PREP CAPSULES (ROUND 1): Postseason needs no cliches to change expectations
STAFF REPORT
There are plenty of clichés that go along with the postseason…
“You got to take them one at a time.”
“A win is a win… and you move on.”
“We played together as a team…”
You know the rest. But the bottom line is the best team usually wins and that’s a cliché itself.
Everybody still playing knows that but it doesn’t remove the hopes in playoff football. There are a few teams that fit that description, battling odds in hopes of making another week. But let’s concentrate on the games that can go either way.
Start in Class 7A where Prattville travels to Theodore. The Lions are one of the better offensive teams in the state and will need a good showing against a solid team in the Bobcats. The two last met in 2019 with Prattville advancing to the second round.
Tallassee is facing Greenville in Class 5A, although the Tigers were this close to earning the top seed due to tiebreakers. Instead, they fall to the third seed and must travel south to face a team that has been limping into the playoffs having lost the last two games of the regular season.
One of Greenville’s losses came to G.W. Carver last week, which travels to Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Friday. The Wolverines were the beneficiaries of the forfeit losses of Sidney Lanier to improve their regional standing to third and that also means the season ended with four straight victories.
Ironically, Carver also was guilty of playing an ineligible payer but it did not affect the standings.
The best matchup of the first round features what is basically two top seeds facing off in Round 1.
St. James will play host to Anniston, another team that was forced to forfeit two games, which sent the Bulldogs to the fourth seed. On the field, they were 7-2 and had clinched the region title.
St. James has not lost since the opener, dropping the game to Montgomery Academy.
AISA also gets the playoffs underway with Autauga Academy, Lowndes Academy and Macon East getting home dates in the first round. Edgewood Academy and Valiant Cross will be on the road. For the Knights, it is their first-ever trip to the playoffs, facing Tuscaloosa Academy.
AHSAA & AISA Round 1
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise.
McADORY at R.E. LEE (6A)
Friday at Cramton Bowl
Records: McAdory (7-3, 3rd seed R4), Lee (7-2, 2nd seed R2)
Last week: Pinson Valley def. Lee, 15-14; McAdory did not play
Last meeting: N/A
Series: First meeting
Next week: Winner faces either Saraland or Wetumpka
Key Numbers: Lee has won its last four first-round games dating back to 2015. The Generals won at Pelham last year. All four of those wins were on the road. This is the first home game in the first round since 2001.
The skinny: Getting a home game in the first round was a nice plum at the end of the season for Lee. Ironically, the Generals have been better on the road than at Cramton Bowl. Lee is 3-1 away from the bowl and that loss was somewhat suspect due to shaky officiating at Opelika. Whatever the case, they play an inconsistent McAdory squad in the friendly confines on Friday. The Yellow Jackets got off to a hot start that included an opening-season win over St. Paul’s. But their region losses to Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa and Hueytown weren’t close. Lee has used a solid running game with Brian Thomas and have added a pretty good passing attack this season. The problem at times seems to be playing with purpose. The loss to Lanier at the time seemed questionable but all three losses (on the field) could easily have been wins. Lee is good enough to make a run in the playoffs. This win should give an idea of how far.
PREDICTION: LEE, 30-20
PRATTVILLE at THEODORE (7A)
Friday at Douglas Field
Records: Prattville (7-3, 3rd seed R2), Theodore (9-1, 2nd seed R1)
Last week: Prattville def. Bob Jones, 43-31; Theodore def. Mary Montgomery, 47-7
Last meeting: 2019 – Prattville, 24-17
Series: Prattville leads, 5-0
Next week: Winner faces either Central-Phenix City or Daphne
Key Numbers: Kam Shanks set a school record for receptions and yards with 53 catches and 1,077 yards for the Lions.
The skinny: Make that the facts… Prattville has been solid this season against teams they should beat. They have not given themselves much of a chance against teams that are better. So, where does that leave them against Theodore? Prattville has struggled against Mobile-area teams in the recent past. The Lions are 2-3 in the last five first-round games with one of the wins against the Bobcats. The two wins were on the road. The Bobcats have impressive wins including an opening victory over Saraland. The only loss came to region winner Fairhope. The two teams have a similar offensive approach although, based on statistics, Theodore will run the ball a little more. This is the toughest call on the board but give the Lions the benefit of the doubt, especially with kicker Collin Rogers as a key cog.
PREDICTION: PRATTVILLE, 31-27
TALLASSEE at GREENVILLE (5A)
Friday at Tiger Stadium
Records: Tallassee (7-3, 3rd seed R4), Greenville (7-3, 2nd seed R2)
Last week: Tallassee def. Carroll, 15-14; Carver def. Greenville, 14-8
Last meeting: 2019 – Greenville, 33-7
Series: Greenville leads, 5-0
Next week: Winner faces either UMS-Wright or Marbury
Key Numbers: Tallassee put up 425 yards of offense in the win over Carroll.
The skinny: Two teams enter the postseason but heading in different directions. Tallassee has gotten hot at the right time, winning six straight to finish the regular season. Greenville lost the last two games, and didn’t look good in either one. The key for Tallassee will be if Tyler Ellis can continue his ascent in the passing game. He has been terrific in the second half of the season, which has been a great compliment to the running attack led by Jalyn Daniels. Tough to pick a road team winning but no reason to doubt Tallassee’s chances here.
PREDICTION: TALLASSEE, 31-25
ANNISTON at ST. JAMES (4A)
Friday at Carlisle Field
Records: Anniston (5-4, 4-2* 2nd R4), STJ (9-1, 7-0 1st R2) (*Anniston forfeited two games)
Last week: STJ def. Trinity, 42-35; Anniston did not play
Last meeting: N/A
Series: First meeting
Next week: Winner faces either Jackson or Montevallo
Key Numbers: Cosner Harrison finished with 196 yards rushing including a 56-yard run on the first play from scrimmage in the Trojans win last week.
The skinny: No one has doubted St. James’ ability to score points but last week’s win over Trinity may have proved even more. The Trojans have enough offense to beat anybody in their future. Their lowest total in a game this season has been 35 points. They’ve done it different ways meaning you can’t just take away the run or the pass. But Friday will be a different animal for obvious reasons. The Bulldogs are not a No. 4 seed and shouldn’t be (see the opening statements above and substitute their name). Anniston has similar scoring prowess. It’s the best matchup in the first round. Expect a shootout… and a STJ win.
PREDICTION: ST. JAMES, 40-34
ALABAMA CHRISTIAN at JACKSONVILLE (4A)
Friday at McLemore Field
Records: ACA (6-3, 5-2 3rd R2), Jacksonville (6-3, 2nd R4)
Last week: ACA def. Montgomery Aca, 31-21; Jacksonville def. Cleburne Co., 44-21
Last meeting: 2020 - ACA, 31-21
Series: ACA, 1-0
Next week: Winner faces either American Christian or Williamson
Key stat: Jacksonville moved up to second seed thanks to the Anniston forfeits. ACA is making its sixth straight trip to the playoffs, a continuance of the program’s longest streak of playoffs berths.
The skinny: ACA faced Jacksonville in the second round a year ago, winning by 10 points. While that might not mean much in this game, there is a familiarity that should be a plus for the Eagles. A few things have changed, including the head coach, the Eagles should be in position to make another run in the payoffs. Last week’s win over Montgomery Academy was a good warm up. The Eagles took advantage of MA mistakes. Jacksonville has enjoyed a couple of high scoring games but that will not cause a concern for ACA. Jacksonville may have the home field advantage this time but not enough of an advantage to beat ACA.
PREDICTION: ALABAMA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, 28-24
KEY GAMES
6A: G.W. Carver (5-5) at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (8-2) – Carver should be fresh since it played just eight games in the regular season. The Patriots average 38 points per game. Carver has averaged as many points offensively as they have defensively – 19 ppg. Not a good matchup for the Wolverines. HILLCREST, 32-20
6A: Wetumpka (5-5) at Saraland (8-2) – These two played a classic shootout in 2018, won by the Indians. Can’t expect the same this time. SARALAND, 42-20
5A: Holtville (5-5) at Pike Road (9-0) – The Bulldogs might stay in this one for a quarter but the Patriots are too powerful offensively. PIKE ROAD, 41-21.
3A Flomaton (6-3) at Montgomery Academy (7-3) – The Hurricanes have been a mainstay in the playoffs since 2018. But their road success has been lacking. MA wins a close one. MA, 27-23
3A: Wicksburg (7-3) at Trinity (8-2) – First meeting between the two programs. Trinity has a much deeper playoff history. It might not help Friday but the Wildcats won’t need it. TRINITY, 35-14.
3A: Houston Academy (6-4) at Catholic (10-0) – The Knights will have tougher matchups the deeper they go, but this shouldn’t be one of them. CATHOLIC, 50-21.
A: Pickens Aca (5-5) at Lowndes Aca (8-3) – Lowndes may have been a surprise region champ but they are primed to challenge for the state title. They get off to a good start. LOWNDES, 35-20
AA: Patrician (7-2) at Macon East (7-4) – Tough payoff opener for the Knights but the offense has been clicking the last few weeks. No reason to expect a letdown here. MACON EAST, 42-28
THE REST
5A: UMS-Wright over Marbury, 45-13; 1A: Sweet Water over Billingsley, 29-12; AAA: Tuscaloosa Aca over Valiant Cross, 35-30; Escambia Aca over Edgewood Aca, 39-23; Autauga Academy over Banks Aca, 41-21; (Outside River Region): 7A: Central-Phenix City over Daphne, 33-13; Auburn over Baker, 27-21; 6A: Eufaula over Hueytown, 28-27; Opelika over Northridge, 23-20; Clay Central Co over Carroll, 37-27; 3A: Slocomb over Dadeville, 27-18; Thomasville over Hillcrest-Evergreen, 20-14; 2A: Orange Beach over Highland Home, 29-23; Luverne over Greene Co., 41-19; 1A: Millry over Loachapoka, 30-23; Maplesville over Fruitdale, 35-12; Kinston over Central-Hayneville, 45-8; Keith over McKenzie, 23-14; AAA: Morgan Aca over Glenwood, 30-28; AA: Chambers Aca over Wilcox Aca., 50-23; A: Crenshaw Christian over South Choctaw Aca., 43-18
RECORD: Last week 15-5; Season 130-33 (.798)