Sports Columnist

If you’re a football fan from Troy, Alabama, then Memorial Stadium is the place to be this weekend.

Of course, last night Charles Henderson and Robertsdale battled it out in front of a huge crowd at the stadium in a second round AHSAA playoff game.

Today, six of the best teams in the Alabama Independent School Association come to Troy to determine state championships in Class A, AA, and AAA.

The first game today at 1 p.m. pits AA power Wilcox Academy of Camden against the Marengo Academy Longhorns of Linden. These two teams have been traditional rivals for years and to play each other for the AISA AA championship makes this game even more special.

At 4 p.m., Bessmer Academy and Monroe Academy lock horns in the big school AAA competition. Bessmer defeated AAA runner-up from a year ago, Fort Dale of Greenville, to make the big dance in Troy. Monroe, on the other hand, had to beat defending state champs Morgan Academy of Selma in the first round and powerful Glenwood Academy of Phenix City to advance to the championship game today.

The final contest of the AISA Triple Championship, kicks off at 7 p.m. between Calvary of Montgomery and A defending state champ Clarke Prep of Grove Hill. Calvary is coached by former Troy State quarterback John Glasscock. Glasscock won a state title at Prattville High School in the mid-80s.

The AISA football championships is a huge event for the City of Troy as thousands of visitors will be in town for the three title games.

While in town, these visitors will frequent local businesses for food, lodging, gas, and other items, therefore enhancing the economic growth of our community.

Let’s go out of our way to welcome these football fans and encourage them to come back to visit our great city next year. If you see John Faircloth, Executive Director of the AISA, tell him thanks and we hope the AISA has found a home for its football tripleheader.

Another tremendous boost to Troy’s economy comes on Saturday when the Jacksonville State Gamecocks come to town. This should be another great game in this 63 year rivalry so come out to the stadium for this 11:30 a.m. kickoff.

A lot of speculation is going around that this could be the last game ever between the two schools, but I doubt it. We hate each other too much to stop playing for very long. Being a little bit facetious with the above statement, but a rivalry that’s been so fierce over the years isn’t just going to blow away in the wind.

Jax State is going to come after us Saturday as hard and with as much determination as any team we have faced all season and, if they have enough firepower, could stay with us for all four quarters.

I hope our Trojans realize they’ve got to play their best!

It should be a great game! Let’s make sure we do our part by being in the stands and cheering our team on!

Hope to see you at the game!

Whup Jax State!