Lee-Scott, Glenwood to meet again in state championships

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER | PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES

LEE COUNTY — This year’s AISA 3A state football championship will be a rematch of Lee-Scott Academy and Glenwood High School, giving both teams a chance to leave their final marks on the AISA.
Both schools are set to make the jump to AHSAA athletics next season.
The two rivals have been regulars in the AISA championships in recent years, including last year’s football championship. The Warriors and Gators have traded wins in the last two regular seasons, while the Gators came out on top in the boys 2022-23 basketball championship and baseball semifinals.
“[The state championship will be] a heavyweight game,” said Ryan Nelson, Glenwood head coach. “It’s a battle of the two best teams in 3A, no doubt. [Both teams] have been the past two years, so it’ll be fun.”
The two teams both earned their way to this year’s championship after lopsided wins in the semifinals, following first-round byes. With a 42-31 win over Lee-Scott in September, Glenwood (10-1) comes in as the No. 1 seed, while Lee-Scott (10-1) is No. 2.
On Thursday night, Glenwood trumped Autauga, 45-12, at home behind four combined touchdowns from running backs Camden White and Carter Judah. Opposingly, Lee-Scott defeated Fort Dale, 42-3, behind three scores and 147 rushing yards from running back Jonathan Myers.
The rushing attack ruled the game for both squads, as it has for most of the season, but the last time these two met, it was an air raid. Glenwood senior Dallas Crow and Lee-Scott junior Pelzer Reeves combined for seven passing TDs in Glenwood’s 11-point win, while there were five scores of 50 or more yards.
That matchup was the only time either defense allowed more than 20 points all season, and neither team was notorious for surrendering big gains or chunk plays. Simultaneously, neither team saw another offense all season with as much firepower as they did that night.
After Lee-Scott swept Glenwood in two matchups in an undefeated 2022 season, the Gators flipped the script with a win in September, making the Warriors the ones looking for redemption this November.
It is difficult to beat any good team twice in a row, but Glenwood will look to reverse last season’s script and take down the Warriors again. In order to prevent a season sweep at the hands of the Gators, Lee-Scott head coach Buster Daniel said ball control will be key after two interceptions led to the Warriors’ demise versus Glenwood in the regular season.
“We can’t have any turnovers,” Daniel said when asked what it will take for his team to win the state championship. “We’ve got to take care of the ball, and we have to be the toughest team on the field.”
While Nelson said the Gators are staying intrinsically focused and tuning out external factors, the Lee-Scott players have been vocal about the significance of a championship rematch with their rival.
“We’ve been pumped for this all season, trying to get back [to state], especially after losing to Glenwood. We knew if we won out, it’d be a rematch, and now we’re ready for it,” Myers said following Lee-Scott’s semifinal win on Thursday. “We’ve all decided that we’re coming for them. We’re going to give them all we got.”
Glenwood is keeping to itself, but last season’s 35-16 championship loss has not been forgotten. At iHeart High School Football Media Day this preseason, Glenwood’s Crow said losing the game to Lee-Scott was a chip on Glenwood’s shoulder to get back to the championship game in 2023.
“Last year, we went to the state championship, and it was a great experience for us, but it didn’t come out how we wanted,” Crow said. “I think it gives us a chip on our shoulder to go back and work even harder… I believe in our coaches and I believe in our players, and I think we’re going to get it done.”
Glenwood and Lee-Scott will face off in Montgomery’s Crampton Bowl on Thursday, Nov. 16. This time, it’s not only a chance for the programs to lift the trophy to end the season with a win over its rivals, but it’s a chance to go out on top in their AISA eras.