PREP CAPSULES (Week 5): The race is on for region seedings
STAFF REPORT
We enter the fifth week to be played in the 2023 season. A lot of questions have been answered but most of the region races are far from over.
What we learned last week…. Central-Clay County is still the team to beat in Class 5A, Region 4 after the dismantling of Elmore County. The situation repeated itself from last year with the Panthers entering the game undefeated and looking for a chance to take possession of the top spot in the region.
The Volunteers proved again they are the team to beat and will be a force in the class for the championship.
G.W. Carver continued to improve and looks like the team to beat (again) in Class 6A, Region 2. The Wolverines still have their toughest tests left at the end of the season but at the moment, and thanks to an offense that has shown improvement, they look to be in position to lead that region again.
St. James and Catholic are on pace to make a deep run in the playoffs, although the Knights will once again have to deal with Andalusia. Those two are slated to play their last game of the season. Trinity could challenge St. James in Class 3A, Region 3.
Lowndes Academy continues to impress and should be the favorite to win another state title, which would be three in a row.
As for almost everybody else, the playoffs are not out of reach but some might have a tougher challenge to reach the post season. The next few weeks will play that out.
There are a few key games this weekend with the highlight being Carver visiting Stanhope Elmore.
WEEK 4
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise.
G.W. CARVER AT STANHOPE ELMORE
CLASS 6A, REGION 2
Friday at Foshee-Henderson Stadium
2023 Records: Carver (3-1, 2-0), SE (2-1, 1-0)
Last week: Carver def. Russell Co , 34-6; Stanhope did not play
Last year: Carver, 46-44
Series: Carver leads, 9-5
Key Numbers: Carver linebacker Noah Maye leads the Wolverines with an average of 12 tackles per game.
The skinny: Last year’s meeting between these two teams may have been the ‘22 season’s most entertaining game in the River Region. The two battled back and forth before the Wolverines pulled one out in the final seconds. Can there be a repeat of last year? Maybe, but don’t bet on it. Carver, while it has shown signs of the offensive juggernaut we expected, still has moments of inconsistency. Stanhope got off to a good start but then lost to Eufaula and had a close call against hapless Russell County. The Wolverines’ defense has been solid for most of the year and, to this point, matched their opponents’ speed. SE QB Jacob Bryant will need a solid performance to give the Mustangs a shot.
PREDICTION: Carver, 31-24
PRATTVILLE AT OPELIKA
CLASS 7A, REGION 2
Friday at Bulldog Stadium
2023 Records: Prattville (1-2, 1-1), Opelika (2-2, 2-1)
Last week: Prattville lost to Dothan, 59-24; Opelika lost to Central-Phenix City, 28-18
Last year: Prattville, 24-21
Series: Prattville leads, 14-13
Key Numbers: Unsubstantiated reports state that the 59 points given up by the Lions last week is the most since 1933, although no official document was available to verify (no newspapers from that year published a final score). Supposedly “Autauga County” High School gave up 62 to Holtville that season.
The skinny: High school football fans are seeing a side of Prattville football that hasn’t been around since well before the days of Bill Clark. The Lions were within 10 points in the third quarter last week but Dothan scored 37 unanswered to pull away late. The Dothan points were scored in a variety of ways including a 100-yard interception return, another Pick-6 from 30 yards out and a 75-yard “off-tackle” run for six more. This is the part where it could be said that all is not lost. But, other than a couple of wins against the Montgomery schools, JAG and Julian, there isn’t another guarantee “W” on the schedule. The playoffs aren’t out of the picture but the Lions will need a win this week and a few more in October. First things first… getting a victory this week helps, but nothing in the cards says that will happen.
PREDICTION: Opelika, 42-21
SIDNEY LANIER vs. PARK CROSSING
CLASS 6A, REGION 2
Friday at Cramton Bowl
2023 Records: Lanier (1-2, 0-1), PCHS (2-2, 2-1)
Last week: Lanier lost to Pike Road, 52-33; Park Crossing lost to Wetumpka, 37-14
Last year: Lanier, 28-12
Series: PCHS leads, 6-3
Key Numbers: Solomon Beebe had two touchdowns including an 88-yard kickoff return for the Thunderbirds last week… After being shut out in the opener, Lanier is averaging 40 points on offense in the last two games.
The skinny: It’s a simple fact for this game. The winner is still in the hunt for a playoff spot. The loser is not. For Lanier, that might be significant since this is the last season for the program. For the Thunderbirds, they have a long way to come back from after losing so many games in the last few seasons. Lanier has proven to have more offense than the T’Birds. That should be enough to pick the Poets.
PREDICTION: Lanier 45, Park Crossing 23
KEY GAMES
Russell County at Wetumpka (6A/R2) - The Indians hope the win last week will turn around the fortunes for the rest of the season. That should hold true against Russell County. WETUMPKA, 35-23
Tallassee (5A) at Marbury (5A) - Both teams have yet to win in ‘23. Both teams have struggled offensively. Tough to call but the home team gets the nod. MARBURY, 21-20
Eufaula (5A) at Pike Road (6A) - The Patriots seem to have made the step up and this one will be a good test. The Patriots should have a little more. PIKE ROAD, 35-23.
St. James at Southside-Selma (3A/R3) - Southside is capable of matching St. James’ offensive power but the Trojans’ defense should be better than its counterpart. STJ, 38-28.
Autaugaville at Billingsley (1A/R4) - The Eagles have allowed 48 points per game this season. Billingsley has struggled against the likes of Calhoun and Verbena. All that makes this a toss up. Eagles by a beak. AUTAUGAVILLE, 32-20
Crenshaw Christian (A) at Hooper Academy (AAA) - The size of these schools don’t tell the tale of this series, at least not lately. Crenshaw is good but Hooper is playing well at the moment. Give the Colts the edge. HOOPER, 26-23.
THE REST
Central-Phenix City over JAG, 55-0; Auburn over Julian, 48-6; Andalusia over Montgomery Academy, 40-12; Catholic over Geneva, 50-21; Trinity over Sylacauga, 21-20; Prattville Christian over Greensboro, 35-32; Lowndes Aca over Abbeville Christian, 43-13; Lee-Scott over Macon East, 45-12; Evangel over Ezekial, 24-20.
OPEN: Elmore County; Holtville; Autauga Academy; Edgewood Academy; Valiant Cross