PREP CAPSULES (Week 4): Crucial games make for interesting week

STAFF REPORT

It’s not too early to use the word “crucial” when discussing playoff possibilities for River Region teams.

There are several games on this week’s docket that meet the criteria.

Start with the battle at the Bowl where Carver takes on Opelika. The winner takes sole possession of first place. The Thursday matchup will be a good test for the Wolverines and new coach Marcus Gardner.

Both Wetumpka and Stanhope Elmore are in need of a spark after disappointing losses. The Indians are home to another struggling team in Benjamin Russell while the Mustangs head to Clanton to face Chilton County. A win would be big for both.

Tallassee needs a break to go its way and might get it against rival Elmore County, which is winless to this point.

The Capital City Conference teams all have interesting tests, highlighted by Alabama Christian playing host to Dale County and St. James battling Straughn.

The top game in AISA features Autauga Academy facing Bessemer Academy and Macon East at Lee-Scott.

NOTE: Park Crossing’s game at Eufaula has been canceled. The cause for the cancellation has not been given. Park Crossing was forced to forfeit its win over Russell County due to an ineligible player. The game goes as a forfeit win for Eufaula.

Week 4

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

OPELIKA at G.W. CARVER (6A-R2)

Thursday at Cramton Bowl

Records: Opelika (2-2, 2-0), Carver (2-1, 2-0)
Last week: Carver def. Park Crossing, 27-12; Opelika def. Eufaula, 21-0

Last year: Opelika, 24-7

Series: Opelika leads, 16-3

Key Numbers: Carver wideout Sidney Franklin had four receptions totaling 119 yards and two touchdowns in the win last week.
The skinny: Carver is making improvements before our eyes. Last week, they found a passing game that – at least for Park Crossing – was too much to handle. Jamar Green is improving as a quarterback. Defensively, the Wolverines are fast and do a good job of harassing the quarterback. But now the big test comes (for both sides of the ball) in Opelika, which doesn’t have the most potent offense but has been difficult to score on. The Bulldogs have given up just seven points in region play. They expect to be stingy again on Thursday, so much that it will be too much for the Wolverines.

PREDICTION: OPELIKA, 17-6

PRATTVILLE at DOTHAN (7A-R2)

Friday at Rip Hewes Stadium

Records: Prattville (3-1, 1-1), Dothan (1-2, 0-2)
Last week: Prattville def. Smiths Station, 36-8; Auburn def. Dothan, 49-13

Last year: Prattville, 35-0

Series: Prattville leads, 1-0

Key Numbers: Collin Rogers had three field goals including one for 52 yards in last week’s win.

The skinny: Prattville had a nice comeback after the loss to Auburn two weeks ago. The offense did what was needed and the defense was solid throughout. Friday’s game with Dothan will have its own problems, particularly going to the Wiregrass where penalties can become an issue for the visiting team (yes, we said it but coaches said it, too.). Dothan seems to be hemorrhaging. All the feel-good beginnings from three years ago have been swiped away. The program was supposed to improve after the marriage of the two schools. It hasn’t happened, for whatever reason. The Wolves have enough talent to beat the Lions but won’t. Prattville gets a key road victory.

PREDICTION: PRATTVILLE, 31-14

BENJAMIN RUSSELL at WETUMPKA (6A-R3)

Friday at Wetumpka Municipal Stadium

Records: Ben Russell (0-4, 0-2), Wetumpka (1-3, 0-1)
Last week: Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa def. Wetumpka, 17-6; Helena def. Ben Russell, 32-0

Last year: Wetumpka, 51-37
Series: Ben Russell leads, 25-18-1

Key stat: .

The skinny: This time a year ago Aubrey Blackwell was positioning the Catholic Knights for a run at the Class 3A championship. This season, he’s just looking for a win in his first year at Ben Russell. It’s been a trying experience for the Montgomery native, who lost a couple of key players prior to the start of the season. Ironically, Tim Perry suffered the same fate in losing players and it is showing up on the field particularly on offense where the Indians are struggling. Wetumpka is averaging just under 12 points per game. Fortunately, the Wildcats are suffering offensively as well. It’s a tough call but the Indians are at home and get their first region win.

PREDICTION: WETUMPKA, 21-15

DALE CO. at ALABAMA CHRISTIAN (4A-R2)

Friday at Wade Norton Black Field

Records: Dale Co (3-1, 2-0), ACA (2-2, 1-1)
Last week: Dale Co def. Geneva, 47-42; ACA def. BT Washington, 35-12

Last year: ACA, 40-20

Series: ACA leads, 3-2
Key stat: Corey Landers rushed for 216 yards and four TDs in the Eagles’ win over BTW.

The skinny: Which Dale County do we get this year? The state championship caliber Warriors or the one that finished with seven wins and a first-round loss? Luke Tucker is the new coach. He’ll need a season to mold the Warriors into “Fayette County” shape. Michael Summers has ACA in good shape but he’d like another win or two to settle in. He gets it.

PREDICTION: ACA, 31-21

KEY GAMES

Robert E. Lee at Russell Co. (6A/R2) – Lee has some work to do. The loss last week may prove big, “if” the Generals can’t take care of business the rest of the way. Part of that business starts this week. LEE, 31-16

Valley at Sidney Lanier (Saturday - 6A/R2) – The Poets thrust into the title race with the win over Lee. They need to keep the momentum. That shouldn’t be a problem. LANIER, 28-12

Stanhope Elmore at Chilton Co (6A/R3) – A team reeling against another team looking to pull an upset. Can you tell which is which? Stanhope wins close. SE, 20-14.

Elmore County at Tallassee (5A/R4) – Tallassee could easily be 3-0 this season but two last-second losses put them in a hole. Elmore County can use any kind of win. Alas, the Tigers break the string of bad luck. TALLASSEE, 31-20.

Montgomery Academy at Prattville Christian (3A/R3) – PCA needs a spark. This week, it will be hard to find one (or any points). MA rolls. MONTGOMERY ACADEMY, 37-6.

Pike Road at Rehobeth (5A/R2) – The Patriots continue to roll to what looks like another region title. PIKE ROAD, 49-10

Straughn at St. James (4A/R2) – Straughn has averaged 42 points per game offensively. The Tigers’ competition may not be the best but the Trojans will have a challenge. STJ, 32-28

Macon-East (AA) at Lee-Scott (AAA) – If it mattered, this would be a good resume builder for the Knights. Lee-Scott has endured a few struggles. ME has been inconsistent. Something has to give. Knights by a nose. MACON-EAST, 29-23.

THE REST

Central-Phenix City over Jeff Davis, 49-12; Montgomery Catholic over Beulah, 44-6; Trinity over Pike County, 35-13; Holtville over Talladega, 26-7; Marbury over Central-Tuscaloosa, 30-16; Notasulga over Billingsley, 27-23; Autaugaville over Francis Marion, 34-14; Autauga Academy over Bessemer Academy (Thur.), 38-16; Pike Liberal over Edgewood, 30-13; Hooper Academy over Banks Academy, 21-14; Sparta Academy over Lowndes Academy, 37-21, Chambers Academy over Valiant Cross, 40-18.

BYE: Hooper Academy; Park Crossing (game cancelled with Eufaula)

RECORD: Last week 15-5; Season 41-13 (.759)