PREP CAPSULES (Week 10): Cleaning up a few loose ends and opening AISA playoffs

STAFF REPORT

With the final week of the regular season upon us, there are a few things to clean up prior to reaching post season, which begins next Friday. (Yes, AISA begins this week but we’ll get to that in a minute.)

Begin with the final region games left in 7A, Region 2. The playoff teams are set but the order is still in doubt. Dothan, Auburn and Enterprise have clinched a spot but where they land in the pecking order depends on what happens on Friday. While Enterprise (probably) draws the toughest test this week with Julian, the other two should cruise with Auburn facing Smiths Station and Dothan playing JAG. If all three win, it opens up the tie breaking sequence that is too complicated to mention here.

There are a couple of non-region games of interest including Wetumpka at home against the Class 5A favorite Central-Clay County. The Indians are headed to the playoffs and a win would certainly give them momentum.

The same is true with Alabama Christian, which draws a tough season-ender with Bayside Academy. The Admirals finished third in their region behind Jackson and T.R. Miller.

The AISA playoffs open this week with Lowndes Academy the odds-on favorite to win the Class A title for a third consecutive year. The championships are set for Cramton Bowl on Thursday, Nov. 16.


WEEK 10

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


CENTRAL-CLAY COUNTY (5A) at WETUMPKA (6A)

Friday at Wetumpka Municipal Stadium

2023 Records: Wetumpka (5-4, 3 seed 6A/R2); Central Clay (9-0, 1 seed 5A/R4)


Last week: Wetumpka def. Lanier, 39-21; Central Clay def. Russell Co, 30-14

Last year: Central-Clay won, 35-30

Series: Central-Clay leads, 1-0

Next week: Top-seed Central-Clay Co is home against the Region 1 4th seed; Third-seed Wetumpka travels to Helena

Key Numbers: Nate Rogers had 263 yards in offense last week against Lanier.

The skinny: There are tune ups and then there are tune ups. Wetumpka will know where it stands heading into post season after Friday. Chances are the Volunteers are the favorite to win the 5A title after cruising through the schedule. They opened the season with an impressive win over Benjamin Russell (a 6A region champion) and never looked back. No one in their own region gave them much of a fight. The question is whether or not anybody in the classification can pull off what would be an upset. But that comes later. Wetumpka has work to do if it will scare anyone in the post season. The Indians may have actually drawn a good first round game, even if it is on the road. Helena awaits but Wetumpka can make a statement a week early with a win over Clay. it’s a tall order and they will need much better defense than what they’ve played over the course of the season. Last week was a better showing against the Poets but this is a horse of a different color. Indians keep it close.

PREDICTION: Central-Clay County, 31-28

P. JULIAN (Lee) at ENTERPRISE

CLASS 7A REGION 2

Friday at Wildcat Stadium

2023 Records: Julian (5-4, 3-4), Enterprise (7-2, 5-2)

Last week: Julian def. Smiths Station, 35-10; Enterprise def. JAG, 41-8

Series: First meeting

Next week: Julian’s season ends on Friday; Enterprise has several scenarios that will decide its playoff fate.

Key Numbers: Julian has won four of its last five games.

The skinny: Nevermind who it was against, the Phoenix has found new life in the second half of the season. It all began with an impressive win over Carver and has blossomed into a solid finish. Unfortunately it all ends this week since they will not qualify for the playoffs. But they can play spoiler against a Wildcat team that is in a must-win situation. Enterprise will make the playoffs but could finish as high as second or as low as the fourth seed. Obviously a second-place finish would mean a home game in the first round. But that might not matter if they don’t take the team formerly known as Lee seriously. Only the top team in the state, Central-Phenix City, has had any luck slowing down a suddenly-potent Julian offense. But Enterprise is pretty good on that side of the ball, too, averaging 40 points per game against teams not named Central-PC. The good news for Enterprise is the Phoenix has not fared well against the top seeds in the region, losing all three games by an average of 34 points. The Wildcats win but by a much closer margin.

PREDICTION: Enterprise, 35-25

CLARKE-PREP at EDGEWOOD ACADEMY

AISA CLASS AA First Round

Friday at Charles Storrs Field, Elmore

2023 Records: Clarke Prep (6-4, 3rd Seed R2), Edgewood (4-6, 2nd Seed, R1)


Last meeting: 2018 - Edgewood, 42-0

Series: Edgewood leads, 7-0

Key Stat: Winner faces either Escambia Academy or Chambers Academy next week

The skinny: The Wildcats have enjoyed a nice turnaround. It’s as though they figured out how to win and kept doing it in the second half of the season. They won four straight before falling to AAA Lee-Scott in the last game. Even though a couple of those wins would be considered less than stellar, no one is complaining. Part of the streak was earning wins over rivals Hooper Academy and Macon East. But Clarke Prep is a different animal and Edgewood will have its hands full in this one. Only Lowndes Academy has held Clarke’s offense in check this season and that’s no crime since LA has done that to everybody. It’s been a nice finish but it’s asking too much for an upset and advancement for the Wildcats.

PREDICTION: Clarke Prep, 40-20

KEY GAMES

Sidney Lanier (6A) at Vigor (6A) The Poets aren’t the same team without their full complement on offense. It’s unknown the status of quarterback Jacques Thompson, which makes this a tough call. Vigor has shown flashes and should win at home. VIGOR, 28-27

Prattville at Central-Phenix City (7A/R2) -A disappointing season comes to an end for the Lions. They will finish 2023 on a three-game losing streak and four out of five after this one. C-PC, 48-12.

Bayside Academy (4A) at Alabama Christian (3A) - Tough season-ending matchup for the Eagles, who can build some momentum with a win. Alas, it’s not to be... BAYSIDE, 35-30.

B.T. Washington (5A) at Pike Road (6A) - Senior Night for the Patriots should be fun as it heads to the playoffs as a region champ. PIKE ROAD, 43-20.

AA 1st Round: Macon East at Banks - It’s been a rough season for the Knights. It comes to an end on Friday BANKS, 40-16.

AA 1st Round: Hooper Academy at Patrician -It’s been a good turnaround season for the Colts but it ends against one of the favorites. PATRICIAN, 28-17.

A 1st Round: Sparta Academy at Lowndes Academy: Rebels begin the quest to three-peat and does it with ease. LOWNDES ACADEMY, 45-0.

AAA 1st Round: Bessemer Academy at Autauga Academy: One of the better matchups in the first round. Generals have found some offense late and should have enough to advance. AA, 30-21.

THE REST

Dothan over JAG, 41-11; Minor over Stanhope Elmore, 27-21; Holtville over Tallassee, 35-12; Elmore County over Jemison, 45-13; St. James over Carroll, 30-29; Chilton Co over Marbury, 28-21; PCA over Monroe County, 36-7; Central-Coosa over Autaugaville, 25-21; Thorsby over Billingsley, 30-21.

OPEN: G.W. Carver; Park Crossing; Montgomery Academy; Montgomery Catholic; Trinity; Valiant Cross

SEASON COMPLETED: Park Crossing; Valiant Cross

RECORD: Last week 16-3; Season 159-32 (.832)

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)