PREP CAPSULES: Regional games make their return to AHSAA schedule
STAFF REPORT
The regional portion of the AHSAA schedule arrives but will it have the dramatical finishes like last week?
The buzz is still hovering over Wetumpka after the last second win over Tallassee. Trinity fans are still relishing in the win over Montgomery Academy. Ditto for Prattville fans after beating Stanhope Elmore.
Week 2 holds an interesting spot for several teams to get a leg up in the regional race. None bigger than for the Prattville Lions, who can get a big win over last year’s 7A state runner up in Auburn.
Sidney Lanier will try to do the same against last year’s 6A, Region 2 winner Opelika. Lee will battle on the road at Eufaula.
Alabama Christian and St. James decided the region title in last year’s game. This one could do the same.
Week 2
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise.
OPELIKA at SIDNEY LANIER (6A-R2)
Thursday at Cramton Bowl
Records: Opelika (0-2), Lanier (2-0)
Last week: Lanier def. Paul Bryant, 33-13; Auburn def. Opelika,16-14
Last year: Opelika, 19-14
Series: Opelika leads, 13-3
Key Numbers: Tacaris Bozeman scored three TDs on runs of 80, 30 and 31 yards in the win over Paul Bryant.
The skinny: Two wins for the Poets can create a lot of expectations, and with good reason considering Lanier hasn’t won the first two games of the season, back-to-back since 2017. How impressive the wins are must take some consideration that Jeff Davis is still looking for offensive firepower and Paul Bryant is rebuilding. But Lanier did create turnovers in opportune times and got enough offense from its running game to earn a road victory. Opelika is a different animal. The Bulldogs rarely come to Montgomery winless but the opponents must be considered. They aren’t perfect and still have offensive work to do. But they are still considered the regional favorite and it’s hard to pick against them.
PREDICTION: Opelika, 28-20
AUBURN at PRATTVILLE (7A-R2)
Friday at Stanley Jensen Stadium
Records: Prattville (2-0), Auburn (2-0)
Last week: Prattville def. Stanhope Elmore, 29-6; Auburn def. Opelika, 16-14
Last year: Auburn, 22-0
Series: Prattville leads, 18-17-2
Key stat: Running backs Mario Parks and Albert Taggert each scored two touchdowns in the win over Stanhope Elmore.
The skinny: New Auburn coach Keith Etheredge may be the one missing piece to get the Auburn Tigers over the top for a state championship. He has a state title pedigree having led Leeds to the championship in back-to-back years and Oxford to the 5A title in 2019. His only issue seems to be staying power. Auburn is his fourth stop in six years. Still, Auburn had enough talent to win last year but an indescribable fortune of events snatched away the chance for the school’s first championship in football. It was (basically) why Adam Winegarden didn’t return and Etheredge is now the coach. Prattville looks the part, at least after two games. The offense has a fine tune that is usually reserved for the second half of the season. Quarterback EJ Ousley has been solid and the defense very salty. But this is easily the best team the Lions will have faced so far. If point spreads were published for this game, Auburn would be the favorite. So, that means RRS is picking the home dog and the upset.
PREDICTION: Prattville, 21-18
ST. JAMES at ALABAMA CHRISTIAN (4A-R2)
Friday at Norton Field
Records: STJ (1-1), ACA (1-1)
Last week: St. James def. Reeltown, 35-6; Alabama Christian def. Highland Home, 47-6
Last year: ACA, 47-41
Series: STJ leads, 28-12
Key Numbers: Hayes Hunt had two touchdown passes to lead ACA to the win, the first for new coach Michael Summers. St. James got 271 yards passing and four TDs from QB KJ Jackson in the win over Reeltown.
The skinny: The fact that the two teams combined for nearly 90 points a year ago should be a sign of what is to come in this one. Add another fact that both had a big offensive night a week ago to make the idea more justifiable. The spread is working for both teams, although ACA was shut out in the first game of the season (against Trinity). St. James may have the most unsung player in the state in Jackson, who is only a junior but plays a lot older. Hunt has been solid in his first year as a starter. Chances are pretty good this game will decide the region winner, just like last year. Unlike last year, the Trojans will be the winner.
PREDICTION: St. James, 31-27
R.E. LEE at EUFAULA (6A-R2)
Friday at Tiger Stadium
Records: Lee (1-0), Eufaula (1-1)
Last week: Lee def. Jeff Davis, 41-13; Central-Phenix City def. Eufaula, 33-0
Last year: Lee, 25-10
Series: Lee leads, 1-0
Key Numbers: Jakel Williams had four touchdown passes in the first half to lead the Generals. Eufaula suffered its first shut out since a loss to Wetumpka (33-0) in 2016.
The skinny: A year ago, Eufaula was coming off a huge upset of Central-Phenix City when it arrived at Cramton Bowl. Lee was waiting with a much bigger, faster team and looked dominant, giving the Tigers one of their two region losses. The difference this year – Eufaula is not the same team offensively while Lee (apparently) has improved in the passing game. The Generals played inspired football last week but can they do it two weeks in a row? There are still flaws, particularly in the kicking game and that might be the difference in this one. While leaning towards a Lee victory, the Tigers get the nod.
PREDICTION: Eufaula, 30-25
KEY GAMES
Valley at G.W. Carver (6A-R2) – Carver needs to shake off the cobwebs of the opening season loss. Valley looks decent defensively but the Wolverines should have enough firepower to pull away. CARVER, 27-14
Stanhope Elmore at Benjamin Russell (6A-R3) – The Mustangs have been on both ends of the spectrum already, having been impressive in the first win but not so much in the first loss. Naturally they want a repeat of the opener…. SE, 26-17
Wetumpka at Helena (6A-R3) – Can the Indians get a repeat of last week, without the drama this time? Of course. WETUMPKA, 31-25.
Dadeville at Catholic (3A-R4) – Two weeks in Catholic is in cruise control. Jeremiah Cobb had 189 yards rushing and five TDs a week ago. Look for another big night for the Knights. CATHOLIC, 45-13.
Elmore County at Holtville (5A-R4) – The Panthers are seeing the season spin out of control before it gets started. They need a win in a big way. Problem is, the Bulldogs need a win too. HOLTVILLE, 35-25
Selma at Marbury (5A-R3) – A tough start to 2021 but the Bulldogs get a win for new coach Hayden Stockton. MARBURY, 25-14
Hale County at Montgomery Academy (3A-R3) – The Eagles saw its regular season win streak end at the hands of Trinity a week ago. Good time to start another one. MA, 35-16
THE REST
Park Crossing over Russell County, 26-23; Pike Road over Carroll (Thurs), 49-13; Trinity over Goshen, 45-10; Notasulga over Autaugaville, 24-16; Loachapoka over Billingsley, 32-21; Thomasville over PCA, 37-12; Edgewood over Banks Aca, 34-20; Pike Liberal Arts over Hooper Aca, 41-12; Abbeville Christian over Lowndes, 21-20; Macon East over Southwest Aca Ga., 21-19
BYE: Jeff Davis; Tallassee; Autauga Academy; Valiant Cross
RECORD: Last week 16-4; Season 26-8 (.765)