PREP CAPSULES: Three weeks in, teams are lined up for possible run at region title
STAFF REPORT
Three weeks in and we know a little more about River Region teams and their chances for post season.
Sure, there is a long way to go and there have been a few surprises, but as the first half of the season closes in, we can take heed in what the race looks like.
Start in 7A where all three teams are still trying to figure out a few things. Prattville has a chance to make a statement this weekend at Dothan while JAG (Jeff Davis) must face a daunting task of upsetting Auburn. Percy Julian (Lee) is off this week but has work to do.
Class 6A, Region 2 is wide open with a favorite yet to stand out. G.W. Carver is in position to defend its title but nearly everybody else in the region has a chance to prove it can be on top.
Among 5A teams, Elmore County can take the top spot with a win over Central-Clay County this weekend. Holtville has been up and down early but can make a move in the next couple of weeks.
Catholic looks to be the team to be in 4A while Class 3A, Region 3 is going to be decided among the Capital City Conference schools.
There’s plenty to come but this week should give us more depth in the races for a region champion.
Week 3
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
SIDNEY LANIER at PIKE ROAD
CLASS 6A, REGION 2
Friday at Patriots Stadium
2023 Records: Pike Road (1-2, 1-0), Lanier (1-1, 0-0)
Last week: Pike Road def. Wetumpka, 41-18; Lanier def. JAG, 47-12
Last year: Pike Road, 35-21
Series: Tied, 1-1
Key Numbers: Pike Road’s Cason Myers passed for 243 yards and three touchdowns on 15 of 21 attempts in the win over Wetumpka… Lanier scored 27 straight points to take the big lead early on JAG with Trevon Gilmer-Berry scoring on runs of 5 and 60 yards in that span.
The skinny: There was something waiting to erupt in both these teams and apparently it did last week in their respective wins. Lanier looked awful in the opener against P. Julian (Lee) while Pike Road was floundering in the two losses to start the season. But both teams found the spark to win last week. Can it hold? Lanier has athletes but not much depth. Pike Road is still a work in progress under new coach Granger Shook. The Poets had 15 penalties in the win, costing them 105 yards. Pike Road got mixed reviews on its special teams, returning a kickoff for a score but allowing the Indians to do the same. No, all the holes are not filled on either team so it reverts back to who has figured out more on Friday? In this case, the home team gets the edge.
PREDICTION: Pike Road, 28-23
CENTRAL-CLAY COUNTY AT ELMORE COUNTY
CLASS 5A, REGION 4
Friday at Bert-Haynie Field, Eclectic
2023 Records: Clay-Central (3-0, 1-0), ECHS (3-0, 1-0)
Last week: Clay-Central def. Tallassee, 41-7; ECHS def. Sylcauga, 35-7
Last year: Clay-Central, 48-21
Series: Clay-Central, 5-0
Key Numbers: Central-Clay had 315 yards rushing as a team in the win over Tallassee… Elmore County will be looking for its first win against the Vols in six tries on Friday.
The skinny: Elmore County is off to a great start. No one will argue against that. But what might be argued with is the class of competition. Beating Autaugaville by 62 points is one thing. Beating perennial power Central-Clay County is another. They have that chance to move up a class this week. It will take a massive effort to pull it off, particuarly on defense. Yes, it’s to be played in Eclectic. Yes, the Panthers have proven they can score a lot of points. Yes, momentum is (seemingly) on their side. But they are relatively new at playing program-changing games. You probably have to go back to 2018 to find the last time that happened. The Panthers, under Jordan Cantrell, faced Talladega on the road with a chance to take an early advantage in the region. They lost by 26 points. They had a second chance in a game against Handley, but that too ended in defeat. Since then, the program had been on a steady decline until the arrival of Kyle Caldwell, who at least has fans thinking a win is in the cards this week against the region’s top team. The bleachers at Burt-Haynie will be rocking early and that might lead to a couple of early scores. But until the Panthers can prove they belong in this category, it’s tough to pick against one of the best coaches in the state and his football team.
PREDICTION: Clay-Central, 35-28
PRATTVILLE AT DOTHAN
CLASS 7A, REGION 2
Friday at Rip Hewes Stadium
2023 Records: Prattville (1-1, 1-0), Dothan (2-1, 1-1)
Last week: Prattville def. Smiths Station, 43-9; Dothan lost to Auburn, 28-27 (2 OT)
Last year: Dothan, 14-10
Series: Prattville, 2-1
Key Numbers: The Lions totaled 374 yards in total offense in the win over Smiths Station last week.
The skinny: It’s early but it’s hard to make out what might be happening in Class 7A, Region 2. Last week was proof that there are at least seven teams that can make the playoffs. Certainly, Prattville is one of those but consistency seems to be an issue for everybody except Central-Phenix City, which has rolled over everybody in their path to this point. The Lions found needed offense against Smiths Station and would like to take that to Dothan this week to revenge last year’s loss to the Wolves. Dothan scared Auburn last Friday, choosing to go for the win in the second overtime instead of the tie. Dothan gave the ball to their leading rusher, Tamarion Peterson, who was cut down 2-yards short of the end zone. The Wolves are old school, run first, pass when needed. They do both well. Prattville’s defense will be tested, to the point that it might not be a game where a lot of points are needed but turnovers will be a big part of who wins. Dothan has been tested a bit more than the Lions. They get the nod at home.
PREDICTION: Dothan, 26-21
TRINITY at ALABAMA CHRISTIAN
CLASS 3A, REGION 3
Friday at John Mark Stallings Field (Faulkner Unv.)
2023 Records: Trinity (3-0, 1-0), ACA (1-1, 0-0)
Last week: Trinity def. Southside-Selma, 43-26; ACA def. Lynn, 30-20
Last year: Trinity, 20-14
Series: Trinity, 29-7
Key Numbers: David Ortiz-Ramirez rushed 20 times for 187 yards in ACA’s win over Lynn…. Ross Sanders rushed for 111 yards and four touchdowns to lead Trinity to a win over Southside.
The skinny: Many of the questions surrounding these two teams have been answered in the last two weeks. Both teams are running the football with consistency. The two defenses are somewhat of a pleasant surprise, as well. True, ACA was bested by Catholic, but expect the Knights to be in the discussion for a state championship at season’s end. Trinity’s win over B.T. Washington looks good at the moment. But both teams are about to hit the heart of the schedule that will tell us all we need to know. Can ACA make the improvement to keep itself in the running for a top two or three spot in the region? Can Trinity continue its trend of averaging 36 points per fame offensively? Some of those questions will be answered this week. Trinity might have a little more of an advantage in experience, but the Eagles are at home bucks the trend of losing the last five meetings in the series.
PREDICTION: ACA 20, Trinity 17
KEY GAMES
Wetumpka at Park Crossing (6A/R2) (Thur.) - Raise your hand if you had Park Crossing with the better record in this matchup. Better yet, who thought the Indians would be winless after three games? Makes little sense but that streak ends for Wetumpka this week. WETUMPKA, 28-21.
Catholic at Slocomb (4A/R2) - Are the Red Tops a formidable opponent for the Knights? Not this year. CATHOLIC, 40-12.
Beauregard at Tallassee (5A/R4) - The Tigers have yet to score a point in the first half. The prediction is they break that streak but can’t win their first game of the season. BEAUREGARD, 35-20
Selma at Holtville (5A/R4) – Holtville has shown improvement and gets a decent test this week. They play at home, which is a big deal when facing Selma - as in the Dogs are playing on the road. HOLTVILLE, 29-24
Calhoun at Autaugaville (1A/R4) - After two disastrous weekends, the Eagles need something good to happen. Say ‘hey’ to Calhoun. Just what the doctor ordered. AUTAUGAVILLE, 45-21
Lowndes Academy (A) at Edgewood Academy (AA) - Rebels have yet to allow a point in three games. That streak might continue but certainly they win with ease. LOWNDES ACADEMY, 30-6.
THE REST
G.W. Carver over Russell County, 30-14; Auburn over JAG (Jeff Davis), 38-12; Dale County over Montgomery Academy, 23-20; St. James over Greensboro, 50-16; Demopolis over Marbury, 45-29; Billingsley over Verbena, 41-17; Autauga Academy over Valiant Cross, 28-20; Hooper Academy over Snook, 34-21; Evangel Christian over Meadowview, 30-18
OPEN: P. Julian (Lee); Stanhope Elmore; Prattville Christian; Macon East
RECORD: Last week 17-4; Season 46-19 (.708)