By Michael Butler

Tallassee head football coach L.A. O’Neal has opted out of spring action due to the new artificial turf project at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium. That opened the door for a fall jamboree prior to the season opener. O’Neal has found an opponent.

Tallassee will play Jemison in an exhibition game at O’Brien Stadium on Aug. 15, one week prior to the season opener.

“We decided to take the early start to fall camp instead of trying to work out the logistics of busing kids places to do spring ball,” O’Neal said. “(With) an extra week in the fall, we were looking for an opportunity to work out some of the bugs before the first game and invite the community to see the upgrades at the stadium.”

O’Neal led Tallassee to a 9-3 record and trip to the state quarterfinals in his first season with the Tigers last year. Jemison is coached by Rishard Davis, who enters his second season with the Panthers, who went 2-8 last season. The two programs have met three times, all in the post-season. Jemison leads the series 2-1.

“We will be playing Jemison in conjunction with our Tiger Night and Tallassee Youth Football League,” O’Neal added. “It’s going to be awesome seeing the youth on the field and the community in the stands as we kick off the 2025 season.”

Tallassee’s home stadium is undergoing approximately $2.5 million in improvements with prescription turf installments on the playing field and practice field. Plus, the school board has approved funding for a new video scoreboard pending approval of a cost-sharing portion from the Elmore County Commission.

“They’re estimating $180,000 to $230,000 depending on the electrical structure you have,” Tallassee City School Superintendent Dr. Brock Nolin said of new video boards being added at other Elmore County schools. “The cost-share program asks for $80,000. It would go with the existing scoreboard is, a mini-jumbotron.”

After Tiger Night, Tallassee opens regular season play with four straight home games. The 2025 schedule will have six home dates at O’Brien Stadium.