Biggest HS game in N.AL tonight

[JohnDeere 0]

TimesDaily

Indians, Tigers highlight schedule

Coaches say game is 'measuring stick'

A week's hiatus from region play doesn't mean there aren't some tasty morsels being dished up around the area's high school football fields tonight.

There are plenty of intriguing matchups from which to partake as the high school season reaches the halfway mark. Perhaps the best has Colbert County, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A, making the short trip to Tuscumbia for a game against Class 4A power Deshler.

Colbert County (4-0) has looked impressive in the first month. Deshler (2-2) has rebounded from its 0-2 start to post wins against Lawrence County and Central.

Both coaches -- Steve Mask at Colbert County and John Mothershed at Deshler -- say they use the matchup as a barometer for their team's progress.

"It's a gauge to see the progress we have made," said Mask, whose team has one of the most balanced offenses in the area. "It's a chance for us to play one of the best teams in Class 4A. It's a measuring stick to see where we are at."

Mothershed echoed those sentiments.

"We play Colbert County in the fifth game to see if we have gotten better since the first game," Mothershed said. "They are a good measuring stick because they always have a good team."

Both coaches raved about their opponent.

"John has done a good job," Mask said. "I know they said they were young coming into the season, but they aren't young anymore. They have had that system in place for a long time, and all they do is plug new names in it."

Mothershed said Colbert County has its typical talented and physical team.

"They are playing good football right now," he said. "(Ben) Ezell has matured as a quarterback and they have quite a few skill players that can beat you."

There will be few D1 players in this one for sure.