The Southern Torch, Vol. 1, No. 19

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

/ FRIDAY OCTOBER 2, 2015 / VOL. 1, NO. 19 / $1.00

COMMUNITY

BUSINESS

SPORTS

LITTLE RIVER CANYON CENTER HOSTS 4TH ANNUAL HALF-MARATHON

TREAT OF THE WEEK: COLLEGE CORNER, MESSY MEXI BURGER

TEAM OF THE WEEK: COLLINSVILLE PANTHERS

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Wilks sworn in as DeKalb’s first GOP Revenue Commissioner

FAN OF THE WEEK! The Southern Torch Fan of the Week is Scotty Gilbert.

Scotty volunteers his time to help manage the Crossville Lions. Thank you Scotty for a job well done!!! Submit your picture to Southern Torch for your chance to be our next Fan of the Week.

Congratulations Scotty Gilbert!

Fort Payne Council holds special meeting

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

FYFFE, Ala.—DeKalb County’s new Revenue Commissioner, Tyler Wilks, was sworn in at White Oaks Farm on Monday night and will officially take office next week.

“I look forward to taking office next week and serving the people of Dekalb County,” Wilks said. “It is a service to the people to do the work of the Revenue Commissioner. I believe the only thing we are entitled to in our country is opportunity. I believe Elected officials should work with the taxpayers’ best interest in mind, not for their own personal

gain. It is a service to the people to do the work of the Revenue Commissioner. I look forward to the opportunity to help make DeKalb County more fiscally responsible and effective in bringing in new industry.”

Wilks, 33 of Fyffe, is a lifelong resident of DeKalb County. He graduated from Sylvania High School and earned a bachelors degree from Jacksonville State University in 2004. After a year as a teacher at Piedmont Middle School, Wilks transitioned to business after being offered a position with Hudson Company in Henagar, Ala. Wilks is

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the former April Stanford of Fyffe and together the couple has two young children.

Wilks, a Republican, defeated his primary opponent in June 2014 and went on to defeat incumbent Revenue Commissioner, Democrat, Martha Crye Ogle in November 2014.

Wilks said his philosophy is that elected officials should represent the people to the government and not the government to the people. Tyler Wilks will officially assume the duties of DeKalb County Revenue Commission next week.

The Fort Payne City Council held a specially called meeting Tuesday at noon to hear a request for tax abatements from the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority for the organization(s) that bought the former Cherokee Hosiery Mill.

The council passed resolutions granting tax abatement to Southern Wholesale Fibers and Recycling, Inc. (Resolution 2015-15) and Romans Warehouse Rentals, LLC. City officials said the special meeting was called to complete business that needed to be concluded before the new fiscal year began on Oct. 1, 2015.

The council also

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passed a resolution granting City Attorney Rocky Watson permission to obtain an Attorney General’s opinion on the appropriateness of the proposed CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 THIS WEEK IN COMMUNITY

Landmarks to host Sacred Harp Singing at Council Bluff School Landmarks of DeKalb will host a sacred harp singing…

Page 5

THIS WEEK IN FAITH

What You Need Is a Good Tent

“Let’s build a tent.” My four boys loved to build tents…

Page 6

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS

Collinsville takes down Horseshoe Bend Collinsville 28-Horseshoe Bend 14. It wasn’t a complete game, but it was closer…

Page 11 PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 60 RAINSVILLE, AL

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Friday–October 2, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCHTHE SOU

Publisher, Joseph M. Morgan Layout editor, Dwayne Adams

Fort Payne’s Randy and Olivia Grider Coll Honored with Chairman’s Cup Award

Histor

By Joseph M. Morgan joseph@southerntorch.com

DECATUR, Ala. – The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) has honored Randy and Olivia Grider with its 2015 Chairman’s

Cup award. The award is among 12 that comprise the PEAK Awards that will be presented on Wednesday, September 16 during the AMLA Annual Meeting at Stone Bridge Farms in Cullman, Ala.

Representing the highest achievement in North Alabama tourism, the PEAK Awards honor individuals and organizations that have had a major impact on tourism in North Alabama. The Chairman’s Cup Award is given annually to a travel writer or media person who has over time demonstrated support of AMLA, the region and its tourism activities.

Randy and Olivia Grider are the publishers and editors of Lookout Alabama, a magazine dedicated to highlighting the unique culture, history and environmental treasures of Lookout Mountain and the North Alabama region. Publishing began in the summer of 2013 with distribution to a select multi-state readership. Today, Lookout Alabama is available for purchase at Barnes & Noble, Hastings and Gander Mountain

stores throughout the Southeast and in the Lookout Mountain region. Through articles and images, the magazine tells the stories of the people and places that make the Lookout Mountain region so special.

A native of Rainsville, Ala., Randy has a degree in journalism with minors in history and political science from the University of Alabama and has worked at various newspapers throughout Alabama. He has won 11 Alabama Press Association awards, including “most improved newspaper” at two publications and is a three-time finalist and 2005 winner of the Jesse H. Neal Award (considered “the Pulitzer Prize of the business press”).

From Pinson, Ala., Olivia has 13 years of experience writing and editing for national magazines, professional

associations and marketing campaigns as well as local publications.

Her work has won

By Karah karah@so regional and national awards, including the COL 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. She has a degree Collins in mass communication Walk o walk sh with a journalism in diffe specialization and a history minor from the busines University of Alabama at the Col where y Birmingham. transpo “On behalf of the the loca Board of Directors, I a demo congratulate all of the how to honorees,” said Tami Reist, President/CEO of hosted the Alabama Mountain located “Stitch Lakes Tourist Association. “The PEAK located Van Awards provide an was the outstanding platform to recognize top performers to Sew” and industry leaders in to sew a tourism and this year’s from he recipients all have done ents. Ch quilt, o an excellent job in the A mem marketing and promoout of m tions of tourism and jeans, a travel for the North Alabama region.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

probation fees until such time an Attorney General’s opinion is in hand.

The final item on the agenda at the special meeting was official notice of a legal claim that has been forwarded to the city’s insurance carrier alleging civil rights violations against individuals accused of crimes that stemmed from alleged aggressive fees and case mismanagement by JCS. There have been similar lawsuits brought against

cities all over the state and country from the ACLU and Southern Poverty Law Center on behalf of accused criminals alleging wrongdoing by JCS in terms of the manner in which they collect fees on behalf of the cities the organizations represents.

A number of cities throughout the state have terminated their contracts as a result of this increase in lawsuits and the allegations they make.

Fort Payne Council special meeting practice of the City’s Office of Probation charging a probation fee of $15 as a solution to manage probation cases formerly managed by Judicial Correction Services (JCS), a private company that managed the process for the city until recent termination of the contract by the City of Fort Payne.

The city passed an ordinance authorizing the temporary suspension of the proposed

Friday–October 2, 2015

N TORCHTHE SOUTHERN TORCH

er rd

COMMUNITY Historic homes and collections of quilts showcased at event

news@southerntorch.com Tel. 256 638 4040 www.southerntorch.com

Backstage production of Black-Tie Broadway-A Musical Revue

DeKalb County: (Attachment 0198) Clockwise from left: Megan Mitchell of Rainsville; Katherine Ables Brewer formerly of Geraldine; Michelle Stuart with daughter Sloan Rodriguez of Geraldine

By Karah Wilson karah@southerntorch.com

By Karah Wilson karah@southerntorch.com

COLLINSVILLE, Ala.— egree Collinsville held its annual Quilt ation Walk on Sept. 25 and 26. The walk showcased over 300 quilts in different homes and a m the businesses. The event began at ama at the Collinsville Public Library where you could then be transported by a bus to any of he the locations. During the walk, I a demonstration was held on the how to make a memory quilt, mi EO of hosted by “A Time to Sew,” ntain located in Collinsville, and “Stitches N Stories Quilting,” PEAK located in Falkville.

Vanessa “Nessa” Chambers was there representing “A Time rm to ormers to Sew” in the library. She began rs in to sew at a young age, learning ear’s from her parents and grandpardone ents. Chambers had a memory quilt, or tee shirt quilt, with her. the A memory quilt is a quilt made moout of materials such as shirts, d jeans, and flannel as long as h

tate he n r on

S in er in fees on the esents.

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To submit community news, contact:

Collinsville hosts annual Quilt Walk Actors from DeKalb star in Whole

gns as ations.

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3

there are no holes in the fabric and they are stabilized. The quilt being shown won third place in a Geraldine contest.

Chambers began “A Time to Sew” in 2003 and was the one to begin the quilt walk after attending one herself in Tennessee in 2002. Chambers picked the library as the organization to start the walk. “I gave the show over to the library in 2006. The first show had over six hundred quilts,” Chambers said. “The quilts are never judged or sold during the show. It is totally different than any other show in Alabama.

The homes and businesses that held the quilts were also called “pattern stops.” This means that guests could stop and pick up a sewing pattern to learn how to make the quilts presented in the business or home. For more information on next year’s walk, contact Jennifer Wilkins at 256-524-2323 or at jencollib@hotmail.com.

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala.—The Whole Backstage in Guntersville will present Black-Tie Broadway-A Musical Revue, Oct. 9 through 18. Directed and put together by Johnny Brewer, the talented cast of more than 70 singers and dancers will bring music and scenes to life as they perform classic show tunes mixed with contemporary selections currently playing onstage in New York City. Actors from DeKalb include: Megan Mitchell of Rainsville; Michelle Stuart and Sloan Rodriguez of Geraldine, Katherine Ables Brewer formerly of Geraldine “It is a collection of Broadway music for all generations. It is a unique production that features some of the greatest vocalists in our area,” Brewer said. “As I conduct and listen during the rehearsals, I am in awe of the professional level of talent and skill in this cast. Singing, dancing, some classic characters,

Attachment 3533 is the Director with Assistants: Photo Identification, Left to Right: Director Johnny Brewer, and Hailey Darnell as Vocal Coach and Accompanist; Karen Fancher, Rehearsal Accompanist; Choral Assistants: Christi Smallwood, Jan Price, Miriam Richey

and children’s spotlights will create a memorable and enjoyable family friendly entertaining event.”

The cast includes veteran Whole Backstagers as well as new performers to the WBS stage. “We have a very dedicated production staff that is working so that our magic will happen as soon as the curtain opens,” Brewer said.

Tickets for Black-Tie Broadway are on sale now! This production will entertain and touch an audience of all ages. Evening performances are October 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday Matinees on October 11 and 18 at 2:00 p.m.

Adult tickets are $18 each with senior and student tickets $16 each. Tickets may be purchased online at www.wholebackstage. com or by calling the WBS office at 256.582.7469, or by visiting the office at 1120 Rayburn Avenue in Guntersville during business hours 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Friday–October 2, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCHTHE SOU

COMMUNITY

Little River Canyon Center hosts Lan Sin 4th Annual Half-Marathon

By Staff Reports

Fort Payne, Ala.—Join runners from around the southeast, as Little River Canyon Center hosts its 4th annual half marathon slated for Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 at 8 a.m.

Registration fee is $50 prior to Oct. 10 (active. com) or $70 day of race.

The USA Track &

Field (USATF) certified course, loops 13.1 miles on paved roads, starting and ending at the Little River Canyon Center. The first five miles of the run will follow the Little River Canyon National Preserve’s scenic and sometimes challenging rim of the Canyon, as the remainder winds through gently rolling farm

country, including Randy Owen Drive and his famous Tennessee River Music Hereford and Angus cattle ranch.

Runners should keep an eye out as Randy and Kelly Owen are often on hand at the 6 and 8-mile water station. “We always have a great time cheering for the runners, pitching them drinks,

snacks, and energy Gu from the house, said Kelly, “We especially love meeting new friends and thanking them for supporting JSU!” “Our primary focus is organization and safety,” said JSU’s Canyon Center Director Pete Conroy, but beyond that, we want runners and their supporters, to make good

memories and have fun.”

“This is a perfect time of year for a marathon and Little River Canyon National Preserve is the perfect place.”

The half marathon will feature five water stations, music, ample law enforcement, shirts, trophies, finishing metals, and much more.

Proceeds help fund outdoor education programs and local conservation efforts at Little River Canyon.

Early registration and packet pick-up is Friday Oct. 9, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. on race day. For more informaBy Joseph tion on the Little River joseph@s Canyon Center Half Lan Marathon, visit: www.jsu.edu/epic/ will ho canyoncenter/little-river- singing canyon-half-marathon or at Coun 2 p.m. call 256-845-3548.

The Rodney sacred the are are to r for a po singing public.

The School 1903 ne Mount Head R donate promin commu In 1 joined Attendant:

Sylvania Homecoming Court

Front:

Sophomore Attendant: Taylor Lanier Freshman Attendant: Lauren Bewley

Middle:

Senior Queen Nominees: Ashley Aguilar, Jenny Sweeting, and Karey Garner, Junior

Gloria Aguilar

Back:

Senior King Nominees: Andrew Womack, Hunter Miller and Phillip Dendy

Pick up your copy of The Southern Torch at any of the following locations: FORT PAYNE: Jacks North Foodland The Strand The Spot South End Market Western Sizzlin Carters Beverage South Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant IDER: Foodland COLLINSVILLE: Piggly Wiggly Jacks DAWSON: Dawson Gas Station GERALDINE: Jacks FYFFE: Jacks Fuel City MENTONE: Mentone Market VALLEY HEAD: Gas Station HENAGAR: Texaco SYLVANIA: Gas Station

RAINSVILLE: Southern Torch office McDonald's Foodland Fuel City Tophers Wings

Friday–October 2, 2015

N TORCHTHE SOUTHERN TORCH

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COMMUNITY

to host Sacred Harp Crickets for a cause ts Landmarks Singing at Council Bluff School

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hon ter mple hirts,

more. d

l ts at n. on and riday until 6 race maBy Joseph M. Morgan iver joseph@southerntorch.com f Landmarks of Dekalb pic/ will host a sacred harp e-river- singing on Sunday Oct. 11 hon or at Council Bluff School at 2 p.m.

The event features Rodney Ivey and other sacred harp singers from the area. Tentative plans are to record the singing for a possible CD. The singing is free to the public.

The Council Bluff School was erected in 1903 near the top of Sand Mountain on the Valley Head Road. The land was donated by several prominent men in the community.

In 1924 Council Bluff joined with Stamp,

urt

rew Phillip

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Central and Hawkins Chapel to form a new school at High Point. The county board minutes of 1935 show that a delegation from Council Bluff met with the county board to rescind their decision and remain the way they were, but the school board elected to have the school remain with High Point. After the consolidation, Council Bluff School was used for sacred harp singings and school reunions.

The property was later deeded to Landmarks for restoration. Council Bluff School is the last one-room school houses still standing in Dekalb County and is listed on

the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.

Council Bluff School is on a small, unmarked road off CR 120 on the top of Sand Mountain.

Directions: From Fort Payne, go north on I 59 to Hwy. 117 exit (Exit 231) and turn left onto Hwy. 117. Go approximately 1/2 mile to CR 120 (first CR on the left) and turn left. Stay on CR 120 for approximately 1.6 miles.

Turn left on small, unmarked road just before yellow sign warning of sharp curve ahead. There is a brown Council Bluff School sign at the turn – the school is down this road on the right.

By Karah Wilson karah@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala—Rev. Ronnie Murdock has been the pastor of Rainbow Chapel of Mountain Lakes Resort in Guntersville for the past six years. Back in 2004, Murdock was in a severe truck driving accident that left him handicapped. Murdock used an older motorized chair until it gave out on him earlier this year.

Sid Williams is a is a resident of Rainsville and a Cricket Scooter salesman associated with the Wilco in Rainsville.

Williams was at a sales event at Mount Lake Resort in Guntersville when he ran into Rev. Murdock. He noticed the

chair Murdock had at the time was unfit for his church’s terrain. Williams and his wife Kim wanted to give Murdock a Cricket. Jimmy Sparks, a friend of Williams for several years, was at the event as well and volunteered to help make the idea a reality. Sparks and Williams decided they would find a way to purchase a scooter for Murdock. Sparks later told Murdock’s congregation of what they wanted to do. “Ten days later God had blessed us with what we needed,” Sparks said.

Williams and Sparks want to personally thank all of those who supported the cause and helped them purchase the Cricket scooter for Rev. Murdock.

May favo

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Friday–October 2, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCHTHE SOU

FAITH

What You Need Is a Good Tent

By Dr. John E. Morgan Pastor–Collinsville Baptist Church

“Let’s build a tent.”

My four boys loved to build tents. They would drag every quilt and sheet and anything else into the biggest available room – the living room unless their mother created new Building Codes because of anticipated company.

They would pull furniture all around to hold up the covers they had confiscated. Then

they would bring in sticks and other pointy things to make the top stick up like a circus tent.

It was important that the tent have a door that was difficult for an adult to crawl through, but was just right for a young boy.

Usually there was also a secret entrance.

Then they would begin to move into the tent. More covers and pillows for the floor. Lots and lots of books.

Animals (usually stuffed

though I think a couple of times the dog got sneaked into the house and into the tent.) Toys to play with. Maybe have me run an extension cord in for a light.

Then came the pleas.

Can we please, please, please sleep in here tonight? Pretty please?

Usually the answer was yes. Then pleas for food.

And then pleas for Gloria and I to crawl into the tent and see how amazing it was. We oohed and ahhed at how great it was.

They would usually sleep in it that night. The next morning the edict came down. Take it down and get everything back where it belongs. “Oh, Mom, no. Daddy please.”

Sorry, take it down. It’s time. Then they were ready to go back to building things in the sand pile or playing with Legos.

I noticed an interesting thing. If there were other adults around, they wanted to help build the tent. And when our four boys grew up, they loved to talk the next generation into building tents. Gloria and I would smile as we watched our four grown men down in the floor “helping” our grandchildren build yet another tent. Wanting to relive a little of their own

childhood.

I don’t remember building many tents inside when I was a kid.

But I did have a great pup tent that did the same thing in the back yard.

Quilts and toys and comic books on the floor. No electricity, but lots of flashlights. My best friend from next door.

And very little sleep.

What is there about camping out that so many of us like so much?

Building a tent or pitching a tent. Not a motor home. A tent.

This week is the Jewish holiday of the Feast of Booths (or Tents).

Since it is a fall festival, it reminds Jews of the harvest, or what they sometimes call the Feast of the Ingathering. It is a time of great joy also called the Season of Rejoicing. They sleep and eat all their meals for a week outside under the stars in a booth not unlike my children’s tents. That’s enough to make anybody but an old grouch at least a little joyful.

The holiday also reminds Jews that their ancestors lived in tents and booths for forty years in the wilderness.

Wandering because they had not trusted God. Waiting for the day when God would take them

into the Promised Land where they could build permanent houses and towns. Trading in those temporary tents for

By Distric something that would last. After all, living in “Tod tents can grow old.

States, Paul knew all about 900,00 tents. He made a living ment o lives on making tents. And he safety a wrote about them. He others. said that right now we arevalor an living in an earthly tent, and wit out bodies. They are That pr temporary and cause us a price, pain and discomfort. But year, th mately be of good cheer. God on law has us a whole new body, officers an eternal one waiting on nearly us. We can swap in our Sadly, o decade temp – the one with arthritis and cancer and officers killed i dementia and all those duty— other problems. One day 64 offic God the Father will say, intentio “It’s time. Let’s clean up. making Just leave that body there.sacrific You won’t need it here.” of othe 2014.”

And we will go into the Ove Promised Land of been in Heaven, the only place of in the l real joy. nation I wonder if we will be 2015, a have lo able to build tents and on duty play there. I kinda hope anothe so.

The rec

If you would like to officer read more, try II Corinthians 4 and 5.

A Moment with Megan: Don’t Hang Up

By Megan Blansit

Founder of The Beautiful Movement - a youth ministry for high school girls. For more information, visit The Beautiful Movement’s Facebook page, where I post the time, place, and activity for each month

“Can you hear me now?… “Can you hear me now?”… “What about now?” Oh, the numerous times we have all heard that commercial, right?

I’m going to change channels for a minute, how many times do we ask God that? Do you ever feel like He is deaf to your prayers? Do you ever feel like He doesn’t care? I’ve been there with you, friend.; you’re not alone.

Unfortunately, Gods time clock is not the same as ours. BUT, this does not mean we serve a deaf or a dead God. We serve a living God, who loves nothing more than when we talk to him.

I imagine this is the Lord’s everyday thought process (keep in mind, this is my personal imagination.) “Oh! Megan just got up! I wonder if she will talk to me this morning…. Okay, she’s brushing her teeth, maybe she will spend time with me during breakfast… Hmm nope… she’s running late for work (my friends & family know this is true- I need to work on that) ….

Maybe she will pray over her food at lunch and talk to me… Okay, nope, well…maybe she will talk to me at some point today (cue a deep sigh.) That may sound crazy, but along those lines are how I imagine God. I see him as someone longing to talk with us, always full

of love, not someone full of anger and wanting to punish us for something wrong we said or did yesterday, or even last week. The Bible says his grace is new every morning. Besides, nothing you can do will make God love you less. I love serving a God who doesn’t give his children the silent treatment. And you know what, he also never gets tired of hearing you prayers either, friend.

Life is busy, right? I would dare to say many of us get caught up in doing busy work and maybe don’t even know how to relax or be still.

However, sometimes God wants our stillness. I believe he longs for it actually. It is in the stillness that I often hear Gods voice. Psalms 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” I don’t know about you, but I can often be a “Martha” instead of a “Mary” In Luke 10, Martha was the

stressed out, busy-bee, trying to get everything in order, while her sister Mary was the one sitting in Jesus’ presence. In summary of the story, Martha was complaining to Jesus because her sister wasn’t helping her with the work that needed done and Jesus’ shocking response (to Martha) was that Mary was doing the right thing. Sometimes Jesus doesn’t want your works, sometimes he just wants your attention.

(Psalms 46:10) I also picture talking with Jesus as if it is a real phone call. Lets say some people have no problem being “still” and praying to God, but how many of us are guilty of talking nonstop and and then “hanging up on him?” We present all of our needs (and wants) to him and then when we are done, thats it! Time to move on with our day. But, I often wonder how many times the Lord is sitting on the edge of his throne with

Th

Pe

such excitement and anticipation for you to let him speak and then he isn’t given the chance.

What if we made our requests to God and then sat in his presence (like Mary)? What if we gave him the time to speak back? What if we grabbed our Bible and meditated By Senato on his Word? I think we (R-Rainbo could avoid a lot of As I confusion and chaos if we opinion took the time to let him remove speak. round o My challenge to you budget this week is do not “hang thorou up” on God. Give the Lord process time to speak into your not ent life today. This could be the resu done by actually hearing that the solid vi him speak into your process spirit, encouragement It ca through a christian song, quote I digging into his Word, etc. Next, don’t believe many y boss of the lie that the Lord years. M doesn’t hear your prayers. the quo The Lord’s response to, followe “Can you hear me now?” tough j is always a “Yes.” That iss

Mayor Nick Jones submitted the letter below to Southern Torch earlier this week. He and the council have since met, where the council voted in favor of the $1.5 million. Jones was the only dissenting vote against the measure that is predicted to cost the city $2.07 million

Friday–October 2, 2015

N TORCHTHE SOUTHERN TORCH

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Land uild and those r uld g in

OPINION / EDITORIAL The War on Cops… Blue Lives Matter!

By District Attorney Mike O’Dell

“Today, in the United States, more than bout 900,000 law enforceving ment officers put their lives on the line for the d he safety and protection of He others. They serve with we arevalor and distinction— tent, and with great success. re That protection comes at se us a price, however. Each rt. But year, there are approximately 60,000 assaults God on law enforcement w body, officers, resulting in ting on nearly 16,000 injuries. n our Sadly, over the last decade, an average of 146 h r and officers a year have been killed in the line of hose duty—with an average of ne day 64 officers a year l say, intentionally killed, an up. making the ultimate y there.sacrifice in the protection ere.” of others from 1980 to 2014.” o the Over 100 officers have been intentionally killed lace of in the line of duty in our nation since 2013. In will be 2015, a total of 30 officers have lost their lives while and on duty by gunfire or hope another form of assault.

The recent rash of police ke to officer killings is fueling

Corin5.

p

7

a new debate over the risks of being a police officer in the “postFerguson” era of anti-police protests.

Social media posts document a concerted effort to discredit all police officers because of the extraordinarily rare misconduct by a very few.

The dangerous national rhetoric that has drawn so much media attention has gotten out of hand. It has become popular and pervasive to denigrate and “call-out” our trusted law enforcement officers, as evidenced by recent comments from Black Lives Matter protesters who chanted “Pigs in a blanket, fry ‘em like bacon,” referring to the police across this nation.

This constant condemnation and denigration is neither fair nor profitable for any of us…and it must be countered by all of us who are in a position to know better.

Police departments across this country are facing a mounting recruiting shortage amid the anti-cop mood that some fear has taken the pride out of peacekeeping and put targets on the backs of the men and women in blue. Open calls for the killing of police have been followed by assassinations of officers. And, instead of dialing back the incendiary rhetoric, protests groups have doubled down at demonstrations

nationwide. I fear the net effect has been to demonize police, and diminish the job of these integral public servants.

Knowing police face scorn or career-ending legal battles even if they acted properly has convinced many prospective cops to abandon their dreams of patrolling American streets.

Many of the critics second-guessing our officers in the performance of their duties have called for increased and better “use of force” training and more effective decisionmaking skills. They insist that building strong partnerships between law enforcement and the community should be the top priority—working together to create a deeper understanding of the role of law enforcement in a free society, thus, strengthening the bond between those who protect and those protected, building a safer future for all.

But I submit that to build such partnerships throughout our nation must include the efforts of both sides—the police and the community.

Building bridges goes both ways. I believe the pressure is on the community to change an environment of hate directed toward police that seems to permeate many of our urban communities. A lack of trust toward authority

seems to be “taught” in these communities which are marked by disorder, violence, and crime. The police are blamed by community leaders for what they call the “contagion of chaos” that exists in their neighborhoods, with these same leaders ignoring the most difficult issues confronting urban communities—including chronic poverty, failing schools, gang violence, lack of discipline, absence of fathers, drug abuse and high unemployment. Solving these problems must come through the efforts of the people who reside in those communities, not law enforcement.

And murdering police officers certainly will not solve, or even alleviate, these problems.

Such actions cannot be tolerated. They will not be tolerated in our community. The murder or assault of one of our officers will result in the full force of the law being administered against any perpetrator. I work with our men and women in blue on a daily basis. These are committed public servants who exhibit honor and integrity every day, dedicating their lives to preserving and protecting our communities. Their occupation is extremely dangerous and fraught with peril. They deserve our respect and admiration, not our

disdain and denigration.

When a police officer is killed, it’s not an agency that loses an officer, it’s an entire nation. It is clear that “line of duty” deaths can happen to any officer— young or old, rookie or veteran. Each death marks the “end of watch” for an officer who dedicated his/her life to protecting and serving, and each death is a loss for all of us.

We extend our sincere prayers and condolences to the families, friends and agencies who have lost a hero. Our hearts break for you all. And, we continue our prayers for all the officers who continue their mission on the front line in our battle against crime and the protection of our communities.

It is time for all of us to stand up and support our law enforcement officers, and speak out against the violence and vitriol directed toward them. It is time for us to defend those who defend us. It is time to stand shoulderto-shoulder with our men and women in blue.

On behalf of a grateful community, we thank you for the ongoing sacrifices you make daily for the men, women, and children who so desperately depend on you for our safety and protection.

God bless each and every one of you.

leaving me only partially satisfied with the result.

In short, it was not my idea of a perfect resolution, to which my boss (a wise woman from whom I learned a great deal) said, “Perfection and excellence are not the same thing”. I pondered her point then, and I have mulled over it many times since.

Sometimes, the measure of the result must include a weighing of the process of getting there as a part of the overall evaluation of the outcome.

It didn’t always feel like excellence in Montgomery this year. A great deal of rhetoric flew around the halls of the Statehouse over the past ten months. There were times when the budget process was calm and well-ordered, and other times when teeth and hair were flying. Alabama already had a budget surplus but it was earmarked in such a way that there was virtually no flexibility to the budgeting process.

The biggest issue was negotiating the revision

of the earmarking of funds that we often refer to as “growth revenues”, which are those existing revenue sources that go up when the economy improves. Some years ago those growth revenues were perpetually allocated only to the education budget, leaving the General Fund stagnant. This year $80 million of those funds were appropriated forever to the General Fund, which means that State Troopers, Mental Health, Medicaid, Courts, National Guard, and other important functions of essential government services will now have the benefit of a good economic year.

To do this we also ensured a strong measure of backfill to the education budget by passing a number of accountability measures to benefit education funding and unlocked some of the education budget’s reserves to allow more flexibility in education spending. The education budget actually came out ahead

by almost 2:1 over the General Fund.

In the midst of the process there were constant calls for new taxes. I personally opposed those calls and continually pushed for the debate to center on budgeting reforms. In the end I voted “no” on all tax increases. But I hope that the citizens of Alabama will remember that the initial call for taxes was for over $700 million in new measures that would have impacted the wallet of every adult citizen in the state. In the end over 80% of those measures were rejected by the Republican majority.

Those taxes which some of my colleagues did choose to support were amended to shore up Medicaid and will be felt by very few citizens.

While some Republicans did vote for a smaller cigarette tax than the Governor wanted, they also firmly rejected an outlandish number of new and harmful taxes.

I’m proud to have stood with them in saying “no” to so many new taxes.

The end result of two special legislative sessions for the citizens of this state is that the General Fund budget was passed in a manner that maintains the level of services necessary to keep the state functioning. The high point was that a measure of existing perpetual growth revenue was finally transferred to the General Fund for the first time in memory. It was only a portion of what I believe should have been transferred, but it was a victory for our General Fund agencies nonetheless. On top of that, the Republican majority still cut government spending several percentage points overall. The summation is that there was a measure of reform, a rejection of almost all of the taxes called for, un-earmarking of surplus funds, and reduced government spending. It was not perfection, but I believe the process was excellent in its transparency and effort.

Perfection Versus Excellence

nd u to let n he nce. ur d then (like gave eak rabbed tated By Senator Phil Williams nk we (R-Rainbow City)

As I write this os if we opinion, I am a few days him removed from the final round of Alabama’s o you budgeting melee. It was a “hang thorough and exhausting he Lord process and while I am your not entirely satisfied with ld be the result, I recognize earing that there were some solid victories in the ur process. ent It calls to mind a n song, quote I’ve retained for ord, ieve many years from my first boss of my post-college d years. My recollection of prayers. the quote is that it e to, followed the end of a now?” tough job-related issue.

That issue resolved, but

8

Friday–October 2, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCHTHE SOU

BUSINESS

Id

College Corner Messy Mexi Burger Fyffe, AL EXCELLENT

VERY GOOD

MEDIOCRE

MODERATE

WEAK

$7.99

College Corner is back and Southern Torch chose the revival of a NACC college tradition a try. We chose the popular Messy Mex Burger. Our immediate response?

AGGRESSIVE. This spicy Tex-Mex burger is not for the faint of heart, but it is very tasty.

Ider throw

The Messy Mex Burger comes loaded with

By Amy Th Sports Re

fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, chili, cheese,

Image p Micky G

roasted red peppers and a fiery hot sauce that comes on the either on burger (if you dare) or

Bu

on the side that hints of habaneros (check with the folks at College Corner to confirm ingredients). Regardless, the sauce is tasty but hot. The Messy Mex Burger is served with a pile of delicious homemade, hand-cut french fries on the side. A very tasty new burger from a Sand Mountain original that has been brought back to life under new ownership and management. If you like hot and you like a spicy twist on a hamburger the Messy Mex Burger is for you. If you’re not into spicy, be sure to check out one o of the many different twists the new College Corner has to offer. Torch Rating: “Good”

GOOD ADDRESS:

5057 Main Street Powell Rainsville, Alabama

CONTACT: Tel. (256) 601-4493

RAINSVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE October 1, 2015 Tim Eberhart, Executive Director It’s important to preserve a little bit of history for future generations to discover. The “heritage” section of Rainsville’s website currently includes dozens of vintage photos along with some essays about the town’s past that were written several years. Hopefully, some forthcoming updates will include the addition of more photos and essays, and some good editing.

Do you have anything that should be included?

One of the things I do at the Chamber office is take care of both Rainsville websites–the community site, rainsvillealabama.com, and the Chamber’s site, www. rainsville.info. Recently I started working on converting them to mobile-friendly sites. If you haven’t heard, more people are now accessing the web with their mobile devices than with traditional computers. So, it’s time to play catch up in regard to our websites. When the conversion is complete, they will automatically selfadjust to fit the device they are being viewed on.

The Chamber’s renovated website will be ready for the world to see within the next few days –maybe by this weekend. The conversion of the community website, which is much larger in terms of pages, photos and other files, may take until next spring.

The aforementioned “heritage” section is long overdue for a total revamp, and this time-consuming and tedious conversion process will provide the opportunity to do just that.

I’m a member of the Rainsville Historical Preservation Committee which is always accepting old photos and stories to add to the collection. The website’s “heritage” section makes it easy to preserve and share things like the beloved heritage of old Parker Town or Chavies. It makes it easy to preserve and share the inspiring story of how the Crossroads of Sand Mountain first became a vibrant commercial center around 1907, the extraordinary story of how Rainsville was called Santileon City in 1913, or the timeless story of how Plainview School got its name in 1936.

People sometimes ask me if we want regular old photos that don’t really seem to have much historical significance. I tell them that any photo from the past that captured life in progress in Rainsville at that time would make a good addition to the collection. Someday someone will be glad that it was included in what the committee and I was able to preserve.

Geraldine

S fo

By Marla J marla@so

Hazel G Fort Pa “I w player —Fort

All Payne w against Friday n with H won th three se The themse territor 14-0 in Evan M a 37-ya make t

Friday–October 2, 2015

N TORCHTHE SOUTHERN TORCH

Ider bounces back

9

Ider throws to the endzone

By Amy Thrash, Sports Reporter

Image provided by Micky Gilbert

Ider 9-

State Champions, Fyffe

North Sand Mountain 7

last week.

Ider bounces back after a loss to defending

The Ider/North Sand Mountain matchup was

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very much anticipated, throughout the county, as the game of the week. It did not disappoint football fans. The kind of game that kept you on the edge of your seat.

Ider kicked an onside kick to baffle North Sand Mountain. They recovered and moved on down the field for a Ider 27-yard field goal by Jay Lea. Ider played keep-away from the Bisons most of the half, having the ball offensively 30 plays to the Bison, 9 plays. At the half, Hornets led the Bisons, 3-0.

In the third quarter, Ider took the kickoff and

moved the ball down the field. 11 plays later, Devin Dobbins had a 2-yard dart to the end zone. The point after failed. North Sand Mountain struck back with a 48-yard run

by Christopher George.

The point after attempt was good, making the score 9-7. There was just not enough time left for North Sand Mountain to ever recover. In the second half, Ider ran 23 times versus North Sand Mountain’s 7, Ider simply dominated the game.

Ider will host West End High School, Friday night.

By Heath Thrash, Sports Reporter

touchdown pass to Steven Hood. Austin Willoughby toted the two-point conversion in, making the score 20-13 going into the half.

In the third, Steven Hood added more points on the board with his 3-yard dart into the endzone. The extra point

by Illair Garcia was good.

Austin Hallmark had a 15 yard run for Sardis and the extra point was good. The time ran out for Sardis and Geraldine won, 27-20.

Steven Hood rushed for 121 yards and scored four touchdowns. For his great effort, he is awarded the Southern Torch Standout of the Week.

Geraldine will travel to North Sand Mountain, this week.

Bulldogs take a bite out of Sardis

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Geraldine rushes to score

Season spoiler for Wildcats

By Marla Jones, Sports Reporter marla@southerntorch.com

Hazel Green 21Fort Payne 17 “I was proud of our players and coaches, even in defeat” —Fort Payne Head Coach Paul Ellis All bets were that Fort Payne would win big against Hazel Green, Friday night. Luck was with Hazel Green as they won the game in the last three seconds.

The Wildcats found themselves in unfamiliar territory as they trailed 14-0 in the first quarter.

Evan McPherson, kicked a 37-yard field goal to make the score 14-3 going

into the half.

The Wildcats came back in the third quarter with a vengeance. They stopped Hazel Green twice on fourth downs.

They held together a 95-yard drive with Desmon Turner scoring with a 1-yard dash. The PAT by Evan McPherson was good, making the score 14-10.

With 1:09 left in the fourth, Desmon Turner turned up the heat on Hazel Green with his 4-yard gallop into the endzone, making the score Fort Payne 17, Hazel Green 14. It seemed victory was in the bag but with 3 seconds left, Hazel Green pulled a rabbit out

of the hat and scored the winning touchdown.

Final Hazel Green 21, Fort Payne 17.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Head Coach Paul Ellis remained upbeat. “The Hazel Green game was a hard fought contest that came down to the last play of the game. I was proud of our players and coaches, even in defeat.

We played as a team and never gave up. I think we grew and got better as a team even though we lost.”

Fort Payne will host Lee for their Homecoming, Friday night.

Geraldine 27-Sardis 20 It was a fight to the bitter end. Sardis attacked first with a 2-yard run touchdown by Logan Gaskin, with 9:10 left in the first quarter.

The point after attempt was not successful.

Geraldine answered back with a 58-yard run

by Steven Hood. The PAT was not good. With 2:21 left in the first, Steven Hood galloped into the endzone with a 34-yard touchdown.

Sardis came back in the second quarter with a 4-yard dash into the endzone. The point after attempt was good. With only 12 seconds remaining before the half, Geraldine took the lead with a 2-yard

Jumping to score

10

Friday–October 2, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCHTHE SOU

Sweet victory for Plainview

Bailey Dukes on a Quarterback keeper

By Marla Jones, Sports Reporter marla@southerntorch.com

Plainview 26-Section 0

“The Defense, as a whole,

Plainview played host

stepped up.”

to Section Friday night,

—Coach Dustin Goodwin

for their Homecoming.

The offense had a slow start but the defense showed up and was ready to play. Sophomore, Zack Allen, showed out with a fumble recovery and two sacks. Coach Dustin Goodwin, “Zack Allen played extremely well. He is getting more and more snaps each week. The Defense as a whole stepped up and played well until our offense could get on board.”

Late in the first half, Clay Cooper charged in with a 1-yard touchdown.

The PAT by Louis Hernandez was good, making the score 7-0 going into the half.

Will Kirk scored the second touchdown of the night with a 40-yard pass from Sophomore Quarterback, Bailey

Dukes.

Ben Williamson got his share of the limelight with his interception in the fourth quarter. This Horseshoe gave Sam Mueller the

By John M opportunity to run in Sports Wr 19-yard touchdown, making the score 20-0. Collins In the final minutes of Horses It w the game, Clay Cooper, game, b scored his second touchdown of the night Collins drives i with his 11-yard gallop into the endzone. Final touchd Plainview 26, Section 0. quick d The Plainview Bears are second now 2-3 for the season. turnove TDs to Plainview will host Pisgah for an important region game this week.

“Pisgah is a tough region game. We are focusing on improving and eliminating penalties” said Coach Goodwin.

Crossville upset at Homecoming

By Amy Thrash, Sports Reporter

Image provided by James Williams Photography Sand Rock 31Crossville 7 Crossville played host to Sand Rock Friday night for their Homecoming. It was not a joyus event as Sand Rock racked up a 31-point lead on the Lions.

With 10:37 left in the first, Sand Rock struck first with a10-yard touchdown by Brandon Carver. The extra point was good.

In the second quarter, Sand Rock scored twice.

Once on a touchdown pass by Brandon Carver.

The PAT was good. With 5:50 left in the half, Josh Sarratt cushioned the Sand Rock lead with a 36-yard field goal. Going into the half, Sand Rock led 17-0.

The third quarter was not much easier for the Lions as Sand Rock scored again, with a 2-yard dash, into the endzone by Alex McMahan. The point after was good.

Caleb Kassinger

scored the final points for Sand Rock with his 15-yard touchdown. The PAT was good.

With 5:10 left in the ballgame, Collinsville avoided the shut out with a 12-yard touchdown by Cole Cotton. The point after attempt by Renaldo Jimenez was good. The final score was Sand Rock 31, Crossville 7.

Crossville is looking for their first season win as they play Saks at home, Friday night,

match u of the w a couple this wee Collins (0-5) Li much th to see m Panther this gam very acc to be th catches and Nas to Reed Valley Garden to get o a winnin have to and Lep run with a hostile have a t

Fyffe takes down Sylvania

Sylvania tries to stop Fyffe

By Dustin Dobbins, Sports Reporter

Image provided by Sports Moments & More

Fyffe 34-Sylvania 7 Kilpatrick sets Fyffe single game rushing record with 347 yards rushing.

Sylvania and Fyffe both started out very sluggish on offense. Late in the first quarter Fyffe got its first touchdown,

Sand Rock player barrels thru

on a 5 yard touchdown run by Kilpatrick.

Dunston kick was good and the First quarter ended Fyffe 7 Sylvania 0.

Fyffe continued controlling the game in second quarter with a long time consuming drive inside Sylvania 5 yard line. Sylvania defense stood up and on 4th down, Benefield throws a interception in the hands of Roebuck in the endzone. Sylvania couldn’t get a drive going and had to punt again.

Fyffe mounted another drive ending with a 1 yard touchdown by Benefield.

Dunston kick was good.

Fyffe 14 Sylvania 0 halftime.

Fyffe stretched their lead in the third quarter, scoring three touchdowns. The first one came on a 25 yard touchdown by Kilpatrick.

Dunston kick was no good. Fyffe 20 Sylvania 0.

On Fyffe’s next possession Kilpatrick gallops 67 yards for his third touchdown on the night.

Dunston kick is good.

Fyffe 27 Sylvania 0. Late in the third quarter Kilpatrick raced 75 yards before getting tackled at the 3 yard line . From the 3 yard line Benefield runs it in for the touchdown.

Dunston kick was good.

Fyffe 34 Sylvania 0.

Sylvania’s lone touchdown came in the Fourth quarter on a Roebuck 1 yard touchdown. Shepherd kick was good. The final score Fyffe 34 Sylvania 7.

Kilpatrick has a monster game putting him over 1,000 yards rushing on the season. Fyffe travels to Gaston next Friday.

Sylvania will host Sand Rock.

Friday–October 2, 2015

N TORCHTHE SOUTHERN TORCH

w

Collinsville takes down Horseshoe Bend He was described by Collinsville Coach Ernie Willingham as “as good a back as anyone we will play against this year.”

Hill rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns, but it took him 27 rushes to get those yards. And he only had one run over ten yards until halfway through the third quarter. Horseshoe Bend did score two touchdowns, one aided by a Panther penalty on fourth down and the other coming on two long Hill runs after Jones’ only mistake of the night, an interception.

Willingham also said

that “the kicking team really came through. We recovered two onside kicks.” The first of those kicks set up the Panthers TD in the third quarter, giving them a short 42 yard field covered by two Jones’ passes. The rest of the kicking game also played well -- punter Dominic Brockitt, kickoff s including the onside kicks by Edgar Morales, and extra points by Elijah Avila.

So Collinsville made the long over-two hour drive back home with a win. A win that they hope prepares them for the rest of the season. It

n got melight on in This Horseshoe scrambles against Collinsville the

By John Morgan, Bend 28-14 Friday night. in Sports Writer The offense was overseen n, by another steady Grant 0-0. Collinsville 28Jones job at quarterback utes of Horseshoe Bend 14 – 12 of 15 passes for 135 It wasn’t a complete per, yards and two TDs. game, but it was closer.

Dallas Reed gained 68 night Collinsville had two long yards rushing and Gerald drives in the first half for llop Blakely had 65 yards touchdowns and two Final rushing and receiving.

On defense, the on 0. quick drives in the Panthers knew that they rs are second half aided by turnovers for two more had to at least slow down son. running back Joseph Hill.

TDs to defeat Horseshoe host rtant week. region with Sideline Guru Dustin Dobbins sing on Sideline control, time consuming offense. nation running the ball with miGuru WK.6 It’s just to much for Tigers to overthe timely passing of Dobbins aid It’s Game day come. Garden wins a nail bitter. should be enough to beat the Friday again footSaks (4-1) at Crossville (0-5) boys from Walnut Grove. ball fans. We’ve The Lions are still struggling to Pisgah (2-3) at Plainview got some exciting find their groove. Pointer passing (2-3) The Eagles had a week off match ups this week and the game or Simpson rushing. Dismuke last week, they have had some of the week will be in Gaston , and and Jones can catch flies with injuries this year that could start a couple of upsets on the horizon chop sticks but can they get the to show up in the middle of the this week. So lets get to picking. run and pass to mesh finally. year and that’s hard to overCollinsville (3-2) at Section Not this Friday against a Good come. The Bears are on a 2 game (0-5) Lions haven’t showed Saks team. The Sak wins. winning streak. The Bears have much this year and don’t expect Geraldine (3-2) at North found a quarterback in Dukes. to see much this week either.

Sand Mountain (4-1) The With Williamson, Mueller, Kirk Panthers should score at will in Bison’s took one to the chin last and Cooper running the ball and this game. Jones passing has been week. 9 – 7 by Ider. Can they catching passes. Just to much for very accurate an will continue recover this week in front of the the Eagles, The Bears win at home. to be this week. Reed runs and home crowd. The Bulldogs are Sand Rock (3-2) at Sylvania catches the ball well, Blakely on a 3 game winning streak and (1-4) The Rock played great last and Nash are great compliments playing some really good football. week on both sides of the ball. to Reed. Panthers win BIG. Hood, Willoughby and Jiminez just They should still be riding high Valley Head (2-2) at Spring to much muscle for the Bison’s. after that win. The Rams are Garden (2-3) Tigers are trying Bulldogs pull off the upset with struggling to find their identity. to get over the hump and have a pounding rushing attack.

Roebuck runs hard, Miller gets a winning record. Harrison will West End (3-2) at Ider (4-1) loose again, Dicus manages the have to have a turnover free night The boys from Walnut Grove are game, hits a couple passes and and Leps and Nixs will have to pretty good this year. But that Griffen and Dover keep the defense run with authority. The Garden is win the Hornets got last week going. Rams upset the Rock. a hostile environment and they will set the tone for the rest of the Lee (2-3) at Fort Payne (4-1) have a tuff defense and a ball year. Palmer and Higdon combiLee’s defense is suspect and

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11

was not a complete game, but it was closer.

After the game, Coach Willingham said, “I’m proud of how you played.

You came back and sucked it up after they tied us up. I thought we had a lapse in the third quarter, and we can’t do that and beat the teams we have coming up. We will play this team again or another one from this region when we get in the playoffs. That’s when we get in, not if.”

Collinsville travels to Section for the first of four straight region foes Friday night.

Southern Torch Gameday Report

Lee’s offense is average at best.

Wildcats win going away. Turner runs wild, King shows up again.

Offense rolls up big numbers.

Defense gets back to playing stingy Young, Richburg and Berry play well. Wildcats win Fyffe (4-1) at Gaston (4-1) This should be the game of the week.

Gaston is having a great year, their defense is allowing less than 10 points a game and their offense scores around 24 points a game.

The game is at Gaston that’s big deal to the home team. Fyffe is the defending State Champs and have a lot of players and experience still on the team from last year. Look for Kilpatrick to continue running wild, Benefield to run well from quarterback position and a big catch from Ashley and Collins and keep a eye out for Anderson . On Defense the Martin boys are tackling machines, add in Butts and Hosch and that is one hard nose defense.

Fyffe wins in a heart stopper.

Southern Torch’s Most Wanted Top Quarterbacks

Attempts Yards

Touchdowns Interceptions

Top Running Backs

Attempts Yards

Touchdowns

Crossville / Pointer.............. 55/96.......... 589.............3.....................4 Collinsville / Jones............... 38/54.......... 422..............6....................4 Fort Payne / Ellis.................. 31/60.......... 359..............2.....................4 Plainview / Dukes................ 27/45........... 262..............1.....................0 Ider / Dobbins..................... 12/22........... 180..............2.....................2 Fyffe / Benefield.................. 6/16............ 176..............3.....................2 Valley Head/ Harrison......... 10/16.......... 128..............2.....................0 Sylvania / Dicus................... 14/29.......... 127..............1.....................2 Geraldine / Murphy............. 7/15............. 108..............1.....................1 *No stats at press time for Valley Head this week Fyffe / Kilpatrick.................. 111.............. 1189............11 Fort Payne / Turner.............. 116.............. 922..............9 Sylvania / Roebuck.............. 113.............. 658.............7 Geraldine / Hood................. 67............... 652..............11 Crossville / Simpson............ 40............... 452..............0 Geraldine / Willoughby....... 88............... 444..............3 Collinsville / Reed................ 54............... 432..............8 Ider / Palmer....................... 50............... 357..............7 Plainview / Mueller............. 72............... 349..............3 Valley Head / Leps............... 21................ 330.............7 Ider / Higdon....................... 47............... 284..............1 Valley Head / Nix................. 26............... 276..............0 Fyffe / Benefield.................. 40............... 264..............5 *No stats at press time for Valley Head wk.5

Top Wide Outs

Receptions Yards

Touchdowns

Crossville / Jones................. 25............... 333..............1 Crossville / Dismuke............ 17................ 169..............1 Fort Payne / Ridgeway......... 16............... 160.............1 Collinsville / Reed................ 12................ 150..............2 Plainview / Kirk................... 10............... 138..............2 Fort Payne / W.King............. 7................. 132..............1 Plainview / Hughes.............. 14................ 119 Fyffe / Ashley...................... 3................. 75................1 Fyffe / Collins...................... 3................. 59...............2 Plainview / Beuel................. 3................. 43 Plainview / Willingham....... 2................. 31 Plainview / Kirk................... 1................. 30...............1 *No stats wk.5 at press time for Ider and Valley Head

Top Tacklers

Tackles

Most Touchdowns

Touchdowns

OFFENSIVE MVP CANIDATES

DEFFENSIVE MVP CANIDATES

Fyffe / R. Martin.................. 46 Geraldine / Hood................. 44 Crossville / Luther............... 43 Fort Payne / Berry................ 41 Fyffe / D.Martin................... 38 Geraldine / Benitez.............. 38 Fort Payne / Richburg.......... 38 Plainview / Farmer.............. 36 Plainview / Johnson............. 36 Plainview / Wooten............. 35 Geraldine / Willoughby....... 32 Crossville / Bruce................ 31 Crossville / Jones................. 31 *No Stats for Wk. 5 at Press time for Valley Head, Plainview and Ider.

Fyffe / Kilpatrick.................. 11 Geraldine / Hood................. 11 Fort Payne / Turner.............. 9 Collinsville / Reed................ 8 Ider / Palmer....................... 7 Sylvania / Roebuck.............. 7 Valley Head / Leps............... 7 Fyffe / Benefield.................. 5 Collinsville / Nash............... 5 Collinsville / Blakely............ 5 Valley Head / Harrison........ 4 Fyffe / Anderson.................. 4 Geraldine / Willoughby....... 3 *All stats are subject to change weekly according to how accurate schools send stats in.

Fyffe / Kilpatrick.................. Fyffe/ R. Martin Fort Payne/ Turner............... Geraldine / Hood Geraldine / Hood................. Crossville / Luther Collinsville /Reed................ Fort Payne/ Berry

12

Friday–October 2, 2015

THE SOUTHERN TORCH

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Collinsville Panthers

Congratulations, Collinsville Panthers!! You are the Southern Torch Team of the Week for your impressive win over Horseshoe Bend!

Sports Moments & More Photography Kristy Gallagher 256-605-4048 Call for all your photo needs!

COOKS BARBER SHOP Collinsville, AL

Congratulations!

Congrats from Town of

Collinsville!

James Williams Photography James Williams, Owner Geraldine, AL (256) 996-0288

jameswilliamsphotography@yahoo.com