PREP CAPSULES (Week 10) With the Friday slate, we say goodbye to the 2024 regular season
STAFF REPORT
The curtain falls on another regular season of high school football on Friday. It has been one of excitement, surprise and, for several teams a disappointment in missing the playoffs.
The list of teams that followed the script includes Catholic, which is in position to earn another state title, this time in 5A. The Knights finish another year without a loss in region play.
Pike Road also won the region although it went down to the final week against an unheralded team in Russell County. The Patriots have a warmup game against Charles Henderson before beginning the journey to what the hope is a second state title.
Lowndes Academy looks to be on track for another state title after dominating almost everybody the Rebels played.
A few surprises include Tallassee’s run to a region championship after a 1-9 season in 2023. The Tigers got better under LA O’Neal and may make a run in Class 4A. And don’t be surprised if St. James stays hot on their tail.
Ditto for 3A teams Montgomery Academy and Trinity, both of which were impressive this season.
Autauga Academy jumped into AHSAA with both feet and finished second in the region. This after losing their head coach in mid-season.
Some wondered how Macon East would adjust to 8-Man football. The Knights did just fine, earning a playoff bid and a third seed.
Playoff time opens next week but a few games are left in what is Week 10, even if we are playing the 11th week of the season.
Week 10 (FINAL REGULAR SEASON)
Games begin at 7 p.m. unless stated otherwise.
CH. HENDERSON (5A) at PIKE ROAD (6A)
Thursday at Patriot Stadium
2024 Records: Ch. Henderson (5-3, 5-1, 2nd in R2), Pike Road (6-3, 6-0, 1st in R2)
Last week: Ch. Henderson def. Eufaula, 17-10; Pike Road did not play
Series: Pike Road leads, 2-0
Last meeting: 2021 - Pike Road, 60-6
Next week: Elmore County at Ch. Henderson; Bessemer at Pike Road
Key Numbers: Pike Road has not gone winless against non-region opponents in the regular season since the renewal of the program in 2018. Their non-region record before 2024 was 15-5.
The skinny: Pike Road saved its best for last with the dominant win over Russell County. Funny, 10 years from now and knowing the Warriors’ history, it might not look like much but we know better, considering the previous game was for the region title. A great time to put it all together, the Patriots have enough talent to make a run in the playoffs, if the brackets fall right. It did last year and for some reason it seems like it might again. Friday’s warm up against the “Chucks” is a good measuring stick. The Trojans are a solid opponent and might make a little noise in the 5A race. But if the Patriots can repeat the Russell County performance, the “young men from Troy” don’t have much chance.
PREDICTION: Pike Road, 29- 23
ALABAMA CHRISTIAN (3A) at MAPLESVILLE (1A)
Friday at Red Devil Stadium
2024 Records: ACA (5-4, 4-3, 4th in R2); Maplesville (8-1, 7-0, 1st in R4)
Last week: Montgomery Aca def. ACA, 57-36; Maplesville def. Verbena, 36-12
Series: First meeting
Next week: ACA at Glenwood; Florala at Maplesville
Key Numbers: Maplesville will make its 21st consecutive playoff appearance next week. They have reached the playoffs every year but once (2004) since the AHSAA went to six classifications.
The skinny: Compare this matchup to a duck out of water. Maplesville and ACA may have never been meant to meet in any season on any planet. Yet, here they are in what might be a better battle than any other game on this week’s docket. There isn’t much to compare the two since they are in different classifications and had completely different outcomes in their region. Maplesville won its 25th region title while ACA will make its 22nd trip to the playoffs but its also the ninth straight, a school record. Nevermind the history, can ACA beat one of the best 1A teams in state history? Yes, if it can find enough defense to slow down the Red Devils’ offensive attack. The Eagles have not had any problems scoring and should put up a good number but not good enough. In a close one…
PREDICTION: Maplesville, 44-40
HOLTVILLE (5A) at TALLASSEE (4A)
Friday at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium
2024 Records: Holtville (4-5, 3-3, 4th in R4), Tallassee (6-2, 6-1, 1st in R3)
Last week: Holtville def. Marbury, 28-0; Tallassee def. Talladega, 48-7
Series: Tallassee leads, 31-4-1
Last year: Holtville, 54-18
Next week: Holtville at Catholic; Mobile Christian at Tallassee
Key Numbers: Despite the close proximity, the two schools have been in the same region just four times, 2016-17 and 2020-21. Most of the 72 games have been played with the two were in different classifications.
The skinny: Few series include a dominant team as this one but Tallassee’s win total over Holtville over the years is quite gaudy. Last year, the Bulldogs earned an impressive and most lopsided win in history. Expectations are for a victory of any kind this year. Unfortunately, Tallassee has completely turned the tables, winning its first region title since 2014. This is after a 1-9 season in 2023, that included that blowout loss to Holtville, which has been explained, not expected to happen for a while. The good news for Holtville is no matter what happens at Hot O’Brien on Friday, another game awaits. The bad news is that game is against Catholic. So, maybe the next game isn’t what the Bulldogs would want. Tallassee enjoys another victory on what is “Senior Night” and gets ready to see just how far this turnaround takes the Tigers in the post season.
PREDICTION: Tallassee, 32-16
KEY GAMES
JAG at Prattville (7A) -The suffering of the 2024 season ends for both. Prattville looks to finish on a high note in what has to be a disappointing season. JAG had to know it would be difficult with a new coach but Roy Upchurch and his team showed some promise. Both start working on 2025 after Friday. Prattville, 28-12.
P. Julian at Benjamin Russell (6A) –The Phoenix get a decent warm up before heading off to Hueytown for Round 1 of the 6A playoffs next week. The Wildcats will be a similar opponent and that means a regular-season-ending loss for Julian. Ben Russell, 28-15.
Stanhope Elmore at Calera (6A) – Former River Region coach Scott Rials (South Montgomery Co. Academy) could not get the Eagles into the playoffs in a difficult region but would love to beat one a team from his old stomping grounds. Season ends on a sour note for the Mustangs. Calera, 40-23.
Wetumpka (6A) at Demopolis (5A) – Don’t let the classifications fool you. Demopolis is solid and one of the teams to beat in 5A in the post season. But Wetumpka has caught fire and there is no reason to think the Indians can’t earn an important win before facing a road trip to McAdory next week Wetumpka, 21-20.
Beulah (3A) at Autauga Academy (1A) - The Generals are set for a first-round contest against Georgiana but Beulah is playing for its playoff lives with a current three-way tie for the third and fourth spots in their region. As the SEC says, it just means more for the Bobats this time. Beulah, 27-21.
THE REST
Elmore County over Chilton County, 28-23; Marbury over Elberta, 20-16; Autaugaville over Francis Marion, 29-21; Ft. Dale Aca over Edgewood, 40-29; Southern Aca over Hooper Aca, 45-14; Lowndes Aca over Morgan Aca, 35-17; Crenshaw Christian over Valiant Cross, 38-23.
OPEN: Carver (season completed); Montgomery Academy; St. James; Catholic; Trinity; Prattville Christian (season completed); Billingsley (season completed); Macon East; Evangel Christian
RECORD: Last week 16-4; Season 141-48 (.746)