The Alabama Independent Schools Association crowned the Southern Academy Cougars as the AA state champions last Friday. They handedly defeated the Lowndes Academy Rebels 41-7.

Both schools moved up from A to AA this season. That says something about their respective football programs. I believe these two teams would have easily run through a 1A schedule and would have faced each other in the championship as well.

The Lakeside School and Chambers Academy are two other schools that joined Southern and Lowndes in the move. Lakeside reached the semi-finals this season where they fell to Lowndes. Chambers finished in the basement of their region. I talked to Art Sullivan, Lowndes Academy head coach yesterday and he shared his thoughts with me.

But where were the AA powers of last season? For one, last years AA champions, Clarke Prep School moved up to AAA. Also, Southern Academy and Lowndes Academy were blessed to have most of the skilled players return from last year.

Taylor Road Academy, Pickens Academy and Tuscaloosa Academy joined Clarke Prep in the move to AAA. Of these four schools, only Clarke Prep, last year’s AA champs, qualified for post-season play, this year. Taylor Road and Tuscaloosa did not win a conference game. I wonder how Southern Academy would fare in AAA.

POST SEASON &045; There are still a couple of teams from the area remaining in the high school playoffs. If you follow high school football, you probably know they are Sweet Water and Sunshine. It should be a good game to watch. The winner advances to the semi-finals.

For you diehard Demopolis fans, there are a few Demopolis natives whose college teams have advanced to post-season play. Chad Schroeder and Devin Goodwin of No. 11 ranked Delta State University have a playoff game under their belts this post season. The DSU Statesmen beat Elizabeth City State University, 17-10, in the first round of the NCAA Division II football playoffs. They advance to face the unbeaten North Carolina Central University on Saturday in Durham, N.C.

At the University of North Alabama are Dusty Goodwin and Vincent Jackson. UNA, the Gulf South Champions, ranked No. 3, earned a bye from the first round and will host Newberry University in the second round in Florence on Saturday.

The Ohio Valley Conference Champions University of Tennessee-Martin, who features Dontrell Miller and Ray Williams, will face Southern Illinois University in the first round of the 2006 Division I Football Championships held in Carbondale, Ill. on Saturday.

Mark your calendar for December 16. Ta’Mar Scott and the Alabama A&M Bulldogs will play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Football Championship game against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Legion Field in Birmingham.

I mentioned a little about Demopolis’ Zach Landerfelt last week. I had an opportunity to talk to his football coach at Mississppi College, Norman Joseph recently. Landerfelt, a true freshman guard, was phenomenal in the contribution of the teams run blocking as well as pass protection. The Choctaws led the American Southern Conference in fewest sacks of their quarterback. They have also completed their best season since 2001.

HUNTING – I know that we are in the midst of hunting season. I don’t hunt, but I’d sure like to hear of some of the stories that develop out of this year’s season. Please feel free to email me or call me to share some of the excitement as well as the humor that comes with hunting. Some of you may even have a few photos.

See you at the game.