By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

According to the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s new football alignments for 2012-13 and 2013-14 will put 2A schools Calhoun and Central-Hayneville in Region 3 together.

“It’s a real good rivalry whether we are in he same region or not. But being in the same region makes it more of a rivalry,” said Calhoun head football coach Bill Williamson.

However, Williamson said, “I think both schools respect each other.” He said he pulls for Central when his school is not playing them.

Williamson said Luverne moving into the region would add a strong team and make it “just a real strong region.”

On a practical note, Williamson said Central and Calhoun playing each other would be easier on travel.

Attempts to contact Central head football coach Keith Scissum were unsuccessful by press time.

However, Central athletic director Toriano Baker said, “It just makes it more competitive because both teams are trying to make the goal of reaching the playoffs.

He also said Central wants to concentrate on making the playoffs in consecutive years.

While the two schools played each other in the past, it was not a regional contest.

Last year Central-Hayneville was in Region 4 and went 0-10 while Calhoun was in Region 2 and finished 2-8.

In Region 3, Calhoun and Central-Hayneville will, in addition to each other, face regional opponents Elba, Goshen, Highland Home, Luverne, New Brockton and Zion Chapel.

Previously Central’s region opponents were Vincent, R.C. Hatch, Francis Marion, Isabella, Thorsby, American Christian and Billingsley.

Calhoun already played region opponents Zion Chapel, Elba, Goshen, New Brockton and Highland Home. They lose Red Level, and Samson.