PREP CAPSULES (Playoffs - Week 3): Lowndes goes for gold; St. James, Catholic face traditional powers
STAFF REPORT
The statement is usually made before the season begins - the goal is to have practice on Thanksgiving Day.
Only a handful of teams have the opportunity with two of those from the River Region.
St. James and Montgomery Catholic are in line to still be playing next week when turkeys are served across America. Both get to be at home this week against traditional powers with the Trojans facing Thomasville and Catholic taking on Handley.
The Trojans have never won a third-round game but only have two appearances in school history.
Catholic is making a habit of deep runs in the playoffs and are expected to continue this week.
The AISA Championships are on Thursday with a couple of region teams playing. The day begins at Cramton Bowl with Evangel Christian looking for its first-ever football championship in the 8-man category. The Lions face Springwood.
Lowndes Academy has a chance to win back-to-back championships and face the same team it beat in last year’s title game in Jackson Academy.
There are other interesting games outside the coverage area including a 7A rematch between Auburn and Central-Phenix City. The Red Devils won the regular-season game to earn home field advantage on Friday.
AHSAA and AISA (semis) 2nd Round Playoffs
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
LOWNDES ACADEMY vs. JACKSON ACADEMY (A)
AISA Class A championship
Thursday at Cramton Bowl (1 p.m.)
2022 Records: Lowndes Academy (10-2, top seed, R1); Jackson Academy (12-0, top seed, R2)
1st/semis: Lowndes def. Snook, 68-12; Southern Academy, 35-0; Jackson Academy def. Lakeside, 58-0; Crenshaw Christian, 22-6
Championships: Lowndes 3 (last - 2021); Jackson Aca. 3 (last - 2011)
Last meeting: 2021 Class A championship, Lowndes, 21-6.
Series: Lowndes, 5-2
Key Numbers: The highest total in a game that Jackson Academy has allowed defensively was 22 points in a 28-point win. They have two shutouts and three games allowing seven points or less… Lowndes has averaged 36 points offensively this season.
The skinny: The tables have turned, so to speak. Last year, Jackson Academy was the favorite when these two met at Cramton Bowl for the Class A title but Lowndes dominated in the win. This time, the Rebels could be considered the favorite although the Eagles have enjoyed a perfect season to this point. The Rebels have several players back from last year’s title team, led by quarterback Clayton Hussey. The season has been difficult at times with an opening-season loss to Macon East, a Class AA team. The other loss came to Patrician, which will play for the Class AA championship later in the day. Jackson Academy’s only challenge came at the hands of Clark Prep, also in the Class AA final. Expect the Eagles to have a chip on their shoulder this time out but the Rebels are battle tested and should have enough to earn their second-straight championship.
PREDICTION: Lowndes Academy, 27-21
THOMASVILLE at ST. JAMES (3A)
Friday at Carlisle Field
2022 Records: Thomasville (9-3, 2nd seed R1), St. James (10-2, 1st seed R3)
1st/2nd Rounds: Thomasville def. Straughn, 20-9; Dadeville, 15-14; St. James def. Walter Wellborn, 54-7; W.S. Neal, 42-21.
3rd Round records:St. James 0-2 (last - 2003, lost to Trinity, 20-10); Thomasville 5-4 (last - 2020, lost to Catholic, 25-15)
Last meeting: :First meeting
Key stats: This will be the ninth time Thomasville faces a team from the Capital City Conference in the playoffs. The Tigers are 5-3 in the previous eight games with the last meeting coming in 2020, a loss to Catholic. KJ Jackson continues to sparkle with passing for four. Touchdowns in last week’s win. This is the first time STJ has been a host of a quarterfinal game.
The skinny: Thomasville stopped a two-point attempt in overtime to advance to Friday’s showdown with St. James. The Tigers have been in two close battles in the playoffs, also beating Straughn by 11. The Trojans have been successful offensively in their two playoff games including a record-setting night for Jackson, who broke the single-season record for touchdown passes while extending his own career record. At least on paper, they look to match up well. The size of the Tigers might be a problem but it hasn’t been an issue in the past for the Trojans. This is the game Jimmy Perry had in mind when he scheduled non-conference foes such as Carroll and Charles Henderson- that had similar size and speed as Thomasville. It should help earn a win and to advance.
PREDICTION: St. James, 35-30
HANDLEY at CATHOLIC (4A)
Friday at Knights Field
2022 Records: Catholic (12-0, 1st seed, R2), Handley (11-1, 2nd seed, R4)
1st/2nd Rounds: Catholic def. Bayside, 41-13, Jacksonville, 44-27; Handley def. Bibb Co., 35-28, T.R. Miller, 27-14
3rd Round records:Catholic, 3-1 (last, 2021 - def. Hillcrest-Evergreen, 41-6); Handley 7-5 (last, 2021 - lost to Jackson, 24-23)
Last meeting: 2019 - Catholic, 9-6 (2nd Round 3A playoffs)
Series: Catholic, 1-0
Key Stats: Jeremiah Cobb had 302 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in last week’s win over Jacksonville.
The skinny: The Handley Tigers bring a certain swagger to the party on Friday. They have been successful winning two state titles in the last six years with the latest coming in 2020. Coach Larry Strain has been at this a while, spending eight years at the helm in Roanoke. Traditionally, he likes the old-fashioned style of play, running the football most of the time. Last week, they had 313 yards on the ground while limiting T.R. Miller to less than 200 yards in total offense. It’s doubtful those totals bother the Knights. In their run to the third round, they’ve faced run-oriented teams and plenty that do a good job of stopping the run. They’ve faced physical teams and those that are finesse. If this were any other team facing the Tigers, it might be wise to consider their style which has been shelved in many parts of the state. But Catholic is more than up for the challenge and should cruise to the next round.
PREDICTION: Catholic, 45-16
KEY GAMES
Glenwood vs. Lee-Scott (AAA championship) – Lee-Scott has been perfect all season and should coast to the win. But these are the games that might prove to be a surprise. Glenwood lost this matchup by 20 back in September. The Gators have won six straight since. But the Warriors have been solid on both sides of the ball and should win their first state title since 1994. . Lee-Scott, 44-16.
Clarke Prep vs. Patrician (AA championship - 4 p.m.) - The Saints score a lot of points, as in 45 points per game. That’s how many they scored in the previous meeting with Clarke Prep. There is little reason to think they won’t do it again. Patrician, 45-14.
Evangel Christian vs. Springwood (8-man championship - 10 a.m.) -Evangel has won titles in basketball and baseball over the years. They have not won a title in football. Can they do it against a team that beat them by 20 in the second game of the season? Hard to pick that one in the Lions’ favor… Springwood, 44-34.
Auburn at Central-Phenix City (7A semis) - Central looks to make four years out of five years in the Super 7 while Auburn has not reached the title game since 2020 where it lost in the strangest ending in Super 7 history. Central won the regular-season meeting in convincing fashion and the Red Devils are at home… But, it’s hard to pick against Keith Etheredge in the playoffs. Auburn, 35-32.
Clarke County at Highland Home (2A quarterfinals) - The Flying Squadron has the talent to make its first championship game in school history. They averages 33 points per game and should advance to what will probably be a rematch with Reeltown. Squadron, 35-20.
Andalusia at Anniston (4A quarterfinals) - This one has overtime written all over it. Andalusia will power its way to a win. Andalusia, 26-24.
Reeltown at B.B. Comer (2A quarterfinals) - The Rebels have been perfect since the opening-season loss to Tallassee. No reason to think that streak ends here. Reeltown, 25-21.
Brantley at Leroy (1A quarterfinals) - Two traditional powerhouses meeting for the first time. Leroy has been in 2A for an eternity. They have enjoyed a nice turnaround but Brantley has too much and advances. Brantley, 28-21.
THE REST (games outside the River Region)
(7A) Hoover over Thompson, 30-28; (6A) Saraland over Homewood, 43-24; Theodore over St. Paul’s, 35-14; (5A) Faith Academy over Gulf Shores,25-24; UMS-Wright over Charles Henderson, 30-27;(1A) Millry over Sweet Water, 21-20.
RECORD: Last week 16-11; Season 187-54 (.775)