PREP CAPSULES (Week 7): Season getting down to cases
STAFF REPORT
It’s getting down to cases in the race for region championships and positioning for the playoffs.
There are four weeks left in the regular season, including this one. There are a few teams that have all but sewn up a post season bid. The seeding is still up in the air but most of this week’s games are key to all or at least part of the process.
Start in Wetumpka where the Indians play host to G.W. Carver. The winner all but sets up at least a second seed.
For the most part, St. James and Trinity are playing for the region title. The two teams are tied for the top spot and with everyone else in the region already having two losses, it sets up for the winner to take the top prize.
Other games will have a bearing on seeding, or in some cases, who gets in.
It will make for an interesting final four weeks of the season.
Week 7
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
G.W. CARVER at WETUMPKA (6A-R2)
Friday at Wetumpka Municipal Stadium
2022 Records: Wetumpka (6-1, 3-1); Carver (5-1, 3-0)
Last week: Wetumpka def. Stanhope Elmore, 21-16; Baton Rouge Catholic (Louis.) def. Carver, 42-36
Last meeting: Wetumpka, 27-7
Series: Wetumpka, 6-3
Key Numbers: Dorian Jackson had seven tackles including two for loss plus an interception in the Indians’ win last week.
The skinny: This game will not decide the winner of the region. But it might go a long way in saying who finishes in the top two. Carver is currently undefeated in region play with the other top team, Pike Road, still on the schedule. Wetumpka is one game off the lead with the loss coming against the Patriots. A loss in this one will all but eliminate Wetumpka from winning the region. That sets the stage but who is the favorite? Based on offensive production, the Wolverines have the edge. The passing attack is one of the better ones in the River Region. Defensively, Wetumpka has been more consistent but when Carver wants to be, it can be stingy. But that hasn’t shown itself in quite a while. The key comes down to which defense can slow the signal caller. The Indians don’t score as much and will need to find more offense to win this one. Even though the Indians are at home, Carver gets a slight nod.
PREDICTION: Carver, 31-30
STANHOPE ELMORE AT SIDNEY LANIER (6A-R2)
Thursday at Cramton Bowl
2022 Records: SE (1-5, 1-2), Lanier (4-2, 2-1)
Last week: Wetumpka def. Stanhope Elmore, 21-16 (OT); Lanier def. Russell Co, 33-14
Last meeting: 2017: Lanier, 35-7
Series: SE leads, 6-2
Key stats: Four of Stanhope’s five losses have been decided by one score… Lanier is scoring an average of 33 points in its last three games, all victories.
The skinny: This matchup will not directly decide a playoff spot. But, as with Carver-Wetumpka, it will have a great significance on both teams. Yes, the Mustangs, at 1-5, are very much in the playoff race and can make a bid with a win. Lanier, which has key games remaining with Carver and Wetumpka, has done what it is supposed to do, winning against the teams in the lower half of the region. Stanhope Elmore was set up to be in good shape had it won against its arch rival last week but was unable to pull off what some would have called an upset. Truthfully, the Mustangs are good enough to be 5-1 at this point instead of the reverse that they they are. On Thursday, they will be tested against a grind-it-out offense that has little pizzaz but gives you a headache. If anything, Lanier has been consistent. The offense won’t wow you but it’s the style of play that old-timers enjoy. Limit turnovers and they are the winners in this one. That’s the pick.
PREDICTION: Lanier, 24-21
ST. JAMES AT TRINITY (3A-R3)
Friday at Ragsdale-Boykin Field
2022 Records: STJ (5-2, 4-0), TPS (6-1, 3-0)
Last week: St. James def. Alabama Christian, 35-20; Trinity received a forfeit win from Sumter Central
Last year: STJ, 42-35
Series: TPS, 34-12
Key Stats: St. James has won five of the last six meetings in the series. Before that Trinity won 11 straight.
The skinny: This is the first time these two have met in region play since 2017. But its’ the first time the region title has been on the line since 2004. Only one other game has meant more and that was the Class 4A third-round playoff game in 2003, won by the Wildcats. Unfortunately, injuries may have a big impact on this one. Trinity has been banged up all season, losing their top running back after the first game and it has continued from there. St. James has dealt with its own injury problems but looks as though it is healthy entering Friday. Take into consideration who are the key players and the obvious standout is STJ quarterback KJ Jackson, who one has to expect the Wildcats will have a plan to slow his success. But Trinity has been somewhat limited offensively against the better opponents on its schedule. They’ve been able to pull off victories and nearly did so against Montgomery Academy, a double-overtime loss back in August. All of that included in the idea of which team to pick but add the old “throw the record books out” and it’s a tough call. As good as Trinity’s defense has been, Jackson is the difference in a very close Trojans’ win.
PREDICTION: St. James, 27-23
EDGEWOOD ACADEMY at MACON EAST (AA-R1)
Thursday at Knights Field, Cecil.
2022 Records: Edgewood (2-4, 1-1), ME (5-1. 1-0)
Last week: Banks Aca def. Edgewood, 47-19; ME def. Crenshaw Christian., 48-29
Last year: ME, 35-19
Series: ME, 9-5
Key Numbers: Deonte Powell threw for three touchdowns and Gabe Spencer ran for two more in the Knights’ win last week… Austin Champion completed 11 of 33 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to Banks.
The skinny: It’s not an old rivalry but it’s had enough moments to garner attention. Who will ever forget 2019 when the two teams combined for 139 points in a 70-69 overtime win for the Wildcats? Unfortunately for Edgewood, that’s the last win in the series. And the last two have not been nearly as close. Macon East has to be considered one of the teams to beat in Class AA and the Knights have their two biggest games back-to-back with this week and next against Chambers Academy. Edgewood should make the playoffs despite an up-and-down season to this point. Macon East is the better team in this one and should enjoy a home victory.
PREDICTION: Macon East, 32-20
KEY GAMES
Davidson (7A-R1) at Park Crossing (6A-R2) - Best chance for the Thunderbirds to pick up a victory. They succeed. Park Crossing, 21-6.
Jeff Davis at Prattville (7A-R2) – Apparently, the Lions have found the answers on offense and have put them on display the last few weeks. No reason to think that stops now. Prattville, 37-14.
Valley at Tallassee (5A-R4) - The win gives Tallassee a good chance for the post season. Ditto for the opponent. Tigers enjoy Homecoming with a victory. Tallassee, 26-21.
Prattville Christian at Alabama Christian (3A-R3) -An Eagles’ win all but sews up a playoff spot. PCA needs a turn around. But they don’t get it. ACA, 42-28.
B.T. Washington at Montgomery Academy (4A-R2) -Trying to get off last week’s loss to Catholic, this one might be a bit tricky for the Eagles. They get it done but barely… MA, 35-29.
Holtville at Marbury (5A-R3) - Winner gets a clear shot to the playoffs. Holtville has been more consistent and should win this one. Holtville, 28-22.
THE REST
Central-Phenix City over R.E. Lee, 45-13; Beauregard over Elmore County, 28-27; Catholic over Bullock County, 52-0; Loachapoka over Autaugaville, 28-23; Maplesville over Billingsley, 49-12; Morgan Aca over Autauga Aca, 25-20; Hooper Aca over Sparta Aca, 19-13; Patrician over Lowndes Aca., 35-34; Ft. Dale over Valiant Cross, 30-22.
OPEN: None
RECORD: Last week 17-3; Season 102-34 (.750)