PREP CAPSULES: Week 7 matchups have familiar feel

STAFF REPORT

This could be considered “déjà vu” week in the River Region.

Several games will have playoff or seeding implications and many were in a similar spot a year ago.

Teams such as Prattville, R.E. Lee and Holtville needed a big win last season in this game to improve playoff chances, or in a few cases, a possible region title.

Those scenarios hold true again for each of those teams heading into Friday’s action.

Lee can put itself in prime position with a win over Opelika but this time it will have to come on the road.

The same is true for both Prattville and Holtville, who face difficult tasks against the Central-Phenix City and Central-Clay County, respectively.

Other games have playoff implications including Carver facing Eufaula at Cramton Bowl.

Escambia Academy travels to Autauga Academy are on a collision course to meet again for the AISA Class AA title but they first have to decide who wins the region championship. One will go ahead of the other in that category.

Week 7

All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise.

EUFAULA at G.W. CARVER (6A/R2)

Friday at Cramton Bowl

Records: Eufaula (3-4, 2-2), Carver (3-3, 2-2)
Last week: Lee def. Carver, 33-15; Eufaula def. Valley, 33-0

Last year: Eufaula;, 38-21

Series: Eufaula leads, 2-1

Key Numbers: Jamar Green played multiple positions for the Wolverines scoring one touchdown and setting up another with a 51-yard reception. He also took snaps at quarterback.
The skinny: Although its not listed as a playoff contest, this game practically is based on how the region is setting up. Both teams sit 2-2 with a game left against Sidney Lanier, which holds the No. 2 spot at the moment. The loser in this one will need some help the rest of the way in order to make the post season. It’s tough to gauge which team has an edge. Both have struggled on offense at times. But both have proven it can make a big play, as well. Carver would do better than to keep playing musical chairs with its quarterback but the situation will probably call for Green to move around the field again since he keeps making big plays. Take Carver based on a little home field advantage and a defense that can be stifling at times.

PREDICTION: CARVER, 20-16

PRATTVILLE at CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY (7A/R2)

Friday at Garrett-Harrison Stadium

Records: Prattville (5-2, 3-1), Central-PC (7-0, 4-0)
Last week: Prattville def. Enterprise, 17-16; Central-PC def. Auburn, 21-7

Last year: Central, 33-14

Series: Central leads, 8-6

Key Numbers: Collin Rogers had a 50-yard field goal in the Lions’ win last week.

The skinny: Last week’s win over Enterprise didn’t live up to the offensive hype that was expected. Still, a win is a win and the Lions proved they can withstand a late charge. The problem is they might be doing the chasing this week. The Red Devils seem to have found their mojo again and look to be the class of the south part of the state in 7A. Prattville will need a perfect game on both sides of the ball to have a chance. That’s not likely to happen.

PREDICTION: CENTRAL-PC, 31-20

HOLTVILLE at CENTRAL-CLAY COUNTY (5A/R4)

Friday at Volunteer Stadium

Records: Holtville (5-1, 3-0), Central (6-1, 4-0)
Last week: Central Clay def. Talladega, 62-7; Holtville did not play

Last year: Central, 38-20
Series: Central leads, 3-0

Key stat: After being shut out in the first two meetings, Holtville managed to score a couple of TDs last year in the loss to the Volunteers.

The skinny: Holtville has had a few chances to put itself among the elite, not many and only a handful in its rather uneventful history. This one sets up to be “that” moment. The Bulldogs have enjoyed a similar start as last season. The Dogs had just one loss heading into the battle with the Vols, like this year. The difference is this is supposed to be a rebuilding year and it hasn’t looked that way. Holtville isn’t necessarily blowing people out but they are winning the games they are expected to. In this case, a win isn’t expected and in this case, not predicted.

PREDICTION: CENTRAL-CLAY CO, 35-21

ESCAMBIA ACADEMY at AUTAUGA ACADEMY (AA/R2)

Friday at Generals Field

Records: Escambia Aca (6-0, 2-0), Autauga Aca (6-0, 1-0)
Last week: Escambia Aca def. Chipley, Fla., 22-7; Autauga Aca def. Munroe, Fla., 21-12

Last year: Escambia Ac, 33-0
Series: Autauga Aca leads, 10-5

Key stat: The Generals suffered its worst loss in the series last season and the first Bobby Carr coached team to be shut out since Sept. 26, 2006 (Bessemer Academy).

The skinny: Wanna have some fun? This is the game for it. The two best teams in AISA Class AA face off in region play. The two are averaging a combined 70-plus points offensively. The average margin of victory is around 23 points per game. Both have scored in the 40s multiple times. Throw last year’s game out since Autauga was rebuilding. But four of the previous six meetings have been in the state championship game, where Escambia has just one win. The head coaches, Carr and Hugh Fountain, are two of the best in the state, regardless of association. The teams have all-state players (and college recruits) all over the roster. The fact is, this will probably be the first of two meetings with the second coming in the state championship game in a few weeks. But why wait. Get an early start and enjoy this one for all its worth. And by the way, Escambia gets the slightest of nods… this time.

PREDICTION: ESCAMBIA ACADEMY, 42-38

KEY GAMES

R.E. Lee at Opelika (6A/R2) – This seems like an annual tradition for the Generals. They are in position to possibly win a region title with a difficult but doable victory. They had this situation against the Bulldogs last year on a Saturday and were punished in the rain, a 19-0 loss. Can they overcome the obstacles and pull off the upset? Until they prove they can, the answer is no. OPELIKA, 26-23

Russell Co at Sidney Lanier (Thur. - 6A/R2) – Lanier is in good shape to earn a second seed in the region but this might be a more dangerous game than the Poets realize. Russell County has a decent offense but not enough defense to slow down the rushing attack of Tacaris Bozeman and Co.  LANIER, 27-20

Park Crossing at Valley (6A/R2) – A chance for the Thunderbirds to earn their first win… they get it.  PC, 20-14.

Geneva at Alabama Christian (4A/R2) – The Panthers have just one on-the-field loss this season. But ACA has gotten better each week since the loss to St. James.   ACA, 31-17.

Central-Hayneville at PCA (3A/R4) – Will this be the first victory for Norman Dean and the Panthers in 2021? Let’s go with it. PCA, 16-8.

Autaugaville at Billingsley (1A/R4) – The 57  th meeting between these two schools although they didn’t play last year due to COVID-19. It’s also been a dominant series for the Bears, who have won six straight. But the Eagles get the nod this time. AUTAUGAVILLE, 21-20

THE REST

Dothan over Jeff Davis, 30-21; Wetumpka over Chilton Co., 20-14; Tallassee over Talladega, 37-13; Montgomery Catholic over Reeltown, 45-13; St. James over Dale Co., 42-20; Shelby Co. over Marbury, 30-20; Montgomery Academy over Greensboro, 27-10; Trinity over Dadeville, 36-13; Glendale over Hooper Aca (Thur), 34-7; Macon East over Banks Aca, 28-20; Valiant Cross over Lee-Scott, 24-15; Lowndes Aca over Lakeside, 43-13; Chambers Aca over Edgewood Aca, 40-27.

BYE: Stanhope Elmore; Elmore County

RECORD: Last week 19-3; Season 79-18 (.814)