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Then senior Jalyn Daniels ran for 328 yards and 3 TDs in last season's win in Reeltown |
Tigers/Rebs open season Thursday
By Michael Butler
It's time for another round of the "Battle of the Tallapoosa." Tallassee hosts Reeltown on Thursday, Aug. 18 in the rubber match of the reboot of the rivalry.
Tallassee avenged the 2020 loss at home with a win at Nix-Webster-O'Neal Stadium last year, 34-13. Reeltown beat the Tigers 27-21 in overtime two years ago at J. E. "Hot" O'Brien Stadium in the first game between the two since 2003.
The matchup is now even overall at 9-9.
There are expectations of a large turnout this year. In 2020, Covid restrictions limited ticket sales. Last season, stormy weather made conditions less desirable.
"One of the things you want your players to have is that big game atmosphere," THS head coach Mike Battles said. "Here in Tallassee, I don't think they've ever seen what 5,000 in the stadium would look like. It's big. It's exciting. It's great for the communities. The more people that show up, that's more that go to both programs.'
Since the series renewal, Tallassee and Reeltown have evenly split gate receipts regardless of which is the home team.
Senior Tyler Ellis missed last year's opener due to the coronavirus.
"It's going to be good to play them one last time," Ellis said.
Micah Cole is also at THS senior, who likes the Tigers' chances.
"We have the home field advantage," he said.
The home field will have new LED lighting for 2022. That includes the flashy exhibitions that many schools are incorporating.
"It is a stark difference," Tallassee City Schools Superintendent Dr. Brock Nolin said. "There will be a light show package. They click on and off. They have a little color to them. It'll be a nice addition."
Tickets are on sale through GoFan and are $8 each. A cash gate will be available as well at the stadium.
Score 94.7/Hit 106.9 will have live coverage beginning at 6 p.m. Audio streaming is available at: www.1300wtls.com with an audio simulcast on Spectrum Cable Channel 340. Video is streamed on Tallassee Times TV through YouTube.
Tallassee Varsity Roster
Reeltown Varsity Roster
Legacy of Duane Webster
The Hall of Fame coach passed away earlier this year. He coached at both programs and was instrumental in getting this rivalry started as Reeltown's head coach in the first meeting in 1984.
Webster played for “Hot” O’Brien and coached at Tallassee from 1970-73. He coached 26 seasons for Reeltown. He won 218 games in 30 years as a head coach. His 1987 Reeltown team won the 2A state championship.
Webster was a two-time Alabama Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year and was inducted into the AHSAA Hall of Fame in 1994. |
THS 2022 Schedule:
Date Opponent
Aug. 18 Reeltown
Aug. 26 at BT Washington
Sept. 2 Clay Central
Sept. 9 at Beauregard
Sept. 16 Marbury
Sept. 23 at Chilton County
Sept. 30 at Elmore County
Oct. 7 Valley (Homecoming)
Oct. 14 Sylacauga (Senior Night)
Oct. 28 at Holtville
Nov. 4 Playoffs |