Published: August 27, 2008 08:42 pm            

NEW YEAR

Upcoming football season creating a sense of excitement at West Point

WEST POINT — A fellow teacher notified Michael Simmons about it earlier this week.

But the news didn’t come as a surprise to the West Point High football coach. He had noticed it, too.

There’s a new sense of confidence surrounding West Point’s football team this season. It’s almost as if the Warriors are regaining their swagger.

And everyone in the northwestern part of Cullman County is noticing it.

“There’s a good feeling around here,” said Simmons, who has a 37-47 record in nine seasons at West Point.

It’s been a while since the confidence level inside West Point’s locker room was so high.

Coming off back-to-back playoff appearances in Class 4A, West Point moved up a classification in 2006. The Warriors spent the following two seasons in disarray — winning only two games in as many years.

It was a difficult two-year period for both West Point’s players and coaches. But even though times were tough, no one in the Warriors’ locker room was willing to accept defeat.

That’s one reason West Point’s players have a new sense of confidence. The other reason has something to do with the Warriors’ new classification.

“I know we keep talking about this, but moving back to (Class) 4A has helped our players’ confidence,” Simmons said. “It’s helped raise their expectations. They feel good about the season. They’re really looking forward to playing.”

That confidence showed in the Warriors’ 35-0 preseason win over Vinemont last week.

Playing less than three quarters, West Point’s varsity offense rolled up 161 yards on the ground — with eight different players carrying the football.

That strong showing helped lift West Point’s confidence even higher this week.

“From week to week, we’ve shown improvement,” Simmons said. “A week before we played Vinemont, our timing was terrible. I was pretty much thinking ‘Oh no, what are we going to do?’

“But everything worked out when we took the field. Right now, the guys are focused. We had a great week of practice last week, and we’ve looked good so far this week. I like what I’ve seen so far.”

A solid showing in a jamboree game isn’t the only thing that has the Warriors pumped. It also has a little to do with their opponent — Cullman County rival Good Hope.

Five years ago, West Point and Good Hope began playing the season opener on Thursday night. And so far, the Warriors are 3-1 in the series.

After falling to Good Hope in 2006, West Point avenged the loss last season. And the Warriors did it in dramatic fashion.

Trailing by 14 points at the half, West Point came out and scored three unanswered touchdowns after the break. The Warriors won the game 20-14.

“This is a big rivalry for us,” said Simmons, who worked with Good Hope head coach Chris Moss at Erwin. “The kids know each other and the coaches know each other. Games like this are fun. It’s a fun game for the community.”

        

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