PREP CAPSULES (Week 6): Halfway point provides intriguing matchups
STAFF REPORT
No, it’s not time to panic. But if you are in a situation where wins are needed to make the playoffs, you better start this week.
We enter the back-half of the 2023 season with a lot at stake. The season may not necessarily come down to the outcome of this week’s contests but it’s better to win and leave any doubt, at least for another week.
The docket has several games that will play a role in the standings. Start in Wetumpka where both the Indians and Stanhope Elmore renew their storied rivalry. Neither team is in position to lose any more Class 6A, Region 2 games, making an already intense game more so.
Alabama Christian and St. James battle with the Eagles needing a win to have a shot at one of the top two seeds. The Trojans need a win to stay undefeated in the region.
From this point forward, Prattville is in “must win” mode every week and has a tough test against Enterprise.
Even though only one win has been recorded between them, Macon East and Edgewood could be playing for a playoff spot. Sounds odd considering their records, 0-6 and 1-5.
WEEK 6
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise.
STANHOPE ELMORE at WETUMPKA
CLASS 6A REGION 2
Friday at Wetumpka Municipal Stadium
2023 Records: SE (2-3, 1-1), Wetumpka (3-3, 2-1)
Last week: Prattville def. Stanhope, 31-20; Wetumpka def. Greenville, 34-31
Last year: Wetumpka , 21-16
Series: Stanhope leads, 32-22
Key Numbers: Wetumpka’s Nate Rogers has already surpassed his rushing touchdowns mark for a season with 14… Stanhope Elmore has allowed 20 or more points in the last four games, winning just once.
The skinny: If you are looking for a rivalry that has seen its share of odd finishes or inconsistencies, you’ve found it. Keeping it in the last 10 games when neither team has been in a position to win a region title or, in a few cases, not made the playoffs with a win or a loss, that in itself is somewhat of a surprise considering where they’ve been, competitively, over the years. That said, in the last 10 meetings, the home team in the series is 5-5. The team entering the game with the best record is 8-1 with one game featuring the same record between both. The average margin of victory has been 9.5 points with the biggest margin of victory being 27 points by the Indians in 2017. Stanhope’s largest margin was 10 years ago at 17 points. The series has enjoyed a few high scoring affairs. The two teams combined for 91 points in 2016 and 94 points in 2013. The lowest point total came two years ago in an 8-7 battle, won by Wetumpka. But the fact is none of that matters on Friday. The two sides get together again and the past will fade with the kickoff. No one has a real advantage this year. Both have flaws but both have solid quarterbacks. Based on how the teams have looked lately, Wetumpka gets the edge having won three straight while the Mustangs haven’t dented the win column since Sept. 8. Indians are also at home but the stat above minimizes that. Still, Indians get a close win.
PREDICTION: Wetumpka 23-20
MACON EAST at EDGEWOOD ACADEMY
AISA Class AA, Region 1
Thursday at Charles P. Storrs Field, Elmore
2023 Records: ME (0-6, 0-1), Edgewood (1-5, 1-1)
Last week: Macon East, 49-0; Edgewood lost to Banks Academy, 28-6
Last year: Edgewood won, 35-34
Series: Macon East leads, 9-6
Key Numbers: Edgewood is looking to avoid its worst season since 2017 when it went 1-9; Macon East has never had a winless season in its first 27 years of playing football.
The skinny: In the Oscar-winning movie, Cinderella Man, the main character James Braddock (portrayed by Russell Crowe) is standing in line at the New Jersey state financial assistance office waiting for a welfare payment when the attendant behind the window says to him, “I never thought I’d ever see you in here, Jim.” The context of that moment was the need of assistance outweighed the pride. That’s the thinking when looking at these two programs wondering where it all went wrong. Macon East coach Glynn Lott, well before the season, begat that he would have some work to do considering he had precious few returning starters. Edgewood’s Chad Michael also lost a lot of talent from last year. But a combined 1-11 between the two teams is still shocking. Ironically, the winner of this game probably guarantees a spot in the playoffs (thank you Abbeville Christian). It’s doubtful that will be on the minds of anyone as it watches on Thursday. Minds might be on who can score since neither offense is averaging more than 10 points per game. So, let’s call it… first one to 10 gets the ‘W,’ which is a far cry from that 70-69 thriller just a few years ago.
PREDICTION: Edgewood, 13-6
ST. JAMES at ALABAMA CHRISTIAN
Class 3A Region 3
Friday at Faulkner’s John Mark Stallings Field
2023 Records: ACA (3-2, 1-1), STJ (4-2, 3-0)
Last week: ACA def. Montgomery Academy, 28-20; STJ lost to Ch. Henderson, 36-13
Last year: STJ won, 35-20
Series: STJ leads, 30-12
Key Numbers: ACA running back David Ortiz-Ramirez had 116 yards and two TDs on eight carries in the win over MA last week… STJ QB KJ Jackson had 116 yards passing and two touchdowns and 35 yards rushing in a losing effort last week.
The skinny: Has ACA found a new weapon at quarterback? Last week, the Eagles unveiled Christian Snipes under center in the win over Montgomery Academy. While he may not have piled up a lot of yardage, he gave MA’s defense something to consider when he took the snap and rambled for 5, 10, 12 yards at a pop. It’s not a new concept but one that ACA coaches seemed to be happy with, at least for one game. But will it work against St. James? The Trojans offer other issues for ACA, namely an offense that can score in bunches. Jackson has been his normal self, breaking a school record seemingly every week. He’s up to 21 touchdowns rushing or passing for the season. As a team, the Trojans are averaging better than 370 in total offense. It’s a tall order for the Eagles but don’t be surprised if they scare the Trojans right down to the final minute.
PREDICTION: St. James, 30-24
KEY GAMES
JAG vs. P. Julian (Lee) (7A/R2) (Thursday) - The Phoenix rose to the occasion last week against Carver, pulling off the upset. JAG had the week off to ponder its future. City football is tough to decipher. Based on immediate past results, Julian gets a slight nod. JULIAN, 22-18
Enterprise at Prattville (7A/R2) - It could be said this is a must win for the Lions. Then again, every game is a must win for a post season berth at this point. But the Wildcats are a little better. ENTERPRISE, 28-23.
Catholic at Montgomery Academy (4A/R2) - The Eagles are playing better football but not enough to pull the upset. CATHOLIC, 44-6.
Elmore County at Tallassee (5A/R3) - At least this year, these two programs have traded places. Last year, it was Tallassee pushing the teams in the region for a top spot. This time, it’s the Panthers. It’s not a happy Homecoming for the Tigers. ELMORE COUNTY, 35-14.
Prattville Christian at Southside-Selma (3A/R3) - A must win if the Panthers want to play in the post season. The problem - Southside has its best offense, having already scared St. James and Trinity in close games. They get a home win over PCA . SOUTHSIDE, 35-30.
THE REST
Sidney Lanier over Russell Co (Saturday), 41-30; Carver over Cedar Grove (Ga.), 31-30; Pike Road over Park Crossing, 35-12; Trinity over Sumter Central, 45-6; Holtville over Jemison, 31-24; Central-Hayneville over Billingsley, 18-12; Marbury over Selma, 18-16; Maplesville over Autaugaville, 37-13; Lowndes Academy over Patrician, 45-6; Hooper Aca over Sparta Aca, 38-0; Ft. Dale over Valiant Cross, 34-16; Autauga Aca over Morgan Aca, 30-24; Evangel Christian over Southern Christian , 23-16.
OPEN: None
RECORD: Last week 17-3; Season 95-18 (.805)