PREP CAPSULES (Week 9): Local teams enter week with region title clinched
STAFF REPORT
First, congratulations to our local region champs already decided – Montgomery Catholic (3A/R4); Montgomery Academy (3A/R3); St. James (4A/R2); Autauga Academy (AA/R2); Lowndes Academy (A/R1). No win needed this week for these teams but no doubt they will still be on a high heading towards the last two weeks of the season.
Other teams are in need of victories this week while a few more can improve their seeding in what is Week 9.
The big one in Wetumpka features the Indians and arch-rival Stanhope Elmore. Under the current playoff system, these two have never played in a winner plays, loser stays home scenario. It will be the No. 4 seed the winner.
Greenville was a surprise winner over Andalusia last week, making the game between the Tigers and Pike Road the Class 5A, Region 2 title game.
Other teams can improve seedings with wins – Alabama Christian, Tallassee, Holtville just to name a few.
Week 9
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise.
SIDNEY LANIER at EUFAULA (6A/R2)
Friday at Tigers Stadium
Records: Lanier (8-1, 5-1), Eufaula (4-5, 3-3)
Last week: Lanier def. Carver, 12-6; Eufaula def. Russell Co., 41-7
Last year: Eufaula, 42-6
Series: Eufaula leads, 4-1
Key Numbers: A win gives Lanier its second 10-win season in five years (2017) and only the 10th in school history with the previous prior to ‘17 coming in 1978.
The skinny: There is no doubt the Lanier Poets are the surprise of 2021 in the River Region. Marvin Cunningham went through pre-season not really knowing what he had to work with. There were some doubts he might be on the sidelines due to off-the-field issues. But he has come back strong as has the Poets, who have the odds-on MVP in the city in Tacaris Bozeman. The Poets are guaranteed a No. 2 seed so this game might be a good warm up to the post season. They do not have a game next week and will have an opportunity to scout their next opponent which will come from Region 4 (West B’ham/Tuscaloosa area). The Tigers have struggled offensively all season and should find those struggles are real again this week, even playing at home.
PREDICTION: LANIER, 21-13
STANHOPE ELMORE at WETUMPKA (6A/R3)
Friday at Wetumpka Municipal Stadium
Records: SE (4-4, 2-3), Wetumpka (4-5, 2-3)
Last week: Helena def. Stanhope, 22-15; Calera def. Wetumpka, 34-29
Last year: SE, 23-13
Series: SE leads, 32-20
Key Numbers: Winner gets the fourth seed out of Region 3.
The skinny: Stanhope has put together a four-game winning streak in this series after dropping four out of five. The season for both has followed similar lines – struggles on offense, close losses and a problem making stops late in the game, or in the case of the Indians last week, finishing a drive that would have won the game. These two have faced off with seeding on the line several times, but this is the first time the loser goes home with a loss (under the current regional setup). They’ve played for a region title back in 2010 with Wetumpka winning. Other games decided a second or third seed. This is about who wants to extend the season into November. It’s a hard pick but the Mustangs get the nod.
PREDICTION: STANHOPE EMORE, 21-17
GREENVILLE at PIKE ROAD (5A/R2)
Friday at Boykin-Chapman Field
Records: Pike Road (7-0, 5-0), Greenville (7-1, 5-0)
Last week: Greenville def. Andalusia, 28-20; Pike Road did not play
Last year: Pike Road, 35-7
Series: Tied, 1-1
Key stat: Pike Road’s lowest point total of the year came against Andalusia on Sept. 10 in a 28-14 win.
The skinny: Not since McGill-Toolen scored 51 points in the first game of the season has Pike Road really been challenged, and that’s a reach. The real challenge in this game - the region title was supposed to be all wrapped up had Andalusia done it’s job against the Tigers last week. Instead, the winner of this one gets the top seed and region championship. But why expect anything other than a Pike Road win? No one on the schedule has come close and while Greenville has improved, it doesn’t have the horses to stay with the Patriots. It might be the closest anyone comes to beating them but that might last for a quarter.
PREDICTION: PIKE ROAD, 45-16
KEY GAMES
Opelika at Park Crossing (Thur.- 6A/R2) – The Thunderbirds are playing out the string of what has been a less than stellar season. It won’t get any better this week. OPELIKA, 35-7
Prattville at Jeff Davis (7A/R2) – The Vols have actually played better of late, winning three weeks ago and playing close in a loss at Dothan. But don’t raise the expectations too much. PRATTVILLE, 31-15
Central-Clay Co at Tallassee (5A/R4) – The Volunteers are the class of the region but don’t be surprised if the Tigers put a little scare in them. We are close to Halloween, right? CENTRAL-CLAY, 24-20.
Talladega at Elmore County (5A/R4) – One of these two finally gets a win. It’s hard to pick between two teams that have struggled in similar fashion but go with the home team. ELMORE CO, 28-20.
Holtville at Sylacauga (5A/R4) – The Bulldogs can make the playoff picture in the region a mess with a win. Sylacauga has been better than advertised. And they are home. SYLACAUGA, 27-20.
St. James at Geneva (4A/R2) – The Trojans can help out fellow CCC team ACA with a victory, which may guarantee a 2 seed for the Eagles (if Dale County knocks off Straughn). The Trojans have the region title wrapped up. No reason to expect a letdown. STJ, 45-14
Valiant Cross at Hooper Aca (AAA/R1) – The Knights pulled off the upset last year and almost made the playoffs in their first season of varsity football. They do the same this year but with a berth in the postseason. VALIANT CROSS, 25-21
THE REST
R.E. Lee over Valley, 35-13; G.W. Carver over Russell Co., 29-21; Alabama Christian over Bullock Co., 38-15; Montgomery Academy over Monroe Co., 43-11; Catholic over Goshen, 50-13; Trinity over Childersburg, 35-7; Greensboro over PCA, 25-13; Maplesville over Autaugaville, 45-14; Autauga Aca over Wilcox Aca, 39-12; Edgewood Aca over Crenshaw Christian, 35-31; Lowndes Aca over Cornerstone, 45-16; Macon East over Springwood, 40-7;
OPEN: Marbury; Billingsley
RECORD: Last week 19-2; Season 117-25 (.824)