By Marla Jones, Sports Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
State Championship Game: Fyffe vs Elba
Hey, Football Fans!! Fyffe has made it to the 2A State Championship for the second year in a row...and for the second year in a row, they are playing Elba. Fyffe won last year 28-17. To say Elba is out for revenge, would be putting it mildly. Elba has been State Champions in 1989, 1992 and 2011. They are ready to add another one to their trophy case. Fyffe has one State Championship from last year and they are not planning on giving it up, anytime soon.
This will be a nitty-gritty showdown from the very start. This game should be called the “Father/Son Bowl”. Elba’s quarterback, Ramsey Rigby is the son of Head Coach, Ed Rigby. Fyffe’s quarterback, Seth Benefield is the son of Head Coach, Paul Benefield.
Fyffe has won 13 consecutive games since losing to Cleveland on Sept. 4, 2015. They have found their groove with Seth Benefield, who replaced Quarterback, Will Mashburn after his season ending injury. Fyffe offense averages 39 points per game while only giving up 10 points per game on defense. Fyffe is lead by Dilan Kilpatrick who has over 2,600 yards and 35 touchdowns. Cyle Collins and Tyler Ashley play like pros. Add that ball snatching, Payton Anderson in the mix and Fyffe is unstoppable. Defensively, nothing is getting past Ryan Martin, Cole Hosch, Ricky Butts, Ethan Jones or Daniel Martin. Heck, they scare me just standing on the sidelines by them.
Elba lost their last regular season game to Opp but have been out for blood since the playoffs started. Elba averages 45 points per game and has scored more than 60 points, four times this season. Elba is well-rounded and is a double threat with running back, Stefan Caldwell and quarterback, Ramsey Rigby. Lineman, Blaine Hudson is committed to Troy and Quarterback, Ramsey Rigby plans to walk on at Auburn.
The Fyffe Walk of Champions will begin at 12:55 p.m. Friday. The team will walk past many of the the statues including Coach Stallings, Coach Bryant and Coach Saban. Get there early and show your Dekalb County team how much you support them.
I admit, when I first was hired to be the Sports Editor at Southern Torch, I was afraid that I couldn’t support any other team than my Sylvania Rams. That is where I went to school and where both my boys played ball. I have met some of the nicest people I’ve ever known covering the Red Devils this season and I am proud to say that Fyffe has welcomed me as one of their own with open arms. As I watch the Championship Game side-by-side with my new Fyffe family on Friday, it will be like cheering for my own children. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a Ram….just with some Devil horns!
My prediction for the game is….Fyffe 27, Elba 14. When you see that Southern Torch Jeep headed to Tuscaloosa on Gameday, give me a big ole Red Devil Wave. I will be the gal cheering, like a mad woman at the game!! GO BIG RED!!!
