PREP CAPSULES (1st Round): Playoffs arrive with questions to be answered
STAFF REPORT
It’s a special time of the year when high school football playoffs begin.
But reality is just one loss away meaning the end of it all for 2022.
From the River Region, 19 teams will compete in the post season. Several have a shot at playing for a while. Others will bag up the footballs and get ready for hoops season after Friday.
We’ve seen all sorts of streaks, good and bad, during the season but this is about who is playing its best at this point.
Teams such as G.W. Carver, Tallassee, St. James, and Alabama Christian have been hot of late.
Catholic has been great all season.
The sad part of the post season for this year - no team from the top classification - 7A - qualified. That’s a first for the River Region.
But expectations change this time of year. Who can handle the pressure? Who gets the breaks? Matchups matter, as well.
Games begin this week with several interesting matchups. Take a look below how we like them to end.
AHSAA and AISA 1st Round Playoffs
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
ST. PAUL’S at G.W. CARVER (6A)
Friday at Cramton Bowl
2022 Records: Carver (8-1, 1st seed R2), St. Paul’s (5-5, 4th seed R1)
Last week: Theodore def. St. Paul’s, 16-3; Carver did not play
Last meeting: :2005 - Carver, 20-0
Series: Carver, 2-0
Key stats: The Wolverines last won a playoff game in 2017 against McAdory but are 2-6 in the last eight years.
The skinny: St. Paul’s is not your typical fourth seed. The Saints’ losses came against the top teams in their region plus the top team in 5A in UMS-Wright. When they didn’t lose, they held opponents to 14 points or less in the five games. Carver has been consistent offensively for most of the season but their scoring has dropped the last two games. But that also happens to be the two best teams on their schedule (at least in-state). The Wolverines will need their best production of the season on both sides of the ball. They’ve had two weeks to heal and prepare, which may be enough to pull them through for a win. It’s a tough call since they haven’t won a playoff game since 2017 but they get the nod, if not a shaky one.
PREDICTION: Carver, 28-27
SPANISH FORT at PIKE ROAD (6A)
Friday at Patriots Stadium
2022 Records: SF (7-3, 3rd seed, R1), PRHS (6-4, 2nd seed, R1)
Last week: Pike Road def. BT Washington, 49-34; Spanish Fort did not play
Last meeting: 1st meeting
Key Numbers: Spanish Fort did not leave the Mobile area for a game this season. Pike Road broke its streak of losses to Mobile-area teams in the playoffs on its way to last year’s 5A state title, defeating St. Paul’s and Faith Academy.
The skinny: The Patriots’ first year in 6A has been a mixed bag, if not just for the loss of talent from last year’s team. It didn’t stop expectations from being high and to some degree, they met some of those. This is a unique matchup for a couple of reasons. First - these are two new coaches at their respective schools. Chris Smith is in his first year as the Toros’ head coach. They have plenty of expectations, too, having made the state title game two of the last three years and winning it all four times, but not since 2015. Ed Rigby took over the Pike Road program knowing the same expectations greeted him when he got here. Growing pains showed up at times, particularly in the head-scratching loss to Stanhope Elmore, when many players were out for an apparent bout with the flu. That wouldn’t have mattered in 5A, That said - second - both teams are coming off what some might consider “disappointing” seasons. Both expected to win the region. Both are capable of making a run in the playoffs. As the norm, the classification is full of teams good enough to win it all. It’s not known if either one of these can survive the run. We really don’t know much about the Mobile-area teams since the top three (Theodore, Saraland, Spanish Fort) played just one game combined outside the area in the regular season (Theodore beat Opelika). Traditionally, the group has been strong but River Region teams have enjoyed success against them in the past. This game will come down to mistakes, as in which team makes the least. With Pike Road at home, it gets the benefit of the doubt.
PREDICTION: Pike Road, 34-31
SAKS at TRINITY (3A)
Friday at Ragsdale-Boykin Field
2022 Records: Trinity (8-2, 2nd seed, R3), SAKS (7-3, 3rd seed, R4)
Last week: Saks def. Talladega, 62-24; Trinity did not play
Last meeting: First meeting
Key Stats: Trinity was undefeated with only losses against Capital City. Conference opponents (Montgomery Academy and St. James). The last two playoff losses have come against Montgomery Academy.
The skinny: This one has the feel of a fish out of water. Saks has been very solid over the years but in the northern part of the state. It has been in regions with teams such as Piedmont, Ohatchee and Glencoe. The “visiting” Wildcats won 3A, Region 5 a year ago, reaching the semis before bowing to Piedmont. Last season they scored an average of 39 points per game. That number is a bit smaller this season at 36 points per game but they will be a challenge for the Trinity defense. Expect this to be a high-scoring affair. But Trinity should be ready for it. Despite an inordinate amount of injuries this season, Granger Shook’s team has answered every challenge. It’s always better to be at home but it might be a bigger plus, in this case. Anniston is not a fun trip from Montgomery (or in this case, visa versa). Look for a close game with Trinity advancing to the second round but with the slimmest of margins
PREDICTION: Trinity, 30-28
TALLASSEE at SELMA (5A)
Friday at Ralph “Shug” Jordan Stadium
2022 Records: Tallassee (6-4, 3rd seed R4), Selma (7-3, 2nd seed R3)
Last week: Tallassee def. Holtville, 35-7; Selma did not play.
Last meeting: :1st meeting
Key stats: Tallassee ended the season on a four-game winning streak and it could have been five if not for an overtime loss to Chilton County… Selma has two wins in 12 playoff appearances dating back to its first berth in 1984.
The skinny: Tallassee finished as one of the hottest teams in 5A in the final month of the season. The Tigers averaged 33 points per game offensively, which was a marked improvement from the first half of the season. The defense also improved and that is a big reason why Tallassee is playing this week. Now, they play for next week. Can they handle that? They should since that was what the last four games were like, having to win each week to have a shot at the post season. Selma has shown consistency for most of the season. The Saints ended the season with a loss to Charles Henderson two weeks ago but has been fairly potent on offense, averaging 25 points per game. But how much of a home-field advantage does Selma have in the playoffs? Shug Jordan Stadium has been notorious for “home cooking” so much that it is brought up by any opposing team coach heading to Dallas County over the years. But the AHSAA assigns the officials for playoff games so any advantage the Saints might have should be eradicated. That’s not to take away from Selma’s talents. But Region 3 was not exactly a juggernaut. Other than Demopolis, this is a weak group. The Tigers are peaking and should be ready to make a run. It starts Friday.
PREDICTION: Tallassee , 26-20
KEY GAMES
Wetumpka at Saraland (6A) – A lawsuit almost ended this matchup before it happened. A family was looked into by a private investigator to see if said family had made a “bona fide” move as attested by the AHSAA. Turns out there was no hanky pinky and Saraland is in the playoffs. That’s not good news for the Indians. Saraland, 34-6.
Sidney Lanier at Theodore (6A) - It seems like Lanier cashed it in after the close loss to Carver. Theodore is better. Case closed… Theodore, 37-13.
Bayside Academy at Catholic (4A) -The quest begins for what many believe is the favorite to win the 4A title. No need to expect any type of an upset here. Catholic, 47-12.
Montgomery Academy at T.R. Miller (4A) - Eagles draw a difficult opener. They might make this close, but not close enough to advance. TRM, 27-20.
Alabama Christian at Randolph County (3A) - Keep an eye on the Eagles as a dark horse in the 3A bracket. A win here and it might stay around a while. ACA, 31-28.
Walter Wellborn at St. James (3A) - Another team from Anniston visits the Capital City (see Trinity above) and another that will leave with an ‘L.’ STJ, 27-20.
Autaugaville at Linden (1A) - Historically, the Eagles have been eliminated by the Patriots twice in the first round. Make it three after Friday. Linden, 34-14.
Macon East at Clarke Prep (AA) - A common opponent between the two is Lowndes Academy. Macon East won while the Gators lost. Is that enough to pick the Knights? Sure.… ME, 27-23.
Valiant Cross at Monroe Academy (AAA) - The Warriors almost pulled the upset back in September. They finish the job this time… VC, 23-20.
Snook Academy at Lowndes Academy (A) - Rebels can name their score. Call it a “whitewash.” LA, 57-0.
THE REST (including a few games outside the River Region)
(7A) Auburn over Fairhope, 35-12; Foley over Dothan, 24-21; Central-PC over M. Montgomery, 45-10; (5A) Demopolis over Elmore Co, 45-23; Central-Clay County over Holtville, 35-7; Charles Henderson over Williamson, 45-13; Beauregard over Marbury, 25-16; (4A) Andalusia over Jackson, 23-21; BT Washington over Gulf Shores, 32-30; (3A) Dadeville over Southside-Selma, 28-20; Opp over W.S. Neal, 28-11; (2A) Highland Home over Isabella, 30-21; Reeltown over Thorsby, 28-13; Vincent over Luverne, 30-14; (1A) Maplesville over R.C. Hatch, 50-13; Brantley over Choctaw County, 43-23; Elba over Southern Choctaw, 25-21; Loachapoka over Keith, 43-12; (AISA) Morgan Academy over Autauga Aca, 35-14; Banks Academy over Edgewood Academy, 35-17; Crenshaw Academy over Wilcox Academy, 29-21;
SEASON COMPLETED: R.E. Lee; Jeff Davis; Prattville; Stanhope Elmore; Park Crossing; Prattville Christian; Billingsley; Hooper Academy.
RECORD: Last week 16-2; Season 171-43 (.799)