Column: Aaron Worm, Behind the Mic

I can’t wait for the Tigers football opener Thursday in Waseca. I absolutely think it was the best idea to have these two schools meet in the opener each year when it started four years ago.

In those four years, Waseca has won both the matchups there, and Albert Lea has won both matchups at Hammer Field (Waseca did beat Albert Lea in a playoff game in 2006). The first game I broadcasted for Tigers football was the year before they started this new tradition. Rochester Mayo came to Hammer and won 63-13. I remember Mayo bringing enough guys to have fourth, fifth and sixth string backups (okay, maybe I am exaggerating just a little, but they must have had three times as many guys. I think you had to flip over the program to finish seeing the entire roster). That was a tough way to kick off the season against a Rochester school that was pretty darn good. I assume that former head coach and activities director, Clay Anderson, set up Waseca on opening night matchup, and hopefully new activities director John Double will continue that.

Let’s look into the history of this matchup in recent years. Like mentioned earlier, Waseca knocked off Albert Lea in the opening round of section tournament 27-0 in 2006, and then on opening night of 2007, Waseca shutout Albert Lea again, this time, 24-0.

Albert Lea started the season 1-0 for the first time in 12 years back in 2008 with a 6-0 win over Waseca at Hammer. If you don’t remember that game, just think yellow hankies. Twenty-three combined penalties for the two teams, and really no flow to the game besides hearing whistle after whistle. Albert Lea’s defense had a goal line stance against the Waseca, and Luke Grossman’s 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth were the only points scored.

In 2009, it was a tough loss for Albert Lea, where all the numbers favored the Tigers besides the final score — a 26-7 win for Waseca on their home field. The Tigers had 30 more yards in offense, and an edge in first downs 16 -12, but scored just once in four drives in the Waseca red zone.

And last year, when he was just a sophomore, Ethan Abben rushed 120 yards and got three touchdowns in a 29-7 Tigers win. Waseca’s only score came late in the fourth quarter. The Tigers rushing attack was the story racking up over 300 yards.

So the two teams meet on opening night once against this Thursday in Waseca. I expect a tight game like usual between the two teams, and I think most Tigers fans are excited to see the changes coach Max Jeffrey is going to bring to this squad, including running more of a spread offense.

I am good friends with the voice of the Blue Jays, Don White, and we always talk smack in good fun. Hopefully I can brag about our Tigers for the second straight year. Put the football on the stand and let’s kick this season off.

KATE Sports Director Aaron Worm’s column usually appears each Monday in the Tribune. He can be heard from 6 to 11 a.m. weekdays on The Breeze.