Passionate Auburn football fans need something to fill the void of the offseason, and the East Alabama Predators could be the summer filler that gets Tiger fans warmed up for the college football season.
The first-year, semi-pro team improved to 6-0 Saturday, June 28, after a 29-0 victory at Moore Stadium in Opelika.
They are a top-10 ranked team in the 54-team Gridiron Developmental Football League and claim to have the potential to go all the way to the top in the league.
What makes the team special is the dedicated players and their devotion to the game.
These players pay for their own equipment and transportation while simultaneously juggling a job, school, family or all three.
This highly motivated group of individuals often goes unnoticed.
"Everybody's working or going to school," said Joel Alvarado, Predators' defensive lineman and senior in communication. "During the spring semester, when I had classes five days a week, it was tough. I had to make myself want to go to practice at the end of the day after being in class all day. It was tough, but definitely worth it."
The Predators started their eight-game, regular season schedule in May; it consists of four home games at Moore Stadium and four away games.
They are in the Heart of the South Football League, led by quarterback Charles Drinkard, of Mobile, and coached by Loachapoka High School track coach Derrick Levett.
The team does workouts and conditioning on their own and come out one or two days a week for practice, with games on Saturdays, according to Alvarado.
Some players play to gain exposure from higher levels of the game, but Alvarado plays because he enjoys football.
Alvarado said he found it difficult to stay in shape between work and school.
"I love working out, and it got hard for me to want to go to the gym every day," Alvarado said. "I figured playing some football would keep me in the gym, keep me in good shape."
While competing in semi-pro football can help a player's exposure, many of these players are back on the field because they missed playing the game they love.
"It's not really about a second shot for me," said John Atkins, Predators' center and sophomore in special education. "I just miss playing and wanted to get back into it a little bit."
Even with the player's busy lives off the football field, the team has left their mark in the Auburn/Opelika communities as an exciting complement to the college football offseason.
"I'm pretty sure we are going to finish the season undefeated," Alvarado said. "If we do, we will go to national playoffs."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
