PREP CAPSULES (Week 1): Reviews are in after initial week of play
STAFF REPORT
The reviews are in for the first week of prep play and they are mixed.
It depends on the subject. Thumbs up for the likes of St. James, Trinity, Catholic and Stanhope Elmore.
Not so for the likes of G.W. Carver, Wetumpka and Pike Road. Some faced difficult tests on the road. Teams get a chance to turn around their fortunes in what is officially Week 1.
Another CCC battle ensues with Trinity taking on Montgomery Academy while another matchup in the conference features Alabama Christian at Catholic.
St. James has a difficult test against Handley in a battle of former state champions.
Lee/Julian is coming off their opening season win and opens region play against Dothan. Ditto for Jeff Davis, which will face Opelika on Thursday.
Carver is looking to avoid its first 0-2 start since 2017 with a road win over Daphne.
Park Crossing ended a long losing streak (sans forfeit wins) last week and looks to win its second straight on Saturday against Greenville.
Stanhope Elmore looks to start 2-0 for the first time since 2012 with a win over Eufaula. Wetumpka is looking for its first win of the season as it hosts Baker of Mobile.
Week 1
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (4A) at TRINITY (3A)
Friday at Ragsdale-Boykin Field
2023 Records: MA (0-1), TPS (1-0) Last week: St. James def. MA, 49-13; Trinity def. BT Washington, 33-22
Last year: MA, 21-14
Series: TPS leads, 26-21
Key Numbers: Last week, MA got two touchdowns on fumble returns - Will Hardin and David Whisenhunt - losing to St. James… Ross Sanders had three TDs in Trinity’s win over BTW. Trinity has lost four of the last five meetings with the Eagles.
The skinny: Brian Seymore got off to a good start in his maiden voyage last Friday. Some might call the Wildcats’ win over BTW an upset but based on history, it really wasn’t. But the win was a good sign that his team has the talent to compete with just about everybody on their schedule. First-year MA coach Ethan McBride didn’t get to enjoy the same outcome in his first game, losing to the talented Trojans of St. James. It at least seems as though this is set up for a Trinity win, although teams in the CCC have fooled us before. MA’s offense was limited in the loss last week while Trinity put up good numbers while holding the Golden Eagles offense in check. Tuskegee managed just 77 yards passing. Expect some improvement from the Eagles this week, but not enough to earn McBride his first win at the helm.
PREDICTION: Trinity, 30-17
ST. JAMES (3A) at HANDLEY (4A)
Friday at Wright Field
2023 Records: St .James (1-0), Handley (1-0)
Last week: St. James def. Montgomery Academy, 49-13; Handley def. Valley, 22-7
Last year: Handley, 48-35
Series: Handley, 3-2
Key Numbers: Handley has won at least nine games in each of the last three seasons including in 2020 when the Tigers won the 4A state title. STJ QB KJ Jackson was responsible for three touchdowns in the win last week.
The skinny: Last year, this game was considered a litmus test for the Trojans’ run to a championship. Former coach Jimmy Perry set up the non-region schedule to include challenging games that might prepare his team for a long playoff run. It’s safe to say it probably helped STJ in its quest for the first-ever title in school history. The same could be true again this season. Handley is expected to be a contender again for the 4A state title. Last year, the Tigers reached the third round and gave Catholic all it could handle before falling by a touchdown. STJ should benefit from this one, even in defeat. That’s what we are calling with this one being a little closer than last year.
PREDICTION: Handley, 38-34
EUFAULA (5A) at STANHOPE ELMORE (6A)
Foshee-Henderson Stadium, Millbrook
2023 Records: Eufaula (0-1), Stanhope Elmore (1-0)
Last week: Stanhope def. Shades Valley, 42-13; Enterprise def. Eufaula, 63-14
Last year: Eufaula, 22-14
Series: Tied, 8-8
Key Numbers: SE QB Jacob Bryant scored one TD and passed for another in a convincing win over Shades Valley.
The skinny: Another positive debut for a new coach as Hunter Adams picked up his first victory for the Mustangs. The win last week was a complete effort with both the offense and defense recording points. It was also a revenge win of sorts since they lost to Shades Valley last year. The get the same opportunity again this week against Eufaula, who won this matchup last year. The Tigers look like a shell of the previous teams, although a loss to Enterprise is nothing to be embarrassed about - yet they did give up 63 points. That should have the Mustangs licking their chops for this one.
PREDICTION: SE, 43-21
DOTHAN at P. JULIAN (R.E. Lee)
Class 7A, Region 2
Friday at Cramton Bowl
2023 Records: Lee/Julian (1-0), Dothan (1-0)
Last week: Lee def. Lanier, 21-0; Dothan def. Carroll, 59-14
Last meeting: First meeting (Dothan won lone meeting vs. Lee in 2022)
Key stat: Quarterback Bryson McGrew threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns and running back Javerion Rogers totaled 179 yards in total offense plus a TD in Lee/Julian’s win over Sidney Lanier last week.
The skinny: It’s too early to tell but last week’s win is certainly a positive for the Phoenix considering the season it is coming off a year ago. With everything up in the air regarding all the changes going on at the school plus a venue change that had them playing in Tuskegee on a Saturday, it’s a wonder that the players and coaches could concentrate. But give them credit for .the impressive win. Now, it gets interesting with region play opening on Friday. Dothan has shown signs of being a pretty good program in the last couple of years, earning a playoff bid last season. Jed Kennedy is in his second year at the helm and seems to have the Wolves moving in the right direction. Qua Everett is also taking steps to get a young team in position to reach the post season and a win on Friday would be a huge plus. McGrew seems to be settling in well at quarterback and he will need a big game for a win in the regional opener for both teams. But at this point, Dothan has a little bit more stability and earns a close win.
PREDICTION: Dothan, 20-18
KEY GAMES
Opelika at Jeff Davis/JAG (7A/R2) - Region opener for both teams. Opelika got a lesson from Thompson last week but should find the pickings a little easier against the Jaguars. Bulldogs will be loaded for bear, so to speak. Opelika, 38-13.
G.W. Carver (6A) at Daphne (6A) – Gadsden City gave Carver a spanking last week, one that wasn’t expected. Daphne pitched a shutout last week against Murphy. Did anyone see a winless start to the season for the Wolverines? Neither did we but that’s what they are staring in the face. Daphne, 23-18
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) at Pike Road (6A) – Another difficult test for the Patriots who was handled by a perennial power in Georgia last week. It gets easier this week but not much. A little pride shows through in a close win for the home team . Pike Road, 25–20.
Baker (7A) at Wetumpka (6A) – Some might call Baker’s win over Theodore a surprise but it’s too early to tell. The Indians need a nice comeback after the loss to Ben Russell. They get it. Wetumpka, 34-30.
Booker T. Washington (4A) at Tallassee (5A) – Both teams are smarting after their season openers. Tallassee needs to figure out a way to generate some offense while BTW has to find ways to stop people. Two weaknesses collide but the Golden Eagles get an edge. BTW, 22-16.
Alabama Christian (3A) at Catholic (4A) - ACA gets a late start, opening with the Knights. Catholic was solid again against McGill-Toolen. Too many question marks for the Eagles to pick an upset. Catholic, 40-20.
Wilcox Academy (A) at Macon East (AA) - Knights need something good to happen after a rough first two games. They get it… ME, 23-20.
THE REST
Park Crossing over Greenville (Saturday), 20-12; Elmore County over Autaugaville, 45-15; Alma Bryant over Holtville, 26-21; John Carroll over Marbury, 21-20; Prattville Christian over Thorsby, 29-21; Autauga Aca over Bessemer Aca, 23-10; Chambers Aca over Edgewood Aca., 27-21; Lowndes Aca over Coosa Valley Christian, 35-13; Abbeville Christian over Hooper Aca, 45-24; Morgan Aca over Valiant Cross (Thur), 28-20.
OPEN: Prattville; Sidney Lanier; Billingsley.
RECORD: Last week 14-9; Season 14-9 (.608)