The first road to cross for the West Alabama Prep Titans this week on their way to capturing another Class A AISA state championship will be the same road that has stood in the path before, Abbeville Road.

The Titans know the Abbeville Generals all to well, having met them in their opening game of the AISA Final Four Tournament the past three years in a row.

“There are a hard team to beat,” WAP head coach Walker Reynolds said. “We expect nothing short of their best efforts today. And I know we’re in for another close game with them that will probably come down to just one play, as it has before.”

Senior Kevin May (7-2), the Titans No. 1 pitcher, will get the start in today’s game. But should May not have what it takes to get the job done today, Coach Reynolds isn’t afraid to take his team into the losers bracket.

“You know, it’s fun to win all in a clean sweep, but I’ll admit that to me, it’s a little more exciting to play those five games and watch how the kids respond to that situation where every pitch matters.”

The Titans arrive in Selma with a 20-12 overall record, going 8-0 in their area and 12-2 in conference play. And though it may have been their area record that got them into the tournament, it will be their strength of schedule that helps send the Titans home with another trophy.

‘We’ve played a lot of games this year,” Reynolds said. “We’ve lost a lot of game too, but we played a good deal of 3A schools and saw some of the best pitching there is in the state. And I feel that, that’s our edge over our opponents.”

Though Jackson Academy may just be the team to beat this year, the Titans can’t afford to think about nothing else right now but Abbeville. Once that road is crossed, then the Titans will deal with Jackson.