PREP CAPSULES (Week 0): Let the season begin! (Amen)
STAFF REPORT
We didn’t think we’d get here. Yet, the season for 2020 has arrived and fans are ready. So are the coaches and players.
To a man, everyone was touting the chance to play football this fall. While the length of the season may still be unknown, the fact that we are getting underway in the state is a great blessing when considering others are not so fortunate. Save the debate about the instability of the coronavirus, the AHSAA and AISA have taken precautions to keep the situation at hand.
There will be limits to how many attend these games. Players will have requirements on and off the field as will coaches.
But let’s give it a try, shall we?
The season opens with two good ones at Cramton Bowl and two more Thursday tilts that are solid. Catholic and Pike Road both finished the regular season undefeated in 2019. One of those will not get to do that this year. The two meet on Thursday in the AHSAA Kickoff Classic.
The Friday version of the Classic has two more local teams involved with Prattville and Wetumpka renewing their rivalry.
Also on Thursday, Alabama Christian and Trinity face off in what should be a close battle. The two finished strong a year ago and look to be region contenders this season.
Reeltown and Tallassee are just a few miles apart but haven’t played since 2003. They meet on Thursday in what hopes to be the first of many over the next several years.
ALL GAMES BEGIN AT 7 P.M. UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE
PIKE ROAD (5A) vs. MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC (3A)
Thursday at Cramton Bowl (AHSAA Kickoff Classic)
2019 Records: Pike Road (11-1), Catholic (12-1)
Last meeting: First meeting
Key Numbers: Catholic returns 13 players with at least one start on defense… Pike Road RB Quinshon Judkins amassed 1,500 yards and 30 TDs rushing last year.
The skinny: It’s been a while a game between two teams outside the city schools has drawn such attention statewide as this one. With both coming off region titles and double-digit victories, it’s understandable. Both are talented again and expected to contend for regional titles, although they will do it in different classifications. Ironically, Catholic drops to 3A while Pike Road makes a big jump to 5A. This one matches strength versus strength. Catholic should be loaded defensively with defensive lineman Marcus Dees leading the way. They will attempt to slow down Judkins, who has strength and speed. This might be the toughest game to call – yes even in the first weekend of the season. Patriots get a slight nod.
Prediction: Pike Road, 23-21
PRATTVILLE (7A) vs. WETUMPKA (6A)
Friday at Cramton Bowl (AHSAA Kickoff Classic)
2019 Records: Prattville (9-3), Wetumpka (6-6)
Last year: Prattville, 31-13
Series: Tied 27-27-3
Key Numbers: In a series that started back in the early 1920s, this has been a streaky one with Wetumpka having won three straight prior to Prattville’s win last year. Between 1998-2013, Prattville dominated, winning all but one meeting.
The skinny: Looking at last year’s records, one might think these two teams are going in opposite directions with Wetumpka falling to .500 while Prattville was making inroads to winning a region title. But look further and notice the Indians were probably better than the record indicated. They dealt with injuries for most of the season. The schedule was also difficult. Postseason wasn’t kind facing a team with revenge on its mind (Spanish Fort). The Lions are in a “Year 3” of rebuild under Caleb Ross. Part of his job was to bring the Prattville swag back. It looks like he’s doing that. They are still lacking a couple of athletes in key positions but expect them to push Central-Phenix City (and possibly Auburn) for the region title. Wetumpka will also be in the hunt for its respective region crown. In the meantime, this game will be close and should be inviting for a state-wide TV audience to tune in. It stays close until the end when Prattville pulls away.
Prediction: Prattville, 30-25
REELTOWN (3A) AT TALLASSEE (5A)
Thursday at J.E. Hot O’Brien Stadium, Tallassee
2019 Records: Reeltown (13-2), Tallassee (5-4)
Last meeting: 2003, Reeltown, 16-13
Series: Tied 8-8
Key Numbers: Reeltown reached the Class 2A state title game last season, losing the perennial power Fyffe in the final. Tallassee missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
The skinny: Size. It doesn’t mean everything in football but ask any coach and most will pick a big guy over small for a bevy of reasons. While it’s true that Bear Bryant used to like the smaller, quicker linemen, that wasn’t always a good omen when facing big, quicker linemen (see Nebraska in the 1971 Orange Bowl). In today’s game, it seems like a 300-pound tackle can outrun a tight end or some running backs. The Tigers are in that category this season. They will bring a large front with them to what is an old but bitter rivalry that took a hiatus due to a spat over a decade ago. (For more on that, go see the documentary “Bridging the Gap” now playing at the old Mt. Vernon Theatre.) Reeltown moves up a class but suffered several key losses from the team that won nine straight in the regular season and bowled over everybody until it reached the championship game. Their top back transferred to Pike Road, it remains to be seen how big a loss that is but the Rebels could have certainly used him in this one. This will be tighter than it should be but Tallassee wins the opener.
Prediction: Tallassee, 28-20
TRINITY (3A) AT ALABAMA CHRISTIAN (4A)
Thursday at Wade Black Norton Stadium
2019 Records: Trinity (6-5), ACA (6-5)
Last year: Trinity, 24-12
Series: Trinity, 26-7
Key Stat: This is the first time these two teams have opened the season against one another since 1989. The Wildcats have lost their last two season openers. ACA has lost two of its last three openers.
The skinny: It’s rare to say ACA has an advantage over Trinity. That might not be the case this year but based on returning players, the Eagles have a lot of talent returning along with a dynamic quarterback in Jalen Clark. The Eagles return nearly everybody across the line as well as their top running backs. But that hasn’t meant much in the past. Trinity doesn’t lose to ACA much and in Granger Shook’s first year at the helm, he doesn’t want to give up that advantage. The Wildcats are retooling and it might take a week or two to be where the new staff wants TPS to be but expect a shootout on Wares Ferry Road in a nice Thursday clash.
Prediction: ACA, 32-30
MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (3A) AT ST. JAMES (4A)
Friday at Carlisle Field
2019 Records: MA (7-5), STJ (10-2)
Last year: STJ, 26-7
Series: MA, 26-19
Key Stat: First-year coach Robert Johnson played at Montgomery Academy and was part of the state championship team in 1987. He was the head coach at St. James for 10 years ( 1997-2006) winning 72 games. Jimmy Perry begins his ninth season at St. James, winning 62 games in his previous eight years at the school.
The skinny: The coaches of these two teams are roughly 13 years apart in age but have a lot of experience between them. Johnson was young when he got his first head coaching job (at STJ) while Perry was an assistant at Lee before taking over the Generals’ program in 1995. They are the two most successful coaches in St. James history. While MA has the upper hand in the series dating back to 1973, the Trojans have enjoyed the advantage of late, looking for their fourth straight win in the series. Johnson inherits a veteran squad complete with a senior quarterback and a front that could compete against some of the bigger schools. Perry is rebuilding and will play a large number of freshmen and sophomores this season. But don’t let the old fox fool you. STJ will have a plan to find a way to pull the upset. Perry is one of the best in mental preparation. Johnson hasn’t had much time with his team, thanks to COVID-19. But the Eagles have too much up front and win a close one.
Prediction: MA, 25-19
OPELIKA (6A) AT STANHOPE ELMORE (6A)
Friday at Foshee Henderson Stadium
2019 Records: Opelika (10-2), SE (7-5)
Last year: Opelika, 38-14
Series: Opelika, 3-1
Key Stat: Opelika was originally scheduled to face Callaway, Ga. in the opener but the state of Georgia moved the start of the season back two weeks. Stanhope Elmore was set to open with Selma but the Saints program also delayed the start of the season due to coronavirus.
The skinny: This one is almost like that Christmas present you weren’t expecting to get but somehow your parents hid it from you until you opened all your gifts (yes, we all watched A Christmas Story). These two were regional rivals the last two years and enjoyed some pretty good battles, both won by the Bulldogs. Opelika may have a slight advantage in this one but Stanhope might be ready to move into the elite of 6A this season. A win on Friday would help. Brian Bradford has several starters returning and plenty of talent that should make the Mustangs the team to beat in Region 3. The Bulldogs reached the 6A semifinals a year ago and have many of the pieces of that team back, including a 1-2 punch at running back in seniors Eric Watts and J.D. Tolbert. It’s tempting to pick an upset, particularly considering these two teams have little or no time to prepare. But since the two have met the last few years, give the visiting team a slight edge.
Prediction: Opelika, 20-16
KEY GAMES
R.E. Lee (6A) at Daphne (7A) - Seeing “6A” beside the name looks strange for the the Generals. It might not mean anything when all is said and done but the numbers might be down a bit. The talent isn’t, though, and Lee has a shot against a rebuilt Daphne squad. If it were at home, Lee wins. But the game is in Daphne, therefore…. TROJANS, 24-21.
Park Crossing (6A) at Auburn (7A) - L.C. Cole has a chance to make a mark his first game as Park Crossing’s head coach. But the Tigers are solid all the way around. AUBURN, 29-12.
Jeff Davis (7A) vs. Sidney Lanier (6A) (Saturday) - The two will meet in a rare Saturday night tilt at Cramton Bowl after being booted from ASU’s Hornet Stadium. JD has a new coach in Rory Bell. Marvin Cunningham is the “dean” of coaches among city schools. Bell is still learning about the Vols. LANIER, 19-17.
Lowndes Academy (A) at Macon East (AA) - Another game set up by the current situation known as COVID-19. Lowndes has key players back while Macon East has some rebuilding. But the Knights have a few more playmakers and get it done. ME, 23-20.
THE REST
Elmore County over Moody, 20-13; Holtville over Goshen, 29-21; Billingsley over Prattville Christian, 35-13; Edgewood over Southern Academy, 29-23; Hooper Academy, over Coosa Valley, 15-12.
BYE WEEK: G.W. Carver; Autaugaville (due to cancellation of game with R.C. Hatch)
RECORD: Last week 0-0; Season 0-0