PREP CAPSULES: Plenty of rivalries dot Week "1" docket

STAFF REPORT

Week 1 (or 0) had its surprises, a few disappointments (another COVID situation for Holtville being the biggest) but mostly it went according to plan.

What does this week have in store? A couple of old rivalries for one, including Lee and Jeff Davis facing off at the Bowl. Stanhope Elmore and Prattville have met 41 times and the Lions are on an eight-game winning streak in the series (with a Stanhope forfeit thrown in).

Tallassee and Wetumpka have also met some 69 times in the series. But this will be just the second meeting since 2003.

Montgomery Academy and Trinity have a solid rivalry and this one should equal previous meetings.

Week 1

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

R.E. LEE (6A) vs. JEFF DAVIS (7A)

Friday at Cramton Bowl
Records: Lee (0-0), JD (0-1)
Last week: Lanier def. JD, 26-12; Lee did not play
Last year: Lee, 19-14

Series: Lee leads, 29-26-1

Key Numbers: The Jeff Davis offense scored on its first possession but was held scoreless the rest of the way in the loss to Lanier. JD had just 44 yards in total offense in the second half.

The skinny: It’s hard to interpret the emotions of players who are dealing with tragedy. That’s the case with the Lee football team, which honored their fallen teammate, Dmitri McKee, last Saturday in a ceremony at Cramton Bowl. Although the coaching staff said practices have been good this week, there is no guarantee that will translate to the game. JD had to deal with another disappointing night against Lanier. Like most of last season, the Vols struggled offensively. They had the one scoring drive and scored the other TD on a kickoff return. Otherwise, they spent most of the night backed up in their own territory. Lee should have the better team but let’s see if the events of the past two weeks have an affect.

PREDICTION: Lee, 20-13

STANHOPE ELMORE (6A) at PRATTVILLE (7A)

Friday at Stanley Jensen Stadium

Records: Prattville (1-0), SE (1-0)
Last week: Prattville def. Wetumpka, 41-13; Stanhope def. Selma, 37-0

Last year: Prattville, 16-10
Series: Prattville leads, 29-11-1

Key stat: The Stanhope defense forced six turnovers in the win over Selma; Kameran Shanks finished with 175 yards in receiving with two TDs in Prattville’s win over Wetumpka.

The skinny: JB Wallace enjoyed his first game at the helm of Prattville football last week. Basically, he got everything he wanted – a smothering defense, solid passing game and a dependable kicking game. Now he has to get his team to duplicate that nine more times. On Friday, that might be a little more difficult after watching Stanhope Elmore have its way with Selma. The Mustangs were better than their 5-6 record a year ago and they put a scare in the Lions in the second game of the season. They are capable of doing it again, particularly with a defense that looks like the Stanhope of old and a running attack led by Antonio Trone. This might come down to the kicking game and Prattville has the advantage with Collin Rogers.

PREDICTION: Prattville, 21-20

MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (3A) at TRINITY (3A)

Thursday at Boykin Field

Records: MA (1-0), Trinity (1-0)

Last week: MA def. St. James, 38-36; TPS def. Alabama Christian, 6-0
Last year: MA (twice): 13-3 and 42-21 (3A Quarterfinals)
Series: TPS leads, 25-19

Key Numbers: Alex Kohn’s 20-yard field goal as time expired lifted MA to a victory over St. James. Grayden Flowers had all of Trinity’s points last week with two field goals.

The skinny: The thought of revenge is probably heavy on the minds of the Wildcats after dropping two games to the Eagles last year. Unfortunately for Trinity, that can carry a team only so far. MA is playing solid football since the arrival of Robert Johnson. They are on a run of 12 consecutive wins in the regular season. Trinity also seems to have come out of the doldrums from average seasons before 2020. It creates another solid matchup in what is one of the better rivalries in the River Region. It’s tough to tell where Trinity’s offense is after scoring just two field goals last week. But it’s also evident the defense is impenetrable again and should give the Eagles plenty of problems. Alas, picking against Johnson and MA is hard to do at this point.

PREDICTION: Montgomery Academy, 28-26

WETUMPKA (6A) at TALLASSEE (5A)

Friday at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium

Records: Wetumpka (0-1), Tallassee (0-1)
Last week: Prattville def. Wetumpka, 41-13; Tallassee def. Reeltown, 34-13

Last year: Wetumpka, 35-14

Series: Tallassee leads, 35-31-2

Key Numbers: Jalyn Daniels rushed for 328 yards and three touchdowns in the Tigers’ win over Reeltown last Thursday.  Quinn Wilson had an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Wetumpka’s loss to Prattville.
The skinny: If expectations for this matchup are based on last week, Tallassee should get another big night from Daniels and the Tigers another win. But we all know that’s not how it works. Wetumpka is ironing out the induction of new players on offense, particularly at quarterback where a sophomore is learning the ropes. The offensive line is relatively new with a couple of exceptions. The defense faced a solid passing game last week in Prattville and looked very vulnerable. Tallassee got an exceptional night from an exceptional running back. Move ahead to Friday and keep in mind the differences in opponents. For the Tigers will face the Wetumpka offensive and defensive lines which much larger and more difficult to move. Stone Minnifield, the top back for the Indians, was held in-check by Prattville. It’s hard to imagine him not having a better game than rushing for single digits in yards. Add to the fact that Tallassee is not much of a passing team which probably works in Wetumpka’s favor. Don’t expect the blowout from last year. But expect another Wetumpka victory.

PREDICTION: Wetumpka, 26-20

KEY GAMES

Catholic (3A) at Charles Henderson (5A) – The Knights began their campaign to return to the Super 7 with an easy win last week. This one might be a bit tougher but the same result.  CATHOLIC, 32-16

Sidney Lanier (6A) at Paul Bryant (6A) – Good start for the Poets in an inner city win over JD. Paul Bryant struggled last year but the first week proved you can’t judge 2021 by looking at 2020. Still, take the Poets in a close one. LANIER, 19-17.

G.W. Carver (6A) at Enterprise (7A) – Marcus Gardner takes the field as a head coach for the first time. Probably should have picked an easier opponent. Enterprise should be a playoff team this year. ENTERPRISE, 28-16.

St. James (4A) at Reeltown (3A) – The Trojans showed plenty of offense a week ago. They need to find a little defense to get in the win column this week. STJ, 31-24

Hooper Academy (AAA) at Edgewood Academy (AA) – Hooper was shut out in this matchup last year. They will have a hard time getting in the endzone again on Friday. EDGEWOOD – 25-6

THE REST

Dothan over Park Crossing, 35-17; Pike Road over Calhoun, 70-13;  Marbury over Dallas County, 23-21; Holtville over West Blocton, 24-12; Dadeville over Elmore County, 26-20; Billingsley over Vincent, 28-12; Autaugaville over Talladega Co.-Central, 35-6; Autauga Aca over Lawton Chiles (FL), 36-31; Lowndes Academy over Meadowview Christian, 28-24; Macon East over Valiant Cross (Thur), 35-13.

BYE: Prattville Christian

RECORD: Last week 10-4; Season 10-4 (.714)