PREP CAPSULES (Week 2): Full-time region schedule is here
STAFF REPORT
For most, the first two games of the season are sort of like warm ups. With apologies to the local 7A teams, which actually began region play last week, everybody is playing for a post season bid starting this weekend.
While the early returns are mixed, there are several teams that look as though they might be in the running for a region title. Start with the usual suspects. Catholic and St. James look prime to repeat, that despite the loss by the Trojans last week.
Others, such as Elmore County, have provided a sign of dominance through the first two games. Keep an eye on the Panthers.
And there are a few who need to pick up the pace for a spot in the playoffs.
Plenty of games open up opportunities for a good start, no matter what has happened in the first two weeks of the season. Wetumpka and Pike Road have yet to win a game but can turn around their fortunes with a win in the region opener for both.
Park Crossing is off to its best start in a while and can make a claim to be one of the teams to beat in Class 6A, Region 2 with a win over rival G.W. Carver.
Catholic hasn’t lost a region game six years and can open the 2023 region schedule with a win over B.T. Washington. St. James will look to do the same in a rival game at Prattville Christian Academy.
Hooper Academy and Macon East highlight the AISA schedule. The Colts look to earn an early region win while Macon East is still looking to dent the win column this season.
Week 2
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
PIKE ROAD AT WETUMPKA
CLASS 6A, REGION 2
Friday at Wetumpka Municipal Stadium
2023 Records: Pike Road (0-2), WHS (0-2)
Last week: Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa def. Pike Road, 30-3; Baker def. Wetumpka, 30-17
Last year: Pike Road, 35-33
Series: Pike Road leads, 1-0
Key Numbers: Pike Road’s Trey Caver had seven tackles and an interception in a losing effort last week… Wetumpka’s defense allowed four rushing touchdowns in the loss to Baker.
The skinny: It’s probably a shock to see this matchup that features two winless teams after the first two weeks of the season. But that’s what we have with Pike Road venturing to Wetumpka on Friday. Their roads to 0-2 are somewhat similar. The Indians have fallen behind big and quickly and not able to make up the ground. Pike Road has been behind nearly every minute of the season thus far, although the Patriots have had chances to make up ground but have not done it. Last year’s game was a nail-biter with both teams selling out in a two-point Patriots win. It’s hard to judge what to expect in this one with both struggling on both sides of the ball. Pike Road should have somewhat of an advantage running the football but expect the Indians’ defense to pull together in a must-win situation. A loss for either team might be detrimental to playoff chances, yes this early. Wetumpka gets a slight edge for the win.
PREDICTION: Wetumpka, 21-17
G.W. CARVER vs. PARK CROSSING
CLASS 6A, REGION 2
Friday at Cramton Bowl
2023 Records: Carver (1-1), PCHS (2-0)
Last week: Carver def. Daphne, 12-6; Park Crossing def. Greenville, 6-0 (OT)
Last year: Carver, 31-0
Series: Park Crossing leads, 7-2
Key Numbers: Park Crossing has not started 2-0 on the field (sans forfeit wins) since 2015. Carver has won the last three meetings, although the 2021 win was later forfeited.
The skinny: For a little while, this looked like a budding rivalry, aided by the fact that Park Crossing won the first six meetings. All that has changed over the years with Carver having the upper hand and the Thunderbirds’ program becoming a shambles. When Park Crossing opened the season with a win over Paul Bryant, it was the first “on the field” victory since beating Lanier on Oct. 1, 2020. That was also the only win over a city school in that same timeframe. PCHS had lost 18 of the last 19 games played on the field with the lone win being forfeited back to Russell County in 2021. It begs the question - is this the turnaround the program has been looking for? Friday might answer that question. Carver has been inconsistent for the last few years but seems to have a defense that can carry the program back to the playoffs this season. The Wolverines have played a tougher schedule in the first two games and should have enough to keep Park Crossing from winning its first region game in three years (on the field).
PREDICTION: Carver 18-12
B.T. WASHINGTON AT MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC
CLASS 4A, REGION 2
Friday at Knights Field
2023 Records: BTW (1-1, 0-0), Catholic (2-0, 0-0)
Last week: BTW def. Tallassee, 44-0; Catholic def. Alabama Christian, 49-12
Last year: Catholic, 56-14
Series: Catholic leads, 3-0
Key Numbers: BTW held Tallassee to a total of 79 yards in total offense last week… Quarterback Caleb McCreary had 179 yards and four touchdowns on just six carries to lead the Knights over ACA.
The skinny: How good is BTW? If you ask Trinity, they would probably call them a “sloppy” team after double-digit turnovers in the opener, a 33-22 win for the Wildcats. Tallassee might say something completely different - fast could be the adjective after mauling the Tigers for the majority of the game. Either way, the Golden Eagles will need a perfect night to upset Catholic, which is well on pace to do what it has been doing for the last five years. The Knights seemed to have answered any questions regarding who might be the heir apparent to running back Jeremiah Cobb. Take your pick of weapons - Josh Griffin being one. While the Eagles might provide a bit of a problem for Catholic, it will need to clean up a lot of mistakes and find some discipline to have a shot.
PREDICTION: Catholic, 45-16
KEY GAMES
Lanier vs. Jeff Davis/JAG (Thur.) - Lanier had an off week to get the kinks out after being shut out in the first game. JAG was dragged around by Opelika last week. Tough to say which team has an advantage other than the Jaguars have played an extra game. JAG, 24-20.
Smiths Station at Prattville (7A/R2) - This is where everything began to descend for the Lions last season. Their attempt to turn around the season and earn a playoff bid basically came down to this game last year. the good news is the Panthers have given up 50-plus points in their first two losses. Prattville gave up 45 in the opener but had a week to think it over. No way, last year repeats, is there? PRATTVILLE, 40-21.
Bullock County at Montgomery Academy (4A/R2) - History says MA should win this one going away but there isn’t anything in the first two games that might back up that theory. The Eagles need to find some consistency and while Bullock County isn’t a pushover, it isn’t St. James or Trinity, either. MA, 30-16.
Elmore County at Sylacauga (5A/R4) - Unpublished reports say the Panthers held Autaugaville to minus-79 yards rushing last week. AHSAA stated in its weekly report that they held the Eagles to minus-119 yards and one first down. Either way, it was a dominant performance, one that might be repeated this week. ECHS, 45-12.
St. James at Prattville Christian (3A/R3) - The Panthers built some hope with a season-opening win over Billingsley. That was deflated last week against Thorsby. STJ is also coming off a loss but to a much tougher opponent. Trojans should win this one going away. STJ, 38-13.
Macon East at Hooper Academy (AA/R1) - Hooper hasn’t beaten Macon East since 2016, losing four straight in the series. The Knights have struggled in its first three games, all losses. Colts should take advantage, although it will go down to the wire at Davis Henry Field. HOOPER, 21-20.
THE REST
Opelika over Lee/P. Julian, 44-22; Stanhope Elmore over Russell Co., 27-16; Central-Clay County over Tallassee, 45-12; Alabama Christian over Lynn, 28-27; Trinity over Southside-Selma, 21-14; Holtville over Shelby Co., 26-22; Jemison over Marbury, 28-24; Notasulga over Autaugaville, 35-25; Billingsley over Calhoun, 29-6; Autauga Aca over Ft. Dale, 20-13; Edgewood over Abbeville Christian, 27-21; Lowndes Academy over Southern, 35-17; Monroe Aca over Valiant Cross, 30-20;
OPEN: Evangel Christian
RECORD: Last Week 15-6; Season 29-15 (.660)