LaFayette, Lanett to make flag football history

BY DANIEL SCHMIDT

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

CHAMBERS COUNTY — For years, the rivalry between LaFayette High School and Lanett High School has spanned numerous athletic competitions, including football, girls and boys basketball, track and field and many other events.

Now, the Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Panthers are bringing that same competitive spirit to flag football as LaFayette debuts its flag football against Lanett on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Bulldog Stadium at 5 p.m. CT.

While the two schools are no longer in the same classification following the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s decision to separate public and private schools, the decision to ensure they continued playing came down to the desire to maintain one of East Alabama’s most fierce rivalries.

According to LaFayette head coach Demarco McNeil, the timing couldn’t be much better for the Lady Bulldogs as they prepare for their first-ever game.

“It feels great, honestly, and I’m just happy they gave me the opportunity to be the first flag football coach and put a team out there on the field,” McNeil said. “I’ve seen these girls grind for the last three months and do everything we asked them to do.”

When asked about the matchup, Lanett head coach Tiara McCullough said the chance to play LaFayette is special, especially for her players — many of whom already play many of the Lady Bulldogs’ players in other sports.

“It’s always fun playing against LaFayette for the kids, so it feels pretty good to be able to actually compete against them in flag football,” McCullough said.

Although the Lady Panthers do have a slight head start on the Lady Bulldogs as a program, it’s not much. Last year, Lanett kicked off their own inaugural season and now must use that experience to their advantage.

McCullough said that one year after starting the program, her returning players have remembered much of what they learned last year and have taken the newcomers under their wings.

However, she said she hoped the intensity picked up as that familiarity had led to less of an edge than when they were first learning to play flag football last August.

“I tell them sometimes, ‘Y’all are a little too relaxed,’” McCullough said. “Last year, they showed more grit, were more hungry, and we couldn’t even go to the playoffs. I’m telling them that a lot of times, but they’re excited about [the upcoming season]. Anybody who can go out and practice in 95 degree weather, they’re really excited about it. They’ve been working hard for it.”

Back in LaFayette, the Lady Bulldogs continue to “put some hay in the barn” as McNeil called it, and he said he is pleased with his team’s focus.

“I kind of noticed it today [Monday] when everybody was engaged with practice, which let me know they’re getting ready for it,” McNeil said. “They’ve gotten better every day they’ve shown up and been focused, especially those who have come on a consistent basis. That’s all we ask from them: to get better every day.”

Even though the competition will be relatively friendly, both teams have a desire to win that can barely be contained.

For McCullough, it’s simple: the Lady Panthers just simply can’t lose to their biggest rivals.

“When it comes to Valley and LaFayette, we tell [the players] we’ve got one rule: we don’t lose to Valley and LaFayette,” McCullough said. “They talk with their friends, because some of their friends go to LaFayette or Valley, or they have family members who went there. And a lot of the girls on our team are cheerleaders and volleyball players, and volleyball goes on while flag football is going on. But we just tell them pretty much the same thing: go out and have fun.”

Across Chambers County, the Lady Bulldogs struck a more measured tone. McNeil said while the rivalry aspect is still important, he wants his players to focus solely on the task at hand.

“We really haven’t put too much emphasis on that part, but nevertheless, it’s still Lanett — we’re looking forward to [playing] the game,” McNeil said. “I always say a big game is only a big game before the game. When you’re playing defense or offense, it’s just a game at that point. All we’ve got to do is execute our assignments. Once we do that, I think the team that settles down first will put themselves in a good position.”

Whichever side of the rivalry fans support, McNeil said he hoped for a good turnout to make players and coaches alike feel a high-caliber atmosphere.

“Come out there, support us and see history, because it’s the first time these girls have gone out here to play football,” McNeil said. “I don’t want people to expect that they’re going to see the 2001 New England Patriots or anything like that, but I do want them to come out and be there for the girls.”