By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
When Wade Waldrop steps onto the turf at J.P. Cain Stadium Friday night, it will be the first time the 1994 Hartselle graduate will be back at home.
He expects a special welcome as the head coach at Chelsea High School, the opening opponent for the Hartselle Tigers.
Now wearing royal blue rather than Hartselle red, Waldrop is entering his third season as the Hornets’ head coach.
The home-and-home series became a possibility when the state went through a realignment that left Hartselle - and several other Class 5A, Region 8 teams - scrambling for non-region opponents.
Waldrop and Hartselle head coach Bob Godsey had talked about the possibility of a Hartselle-Chelsea matchup, but until the region changes, the idea never seemed to be feasible.
It’s a series that could develop into a natural rivalry.
Waldrop has told the players about Hartselle’s tradition and its commitment to winning.
But certainly the Hornets understand that the game has special meaning for Waldrop, who played for the Tigers under Don Woods from 1990-93.
Waldrop hasn’t seen many games at J.P. Cain Stadium since graduating in 1994. He went to two or three games while he was in college, but hasn’t been back since he started coaching.
Sports editor Todd Thompson can be reached at 773-6566 or by email at todd.thompson@hartselleenquirer.com