PREP CAPSULES (Week 0): Nevermind the heat, prep football is back
STAFF REPORT
Yes, there were high school football games a week ago - congratulations to Autauga Academy, Lowndes Academy and a few others.
Yes, we have sweltering heat beating down on us from above.
And yes, it seems a little late for the AHSAA season to get started, but that’s how the calendar fell.
Whatever you gripe, be happy that we play a full fledged schedule this week, complete with a few classic matchups and rivalry games.
It matters little that the school formerly known as R.E. Lee and its opponent, Sidney Lanier, had a hard time finding a place to play its final game ever. But it did land in Tuskegee on Saturday night. It seems a bit apropos considering how these two schools with the great traditions are being treated.
But there are other games of note including Catholic’s return game against Class 6A McGill-Toolen. The Knights had their way in this one a year ago.
Tallassee and Reeltown renew their rivalry and this one might go down to the wire. They play on Thursday.
Montgomery Academy and St. James renew their rivalry with new coaches on both sidelines.
There are plenty more previews as we begin another season of Prep Capsules.
Week 0
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (4A) at ST. JAMES (3A)
Friday at Carlisle Field
2022 Records: MA (5-6), STJ (13-2)
Last year: STJ, 42-21
Series: MA leads, 28-20
Key Numbers: MA suffered its first losing season since 2012. The Trojans, defending 3A champs, has a chance this season to do something the program has never done - enjoy three consecutive double-digit win seasons.
The skinny: The story of this one is both teams introduce new coaches Friday. And both have lost coaches that were extremely successful in Jimmy Perry at St. James and Robert Johnson at MA. There are 330 career wins between them. Neal Posey and Ethan McBride enter their new positions in different circumstances. Posey was groomed for the St. James job while McBride was brought in after a hasty exit by Johnson. The Trojans lost key components from last year but the main cog - quarterback KJ Jackson - is back. That alone should be enough to win what is a solid rivalry.
PREDICTION: St. James, 35-14
CATHOLIC (4A) at McGILL TOOLEN (6A)
Friday at Lipscomb Park, Mobile
2022 Records: Catholic (13-1), McGill (5-5)
Last year: Catholic, 42-21
Series: Catholic, 1-0
Key Numbers: Before last year’s win over McGill-Toolen, the Catholic football program had never beaten a Class 6A team.
The skinny: Prior to last year’s game, some considered Catholic’s chance to beat McGill a reach. But 42 points to take a big lead early more than proved that idea to be erroneous. The Knights were faster, stronger and more talented. That held true until the 4A semifinals where Catholic saw its season come to an end in a rematch to Andalusia. A 13-win season would be great for most teams but for the Knights, it would be a disappointment. It would mean coming up a game short again. This should be another good start to another great season for the Knights.
PREDICTION: Catholic, 42-22
TALLASSEE (5A) at REELTOWN (3A)
Thursday at Nix-Webster-O’Neal Stadium (8 p.m.)
2022 Records: Tallassee (7-5), Reeltown (10-2)
Last year: Tallassee, 37-13
Series: Tallassee, 35-33
Key Numbers: After dropping five straight in the series (between 2000-2020), Tallassee has won the last two meetings.
The skinny:A series that was once one of the best in the central part of the state has gotten its wheels again. The two schools parted ways after 2003 due to a few off-the-field issues. It’s become one of the games to watch every year, particularly since it opens the season, which was a good move for this rivalry. As for its future, neither side has guaranteed a rematch the next two years but if they are wise, it would be best to make this an annual battle. As for the game, Tallassee has put up 34 or more points in the last two meetings but the Tigers are looking for offense to start the year. They are still trying to decide on a quarterback. Reeltown had turnover issues last season. The Rebels are also looking for more offense. The first team to 20 wins this one… make it the Tigers
PREDICTION: Tallassee, 20-18
P. JULIAN (R.E. Lee) (7A) vs. SIDNEY LANIER (6A)
Friday at BTW-Eagles Stadium, Tuskegee
2022 Records: Lanier (5-5), Julian (0-0 - 1st Year) Last meeting: First meeting (Lee led previous series, 45-21-2, from 1957-2021)
Key stat: Lanier opens its final season in its 113-year history. It will close after 2023-24 school year ends. This is the first season former Lee High School will play under a new name, Phillip Julian High School.
The skinny: Yep, it’s odd the think that these two schools have a different future, or at least in the case of what is now Julian, it has one. The Montgomery Public School system chose to rename both Lee and Jeff Davis and this year, those two names become official, although if you attend either game this weekend (Jeff Davis/J.A.G. plays at Faith Academy this week), chances are both teams will be wearing their original colors. But back to this one. Lee is rebuilding, again. Lanier has key components back from a year ago. Lee has size up front and probably a little more experience but depth may be on the side of the Poets, despite being the smaller school. DreQuay Everett opened pre-season practice with less than 50 players. Lanier will get a slight nod here, assuming this game is played, currently scheduled to be contested in Tuskegee.
PREDICTION: Lanier, 22-16
EDGEWOOD ACADEMY (AA) at AUTAUGA ACADEMY (AAA)
Friday at Generals Field
2023 Records: Autauga Aca. (1-0), Edgewood Aca (0-1)
Last week: Autauga Aca def. Abbeville Christian, 49-16; Edgewood Aca lost to Ft. Dale Academy, 41-6
Last year: Autauga Aca, 22-7
Series: Autauga Aca leads, 28-12
Key Numbers: Autauga Academy looks to extend its winning streak in the series to five games, one of those was a forfeit win.
The skinny: After a 3-7 finish last season, Autauga Academy got off to a good start with a convincing win over Abbeville Christian, especially considering the team had a coaching change about two weeks prior to the opener. Jeremy Carter took over, which was a bonus for the program. It may have a positive affect on the win total when it’s all said and done. That total should include a victory this week over Edgewood, which is still looking for a few missing pieces.
PREDICTION: Autauga Academy, 27-14
KEY GAMES
G.W. Carver (6A) at Gadsden City (6A) – Good test for the Wolverines who have a large number of returning starters. Gadsden City is never lost for talent but for some reason has not turned that into wins. Carver gets one on the road.. CARVER, 23-16
Pike Road (6A) at Marist, Ga. (AAAA) – The War Eagles of Marist lost its opener a week ago while Pike Road breaks in a new coach in Granger Shook. Too hard to tell what this matchup brings. Marist won the Class AAAA title in 2020 and has been a mainstay in the playoffs. Marist, 31–24.
Prattville (7A) at Foley (7A) – Foley won its region last year but was an early exit in the playoffs. Prattville didn’t make the post season for the first time in six years. What gives in this one? Call it a hunch.… PRATTVILLE, 30–27.
Trinity (3A) at Booker T. Washington (4A) – BTW may not have the history but might be good enough to make a run in the playoffs this season. Trinity has a new coaching staff and may need a while to get broken in. BTW, 27-14.
Elmore County (5A) at Marbury (5A) - The Panthers enjoyed a turnaround season, making the playoffs, while Marbury endured an inconsistent year. Nothing says that will change, at least in the first week. ECHS, 37-23.
Wetumpka (6A) at Benjamin Russell (6A) - Indians return a lot of weapons but so does Ben Russell. Indians owned this series when the two were region foes (2000-21). But Wildcats get a slight edge this time. BRHS, 32-30.
THE REST
Faith Academy over Jeff Davis, 28-24; Paul Bryant over Park Crossing, 23-9; Stanhope Elmore over Shades Valley, 35-27; Holtville over Fultondale, 23-20; Autaugaville over R.C. Hatch, 45-21; Billingsley over PCA, 21-12; Fort Dale Aca over Hooper Aca, 45-23;Macon East over Lakeside, 24-22; Evangel Christian over Evangel-Albany, Ga., 25-20; Escambia Aca, over Valiant Cross, 31-23; (Kickoff Classic) Thompson over Opelika, 45-21; Beauregard over Selma, 41-12.
OPEN: Alabama Christian
RECORD: Last week 0-0; Season 0-0 (.000)