Tigers do hold the advantage as they are just coming into their prime this season.

Since entering the playoffs the Tigers have doubled their season numbers in many hitting categories including home runs and triples. And if they get hot at the plate, the Eagles might want to find an earlier bus back to North Alabama Saturday because this thing could get ugly.

Game time is set for 4 p.m. at Faulkner Field.