Sumter County Record Journal

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Trailblazers varsity basketball to play Keith Thursday

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA & UCS Social Media
Both varsity teams will go up against Keith on Nov. 30 in an away game, R. C. Hatch at home on Dec. 5, Gordo on Dec. 7 in a home game, Marengo County on Dec. 8 in an away game, Tuscaloosa Academy on Dec. 11 in an away game, Sweet Water on Dec. 12 in an away game, and Aviation Charter School at home on Dec. 18.
The UCS varsity boys fell to Hale County on Nov. 27, 80-40.
Trailblazers Middle School boys basketball team’s next games will be against  Livingston Jr. High School for Dec. 2 at 12 p.m.

Sumter Central win over Baker and Columbina

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA & SCHS Social Media
The Sumter Central varsity boys basketball team won in the game against Newton Tuesday, 60-54. They also defeated Baker, Tues., Nov. 21 59-52, and lost against Buckhorn, Mon., Nov. 20, 75-55, over the Thanksgiving break.
The Sumter Central varsity girls basketball team took down Columbia, 70-38, last Tuesday, Nov. 21. Lady Jaguars fell to Kemper County, 45-28, in the 6 p.m. game and, 68-40, in the 7:30 p.m. game. They lost the game to Newton Tuesday night, 47-24.
December 1, the Jags are scheduled to take on Pickens County at home, Southeast Lauderdale at home on Dec. 8, Noxubee County Shootout on Dec. 9 on the road, Selma in Selma on Dec. 12, Pickens County in another away game Dec. 15, Southeast Lauderdale at home on Dec. 19 and then the much looked forward to Seed Classic right before Christmas on Dec. 23.
The Livingston Jr. High Tornadoes are scheduled to take on Hale County on Nov. 30 in an away game, UCS middle school Dec. 2 at 12 p.m., Hillcrest again at home on Dec. 4, Demopolis on the road on Dec. 7, Westlawn in an away game Dec. 12, a home game match with York West End Braves on Dec. 14, and in the Seed Classic at Sumter Central on Dec. 23.
The York West End Braves are scheduled to take on Pickens County again Nov. 29, Choctaw on Dec. 4 at home, Livingston Jr. High Tornadoes in Livingston Dec. 14, Seed Classic at Sumter Central Dec. 23 at 3 p.m., and Robert Brown at home in York on Jan. 11.

Sumter Central wins all games against Bessemer
LJHS win over UCS middle school boys basketball

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA & SCHS Social Media
Sumter Central varsity boys basketball team defended home court with a win over Besssemer City High School Nov. 11, 80-43 The Jaguars beat Newton, 63-49, Tuesday night.
Sumter Central varsity girls basketball team took down Besssemer City High School Nov. 11, 31-27. The Lady Jags fell to Newton, 50-30, Nov. 14.
Sumter Central basketball junior varsity boys basketball team won over Besssemer City High School Nov. 11, 45-25. The junior varsity Jaguars boys won over Newton, 46-29, Tuesday night.
Next up the boys varsity team will play in Greene County Classic Nov. 17 against Demopolis, amd Buckhorn at 7:30 in the N2Hoops23 on Nov. 20 at Bob Jones High School, and junior varsity, and both varsity teams play Kemper County on Nov. 27.
Livingston Jr. High Tornadoes won over University Charter School 61-10. Next up Demopolis is on the schedule for Nov. 16, Demopolis on Nov. 16 at home, Robert Brown in an an away game on Nov. 27, Hillcrest in an away game Nov. 28, and Hale County on Nov. 30 in an away game.
York West End social media reported, “York West End Braves won big over Greensboro at home on Nov. 2. YWE BIG WIN!” Nov. 16 the Braves play Pickens County in an away game, Nov. 28 against University Charter School at home, Nov. 29 against Pickens County again, and Choctaw on Dec. 4 at home.

UCS Cross Country’s Anna Pezent places in top ten at state playoff

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA & UCS Social Media
The UCS varsity girls and boys basketball teams are starting off with American Christian Academy for home court in Livingston on Nov. 16 at 5:30. Trailblazers will play Central in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 17, the Herb Jones Tournament Nov. 20, varsity boys Hale County on Nov. 27 and both varsity teams against Keith on Nov. 30.
Last Friday the Trailblazers varsity football team fell to Elba, 70-8, in the first round of the playoffs.
Trailblazers Middle School boys basketball team won over G. P. Austin Jr. High, 31-30, Nov. 6, Nov. 9 they fell to Westlawn School in Tuscaloosa, 61-10, and fell to Livingston Jr. High, 51-20.
Next games will be against York West End Jr. High on Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. and Livingston Jr. High again on Dec. 12 at 12 p.m.

York West End Braves win over Greensboro Nov. 2
Basketball season in full swing for Sumter County public schools

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA & SCHS Social Media
Sumter Central basketball varsity and junior varsity teams are scheduled to take on Clarke County at home at 5 p.m. Nov. 9, Besssemer City High School at home at 5 p.m. Nov. 10, Clarke County again on Nov. 13 in an away game, Newton High School at home on Nov. 14, and in the Greene County Classic Nov. 17. Jags varsity football team fell to Prattville Christian Academy Friday, Oct. 27, 42-0. Livingston Jr. High Tornadoes play University Charter School on Nov. 9, Robert Brown on Nov. 13 at home, Thomasville on Nov. 14 on the road, Demopolis on Nov. 16 at home, Robert Brown in an an away game on Nov. 27, Hillcrest in an away game Nov. 28, and Hale County on Nov. 30 in an away game.
The Braves took down the Raiders last Thusday, 36-13. York West End social media reported, “York West End Braves won big over Greensboro at home on Nov. 2. YWE BIG WIN!” Nov. 16 the Braves play Pickens County in an away game, Nov. 18 against University Charter School at home, and Choctaw on Dec. 4 at home.

Changes in the UCS basketball schedule: UCS varsity away game vs. ACA on Nov. 10 has been cancelled. UCS varsity home game vs. ACA on Nov. 13th has been rescheduled for Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m. UCS middle school away game vs. Linden is cancelled. UCS middle school will play York West End at home on Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. UCS middle school home game vs. Livingston Jr High School has been rescheduled for Dec. 2 t 12 p.m. Submitted by UCS Principal Dunn

UCS to host Class 1A, Area 6 Volleyball Tournament
Varsity football wins over R. C. Hatch, 32-16

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA & UCS Social Media
University Charter School will host the Class 1A, Area 6 Volleyball Tournament on Oct. 19. Trailblazers varsity volleyball team takes on Linden at 4:30, and Keith takes on R. C. Hatch at 5:45. The winners of these two matches will play at 7 p.m. to determine the Area Champions.
The Trailblazers varsity football team won the game against R. C. Hatch Oct 6, 32-16. This week UCS takes on Amelia Love Johnson at 7 p.m. on the road. Amelia Love Johnson fell to Keith Bears last week, 41-0. The next three games are scheduled to be homc games. October 20, the Trailblazers take on Linden, Marengo Oct. 27 for the first Homecoming game, and then Choctaw County on Nov. 3 for Senior night at home.
UCS cross county’s next meet will be the St. Bernard Oktoberfest Invitational on Oct. 21 in Cullman.

Sumter Central varsity volleyball to play in Class 3, Area 5 Volleyball Tournament

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA & SCHS Social Media
This Friday the Sumter Central Jaguars football team will be in Eutaw to play the Greene County Tigers at 7 p.m. The Jags varsity team fell to Trinity Presbyterian Fri., Oct. 6, 49-18. Greene County fell to Sulligent last Thurs., Oct. 5, 36-14. October 20 Sumter Central takes on St. James at 7 p.m. and Pratville Christian Oct. 27.
Greensboro High School will host the Class 3A, Area 5 Volleyball Tournament. Sumter Central play Southside on Oct. 18 at 4:30. The winner of that match will take on Greensboro at 6:30. Regional Tournament is scheduled for Oct.25-27 and State Tournament Oct. 31-Nov. 2.

UCS varsity volleyball win over Tuscaloosa Academy and Demopolis

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA & UCS Social Media
Thursday, UCS varsity won their games against Tuscaloosa Academy, 2-0, and Demopolis, 2-1. UCS social media reported. “Way to go Ladies!!! UCS Varsity Volleyball defeated Demopolis AND Tuscaloosa Academy last night!” The junior varsity volleyball fell to Demopolis, 1-2. The other game scheduled for varsity on the same day is Tuscaloosa Academy.
On Sept. 19 the varsity team takes on Breakthrough and Keith. Junior varsity will take on Breakthrough.
The next games will be Thursday against Thomasville for both varsity and junior varsity, and RC Hatch for varsity. The Junior varsity team Trailblazer Invitational Tournament is Sept. 23. On the 25th varsity takes on Millry at 4 p.m. and Leroy at 5 p.m. Then on the 26th varsity takes on Thomasville at 5 p.m. and Washington County at 6 p.m. Junior varsity takes on Thomasville at 4 p.m on the 26th.
The Blazers varsity football team has a bye week on the 22nd and play Tuscaloosa Academy on Sept. 28. The Trailblazers fell to the Keith Bears on Sept. 15, 26-16.
UCS cross county’s next meet will be the Oak Mountain High School Invitational at Heardmont Park on Sept. 30.
Middle and junior varisty Trailblazers football team take on Tuscaloosa Academy on Sept. 25 at home.

Sumter Central takes on American Academy for homecoming Friday

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA & SCHS Social Media
Homecoming the Jaguars take on Alabama Christian Academy from Montgomery at 7 p.m.
Next week they are on the road to take on A. L. Johnson at 8 p.m.
The Jags varsity team fell to Selma’s Southside Panthers Sept. 15, 50-6. ACA fell to Trinity Presbyterian on the 15th, 38-6.
Varsity volleball Jaguars fell to Southern Choctaw on Sept. 14, 3-0.
Next up on the schedule for varsity volleyball is Southside High School at home then Oct. 3 Southside again in a home game. Both games are set for 5 p.m.
Livingston Jr. High School Tornadoes won against Linden Mon., Sept. 18, 8-6. The Tornadoes play Linden again on Oct. 6 and the Robert Brown Tigers next week in Eutaw on the 26th.

Sumter Central Jags defeat Greensboro Raiders

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA & SCHS Social Media
The Jaguars defended home turf against the Greensboro Raiders in Livingston Fri., Sept. 8. Sumter Central Athletic Updates reported, “The Sumter Central Mighty Jags are 2-0 the score being 26-14 against the Greensboro Raiders.”
Sumter Central takes on Selma’s Southside Panthers tomorrow at 7 p.m. at home. Southside fell to Trinity Presbyterian last week, 26-43.
Varsity volleyball won over Greensboro Thurs, Sept. 7, 3-1. Next up is an away game against South Choctaw High School again on Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. and the Greensboro Raiders in Greensboro on Tues., Sept. 19.
SCHS Homecoming
Information
September 22, 2023
Spirit Week Activities, Sept. 18- 22: Monday, Sept. 18 -Twin Day.
Tues., Sept. 19 – Decade Day (each grade level will be assigned a decade): 9th/70’s, 10th/80’s, 11th/90’s, 12th/00’s.
Wed., Sept. 20 – E-Learning Day.
Thurs., Sept. 21 – Anything But a Bookbag Day.
Fri., Sept. 22 – Spirit/ Trailride Day (No crocs-no slides; spirit shirt with jeans, sneakers, or boots; no distressed jeans.)
Coronation Thurs. – Details to be announced.
Homecoming Parade will be held on Thurs., Sept. 21 at 5 pm in York. Line up will begin at 4 p.m. at Sumter County High School. Applications are available for pickup at York and Livingston City Halls, as well as Sumter Central High School. There is a small application fee. All applications and fees are to be turned in at SCHS front office by Fri., Sept. 15, 2023. There is a limit of 40 vehicles.
Livingston Jr. High takes on Linden Sept. 18 at home in Livingston.

Trailblazers place 2nd in Northridge Tournament

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA & UCS Social Media
The UCS varsity volleyball team won 2nd place in the Northridge Tournament Sat., Sept. 9. UCS social media reported, “The UCS Varsity Volleyball ladies are competing today in the Tuscaloosa Varsity Volleyball Tournament. They’re off to a great start this morning with a 2-0 WIN over Tuscaloosa Academy! Let’s go Blazers!,” and “Way to go ladies! They battled all day, and fought all the way to the championship game! So proud of the way these girls represented today. We’ve got home games this week. Come out and cheer them on!” The varsity team won against R. C. Hatch Mon., Sept. 11, 3-0. Thursday varsity and junior varsity take on Demopolis. The other game scheduled for varsity on the same day is Tuscaloosa Academy. On Sept. 19 the varsity team takes on Breakthrough and Keith. Junior varsity will take on Breakthrough.
The Blazers varsity football team fell to Sweetwater at home Friday, 41-6. This week the boys will be on the road to Orrville to take on the Keith Bears. Keith fell to Linden last Friday night, 44-12.
UCS cross county’s next meet will be the Early Bird Twilight Meet in Montevallo on Sept. 16.
Middle School football tied 6-6 against Thomasville on Sept. 11. On Monday the 18th they take on Sweetwater at home at 5 p.m.

Win streak for Trailblazers this week

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA & the schools social media
The Blazers varsity football didn’t even allow Fruitdale Pirates to score for the first home game in Livingston at Tiger Stadium, winning 42-0. Next up the Trailblazers take on Sweetwater at home Friday.
The UCS varsity volleyball team won 3-0, on Thurs., Aug. 31 against Linden. UCS social media reported “Way to go Varsity Volleyball! 3-0 clean sweep at Tuscaloosa Academy tonight! Let’s GO Blazers!,” and “Congrats to the MS Football team on their victory over Sweet Water tonight! 20-0. Great team win.,” for Tuesday’s games.
The girls are scheduled to play Northridge Tournament on Spet. 9 and R. C. Hatch Mon., Sept. 11. Junior varsity volleyball plays Washington Co. on Sept. 12, and varsity will play Linden and Washington Co. again the same day.
UCS cross county’s next meet will be the Early Bird Twilight Meet in Montevallo on Sept. 16.
Middle School football takes on Thomasville on Sept. 11.

Sumter Central varsity volleyball and football win

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA; Photos care of Coach
Miranda Artis and SCHS social media
The rain didn’t slow down the Jaguars on Fri., Sept. 1 against R. C. Hatch in Uniontown. The Jags took the win, 18-12, and are home taking on the Greensboro Raiders in Livingston this Friday. Greensboro fell in the inter-county competition against Hale County last Friday, 44-0.
Sumter Central varsity volleyball (0-1) also had a win against Greene Co. High Sept. 1. “So proud of my girls…The Lady Jaguar Volleyball team takes the win over Greene Co. High, 3-0. Everyone played great and it was hard to choose one player of the game. So the players of the game goes to Alexia Davis, Markayla Scott, Kamari Smith, and Yasmine Law,” quoted Coach Miranda Artis.
Next the girls take on Greensboro Thurs, Sept. 7, and Greene Co. High again on Sept. 13. Both are home games.
Livingston Jr. High takes on Greensboro Sept. 12 in an away game and Linden Sept. 18 at home in Livingston.

UWA Sports Shorts

Washington’s Interceptions Land Him GSC Defensive Player of the Week Honors
The Gulf South Conference (GSC) announced on Monday that senior defensive back Artavious Washington was chosen as the league’s Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against No. 5/6 Angelo State last Thursday night. The Lexington, Miss. native had two interceptions against one of the best defenses in the country a year ago and added three tackles and a pass breakup. His first career interception in a Tiger uniform was a big one for both ends of the ball. On a third down play in the first period, Washington picked off Gerald Gardner’s pass and returned it 38 yards to the ASU 27-yard-line. On the next play from scrimmage, Spencer Arceneaux scored on a 27-yard rush to even the game at seven. Late in the first half, with the Rams driving inside the red zone, Gardner found Washington again in the end zone for his second INT of the game that ended a six-play, 49-yard drive. Washington and the rest of the Tigers return to action on Saturday at Limestone (S. C.) for a 11 a.m. CT kickoff.
Women’s Soccer Falls in Home Opener to Clayton State
Women’s Soccer accrued its first loss of the season Sept. 3 in their home opener against Clayton State, losing 1-0 in an offensive struggle.
Volleyball Concludes Competition in Texas
The University of West Alabama volleyball team wrapped up play at the Midwestern State Invitational on Saturday, falling to Western Colorado and Eastern New Mexico from D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
Men’s Soccer Cruises to 6-1 Victory in Home Opener
West Alabama won in dominant fashion in their home opener on Saturday at Tiger Stadium by a 6-1 Advantage, Tied for 3rd Most in program history. It was a nearly perfect performance from “the lads,” as the scoring frenzy from the Tigers began early in the 3rd minute of the first half, courtesy of Ellis Williamson. The Tigers continued to spread the love offensively early in the first half, as Baronyi Kengeye scored during the 14th minute. Unfortunately for the Nighthawks, the onslaught didn’t stop there. In the 30th minute, Adrian Evrard scored yet another goal for the Tigers Club. West Alabama showed impressive defensive prowess in the first half, allowing zero goals and only three shots at the net. The Tigers continued to move the ball around generously, with Yannick Pohland scoring the 4th Tiger goal in the 55th minute, assisted by the previously mentioned Evrard. Evrard scored his second goal of the game off a penalty kick in the 62nd minute, putting the Tigers in a commanding 5-0 lead. North Georgia wouldn’t go down without a fight, scoring a goal in the 89th minute of play, courtesy of Daniel Romero. However, the Tigers put one last nail in the coffin quickly, as Jahir Hernandez Scored the 6th goal of the night in the 89th minute. West Alabama improves to 1-1 on the year, while North Georgia drops to 0-2. The Tigers will wrap up a two game homestand on Friday against Eckerd in Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Women’s Soccer Rallies from Slow Start to Draw with Pioneers
After going down 2-0 at the half, the University of West Alabama women’s soccer team bounced back with two second half goals to earn a 2-2 tie with Tusculum University (Tenn.), Friday from Pioneer Field. Each team starts the year with an identical record of 0-0-1. Additionally, this is the second year of an NCAA rule change where a regular season match is tied at the end of regulation, there is no overtime and the game ends. Extra time will return to play in the postseason, starting with the conference tournament. The Pioneers struck first off a corner kick by Marja Enste in the 25th minute. The pass found Sydney Grant, and she tapped the ball into the net for the early 1-0 advantage. Nearly four minutes later, Grant made it a 2-0 advantage off a double assist by Joey Garrett and Wilma Axelsson. That would be the last shot Tusculum would make until the 63rd minute, and that was plenty of time for West Alabama to get back into the contest. Close to four minutes into the start of the second half, a costly mistake for the home team was pounced on quickly by the visitors. Looking to reset the offense, Venla Makela put pressure on the defense to make a clean pass, but she intercepted the ball and scored UWA’s first goal of the year on an empty net. Later in the 55th minute, Makela found Aileen Charles’s pass from the right side to even the match at two goals apiece. After allowing Tusculum six first half shots, the West Alabama defense tightened up by allowing two shots in the final 45 minutes, with one saved by Dior Wilson in the 65th minute. In the second stanza, the offense stepped up for UWA, taking nine shots. The Tigers had two chances to break the tie in the 76th and 86th minutes, but the strikes were both saved. Scoring just two goals during her 2022 campaign, sophomore Venla Makela matched that in the season opener on Friday, taking four total shots. Aileen Charles, who assisted on the second goal for UWA, also had three shots on the afternoon. Dior Wilson (0-0-1) made just two saves in full time, but she and the defense allowed two shots in the final 60-plus minutes. Sydney Grant scored both goals for the Pioneers on three shots, while Grayson Patterson stopped five shots in goal. West Alabama (0-0-1) returns to action on Sunday, as they host Clayton State (Ga.) at 2 p.m. from Tiger Stadium.
Men’s Soccer falls to Carson-Newman in Season Opener
The University of West Alabama men’s soccer team opened the 2023 season Thursday afternoon in a neutral-site contest from Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex versus Carson-Newman University, with the Eagles taking the 2-0 victory.
Football Drops Season Opener to No. 5/6 Angelo State
The University of West Alabama (0-1) football team had a 14-10 lead at the half, but the preseason favorites from the Lone Star Conference in Angelo State University (Texas) (1-0) used a 21-0 third quarter to win the season opener 38-14 from Tiger Stadium on Thursday night.

Football starts 2023 season with No. 5/6 Angelo State Thursday night

By Layton Jackson, UWA Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications
LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama football team will kick off the 2023 season on Thursday night from Tiger Stadium, and the competition will be intense from the opening kickoff as Angelo State University (Texas), preseason favorites in the Lone Star Conference and a top-five team in Division II, will be the opponent.
Angelo State is ranked in fifth in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and sixth in the D2football.com preseason polls, announced earlier this month. Winning their last 13 Lone Star Conference (LSC) games, the Rams are favored to win the LSC again in 2023.
The Rams advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2022 NCAA Division II Championship after defeating Bemidji State (Minn.) in the second round, 33-7.
UWA PICKED FOURTH IN GSC PRESEASON POLL
The Gulf South Conference (GSC) football head coaches chose West Alabama to finish fourth in the preseason GSC poll.
UWA concluded the 2022 season with a 5-6 record overall and 3-4 in GSC play, picking up wins over Shorter, Valdosta State and Mississippi College.
The Tigers totaled 44 points in the preseason poll, finishing ahead of West Georgia (52) and last season’s co-champions West Florida (56) and Delta State (61). The Statesmen were picked as the preseason favorites thanks to six of the nine first-place votes.
West Alabama will see a new GSC opponent in Chowan (N.C.) for the 2023 season. The Hawks were members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) for the last 14 seasons. The Tigers will visit Murfreesboro, N.C. for the matchup on Oct. 28.
IT TAKES ONE
The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) released its preseason poll, and West Alabama picked up one vote.
UWA will face four teams ranked in the coaches preseason poll: No. 5 Angelo State, No. 10 Delta State, No. 22 West Georgia and No. 7 West Florida.
MELTON BACK UNDER CENTER
Sophomore Tucker Melton will begin his second year of college ball as QB1. Last season, the Phenix City, Ala. native threw for over 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Melton threw for a season-high 400 yards on 22-of-39 passing in 2022 against Miles. In 10 games, he threw for 200 or more yards five times.
FROM MELTON TO…
UWA will have its top-four receivers back in 2023, led by John Hilbert and Darius Nalls. The duo combined for 44% of the team’s total receiving yards a year ago. Hilbert led the team with 541 on 37 catches, with Nalls recording 499 yards on 40 catches.
However, Nalls found the endzone more than anybody else last year with six touchdowns.
Dearrius Nelson and Khris Binion are also expected to be in the mix at wide receiver.
At tight end, graduate student Caeleb Bass had 375 yards on 28 catches. In UWA’s second bout with Delta State on Nov. 12, 2022, Bass caught 76 yards on five catches.
TIME TO STEP UP
There will be a couple of position groups that will look to make a name for themselves in 2023.
Starting on defense, after the departure of All-American Michael Anderson to graduation, the current linebackers are “chomping at the bit” to hit somebody other than their teammates come Thursday.
Trevon Stanford posted 9.5 tackles for a loss and 63 tackles for the second-most on the team last season. On the ends, Davonchae Bryant found his way to the opponents’ backfield on multiple occasions, posting 15 of his 46 tackles behind the line of scrimmage with 3.5 sacks.
On offense, Demetrius Battle finished second on the team in rushing yards with 658 last year. Now, in 2023, the rushing game will look to make up 31% of the offense. Bry Webb does return for the Tigers for his senior season. Scoring five times, Webb rushed for 738 yards and averaged over five yards a carry.
10 YEARS FOR GILLILAND
The 2023 season for Gilliland will be his 10th at the helm of West Alabama football, and he will enter with 56 career wins, the most for a football coach in UWA history.
Winning the GSC in 2017, Gilliland has coached two teams to NCAA Tournament appearances, including knocking off Delta State in the opening round at home at the 2017 NCAA Division II Championship.
His 50th win as a head coach came against Shorter during the 2021 season on Oct. 9 from Rome, Georgia. The Tigers clipped the Hawks, 44-7 from Barron Stadium.

UCS fall sports start with wins for varsity football and volleyball

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA
The heat didn’t stop the varsity Trailblazers football team as they took down Hubberville on the road, 22-20. The Blazers varsity football take on the Fruitdale Pirates at 7:30 p.m. at home in Livingston.
The UCS varsity volleyball team started the season full of wins on Aug. 24 against Demopolis 25, 15, 1 to 20, 25, 1, 5-0, Hale County 25, 25, to 15, 18 and again on Monday against South Lamar. The UCS Junior varsity girls volleyball fell to South Lamar on Monday. Next games will be Thurs., Aug. 31 against Linden and Tues., Sept. 5 Tuscaloosa Academy.
Trailblazers Cross Country is on the road at the Opener Choctaw Trails in Clinton, Miss., on Sept. 2. Middle and junior varsity Trailblazers football team will take on Sweetwater in Sweetwater, Miss., on Sept. 5.

Sumter Central’s first football game of the season to be R. C. Hatch

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA
Sumter Central varsity football will start Labor Day weekend on Fri., Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. against R. C. Hatch in Uniontown, and Greensboro the following week at home in York.
Sumter Central varsity volleyball fell to Choctaw County Aug. 24, 9, 10, 13 to 25, 25, 2. The Jags take on Greene Co. High Aug. 31 in Eutaw, then are home for South Choctaw on Tues., Sept. 5 and Greensboro Thurs., Sept. 7, with both games at 5 p.m.
Livingston Jr. High Tornadoes reported that the first game will be rescheduled against Butler. The next game is an away game against Butler, as well, on Sept. 5.
SCHS Homecoming
Information
September 22, 2023
Class Maid Applications can be picked up at the front office. They are to be returned to the front office by Friday, Sept. 8.
Spirit Week Activities, Sept. 18- 22: Monday, Sept. 18 -Twin Day.
Tues., Sept. 19 – Decade Day (each grade level will be assigned a decade): 9th/70’s, 10th/80’s, 11th/90’s, 12th/00’s.
Wed., Sept. 20 – E-Learning Day.
Thurs., Sept. 21 – Anything But a Bookbag Day.
Fri., Sept. 22 – Spirit/ Trailride Day (No crocs-no slides; spirit shirt with jeans, sneakers, or boots; no distressed jeans.)
Coronation Thurs. – Details to be announced.
Homecoming Parade will be held on Thurs., Sept. 21 at 5 pm in York. Line up will begin at 4 p.m. at Sumter County High School. Applications are available for pickup at York and Livingston City Halls, as well as Sumter Central High School. There is a small application fee. All applications and fees are to be turned in at SCHS front office by Fri., Sept. 15, 2023. There is a limit of 40 vehicles.

Trailblazer and Jags fall sports start this week

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA
The varsity Trailblazers start off the season this Friday at 7:30 p.m. against Hubberville in an away game. Sumter Central varsity football will start Labor Day weekend on Sept. 1 against R. C. Hatch at 7 p.m.
The UCS varsity volleyball team started the season Aug. 24 against Demopolis at 5 p.m. and Hale County 6 p.m. in an away game. New times Mon., Aug. 28 against South Lamar at 4:30, Tues. Aug. 29 against Choctaw County and Tuscaloosa Academy with times 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 at UCS Gym, and then Thurs., Aug. 31 against Linden.
Sumter Central varsity volleyball will play Choctaw County at 5 p.m. Aug. 24 and Greene Co. High Aug. 31.
Trailblazers Cross Country will take on Spain Park Twilight Meet in Veterans Park in Hoover Aug. 26 and then The Opener Choctaw Trails in Clinton, Miss., on Sept. 2.
Middle and junior varsity Trailblazers football team take on Tuscaloosa Academy on the road on Aug. 28 and then Sweetwater in Sweetwater, Miss. on Sept. 5.

Playoff season starts February 4-11

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA
2022-23 Playoffs
Feb. 4-10-Girls Area
Feb. 4-11-Boys Area
Feb. 13-14-Sub-Regionals
Feb. 15-23-Regionals (Montgomery, Birmingham, Jacksonville, & Hanceville)
Feb. 27-March 4-State Finals (Birmingham)
The Sumter Central Jaguars varsity boys (16-4) are ranked #5 in Class 3A. Senior Night was Jan. 31 vs. Marion High. Scores unavailable at press time.
Jags girls’ varsity team will play Greensboro in the area playoffs at home Feb. 7.
The varsity boys playoff date and team are still to be determined.
The University Charter School’ Trailblazers varsity girls (13-3) are ranked #3 in  Class 1A. The varsity Trailblazer girls won against the Greensboro Raiders Mon., Jan. 30, 55-28, in Greensboro.  The varsity boys team fell to Greensboro, 61-32. Both teams lost to Keith again on Thurs., Jan. 26. The varsity boys score was 62-38, and the girls varsity team scored 45-37.
Area playoffs are to be determined.
Spring tennis started this week as well. Demopolis High School vs University Charter School 1-31.
Varsity baseball team takes on Clarke County  on the road Feb. 16. Varsity girls tennis will take on Westminster School at Oak Mountain Feb. 17.

UCS wins over Tuscaloosa Academy, YWE over
Kinterbish, annual SEED Classic on Christmas Eve

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA, care of 12-8-22 SCRJ Edition
The Kinterbish Tigers are scheduled to play Aliceville Middle School at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12.
The Livingston Jr. High Tornadoes host West Lawn on Dec. 8 and are scheduled to be in Moundville on Dec. 13 to take on the Hale County Wildcats. Demopolis won the game on Dec. 1, 31-8.
The Sumter Central Jaguars game against Newton was cancelled. Saturday they are scheduled to take on Noxubee County in Macon, Miss., Dec. 16 the Jags are scheduled to take on Demopolis High School, Dec.17th Wilcox Central High, Dec. 19 Bessemer City High School, and the annual Seed Classic will be Christmas Eve starting at 3 p.m.
The University Charter School’ Trailblazers varsity girls won over Tuscaloosa Academy Nov. 28, 58-52. The varsity boys team fell to the Tuscaloosa Academy Knights, 68-31.The varsity boys team fell to the Hale County Wildcats in Moundville Dec. 6, 66-33. Varsity teams are scheduled to take on R. C. Hatch High School Bobcats in Uniontown on Dec. 9, Tuscaloosa Academy on Dec. 12 at home, Sweet Water in Sweet Water on Dec. 13 and 19,  R. C. Hatch again on the 16th. After Christmas Trailblazers take on Marengo on Dec. 30 and Jan. 6, and Washington County on Jan. 3.
The York West End Braves won over Kinterbish on Nov. 30, 41-9.

Upcoming games for Sumter schools

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA, care of 12-1-22 SCRJ edition
The Kinterbish Jr. High Tigers take on Livingston Jr. High Tornadoes on Dec. 6.
The Livingston Jr. High Tornadoes take on Demopolis Dec. 1 on the road and host West lawn on Dec. 8.
The Sumter Central Jaguars Dec. 12 are scheduled to take on Pickens County High School and on the 17th Demopolis.
The University Charter School’ Trailblazers are traveling Dec. 6 to face off against the Hale County Wildcats in Moundville and then the R. C. Hatch High School Bobcats in Uniontown on Dec. 9. Varsity teams are scheduled to take on Tuscaloosa Academy on Dec. 12 at home, Sweet Water in Sweet Water on Dec. 13 and R. C. Hatch again on the 16th at home in Livingston.

Basketball Homecoming held at SCHS

By Herman B. Ward, Jr. SCRJ Associate Editor
Sumter Central High School’s annual Homecoming Basketball ended with all three teams winning and a capacity crowd of visitors at the home game held Fri., Nov. 25.
“I really appreciate everyone who came out to support the team, and we had more to show up at the game than I’ve ever seen,” stated Head Coach Jazmin Mitchell, who was a State Champion basketball player himself in 1988.
Coach Mitchell said he thought it would be a great idea to invite former players from Sumter High School, Livingston High School and SCHS to come out and show support to the ball players, so he decided call it a “Basketball Homecoming,” and he was so happy that so many chose to come out and support the event after it began in 2021.
“I’m certain we had way over 3,000 people to come out and enjoy the event. There were so many former basketball players and supporters to come out and fellowship, especially after the rain stopped.
We were not able to admit everyone to the game. We sold out of seats and standing room for the game,” Mitchell said.
“Everyone was so nice. Many of the groups came together with matching shirts. Team members from as far back as 1994, 2001, and others were there representing. I wish I could have photographed them all.
“And the teams played well. All three teams won, and the varsity boys defeated Greene County High School 58 to 44,” Coach Mitchell said.
Mitchell also thanked all who were willing to support with organizing the event and parking, including Larkin Restaurant owner and former Sumter County School Board member and chairman Wendell Larkin. Larkin smiled and said parking at the event was a challenge, but after the raining stopped, he and his brother were able to direct parking to the practice football field and only had to use a local wrecker service to help a half dozen vehicles.
Larkin was a former Sumter High School basketball player himself in the 1970’s, and said efforts have been made to support Sumter school teams in other ways.
“What a night! We had a lot of people coming together and everything was so peaceful,” Larkin said. “Its a blessing. We can all continue to come together for the children of Sumter County and continue to help them,” Larkin added.
“I really want to thank everyone for supporting our teams during this second Homecoming event. We appreciate all for their support, and we look forward to coming together again next year,” Coach Mitchell said.

Tornadoes win over Tigers, Trailblazers win over Alabama Aerospace and Aviation
Sumter Central Homecoming over Thanksgiving break

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA
The Kinterbish Jr. High Tigers host the Kinterbish Classic on Nov. 19, andtake on the York West End Braves Nov. 30 and Livingston Jr. High Tornadoes after Thanksgiving break on Dec. 12.
The Livingston Jr. High Tornadoes won over Kinterbish Jr. High on Nov. 14, 39-9. The Tornadoes take on Demopolis Nov. 17 at home.
Sumter Central Jaguars junior varsity boys team fell to Meridian, Nov. 10, 44-16. Varsity girls and boys teams are scheduled be on the road for the Greene Classic Nov. 18.
Varsity boys take on UMS-Wright Preparatory at the Robertsdale Classic Nov. 19. The JV boys basketball, boys and girls varsity team are all scheduled to take on Greene County Nov. 25 in the Sumter Central Homecoming at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6 the Jags return after the break to take on Pickens County High School.
University Charter School’s varsity boys team won against Alabama Aerospace & Aviation on Sat., Nov. 12, 50-40. Trailblazers middle school girls basketball team fell to Linden Nov. 14, 50-43, and the middle school boys basketball team also lost, 43-26. Varsity basketball teams both take on Hale County Nov. 17, Greensboro on Nov. 18 at home, and Tuscaloosa Academy Nov. 28 on the road.
The York West End Jr. High Braves take on Livingston Junior High Schoolon Nov. 29 and Kinterbish Junior High School on Nov. 30.

Middle School Tornadoes win against Tigers, Trailblazers; Trailblazers win against Braves
Varsity teams begin season games this week

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ & MvT Community News Editor, care of 11-10-22 SCRJ edition

By Kasey DeCastra, Sumter County Record Journal and Moundville Times Community News Editor; scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/ AHSAA
Kinterbish boys team fell to Pickens County Nov. 7, 13-42. The Tigers girls team fell to Aliceville Nov. 8, 48-6. The Tigers play Livingston Jr. High Mon., Nov. 14.
Livingston Jr. High boys team won aginst Kinterbish, 51-9, and girls won against UCS, 22-18, Nov. 5 in the York West in Classic. Both Tornadoes basketball teams won against UCS Trailblazers Mon., Nov. 7. Boys end game score was 22-18, and girls was 46-13. Both girls and boys play York West End Jr. Nov. 9.
Sumter Central Jaguars basetktball teams take on Meridian High School Nov. 10. Sumter Central 2nd Annual Homecoming will be Fri., Nov. 25 at 5:30 p.m.
University Charter School middle school girls basketball team won against York West End Nov. 1, 26-15, and fell to Westlawn Nov. 3, 15-10. Trailblazers middle school boys basketball team won over York West End Jr. High on Nov. 5, 31-44. Middle school boys basketball fell to Westlawn, 46-12, Nov. 3.
Varsity girls basketball will take on Northridge on Nov. 11, and both varsity teams take on Alabama Aerospace & Aviation High School Nov. 12.
York West End will host Robert Brown Mon., Nov. 14.

Anna Pezent wins 3rd place at State Cross Country Meet: “Anna Pezent and Laurel Morse did an amazing job representing UCS at State!!! Anna got 3rd place with a time of 21:08. Laurel finished with a time of 26:06. Way to go Trailblazers!” @universitycharterschool

It’s time for basketball!

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ & MvT Community News Editor, care of 11-3-22 SCRJ edition
Livingston Jr. High reported two wins over Choctaw County on Nov. 1st for both the boys and girls team. Next up is Robert Brown on the road for the Tornadoes.
University Charter School reported that the “Middle School Girls Win!! 26-15,” Nov. 1 to start the season in a game against York West End Jr. High. Varsity and Jr. Varsity teams are scheduled to host the Hale County Wildcats on 11-17.
Sumter Central Meet The Jags is this Friday, Nov. 4th, and they play Meridian on Nov. 10th.
Kinterbish Jr. High vs. York West End game is scheduled for Weds., Nov. 2. Scores unavailable before presstime.

Cross Country runs in Helena Inv. and varsity football at home for UCS this week

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, Scores care of https://al-ax.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/AHSAA
The Trailblazers take on Amelia Love Johnson this Friday. ALJ’’s Eagles fell to Keith’s Bears last Friday, Sept. 29, 38-0. UCS varsity football team fell to R.C. Hatch, 54-28, Thurs., Sept. 28.
UCS Cross Country is on the road to Helena for the Helena Invitational on Sat., Oct. 8.

SCHS to face Greene Co. Friday

Sumter Central Volleyball fell to Southern Choctaw Sept. 29. Thursday the ladies play Greene County. Jags football forfeited to Trinity Presbyterian Friday night. Next up is the Greene County Tigers. The Tigers are coming off a 34-0 loss against Sulligent. Homecoming they take on the Saint James Trojans.

Varsity v-ball Trailblazers celebrate 1st Senior Night; Cross country Trailblazers rock Oak Mt. Invitational

“2nd XC meet of the season for UCS and they rocked the Oak Mt. Invitational! It was a beautiful course and perfect morning to race. So proud of these kids who are finishers and persevere to the end. They even got to play in the creek. Anna Pezent took place out of 103 Varsity girls. Go Trailblazers!”
@universitycharterschool

“Wins all around for Middle School and Varsity Volleyball! What a great way to celebrate Senior Night with our very own senior, Kendall LaCoste!”@universitycharterschool

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor
UCS varsity volleyball won against R. C. Hatch Mon., Sept. 19. This Thursday is the tri-match against Sulligent, South Lamar.
Friday the varsity football team will take on Tuscaloosa Academy. Tuscaloosa Academy is coming off of a win versus Lamar County, 34-7, Fri., Sept. 16. Next week is Dream Week, and the Trailblazers will take on R. C. Hatch.
The middle school football team lost to Sweet Water, Monday night, 12-40. Next game will be against Tuscaloosa Academy on the 26th,

Jags varsity volleyball wins over Marengo

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor
The Jaguars varsity volleyball team won over Marengo last Thursday, 2-0. They fell to Choctaw County the same day. The girls next two matches are against Linden on Sept. 22, and Southern Choctaw and Greene County on the 27th. Sumter Central will play Trinity Presbyterian Thursday, Sept. 29. The Jags fell to Alabama Christian Academy last Friday, 62-14.

Southside trounces Sumter Central

By Letti Hasberry, Selma Sun Correspondent, https://selmasun.com/sports
The Southside Panthers defeated the Sumter Central Jaguars 68-38 in a crucial area game at the Panther Stadium on Thursday.
Sumter Central High School got off to a fast start scoring 12 quick points to start off the first quarter against Southside
Derick Smith found his way in the end zone with 3:32 left in the the first quarter and Roosevelt Towns Jr. went for the extra 2 making the score 12-8.
The Panthers was able to answer again when Ernie Campbell ran in for the touchdown with 20 seconds left in first quarter. Towns ran for the 2 points again making the score 16-12.
The Jaguars scrambled to respond, but Tyree Cooper came up with a big sack on the Jaguars to keep the momentum going into the second quarter. Cooper maintained that the same energy in the second quarter coming up with some big sacks to keep the Panthers going.
The Jaguars managed to regain the lead, but the Panthers recovered a fumble with 4:59 left in the second quarter. The Panthers capitalized on the the fumble with Towns connecting with Deandre Gardner for the touchdown. Keandre Williams scored the extra 2 points putting the Panthers up 24-20 with 4:47 left in the second quarter.
Omarion Wilson got an interception with 19 seconds left in the second quarter to prevent the Jaguars from getting in the end zone. Towns found Erick Smith to score a touchdown with time running out to end of the half. The Panthers managed to get the two extra points to end the half 32-20.
Deandre Gardner maintained momentum in the third quarter racking up yards to score a touchdown. Towns finished the play with the extra two, increasing the score to 40-20 with 8:28 left in the third quarter. The Panthers continued to score with Derick Smith making himself in the end zone for another touchdown. Keandre Williams completed the play, further increasing the Panthers lead to 48-20.
The Jaguars answered back with 4:41 left in the third quarter making the score 48-26. The Panthers didn’t let up with Williams getting back in the end zone late in the third quarter increasing the Panthers lead to 54-26. The Jaguars answered back quickly with a touchdown to make the score 54-32 to end the third quarter.
Xavier Neely responded back with a touchdown to start the fourth quarter. The Jaguars continued to fight causing the Panthers to fumble at 5:13 in the fourth quarter giving the Jaguars a chance to score again. Cooper responded by getting the ball back and scoring with 1:02 left in fourth quarter. O’Darius Walker found Derrick Surles to get the two points to close the deal. The Panthers defeated the Jaguars 68-38.
Southside head coach Charles Moody said he’s glad his offense finally started clicking. He hopes this game will spark a run for the Panthers, as they continue to work to reach the playoffs.
Southside will play at Saint James High School next Friday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.
Sumter Central will play Alabama Christian Academy
By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor
Sumter Central will play Alabama Christian Academy Friday, Sept. 16. ACA is coming off of a loss from Trinity Presbyterian, 20-14.
The Jags varsity volleyball is schedule for a match against Choctaw County Thurs., Sept. 15. Linden and Greensboro won their matches last week on Sept. 7 and 8.

Trailblazers varsity volleyball win over Northside, Leroy and Millry Middle School football win over Clarke County, 18-8

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor
The varsity volleyball team defeated Northside on Saturday at the tournament, but fell to Satsuma and Northridge in the games following. The girls won against Millry and Leroy Mon., Sept. 12 and against R. C. Hatch & Demopolis Tues., Sept. 13. Next up for the varsity volleyball team is Linden on Sept. 15.
The UCS middle school volleyball team won their match against Demopolis Tuesday night.
University Charter School middle school football won in the game against Clarke County Monday, 18-0. Last week they fell to Sweet Water on Sept. 6, 26-20, and will play them again on Mon., Sept. 19.
The Trailblazers varsity football fell to Keith last Thurs., Sept. 8, 30-6. This next week is a bye week, and then they take on R. C. Hatch Sept. 29 for Dream Week.
The cross country team travels to Heardmont Park, Field 6. The Trailblazers will be competing with Wetumpka, Westminster School At Oak Mountain, Vestavia Hills, Montevallo, Pike Road, Leeds, LAMP, Horseshoe Bend, Fayetteville, The Donoho school, Calera, Benjamin Russell, Auburn, and Oak Mountain.

UCS takes on Keith Bears Friday night

By Kasey DeCastra,
SCRJ Community News Editor, Stats and dates care of https://al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/AHSAA
The Trailblazers fell 0-44 to Sweet Water, Friday night. This week the varsity football team takes on the Keith Bears on Thurs., Sept. 8 then Tuscaloosa Academy Sept. 23. Keith fell to Linden Sept. 2, 32-22.
On Sept. 6 the Trailblazers won over the Keith Bears on home court in Livingston. UCS middle school football takes on the Sweet Water Bulldogs on the road. Scores unavailable at press time.
On the 8th the middle school volleyball will host both the Greensboro Raiders and Demopolis Tigers in Livingston.
Varsity volleyball takes on Millry and Leroy on Mon., Sept. 12 on the road, and hosts R. C. Hatch and Demopolis the 13th.
Cross country will be on the road for Sept. 17.

Greensboro Raiders beat Sumter Central Jaguars 41-18 on “Military Appreciation” night

By Travis Vaughn, Editor
The Greensboro Raiders defeated the visiting Sumter Central Jaguars 41-18 Thursday night, September 1, at Robert Lucky Field in Greensboro.
The Raiders declared the night to be their “Military Appreciation Game” and dedicated the game to William Thomas, an Air Force veteran, law enforcement retiree, and community supporter who died earlier this year.
The excitement of the pre-game commemorations, including the game ball being presented by the AirEvac air ambulance crew based in Demopolis, seemed to carry over to the game for the Raiders.
The Raiders scored their first touchdown with 8:48 left in the first quarter. The Jags threw an interception, with the return taking it down to the 22 yard line. A penalty flag thrown against Sumter for ripping the helmet off a Greensboro player made it first down at the 11. A touchdown run followed, making it 13-0 with 7:38 left in the first quarter.
The Jaguars got the ball near midfield after a short kickoff. Sumter capitalized on the short field with a touchdown pass, making it 13-8 with a successful two-point play at the 3:43 mark.
In the second quarter, the Raiders added a touchdown plus two-point play early in the quarter, making it 21-8. Greensboro then took advantage of a Sumter fumble as Ty’darrion Lewis snagged a touchdown pass. The two-pointer was also good, making it 29-8 with 4:57 left in the half.
On the next Sumter drive, the Jags couldn’t convert on fourth down, so the ball went over to Greensboro on downs. A backwards pass by the Raiders was recovered by the Jags, but they turned the ball right back over to Greensboro with an interception. Greensboro would then score a touchdown on a pass from Ryian Hamilton to Lewis with 1:11 left in the half. The two-point conversion was no good, so the score stood at 35-8.
The onside kick attempt by Greensboro was recovered by the Jags, who moved the ball down to the Greensboro 6. Sumter scored on third and goal from the 2 as time expired, and the two-point play was good, putting the score at 35-16 at the half.
Not much scoring took place in the second half, as Greensboro held on to the big lead and won 41-18.
Greensboro is now 1-2 on the season, while Sumter Central is also now 1-2. Greensboro next hosts St. James, while the Jags will travel to face the Southside (Selma) Panthers this Friday night.

Sumter Central Jags take on Greensboro Raiders

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, Stats and dates care of https://al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/AHSAA
Jags fell in a heart breaker to R. C. Hatch last Friday, August 26, 30-28. The Sumter Central varsity football team plays Greensboro in Greensboro Thurs., Sept. 1. Greensboro is coming off of a loss to the Hale County Wildcats, 32-16, Aug. 26 in a county rivalry game.
Jaguars varsity volleyball will take on Greensboro on Sept. 8.

UCS Trailblazers varsity football beat Fruitdale Pirates

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, Stats and dates care of https://al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/AHSAA
The Trailblazers were back in action in Fruitdale this last Friday, defeating the Pirates, 16-6.
This week the Trailbalzers take on the Sweet Water Bulldogs in Sweet Water. Sweet Water lost last Friday’s game to Thomasville, 34-0.

UCS Falls in Season Opener to Hubbertville 18-8
Written by Coach Sam Mosley
UCS hosted its first ever game under the Friday night lights on August 19th. UCS hosted Hubbertville from Fayette County, Ala. The game was hard fought but mistakes by the Blazers in critical moments of the game were the deciding factor.
The game started off strong for the Blazers, after the opening kickoff UCS held Hub to a 3 and out, forced a punt and then took the ball on an 18 play 95 yard drive that ended in a touchdown and took 9 minutes off the clock. The 2 point try was successful. There was some back and forth but later in the second quarter mistakes and penalties on crucial downs aided the Lions on their first Touchdown of the night. UCS had 2 other opportunities later in the game inside the 10 and did not come away with points.
“I was pleased with the way our kids competed, I don’t think anyone on either side could say any of our kids quit or rolled over and I am proud of that. We just made too many mistakes in crucial times and that got us in the end. Focus needs to improve for this group, we have all the physical tools to get the job done but need to sharpen up on the mental part of the game as well as the situational part of the game.”
Stats
Top Players
Touchdowns
Craig Ellington 9 Yd Pass from Braden Murray (Two-Point Conversion) 8 points
Top Players
2. Murray 90 Pass Yds
3Wiggins 66 Rush Yds
5 Wilson 62 Rec Yds
Offense
Passing Comp/Att Yds TD Int Long 2 PT
2 B. Murray 5 / 8 90 1 1 33 –
Rushing Att Yds TD Long Furn 2 PT
3 T. Wiggins 20 66 – 9 – –
7 J. Jackson 9 38 – 11 – –
12 A. Bell 6 20 – 5 – –
5 T. Wilson 2 12 – 18 – –
2 B. Murray 2 2 – 1 – –
Rest of team 4 – 18 9 – –
Receiving
Rec Yds TD Long Furn 2PT
ST. Wilson 3 62 – 33 – –
6 C. Ellington 2 28 1 19 – –
Passing
Comp/Att Yds TD Int Long 2PT
Rest of team 5/6 52 1 * 41 *
Rushing
Rest of team 29 77 1 18 * 2
Att Yds TD Long Furn 2PT
Receiving
Rec Yds TD Long Furn 2PT
Rest of team 5 52 1 41 * *
Defense
Tk Ast Sek TFL
3 T. Wiggins 5 1- –
12 A. Bell 3 1 – 1
5 T. Wilson 3 5 – 1
7 J. Jackson 2 – – –
51 J. Walker 2 3 – 1
4 Z. Harris 2 1 – 1
2 B. Murray 1 6-1
53 J. Pyles 1 5 – –
9 E. Pezent 1 3 – –
54 S. Harris 1 3 – –
6 C. Ellington – – 2 –
Rest of team 4 – 3 3
Varsity Volleyball won over Decatur High school, but fell to St. Michael’s. The game on Tuesday against Thomasville was cancelled.
Middle school volleyball and varsity volleyabll both won their matches on Thurs., Aug. 25 and Tues., Aug. 30.
On Sept. 6 the Trailblazers take on the Keith Bears on home court, and UCS middle school football takes on the Sweet Water Bulldogs on the road. On the 9th the middle school volleyball will host both the Greensboro Raiders and Demopolis Tigers in Livingston.

Sumter Central defeats Wilcox

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, care of 8-25-22 SCRJ edition
The Class 3-A Jags game won a non-confrenece game over the Wilcox Jags 22-12. Next up is another home game against R. C. Hatch. R.C. Hatch is coming off of a loss of 18-24 against Autaugaville.
Sumter Central varsity volleyball fell to Southern Choctaw Tues., Aug 23, 0-3. The Jaguars varsity volleyball team takes on Choctaw on home court Thursday at 5 p.m.

UCS varsity volleyball wins against Millry and Sweet Water

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, care of 8-25-22 SCRJ edition
University Charter School Trailblazers fell to Hubertville Lions, 18-8 in a non-regional game.
Cross Country Trailblazers first meet was at American Christian Academy for the ACA Invitational.
Varsity Women’s Volleyball won both games against Millry at 4 p.m. and Sweet Water at 6 p.m., 2-0 score.
Coming up the UCS varsity girls volleyball team take on Sweet Water on the 25th with varsity playing at 4 p.m. and JV at 5 p.m. in an away game, and then defending home court middle school and varsity take on Thomasville on Tues., Aug. 30.
The Varsity football take on Fruitdale Pirates on the 26th in an away game in Fruitdale.
Mon., Aug. 29 the middle school football team takes on Tuscaloosa Academy in Tuscaloosa. “Saturday Vibes! UCS’ First Cross Country Meet.” UCS was scheduled for the American Christian Invitational in Tuscaloosa this past weekend. @universitycharterschool

SCHS and UCS football starts Friday with home games

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor

The Jags play Wilcox in Livingston on the 19th, and the Trailblazers saddle up to take on Hubbertville.
Schedules care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com
Sumter Central Volleyball
8/23 S. Choctaw away 5:30 & 6 p.m.; 8/25 Choctaw County home
Sumter Central Football
8/19 Wilcox home; 8/26 R. C. Hatch home
University Charter School Volleyball
8/22 Varsity Millry home 4 p.m.; Sweet Water 6 p.m.; 8/25 Sweet Water away 4 p.m.
8/25 JV Vollyball Sweet Water away 7 p.m.
University Charter School Varsity Football
8/19 Hubbertville home; 8/26 Fruitdale away

University Charter School Volleyball
Schedule care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com
8/22 Millry home 4 p.m.; Sweet Water 6 p.m.
8/25 Sweet Water away 4 p.m.
8/30 Thomasville 6 p.m.
9/6 Keith 6 p.m.
9/12 Leroy home 4 p.m.; Millry 5 p.m.
9/13 R. C. Hatch home5 p.m.; Demopolis 6 p.m.
9/19 R. C. Hatch away 5 p.m.
9/20 Linden home 5 p.m.; Tuscaloosa Academy 6 p.m.
9/22 Tri Match at South Lamar vs. Sulligent 4:30 p.m.; vs. South Lamar 4:30 p.m.; vs/ Sulligent 5:30 p.m.
10/4 Keith away
University Charter School Volleyball JV Volleyball
Schedule care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com
8/25 Sweet Water away 7 p.m.
University Charter School Middle School Volleyball
Schedule care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com
8/30 Thomasville 4 p.m.
9/6 Sweet Water away 6 p.m.
9/8 Demopolis 4 p.m.; Greensboro 6 p.m9/20 Tuscaloosa Academy 4 p.m.
9/26 Tri Match at Greensboro Middle School GMS at 4 p.m.
University Charter School Varsity Football
Schedule care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com
8/19 Hubertville home
8/26 Fruitdale away
9/2 Sweet Water away
9/8 Keith home
9/16
9/23 Tuscaloosa Academy
9/29 Clarke County
10/7 Amelia Love Johnson home
10/14 Linden away
10/21 Marengo away
10/28 Choctaw County
University Charter School Middle School Football
Schedule care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com
8/29 Tuscaloosa Academy away
9/12 Wilson hall
9/19 Sweet Water home
9/26 Tuscaloosa Academy
10/3 Clark County/Wilson Hall

Jazz Basketball Camp a success

Jasmin Mitchell Basketball Camp in Livingston. The camp was held on Saturday, July 30 at Sumter Central High School gymnasium. The ‘Jaz Camp’ is a free basketball camp that is for ages 5-18. Coach Jasmin Mitchell said he was excited for this year’s camp to get kids out of the house and back on the court to work on different skills and drills. Coach Mitchell really emphasized how important it is to him to make sure the camp is free, so that anyone can attend. Mitchell said, “My goal is to get our kids in Sumter County a chance to have a free basketball camp because basketball is so high and with the COVID going on, things [cost] are so high for our kids so I want to give our kids an opportunity to have a chance like the other kids. A free basketball camp in Sumter County.”

Mitchell who is a York Councilman and SCHS Basketball Coach held the first annual camp last year where over 126 children took advantage of the free camp.

Sumter Central Football

Dates subject to change. All times start at 7 p.m. Schedules care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/AHSAA

8/19 Wilcox home
8/26 R. C. Hatch home
9/2 Greensboro away
9/9 Southside Selma away
9/16 Alabama Christian Academy away
9/23 Open TBA
9/30 Trinity Presbyterian home
10/7 Greene County home Homecoming
10/14 St. James home
10/21 Prattville Christian home

Sumter Central Volleyball

Dates subject to change. Schedules care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com/sites/AHSAA

8/25 Choctaw County home
8/30 Wilcox away
9/8 Greensboro away
9/13 Wilcox home
9/15 JV & V Choctaw County away
9/19 Aliceville away
9/29 Greene County home
10/6 Greene County away

2022 Making a Difference Award Recipients Honored at AHSAA/AHSADCA Championship Coaches’ Awards Banquet

Stanley Johnson, the veteran track & field and cross country head coach at Lawrence County High School in Moulton, was among the AHSAA state championship coaches honored Friday night. Johnson, who has been managing the AHSAA State Cross Country Championships held at nearby Jesse Owens Course at Oakville Indian Mounds Park and Museum annually for more than a decade, led the Lady Red Devils to the Class 5A state title in 2020 and 2021. His boys’ cross-country program won titles in 2015, 2014 and 2004.

Considered a mentor to coaches across the state, Johnson’s leadership and dedication has helped the AHSAA cross-country program become one of the tops in the nation. The National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) also recognized Johnson as the Section 3 girls’ cross-country coach of the year or the 2020-21 school year and selected him as its National Cross-Country Coach of the Year for 2020-21.

Johnson was recognized for the important honors Friday. Several other AHSAA coaches also received Section 3 Coach-of-the-Year recognition for the 2020-21 school year for their respective sports. Those included Handley High School football coach Larry Strain; Hewitt-Trussville softball coach Taylor Burt; T.R. Miller boys’ swimming & diving coach Leah Atkinson; and Gardendale wrestling coach Brian Brasseal. The NFHS also selected one coach per sport as the Alabama Coach of the Year for 2020-21.
The NFHS will name its state, section, and national coaches of the year for 2021-22 next fall.
The AHSADCA also honored Mike Pugh of Opelika High School as the AHSAA 2021-22 Athletic Director of the Year. A teacher/coach/administrator for more than 45 years, Pugh manages one of the top all-around high school athletic programs in the state.

Also honored with the AHSADCA Past President’s Award was out-going AHSADCA president Brittney Coleman of Jeff Davis High School.

The special honorees are listed below:
AHSAA/AHSADCA ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Mike Pugh, Opelika High School
AHSADCA PAST PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Brittney Coleman, Jeff Davis High School
2020-2021 NFHS National Coach of the Year
Stanley Johnson, Lawrence County High School (Girls Cross Country)
2020-21 NFHS SECTION 3 COACHES OF THE YEAR
Stanley Johnson, Lawrence Country High School (Girls’ Cross Country)
Larry Strain, Handley High School (Football)
Taylor Burt, Hewitt Trussville High School (Softball)
Lisa Atkinson, T.R. Miller High School (Boys’ Swimming/Diving)
Brian Brasseal, Gardendale High School (Wrestling)
2020-21 NFHS STATE COACH OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS
Darren Golson, Autaugaville High School (Boys’ Basketball)
Lisa Ivey, Sparkman High School (Boys & Girls’ Bowling)
Charles Tiller, American Christian Academy (Boys’ Cross Country)
Larry Strain, Handley High School (Football)
Jimmy Johnson, Opelika High School (Boys’ Outdoor Track)
Rik Tozzi, Indian Springs School (Boys’ Soccer)
Lisa Atkinson, T.R. Miller High School (Boys Swimming/Diving)
William Hart, Houston Academy (Boys’ Tennis)
Brian Brasseal, Gardendale High School (Wrestling)
Krystle Johnson, Hoover High School (Girls’ Basketball)
Stanley Johnson, Lawrence County High School (Girls’ Cross Country)
Ashley Johnson, St. Paul Episcopal School (Girls’ Soccer
Taylor Burt, Hewitt Trussville High School (Softball)
Arthur Fortin, Huntsville High School (Girls’ Swimming/Diving)
Nick Arnold, St Luke’s Episcopal School (Girls’ Tennis)
The AHSADCA also presented its annual Coaches’ Children Scholarships to 10 senior student-athletes of AHSADCA member coaches or administrators. This year’s 2021-22 recipients included:
2021-22 AHSADCA COACHES’ CHILDREN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
District 1: Jarel Williams, Saraland HS (Son of Coach Janel Williams)
District 1: Ashauni Jackson, Jackson HS (Daughter of Coach La’Kendrick Howard)
District 2: Lauren A. Rodgers, Enterprise HS (Daughter of Coaches Chris & Christina Rodgers)
District 2: Jackson Pierce, Opp HS (Son of Coach Cam Pierce)
District 3: Sidney Franklin, Carver Senior HS (Son of Coach Virginia Franklin)
District 4: Camya A. Williams, Bullock County HS (Daughter of Coach K’ Andria Scott)
District 5: Morgan Elizabeth Daniels, Helena HS (Daughter of Coach James Phillip Lawson)
District 6: Alyssa Harris, Jacksonville HS (Daughter of Coach Stephanie Harris)
District 7: Addison Smothers, Addison HS (Daughter of Coach Stephen U. Smothers)
District 8: Evan Lott, James Clemens HS (Son of Coach Lori Lott)
To see the list of 2021-22 AHSAA State Championship Coaches of the Year, go to the following link located on the AHSAA website:
https://www.ahsaa.com/Portals/0/PDF’s/AHSADCA/2022%20Summer%20Conference/Championship%20Coaches%202021-2022%20NEW.pdf?ver=ISIBJtawVb4Ol0iSaB3qHg%3d%3d&timestamp=1657294439290

2022 Marcus Campbell Basketball Camp

Photos submitted by Marcus Campbell, Sumter County Commissioner

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
The 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will be April 16 at 1 p.m. for boys and girls ages 6-12 and 13-19* Must be a student. Door prizes are $75 for 1st place and $30 for 2nd place. Sponsored by Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Bellamy.

UCS baseball wins over Paul Bryant High School

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA
UCS scored big in the doubleheader against Paul Bryant High School. “This past Saturday, UCS JV Baseball Paul Bryant 6-0 and 15-2. Roper Houlditch and Will Fitz-Gerald were the winning pitchers. Michael Daniels hit his 2nd homerun of the season,” reported UCS Facebook page.
UCS JV baseball is scheduled to play Thomasville on April 1 on the road and Holy Spirit on April 2 at 1 p.m. in Livingston.

By Kasey DeCastra,
SCRJ Community News Editor, scores & quotes care of AHSAA, photos care of @universitycharterschool
UCS Trailblazers varsity girls basketbal team won, 45-44, last Wednesday night over Linden. Marion County defeated UCS, 71-39, Monday, Feb. 28.
“I am extremely proud of our team. This is only the fourth year of even being a school. We have to be better about taking care of the ball when we have it. We made a lot of progress and I’m extremely proud of us getting here. We’re gonna get back in the gym and work to be back next year. It made a big impact on the game because the other team has been here before. We let the nerves get to us early and by the time we settled down it was hard to climb out of the hole we were in. My first thing I told them was to keep their heads up. I didn’t harp on what we did, I talked about what we didn’t do. But we will be back here. We will continue to get better. We kept turning the ball over and we didnt take care of it like we should. They came out and played the defense we talked about all week. For us to be successful we have to take care of the ball. We will be back here. We are totally confident. We will tackle the attention next year straight on. We know now that we can do it and other teams will know it too. There’s no more sneaking up on people. We preach about how to fight through adversity,” state Coach Lewis.
Anna Pezent led University Charter (15-9) with 14 points, and Kendall Lacoste had 13 points. Javionna Harrison added nine points and 14 rebounds. The Trailblazers of Coach Kerry Lewis made history by becoming the first charter school in state history to reach the state tournament.
“Our area was really tough. I’m proud of us for coming this far. It would have been great to win, but we’ll be back next year. I think we have to stay focused,” Trailblazer #5 Anna Pezent.
“It’s really big that we’re here. We have to zone in next time and take all the distraction out,” said UCS’s #14 Kendall Lacoste. “It was a blessing to make it this far, it was a blessing, but we will be back,” said Trailblazer’s #30 Javion Harrison who was upbeat about the next season. “We just have to go out and do it next time.”
Marion’s Coach Veal had nice things to say about UCS’s team, as well, “ They played very hard. They never quit. They’re going to be a great team one day. I loved their speed and enthusiasm. We didn’t play great at first, but we picked it up in the second half. We’ve changed everything up from five years ago when we were in the championship game. We got so excited and we missed several easy layups due to nerves, but that’s the way we play. You have to take the chance though. This is what we do. The team we are going to play Thursday is going to be tough. We’ve got a lot of work to do before then. There’s a big difference between this year’s team and last year’s team. It’s maturity, but we’ve changed the mindset. They now know what it takes. They’ve worked really hard, for the most part they’ve mentally and physically done what I’ve asked. They now know the crowd levels, what it’s like to play in Birmingham and at Wallace. We are gonna play Marion County Red Raider basketball. Take the good with the bad and take the chance. It’s a tempo, we’ve done it all year. We try to speed the game up and that’s how we play. When I first got to MC, they had never won a game at Wallace State. We changed some things around from what they were doing and it wasn’t easy. I hope it pays off Thursday.”
Marion will play Skyline March 3rd in the state final.

Jaguars varsity boys team ranked #2 for 4-A basketball
1st annual Turnipseed “SEED” Classic will be Christmas Eve

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, care of the 12-16-21 SCRJ edition
SCUPDATES reported on Facebook, “Congrats to the Boys Varsity Basketball team for being ranked #2 in Class 4A for the 1st rankings of the season! The boys varsity, (8-0) recently defeated Hale County, 78-42, in their first match of the season. Now having a record of (6-0).” Williamson (6-2) is ahead of Sumter in the number 1 spot followed by Escambia Co, (6-2), Fultondale (6-3), Brooks (4-1), Hanceville (9-2), Halyville (6-2), Westminster -Huntsville (5-5), Priceville (6-2), Cherokee County (4-2).
Boys varsity team fell in the match up against Demopolis on Dec. 10, 55-39. Scores unvailable for girls varsity team and JV team.
Christmas Eve the Turnipseed Classic starts at 2 p.m. at home in Sumter Central. Kendrick Turnipseed’s Jersey number, #1, will be retired at the tournament. Junior varsity boys will play Greene County, varsity Jaguar girls play AL Johnson, varsity Jags boys team plays Greene County, Demopolis varsity girls team plays Greensboro Raiders and Greensboro varsity boys play Pickens County. “We want everyone to come out for the tournament,” Coach Mitchel said.
“The County Get Ready Dec. 24 it’s Seed Day ….. Sumter County Rest Easy Seed I Got You.. We Will Retire Number 1,” said Coach on Facebook.
Before that the Jaguars varsity teams play Paul Bryant in the Big House on Dec. 17. Boys varsity team will be on the road Dec. 20-22 at the Be Elite Classic in Huntsville. Jags Pickens County on Dec. 20, West Morgan on Dec. 21 and Cottage Hill Christian Academy on Dec. 22. Jags girls varsity will play Dec. 27-29 at Daphne High School for Daphne Holiday Hoops Classic. Both teams play New Year’s Day against Greene County High School, and both varsity teams and junior varsity team play Hale County on Jan. 3.

Trailblazer girls varsity team win against Choctaw County and R. C. Hatch

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, care of the 12-16-21 SCRJ edition @universitycharterschool
Trailblazers girls varsity team won against Choctaw County High School Dec. 9, 44-38, in an away game and then again on the 13th against R. C. Hatch, 49-39, at home.
The boys varsity team fell to Choctaw County, 39-41.
The Trailblazers next four games are home games. Blazers battle Amelia Love Johnson on Thurs., Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. for the girls varsity and 7 p.m. for the boys varsity; Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. for girls varsity, 6:30 p.m. for the boys varsity against Marengo High School; Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. for girls varsity and 6:30 p.m. for boys varsity vs. Sweet Water High School; Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. for girls varsity and 6:30 p.m. for boys varsity against Choctaw County High School. On Jan. 3 the Trailblazers take on Amelia Love Johnson High School in away games, then return home Jan. 4 to defend home court against Millry High School.

AHSAA Central Board approves classification system for 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board of Control unanimously approved Tuesday, December 14 the current seven-classification system for championship play for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.
The seven-class system, which began in 2014-15, was approved once again for all sports.
In accordance with the AHSAA constitution and by-laws, the AHSAA Central Board of Control manages championship play and classification. Member schools are reclassified every two years. The high schools are currently divided into seven classifications (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A and 7A) for competition in championship programs.
Classification is based on Average Daily Membership (ADM) figures furnished by the State Department of Education for public schools for grades 9 through 11 plus eighth-grade hold-back students. Member private schools report that same data directly to the AHSAA. An index of 1.35 is used to determine the enrollment figure for classifying private school members. Each private school student counts 1.35 for classification purposes.
A competitive balance success factor is also applied to private school sports teams which affects approximately 10% of private school teams.
Alignments were also released for fall sports, which recently completed championship play for the 2021-22 school year, based on the number of schools declaring to participate in a sport for the upcoming 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. Some programs may include two or more classes in a division. The alignments for each sport in a class are published in the online AHSAA Sports Book each year.
Reclassification, according to the AHSAA Constitution and By-Laws, is conducted every two years by the AHSAA Central Board of Control.
“More than 190,000 student-athletes are expected to participate in AHSAA sports activities during the upcoming classification period,” Central Board President Van Phillips, principal at Center Point High School, said.
The 2022-23 and 2023-24 football alignment places the 32 largest high schools in Class 7A and 57 in Class 6A, 56 in Class 5A, 62 in Class 4A, 60 in Class 3A, 60 in Class 2A, and 62 in Class 1A.
“I want to thank the Classification Task Force, Central Board and AHSAA staff for their dedicated effort and time put in and the recommendations they made,” AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs said. “As always, it was a difficult job, but everyone worked together to find the best solution as we move forward.”
Phillips said he also wanted to thank the Classification Task Force and member schools for their input and patience throughout the reclassification process. “These recommendations came after many hours of study and discussion. Everyone involved gave of their valuable time to evaluate our classification system thoroughly and provided valuable input in ways to improve that system,” he said. “On behalf of the Central Board of Control and our member schools, I want to thank Mr. Briggs and his staff for their hard work. I also want to thank our Central Board for their commitment and dedication to providing a first-class athletic program to all our student-athletes, and for making decisions that are best for all of our member schools.”
The reclassification alignment data for each sport and the private school competitive balance chart can be found at the following link located at www.ahsaa.com. Reclassification by enrollment data is located on the home page of www.ahsaa.com.

Jaugars beat Hale County December 3

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, care of the Dec. 9th edition of SCRJ
Jaguars boys and girls defeated Hale County Wildcats Dec. 3.
Coach Michell quoted this on Facebook/SCUPDATES, “Great Win 79-44 over Hale County … Shoe Game 5-0 .. We so Happy to be Back playing … ALL Gas”.
The Sumter Central High girls varsity team defeated Hale County, 57-29. Next up both teams play an away game against Demopolis on Dec. 10 and a home game against Clarke County on Dec. 11.

Jags place 4th of the Small Varsity Game Day division at Magnolia Regional Cheerleading Competition

UCS to play Choctaw County Dec. 9

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, @universitycharterschool, care of the Dec. 9th edition of SCRJ
Dec. 2 both varsity teams fell to Washington County High School in home games. The girls scored 52 – 67 and boys 31 – 51. The Trailblazers fell to Keith High School on Dec. 6.
Girls score was 37 – 45 and boys 21 – 88.
Trailblazers are on the road to Choctaw County High School Dec. 9 for the next game and play R. C. Hatch High School on Dec. 13.

Jags varsity teams win big over Greensboro

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, care of SCRJ 12-2-21 edition
The Jags girls and boys varsity teams both won over Greensboro, Nov. 30.
Girls won 38-29 and boys won 81-45. Nov. 24 the girls fell to Francis Marion 45-65. The boys won over Paul Braynat 52-44 on Nov. 12 and 37-36 on Nov. 19.
Next scheduled games are Dec. 10 away against Demopolis High School, Dec. 11 for the girls on the road against Clarke County High School, and hosting Pickens County High School for the boys on the 20th.

UCS varsity girls basketball win over Thomasville, 53-47

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, @universitycharterschool, care of SCRJ 12-2-21 edition
UCS Middle School girls and boys basketball teams fell Nov. 9 to Westlawn Middle School, 13 – 25 for the girls and 20 – 30, boys.
The middle school girls team won over G.P. Austin, Jr. High School Nov. 16, 18 – 13. The boys fell to G. P. Austin, Jr. High 22 – 33.
Nov. 18 the Blazers girls varsity basketball team fell to Washington County High in an away game, 48 – 54.
The Trailblazers boys varsity team also fell to Washington County High, 33 – 65. On Nov. 29, UCS girls basketball  varsity won over Thomasville High School, 53 – 47.
The boys basketball  varsity fell to Thomasville High School, 24 – 65.
Next up the varsity teams take on Washington County High on Dec. 2, Keith High School on Dec. 6, Choctaw County High School on the road Dec. 9, R.C. Hatch Dec. 13, Amelia Love Johnson Dec. 16, Marengo High Dec. 17, and Sweet Water High Dec. 20.

SCHS Jaguars Cheerleading Team heading to Magnolia Regional cheerleading comp. Dec. 5th

care of 11-25-21 SCRJ edition “On Sunday, December 5, 2021 we will be participating in the Magnolia Regional Cheerleading Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. This is our very first competition! We are excited! You are all invited to come help #Cheer us on! ‘More than Cuteness in a Skirt…it’s Work!’”
Story submitted by Coach Rachael Harris. Watch @SCUPDATES & @sumtercentral.cheer for more videos and information on Sumter Central’s cheerleading team.

It’s Homecoming time, Jaguars fans!

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, care of 11-25-21 SCRJ edition
Jaguar fans are gearing up for the first annual Basketball Homecoming for the Jaguars, which will be Fri., Nov. 26 vs. Greensboro Raiders at 5 p.m. at Sumter Central.
Tailgating will be available for $100, and all the money goes into the basketball program. Former Livingston High Cougars will square off against the former Sumter County High fans in tailgating.
The winning tailgate team’s coach wears the losing team’s mascot on a shirt for the following week.
“I would love for the whole community to come out and get involved,” said Coach Jazmin Mitchell. “Please come out and support the Jags.”
See Coaches, Tinnie Hall SCHS Girls Coach, Raymond James SCHS JV Team Coach, and Head Coach Mitchell talking about this year’s season on Facebook at Sumter Central Atheltic Updates and Record Journal.

Support the Jags Friday at ‘Meet the Jaguars’

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, care of SCRJ 11-4-21 edition
Meet the Jaguars will be Nov. 5th at 1 p.m. with DJ Rooster on the “1’s and 2’s.” “I would love for the whole community to come out and get involved,” said Coach Jazmin Mitchell.
“Please come out and support the Jags.” Nov. 8 the varsity girls basketball team will play in the Central High School Tip off with the start of season for both varsity boys and girls on Nov. 12 at Paul Bryant High School.
Friday, Oct. 29 R. C. Hatch won over Sumter Central football team, 34-0.

UCS basketball season started

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, care of SCRJ 11-4-21 edition
American Christian Academy won over the Trailblazers girls team, 12-29, Nov. 1. Boys team score had not been reported at press time. Next games will be against Westlawn Middle School, at home in Livingston.

Trailblazers defeat Holy Spirit on UCS Spirit Night

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor; Stats care of UCS Head Coach Sam Mosley
The University Charter School Spirit Night was yet another great win for the Trailblazers, winning 44-12 over Holy Spirit.
“We have had an outstanding year for a program that is only 2 years old. It shows the importance of working hard everyday to get better. I am so proud of this group of guys and what they have accomplished this season,” stated Head Coach Sam Mosley.
Jaron Jackson had a touchdown and a two point conversion on 29 carries and 172 yards rushing. Triston Wiggins had two touchdowns rushing 158 yards on 22 carries.
Bradon Murray had two touchdowns, and a two point conversion on 6 carries and 39 yards rushing.
Tre Wilson had one two point conversion and one carry on three yards rushing.
UCS Offense
64 plays
485 Total Yards
372 rushing
113 Passing
5 rushing TDs
3 Rushing 2 pt conversions
1 Passing TD
1 Passing 2 pt conversion
In passing for the night Braden Murry had a touchdown on a two point conversion and 113 yards.
“Offensively tonight we had contributions from everyone that played throughout the year, from blocking, running, to throwing and catching, we were firing on all cylinders. We had a lull in production there in the second quarter, but adjustments were made, the kids put them into action, and we picked right back up where we left off,” said Coach Mosley.
Craig Ellington would add his touchdown to the game on 107 yards receiving with three catches.
Triston Wiggins had one catch for three yards. Zy Harris had one catch as well on three yards and a two point conversion.
Defensive Statistics
Holy Spirit Offense 34 plays, 154 Total Yards
“Defensively we had a very solid night. Throughout the game we were able to keep Holy Spirit to 154 yards of total offense, and also 8 negative plays. Our coaches had a great plan in place for the week, and our kids executed the plan,” said Coach Mosley.
On top of tackles for the night was Braden Murray with four and a half. Tre Wilson was up next with his two and a half tackles.
Michael Daniels had two tackles and one forced fumble.
Tip Smith, Jaylin Pyles 2 Tackles, Bubble Bell all added two tackles, a piece.
Nelson Powell had one tackle and a forced fumble. Craig Ellington had one and a half tackles.
Jeremiah Walker and Triston Wiggins would tack on two tackles and a fumble recovery, each.
Jace Dearman tackled twice with a sack. Cullen Murray and Luke Goldman each added one tackle to the defense side.
Coach Mosely wrapped up the season saying, “This season was special to our school and community and will be a great springboard to lead us into our first varsity season next year.”

Jaguars volleyball team make it to the Super Regionals; Meet the Jags November 5th

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, Basketball Schedule care of Coach Mitchell
The Sumter Central varsity volleyball team made it to the Super Regionals Thurs., Oct. 21. Cleburne County (31-11) won over Sumter (7-10), 3-0.
Jags varsity football fell to Wilcox Central last Friday, 21-15.
Meet the Jaguars will be Nov. 5th at 1 p.m. with DJ Rooster on the “1’s and 2’s.”
“I would love for the whole community to come out and get involved,” said Coach Jazmin Mitchell. “Please come out and support the Jags.” See Coaches, Tinnie Hall SCHS Girls Coach, Raymond James SCHS JV Team Coach, and Head Coach Mitchell talking about this year’s season on Facebook at Sumter Central Atheltic Updates and Record Journal. Nov. 8 the varsity girls basketball team will play in the Central High School Tip Off with the start of the season for both varsity boys and girls on Nov. 12 at Paul Bryant High School.

University Charter School varsity volleyball team get to second round of Super Regionals

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, @universitycharterschool
University Charter School (19-3) defeated McIntosh (19-3) 3-1 and moved ahead to round two against Kinston (26-8) 3. The Trailblazers (19-4) fell to Kingston 3-0.
Basketball season begins Nov. 1 against American Christian Academy for middle school and Nov. 18 for varsity teams against Washington County.

Jaguars play Jaguars October 22nd

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, Basketball Schedule care of Coach Mitchell; care of 10-21-20 edition of SCRJ
The Jaguars fell to Bibb County 41-6, October 15. The final game of the season will be against Wilcox Central High School Jaguars on the 22nd in Camden. Wilcox Central fell to West Blocton High School, 55-0, last Friday night.
Nov. 8 the varsity girls basketball team will play in the Central High School Tip Off at Central High School in Tuscoosa with the start of season for both varsity boys and girls on Nov. 12 at Paul Bryant High School. Jaguar fans are gearing up for the first annual Basketball Homecoming for the Jaguars, which will be Fri., Nov. 26 vs. Greensboro Raiders at 5 p.m. at Sumter Central. Tailgating will be available for $100, and all the money goes into the basketball program. Former Livingston High Cougars will square off against the former Sumter County High fans in tailgating. The winning tailgate team’s coach wears the losing team’s mascot on a shirt for the next week. Keep an eye on Sumter Central’s Facebook page for prices @SCUPDATES.

University Charter School football team wins over Sweet Water 52-38 in the pink out game on Oct. 11

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor; Stats care of UCS Head Coach Sam Mosley; care of SCRJ Edition 10-21-21
The University Charter School took down Sweet Water Oct. 11, winning 52-38 over the Bulldogs.
Jaron Jackson was the offensive star of the night with four touchdowns, 26 carries on 200 yards rushing and four two point conversions.
Offensive Stats
Total Offense
47 Plays
336 Rushing yards
6 Rushing TD’s
5-2 Point Conversions
3 Turnovers
“Great win for our school and community. Our boys earned this win tonight. We overcame some adversity in this game that last year we would have never made it through. Our kids just kept playing hard no matter the situation, and I am proud of them for that,” stated head coach Sam Mosley.
Triston Wiggins and Braden Murray had one touchdown each. Wiggins had one two point conversion and 17 carries on 122 yards rushing.
Murray had three carries on 14 yards.
“Offensively we played a very physical game tonight. We had two guys running hard, and they couldn’t do what they do without the guys up front blocking. I’m also proud of the verbal and example leadership of some of our older players, even when things got tough they had each other’s backs,” said Coach Mosley.
Defensive Stats
Sweet Water Offense
44 plays
243 Rushing Yards
“Defensively we gave up some big plays in the first half. Sweet Water is always going to have runners that are fast and physical, but we settled in and only gave up one score in the second half. The adjustments made by our coaching staff and our kids putting the adjustments into action made the difference on that side of the ball,” said Coach Mosley.
On the defensive side, Nelson Powell had one and a half tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Jeremiah Walker was up next for the evening with five tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Tre Wilson would have three tackles and a interception.
Michael Daniels and Triston Wiggins each added 2 and a half tackles. Jaron Jackson and Jaylin Pyles were up next with two tackles a piece. Cullen Murray, Braden Murray, Isaiah Scott, and Tip Smith all had one tackle each during the game.
UCS observed Breast Cancer Awareness Month, requesting fans wear pink to the game and during the school day.

UCS Cross Country varsity girls win first place at Northridge Invitational last Saturday

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, @universitycharterschool; care of 10-21-21 edition of SCRJ
Saturday, Oct. 16 was a very good day for the UCS Cross Country team. The weather couldn’t have been any more perfect for the varsity girls team to place first at the Northridge Invivational in Tuscaloosa. The varsity girls took three top ten medals. The Junior varsity girls team finished in second place and had three top ten medals. The Junior varsity boys also had a top ten finisher. Regionals are scheduled with place to be announced on Oct. 28.
Basketball season begins Nov. 1 against American Christian Academy for middle school and Nov. 18 for varsity teams against Washington County.

Trailblazers Area 5 Volleyball Champions!

UCS Cross Country places 2nd in Helena Invitational

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA & @universitycharterschool, care of SCRJ 10-14-21 edition
UCS Cross Country placed second in the Helena Invitational in Helena on Oct. 9. The Trailblazers run again this weekend on Oct. 16 at the Northridge XC Invitational.
UCS Football observed Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a pink game on Oct. 11 at home against Sweet Water. They won 52-38. More on this game in the next edition. Dream week, the Trailblazers play Holy Spirit on the 19th.
Basketball season begins Nov. 1 against American Christian Academy for middle school and Nov. 18 for varsity teams against Washington County.

Jaguars play Bibb County this Friday

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, Basketball Schedule care of Coach Mitchell, care of SCRJ 10-14-21 edition
Jaguars varsity volleyball is scheduled to play Jackson High School Oct. 14 and varsity football at Bibb County High School Fri., Oct. 15. The Jags fell to Montevallo last week, 48-6. Bibb County won over West Blocton High School, 35-29.
Nov. 8, the varsity girls basketball team will play in the Central High School Tip Off with the start of season for both varsity boys and girls on Nov. 12 at Paul Bryant High School.

Trailblazers take over Millry Wildcats, 14-6

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor
Stats care of UCS Head Coach Sam Mosley, care of the 10-7 edition of SCRJ
The University Charter School football team won again against the Millry Wildcats Tues., Sept. 28, 14-6. Triston Wiggins led offense for the night with both touchdowns for the Trailblazers, a two point conversion, 21 carries, and rushing 154 yards.
“I’m proud of this group of kids we have. They hung in there and made the plays we needed to make to win the game. The goal line stand in the 4th quarter was huge as we were able to keep Millry out to seal the deal,” said Coach Sam Mosley.
UCS Offensive Stats
36 Plays
194 Yards of Total Offense
174 Rushing
20 Passing
Next up on offense, Jaron Jackson had 6 carries on 24 yards, Braden Murray added 3 carries on 15 yards rushing, and Bubble Bell had 4 carries on – 4 yards. On passing, Braden Murray was one out of two completions on 20 yards. In receiving, Triston Wiggins had one catch with 20 yards.
“Offensively we were still able to grind out yards despite their adjustments on defense to slow us down. We were able to make some key adjustments in the run game and do what we needed to do to score,” said Coach Mosley.
UCS Defensive Stats
42 plays, 225 Yards Allowed
111 rushing
114 Passing
Leading the defense for the night were Triston Wiggins with 3 and a half tackles, Tre Wilson with 3 tackles, and Braden Murray with 2 and a half tackles. Jaron Jackson, Jeremiah Walker, Nelson Powell added 2 tackles each. Both Craig Ellington and Luke Goldman had 1 and a half tackles. Dakota Lee, Jaylin Pyles 1 Tackle, Bubble Bell, Craig Ellington, Jace Dearman, Tip Smith and Sam Harris had one tackle a piece.
Coach Mosley stated, “On defense it was one of those bend but not break kind of nights. Millry was able to move the ball down the field, but we were able to tighten up when it mattered and keep them from scoring. The one touchdown they scored was right before half on a blown coverage.”

Jaguars host first annual Basketball Homecoming during Thanksgiving break; Kendrick Turnipseed Classic at Christmas

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, Basketball Schedule care of Coatch Mitchell, care of the 10-7 edition of SCRJ
The first annual Basketball Homecoming for the Jaguars will be Fri., Nov. 26 vs. Greensboro Raiders at 5 p.m. at Sumter Central. Tailgating will be available for $100, and all the money goes into the basketball program.
“Just wanted to get everyone to come back home to have a good time and support the school,” said SCHS Boys Basketball Head Coach and York Councilman Jazmin Mitchell. Former Livingston High Cougars will square off against the former Sumter County High fans in tailgating. The winning tailgate team’s coach wears the losing team’s mascot on a shirt for the next week. Keep an eye on Sumter Central’s Facebook page for prices @SCUPDATES. Basketball season starts on Nov. 12 with both varsity boys and girls teams playing Paul Bryant High School from Tuscaloosa in an away game.
Sept. 30 the varsity volleyball team won against Wilcox Central, 3 – 1. Scores were unavailable at press time for the Oct. 6 game against Greene County. The girls will play Linden on Oct. 7.
Sumter County Jags football team fell to Dallas County, 48-0, Thurs., Sept. 30. The Jaguars will play Montevallo Bulldogs Friday, Oct. 8. Montevallo is coming off of a one point win against West Blocton, 37 – 36, Oct. 1.

Greensboro Raiders lose to Sumter Central Jaguars varsity volleyball homecoming

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ
Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, care of Sept. 30th edition
The varsity volleyball team won over Greensboro Raiders Sept. 23. It was homecoming week for both schools. Scores were unavalible for the Choctaw County High School game on Sept. 28 at press time. Lady Jags play Wilcox Central High School on Sept. 30. All games scheduled for 5 p.m. Oct. 1 Sumter Central (0-5, 0-3) will take on Dallas County (1-4, 1-2). The Hornets fell to West Blocton High School on Sept. 17, 20-49, in their last game. Sumter fell to Greene County on Sept. 24, 0-44.
Region 3 Football Standings
American Christian 4-1, 3-0
Bibb County 4-2, 2-1
Dallas County 1-4, 1-2
Holt 2-3, 2-1
Montevallo 3-2, 1-2
Sumter Central 0-5, 0-3
West Blocton 5-0, 3-0
Wilcox Central 0-6, 0-3

Varsity volleyball wins against Keith and UCS Cross County takes on Spain Park Under the Lights

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA/UCS Facebook, care of Sept. 30 SCRJ edition
Trailblazers varsity volleyball won in the games against Keith on the 23rd and Clarke County in Thomasville Sept. 2.
Middle school volleyball is scheduled for Thomasville on the 28, also in an away game, at 3 p.m.
This week the varsity girls take on Hale County on Thursday, and then Oct. 7th Keith, both on home court. Middle school volleyball is scheduled to take on Hale as well Thursday at home and American Christian Academy Oct. 5 in Tuscaloosa.
Saturday in Spain Park Under the Lights, UCS Cross Country ran against 6A schools in Hoover. Kendall LaCoste was 12th overall in Varsity and Anna Pezent came in 15th overall in Varsity. “UCS is so proud of our Cross Country Trailblazers!,” stated the University Charter School Facebook post. Next up for Cross Country is the Helena Invitational in Helna on Oct. 9.

Wildcats fall to Trailblazers 36-18

By Kasey DeCastra,
SCRJ Community News Editor
Stats care of UCS Head Coach Sam Mosley, care of SCRJ 9-30-21 edition
UCS took down Millry, 36-18, Mon., Sept. 20.
“What a great win for this community tonight. Our boys played hard and earned this one. Offensively we challenged our guys to get back to doing what we do best and that is running the football. We came out on the first play and made a statement that we were accepting the challenge and we did so all night. We had a better all around effort on both sides of the ball. Defensively we are settling into what we are trying to get accomplished. The only thing we are struggling with is giving up a big play. Millry’s three touchdowns came on plays of 78, 69, and 70 yards. We will continue to challenge our guys as coaches to get this solved during practice,” said Coach Sam Mosley.
UCS would have 385 total yards on offense with 340 rushing and 45 passing. Leading the Trailblazers on offense was Triston Wiggins with four touchdowns on 133 yards rushing with 20 carries. Jaron Jackson would add 20 carries on 90 yards rushing with 2 two-point conversion runs. Bubble Bell had 68 yards rushing on 12 carries and one two-point conversion run. Dakota Lee added three carries for 33 yards rushing. Braden Murray would have three carries on 16 yards rushing. Craig Ellington would catch a 45 yard pass for his touchdown.
Braden Murray passed for one touchdown (1/2, 45 yards).
“Our guys hear from me all the time that the team that is the most physical and makes the least amount of mistakes is going to be the team that comes out on top. We did it week 1 and won, we were not that team in week 2 and lost, we were that team tonight and won,” said Coach Mosley. “We have got to continue to work to raise the standard around here and we are slowly but surely going in the right direction. I am so proud of them.” On the defensive side 289 yards were allowed with 140 yards passing and one touchdown and 149 yards rushing with two touchdowns. Through the air, Triston Wiggins had four tackles and a sack. Braden Murray had 2.5 tackles and a sack. Nelson Powell added 2 tackles and an interception.
Bubble Bell would have 2 and a half tackles. Jace Dearman had 2 tackles. Luke Goldman had 1 and a half tackles. Jaylin Pyles recorded 1 and a half tackles and a half sack. Craig Ellington had 1 and a half tackles and a half sack. Sam Harris had a tackle and a sack. Tip Smith, Jaylin Austin, and Tre Wilson each added 1 tackle.
UCS won in the game against Millry on Tues., Sept. 28. More on that game in the next edition.

Sumter Central High School Jaguars get ready to take on Greene County Tigers Homecoming

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA care of the SCRJ 9-23-21 edition
Region 3 Sumter Central football team will take on the Greene County Tigers (0-5, 0-3) this week in Eutaw for homecoming in a non-region game. Greene County fell to Orange Beach last Friday, 30-12. Class 4-A Sumter’s Jags (0-4, 0-3) fell to the Class 3-A Holt Ironmen (2-3, 2-1) in Tuscaloosa, 39-0.
The Jaguars varsity volleyball team fell to Linden High School on Sept. 10.
Scores were unavalible for the Jackson High on Sept. 15, and they won a game and lost a game at Southern Choctaw High School on the 16th.
The girls are scheduled to take on Greensboro High School on Sept. 23 then Choctaw County High School on Sept. 28 and Wilcox Central High School on Sept. 30. All games scheduled for 5 p.m.

Trailblazers to take on Millry next week

By Kasey DeCastra,
SCRJ Community News Editor
Stats care of UCS Head Coach Sam Mosley care of the SCRJ 9-23-21 edition
UCS football team fell to the Clarke County Bulldogs 20-6 on Mon., Sept. 13 in a home game. The Bulldogs scored on runs of 49 and 74 yards, and one pass of 68 yards. UCS scored on a scoop and score on defense by Jaylin Pyles, who also had two and a half tackles.
“We struggled tonight offensively to get any momentum, Clarke County had a good plan in place to stop us and they executed it well.  Defensively we played really well with the exception of giving up the big plays.  I thought we came out flat with little energy and it showed early, if we are going to be a team that wins consistently we have to be able to start fast and rise up when something big happens for the other team,” stated Coach Mosley.
Triston Wiggins was the offensive leader with 20 carries on 48 yards. Bubble Bell had 7 carries on 21 yards and Jaron Jackson  also had 7 carries with negative 4 yards. Braden Murray added a carry for one yard and then was sacked four times for a total negative 19 yards. Braden Murray passed 4 of 8 for 65 yards.
In receiving, Craig Ellington led for the night for the Blazers with 3 catches for 63 yards. Triston Wiggins had a catch for two yards.
“We are so close to being a good football team, but we have to remain disciplined and carry over to the games what we learn at practice.” Leading defense for the night on University Charter School’s side after Jaylin Pyles, were both Triston Wiggins and Michael Daniels with three and a half tackles, each. Next up is Jaron Jackson with three tackles. Craig Ellington had two tackles and one sack. Jeremiah Walker and Tre Wilson both contributed two  tackles. Braden and Cullen Murray would add one and a half  tackles. Bubble Bell, Luke Goldman, Nelson Powell, Roper Houlditch and Sam Harris all had one tackle apiece.
For Clarke County’s offense they had two hundred eleven yards total with  two  turnovers, one hundreed thirty eight yards rushing yards and 73 yards passing. Next up the Blazers will take on Millry again on Tues., Sept. 28 in an away game. They won against Millry last Monday, 38-18. More on that story in the next edition.

Sumter Central teams preparing for Homecoming

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA care of the SCRJ 9-16-21 edition
The Jaguars varsity volleyball team fell to Linden High School on Sept. 10. Scores were unavailable for Jackson High on Sept. 15. Tomorrow, they will play Southern Choctaw, then on homecoming week the girls play at Jackson High School Sept. 21, Greene County High School on Sept. 21, and Greensboro High School on Sept. 23. All games scheduled for 5 p.m.
Sumter Central football team, (0-3), fell to American Christian Academy on Sept. 10, 42-0. The Class 1-A Jags are scheduled to play Holt this Friday. Holt fell to West Blocton High School, 67-18, last Friday.
Next week is Homecoming  on  Sept. 24 vs. Greene County in Eutaw. Sept. 10 Greene County fell to Leroy, 41-6

UCS Trailblazers gallop over Holy Spirit with 28-14 win

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor Stats care of UCS Head Coach Sam Mosley care of the SCRJ 9-16-21 edition
Trailblazers were in top form Thurs., Sept. 9, winning over Holy Spirit Saints JV football team, 28-14.
“I’m proud tonight for our players, coaches, school, and community. This is a big win for UCS as a young starting program and our kids played their guts out. We dealt with some adversity early in the game in the form of penalties, but we remained calm and overcame the negatives and pushed forward,” stated UCS  Head Coach Sam Mosley.
Bubble Bell would be the leader for the night with two touchdowns, twenty nine carries, and running for two hundred and twenty five yards. Next up, were Triston Wiggins with a touchdown, sixteen carries, and running for ninety one yards; Jaron Jackson with eight carries and running for thirty five yards; and Braden Murray with a touchdown, four carries, and running for eighteen yards. Braden Murray, would lead passing with 2 for 3, covering thirty seven yards. In receiving, Craig Ellington had a twenty yard catch and Tre Wilson had a seventeen yard catch. UCS total offense was 60 Plays on 406 total yards with 369 yards rushing and four rushing touchdowns with 37 yards passing.
“Offensively we had a great overall effort from our guys. They are starting to understand the importance of all eleven players doing their specific jobs every single play. We told the players that the team who is the most physical and made the least mistakes would come out on top, and we were able to do so,” said Coach Mosley.
Holy Spirt offensive stats for the game were 28 Plays, 233 total yards with 158 rushing on one touchdown and seventy five Passing on the other touch down. On defense 233 yards were allowed. Leading defense for the Blazers were Triston Wiggins with three tackles and four assists and Craig Ellington with three tackles. Tre Wilson would have one tackle, two assists, and one interception. Braden Murray had two tackles and two assists. Jaron Jackson had one tackle. Jeremiah Walker one assist. Jaylin Pyles had one pass knocked down. Bubble Bell had one tackle and one pass knocked down. Ethan Pezent, Nelson Powell and Isaiah Scott all had a single tackle. Jace Dearman would have two tackles and 1 sack. Sam Harris would have a tackle and two assists. Luke Goldman had one tackle and one assist.
“Holy Spirit did some things offensively that gave us some trouble, especially in the third quarter. We gave up some big plays that were on some busted assignments,” said Coach Mosley. “But we weathered the storm and were able to answer their big plays with long sustained drives that kept the ball away from their offense. We have some fundamental things like blocking and tackling that we need to clean up at practice and we aim to do so before our next game.” Next up the Blazers will take on Millry on Mon., Sept. 20 at home in Tiger Stadium in Livingston at 6 p.m. and again on Tues., Sept. 28 in an away game.

Blazers take down Choctaw

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA care of the SCRJ 9-16-21 edition
UCS varsity team won against Choctaw County High School on Sept. 9. Blazers varsity team will play American Christian Academy on Sept. 16 and Linden on Sept. 21 in Linden. The middle school volleyball team will play American Christian Academy on Sept. 16 at home at 4 p.m. and then in an away game Thomasville at 3 p.m.

Jags volleyball wins over GHS

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA care of the SCRJ 9-9-21 edition
The Jaguars varsity volleyball team won over Greensboro High School Sept. 7 and fell to Southern Choctaw Sept. 1. Next up the ladies take on Linden High School on Sept. 10, Jackson High on Sept. 15 and Southern Choctaw aon Sept. 16. Sumter Central football team, (0-2) are scheduled to play American Christian Academy on Sept. 3. The Class 1-A Jags forfeited to West Blocton High School on Sept. 3. Homecoming week is scheduled for Sept. 24 against Greene County in Eutaw.

UCS varsity volleyball wins over Sipsey Valley and Demopolis

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA care of the SCRJ 9-9-21 edition
UCS varsity and middle school team finished off August by winning all three matches at the Tri-match against Holy Spirit and Sipsey Valley, and Greensboro Middle School on Aug. 31 and Demopolis on Sept. 7. Blazers varsity volleyball team will play Choctaw County High School on Sept. 9 on the road and at home will play American Academy on Sept. 16. The middle school team will play American Christian Academy on Sept. 16 at home. Blazers football play Sweetwater Sept. 7, Holy Spirit Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. and will reschedule the Millry football game that was set for Aug. 31. UCS scores for the game against Sweet Water were unavailable by press time. Next up the Blazers will play in Tuscaloosa at Holy Spirit on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. and on Sept. 13 against Clarke County at home at 6 p.m. in Tiger Stadium.

Sumter Central to play West Blocton

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, care of 9-2-21 edition

Central football team (0-1) will play West Blocton High School on Sept. 3. The Class 1-A Jags forfeited to Choctaw County High School on Aug. 27. The Jaguars varsity volleyball team is scheduled for home games against Southern Choctaw Sept. 1, Greensboro on Sept. 7 and Linden on the 9th, at 5 p.m.

UCS volleyball wins over Sipsey Valley in Tri-game

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, scores care of AHSAA, care of 9-2-21 edition
UCS JV volleyball fell to Demopolis Middle School on Aug. 24. The JV team will play Thomasville on Spet. 2 at 4 p.m. and Demopolis at 4 p.m. Both games are on home court in Livingston. Varsity volleyball Blazers won over Sipsey Valley on Aug. 26, in a away game.
Next up the girls play Thomasville at home Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. and Demopolis at home at 5 p.m. on Sept. 9.
Blazers football play Sweetwater Sept. 7, Holy Spirit Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. and will reschedule the Millry football game that was set for Aug. 31.

Sumter Central Jaguars to play Choctaw County and University Charter School to play Millry

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor, care of 8-26-21 SCRJ edition
The Lady Blazers won over R. C. Hatch’s Tigers from Uniontown Aug. 19 in both games at home in Livingston, 5 p.m. scores: 5 ,9, 2 – 25, 25, 25 and 6 p.m. 13, 6, 8 – 25, 25, 25, and the varsity team won again on Aug. 24 against Demopolis 5 p.m. and Hale County 6 p.m. in the tri-match. Next up with be another Tri-match on Aug. 26 in an away game against Holy Spirit at 5 p.m. and Sipsey Valley at 6 p.m., then at home on Aug. 31 against JF Sheilds. Scores for Aug. 24 volleyball matches areunavailable at press time. Jr. Varsity Blazer football will play in an away game against Millry on Aug. 31 at 6 p.m., and the game against Holy Spirit has been moved to Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.
The Lady Jags’ Volleyball team are scheduled to play Wilcox Aug. 31 at 4:30 p.m. and Southern Choctaw Sept. 1. This Friday’s game will be the first of the season for the Jags Varsity Football Team against Choctaw County High School then next week they will play West Blocton High School Sept. 3.

UWA Tigers 2021 Football

9/4 6 p.m. Home Morehouse Livingston, Tiger Stadium
9/11 1 p.m. Away Tuskegee Tuskegee, Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium
9/16 6 Home North American University
9/25 7 p.m. Away Mississippi College Clinton, Miss. Robinson-Hale Stadium
10/2 TBA Away West Georgia Carrollton, Ga. University Stadium
10/9 Noon Away Shorter Rome, Ga. Barron Stadium
10/16 1 p.m. Home Valdosta State Livingston, Tiger Stadium
10/23 4 p.m. Home Delta State Livingston, Tiger Stadium
10/30 1 p.m. Away North Greenville Tigerville, S.C. Younts Stadium
11/6 1 p.m. Home West Florida Livingston, Tiger Stadium
11/13 1 p.m. Home Mississippi College Livingston, Tiger Stadium

AU 2021 Football

Wedgworth named World Champion at rodeo finals in Oklahoma

Local cowboy earns multiple top titles at nine years old
Just two years after entering his first sanctioned rodeo, local cowboy Louis Wedgworth of Livingston has clinched the title of World Champion. This comes just after celebrating multiple state titles won at the Alabama Little Britches Rodeo Association state finals in May.
Wedgworth, nine years old, now holds titles as 2021 National Little Britches Rodeo Association (NLBRA) Little Wrangler (LW) All Around World Champion, 2021 NLBRA LW Flag Racing World Champion, and 2021 NLBRA LW Finals Champion. Competition wrapped Sunday, July, 11, at the NLBRA Finals Rodeo in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Prizes associated with his victories include cash earnings, scholarships, saddles, buckles and other tack.
Wedgworth competes with two horses. Fastback, his bay gelding, competes in flag racing, and Cowboy, his bay pony, competes in pole bending, barrel racing, and goat tail untying. These equine athletes are champions that work hard for Wedgworth every day.
Wedgworth also borrows a grey gelding named Jake from his cowboy friend, Slick Robison, to improve his discipline in the practice pen. Jake has been instrumental in helping Wedgworth prepare for flag racing finals. In the practice pen, Wedgworth also benefits from the expertise of his goat tail untying coach, Heather McLaughlin, a member of the University of West Alabama Tiger Wranglers who finished fifth in the nation in goat tying at the 2021 College National Finals Rodeo in June.
All-around titles are awarded to the rodeo competitor who is most successful in two or more events, and Wedgworth was successful in earning points in all four events. Wedgworth really shined in flag racing while competing in the NLBRA Finals in Guthrie the week of July 5.
Competing in the Little Wranglers class, Wedgworth won the world title in flag racing, a timed event in which Wedgworth and his horse, Fastback, race to place flags in and out of buckets placed on barrels at the far end of the arena. Wedgworth’s first run was 8.385 seconds in the first round, and he only got faster over the course of the week. His final run in the short round was the fastest recorded time at finals of his age class of 7.737 seconds. Wedgworth finished the event with 1,092 points, an impressive 72 more than his nearest competitor, who was named reserve champion. In the all-around, Wedgworth finished the season with 2,848 points.
Wedgworth is the son of Evan and J.J. Wedgworth of Livingston, and the grandson of Bruce and Cindy Cook of Livingston, and Donnie and Karen Wedgworth of Greensboro. Outside of rodeo, he loves to fish, play baseball, and spend time with his family, friends and his three dogs, Haze, Shine and Spur.

Jazmin Mitchell Free Basketball Camp 2021
Sumter Centra Coach and York Councilman Jazmin Mitchell will be holding a free basketball camp for boys and girls ages 5-18. July 23-24 at Sumter Central Gym. Free lunch will be served. Must sign and complete waiver.

UWA Football Schedule 2021

• dates subject to change
  Sep 4 (Sat) 6 p.m. vs Morehouse Family Day Livingston, Ala. Tiger Stadium*
  Sep 11 (Sat) 1 p.m. at Tuskegee Tuskegee, Ala. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium
  Sep 16 (Thu) 6:00 p.m. North American University Livingston, Ala. Tiger Stadium
  Sep 25 (Sat) 7 p.m. GSC at Mississippi College Clinton, Miss. Robinson-Hale Stadium
  Oct 2 (Sat) TBA GSC at West Georgia Carrollton, Ga. University Stadium
  Oct 9 (Sat) Noon GSC at Shorter Rome, Ga. Barron Stadium
  Oct 16 (Sat) 1 p.m. G SC vs Valdosta State Hall Of Fame Day Livingston, Ala. Tiger Stadium
  Oct 23 (Sat) 4 p.m. GSC vs Delta State Homecoming Livingston, Ala. Tiger Stadium
  Oct 30 (Sat) 1 p.m. GSC at North Greenville Tigerville, S. C. Younts Stadium
  Nov 6 (Sat) 1 p.m. GSC vs West Florida Livingston, Ala. Tiger Stadium
  Nov 13 (Sat) 1 p.m. GSC vs Mississippi College Livingston, Ala. Tiger Stadium

Marcus Campbell Future All Star Basketball Camp Delayed
The Marcus Campbell Future All Star Basketball Camp has been delayed for a later date. Com. Marcus Campbell annually puts on a free basketball camp for Sumter County youth and said, “God willing, it will return, possibly next year or before basketball season. This year I just want to make sure to keep our kids safe.”

Blazers girls tennis win over Northridge; baseball over Sweetwater

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor
JV Blazers girls tennis team won 6-3 over Northridge on March 4 and fell on March 9 to Demopolis, 3-6.
The teams play Demopolis again March 11 and Hillcrest again on March 22. UCS baseball team won over Sweetwater on March 6.
Next games will be March 16 against Clarke County in an away game at 5 p.m. and Demopolis on March 19 at 4 p.m. at home in Livingston.
Blazers softball team fell to Sipsey Valley High School in a double header, 0-17 and 0-15 on March 8. The girls play Sweetwater in the next two gainst on March 12 at 4p.m. at home and March 15 in an away game.

Blazers baseball wins first game in DH against Holy Spirit

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor
Blazers baseball won over Holy Spirit in the first game of the double header on Sat., Feb. 27, 15-3. Holy Spirit won the second game 7-6.
Blazers softball fell in double headers with Sipsey Valley Middle School Feb. 22, 0-15, 0-17 and Demopolis on Feb. 25, 1-16, 1-9.
The Blazers golf team won over American Christian Academy, 219 – 164.

Blazers Varsity Basketball teams to play Leroy January 16

By Kasey DeCastra,
SCRJ Community News Editor
Both teams played Linden again on Jan. 12 for the area game in Linden. The Lady Blazers fell 32-61 and the boys lost 23-69.  Blazers are set to play Loroy on Jan. 16 in a non-area game at home in Livingston at 3 p.m. and Keith in a away game on Jan. 26 at 5:30 p.m. for the next area game.

UCS 2021 JV Baseball and Softball Schedule

Schedule subject to change, care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com
2/11 5 p.m. Baseball JV @ Holy Spirit Catholic School
2/12 4:30 p.m. Softball JV Sipsey Valley Middle School
2/12 6 p.m. Softball JV Sipsey Valley Middle School
2/15 4 p.m. Softball JV @ Demopolis High School
2/15 5:30 p.m. Softball JV @ Demopolis High School
2/16 4 p.m. Baseball JV @ Demopolis High School
2/20 1 p.m. Baseball JV Thomasville High School
2/20 3 p.m. Baseball JV Thomasville High School
2/22 4:30 p.m. Baseball JV Sweet Water High School
2/22 6:30 p.m. Baseball JV Sweet Water High School
2/25 4 p.m. Softball JV @ Demopolis High School
2/25 5 p.m. Softball JV @ Demopolis High School
3/1 5 p.m. Baseball JV @ Thomasville High School
3/1 5:30 p.m. Softball JV @ Thomasville
3/1 7 p.m. Baseball JV @ Thomasville High School
3/5 4:30 p.m. Baseball JV @ Sweet Water High School
3/5 6:30 p.m. Baseball JV @ Sweet Water High School
3/6 11 a.m. Baseball JV Clarke County High School
3/6 1 p.m. Baseball JV Clarke County High School
3/11 4 p.m. Baseball JV @ Jackson High School
3/11 6 p.m. Baseball JV @ Jackson High School
3/12 4 p.m. Softball JV @ Sweet Water High School
3/12 5:30 p.m. Softball JV @ Sweet Water High School
3/15 4 p.m. Softball JV Sweet Water High School
3/15 5:30 p.m. Softball JV Sweet Water High School
3/16 5 p.m. Baseball JV @ Clarke County High School
3/19 4 p.m. Baseball JV Demopolis High School
3/19 4 p.m. Baseball JV Demopolis High School
3/19 6 p.m. Baseball JV Demopolis High School
3/19 6 p.m. Baseball JV Demopolis High School
4/5 5 p.m. Baseball JV Holy Spirit Catholic School
4/5 5 p.m. Softball JV Thomasville Middle School
4/10 12 a.m. Softball JV @ Sweet Water High School
4/15 5 p.m. Baseball JV @ Millry High School
4/15 7 p.m. Baseball JV @ Millry High School

Blazers varsity basketball to play Hale County

UCS varsity basketball will play Hale County the next two games. The teams will play on Nov. 30 in Moundville, with games starting at 5 p.m., and then on Dec. 3 in Livingston.

Blazers JV basketball starts off with a win

By Kasey DeCastra,
SCRJ Community News Editor
The Lady Blazers volleyball team fell to Pleasant Home (11-3) 3, University Charter School (7-4) 0 (25-9, 25-5, 25-6) on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The JV teams started basketball season on Mon., Oct. 26 in away games at Duncanville Middle School with a win for the boys team,16-12. The girls lost to Duncanville, 3-0. The boys JV basketball fell to American Christian Academy Oct. 29, 48-9.
Games against Duncanville Middle School on Nov. 5 were cancelled. The next games are scheduled for Nov. 9 against Robert Brown Middle School and Nov. 10 against Leroy High School.

Updated UCS Basketball schedule

Blazers JV Basketball starts off the season against Duncanville Middle School with a win

By Kasey DeCastra,
SCRJ Community News Editor
The Lady Blazers Volleyball team fell to Pleasant Home (11-3) 3, University Charter School (7-4) 0 (25-9, 25-5, 25-6) on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The JV teams started Basketball season on Mon., Oct. 26 in away games at Duncanville Middle School with a win for the boys team. The girls lost to Duncanville. Scores unavailable at press time. Boys JV Basketball will play against American Christian Academy this Thursday, Oct. 29 at 4:30 p.m. and the girls JV team will play Holy Spirit Catholic School at 6 p.m. Both teams play Duncanville Middle School again on Nov. 5.

Blazers Volleyball head to state

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor
On October 17, University Charter School volleyball (7-3) won over McKenzie (2-8) 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-20). The Blazers played Wed., Oct. 21 in the state Regionals versus Pleasant Home. Scores were unavailable as of press time.
Mon., Oct. 19 Blazers football defeated Demopolis Middle School 12-6.
Basketball starts next week with the first game against Duncanville Middle School on Oct. 26 in away games for both the girls and boys middle school teams.

UCS 2020-21 Basketball Schedule

10/26 4:30 p.m. Women’s Basketball Middle School & 6 p.m. Men’s Basketball Middle School @ Duncanville Middle School
10/29 5 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Middle School American Christian Academy Home; 6 p.m. Women’s Basketball Middle School @ Holy Spirit Catholic School
11/5 4:30 p.m. Women’s Basketball & 6 p.m. Men’s Basketball Middle School vs. Duncanville Middle School Home
11/9 5:30 p.m. Women’s Basketball Middle School & 6:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball Middle School vs. Robert Brown Middle School Home
11/10 5:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball Middle School vs. Leroy High School Home
11/13 5 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity @ Hale County High School
11/16 5:30 p.m. Women’s Basketball Middle School & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Middle School @ Robert Brown Middle School
12/3 5 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity vs. Hale County High School Home
12/8 5:30 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity vs. Keith High School Home
12/11 5 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity @ Marengo High School
12/14 5 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity @ Choctaw County High School
12/18 5 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity vs. Marengo High School Home
12/21 5 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity vs. Millry High School Home
12/31 5:30 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity @ A. L. Johnson High School
1/4 5 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity vs. Linden High School Home
1/8 5 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity @ R. C. Hatch High School
1/12 5 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity @ Linden High School
1/16 3 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 5 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity vs. Leroy High School
1/19 5:30 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity vs. A.L. Johnson High School
1/26 6 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity @ Keith High School
1/30 2 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 3:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity @ Leroy High School
2/1 5 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity @ Millry High School
2/2 5 p.m. Women’s Basketball Varsity & 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball Varsity vs. R. C. Hatch High School Home
Dates and times are subject to change.

Blazers are Area 5 Volleyball Tournament Champions

By Kasey DeCastra,
SCRJ Community News Editor University Charter School hosted the volleyball playoff for Area 5 on Tues., Oct. 13 and won 3-2 over Keith.
UCS Blazers fell to Sweetwater on Mon., Oct. 12, 6-28. They play Demopolis Middle School next week. Demopolis played Wilson Hall Middle School on Oct. 13.

Blazer volleyball to host area tournament Oct. 13th

By Kasey DeCastra,
SCRJ Community News Editor
University Charter School will host the area volleyball tournament next week. The girls won against Keith High School, 3-0, Oct. 6. The Blazers fell to Linden on Sept. 25, and Demopolis on Sept. 29, with both games scores 0-3. Oct. 1 the Blazers came back with a win over Linden High School, 3 – 2.
Blazers football are scheduled to play Sweet Water Oct. 12 in an away game and Demopolis Middle School on Oct. 19 at home.
Scores care of al-max.dragonflyathletics.com

UCS CC two top 15 finishes out of over 80 racers this weekend

“Cross-Country represented UCS again this weekend with two top 15 finishes out of over 80 racers! UCS is proud of you!” @universitycharterschool

Blazers volleyball wins second district playoff

By Kasey DeCastra,
SCRJ Community News Editor
The Blazers one again took out the competition, this time against Linden, 25, 25, 26 to 14, 20, 24 on Sept. 25. Blazers fell to Demopolis High School on Sept. 29, with scores 15, 16, 10 – 25, 25, 25. Next game scheduled is against Linden High School at 5 p.m.. UCS cross country will run again at the Helena Invitational on Oct. 10 and football will play Sweet Water in an away game on Oct. 12.

First area game win for Lady Blazers Volleyball Team

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor
Univerity Charter School’s Lady Blazers won their first area game against Keith High School 25-12, 25-11, and 25-6.
The girls will play away games at Sweet Water High School and against Demopolis on the 19th, Hale County on the 21st, and will play Demopolis High School sgain n Sept. 29.
The Blazers foorball team fell to Sweet Water High School on Mon., Sept. 14, 38-0. The Blazers will go up against Sweet Water again on Oct. 12. The next two games are home games in Tiger Stadium. On Sept. 21 they battle the Hale County Wildcats again and on Sept. 28 Clarke County. Games are at 6 p.m.
Scores care of dragonflyathletics.com

Lady Blazers win over Thomasville in volleyball

UCS Volleyball reported on their Facebook page a win over Thomasville last Tuesday, Sept.1; scores were 25,25 and 17, 20.
The Blazers fell to the Wildcats JV team on Tuesday, 52-0. “It was a great night for a Wildcat shutout! Our Jr High team defeated University Charter School 52-0! Way to go Coach Laird and boys!,” said Hale County Middle School’s Facebook page. @HaleCountyMS UCS football fell to Bibb County 6-42 on Aug. 26.
Lady Blazers volleyball will play Keith High School on Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. and Thomasville Middle School on Sept. 16. Blazers football team will play Sweet Water High School on the 14th at 6 p.m.
Scores care of https://al-max.dragonflyathletics.com

UCS Football, Volleyball and Cross Country Schedules

Football
Tues., Aug. 25 Bibb County Away (rescheduled to Wed., Aug. 26 due to weather.
Tues., Sept. 1 Hale County Away 6 p.m.
Tues., Sept. 8 Clark County Away 6 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 14 Sweet Water Home
Mon., Sept. 28 Clark County Home
Mon., Oct. 12 Sweet Water Away
Mon., Oct. 19 Demopolis Home
Volleyball
9/1 Hale County Home
9/10 Keith HS Home
9/17 Linden Home
9/21 Hale County Away
9/29 Demopolis Home
10/1 Linden Away
10/6 Keith Away
10/16 Area Tournament
10/21 Area Tournament
10/24-26 Super Regional
10/20-31 State Tournament
Cross Country
9/12 Montgomery Academy Inv., Grady
9/19 TCBY Inv., Tuscaloosa
9/26 Spain Park Twighliught, Hoover
10/10 Helena Inv., Helna
10/17 St. Bernard Oktoberfest Inv., Cullman
10/23 Spain Park Classic, Hoover
11/5 1A/2A Sectionals, Cullman

Fall sports cancelled for Sumter Central

Public school officials in Greene and Sumter counties announced Monday, July 27 that they were canceling their fall sports seasons, affecting football, volleyball, and cross country.

Class 4A Girls’ Semifinals Deshler 64, Sumter Central 52

Deshler’s Lady Tigers sank 11 3-point goals Tuesday night the Class 4A semifinals en route to a 64-52 victory over Sumter Central in the 98th AHSAA State Basketball Championships at the BJCC Legacy Arena.
The Tigers (24-10) clinched a berth in the Class 4A girls’ finals Friday at 4 p.m. at Legacy Arena to face Anniston (28-3).
Hannah Collinsworth sank 4-of-11 3-point attempts to finish with 17 points. Katie Brooke Clemmons was nailed 4-of-5 shots from behind the 3-point arc and had 14 points. Senior point guard Shamri Thirlkill also had 17 points, four assists and three steals for Coach Jana Killen’s squad. The semifinal victory was the 785th of her high school coaching career. She carries a 785-201 record into Friday’s finals and six state championships including four in a row from 2003-2006 and back-to-back 4A crowns in 2015 and 2016. The Tigers have seven state titles overall with their first coming in 1985.
Akilah Crook had eight rebounds for Deshler, which lost the rebound battle to Sumter Central 49-36.
Chardai Watkins’s 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals led the Jaguars (14-8), coached by Tinnie Hall. Ladasia Giles added 15 points and seven rebounds. Jayla Griffin and Jakerria Rogers had big games on the boards with 12 and 11 rebounds, respectively.
All semifinal and championship games in the 2020 AHSAA State Tourney are being live-streamed over the NFHS Network’s subscriber-based platform and are also being shown over the AHSAA TV Network’s group of cable affiliates in Alabama. WOTM TV is producing all games and the AHSAA Radio Network is handling announcing duties for radio and TV during the semifinals.
All cable systems in Alabama have a chance to take the broadcast feed for all the games free of charge. If your local cable company is not televising the games, please contact them and ask them to join the AHSAA TV Network.
98th AHSAA STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tuesday’s Results
Class 3A Girls Semifinals
Pisgah (30-3) 72, Pike Road (28-5) 58
T.R. Miller (28-1) 50, Lauderdale County (29-6) 44
3A Girls Finals
Pisgah (30-3) vs. T.R. Miller (28-1), Friday, 12:30 p.m.
Class 3A Boys Semifinals
Pike County (23-6) 52, Hanceville (18-13) 42
Lauderdale County (26-7) 63, Hale County (18-11) 41
3A Boys Finals
Pike County (23-6) vs. Lauderdale County (26-7), Friday, 2:15 p.m.
Class 4A Girls Semifinals
Anniston (28-3) 50, Childersburg (31-5) 42
Deshler (24-10) 64, Sumter Central (14-8) 52
4A Girls Finals
Anniston (28-3) vs. Deshler (24-10), Friday, 4 p.m.
Class 4A Boys Semifinals
Talladega (26-6) 64, Montgomery Catholic (30-5) 57

Lady Jaguars move on to play Greensboro Lady Raiders Thursday

Sumter Central girls will play Greensboro in the Area 6 match up on Thursday after Tuesday’s win over UMS-Wright, 46-39, in the Class 4A Southwest Regional Semifinals. LaDasia Giles scored two 3 point shots to win the game. Jayla Griffin scored 1 points and 10 rebounds. Jada Watkins scored 11 rebounds.

Jaguars fall to Lions, 69-60

“Great season Jags! The Boys Sumter Central Jaguar’s run in the state tournament came to an end in the Regional Semi-finals after a 69 – 60 loss to the Williamson Lions at the Dunn Oliver Acadome in today. After winning its area championship 78-73 over the Dallas County Hornets and fending off American Christian Academy with a 81 – 58 win in the subregional, SCHS came up short against the Lions.” @SumterCentral

Jag’s Varsity boys basketball win twice against Aliceville

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor Coaches and statisticians, need to send in scores or schedule changes? Email Rickitta Martin, Sports Editor, at [email protected].
The Sumter Central Varsity boys fell to Sparkman High won over Aliceville on Dec. 6, 63-56, and against against Aliceville on Dec. 10,57-46. The Jags play away at Paul Bryant in Tuscaloosa on Dec. 13, at Demopolis on Dec. 14, away at the Lake City Classic on Dec. 20-21, away at the Paul Bryant Holiday Tournament on Dec. 26 and at Greene Co. High on Jan. 2.
The Lady Jags won 69-34 on Dec. 6 against Aliceville, but fell to Aliceville on Dec. 10, 35-42. The Lady Jags away at Paul Bryant in Tuscaloosa on Dec. 13, at Demopolis on Dec. 14, at the BallN Holiday Tournament Dec. 26-28, and at Greene Co. High on Jan. 2.
The Lady Blazers fell to Demopolis at home on Dec. 9, 26-58. Univeristy Charter School will play away games against Choctaw County on Dec. 13, Demopolis on Dec. 16 in a away game and then again against American Christian Academy on Jan. 3.
Kinterbish Tigers boys team won on Dec. 5, 46-24, against York West End. Kinterbish will play Robert Brown Middle at home on Dec. 17 and away on Jan. 7.
The York West End Lady Braves won on Dec. 5, 22-21, against Kinterbish. Livingston will host the Dec. 12 games.

Livingston Boys win over Kinterbish, Kinterbish girls win over Livingston, and UCS girls win over Pickens Co.

By Kasey DeCastra, SCRJ Community News Editor Coaches and statisticians, need to send in scores or schedule changes? Email Rickitta Martin, Sports Editor, at [email protected].
Sumter Central Varsity boys fell to Sparkman High on Nov. 26, 54-76. The Jags will play at home against against Meridian on Dec. 7, Aliceville on Dec. 10 and away at Paul Bryant in Tuscaloosa on Dec. 13.
University Charter School Lady Blazers won over Pickens county on Dec. 2, 46-41. The Lady Blazers will play at home against Demopolis on Dec. 9 and at Choctaw County on Dec. 13.
York West End will play Kinterbish on Dec. 5 at home at 5 p.m., Robert Brown Middle on Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. and Livingston on Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Kinterbish Lady Tigers won over Livingston on Dec. 2. Score unavailable at press time. Kinterbish Jr. High School will play York West End on Dec. 14.
Livingston Jr. High School boys won over Kinterbish Dec. 2, 52-30 and will play in the Aliceville Classic on Dec. 7 at 9:30 a.m., against Aliceville Middle School Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m., and Robert Brown Middle School on Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m.