Hurricane season extended

Hurricane season officially ended at midnight Friday, but hours earlier Flomaton High School defeated Providence Christian 34-33 to advance to today's (Thursday) Class 3A state championship game at Jordan-Hare Stadium on the campus of Auburn University. That prompted the Flomaton Town Council to hold a special meeting Monday morning to pass a resolution to extend Hurricane season through today in Flomaton.

"This is a big moment for not only Flomaton High School, but the entire community," said Flomaton Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Johnson. "This is a way for us to show our support."

Flomaton High School made history by advancing to last week's semi-final game, which marked the first time a Hurricane football team had reached that milestone in 94 seasons of football. Today's clash in Auburn will be the school's first trip to the state championship.

Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. The Flomaton football team will arrive at Jordan-Hare at 9:15 a.m. to take Auburn's 'Tiger Walk' to the home team lockerroom.

Piedmont, 12-2, is making its third appearance in the title game, claiming the Class 3A championship in 2009, 2015 and 2016.

Flomaton spent the week getting adjusted to the 11 a.m. kickoff by gathering for breakfast before hitting the practice field at 11 a.m. each day. Monday, the coaches and team traveled by bus to Bay Minette for an 11 a.m. practice in an indoor facility.

Head coach Doug Vickery said the team's 'no-quit' attitude played a major role in this historic mark.

"I'm so happy for my players and former players who played for me during the past 13 years," Vickery said.

Vickery said it's also special for all the past football players in Flomaton, noting many of those were in attendance this past Friday night.

"All of those people are pieces of the puzzle for what we've accomplished," he said. "I glad for my family who was there. I'm happy for my wife, who throws a lot into the program in ways people don't realize."

"We've talked all year about the resiliency and no quit attitude this team has shown," Vickery said. "We kept talking about that week after week. Who knows what's ahead of us in Auburn. These guys have done a great job."

Vickery said the resiliency showed in the lockerroom at the half this past Friday night when the Hurricanes trailed 26-14.

"We didn't say a lot during half time," Vickery said. "We just made a few adjustments on defense."

"We had problems getting them off the field," he said of Providence Christian. They were very physical. They hit us in the mouth early, but we didn't quit. Our kids kept a positive attitude and became very focused and locked-in in the second half saying 'we're going to win this game'."

The game came down to a blocked field goal as time expired.

"It's been one heck of a ride," Vickery said. "Fifteen games wears you out but you then reach deep and find something more."

Vickery said going to Auburn to play in the title game will be a life-long memory for everybody.

"We are the home team," Vickery said. "What a great experience to walk the Tiger Walk and go dress in the same lockerroom as Bo Jackson and Cam Newton. I'm a big Alabama fan, but this week I'll yell 'War Eagle'."

Flomaton was scheduled to practice again Wednesday in an in-door facility at Auburn the Hurricanes were going to go to the stadium Wednesday night to watch the Class 7A finals.

"Walking into that place will be an eye-opening experience," he said. "Hopefully by visiting the stadium on Wednesday we'll take some of the awe away and come out focused on playing the football game. It may be a huge stadium, but it's still only 100 yards long."