By Staff
This is the first in a series of stories taking a look at the upcoming football seasons for area high schools.
By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
July 10, 2003
New faces will be a big part of West Lauderdale's football schedule in 2003.
Returning to the Knights' schedule this fall after several years of absence are Clarkdale, Enterprise, Newton, Morton, and Forest.
West last played Clarkdale in 1996, winning 27-7. The last time the Knights played Enterprise was in 1992 with Enterprise winning 13-0. The last time West faced Newton was also in 1992 with Newton winning 12-0.
West's last meeting with Morton was in 1998 with the Knights cruising to a 49-9 victory. West and Forest's last regular season game was in 1998 with the Bearcats claiming a 38-7 win. The two's last meeting was in the 2001 state playoffs with West coasting to a 55-22 victory.
West's Stan McCain has a 27-29 record at Collinsville as he enters his sixth season as head coach.
This summer has seen quite a few players participate in weight room workouts.
"We're averaging around 50 kids every workout and that's good for us," McCain said. "We have had as many as 60. It's probably the best turnout since I've been here. In the past, we always had some that didn't make it in the summer and we'd let them make it up when we started in the fall. This year, we told them they had to make them up before we started practicing.
"They come in at 6 a.m. for a couple hours. They're wore out when they leave," McCain said. "We've got a young bunch that I think wants to play some football. We've been really pleased."
Forest and Morton replace Heidelberg and Philadelphia in Division 5-3A. The Knights kept Philadelphia as a non-division game.
"They're about tit for tat," McCain said of the swap. "I look for Morton to be pretty good. Morton has got some athletic ability in their skill guys.
"Forest has had a couple of rough years, but they're about due. With (new head coach) Brad (Peterson), I'm sure they'll be much-improved.
Missing from West's schedule for the first time since 1962 is Northeast Lauderdale. The Trojans won last year's game 14-7.
Also gone from last year's schedule are Florence, Union, and Greene County.