Tyler Ellis returns at quarterback for his senior season. Photo by Kyle Thornton

Football spring game this week

By Michael Butler

Friday night football returns this week in Seale, Ala. Tallassee takes on Russell County in a spring scrimmage on Friday, May 20 at 7 p.m. (Central Time).

Tallassee is almost seven months removed from the 2021 season when the Tigers claimed a share of the Class 5A/Region 4 title. It was a season for Mike Battles' 7-3 squad to get back to the playoffs, a place he expects to be in 2022 as well.

Battles talked about the first week of spring training.

"We have hit them with a lot of things and they have responded well. The offense is ahead of the defense at this time because we return a lot of players with experience on offense. We will get four more days of practice and then go scrimmage Russell County.

"Our goal for every spring training is that we get everybody in a place where they can best help the team, try to create some depth at all positions and see what the new players can do."

Last year was a turnaround season for Tallassee in getting back to the post-season for the first time since 2017. It was for Russell County as well. The Warrriors were 6-4, the 6A program's first winning season since 1998.

Battles noted that winning is not the main objective for Friday night.

"We are not concerned with winning a spring game, we just want to get the guys on the field and see what they can do when we are not standing behind them and hope everyone on both teams stays healthy."

The format for the scrimmage is to play three quarters with the upperclassmen. The teams will put the younger players on the field in the final period of play. There will be no rush or returns on kicks and punts.

Tickets are $8 per person and available through GoFan.