There are only a few weeks left until the high school football season kicks off. There are many interesting storylines going on around the high school football world, one of them being, how will the Plainview Bears play in division 4A this year?
Plainview tackle Josh Camp sat down for an interview and answered some questions about the Bears’ Program. Camp, who is a senior this year, plays tackle and even a little bit of defensive end at Plainview.
When asked about the 4A move Camp said, "the competition will be a lot better in 4A. But, as long as we stick with a positive attitude there isn’t any telling what we can accomplish."
Plainview had a successful 2007 season, which they have built off of going into 2008. But, what will Plainview have to do if they want to win several games this year and hopefully make it back to the playoffs?
"The biggest player or players to have a impact on our team are the seniors and the Lineman. Seniors, on the fact that they have been in a few rodeos before and should be the leaders of the team. Because everything rises and falls on leadership. And the lineman because, well lets face it football is a game of field position and games are won and lost in the trenches," said Campbell.
Plainview will play seven region games and three non-region games this upcoming season. So, which ones are Camp looking forward to most?
"In football games you always look forward to your rivalry games, against teams such as the Sylvania Rams, Fort Payne Wildcats, and especially against the Fyffe Red Devils," he said.
In order to prepare for these rival games and others on the schedule, Camp said that during the off-season "The team has worked hard in the weight room."
He also stated the team has made a lot of progress this off-season. But, believes the Bears still have some room to improve and grow.
Plainview lost some players to defense, but should still have a very good offense this upcoming season with quarterback Gabe Graham behind the helm.
Camp also noted that the skill players have attended numerous passing camps this off-season. The Linemen also went to the Southeastern lineman camp, which was held in Mountain Brook.
At the camp the players learned several tricks and how to improve their game in pass blocking, run blocking, and their techniques.
"The players and coaches are both looking forward to the upcoming season," stated Camp.
Plainview finished the 2007 season with a record of 9-3. The season ended in a playoff game against Leeds, but despite the loss, the Bears played the game very well.
The Bears have worked very hard this off-season, and certainly have potential to play very well in 4A this year.
Plainview opens the 2008 season against the Fort Payne Wildcats on Thursday, August 28, in a game that already has Northeast Alabama buzzing with anticipation.
Talladega Speedway Generates $407 Million
By Brandon K. Pierce Publisher
BIRMINGHAM - For the first time in history, the famous Talladega Superspeedway conducted an economic study to determine how much impact the facility has on the Alabama economy.
The study found that the Talladega track has an annual $407 million impact on the state, which includes $149 million in annual labor income and $29 million in local and state tax revenue.
The study also found that the race track provides an estimated 7,955 jobs for Alabama workers and it generates 11% of Alabama’s total revenues from tourism.
According to track officials, the 2008 Aaron’s 499 at the Talladega Superspeedway hosted fans from all 50 states and more than 20 different countries.
These are "indeed compelling results" commented Chuck Yaros, an economics consultant for The Washington Economics Group, which is responsible for leading the historic study.
Yaros also noted that the numbers have a direct effect on residents of the state. "Talladega Superspeedway provides $88.50 of economic impact for every man, woman, and child in the state of Alabama. This money finds its way to Alabamians in the form or wages, better schools, better roads and much more."
However, Yaros said the study did not include a breakdown by county, but that the "bulk" of the impact was felt in Talladega and in the surrounding area.
"For forty years Talladega Superspeedway has welcomed guests from across the country and around the world to Alabama," said Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey. "We take a lot of pride in the economic benefits that these visitors bring to the region. When we commissioned this study, we had no idea of the results. These numbers are very compelling, and I’m excited to be a part of this organization and its huge positive impact on the residents of Alabama."
Alabama Governor Bob Riley also praised the track for its efforts and vowed continued support.
"Everybody knows that Talladega Superspeedway has a big impact on our state, but these figures demonstrate clearly that the economic impact is dramatic, probably larger than most people would have guessed.
"The Governor’s Office and the state Tourism Department are big supporters of the activities that take place at Talladega. The two NASCAR weekends draw more people who spend more money than any other sports’ activity, or other event in the state each year. We’ll help make the economic impact of the Superspeedway grow in every way we can."
The Speedway’s next big event will be the AMP Energy 500.
Tickets to the October 3-5 race weekend are available at 1-877-Go2-DEGA.
