PREP CAPSULES: Playoffs arrive and just in time

STAFF REPORT

The elections are over – at least we think they are.

Let’s get to what matters most.

High school football playoffs are here!

No more “vote for me” ads. No more signs in the yard.

There are more important questions than who will be president or which party will win the House.

For instance: What will the River Region teams do in the first round? It’s been an iffy proposition the last few years with few teams reaching past the second round. We make the predictions here but it’s too early to tell just how well, as a region, teams will do.

Which teams are in best position to win a state title? That’s a tough call without taking a deep look at the brackets but if pressed to make a choice, Montgomery Academy may be in the best position. The Eagles are solid defensively and Class 3A lost its perennial powerhouse in Piedmont. (True, 2A power Fyffe moved up but…). Keep an eye on Pike Road. If the Patriots can overcome the loss of quarterback Iverson Hooks, they have a shot but the contingency in Mobile (Faith Academy, St. Paul’s, etc.) is tough.

Who might be a surprise pick? The Carver Wolverines have the talent to be a contender. If, and that’s a big “if,” they can eliminate mistakes, they could make some noise.

With those questions answered, keep an eye on the Capital City Conference. It could be a big post season for those schools (and this is a first for those five that all of them made the playoffs, which has never happened).

So, enjoy the high school playoffs. It should be a lot of fun.

 All games begin at 7 p.m.

PRATTVILLE at DAPHNE
Class 7A First Round 

Friday at Jubilee Stadium, Daphne

2020 Records: Prattville (7-3, 4-2 R2 3 seed), Daphne (9-1, 7-1 R1 2 seed)
Previous meetings: 2011 – Prattville, 13-3 (Prattville leads series, 2-1)

Latest 1st Round appearance: Daphne 2018 (Lost at Wetumpka); Prattville - 2019 (Defeated Theodore)

Next week: Winner faces either Baker or Auburn

Key Stats: Caleb Ross has lost just once in the first round as a head coach. His record is 5-1 with the lone loss coming two years ago in his first season at Prattville.

The Skinny: The last time these two met, T.J. Yeldon was a budding star for the Trojans but the Lions held him in-check in the win. The two teams have similar bios heading into this one with defense being the key. The Trojans were a 2-point conversion away from winning the region in the loss to eventual champ Theodore. Prattville has been up and down most of the season and lately has shown signs of coming out of the funk midway through the season when they lost two out of three. Daphne finished off the season with an impressive win over Spanish Fort, one of the favorites in Class 6A. Last year, the Lions went south and pulled off the win in fine fashion. While this team is better than in 2019, the opponent is, too. Trojans win a close one.

PREDICTION: Daphne, 24-16

G.W. CARVER at HELENA
Class 6A First Round 

Friday at Huskey Stadium, Helena

2020 Records: Carver (7-3, 4-2 R2 3 seed), Helena (6-4, 4-2 R3 2 seed)
Previous meetings: None

Latest 1st Round appearance: Carver 2019 (Lost at McAdory); Prattville - 2019 (Lost to Clay-Chalkville)

Next week: Winner faces either Spanish Fort or McAdory

Key Stats: The Wolverines held Greenville to minus-39 yards in total offense in the first half last week.

The Skinny: In case you didn’t know, Helena is a new school, playing varsity football since 2014. The Huskies are making their fourth appearance in the playoffs and despite winning a region title a year ago, they have never advanced past the second round. They were awarded second seed in a three-way tie this season despite forfeiting two games due to COVID-19. The biggest win came three weeks ago, knocking off Stanhope Elmore to force a tie for second in the standings. They finished off the season with a win over UMS-Wright. So, in theory, their two losses on the field were to Wetumpka and Chelsea (a non-region game). Is that enough to figure out how good Helena might be? No. But it is easy to notice just how well Carver finished the season. The defense has been improving each week. Offensively, Karl Ligon has become a nice complement in the backfield to the Carver passing game. This could be a team with higher aspirations if it can get through the first one. Consider it done.

PREDICTION: Carver, 27-24

WEST BLOCTON at ALABAMA CHRISTIAN
Class 4A First Round  

Friday at Wade Black Norton Stadium

2020 Records: WBHS (6-4, 4-3 R3 4 seed), ACA (8-2, 7-0 R2 1 seed)
Previous meetings: None

Latest 1st Round appearance: WBHS 2019 (Lost at Handley); ACA-2019 (Lost at Hillcrest-Evergreen)

Next week: Winner faces either Jacksonville or Jackson

Key Stats: ACA QB Jalen Clark has passed for more than 1,200 yards and 15 TDs.

The Skinny: While this may not necessarily be uncharted waters for ACA, being a favorite in the first round hasn’t happened very often. There is a certain albeit unwritten benefit to being a perennial favorite and since this is just the 17th appearance in the playoffs for the program, they haven’t done enough to earn that distinction. Then again, West Blocton hasn’t either. While the school has been around since the 1920s, this is just the 20th time the Tigers have been in the playoffs. This is the seventh-straight year to reach the post season but they have been eliminated in the first round in the last six. History aside, ACA should win this one. The Eagles’ offense has been stellar for most of the season and they’ve faced a few more tests than the Tigers. There will be plenty of points scored on both sides but ACA should score more.

PREDICTION: ACA, 35-31

 

BAYSIDE ACADEMY at CATHOLIC
Class 3A First Round

Friday at Knights Field

2020 Records: Bayside (8-2, 4-2 R1 4 seed), Catholic (8-2, 7-0 R4 1 seed)
Previous meetings: 2011 – Bayside, 42-14 (Bayside leads series, 2-0)

Latest 1st Round appearance: Bayside 2019 (Lost at Providence Christian); Catholic 2019 (Defeated Williamson)

Next week: Winner faces either Opp or Greensboro

Key Stats: RB Jeremiah Cobb finished the regular season with 1,276 yards and 14 TDs rushing for the Knights.

The Skinny: Believe it or not, these two teams were in the same region back in 2011-12. Bayside was the better program at the time. Phil Lazenby was the coach then and is still leading the Admirals in his 14th season. The program has been in a bit of a lull since reaching the state championship game in 2015. The eight wins is their best mark since that season. Catholic enters the playoffs battle tested with the two losses coming against undefeated teams (Montgomery Academy and Pike Road). The Knights had an off-week to rest and prepare for what they hope will be a long run in the post season. It will be a tough road beginning with Round 1. They should have enough offensive firepower to get past the Admirals.

PREDICTION: Catholic, 24-20

FLOMATON at TRINITY
Class 3A First Round

Friday at Ragsdale-Boykin Field

2020 Records: Flomaton (8-2, 4-2 R1 3 seed), TPS (8-2, 6-1 R4 4 seed)
Previous meetings: None

Latest 1st Round appearance: Bayside 2019 (Defeated Opp); Trinity 2019 (Lost to Andalusia)

Next week: Winner faces either Slocomb or Southside-Selma

Key Stats: Trinity has given up 14 points or less in every game this season and that happened once in a win over Reeltown.

The Skinny: It’s rare to finish as high as the Wildcats did and face such a tough opponent in the first round. Such is the case with Flomaton, two years removed from a state championship, visiting Trinity this Friday. COVID-19 may have everything to do with the Hurricanes being in Montgomery this week and not at home facing Pike County. They were forced to forfeit their game with region champion T.R. Miller (as well as Hillcrest-Evergreen). Should they advance far enough, we’ll know which of the two was better. But Trinity is good enough to win this one. Defensively, the Wildcats have been stellar all season giving up just 7.3 points per game. Flomaton has been equally stingy, setting up what should be a defensive showdown. It’s strange to say a homestanding Trinity win would be an upset, but in this case it would be. The Hurricanes have been rolling the last few years and will be too much for the Wildcats this time.

PREDICTION: Flomaton, 20-16

KEY GAMES

6A: R.E. Lee (R2/4 seed) at Pelham (R3/1 seed) –  The Generals have enough bulk on both sides of the ball to make a run. But can they get the production from their quarterback play. Running back Reggie Davis will run into another 10 defenders in the box, meaning the Lee passing game will be the key. So far, it hasn’t gotten it done consistently. No reason to think it will in this one.   PELHAM, 26-24

6A: Wetumpka (R3/4 seed) at Opelika (R2/1 seed) – Speaking of inconsistency, the Indians are on top of the list in 2020. They are capable of making it interesting in the post season. But there is little reason to think they can put it together against the Bulldogs. OPELIKA, 24-17.

6A: Stanhope Elmore (R3/3 seed) at Eufaula (R2/2 seed) – Tough draw for Stanhope Elmore. The Tigers have been solid for most of the season and have a couple of upsets to their credit. The Mustangs are another team that has not shown much consistency and that, again, will seal their doom. EUFAULA, 26-20.

5A: Shelby County (R3/4 seed) at Pike Road (R2/1 seed) – No reason to think the Patriots will have any trouble against the Wildcats.  PIKE ROAD, 45-8.

5A: UMS-Wright (R1/3 seed) at Holtville (R4/2 seed) – Not sure what the Bulldogs were doing last week in a shut out loss to Reeltown. Maybe prepping for this one? Let’s hope so. UMS has the distinct advantage in playoff experience. It should pay off here. UMS, 26-18.

4A: Montevallo (R3/3 seed) at St. James (R2/2 seed): The Trojans showed plenty of consistency until the end of the season when they lost to Trinity. But they are capable of making a good show in the playoffs. They get off to a good start. STJ, 27-18.

3A: Providence Christian (R2/4 seed) at Montgomery Academy (R3/1 seed): Might this be the beginning of a championship run for the Eagles? It’s too early to tell but watch how this team acts in the playoffs.  MA in cruise control for the first round. MA, 34-7.

AISA AA: Edgewood (R1/3 seed) at Patrician (R2/2 seed): The Wildcats face an offensive powerhouse in the first round. The Saints average 37 points per game. Tough matchup for the Wildcats. PATRICIAN, 45-27.

AISA AA: Wilcox (R2/3 seed) at Macon East (R1/2 seed): The Knights limped to the finish line, losing two of the last three games. But they can remove any disappointment with a first-round win. MACON EAST, 35-24.

THE REST

5A: Andalusia over Marbury, 27-14; 1A: Brantley over Billingsley, 35-13; AISA AAA: Morgan Aca over Hooper Aca, 35-7; AISA AA: Chambers Aca over Autauga Ac, 40-8; AISA A: Lowndes Aca over Sparta Aca, 20-18.

OUTSIDE RRS COVERAGE: 7A: Theodore over Enterprise, 27-21; Central-PC over Fairhope, 35-23; Auburn over Baker, 29-12; 5A: Demopolis over Rehobeth, 35-21; St. Paul’s over Talladega, 45-15; Carroll over Selma, 20-14; Central-Clay Co over Satsuma, 39-14; 4A: Handley over Vigor, 37-23; Bibb Co over Dale Co, 28-14; 3A: Slocomb over Southside-Selma, 40-13; Pike County over Hillcrest-Evergreen, 24-23; T.R. Miller over Dadeville, 41-14; Thomasville over Wicksburg, 27-14; Opp over Greensboro, 21-15; 2A: Isabella over Ariton, 45-24; Clarke Co over Randolph Co., 30-20; Leroy over LaFayette, 45-13; Highland Home over Geneva Co., 27-10; Lanett over JU Blacksher, 49-12; Luverne over G.W. Long, 19-17; 1A: Notasulga over Florala, 35-13; Loachapoka over McKenzie, 24-23; Maplesville over Samson, 48-14; Millry over Central-Hayneville, 34-14; Sweet Water over JF Shields, 50-13; AISA AAA:  Bessemer Aca over Lee-Scott, 37-12; Pike Liberal over Monroe Aca, 37-20; Glenwood over Clarke Prep, 32-13; AISA AA: Escambia Aca over Springwood, 36-12; AISA A: Crenshaw Christian over Pickens Aca, 46-9; Jackson Aca over Lakeside, 38-10; Abbeville Christian over South Choctaw, 44-13.

RECORD: Last week 11-7; Season 151-42 (.782)