PREP CAPSULES (Week 5): Midseason report has teams set for big second half
STAFF REPORT
Midseason has arrived and with it a few surprises and numerous big wins by River Region teams that have created a second half that will be loaded with consequential matchups to decide region titles.
The surprises might include a perfect season so far for G.W. Carver, not just because the Wolverines sit at 5-0 but the nature of the wins. They have been dominant in several games on both sides of the ball. Their schedule is about to pick up when they come back from an open week.
Another surprise comes from Class 6A, Region 2 where Pike Road and Russell County lead the way and everybody else is trying to figure out how to handle a few issues. Fact is, Pike Road and Russell County are not without a few flaws and this region will probably go down to the final week of the season.
The same is true in Class 3A, Region 2 where Trinity leads at the moment but Montgomery Academy and Houston Academy are hot on the Wildcats’ heels. They have St. James this week in a non-region game and follow with a game against the Eagles. That game could be the key to who wins the region.
What’s not a surprise is Lowndes Academy continues to dominate in AISA. The Rebels are on a quest for a fourth-straight state title and look like they have what is needed to make it happen.
Week 5
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
CATHOLIC (5A) at SARALAND (6A)
Friday at Spartans Stadium
2024 Records: Catholic (5-0, 3-0 5A/R3), Saraland (5-0, 4-0 6A/R1)
Last week: Catholic def. Ch. Henderson, 63-6 ;Saraland def. McGill-Toolen, 34-12
Series: First meeting
Key Numbers: This will be the first time Catholic has faced a team in Class 6A. This is the second team outside of Class 6A that Saraland has played this season (Jackson in first game of the season)
The skinny: There is a simple equation for both Catholic and Saraland when it comes to scheduling opponents - find someone who wants to face you. It’s getting tougher and tougher for the Knights. Saraland has been dealing with it for several years since becoming a powerhouse in Class 6A. So this is a natural setup, right? Maybe. Thanks to competitive balance, Catholic is basically playing up two classifications. On the surface, this shows as a 6A vs. 5A game when it is in reality a 6A vs. 3A matchup. Despite all of that, Catholic has a legitimate shot at winning this one. Their defense stacks up with anybody…. yes, anybody. Saraland will provide plenty of headaches with an offense that averages 40 points per game. The Knights counter with a defense that allows less than 10 points per contest. If there was a point spread on this one, Saraland would be the favorite, but here’s a hunch this one goes deep in the fourth quarter before this one is decided.
PREDICTION: Saraland, 23-17
ST. JAMES (4A) at TRINITY (3A)
Friday at Ragsdale-Boykin Field
2024 Records: STJ (3-2, 3-0 4A R3), TPS (4-1, 3-0 3A R3)
Last week: St. James def. Talladega 35-12; Trinity def. Slocomb,,40-6
Series: Trinity leads, 34-14
Last year: STJ, 47-8
Key Numbers: After scoring just 24 total points in the first two games, Trinity has scored no less than 40 points in the last three… St. James is currently on a three-game win streak in the series having won seven of the last eight.
The skinny: These two are back in separate classifications again this season (and next) after the Trojans’ success in the playoffs. It seems as though the two are taking turns in the series, although it has been a bit one sided the last few years with St. James having the advantage. But that might change this season with the Wildcats showing off their offense the last couple of weeks. It’s no secret they were looking for the right fit at quarterback but seems to have found it with Patton Mitchell but they are also using the Wildcat formation to success. The Trojans had their offensive issues in the first three games but seems to have settled into a groove the last two weeks. Quarterback Chase Perry had a career high in passing yards last week against Talladega. This rivalry has typically come down to who has the better team. In this one, at least on the surface, Trinity might get the nod. But it’s not enough to go too far on a limb and state that the Trojans won’t have enough to win. They do and will play the Wildcats off their feet before bowing late.
PREDICTION: Trinity, 24-20
KEY GAMES
Opelika (7A) at Pike Road (6A) - The Patriots won last week but the film will not make it into the annals of their football program. There is a lot to clean up and the Bulldogs are not a good team to find adjustments. Opelika, 30-20.
Stanhope Elmore (6A) at Smiths Station (7A) – Mustangs need some karma heading into the second half. Smiths is better than in years’ past. Hard to pick against them. Smiths Station, 23-19.
Wetumpka (6A) at Eufaula (5A) – Eufaula is not the team it’s been in the past but Wetumpka has not shown any consistency. Indians are being asked to win a road game, and that’s asking too much. Eufaula, 31-20.
Montgomery Aca (3A) at Luverne ( 2A) – Two teams haven’t faced off since the late 1990s. And that was the only time. Eagles get the nod. MA,28=21.
Prattville Christian (3A) at Autauga Academy (1A) - One day this might be a big rivalry… like it was a dozen years ago when the two were in AISA. Autauga dominated then and continue that dominance on Friday. AA, 45-12.
Edgewood Academy at Lowndes Academy (Class AA, R1) - Lowndes has now won 22 straight and have given up just 13 points this season. Edgewood has struggled offensively. Lowndes, 29-7.
THE REST
Cedar Point over JAG, 29-12; Maplesville over Holtville, 24-15; Billingsley over Isabella, 30-13; Valiant Cross over Southern Aca, 25-14
OPEN: Carver; P. Julian; Park Crossing; Prattville; Elmore County; Alabama Christian; Tallassee; Autaugaville; Hooper Academy;
RECORD: Last week 18-3; Season 70-25 (.736)