Williams capturing highlights from the recent Ansley camp

"Battle of the Tallapoosa" a month away

By Michael Butler

What has become an annual tradition once again returns next month. The "Battle of the Tallapoosa" will kick off the 2023 high school football seasons for Tallassee and Reeltown on Aug. 24.

Videographer and producer Myron Williams put together the documentary "Bridging the Gap" upon the announcement of the rivalry's renewal in 2020. The film by Football Film Fanatics was shown to audiences at the Mount Vernon Theatre in Tallassee. Each year since, Williams has returned to his hometown each August to add to his archived footage.

"Ever since it was first announced, I was saying that I would love to be a part of it to make sure it's shown in its proper light," Williams said. "It means so much to the area, for both schools. We're excited for it and will definitely be there again this year."

Williams, a THS graduate, now resides in South Florida and covers sports in Miami.

"This has been an incredible sports year for the Miami market," he said. "We had FAU and Miami make the Final Four. We had the Florida Panthers playing against the Las Vegas Knights in hockey in the finals. We had the finals with the (Heat) at the same time - an exciting time in the city. It was on fire."

Tallassee won last year's battle 37-13

As for fan support in Miami, the Dolphins are the favorite. One of the Dolphins players, Bryce Thompson, was in Tallassee along with the New Orleans Saints' Alontae Taylor, for Derrick Ansley's Driven Athletes Football Camp. Williams was also at J. E. "Hot" O'Brien Stadium covering the summer event.

Ansley, the defensive coordinator with the L.A. Chargers, brought in numerous coaches from the high school ranks. Reeltown and Tallassee were represented.

"It was great. There was such a mass crowd of people. That was one for the history books," said Williams, who is simultaneously editing video for the Ansley production as well as teasers for the Battle of the Tallapoosa. "After we finish up Derrick's, you can expect at least two to three pregame things."

For now, Williams is back in Miami for a brief respite after a busy few months that included a trip overseas.

"I started in London. From London I went to Paris, which led me to Cairo, Egypt. From Cairo to Dubai to Jerusalem to Turkey. I got to learn a lot - a lot of interesting food, culture, weather. I got to go where Jesus' body was laid. I got to ride camels and go to a Pyramids' light show at night."

Highlights from Williams' recent works are available through Follow Football Film Fanatics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.