High Schools To Play Each Other Twice Due To Economy

((HT: Mobile Press-Register/Josh Bean))

Chalk up another casualty to the economic downturn: Friday night football.

Several members of the Alabama Independent Schools Association ((pictured, thanks Press-Register/John David Mercer)) will play home-and-home series against nearby opponents this fall, a move that will help cut costs while also filling holes in the schedule after three schools chose not to field a football team this season. High school teams have historically played only once during the regular season except on rare occasions.

"It's not something we want to do. It's something we're forced into," said South Choctaw Academy coach Charlie Taylor.

Several schools from southwest Alabama will play the same opponent twice during the upcoming season, according to schedules posted on the AISA Web site:

-- Jackson Academy will play Sparta Academy, located in Evergreen, at home on Sept. 11 and on the road Oct. 9, and the Eagles will also play South Choctaw Academy, located in Toxey, at home Sept. 18 and on the road Oct. 16.

In addition, Jackson has just eight games scheduled for the AISA's 11-week season. The Eagles have open dates Aug. 21, Oct. 2 and Oct. 9.

-- South Choctaw and Sparta will also play home-and-home this season, in Evergreen on Oct. 2 and in Toxey on Oct. 30. Both schools' schedules list only nine games, with two open dates during the season.

Efforts to reach football coaches from Jackson and Sparta academies failed this week.

"Playing home and home, we let them do that to fill a schedule," AISA Executive Director Don Oswald said in a phone interview.

Last season, Central Christian and Warrior Academy -- both part of AISA Class A Region 2 -- dropped football and have no plans to restart this season. Open Door Academy in Tuscaloosa will also not play this season, Oswald said.