PREP CAPSULES (Week 3): Region play kicks into full gear
STAFF REPORT
The first two weeks count, but not as much as the next eight or nine.
Region play has arrived and with it, true intentions of making the playoffs. Like the season opener, everybody is 0-0 and wants a quick start.
A few games have early implications in who might either win the region title or at least make the top four. Take the game at Montgomery Academy and Houston Academy. Yes, it’s early but the winner may be considered the favorite to win the region.
On the other side, the winner of Stanhope Elmore and Percy Julian on Thursday might be in line to earn a trip to the playoffs, with more wins, of course. But this game might be the key tiebreaker when it’s all said and done.
Ditto for Bullock County and St. James. The Hornets pulled off the shocker by beating Class 6A Park Crossing last week. The Trojans are looking for their first win of the season.
UPDATE: A few games have moved to Thursday due to threatening weather on Friday. Click here to see the list.
Week 2
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
STANHOPE ELMORE at PERCY JULIAN (6A-REGION 2)
Thursday at Cramton Bowl
2024 Records: SE (1-1), Julian (1-1)
Last week: Stanhope lost to Prattville, 34-13 ; Julian lost to Carver, 44-12
Series: First meeting (As Lee, Stanhope Elmore led 5-1)
Key Numbers: As the teams open the region portion of the schedule, the Mustangs are looking for their first season over .500 in region play since 2020 while Julian finished 3-3 a year ago. Both missed the playoffs.
The skinny: Even though these two teams have a win under their belt, it’s still true that both are looking for some sort of identity. Neither one has exactly provided that moment where a fan can say “we’ve arrived.” The wins were good but the losses show plenty of cracks in the armor. This is the regional opener, and this game will be vital for any playoff implications down the road, yes it can be said this early. The Phoenix have provided, at times, the ability to stop offenses, although the numbers given up to Carver were large, but not unexpected considering the firepower of the Wolverines’ offense. Stanhope Elmore had similar problems last week. That means these two teams are relatively even, right? Yep, but the Phoenix gets a little bit of a bump as the home team and wins by a point.
PREDICTION: Julian, 22-21
HOUSTON ACADEMY at MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (3A-REGION 2)
Friday at McLemore Field
2024 Records: Houston Aca (2-0), MA (2-0)
Last week: Houston Aca def. Pike County, 31-7; MA def. St. James, 35-8
Series: MA leads, 12-7-1
Last meeting: 2011: MA, 16-15
Key Numbers: The Eagles got a stellar defensive performance from Braden Gordon, who recorded 10 tackles and five sacks in the win over St. James. He also had two touchdowns.
The skinny: If you like offense, this one should fit the bill. The Raiders are averaging 38 points while MA has scored a total of 57 points in two games. The Eagles have done the job defensively, too, holding the Trojans to minus-15 yards rushing a week ago. Although it was a question mark before the season, the quarterback situation seems to have been solved with Reid McBride. He will be a key to the Eagles’ chances. Yes, it’s early but the winner will probably have a leg up in the race for the region title. The Raiders won their region two years ago and finished second last season. They get a slight nod in this slugfest.
PREDICTION: Houston Academy, 35-30
BILLINGSLEY at AUTAUGA ACADEMY (1A-REGION 4)
Friday at Generals Field
2024 Records: Autauga (1-0), Billingsley (1-1)
Last week: Autauga def. Thorsby, 24-21; Billingsley lost to Fayetteville, 44-18
Series: First meeting
Key Stats: Autauga Academy won its first-ever AHSAA contest last week. Although in the same county (Autauga), the two schools are approximately 24 miles apart from each other.
The skinny: This season, Autauga Academy was one of three former AISA schools to join the AHSAA. The others, Glenwood and Lee-Scott, made the transition smoothly but AA is by far the smallest of the three. In fact, the Generals are one of the smallest programs in the AHSAA. But they may have an advantage with unfamiliarity, right? They won their first-ever football game last week but now gets to test the waters in the region and what should become a decent rival. Billingsley has one of the best passing attacks in the classification and will test the Generals early. it might be too much to ask the Generals to pull off a huge upset this early. Bears open region play with a win.
PREDICTION: Billingsley, 28-18
BULLOCK COUNTY at ST. JAMES (4A-REGION 3)
Friday at Carlisle Field
2024 Records: STJ (0-2), BCHS (1-1)
Last week: STJ lost to Montgomery Academy, 35-8; Bullock County def. Park Crossing, 7-0
Series: STJ leads, 17-1
Last meeting: 2021, STJ, 40-23
Key Stat: Before last week’s win over Park Crossing, Bullock Co had not defeated a team in the highest classification since 1967 (Stanhope Elmore). St. James has not started a season with three straight losses since 2010 when it lost its first four games.
The skinny: To be honest, this game would probably not be on the “ones to watch list” had it not been for Bullock County’s win over 6A Park Crossing last week. While it wasn’t the prettiest win in school history, it made a mark and certainly got the attention of the Trojans, who are still looking to dent the win column. That, in a way, might be the wake-up call they need in a game like this. The Hornets look better than in years past but the win, while unexpected, was against a team that has all kind of problems, no matter what the classification. Both need more firepower on offense but the Hornets’ size may create problems for the STJ defense. Quarterback Tye’Kelis Wallace broke off a few big runs for the Hornets and they will need a few more if they are to earn a region-opening win. But look for the Trojans to get out of the funk they’ve started with and pull out a close win.
PREDICTION: St. James, 16-8
KEY GAMES
JAG vs. Carver (7A-R2) - Carver has proven to be an offensive power in its first two games and seems to be getting better each week. JAG is still trying to figure things out under new coach Roy Upchurch. This one has blowout written all over it. CARVER, 45-13.
Trinity at PCA (THURSDAY - 3A-R3) – The Wildcats will be the favorite this week against the Panthers. But we’ll see if last week’s win gives PCA some confidence. TPS needs to find more offense.. TPS, 19-14
Pike Road at Rehobeth (6A-R2) – Good chance for the Patriots to get healthy and earn their first win. Pike Road, 41–16.
Catholic at Eufaula (THURSDAY - 5A-R2) – Any other year and this game tops the marquee. But Eufaula has not shown the daunting presence as in the past. A loss to BTW-Tuskegee lowered that vibe. Catholic continues to be the bad boys and should take home another victory, their first as a member of a Class 5A region. Catholic, 38-14.
Prattville at Oak Mountain (7A-R3) - The Lions would like to get off to a better start in region play than in the last couple of years. Maybe a different region helps. Oak Mountain is a decent program but tougher opponents await the Lions.. PRATTVILLE, 35-28.
Autaugaville at Notasulga (THURSDAY - 1A-R4) - Eagles have won just once in the last 11 tries against Notasulga. The rate doesn’t improve this week. NOTASULGA, 24-21.
Evangel Christian at Macon East (AISA 8-man) - First meeting between these two. Knights opened with a solid win over Lakeside while Evangel has won its first two. Tough call but M-E gets a slight nod. MACON-EAST, 27-20.
THE REST
Wetumpka over Russell County, 23-21; Elmore County over Carroll, 30-13; Sylacauga over Holtville, 34-12; ACA over Northside Methodist, 24-22; Tallassee over Munford, 24-17; Hooper Aca over Sparta, 21-20; Chambers Aca over Valiant Cross, 34-14.
OPEN: Edgewood Academy; Lowndes Academy; Park Crossing
RECORD: Last week 10-9; Season 23-13 (.639)