PREP CAPSULES: Regional schedule gets revved up for second half
STAFF REPORT
Breaktime’s over.
At least in the regional sense, the schedule is about to get revved up.
Five weeks remain in the regular season. Playoff bids will be handed out (so to speak) in what happens in that timeframe.
Games this week are loaded with playoff implications, yes, this early in October. Several teams can set up the possibility of winning a region with a victory this week. Others can push for a playoff bid with a win.
This is one of the few weeks where Cramton Bowl is host to intra-city games on two nights with Lanier facing Park Crossing on Thursday and Lee and Carver tangling on Friday. The latter has big regional implications while the other could if the right team gets hot in the second half of the season.
Wetumpka missed a game last week due to COVID-19 and would like to return to winning ways with an important win over Pelham. The Panthers currently lead Class 6A, Region 3.
Trinity and Reeltown don’t have much of a rivalry, at least in the sense that the two programs have not faced one another much in the past. But this game will have a playoff flavor with the winner setting up for a shot at a high seed.
One game was lost to coronavirus with Elmore County’s game with Sylacauga called off due to positive tests at Elmore County. The loss leaves the Panthers winless in region play.
Nearly everybody in AHSAA is playing a regional contest while AISA continues to mix and match games in and out of region play.
All games begin at 7 p.m.
ROBERT E. LEE vs. G.W. CARVER
Class 6A Region 2
Friday at Cramton Bowl
2020 Records: Lee (4-1, 3-0), Carver (3-2, 2-1)
Last year: Lee, 49-14
Series: Lee, 34-21
Last week: Carver def. Jeff Davis, 40-0; Lee did not play
Key Numbers: Karl Ligon rushed for 173 yards and two TDs in the Carver win last week. Lee has given up just 24 points in last three on-field games.
The skinny: A lot of questions surrounding this suddenly important regional matchup. Will rust appear with Lee not having a game for the last two weeks? Can Carver continue to show improvement on offense? Will Juwon Gaston return another punt for a touchdown for the Wolverines (he has three already)? Does the Carver defense have enough to slow Lee RB Reggie Davis? We could go on but this one looks like a keeper based on how the two teams have looked lately. Since the first week, Lee has shown improvement in every game, particularly on defense where the secondary has been tested. The Eufaula game has proven to be bigger than originally thought after watching the Tigers run roughshod over nearly everybody since that loss. Carver continues to be inconsistent on offense but has also shown improvement. The biggest matchup is Davis vs. the Carver defense, which is led by sophomore end James Smith. It has been discussed that Davis could break 2,000 yards this season but losing a game (Russell County – COVID) probably took that off the table. Quarterback play favors Carver. Defense also gives a slight edge to the Wolverines. Neither team has a great kicking game. Expect Carver to load the box and make Lee pass. RRS calls for the upset….
PREDICTION: Carver, 20-18
PELHAM at WETUMPKA
Class 6A Region 3
Friday at Hohenburg Field
2020 Records: Pelham (5-1, 3-0), Wetumpka (3-3, 2-0)
Last meeting: 2017 – Wetumpka, 55-14
Series: Tied, 3-3
Last week: Pelham def. Chelsea, 47-28; Wetumpka lost with forfeit to Greenville
Key Numbers: Since the opening season loss to Prattville, Wetumpka has averaged 270 yards rushing as a team including a season-high 336 yards against Hillcrest.
The skinny: Inconsistency. It’s a dirty word in most circles of football but with Wetumpka, it’s the worst. That’s what Tim Perry has dealt with this season and much of the last year. There’s plenty of talent at Wetumpka. They’ve had a few bad breaks (see the Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa loss). In the past, this team has played through the mistakes. They have done that some this year. While, it’s been a weird season including sitting out last week due to COVID-19, some of it can’t be explained away. Yet, the Indians sit at 2-0 in region play. Nobody knows how the virus will affect the team this week. Pelham has a bevy of offensive talent. Their most impressive win came against Stanhope Elmore a couple of weeks ago. This one is tough to pick but there are concerns about a “hangover” from COVID in this one. The Panthers get the edge in a high scoring affair.
PREDICTION: Pelham, 31-30
REELTOWN at TRINITY
Class 3A, Region 4
Friday at Ragsdale-Boykin Field
2020 Records: Reeltown (3-2, 2-1), Trinity (4-1, 3-0)
Last meeting: 1995 – Reeltown, 27-21 (OT)
Series: Reeltown leads, 4-1
Last week: Reeltown and Trinity did not play
Key Numbers: The Wildcats continue to be salty on defense, giving up just 6 points per game.
The skinny: There is not much history between these two programs other than a four-year stretch in the 1990s when they were in the same region. Those games were close and low scoring with the Rebels winning all but one meeting. Ironically, expect a similar type game again this week. Reeltown has felt the affects of the move up a class and has not fared well against the likes of Catholic and St. James. Yes, there is a pattern forming here with Trinity part of that Capital City Conference ilk that will be harmful again this week. Look for another low-scoring affair with the Wildcats winning late.
PREDICTION: Trinity, 21-13
CHARLES HENDERSON AT PIKE ROAD
Class 5A, Region 2
Friday at Carlisle Field
2020 Records: Ch Henderson (0-4, 0-2), Pike Road (6-0, 3-0)
Last meeting: Never met
Last week: Charles Henderson lost to Williamson, 30-0; Pike Road def. Tallassee, 55-0
Key Numbers: Pike Road has scored more than 54 points per game but defensively has also pitched three shut outs.
The skinny: It’s time to give the Patriots their due. Yes, most see this as one of the better teams in Class 5A but their ability to dominate this season has taken them to a different level. Heading into the season, the idea was Pike Road would get tests against old powers Andalusia and Charles Henderson. The first one was passed with flying colors in a 39-18 win over the Bulldogs. Part 2 was supposed to come this week but the Trojans don’t look the part of a powerhouse. They have yet to dent the win column. They’ve been shut out twice. No, this will not be the test that was expected but it’s a great time to remind everyone where the Pike Road program is – a player in the Class 5A championship race. No problems for them this week in a rout.
PREDICTION: Pike Road, 51-6
KEY GAMES
Sidney Lanier vs Park Crossing (6A/Region 2) (Thurs.) – There wasn’t much celebration but the Poets’ football program won the 600th game last wee at Bessemer. There will be a bigger celebration if they pull of the win over Park Crossing, which would be their third of the series. Alas, Thunderbirds are the pick. Park Crossing, 20-12.
Jeff Davis at Smiths Station (7A/Region 2) – JD’s best chance for a victory this year? Probably. What the heck… give it to the Vols. JD, 15-10
Prattville at Enterprise (7A/Region 2) - The Lions will need to win out in region play for a home date in the first round. First hurdle cleared. Prattville, 23-10.
Stanhope Elmore at Calera (6A/Region 3) – The Mustangs have been alternating wins and losses each week. They lost last week, so…. SE, 34-26.
Beauregard at Tallassee (5A/Region 3) – The Tigers continue to play tough competition but this one should be more up their alley. Also a key win is needed for future spots in the playoffs. Tallassee, 30-21.
Ashford at Alabama Christian (4A/Region 2) – This is setting up for a special year for the Eagles. No reason to expect a loss here. ACA, 43-12.
Ft Dale Academy (AAA/Region 2) at Hooper Academy (AAA/Region 1) – The Colts haven’t enjoyed a three-game winning streak since 2013… Until now. Hooper, 27-21.
THE REST
St. James over BT Washington, 30-13; Marbury over Sipsey Valley, 43-12; Prattville Christian over Southside-Selma, 20-18; Billingsley over Verbena, 25-22; Edgewood Academy over Lakeside, 34-21; Autauga Academy over Meadowview Christian, 26-20; Macon East over Jackson Academy, 41-19; Crenshaw Christian over Lowndes Academy, 23-10; Morgan Academy over Valiant Cross, 35-6.
BYE: Holtville; Montgomery Academy; Autaugaville (forfeit win from Barbour County); Elmore County (forfeit loss to Sylacauga); Edgewood Academy
RECORD: Last week 9-4; Season 84-27 (.756)