PREP CAPSULES: New storm affects schedule for most

STAFF REPORT

Just in time for a key regional weekend in AHSAA play, another hurricane has risen from the Gulf.

The storm named “Delta” has messed up the works and has caused most games to move from Friday to a day earlier, Thursday.

That includes the matchup between Dothan and Jeff Davis at Cramton Bowl which got a reprieve when Valley announced that it would not face Park Crossing on Thursday due to COVID-19. That became the third game Park Crossing has missed (and earned a forfeit win) this season.

Another game has been affected by COVID-19. Billingsley and Autaugaville were set for an important Class 1A, Region 4 battle but is now cancelled and a forfeit win for the Bears. Ironically, Autaugaville had earned three wins due to coronavirus this season.

And on Wednesday, another game was cancelled when Macon East received word that several players had tested positive at Banks. The game will go in the books as a Knights win.

Few games have kept the Friday date includes the one that is set for Saturday when Lee battles Opelika at Cramton Bowl. The game, slated for 11 a.m., will be a big part of who wins Class 6A, Region 2. Lee is coming off the loss to Carver and will attempt to bounce back and regain the lead in the region.

The other key game in the region takes place in Eufaula where Carver will visit on Thursday. The Wolverines are fresh off their win over Lee and will attempt to keep their momentum against the Tigers, who can make their case as the No. 2 seed from the region with a win.

Reminder that other games might be moved or postponed. Check back to RiverRegionSports.com, ahsaa.com and aisaonline.org for updates.

OPELIKA at ROBERT E. LEE
Class 6A Region 2

Saturday at Cramton Bowl (11 a.m.)

2020 Records: Lee (4-2, 3-1), Opelika (4-2, 4-0)

Last meeting: 2013 - Opelika, 34-14
Series: Tied, 11-11

Last week: Carver def. Lee, 20-15; Opelika def. Russell Co., 29-7

Key Numbers: Reggie Davis continued his season of highlights with 277 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort last week.

The skinny: Few teams are as predictable as the Robert E. Lee Generals. Each year, at least for the last four or five, they race out of the gate, look unstoppable and then in the second half of the season, lay a huge egg. Presenting the 2020 version of the Generals. Similar season, similar look. Talent is off the charts. They have enough firepower offensively (even with a less than stellar passing game) and can make plays on defense. They limped out of the locker room to start in Friday night’s game with Carver but was able to find a spark and take the lead in the third quarter. Then, weirdness happened and the Generals recovered. If you are wondering what that means click and read this. Now comes the favorite of the region. Opelika has been consistent. They’ve found ways to win close games. Defensively, the Bulldogs are probably the best in the region. But they have their own problems. They turn the ball over regularly. Then tend to take breaks but they always wake up at the proper time. Lee coach Eric Hudson told me before the season, they asked for this game to be played on Saturday, hoping to catch the Bulldogs napping. The opinion here is that’s not going to work but Lee may have gotten its own wakeup call last week. Davis is good enough to keep Lee in the game. Can they get enough from the defense? Yes. In an upset….

PREDICTION: Lee, 22-20

G.W. CARVER at EUFAULA
Class 6A Region 2

Thursday at Tigers Stadium

2020 Records: Carver (4-2, 3-1), Eufaula (5-2, 2-2)

Last year: Eufaula, 20-7
Series: Tied, 1-1

Last week: Carver def. Lee, 20-15; Eufaula def. Valley, 44-14

Key Numbers: Quarterback Marquarius Moore passed for 182 yards and two TDs in the win over Lee.

The skinny: A Eufaula win here can really make a mess of the Region 2 playoff race. Assume for a moment the Tigers win this game and Lee loses to Opelika. That would leave three teams tied for second. Yes, there are games remaining but those three schools will have knocked each other off in a roundabout way. But first things first. Last week’s win for Carver may have been a sign of what’s to come. The Wolverines played inspired for much of the game. The lull in the third quarter was overcome (with a little emotional help – see the link above). Moore was able to make plays when Carver needed them most. Now, he has to go on the road and do it again. Eufaula is a different animal. They will not be as giving as the Generals were last week. They will not have the penalties or the turnovers. Likewise, Carver must cut down on mistakes. They had nearly 90 yards in penalties last week.  Eufaula is playing much better since the loss to Lee and Opelika on back-to-back weeks. They are very tough at home, too tough for the Wolverines.

PREDICTION: Eufaula, 24-20

CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY at PRATTVILLE
Class 7A Region 2

Thursday at Stanley-Jenson Stadium

2020 Records: Central-PC (4-3, 3-1), Prattville (5-2, 3-1)

Last year: Central-PC, 24-6

Series: Central-PC, 7-6

Last week: Auburn def. Central-PC, 29-28; Prattville def. Enterprise, 35-28

Key Numbers: Prattville overcame a two-touchdown deficit to beat Enterprise last week.

The skinny: The Lions have been living on the edge for most of the season. But if you ask Caleb Ross, they are still where they want to be, at least as far as playoff contention goes. This week’s game gives the Lions a chance to do something it hasn’t done in six years. Prattville has never beaten the Red Devils in region play. This might be the best chance in a while.  Central has flaws. Prattville has its own problems but should have more success against the Red Devils than in the past. But will it have enough to pull the upset? Central will score its share of points. The Red Devils are averaging 34 points a game. Prattville is giving up its share, as well. It becomes a question of can the Lions keep up? It’s tempting to pick the upset but Central finds a way…. Again.

PREDICTION: Central-PC, 36-33

DALE COUNTY at ST. JAMES
Class 3A, Region 4

Thursday at Carlisle Field

2020 Records: Dale Co (5-2, 3-1), STJ (4-2, 3-1)

Last meeting: 2017 – STJ, 49-22
Series: STJ leads, 2-0

Last week: STJ def. BT Washington, 42-14; Dale Co def. Bullock Co, 14-12

Key Numbers: The Trojans are averaging nearly 41 points per game offensively in region play.

The skinny: Is it too early to hand out the “Coach of the Year” award? Jimmy Perry wins it hands down, at least right now. Considering that he started the season with a bunch of freshmen and sophomores playing key roles and has managed to win four games (and could have been five with a break or two), it’s amazing the Trojans are in postseason plans.  They are not just in it, the Trojans can be at home for the first round with a win this week. Dale County is (probably) the third best team in the region yet the wins have come against the bottom feeders. STJ still has Geneva left but at home and the Panthers could be delegated to third or fourth seed with a loss to Alabama Christian this week. The Trojans must avoid any sort of a letdown and should win without too much trouble.

PREDICTION: St. James, 36-16

CENTRAL-CLAY COUNTY at HOLTVILLE

Class 5A, Region 4

Friday at Boykin-Chapman Field

2020 Records: Central-Clay (6-1, 4-0), Holtville (5-1, 2-1)

Last meeting: 2013 – Central-Clay, 28-0

Last week: Central-Clay def. Talladega, 46-7 ; Holtville did not play

Key Numbers: Holtville last won a area/region title in 1986.

The skinny: It might be a bit premature to talk region title, but Holtville is on the cusp, which is something that couldn’t be said for the last 35 years. To reminisce, the last time the Bulldogs were in this position, Holtville was a Class 2A program (out of 4). Dwight Gray was a first year coach and their area included St. James, Calera, St. Jude and Catholic. Actually, the AHSAA didn’t have regions, so the fact is Holtville has never won a region title under the current system. But it has been a special season for the Bulldogs. And it can reach the top with a win over the defending state champs. That might be asking too much. The Vols are stout as usual. Sylacauga is the only team in the region to score in double figures (22 points) against them. As with any Danny Horn-coached team, they don’t throw it much but when they do, it is usually successful with QB Boyd Ogles. Running back Elisha McNeil is not a burner but works perfectly in the Vols’ offensive system. Tis’ a tough chore for the Bulldogs to pull off the upset. Too tough…

PREDICTION: Central-Clay Co., 42-21

Games have been rescheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

KEY GAMES

Dothan at Jeff Davis (7A/Region 2) (Cramton Bowl) –  The Vols can use any kind of a break to get their first win. Maybe a move to Thursday is ticket… Afraid not.  Dothan, 25-13

Sidney Lanier at Russell County (6A/Region 2) – The Poets are struggling on offense, to the tune of scoring seven points per game. Russell County hasn’t played many times but has played enough to see a win for the Warriors. Russell Co., 19-8.

Wetumpka at Chilton County (6A/Region 3) – Suddenly, the playoffs are not automatic for the Indians. A loss this week doesn’t end it but makes it almost unreachable. Chilton County has yet to win in region play. That streak stays alive. Wetumpka, 28-20.

Tallassee at Talladega (5A/Region 3) The march to the playoffs continue for the Tigers. Tallassee, 34-19.

Pike Road at Headland (5A/Region 2) – Another 50 points and another win for the Patriots. Pike Road, 54-0.

Alabama Christian at Geneva (4A/Region 2) (Friday) – A win moves the Eagles closer to their first region title.  ACA, 39-22.

Chambers Academy at Edgewood Academy (AA/Region 1) – The Rebels seem to be determined to return to Troy for another shot at the state title. Edgewood is good enough to pull the upset. But there is too much offense to deal with to consider an upset. Chambers Aca, 40-20.

THE REST

Catholic over Childersburg, 41-20; Montgomery Academy over Greensboro, 34-13; Trinity over Dadeville, 23-12; Shelby Co. over Marbury, 25-22; Glenwood over Hooper (Thurs), 23-21; Escambia Academy over Autauga Academy, 27-14; Lowndes Academy over Lakeside, 20-13; Lee-Scott over Valiant Cross, 45-8.

BYE: Stanhope Elmore; Elmore County; Park Crossing (forfeit win from Valley); Prattville Christian; Autaugaville (forfeit loss to Billingsley); Billingsley (forfeit win from Autaugaville); Macon East (forfeit win from Banks)

RECORD: Last week 18-2; Season 93-25 (.789)