PREP CAPSULES: 3A battles highlight heavy-duty schedule in Week 8

STAFF REPORT

It’s “gut check” time in the River Region.

Several games feature old rivalries and matchups that have major region implications. None bigger than Catholic and Trinity, which will decide the winner of Class 3A, Region 4. These two teams played a three-point game a year ago.

The two teams are stingy on defense, giving up a combined 42 points. Catholic is looking for its second 8-0 start in three years (the Knights were 10-0 in 2019).

The other big game in 3A features Montgomery Academy traveling to Thomasville for the Region 3 title game. Another three-point game decided this one a year ago with MA coming out on top.

Other teams are looking to cement a high seed for the playoffs including Lanier in its matchup against rival G.W. Carver. Tallassee and Holtville can put themselves in position for a 2 seed with a win in that battle while both Stanhope Elmore and Wetumpka need wins to keep their post-season hopes alive.

Macon East is after a region crown with a win over defending AA champ Chambers Academy.

Week 8

All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise.

SIDNEY LANIER vs. G.W. CARVER (6A/R2)

Friday at Cramton Bowl

Records: Lanier (7-1, 4-1), Carver (4-3, 3-2)
Last week: Carver def. Eufaula, 20-12; Lanier def. Russell Co., 45-23

Last year: Carver, 17-0

Series: Lanier leads, 25-24

Key Numbers: Lanier picked off four Russell County passes last week, returning three for touchdowns. The fourth set up a score… Carver also picked off a pass for a score to secure the win over Eufaula.
The skinny: This series falls into the category of “streaky,” as in win (or loss) streaks. Carver won six straight from 2008-13. Lanier won four straight until Carver broke the streak last season. This game doesn’t seem to fit into the idea that Carver is the favorite based on last year. Lanier has been consistent most of the season. They know if they win out they will have a home game the first week of the playoffs. But this is their biggest rivalry and Carver has enough talent, particularly on defense, to throw a wrench in the Poets’ plans. Look for Carver to load the box to stop the Lanier running game but the Poets’ passing attack has improved enough to keep the offensive advantage. That’s too much to pick against them.

PREDICTION: LANIER, 28-17

MONTGOMERY ACADEMY AT THOMASVILLE (3A/R3)

Friday at Anderson Field

Records: MA (5-2, 4-0), Thomasville (4-3, 4-0)
Last week: MA def. Greensboro, 21-0; Thomasville def. Hale Co, 25-0

Last year: MA, 20-17

Series: MA leads, 1-0

Key Numbers: MA’s Jashawn Cooper rushed for 154 yards and two TDs in last week’s win.

The skinny: It’s hard not to judge who will win this matchup based on last year’s result. The Eagles struggled offensively but held on for the win, giving them the region title. The situation is the same this time. Winner takes the region. Biggest difference? Where the game is played. The Tigers traditionally are tough to beat at home. And they haven’t been at the friendly confines much this year, having played five of their seven games on the road. So it makes sense to pick the home team, right? It does, but let’s go the other way based on one thing – MA coach Robert Johnson. He’s the key and will find a way for the Eagles to pull it off.

PREDICTION: MONTGOMERY ACADEMY, 17-14

TALLASSEE AT HOLTVILLE (5A/R4)

Friday at Boykin-Chapman Field

Records: Holtville (5-2, 3-1), Tallassee (4-2, 3-1)
Last week: Tallassee def. Talladega, 34-0; Central-Clay Co def. Holtville, 36-0

Last year: Holtville won by forfeit (COVID-19)
Series: Tallassee leads, 29-3-1

Key stat: Tallassee QB Tyler Ellis ran for two TDs and passed for another in the win over Talladega. The Bulldogs managed just 238 yards in offense against Clay Co. Central.

The skinny: Over history, this series as been as one sided as any in the River Region. Tallassee has won 29 of 32 meetings and last year’s Holtville victory was a forfeit. The two Bulldog victories came about 20 years apart. But this game is not like the others. Holtville has been the struggling program for most of the series but not right now. They have been competitive the last couple of years and certainly have a chance to earn the second seed in the region for a second-straight year. But the Tigers seem to have found the right ingredients to put together the season they were hoping for. The running game behind Jalyn Daniels has been solid. Tyler Ellis has improved at quarterback. This will be the toughest test for the Tigers, so far, but they pass.

PREDICTION: TALLASSEE, 28-21

TRINITY at MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC (3A/R4)

Friday at Catholic Field

Records: Trinity (7-0, 5-0), Catholic (8-0, 5-0)
Last week: Trinity def. Dadeville, 28-0; Catholic def. Childersburg, 44-0

Last year: Catholic, 13-10
Series: Trinity leads, 22-11

Key stat: Catholic earned its sixth shut out of the season last week, giving the Knights six for the year…Trinity is looking for its first region title since 2013.

The skinny: For all the marbles, this one is set up to be a classic. Nevermind that Catholic has looked unbeatable all season. That’s what makes this a dangerous situation. Yes, the Knights are at home. Yes, they have pitched a bunch of shutouts. But Trinity can match the defensive side of the ball and can create turnovers with the best of them. They will need a better performance offensively than we’ve seen the last couple of weeks but the Wildcats are capable of pulling the upset. Having a regional championship as the prize should give the Wildcats all the incentive they need. But… Catholic may have the best team in the state in Class 3A. they have not been stopped offensively all year. Their worst output came in the first game of the season when they scored a “paltry” 35 points. Since then they are averaging 51 points per game. Can Trinity keep up with that amount? Probably not, but expect a closer game than what Catholic has dealt with over the last seven weeks.

PREDICTION: CATHOLIC, 45-28

KEY GAMES

R.E. Lee vs Park Crossing (Thur.- 6A/R2) – Letdown time for the Generals? Maybe but as bad as the Thunderbirds are playing this year, it may not matter. LEE, 28-14

Helena at Stanhope Elmore (5A/R3) – The Huskies are undefeated and have already clinched the region title. This has the feel of an upset. Why waste a feeling….  SE, 24-21
Wetumpka at Calera (5A/R3) – Another must win for the Indians in the race for the playoffs. They’ve played better of late but Calera has also made improvements. Tough to pick against the home team.  CALERA, 20-17.

PCA at Monroe County (3A/R3) – Congrats to Norman Dean picking another win as PCA head coach last week. Can they make it two in a row? Why not... PCA, 23-20.

Autaugaville at Loachapoka (3A/R4) – Eagles need a win to keep chances for post season. But the Indians have been tough at home. LOACHAPOKA, 30-23.

Chambers Aca at Macon East (AA/R1) – The Knights have a chance to knock off the defending champs and win the region. Edgewood is the only team to hand Chambers a region loss in the last six years. This was a 39-point defeat for the Knights a year ago. Too much defense for Macon East to overcome. CHAMBERS ACA, 29-15

THE REST

Enterprise over Jeff Davis, 35-16; Alabama Christian over Straughn, 40-23; Beauregard over Elmore County, 29-17; St. James over Ashford, 38-21; Demopolis over Marbury, 30-18; Billingsley over Barbour County, 45-12; Autauga Academy over Southern Aca, 49-25; Edgewood over Springwood, 47-20; Lee-Scott over Hooper Aca, 35-21; Pike Liberal Arts over Valiant Cross, 37-24; Lowndes Aca over Coosa Valley, 30-23.

OPEN: Prattville; Pike Road

RECORD: Last week 19-5; Season 98-23 (.810)