West Lauderdale, Newton Co.
rivalry means a lot to schools

By By Marty Stamper / staff writer
September 23, 2004
Forget the fact that they aren't from the same town or even the same county.
When it comes to football rivalries, Newton County and West Lauderdale are at the top of each other's most wanted list.
West comes into Friday's game at Decatur with a 3-1 mark, while Newton County is 1-2. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
"I think our kids will play hard being that it's a division game and that it's West Lauderdale," Newton County head coach Jeff Breland said. "That's a big rival for us."
"They're going to give us their best effort, usually, and I know Jeff's kids do the same," West head coach Stan McCain said of his team. "We kinda feel the same way about them even though we play Southeast and some other county folks. I think our kids enjoy playing Newton County probably more than anybody else."
West took a 31-14 win last year in Collinsville to end a string of seven straight Cougar wins in the series. Newton County holds an 11-2 all-time advantage.
"I think last year we kinda snuck up on a few people," McCain said. "We had lost a lot of seniors the year before and I don't know if we snuck up on them, but up until that game we had improved from game to game and gotten better and better.
"We had a good game against them, probably our best game until the playoffs.
"For a change, we didn't make the mistakes that beat us. They're not going to make very many mistakes at all and you can't make mistakes and win. In the past, that was what had hurt us.
"But last year is last year."
Both of West's wins in the series have been at Collinsville.
"I'd feel a whole lot better if we played here," McCain said. "But it's an enjoyable game, regardless of what's happened in the past.
"They've had the upper hand for the most part, but it's been an enjoyable game to coach in and watch the kids play in."
Newton County threw six interceptions in its first two games, both of which were losses, but did not attempt a pass in a 22-0 shutout of Northeast Lauderdale two weeks ago.
"At times, they've looked good in the passing game and I don't think Jeff would hesitate to throw the ball if he needed to, but if you don't have to throw the ball, why do it," McCain said.
"When (Cougar quarterback) Colby (Amis) has been effective in the past is when they've run play action and rolled him out. I look for them to get back to that type deal.
"He's got a good arm and does a good job. I'm about ready to see him graduate. I enjoy watching him play as long as it isn't against us.
"He does a good job running and we have a hard time tackling him. I think a lot of other people do to."
The Cougars had last week off after Hurricane Ivan canceled their game at Quitman.
"We would have loved to have played, but you've got to put your family ahead of football," Breland said of Quitman's situation.
"We'll have our work cut out for us this week. We'll just have to see how we'll play."