Greg Patterson is entering his third season as the Sumiton Christian head football coach.
Sumiton Christian’s has a chance at another hot start in 2011.
If last year is any indication, the Eagles’ first five games line up in their favor.
Sumiton Christian’s first five opponents finished with a combined record of 10-39. The Eagles started 4-1 last season before going 1-4 down the stretch to finish at .500.
The last five opponents, which include the top three teams in the region, provide some top-notch competition. Tanner, Cleveland, Oakman, Westminster Christian and Corner finished with a combined record of 38-18 last season.
The Eagles play in a wide-ranging, nine-team Class 2A Region that includes schools from eight different counties: Walker, Morgan, Madison, Jefferson, Blount, Etowah, Cullman and Limestone. The region spans Birmingham to Huntsville to Gadsden.
Coach Greg Patterson’s Eagles open the campaign with a pair of region games, traveling to Falkville (1-9 in 2010) and Fultondale (4-6) before hosting three straight. Sumiton Christian’s home opener comes against Decatur Heritage (1-7), which played its first season in the AHSAA last year. West End-Walnut Grove (4-7) makes the trip to Sumiton Christian in Week 4 and the Eagles host Cold Springs (0-10) in Week 5. Cold Springs is mired in a 25-game losing streak dating back to 2008.
In the second half of the season, Sumiton Christian faces the top three region teams from last year in a four-week span starting with a trip to defending region champion Tanner (11-1) in Week 6. Cleveland (9-3) makes the trek to Sumiton Christian the following week. Oakman (3-7) hosts the Eagles in Week 8 and Sumiton Christian closes out region play against Westminster Christian (10-2) in Week 9.
Sumiton Christian makes the short trip to Corner for the regular-season finale, which is set for Thursday, Oct. 27.
Sumiton Christian’s 2011
football schedule
Aug. 26-at Falkville; Sept. 2-at Fultondale; Sept. 9-Decatur Heritage; Sept. 16-West End-Walnut Grove; Sept. 23-Cold Springs; Sept. 30-at Tanner; Oct. 7-Cleveland; Oct. 14-at Oakman; Oct. 21-Westminster Christian; Oct. 27 (Thurs.)-at Corner