PREP CAPSULES: River Region has nine teams still battling in post season
STAFF REPORT
Six teams from the River Region made it to the AHSAA second round.
Three more made it to the AISA semifinals.
Ironically, only three have home games.
Tallassee (5A), Alabama Christian (3A) and Lowndes Academy (A) will be at home on Friday while the others will take to the roads to advance to the next round.
In Lowndes Academy’s case, one more wins puts the Rebels in the finals for a second straight season. They are the defending champion and face Southern Academy.
ACA will need a win over Pike County to advance. The Eagles play at Billy Hilyer Stadium on Friday.
Tallassee continued its hot streak last Friday and returns home to face Charles Henderson of Troy.
The rest includes Trinity traveling to Mobile Christian and St. James visiting Brewton to play W.S. Neal in 3A; Catholic goes to Jacksonville in 4A and Pike Road goes to Homewood in 6A.
In AISA, Edgewood Academy visits Patrician in Class AA while Valiant Cross goes to Lee-Scott in Class AAA.
AHSAA 2nd Round Playoffs and AISA semifinals
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
PIKE ROAD at HOMEWOOD (6A)
Friday at Waldrop Stadium
2022 Records: PRHS (7-4, 2nd seed, R1); Homewood (9-2, 1st seed, R3)
1st Round: Pike Road def. Spanish Fort, 22-21; Homewood def. McAdory, 35-30
2nd Round records: PRHS 1-2 (last - 2021, def. St. Paul’s (5A), 29-17; Homewood 16-6 (last - 2021, lost to Gardendale, 35-27)
Last meeting: First meeting
Key Numbers: PRHS first year head coach Ed Rigby is looking to end a personal five-game losing streak in second round games, dating back to his final year at Elba (2017) and all four years at Eufaula.
The skinny: Old vs. new. Granted, Pike Road has enough street cred to be considered a veteran of the playoffs. It certainly helped to win last year’s 5A title. The opponent, Homewood, has been around for 50 years, winning six state titles and 18 region/area championships in its history. But it’s been a while since the program has competed for a championship. They hit a dry spell from 2006 through the last couple of seasons, reaching the third round one time and missing the playoffs every year between 2007-11. They won their first region title in seven years this season and can win 10 games for the first time since 2018. . But enough reminiscing. Pike Road continues to deal with a few issues, particularly on offense. Take out the B.T. Washington win and the scoring suffered three of the last four games. But they found enough last week to beat Spanish Fort, a very formidable opponent. They needed a second-half spark last week and got one with Anthony Rogers leading the way. There is no reason to think they can’t do it again.
PREDICTION: Pike Road, 28-26
ST. JAMES at W.S. NEAL (3A)
Friday at Buddy Taylor Field, East Brewton
2022 Records: W.S. Neal (7-4, 3rd seed R3), St. James (9-2, 1st seed R3)
1st Round: W.S. Neal def. Opp, 27-13; St. James def. Walter Wellborn, 54-7
2nd Round records: St. James 2-8 (last - 2021, lost to Jackson, 45-33); W.S. Neal 3-6 (last - 2017, lost to Alabama Christian, 38-7)
Last meeting: :First meeting
Key stats: Under Jimmy Perry, the Trojans are looking to do something that hasn’t happened - win a second-round game..
The skinny: Five times, the Trojans have gone to the second round under Perry and five times they’ve been unable to advance. Interestingly, it’s been a different team each time. But this might be the best chance to break that streak. The Trojans’ offense continues to be a catalyst, averaging 38 points a game. They are giving up 18 points per game on defense. Their opponent was supposed to be the fourth seed of the region but Mobile Christian was forced to forfeit three wins, moving the Eagles up a notch. Most will be familiar with their coach. Hugh Fountain has been a mainstay in south Alabama high school football for more than 30 years and this is actually his second stint at the school. He teaches tough-nosed football which is what St. James will see on Friday. But this might be a mismatch. Thanks to their speed, St. James seems to be loaded for bear and will continue to be a force in the south side of the 3A bracket..
PREDICTION: St. James, 42-20
TRINITY at MOBILE CHRISTIAN (3A)
Friday at Harrison Field
2022 Records: Trinity (8-2, 2nd seed, R3), Mobile Christian (*4-7, 3rd seed, R1)* Record includes four games forfeited.
1st Round: Mobile Christian def. Houston Academy, 30-3; Trinity def. Saks, 37-0
2nd Round records: Mobile Christian 5-4 (last - 2020 lost to American Christian, 27-21); Trinity 11-7 (last 2021 lost to Montgomery Academy, 21-17)
Last meeting: First meeting
Key Stats: The two teams are almost identical in scoring with Trinity scoring 32 points and giving up 12. Mobile Christian scores 31 points per game while allowing 13.
The skinny: An ineligible player kept Mobile Christian from winning the 3A, Region 1 title. The Leopards defeated all three of the top teams handily. Their only actual loss in-state came against Hillcrest-Evergreen in overtime. Ironically, it was the top seed, Excel, that was the only team in that region that did not advance to the second round. How much can we take from that as it pertains to the game against Trinity? Let’s not forget the region the Wildcats played in had three of its four teams advance, too. Mobile Christian may have a little more offense but Trinity’s defense has been stout all season. Despite injuries the Wildcats have probably exceeded expectations and there is no reason to think that can’t include a second-round win in Mobile.
PREDICTION: Trinity, 24-21
PIKE COUNTY at ALABAMA CHRISTIAN (3A)
Friday at Billy Hilyer Stadium, Faulkner University
2022 Records: Pike County (7-3, 4th seed, R2), ACA (8-3, 3rd seed, R3)
1st Round: Pike Co def. Excel, 42-14; ACA def. Randolph Co., 63-30
2nd Round records: Pike Co 17-6 (last 2020, lost to Montgomery Academy, 28-6); ACA 4-4 (last 2020, def. Jacksonville, 31-21)
Last meeting: 2020 - Pike County, 38-13 (Regular season)
Series: Pike County, 4-2
Key Stats: ACA is averaging 52 points offensively in its last five games.
The skinny: If history means anything, the Bulldogs have a distinct advantage in this matchup. Pike County has five state championships to its credit and have been solid in its second-round play. But that doesn’t take into account the most recent history when it has six of the last seven games in the second round. One of those recent losses came against ACA in 2018. But this game is not about the past. For the Eagles, that’s good since they have been unstoppable offensively for most of the season. ACA has already broken several records for points scored and average per game and the most points scored in a single contest (64) and was one point off that number in the first-round win over Randolph County. Other than a blowout loss to Catholic to start the season, ACA has been in every game, winning against all teams except the Knights, St. James and Trinity. A win Friday could mean another shot at Trinity in the next round. Here’s saying they get it.
PREDICTION: ACA, 45-28
CATHOLIC at JACKSONVILLE (4A)
Friday at Golden Eagle Stadium
2022 Records: Catholic (11-0, 1st seed, R2), Jacksonville (8-3, 3rd seed, R4)
1st Round: Catholic def. Bayside, 41-13; Jacksonville def. Bibb Co., 35-28
2nd Round records:Catholic, 4-2 (last, 2021 - def. Bayside Academy, 31-0); Jacksonville 1-9 (last 2021, lost to American Christian, 49-35)
Last meeting: First meeting
Key Stats: Jacksonville enters the game averaging 37 points offensively but that is 18 points less than Catholic’s average.
The skinny: Let’s update where the Knights are at this point of their quest to win that elusive state championship. Catholic continues to score points at will, tallying no less than 41 points in a game this season. How ironic it is that came last week in the first round. Defensively, Andalusia enjoyed a brief lead and scored 23 points in the season finale against Catholic. Otherwise, no one has been successful against that defense. Catholic hasn’t lost a second-round game since 2018 and has given up a total of six points in the last three games in this round. None of those numbers bode well for the Golden Eagles, who are looking for their first-ever second-round win in school history. They won’t get it this year but they might score… maybe.
PREDICTION: Catholic, 55-7
CHARLES HENDERSON at TALLASSEE (5A)
Friday at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium
2022 Records: Tallassee (7-4, 3rd seed R4), Ch. Henderson (9-1, 1st seed R1)
1st Round: Tallassee def. Selma, 49-16; Ch. Henderson def. Williamson, 20-16.
2nd Round records: Tallassee 4-6 (last - 2017 - lost to Bibb Co., 41-16); Ch. Henderson 4-7 (last - 2014 - lost to BC Rain, 50-14)
Last meeting: :2019 - Ch. Henderson, 27-0 (regular season)
Series: Ch. Henderson leads, 9-6
Key stats: Tallassee last won a second-round game in 2016, defeating St. James in Class 4A. It’s as far as the program has gotten since the turn of the century. Charles Henderson has not gotten past the second round of the playoffs since making the 4A championship game in 2014.
The skinny: This matchup has a little nostalgia given the history of these two programs. Of late, neither has shown much in the post season. But something has to give this year with the two meeting for the first time ever in the playoffs. Both teams have followed a similar path in the2022 season, getting hot late. Yes, the Trojans have just one loss but have won with larger margins against better competition.. The Trojans have won six straight games with its most impressive win coming against Eufaula in early October. Tallassee has won five straight averaging 36 points offensively. The Tigers may not have a win that rivals the win over Eufaula but they did handle Selma much easier than the Chucks, who struggled against the Saints in the last regular season game. One other common opponent - Beauregard - had a similar outcome for both. Both lost in close games. At that point of the season, Tallassee was still looking for an offensive identity. That is not a problem now. But this will be the best defensive team they have faced since starting the winning streak. Being at home for the first time since Oct. 14 might add to the advantage but it comes down to keeping the offensive machine rolling. They may not get to 36 on the scoreboard but the Tigers will do enough to earn a trip to the third round.
PREDICTION: Tallassee , 27-23
KEY GAMES
Valiant Cross at Lee-Scott (AAA semis) – It’s been a great first year for Larry Ware with the Warriors. Few expected to do what he’s done. The run won’t last past this week but kudos to the former R.E. Lee star for the efforts (as well as his team). . Lee-Scott, 38-6.
Edgewood Academy at Patrician (AA semis) - Patrician is averaging 47 points per game on offense. Edgewood - 18 points per game. The math is not in the Wildcats’ favor Patrician, 47-13.
Southern Academy at Lowndes Academy (A semis) -The Rebels are one step away from returning to the AISA championship game. They get it.. Lowndes, 30-14.
Luverne at Reeltown (2A) - The Rebels have won nine straight and will make it 10 on Friday. Reeltown, 33-22.
Highland Home at Ariton (2A) - These two played a one-point game back in August. Highland Home won then and the Squadron wins this one, too.. HH, 28-24.
Thomasville at Dadeville (3A) - Dadeville hasn’t won a second-round game since 2013 (only played in two more since). That streak ends. Dadeville, 21-13.
THE REST (a few games outside the River Region)
(7A) Auburn over Dothan, 37-10; Central-PC over Enterprise, 44-14; (6A) Saraland over Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, 35-34; Pelham over St. Paul’s, 45-14; (5A) Central-Clay County over Gulf Shores, 30-14; UMS-Wright over Beauregard, 35-17; (4A) Anniston over B.T. Washington, 33-31; Andalusia over American Christian, 38-14;(1A) Maplesville overLeroy, 20-13; Linden over Brantley, 31-28; Elba over Sweet Water, 27-24; Loachapoka over Millry, 23-22; (AISA) Glenwood over Morgan Academy, 38-34; Chambers Academy over Clarke Prep, 45-27; Jackson Academy over Crenshaw Academy , 49-27.
RECORD: Last week 29-6; Season 171-43 (.799)