Are they for real?

By Drew Champlin

Published: August 29, 2009

We’ll find out next week if a couple of our bigger schools, Dothan and Rehobeth, are for real.

Both have struggled for the past few seasons, but Dothan put a whoopin’ on Eufaula, a 5A power. Next is a trip to Auburn, a very good team this season. It might be tough for Dothan to go up there and get a win, but “looking good and losing close” wouldn’t be a bad thing. Auburn and Opelika are probably the head of the class in that region, but after that, anyone could sneak in and get a playoff spot.

Rehobeth looked very good and physical to me Friday night. It was against a Class 3A school, but the roster sizes are similar. However, Rehobeth has more numbers this year and really worked hard in the strength program in the offseason. All sophomore sensation Corey Perkins needed was a slight hole, and he ran for 246 yards on 23 carries. There are plenty more Rebels who can carry the ball, and fullback Bull DeVane opened up his share of holes.

The Rebels get Valley at home this week. I’d expect a fired up Rehobeth crowd and with teams like Charles Henderson and Eufaula (region foes) falling hard in week 1, this region could be anybody’s for the taking. Rehobeth won 10 games in 4A in 2005, but the move up to Class 5A hasn’t been kind.

Maybe this is the year it changes, but we’ll find out how good Rehobeth and Dothan are next Friday night.