Tigers kick off against Catholic Friday

By Michael Butler

Season openers in college football have become showcase games for many programs pitting highly ranked teams. Fans that aren't satisfied with a cupcake opener and prefer a challenge will get their wish on Friday.

The Tallassee Tigers are opening the season with the Catholic Knights on Friday, Aug. 24 at J. E. "Hot" O'Brien Stadium.

Both teams enter the season ranked in the Top 10 in their respective classifications. Both teams won ten games last season. Both teams reached the second round of the 2017 state playoffs.

Tallassee (No. 8 in 5A) will face Catholic (No. 6 in 4A) for the first time since 1957. The two have met just twice with Tallassee winning 25-6 in '57 and 29-0 in '56.

"They're as talented a bunch as we'll play this year," THS head coach Mike Battles said of Catholic. "Coach Aubrey Blackwell was with Coach Perry at Saint James. He's moved over there and turned that program around. They're good. They're athletic. It's going to be a fast ball game. Their skill people can really go.

"Our kids are excited about it. For non-region games, they're not going to affect you. You might as well play good competition."

Kalvin Levett on the move vs. Elmore County last season Photo by Kyle Thornton

Tallassee will be breaking in a new quarterback this season, but it is a seasoned player. Kalvin Levett is moving from his receiver position to the field general.

"(He's) a four-sport letterman and good at all four sports. The job he's done is very unselfish. It's rare that you find an individual who is great at one position, but what is best for our team is Kalvin at quarterback. He never flinched. He's been able to make the transition."

Battles is entering his seventh season at Tallassee and likes what he sees with this group.

"We don't have a lot of size, but we have a lot of excellent athletes. Our front seven on defense is solid. We've got to stay healthy. We're going to play a lot of guys both ways. Our first 11 are good. We have 60 on the roster, which is the most I've had since I've been here. About 35 of them are ninth and tenth graders."

Tallassee vs. Catholic kicks off at 7 p.m. 1300 WTLS/106.5 FM will broadcast live beginning at 6. The game will be simulcast on Spectrum Channel 97 with audio streaming on the TuneIn app and video streaming on YouTube.

Tickets go on sale to the public at the high school on Friday morning from 8-9. Students may purchase their tickets during lunch on Friday, Aug 24. Southside Middle School and Tallassee Elementary will also offer student tickets. Student tickets are $3 and only available during designated times at each school. All other tickets are $7 each and may be purchased at the gate if not bought in adavance. 

2018 Schedule
Varsity Roster

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