PREP CAPSULES (Week 10): Playoff seedings still in play in last week of regular season

STAFF REPORT

This is the end… of the regular season.

While the tradition is to play a few rivalry games in the final stanza, there are a few games that matter as far as the playoffs are concerned.

Start in Class 5A, Region 4 where there is a three-way tie for first place among Tallassee, Central-Clay County and Sylacauga. The tiebreaker will come down to opponents’ records. The Tigers could finish first or third depending on their outcome against Carroll this weekend and the outcome of the Vols, which plays Handley, and Sylacauga, which faces Benjamin Russell.  The deciding factor will be wins by opponents, which makes these games big-time valuable.

Other games set up good tune-ups for the playoffs including R.E. Lee’s tilt with Pinson Valley. The Generals face the defending 6A champs for the first time and could provide an idea of how good this team could be in the postseason.

A couple of Capital City Conference games highlight the small-school schedule with Montgomery Academy playing host to Alabama Christian and Trinity renewing the rivalry with St. James.

The playoffs for both AHSAA and AISA begin next week.

Week 10

All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise.

PINSON VALLEY (6A) at R.E. LEE (6A)

Friday at Cramton Bowl

Records: Pinson Valley (6-3, 4-2 tied 2 nd in R6), Lee (6-2, 5-2 3 rd in R2)
Last week: Pinson Valley def. Jasper, 49-27; Lee def Valley, 34-0

Last year: Did not play (COVID-19)

Series: First meeting

Next week: Pinson Valley TBD; Lee at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa

Key Numbers: The Generals’ defense has created 10 turnovers in the last three games including 5 last week.
The skinny: The Generals get a good tune up heading into the playoffs against the defending 6A champions. Last year’s game was cancelled due to an agreement by both schools not to play. The defense, which has played extremely well in the second half of the season, will get a test against one of the top quarterbacks in the state in Zach Pyron, a Georgia Tech commit. Some consider him the top quarterback prospect in the state this year. Most also remember the name Sam Shade. The Pinson Valley head coach made a name for himself as part of the 1992 national championship team at Alabama. He took over for Pat Nix two years ago and led the Indians to a 6A state title, the third in four years for the program. But Lee is talented enough to win a game like this and the Generals should learn something about themselves heading into the playoff opener at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa. This is not a typical “10 th” game so expect both teams to managed it with a playoff intensity.

PREDICTION: LEE, 28-27

TRINITY (3A) at ST. JAMES (4A)

Friday at Carlisle Field

Records: TPS (8-1, 6-1 2 nd R4), STJ (8-1, 7-0 1 st R2)
Last week: TPS def. Childersburg, 52-6; STJ def. Geneva, 49-26

Last year: TPS, 33-7

Series: TPS leads, 34-11

Next week: Wicksburg at Trinity; Cherokee Co at St. James

Key Numbers: KJ Jackson passed for 177 yards and three TDs in STJ’s win over Geneva. Coleman Stanley had 216 yards and three TD with just seven completions in the Wildcats’ win over Childersburg.

The skinny: For many years, Trinity was the dominant program in this series. The Wildcats didn’t lose many, if any, for 15 years. From 2001-15, the Wildcats lost one time to the Trojans in that stretch. But the following years changed everything. While Jimmy Perry was already on the scene, he turned the program into a contender and started a win streak against Trinity as well as several other teams. STJ has won four of the last five in the series with last year ending the Trojans’ streak. Now its Granger Shook’s turn. He has the Wildcats playing the style of football Trinity fans like. Certainly, it’s a contrast in styles with STJ playing lights-out offense and the Wildcats stopping almost everything in their path. It puts this rivalry in a great position for years to come.  But in this one, Trinity gets a nod.

PREDICTION: TRINITY, 17-14

ALABAMA CHRISTIAN (4A) at MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (3A)

Thursday at McLemore Field

Records: ACA (6-3, 5-2 3 rd R2), MA (7-2, 6-0 1 st R3)
Last week: ACA def. Bullock Co, 42-0; MA def. Monroe Co., 38-14

Last year: MA, 31-7
Series: MA, 33-5

Next week: ACA at Jacksonville; Flomaton at MA

Key stat: MA clinched its second-straight region title last week. ACA will open the playoffs against a team it will face for a second-straight year in Jacksonville.

The skinny: First-year coach Michael Summers has done a solid job in his first year as the head coach at ACA. He had some big shoes to fill at quarterback plus a few other positions and the Eagles had done well under the circumstances. They will head into the playoffs with a chance to have another good run. It would be nice to finish on a high note with a win over MA. Unfortunately, the odds are against them. MA has owned the series having one all but five meetings. They have averaged just over 11 points per game. Granted this is a different ACA team than in the past but MA has found something in the latter part of the season. It’s a good tune-up for both teams but it will be a better one for the homestanding Eagles.

PREDICTION: MONTGOMERY ACADEMY, 23-20

KEY GAMES

Jeff Davis (7A) vs Park Crossing (6A) (Thur) – The Jeff Davis offense has shown a pulse of late, although it hasn’t resulted in wins. Park Crossing has thrown in the towel. This one might get ugly. JEFF DAVIS, 42-13

Carroll (5A) at Tallassee (5A) – It’s a non-regional contest but means a lot for the Tigers’ seeding. A win doesn’t necessarily change the circumstances but it does help. Will they be flat? Maybe, with it being Homecoming but they seem to be on a roll and that should mean a win.  TALLASSEE, 27-14 
G.W. Carver (6A) at Greenville (5A) – The Wolverines need a good tuneup heading into the postseason. This is a good team to see where they stand.   CARVER, 20-16.

Prattville (7A) at Bob Jones (7A) – EJ Ousley was perfect last week save an intentional grounding call in the end zone. Lions have a nice finish to the regular season. PRATTVILLE, 42-20

Elmore County (5A) at Jemison (5A) – Last chance for the Panthers to pick up a win. Jemison lacks offense. That works in the Panthers’ favor. ELMORE CO, 28-7.

Reeltown (3A) at Holtville (5A) – A Holtville win helps Tallassee in the tiebreaker procedure. But will the Bulldogs have anything left after a disappointing last couple of weeks? Let’s say, ‘yes.’ HOLTVILLE, 30-26.

Macon East (AA) at Abbeville Christian (A) – This was a shootout a year ago but Abbeviadsfadlle Christian doesn’t have as many horses this time. Macon East gets it done. ME, 30-14 

THE REST

Stanhope Elmore over Smiths Station, 23-20; Pike Road over BT Washington, 55-14; Marbury over Chilton Co., 25-21; Vincent over PCA, 27-15; Billingsley over Thorsby, 24-17; Autaugaville over A.L.  Johnson, 35-23; Autauga Aca over Glenwood, 45-44; Edgewood over Wilcox Aca, 35-14; Hooper Aca over Cornerstone Christian, 25-8;  Ft. Dale Aca, 26-13.

OPEN: Sidney Lanier; Wetumpka; Catholic; Valiant Cross

RECORD: Last week 17-5; Season 115-28 (.804)