HS FOOTBALL SCHEDULES: Pike Road faces new challenges after championship season

Pike Road cerebrated a state championship last season. The Patriots move up to 6A in 2022. (File photo)

BY TIM GAYLE

Winning a state championship often makes scheduling more difficult. Moving up a classification after winning a championship only adds to the difficulty.

“From a competition level, any time you move up in classification it’s going to be harder,” Pike Road coach Patrick Browning noted. “I think 6A and 7A here in Alabama is some of the best football in America. The 7A teams that we have in our state can literally beat anybody in America, especially the top tier ones.” 

The defending 5A state champions will be competing in 6A this fall, which helps by playing more teams in the River Region but adds to the difficulty of playing teams in a higher classification.

“We’re excited about who we’re playing,” Browning said. “The level of competition is definitely going to be harder. We’re anticipating everyone will bring their ‘A’ game. We kind of painted a target on our backs by having success last year.”

The Patriots’ 2022 schedule includes a season opener against perennial playoff contender Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, which went 11-3 last season under first-year coach Jamie Mitchell. 

“They always have really good teams,” Browning said. “They were a semifinalist team last year and had a really good year. They’re going to be a really tough opener. Initially, it was going to be a home game here but Hillcrest was struggling to find enough (home) games as well.”

The 2022 home opener will be the following week against Dade Christian, a private school that competes in 2A (Florida has eight classifications) and went 6-4 last year. 

“We were originally set to play a school in Georgia and for logistical reasons they had to back out,” Browning said. “I asked them if they had any suggestions on teams that might play us and they gave us a contact at Dade Christian, a private school in Miami that looks to play out-of-state competition. We’re excited about playing that game but we know it’s going to be a tough one.” 

Other non-region games include a road trip to Eufaula and a game against former Pike Road assistant Lawrence O’Neal, who will begin his second season at Booker T. Washington.

“Eufaula dropped to 5A but they’re historically one of the best programs in the state,” Browning said. “Coach (Ed) Rigby does a great job. They’re always strong and disciplined and the football program is well supported.

“Coach O’Neal, it’s no secret that we’re really good friends and he’s not one to back down from competition. Other than the Montgomery schools, they’re the closest in proximity. Our game had a really good crowd last year and they played us competitively in the first half in Coach O’Neal’s first year.”

The Patriots likely will be considered the favorite in their new region, but Browning points out that most of the teams in the region have made deep runs in the playoffs in recent years.

“It’s refreshing for the travel,” he said. “We’re looking forward to the competition and the venues we get to play in. You kick off region play with Wetumpka and just a few years ago they were in the 6A state championship game. Sidney Lanier was the best team in the region last year.

“At Park Crossing, Coach (L.C.) Cole is rebuilding that program and this is his third year so I fully anticipate them to be as strong as they’ve had in the past five years. At Russell County, Dillon Griggs came in last year and they were much improved. They’re going to be even better this year than they were last year. At Stanhope (Elmore), they provide their kids with a physical brand of football and they buy into it. They’re always good defensively and will be physical on offense. Carver has tons of good players and they’re looked at as a team that can win the region. That’s just Carver football. They’re good year in, year out. Top to bottom, the region is extremely athletic.”

PIKE ROAD 2022 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
(Dates/Times subject to change)

08/19               Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa           Away

08/26              Dade Christian (Fla.)          Home

09/2                *Wetumpka                            Home

09/9               *Sidney Lanier                        Away (&)

09/16               Eufaula                                    Away

09/23              Open

09/30            *Park Crossing                      Home

10/7                *Russell County                  Home

10/14              *Stanhope Elmore               Away

10/21               *G.W. Carver                          Away (&)

10/28              Booker T. Washington  Home

& Date is tentative - Game at Cramton Bowl