By BY BRUCE HIXON – SPORTS EDITOR
Week one of the high school football season was a rough one for Class 4A Region 1 teams.
Region 1 teams went a combined 3-5 in their non-region battles. Perhaps the most stunning part of that statistic is the three teams that most tabbed as the schools to beat in the region all went down to defeat and all three losses came to schools in lower classifications.
Probably the most shocking of the defeats was Thomasville's 27-13 setback at the hands of Sweet Water. It was Sweet Water's first win over Thomasville in 10 years. Granted Sweet Water is the defending Class 1A state champion and began this season ranked No. 1 in that class, but Thomasville is coming off a 13-2 state runner-up in Class 4A and began this season ranked No. 2 in that class. Teams of supposedly that caliber should not be losing to schools three classes below it in enrollment.
Jackson also figures to be one of the teams to beat in Region 1, but the Aggies were upended 30-27 by defending Class 2A state champion and preseason No.1 Leroy.
Then there was T.R. Miller's 36-7 loss to Class 3A No. 9 Clarke County. It was the first week one loss for the Tigers since 1998 and just their second opening-week setback in 17 years.
The 0-3 performance turned in by Thomasville, Jackson and T.R. Miller last week was a far cry from the 11-1 record the three schools had last year in non-region play. Thomasville and T.R. Miller were both a perfect 3-0, while Jackson was 2-1. The Aggies lone non-region loss last year was also against Leroy in week one.
Class 4A Region 1 teams were a combined 16-8 last year in non-region games. Three of those losses came in Hillcrest-Evergreen's winless on-the-field campaign. W.S. Neal joined T.R. Miller and Thomasville with undefeated marks against non-region foes last season. Jackson, Southside-Selma and Monroe County were all 2-1.
W.S. Neal (41-21 over Daleville), Monroe County (45-0 over J.F. Shields) and Escambia County (12-8 over Alabama Christian Academy) were the only region teams to win opening week. At least one of those teams, W.S. Neal or Escambia County, will fall from the unbeaten ranks when the Blue Eagles and Blue Devils hook up Friday at Atmore. The list of undefeated Region 1 teams could dwindle to just one this week if Monroe County falls to Jackson.
Of course the good thing about the week one struggles for Region 1 teams is they have little or no impact on the playoff race. Of course the same can be said about the wins by W.S. Neal, Monroe County and Escambia County.
For all intent, everybody starts this week 0-0 just like they did last week.