PREP CAPSULES (Week 0): Classic duels highlight first week of football
STAFF REPORT
The opening of the 2024 football season seemed to sneak up on us, that is with all the talk of changes in college football and the just-completed Summer Olympics in Paris.
We are just now catching our breath. But here we go and with a solid lineup to start.
Start on Thursday when Cramton Bowl will feature two of the most successful programs in the state. Reeltown and T.R. Miller have a combined nine state championships. Entering the 2024 season the Tigers are tied with the most wins of any program in state history (726). That’s a lot of history in an historic setting.
A night later new coach Bobby Carr takes the G.W. Carver Wolverines into battle against Vestavia Hills in part 2 of the AHSAA Kickoff Classic. Carver is making its fifth appearance in the game, more than any other team.
Other key games include Pike Road taking on Prattville with the game being played at Wetumpka Municipal Stadium. Catholic begins its quest for a second-straight title against St. James. Tallassee and Montgomery Academy meet for the first time.
Nine different coaches open for the first time for their respective teams.
Week 0
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
PIKE ROAD (6A) at PRATTVILLE (7A)
Thursday at Wetumpka Municipal Stadium
2023 Records: Pike Road (11-3), Prattville (3-7)
Series: First meeting
Key Numbers: Prattville suffered its first losing season since 2017 and only the third since 1998… Pike Road opens its seventh season of football facing a 7A team for the first time.
The skinny: If anyone needs to get off to a fast start, it’s the Lions, who suffered through the last three seasons looking to find that spark it had for so many decades. Last year may have been the lowest of the lows with the only bright spot coming in a win over Stanhope Elmore. Pike Road may have been a surprise last season, earning a semifinal bid in Granger Shook’s first season. The Patriots have a lot back from a year ago while Prattville may not be in rebuild mode, its still needs to find more playmakers. This is not a good place to start.
PREDICTION: Pike Road, 26-20
CATHOLIC (5A) at ST. JAMES (4A)
Friday at Carlisle Field
2023 Records: Catholic (15-0 - 4A), STJ (11-3 - 3A)
Last meeting: 2017, Catholic, 7-6
Series: STJ leads, 19-14
Key Numbers: Each team has won a state title in the last two years with Catholic winning 4A last season and the Trojans winning 3A in 2022. The meeting of champions has not happened in the history of the Capital City Conference.
The skinny: If you want to more about how dominant the Knights have been the last four years, check out our annual RRS Football Guide (click here). Catholic has been incredible on both sides of the ball but its forte has been defense. St. James, under new coach Aubrey Blackwell, should give the Knights all it can handle, that is if the quarterback situation can be settled quickly. But Catholic should be in position in 11 weeks to make another run at a title (this one in 5A) and it starts on Friday.
PREDICTION: Catholic, 30-12
VESTAVIA HILLS (7A) at G.W. CARVER (7A)
Friday at Cramton Bowl
2023 Records: VH (9-3), Carver (7-4 - 6A)
Last meeting: 1981, Carver, 22-21
Series: Tied, 1-1
Key Stats: This will be the second-straight game Carver has faced a Birmingham area, having lost to Briarwood Christian in the first round of the 6A playoffs last year.
The skinny: First test for Carr, who may have to deal with the bright lights for the first time, so to speak. Expectations are always high at Carver but this season seems to already be amped up to a frenzy. Vestavia Hills enjoyed its best season in more than a decade in ‘23. They are expected to be strong again but if Carver can corral its mistakes, the Wolverines should send the Rebels north with an ‘L’.
PREDICTION: Carver, 22-20
TALLASSEE (4A) at MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (3A)
Friday at McLemore Field
2023 Records: Tallassee (1-9 - 5A), MA (4-7 - 4A)
Series: First meeting
Key Stat: New Tallassee coach LA O’Neal led BTW-Tuskegee to its best finish in school history, making the semifinals of the Class 4A playoffs last season. MA suffered back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 2011-12.
The skinny: Tallassee may be the biggest question mark in the River Region this year. The Tigers were woeful a year ago, which is why O’Neal is in charge now. MA struggled stopping teams a year ago, allowing nearly 40 points per game. But the Eagles might be ready for a turn around. Then again, so is Tallassee. The Tigers may deal with a few growing pains early but somehow find a way to earn a close win.
PREDICTION: Tallassee, 16-14
KEY GAMES
Marbury (5A) at Stanhope Elmore (6A) – Everybody needs to start off the season right. These two are at the top of the list after a disappointing 2023. Mustangs return several offensive linemen and one of the better tailbacks in Arthur McQueen. They will have a little more firepower than the Bulldogs… SE, 33-20
Park Crossing (6A) at Selma (5A) – Combine the records of these two and you’ll get a total of five wins last year. T’Birds would like to give new coach Charles Biggers his first win. Selma beat the T’Birds two years ago. Like this one, that was in Selma. Something says lightning strikes twice. Selma, 13–6.
Trinity (3A) at Holtville (5A) – It’s been a while since these two programs met, 1999 to be exact. Holtville is looking for its first win in the series in five tries. Trinity seems to be set up for a big season. It gets off to a nice start. TPS, 33-24.
Prattville Christian (3A) at Autaugaville (1A) - The season won’t hinge on whoever wins this one. But both could use an opening win. PCA may have a little too much for the Eagles. PCA, 20-13.
Beauregard (5A) at Wetumpka (6A) - Stiff test to open the season for the Indians, although Beauregard hasn’t been themselves in a couple of seasons. Wetumpka wins but it’s closer than you think. WHS, 28-23.
Reeltown (2A) vs T.R. Miller(3A) (AHSAA Kickoff Classic - Thursday) - No these teams aren’t technically in our coverage area but they are playing in it. Two classic programs with a lot of tradition. Reeltown reached the 2A championship a year ago. Miller hasn’t been to the championship game since 2002. Rebels might be the smaller school but earn the win at Cramton Bowl. Reeltown, 24-16.
THE REST
Hewitt-Trussville over JAG, 35-13; Percy Julian over Paul Bryant, 21-20; Elmore County over Dadeville, 27-8; Alabama Christian over Escambia County, 24-14; Billingsley over Greensboro, 35-7; Evangel Christian over Ezekiel Academy, 25-20.
OPEN: Autauga Academy; Edgewood Academy; Hooper Academy; Lowndes Academy; Valiant Cross; Macon East.
RECORD: Last week 0-0; Season 0-0 (.000)