PREP CAPSULES: First week of preps gets high marks
STAFF REPORT
As exciting as the action was on the field a week ago, that fact was outweighed by the simplicity of having football after a summer of question marks. Based on reports at different venues, the fans were ready to see football and turned out for a spectacular first week.
Will the new week match the excitement? There are possibilities.
Start in Millbrook where the Stanhope Elmore Mustangs play host to Prattville. Both teams played well last week only the Lions were able to pull off a win.
Jeff Davis and Robert E. Lee had a topsy-turvy week. On Tuesday, MPS and officials with the city Parks and Recreation announced the game had been cancelled due to a positive test on a player at Lee. But on Wednesday, the game was back on again for reasons unknown. Both will try to earn their first win of the season.
Wetumpka was supposed to open its new football stadium against Tallassee but since it’s not ready yet, the two will tangle in the old Hohenburg Field.
Several teams open the season this weekend including G.W. Carver, Autaugaville, Autauga Academy, Edgewood Academy and Lowndes Academy.
PRATTVILLE (7A) at STANHOPE ELMORE (6A)
Friday at Foshee-Henderson Stadium
2020 Records: Prattville (1-0), Stanhope (0-1)
Last year: Prattville, 42-0
Series: Prattville leads, 28-11-1
Last week: Prattville defeated Wetumpka, 40-10; Stanhope lost to Opelika, 20-17
Key Numbers: Prattville QB E.J. Ousley had 240 yards passing and a TD pass in the win last week. Collin Rogers added three field goals of 44, 28 and 43 yards. Antonio Trone and D.J. McGhee scored TDs for the Mustangs in the loss.
The skinny: When this game is over, fans will be quick to judge where the two teams are for the remaining eight regular season games. But don’t be too hasty to pick on the loser. Both are good enough to make a deep run in the playoffs. The SE loss last week is not much of an indicator. This is a difficult opening for this program but it might make it better in the long run. Prattville has plenty of weapons on offense but the most impressive part of the win over Wetumpka was the defense, which never allowed the Indians any chance to come up for air. They will be tough to beat this season and Friday is no different. Both will go on with a great season only the Mustangs will start 0-2.
Prediction: Prattville, 25-14
JEFF DAVIS (7A) vs. ROBERT E. LEE (6A)
Friday at Cramton Bowl
2020 Records: JD (0-1), Lee (0-1)
Last week: JD lost to Lanier, 12-8; Lee lost to Daphne, 26-19
Last year: Lee, 59-14
Series: Lee, 28-26-1
Key Numbers: Jeff Davis managed just 8 yards of offense in the first half. Lee RB Reginald Davis scored three times and rushed for 183 yards in the loss to Daphne.
The skinny: Whew! This one almost didn’t happen due to a positive COVID test at Lee. But the on-again, off-again tangle is on… again. That said: It’s been a while since this series has been so one-sided. There are plenty of streaks but in most cases, the games have been close. That has not been the case lately. Lee has won five straight on the field (there was one forfeit in 2016 by an average of 24 points per game. Last year’s drubbing certainly padded that stat but the truth is JD has not been very competitive in this series at least lately. After watching their troubles on Saturday, it will be difficult to expect anything different on Friday. Rory Bell inherited a bit of a mess and it will take some time to remove some of the bad habits (JD was penalized 14 times in the loss). Lee will be a difficult test, especially the offense, which boasts plenty of speed. Don’t look for a squeaker in this one.
Prediction: Lee, 35-13
TALLASSEE (5A) at WETUMPKA (6A)
Friday at Hohenburg Field
2020 Records: Tallassee (0-1), Wetumpka (0-1)
Last week: Tallassee lost to Reeltown, 27-21 (OT); Wetumpka lost to Prattville, 40-10
Last meeting: 2003 – Wetumpka, 52-7
Series: Tallassee leads, 35-30-2
Key Numbers: Jalen Johnson had 12 tackles for the Indians in the loss. Zavion Carr had 118 yards and two scores in the loss to Reeltown.
The skinny: Old timers will spin the yarn of how great this game was back in the day. It might surprise some that this is the most frequent opponent for both teams. They met every year from 1951-1997, a remarkable streak that produced some great games. But it was in the 1960s when Wetumpka finally began to make a dent in the series record and lately, Tallassee has been no match. Only thing is the Indians’ program has grown to 6A status while Tallassee has been much smaller, which explains why the two haven’t played in a while. Move to Friday where this was supposed to be the first game in the new Wetumpka stadium. Unfortunately, it’s not ready so a little luster is lost. Add to that, this is not a great matchup for the Tigers. Despite struggles against Prattville, the Indians are solid on defense and will probably be able to throw the football with success offensively. They are deeper and probably a little ornery after last week. Tallassee might be, too, but there are not enough horses to matter.
Prediction: Wetumpka, 31-16
TRINITY (3A) at MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (3A)
Friday at McLemore Field
2020 Records: TPS (1-0), MA (1-0)
Last week: Trinity defeated ACA, 24-7; MA defeated St. James, 24-0
Last year: Trinity, 33-10
Series: Trinity, 25-17
Key Numbers: TPS QB John David Bonner passed for 149 yards and two TDs in the win last week. The MA defense held St. James to 36 yards rushing on 34 carries.
The skinny: Take what you want from the first games for these two. Yes, the scores are dominant but that might be somewhat misleading. The Eagles were in control most of the night but never felt comfortable on the scoreboard until the last quarter. Trinity’s win was somewhat methodical but still impressive. It was a good night for the coaching debut for both Robert Johnson and Granger Shook. Did either one provide the idea of an advantage? Maybe. Trinity had a solid defense a year ago and held MA to one TD. The Eagles might still be learning a new system but don’t forget the old saying about teams and improving from Week 1 to 2. Both have veteran quarterbacks. There may not be much to playing at home but what little bit of an edge the Eagles might have, they are the pick by that much.
Prediction: MA, 17-13
KEY GAMES
G.W. Carver (6A) at Enterprise (7A) – The Wolverines open the season on the road (although originally this was a Thursday home game) against what is said to be an improved Wildcat squad. Carver’s defense will be solid again but can they score enough points. Maybe next week but not this time. Enterprise, 23-13
Catholic (4A) at Charles Henderson (5A) (venue change) – In the gambling world, this might be termed a “sucker bet” with the Trojans being a classification higher and having a better history. But this ain’t the same Catholic that lost by 20 in 1949… Fact is, the Knights are the better team and will win this one going away. Catholic, 23-14
St. James (4A) at Reeltown (3A) – Trojans are still in a learning curve while Reeltown is coming off a nice win on the road. Tough to pick against the Rebels. Reeltown, 26-19.
Elmore Co (5A) at Dadeville (3A) – Panthers looked good in the opener. No reason to expect anything different this week. ECHS, 28-18.
Valiant Cross (AAA) at Macon East (AA) (Thurs.) – Big (and first) win for VC. But it might be asking too much to win two straight, especially considering the opponent. ME, 29-13.
THE REST
Alabama Christian over Highland Home, 23-22; Pike Road over Calhoun, 62-6; Holtville over West Blocton, 27-18; Marbury over Dallas Co, 34-12; Autaugaville over Talladega Co Central, 21-13; Billingsley over Vincent, 32-15; Lowndes Aca over Meadowview Christian, 27-6; Tuscaloosa Aca over Edgewood Aca, 23-21; Edgewood Aca over Hooper Aca, 14-10.
BYE: Park Crossing; Sidney Lanier; Valiant Cross; Prattville Christian; Billingsley
RECORD: Last week 13-2-1; Season 13-2-1
(Billingsley and Prattville Christian will complete their tied game on Thursday)