PREP CAPSULES (Third Rnd/AISA Championships): Capital City Conference teams can take a bow

STAFF REPORT

The year 2003 seems like a long time ago.

But if you ask any member of the Trinity Wildcats football team from that season, it will seem like yesterday.

That was the last time a team from Montgomery won a state championship. Sounds like it’s been an eternity, doesn’t it?

Can that streak end this season?

It’s too early to tell but considering there will be at least one team in the Class 3A playoffs (maybe two), the chances are better than ever.

Look across the names in this year’s AHSAA quarterfinals, and there’s a lot of familiarity. Sweet Water, Brantley and Maplesville are back in the third round in 1A. Leroy and Lanett seemingly play in this round every year.

The Mobile County contingency is as strong as ever.

Class 7A has become somewhat of a joke that it’s basically the same teams in the semis every year. Only Thompson and Hoover have traded places and the Warriors are now the favorite.

But, here comes the CCC teams, looking to upset the apple cart. It hasn’t happened before. It might not happen again but the chances are there for a trip to the Super 7 in two classes.

Don’t say it’s because of COVID. These teams are worthy of being here. It should make for an interesting Friday night in the Capital City.

AMERICAN CHRISTIAN at ALABAMA CHRISTIAN
Class 4A Quarterfinal Round

Friday at Wade Black Norton Stadium

2020 Records: American Christian (12-0, R3 1 seed), Alabama Christian (10-2, R2 1 seed)
Previous meetings: None

Latest Quarterfinal Round appearance: American Christian 2019 (Lost at Andalusia); Alabama Christian 2017 (Lost to Hillcrest-Evergreen)

Last week: American Christian def. Mobile Christian, 27-21; Alabama Christian def. Jacksonville, 31-21
Next week: Winner faces either Bibb County or Handley in the semifinals

Key Stats: American Christian has lost its last three tries in the quarterfinals with the last win coming in 2011… The Eagles’ Jalen Clark continued to be the MVP of the playoffs last week, rushing for 197 yards and three TDs and passing for 135 yards and a TD against Jacksonville.

The Skinny: No matter what happens on Friday, this has been a remarkable season for the Eagles. The debate could be made that this squad is the best in school history, although this is where the last 10-win team under Nate Sanford made it, losing to Andalusia in the quarters back in 2017. And like that season, they now face a perennial playoff contender that has a state title on its resume (even if it was 1989). But it’s time for the Eagles to start their own spectacular playoff history. This would be a good spot. Clark gives them a weapon that is common with championship teams. If you haven’t noticed lately, the game of football is all about mobile, do-everything signal callers. He fits the bill and has proven it over the last several games. The Patriots use two quarterbacks with William Sute as the starter. Last week in the win over Mobile Christian, they built a 27-7 lead and held on in the fourth quarter.  At least on paper, it sounds like a good matchup for the Eagles.  But can they get over the hump? The Eagles have been solid on defense for most of the season. They will need their best performance to make it another week. They were the difference last week holding Jacksonville scoreless in the second half.  They do it again, one more time and Alabama Christian gets its signature win.

PREDICTION: Alabama Christian, 29-28

CATHOLIC at THOMASVILLE
Class 3A Quarterfinal Round

Friday at Anderson Field

2020 Records: Thomasville (10-1, R3 2 seed), Catholic (10-2, R4 1 seed)
Previous meetings: 2016 – Thomasville, 20-6 (Thomasville leads series, 2-0)

Latest Quarterfinal Round appearance: Thomasville 2016 (Lost to Handley); Catholic 2019 (Lost at UMS-Wright)
Last week: Thomasville def. TR Miller, 28-21; Catholic def Opp, 38-0

Next week: Winner faces either Trinity or Montgomery Academy

Key Stats: Thomasville was led by RB Quez Jackson’s 195 yards and 3 TDs in the win over T.R. Miller… Catholic’s DJ Carter had just two receptions but for 124 yards. The Knights defense pitched its third shutout of the season.

The Skinny: It’s the second-straight season the Knights have reached the quarterfinals, something the program didn’t do for 31 years. Like last year, in order to move into the semis, they must beat one of South Alabama’s powerhouse programs. Yet, Thomasville hasn’t looked the part of late. The Tigers missed the playoffs a year ago plus went on a string of first-round losses for several years after winning it all in 2010. But Jack Hankins is still in charge and they still run the football with consistency, something the Knights will have to handle. At 6-feet, 185, Jackson is a decent size running back and has a nose for the end zone. He averages seven yards per carry and has scored 25 touchdowns, including six in the playoffs. But Catholic has its own offensive firepower. Pick your poison with Carter, Jeremiah Cobb, Myles Butler, etc. It might sound strange to say Catholic has more athletes than Thomasville, considering the two programs’ tradition. But that is the case and it should be just enough for the Knights to make its second semifinal round in school history.

PREDICTION: Catholic, 27-21

TRINITY at MONTGOMERY ACADEMY
Class 3A Quarterfinal Round

Friday at McLemore Field

2020 Records: MA (12-0 R3 1 seed), TPS (10-2 R4 2 seed)
Previous meetings: Aug. 28 – MA, 13-3 (Series: TPS, 25-18)

Latest Quarterfinal Round appearance: MA 2014 (Lost at Dale Co); Trinity 2010 (Lost to Gordo)
Last week: MA def. Pike Co, 28-6; Trinity def. Slocomb, 41-0

Next week: Winner faces either Catholic or Thomasville

Key Stats: In the season’s first meeting, a defensive struggle broke out with Trinity leading just 3-0 at halftime. But MA’s defense held the Wildcats to 38 total yards in the second half.

The Skinny: Before the breakdown, here is a brief historical look at this game. This is not the first time Capital City Conference teams have met in the playoffs. It’s happened six times with the most recent being 2003 when Trinity beat St. James in the third round of the Class 4A playoffs. These two programs have never met in the post season. And while Trinity has enjoyed more success in the playoffs, it’s been a while. Ditto for Montgomery Academy, which makes this game somewhat more intriguing. Two coaches who have returned to their alma mater and looking to return their programs to past glory. Mission accomplished, at least for the first year. What’s interesting is they do it the old-fashioned way. Both lean on their defenses to win. The first meeting is a great example. And don’t forget the kicking game where MA picked up a safety on a punt block in the last game. Trinity is playing its best football of the season and the timing is perfect. But MA has been consistent. And in the biggest game, i.e. Thomasville, the Eagles found a way to pull out a victory a few weeks ago. The Eagles are bigger up front but Trinity might be a bit quicker. You can pick and choose which advantage one of these teams have to decide the winner but it comes back to Jimmys and Joes. At the end of the day, the Eagles have a few more and pull out what should be a very entertaining win.

PREDICTION: Montgomery Academy, 14-10

KEY GAMES

AISA A Champ: Crenshaw Christian vs Abbeville Christian (Cramton Bowl) –  Abbeville last played in this game in 2016, defeating Chambers for the title. Crenshaw last played for a title in 2018 – again against Chambers.  Crenshaw has more losses but seems to be peaking at the right time. Give it to the Cougars…   CRENSHAW, 27-24

AISA AA Champ: Chambers Academy vs. Escambia Academy (Cramton Bowl) – Chambers has been in a title game every year since 2015. Escambia has played for a title every year since 2016. The difference, all of the Cougars’ tries have been at the AA level. That experience makes a difference. ESCAMBIA ACA, 36-25

AISA AAA Champ: Pike Liberal Arts vs. Glenwood (Cramton Bowl) – The Gators are the best team in the state, bar none. Pike Liberal will play close for a half, but Glenwood is too good … GLENWOOD, 41-20.

THE REST

7A: Auburn over Central-Phenix City, 34-28; Thompson over Hoover, 45-30; 6A: Saraland over Opelika, 30-20; St. Paul’s over Central-Clay Co., 25-20; 4A: Handley over Bibb Co., 27-21; 2A: Isabella over Abbeville, 27-18; Leroy over Lanett, 31-30; 1A: Sweet Water over Linden, 29-28; Brantley over Maplesville, 32-24.

RECORD: Last week 25-6 Season 217-58 (.789)