Daphne is still alive. They bounced back from a regular season loss to Fairhope, to knock the Pirates off in the Class 6A playoffs 16-14 and remain in the playoffs.

In 5A, Spanish Fort ended the reign of the defending state champs, beating Vigor 21-12 in round two. The Toros are looking good and don’t be surprised if they go all the way.

For Gulf Shores Coach Mark Freeman, his work really begins this week.

There is no doubt about the outstanding job Freeman did during his first year with the Dolphins.

He helped the team enjoy the best record in the school’s history.  He coached them through their first playoff win ever.

Take away a miscue at Spanish Fort and a sloppy field at Vigor, and it is reasonable to assume that the Dolphins could have very easily gone undefeated.

I was a bit confused by the one-dimensional game plan on Friday night.  I think everyone in the stadium knew by the middle of the first quarter that a running play was probably out of the question, but then again, the air attack has been the Dolphins bread and butter all season.

Still, you must give credit where credit is due.  Mark Freeman has taken control of this program and has already taken it to another level.

I would expect that, after this season, St. Paul’s will no longer consider Gulf Shores an automatic Homecoming victory.

But despite all of the success of this season, herein lies the problem.

As Coach Freeman begins to wipe the slate clean on 2009 and fill in his depth chart for 2010, he’s going to run into a situation.

Starting QB Logan Paul – gone!

Wide receiver Jonathon Adams – gone!

Tavon Arrington, Hunter Harris, J.D. Swiger, the Nehls brothers – ALL GONE!

The player I think the Dolphins will miss the most – Brandon Gottfried – also, gone.

Gottfried, who has electrified Dolphin fans all year with clutch catches, including the 69-yard touchdown reception on the first play from scrimmage last Friday night, will truly be missed by Freeman, and by Brandon Silvers who will most likely take over as the Dolphins signal caller next season.

With his size and strength, I would say Gottfried has the best chance of any of the exiting Dolphins to play at the next level, something I would love to see. Although he is not the fastest guy on the field, he has a knack for getting open, has soft hands and great concentration.

Freeman was fortunate when Gottfried transferred in from American Christian for his senior season, as did Tavon Arrington from Hueytown, a player Freeman had coached two years prior at Bessemer Academy.

But the first year coach will have his work cut out for him in season two, with Gulf Shores graduating almost half of the team. Twenty-five out of 54 players will be graduating. Next years team will have only half the number of seniors as this 2009 squad, with only 13 Juniors returning.

So, even with all of the success and excitement that this team has brought to this coastal town, Mark Freeman better go fishing for some new Dolphins, and he better reel them in. Fast!

-Hit ‘em straight!

Dale Jones is a staff writer for The Islander.