CRESTVIEW — In an area dominated by University of Alabama fans, Crestview High School Coach Matt Sanders will cheer for Clemson University on Monday, when the Crimson Tide and Tigers play in college football’s national championship game.
The former Bulldog lineman played at Clemson and was a part of its 2011 Atlantic Coast Conference championship team, giving him insight.
For instance:
●Sanders believes bringing home Clemson’s first national championship in football since 1981 would be even more special for Coach Dabo Swinney if it came against Alabama, his alma mater. “He respects his Alabama roots and he knows where he came from," Sanders said.
●The Tigers reached the title game by going 13-0 this year, and “I’ve really been impressed — especially the last couple of weeks, with how they ran the ball,” Sanders said. “I think the last game they ran for over 300 yards total against one of the better defenses (Oklahoma) in all of college football."
●Right tackle Joe Gore and left guard Eric Mac Lain, a couple of Sanders’ old teammates, are players who could have big games — "I think those are a couple of the guys up front that are going to have an impact,” Sanders said. “And I’m partial (to the offensive line) because I’m an old lineman.”
As for the winner? “ I hate to predict,” he said. “I don’t like to talk trash. I just like to let it sort itself out.
“I’m going to cheer them on and whatever happens, happens. I’m just glad they made it this far.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview's Sanders gives his take on championship game