PREP CAPSULES (Week 8): More Lanier closure this week with end of Carver rivalry

STAFF REPORT

Another legacy game means more closure this week.

As high school football fans continue to celebrate the final year of Sidney Lanier football, we’ve reached another game that has meant so much to a lot of fans, particularly on the west side where they have watched G.W. Carver and the Poets clash for the last 53 years.

Unfortunately, fans of Lanier and R.E. Lee (now Julian) were cheated in the final meeting at the beginning of the season after the game was moved to Tuskegee on a Saturday. For many, it was an injustice to a rivalry that spanned nearly 70 years.

The expectations are fans will turn out for this one and celebrate the history of the rivalry. It’s sad to say “goodbye” to the Poets’ football program but at least we get a chance to do it properly this time.

Other key games involving teams in the River Region include a battle for a region title between Holtville and Demopolis. It’s been a while since the Bulldogs have been in position to earn a championship but a win Friday gives them the Class 5A, Region 3 title. Also, Crenshaw Christian visits Lowndes Academy in a Class A Region 1 game.

WEEK 8

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

SIDNEY LANIER vs. G.W. CARVER

CLASS 6A REGION 2

Friday at Cramton Bowl

2023 Records: Carver (6-2, 4-0), Lanier (5-2, 3-1)

Last week: Carver def. Wetumpka, 38-7; Lanier def. Stanhope Elmore, 32-24

Last year: Carver won , 23-20

Series: Carver leads, 26-25

Key Numbers: The two programs have met every year since 1971 with the exception of a two-year span between 2014-15 when the two teams were in different regions. Take away the forfeit win for Carver in 2021 and the series is dead even with the last meeting deciding the series winner on Friday.

The skinny: We come to the end of a classic… literally. The Westside Classic will be played one final time at Cramton Bowl (unless these two meet again in the playoffs). The history of this game has fluctuated between must-win games to staying out of the cellar at times. Lately, the series has been streak-ridden. Currently Carver has won three straight (one of the wins came via forfeit). Before that, Lanier won four straight. Who has the advantage heading into this final meeting? Hard to say. Lanier has been explosive on offense, scoring no less than 31 points per game since being shut out by Julian in Game 1. Carver seems to have found its legs offensively, unloading on Wetumpka last week with more than 400 yards of total offense. Traditionally, this game has lived up to excitement. With this being the last time (and the oddity that many on the field will be teammates next year), it should hold true to the current norm and go down to the final minute with Carver winning a close one.

PREDICTION: Carver, 26-20

HOLTVILLE at DEMOPOLIS

CLASS 5A REGION 3

Friday at Tiger Stadium

2023 Records: Holtville (6-1, 4-0), Demopolis (5-2, 4-0)


Last week: Holtville def. Marbury, 46-20; Demopolis def. Jemison, 48-14

Last year: Demopolis won, 60-14

Series: Demopolis leads, 1-0

Key Numbers: Winner wraps up the Class 5A, Region 3 title since this is the final region game for both teams. If the Bulldogs win, it would be the first region title since 1986.

The skinny: Holtville hasn’t been in this position for quite a while. The last time the Bulldogs were playing for region supremecy was 2010 when they went to Dadeville undefeated in the region only to lose to the Tigers and eventually finished third. The good news is they know they will have a home game in Round 1 of the 5A playoffs no matter what happens in this one. More good news is the defense has been getting better as the season progressed. They are allowing only 13 points per game in the last four. Demopolis brings a solid offense but against the best opponents, the Tigers have scored a total of seven points. The long road trip west doesn’t help matters but Holtville should be up for the challenge. They are battle-tested this season, but will that be enough? Not this time.

PREDICTION: Demopolis, 37-34

CRENSHAW CHRISTIAN at LOWNDES ACADEMY

AISA Class AA Region 1

Friday at Rebel Field, Lowndesboro

2023 Records: CCA (6-3, 2-1), LA (8-0, 3-0)


Last week: Crenshaw lost to Southern Aca. , 46-20; Lowndes def. Lakeside, 51-7

Last year: Lowndes won, 21-20

Series: Crenshaw leads, 8-7

Key Numbers: Lowndes Academy has won 14 straight dating back to last season. That’s five wins away from the school record of 19.

The skinny: Crenshaw’s upset loss to Southern Academy last week might put a bit of a damper on this one but don’t tell that to the Rebels. The Cougars came as close as anyone in Class A to defeat the eventual state champs. Lowndes players talked about it prior to the season and certainly have looked forward to this one all year after falling behind in last season’s matchup but clawed back to win a close one. The problem for Crenshaw is suddenly the second seed finish is in peril after last week’s loss. Lowndes has allowed a total of 28 points this season with six shutouts. The most points allowed in a game was 14 against Patrician, which has proven to be the most difficult test to date. That stat doesn’t change after Friday night.

PREDICTION: Lowndes Academy, 42-7

KEY GAMES

P. Julian (Lee) at Prattville (7A/R2) - The Phoenix have improved while the Lions have been up and down recently, mostly down although the win over JAG put a little salve on the wounds. Lions are at home and that’s enough to pull off the win. PRATTVILLE, 28-23

Stanhope Elmore at Pike Road (6A/R2) - The Mustangs have no shot at the postseason without a win Friday. Their hopes are almost dashed already. Pike Road is trying to win the region. The Patriots have too much offense to drop this one . PRHS, 41-16.

Prattville Christian at Trinity (3A/R3) - The Wildcats have to shake off last week’s loss to St. James and not let that one beat them twice. No problem. TPS should win going away. TRINITY, 35-21.

Tallassee at Sylacauga (5A/R4) - Sylacauga has lost 20 straight games. Tallassee is scuffling and has just one win so far. No playoff involved. Only pride. Tallassee has a little more … TALLASSEE, 21-18.

Dale County at Catholic (4A/R3) - Dale County is a shell of what it was a few years ago. Catholic continues to dominate. Another shut out for the Knights? You betcha. CATHOLIC, 44-0.

THE REST

Park Crossing over Russell County, 25-24; JAG over Smiths Station, 23-21; Alabama Christian over Greensboro, 35-12; Montgomery Academy over Slocomb, 25-20; Elmore County over Valley, 30-14; St. James over Sumter Central, 40-12; Shelby County over Marbury, 28-21; Verbena over Autaugaville, 31-20; Notasulga over Billingsley, 28-13; Monroe Academy over Autauga Academy, 38-23; Chambers Academy over Hooper Academy, 28-16; Abbeville Christian over Macon East, 21-14; Bessemer Academy over Valiant Cross, 35-6; Cornerstone Christian over Evangel Christian, 35-28.

OPEN: Wetumpka

RECORD: Last week 16-1; Season 131-20 (.873)

High SchoolGraham DunnStanhope Elmore HS, Prattville HS, AHSAA, Catholic HS, Alabama Christian Academy, Montgomery Academy, G.W. Carver HS, P. Julian HS, Park Crossing HS, Wetumpka HS, St. James HS, Marbury HS, Trinity Presbyterian, Tallassee HS, Autauga Academy, Sidney Lanier, Elmore county HS, Holtville HS, Prattville Christian, Billingsley HS, Edgewood Academy, Lowndes Academy, Valiant Cross Academy, Macon East, Evangel Christian (MGM)