PREP CAPSULES (Week 11): Games that matter in the final week of regular season is a good thing
STAFF REPORT
We’ve reached the end. The regular season, that is.
Usually that means a few rivalry games and several byes the last week.
But we have games that matter - playoff wise - and that’s refreshing.
The Class 7A playoff picture is still a work-in-progress. Prattville has work to do and is in need of a little help to reach the post season. The Lions have a difficult task of knocking off Central-Phenix City but they will get to try it at home.
Dothan will have already given them an idea of what the game means the night before when it faces Jeff Davis. A win for the Wolves all but eliminates the Lions from playoff consideration. Prattville fans might want to travel to Cramton Bowl and cheer on the Vols for their own sake.
Wetumpka has an interesting matchup with Clay County-Central. It has no playoff implications but should be a fun one to keep an eye on.
Tallassee and Holtville have played 34 times and the Tigers have one all but two of those on the field (there was one forfeit to the Tigers in the Covid season and one tie).
Several teams have completed the regular season, including Catholic, which finished the regular season with the longest winning streak in the state at 24 games. They start the playoffs next week as do so many others.
Week 10
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY at PRATTVILLE (7A-R2)
Friday at Stanley-Jensen Stadium
2022 Records: Central (7-2, 6-1), Prattville (6-3. 4-3)
Playoff picture: Prattville needs a win to have any chance of making the playoffs then the Lions need upset wins by Lee over Enterprise and a Jeff Davis win over Dothan. Central is locked in the playoffs but needs a win or an Auburn loss to Smiths Station to keep the top seed.
Last week: Central-Phenix City did not play; Auburn def. Prattville, 37-29
Last year: Central, 42-21
Series: Central, 9-6
Key Numbers: The Lions trailed 27-0 last week before battling back to within eight in the final minute but was unable to recover an onside kick.
The skinny: The Lions have a tall order this week but should never put themselves in this situation. The loss to Smiths Station made no sense at the time it happened (Sept. 2) and it looks worse now since Smiths Station is going to finish in last place in the region. Sure, the Lions were trying to figure out a few things and the wins over Opelika and Enterprise somewhat offset the loss. No one expected Dothan to do as well as it has. It’s all water under the bridge now and Prattville has to beat the best team in the region. Is it possible? Yes. The Lions have found life on offense and can score against anyone. But the Red Devils have one of the best offenses in the state, and at the moment, may be the team to beat for Class 7A title. A lot of points will be scored but unfortunately, the Lions will be short of the number.
PREDICTION: Central-PC, 42-35
DOTHAN at JEFF DAVIS (7A-R2)
Thursday at Cramton Bowl
2022 Records: Carver (7-1, 5-0), Pike Road (5-3, 4-1)
Playoff picture: Season ends this week for Jeff Davis. If Dothan wins, it’s in the playoffs. If it loses, it can still make it with a Prattville loss.A loss plus a Prattville win drops the Wolves out of contention.
Last week: Dothan def. Opelika, 14-7; Enterprise def. Jeff Davis, 33-14
Last year: : Dothan, 20-18
Series: Dothan, 3-0
Key stats: Jeff Davis is 3-1 at the friendly confines of Cramton Bowl this season… Dothan will be without head coach Jed Davidson Friday due to a suspension after allegedly pushing an assistant on the sidelines.
The skinny: Why are we previewing a game that features a team with just three wins? Good question. But this actually might be a closer game than expected. JD has improved as the season moved forward. They have increased their offensive output substantially from a year ago. While the wins are not against top-notch opponents (Lee and Smiths Station), it has allowed the Vols to avoid finishing in last place in a tough region (something they have-not done in since 2018). Add to this game the pressure on Dothan to win. The Wolves are sitting pretty good for the playoffs but can’t afford a slip up should Prattville upset Central. The suspension to the head coach doesn’t help matters. It adds to the fact that strange things are happening this season and it is Halloween weekend. But there is not need to get scared of this game. Watch and see if it’s closer than expected.
PREDICTION: Dothan, 23-16
WETUMPKA (6A) at CENTRAL-CLAY CO. (5A)
Friday at Volunteer Stadium, Lineville
2022 Records: Central (7-2, 5-0), Wetumpka (7-2, 4-2)
Playoff picture: Both teams are set for the post season with fourth-seed Wetumpka traveling to Saraland and 1 seed Central-Clay at home against Holtville next week.
Last week: Central-Clay def. Russell Co., 26-14; Wetumpka def. Sidney Lanier, 34-16
Last meeting: First meeting
Key Stats: QB Nate Rogers rushed for 214 yards and four TDs in the win over Sidney Lanier.
The skinny: There is no history between these two programs, but there is some between the Indians and Lineville (six meetings between 1931-50) and Clay County (met twice in 1920-21). But who was around to remember? In a way, it’s a neat game since Central-Clay has been solid since the consolidation of the two schools, winning back-to-back state titles in 2018-19. Wetumpka has enjoyed a successful season, possibly more than some expected. The Indians will try to spoil the party of Saraland in Round 1, but that might be a tall order. But that’s next week. The Indians should have too much size and depth for Clay Central. Although 6A is not a big jump from 5A, it’s big enough. It’s an unusual matchup for the last game of the season but when looking for a good season-ending game, this one has merit. Wetumpka is the choice, even if they decide to rest a few regulars.
PREDICTION: Wetumpka, 20-15
KEY GAMES
Enterprise at R.E. Lee (7A-R2) – The Generals broke into the win column last week. Can they make it two in a row? That’s asking a bit much… Enterprise, 31-16.
Stanhope Elmore (6A) at Minor (6A) - SE looks to end the season on a high note. A win would mean a finish with a three-game winning streak. Why not… SE, 28-23.
Holtville (5A) at Tallassee (5A) -The Tigers seem to have hit their stride at the end of the season while Holtville is dragging to the finish line. Sounds like a good situation for the home team. Tallassee, 27-15.
BT Washington (5A) at Pike Road (6A) - What looks like a tune up for the Patriots may not feel like it when it’s all over. BTW is playing solid football at the end of the season. Pike Road would be wise not to take the Eagles lightly. PRHS, 35-22.
Alabama Christian (3A) at Bayside Academy (3A) - Another tune up for both teams. ACA has been lighting it up lately. Bayside has given up 28 points per game in the last four. ACA, 38-22.
Carroll-Ozark (5A) at St. James (3A) - STJ hasn’t been on the field for the last two weeks. They should be ready to hit somebody. This is another tough non-region game for the Trojans. They lost the last two. But not this time. STJ, 34-21.
Macon East (AA) at Autauga Academy (AAA) - The Knights haven’t exactly played their best ball at the end of the season. Autauga hasn’t won since Sept. 9. Something has to give. Knights in a squeaker… ME, 23-22.
THE REST
Elmore Co over Jemison, 38-13; Chilton Co over Marbury, 30-26; PCA over Monroe County, 21-20; Autaugaville over Coosa-Central, 36-21; Billingsley over Thorsby, 27-21; Lee-Scott over Edgewood, 40-23; Lowndes Aca over Hooper Aca, 30-19; Banks Aca over Valiant Cross, 35-30.
OPEN: GW. Carver; Park Crossing; Sidney Lanier; Montgomery Academy; Trinity; Catholic
RECORD: Last week 19-1; Season 155-41 (.790)