PREP CAPSULES: Lee, Lanier face off for the 65th time

STAFF REPORT

Robert E. Lee and Sidney Lanier renew one of the state’s best rivalries as part of Week 3 among River Region football teams.

The two schools have played every year but one – the first season Lee fielded a football team in 1955.

The series has become one sided over the years with Lee having won 44 of the 64 meetings. The Generals have won three straight in the most recent meetings.

Every game but one has been played at Cramton Bowl with the outlier being 2016 when the game opened the season and was played at Alabama State.

The two kick off on Thursday.

The other intra-city matchup has Park Crossing facing G.W. Carver on Friday.

Pike Road can get a leg up on its regional foes with a win against Andalusia while Macon East and Edgewood renew their rivalry this week in Elmore.

Outside the River Region, congratulations to T.R. Miller, the first football program in the state to win 700 games. Fayette County is also one win away from the number but has a bye this week.

Week 3

All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise.

R.E. LEE vs. SIDNEY LANIER (6A-R2)

Thursday at Cramton Bowl

Records: Lee (2-0, 1-0), Lanier (2-1, 0-1)
Last week: Opelika def. Lanier, 24-7; Lee def. Eufaula, 17-10

Last year: Lee, 21-0

Series: Lee leads, 44-20-2

Key Numbers: Jakel Williams passed for 152 yards and a TD in the win over Eufaula. Lanier suffered offensively in the second half, gaining just 49 total yards in the loss to Opelika.

The skinny: The importance of Lee’s win at Eufaula looks big at the moment – it was a region win, on the road and with a dominant defense. It might be too early to claim the Generals the team to beat (Opelika still holds that title since they still own belt), but figuring out the passing game has made a huge difference in their attack. The rushing game looks like it’s in good hands with Brian Thomas. But it would be wise for Lee to not take the Poets lightly. Lanier didn’t look great against Opelika, but the Bulldogs had a lot to do with that. Lanier has to find another weapon besides Tacaris Bozeman, who was keyed on by the Bulldogs and kept bottled up most of last Thursday night. He’s good and can control a game when there is room to run. But Lee has been pretty stingy on the ground game. Last week, the Generals allowed just 64 yards rushing. On the surface, it looks like a blowout, but the rivalry will make the outcome closer.

PREDICTION: Lee, 26-11

PARK CROSSING vs. G.W. CARVER (6A-R2)

Friday at Cramton Bowl

Records: PC (1-2, 1-0), Carver (1-1, 1-0)
Last week: Park Crossing def. Russell County, 23-21; Carver def. Valley,

Last year: Carver, 20-14

Series: Park Crossing leads, 6-1

Key Numbers: Carver QB Jamar Green had 140 yards passing and 54 yards rushing in last week’s win. Chase Ford led the Thunderbirds with 79 yards rushing on 16 carries and 81 yards passing with a score in the win.
The skinny: Carver finally broke through in this series last year with its first win. It would propel the Wolverines to the playoffs while the Thunderbirds fell out of playoff contention pretty quickly. The good news is the two teams are coming off a win. The not-so-good news is the two teams they faced last week are from the lower end of the region.  Carver and Park Crossing have the same issues. They are feeling out the offense, breaking in quarterbacks and trying to shore up the defensive side of the ball. It’s difficult to judge based on opponents since both have played a couple of solid teams and not looked good doing it. Is there an advantage for Park Crossing with a coach that has extensive experience versus the opposing coach who will be a head coach in his third game? Maybe, but that’s not the reason to pick the T’Birds. 

PREDICTION: Carver, 18-15

ANDALUSIA at PIKE ROAD (5A-R2)

Friday at Patriots Stadium

Records: Andalusia (2-1, 1-0), Pike Road (2-0)
Last week: Andalusia def. Rehobeth, 45-6; Pike Road def. Carroll-Ozark, 42-7

Last year: Pike Road, 39-18
Series: Pike Road leads, 1-0

Key stat: QB Iverson Hooks passed for 180 yards and two TDs in the win over Rehobeth.

The skinny: This was set up last year as the old guard vs. the upstart. And the upstart won convincingly on the road. This year, “revenge” and “pride” are on the minds of the Bulldogs, who traditionally control their region. Interestingly, they haven’t won a title in a while. You have to go back to the 2017 season to find one (Pike Road didn’t exist as a high school at that point). At the moment, Pike Road is the class of the region. We will wait to see if they have learned anything going into the post season but that’s a long way down the road. In the meantime, look for Pike Road to win convincingly.

PREDICTION: Pike Road, 31-14

MACON EAST at EDGEWOOD ACADEMY(AA-R1)

Friday at Storrs Field, Elmore

Records: ME (1-2, 0-0), Edgewood (3-0, 1-0)

Last week: Southwest Ga def. Macon East, 21-20; Edgewood def. Banks Aca, 26-12
Last year: Macon East, 42-14
Series: Macon East leads, 8-5

Key Numbers: Edgewood’s Trevor Rodie had three receptions for touchdowns in the win over Banks; Gabe Spencer had 140 yards rushing for the Knights.

The skinny: At the beginning of the season, Edgewood was wondering if replacing the majority of the offense would be an issue. So far, so good, at least considering that the Wildcats have averaged more than 30 points per game to this point. Even better is the fact that they’ve been able to spread the wealth with multiple players contributing. Macon East has to wonder when its luck will change. Two consecutive one-point losses have the Knights scratching their collective heads. The Knights have had their struggles in this series, losing three of the last five. We will never forget the 70-69 2-OT game two years ago, won by the Wildcats. Lower expectations for this one, although it might be more of an offensive showcase than expected… but not that much.

PREDICTION: Macon East, 28-21

KEY GAMES

Smiths Station at Prattville (7A-R2) – The Lions had an incredible comeback in the grasp last  week against Auburn but couldn’t close the deal. No such comeback will be necessary this week. PRATTVILLE, 41-8

Wetumpka (6A) at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (6A) – The Indians need a win in a bad way. Their only one came in a last-second heave at the buzzer. Hillcrest is not a powerhouse but it is at home. Maybe the Indians find what it needs to pull off the win. WETUMPKA, 21-17

Pelham at Stanhope Elmore (6A-R3) – The Mustangs can get a leg up on one of the contenders for a playoff spot. There is no reason to think they fall in this one… the same thing was said last year when the Panthers won by 10. No repeat this time…. SE, 23-14. 

Tallassee at Sylacauga (5A-R4) – It’s early but a key game for the Tigers. After missing the playoffs three years in a row, this would be a big step towards erasing that streak. They get it done. TALLASSEE, 31-20.

Reeltown at Catholic (3A-R4) – The Knights continue to roll and there is no reason to think that will stop with a visit from the Rebels. CATHOLIC, 45-10.

Marbury at Jemison (5A-R3) – Jemison has scored a total of seven points in the first two games. The Panthers have given up a total of 72 points. Sounds like a gimme for the Bulldogs but don’t get too hasty. Marbury wins, but not by much. MARBURY, 20-14

THE REST

Central-Phenix City over Jeff Davis, 35-7; Alabama Christian over B.T. Washington, 28-11; Montgomery Academy over Southside-Selma, 28-13; Trinity over Beulah, 34-6; Clay Central over Elmore County, 45-14; Beauregard over Holtville, 24-20; Maplesville over Billingsley, 27-24; Verbena over Autaugaville, 20-13; Prattville Christian over Hale County, 16-15; Autauga Academy over Patrician, 40-20; Chambers Aca over Lowndes Aca, 34-24; Glenwood over Valiant Cross, 43-12

BYE: Hooper Academy

RECORD: Last week 15-5; Season 41-13 (.759)