PREP CAPSULES (Week 7): River region teams face key road games this week
STAFF REPORT
The back half of the season is well underway and several teams from the River Region are on the cusp of either placing themselves in position to win a region title or at least for a spot on the playoffs.
There are a couple of games this week that will go a long way in helping to know which teams are set for a post season and others that need a win for that opportunity (or to at least stay alive for one).
Friday’s game in Wetumpka between the Indians and Percy Julian has major implications on seeding. There is a good chance both will make the playoffs but each still has work to do. but Friday’s tilt will go a long way to determine which team is in the best position.
G.W. Carver saw its perfect season end last week. Now they must travel to Phenix City to face Central in a key 7A matchup. The Wolverines need a win to keep in contention for the region title.
Tallassee and Autauga Academy have key road games in their respective class and region. The Tigers travel to Handley while the Generals head to Verbena.
Week 7
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
G.W. CARVER at CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY (7A-R2)
Friday at Garrett-Harrison Stadium
2024 Records: Carver (5-1, 3-1); Central-PC (5-1, 3-1)
Last week: Carver lost to Enterprise, 17-14; Central lost to Auburn, 38-33
Last Meeting: 2013, Carver, 23-11
Series: Central leads, 10-5
Key Numbers: The Wolverines have won three of the last four meetings against Central, dating back to 2005.
The skinny: Part II of Carver’s stretch of rigorous tests comes Friday in Phenix City. The Red Devils come off a close loss to Auburn, which put the Tigers in charge of the region. Central now must win out to keep its second seed. Carver can get in that race with a win. But that might be too much to ask. The problems that reared an ugly head against Enterprise last week can be duplicated again unless the Wolverines can find an answer for its kicking game and the ability to make stops when they need them. Last week, Enterprise never relinquished the ball using a “ground and pound” running game to finish out the win, that included a drive at the end of the game that ate up the final 8-plus minutes of the clock. This was after Carver had been stymied on the goal line on what could have given them the lead. Carver was inconsistent offensively, enjoying big plays that were followed with mistakes that included penalties. Discipline is the key and if they can find it, there is a chance for the upset. But this has been the standard for this program for a while and it will take Bobby Carr another year or two to get those issues stamped out.
PREDICTION: Central, 32-25
P. JULIAN at WETUMPKA (6A-R2)
Friday at Wetumpka Municipal Stadium
2024 Records: Julian (3-3, 2-2), Wetumpka (3-3, 1-2)
Last week: Julian def. Rehobeth, 43-21; Wetumpka did not play
Series: First meeting
Key Numbers: Julian’s win over Rehobeth all but cemented a spot in the playoffs with a final region game remaining with Park Crossing.
The skinny: Unless something strange happens in the next couple of weeks, Friday’s game between these two should decide who finishes in third place in the region. Folks with Park Crossing and Stanhope Elmore might not like to hear it, particularly the Mustangs, who can keep their playoff hopes alive by beating Wetumpka in two weeks. To be safe, it would be best to win this one and keep any chance of a late loss and a tiebreaker out of the equation. How to pick this one depends on which side of the ball you like. Wetumpka has been stingy at times on defense. Even in their losses, they have not allowed more than 21 points. That included the losses to the top two teams in the region, Russell County and Pike Road, which suffered their lowest outputs of the season. Julian has been good offensively scoring 78 combined points in the last two games. Both teams have also shown a propensity to shoot itself in the foot with turnovers, which explains why they are not in the top two. Wetumpka has not shown the ability to run away from an opponent as nearly all of its games have been close. Julian has struggled to keep leads. It’s a tough call but somethings says the Phoenix have just enough offense to earn the win.
PREDICTION: P. Julian, 23-20
WICKSBURG at ALABAMA CHRISTIAN (3A-R2)
Friday at Faulkner Unv. John Mark Stallings Stadium
2024 Records: Wicksburg (5-2, 3-1), ACA (3-3, 2-2)
Last week: Wicksburg def. PCA, 17-14 (OT); ACA lost to Houston Aca, 45-18
Series: ACA leads, 2-0
Last meeting: 1989 - ACA, 29-0
Key Numbers: Wicksburg is enjoying its best start since 2021 when it opened 4-1 on the way to a 7-4 finish. The Panthers have not won a regional title since 2017.
The skinny: Chances are that no matter the outcome Friday, both of these teams will be in the playoffs. ACA would still need a win over Slocomb to guarantee that. But take care of business this week and its basically a moot point. Wicksburg has the “upset” of Montgomery Academy and if somehow the two teams end up tied, they would have the tiebreaker. But in order for the Eagles to win this one, they have to find some sort of a defense. They’ve allowed only six more points than they’ve scored and that average is more than 31 points per game. Wicksburg has also allowed points but stuggled against PCA last week, needing overtime to win. Most give the Panthers the edge thanks to the win over MA, but at the moment that seems to be the only advantage in making them the pick. ACA is ripe for a win in a game like this…. Take the Eagles.
PREDICTION: ACA, 24-21
KEY GAMES
Pike Road at Stanhope Elmore (6A R2) - The Mustangs had a chance to change their season last week but couldn’t pull it off against Russell County. They get the “other “ first-place team this week. Same song, second verse. Pike Road, 33-13.
Prattville at Hewitt-Trussville (7A R3) – Reality set in for the Lions in this new region in the loss to Vestavia HIlls. It doesn’t get any easier this week. H-T, 30-19.
Tallassee at Handley (4A R3) – Traditionally, this is where Handley shines. But Tallassee has other ideas. In an upset, Tallassee, 24-21.
Headland at Catholic (5A R2) – The steamroller put up 128 points in the last two games. This one may not be quite as high scoring but close. Catholic, 55-16.
Autauga Aca at Verbena (1A R4) - Generals need a win to stay in the hunt for a region title. Verbena is looking to keep its record perfect. Red Devils get the nod at home. Verbena, 28-20.
THE REST
Rehobeth over Park Crossing, 22-21; Dothan over JAG, 35-14; Valley over Elmore County, 26-18; Central-Clay Co over Holtville, 34-15; Marbury over Sylacauga, 25-21; Montgomery Academy over Slocomb, 30-13; St. James over Cleburne Co, 40-24; Houston Aca over PCA, 45-18; Autaugaville over Keith, 29-6; Maplesville over Billingsley, 31-14; Banks Aca over Edgewood Aca, 28-20; Lowndes Aca over Abbeville Christian, 35-13; Valiant Crossing over Bessemer Aca, 35-31; Macon East over Coosa Valley, 44-13.
OPEN: Hooper Academy; Evangel Christian
RECORD: Last week 17-5; Season 93-35 (.727)