PREP CAPSULES (Week 8) Handful of games could decide region titles
STAFF REPORT
A couple of region titles are on the line this weekend and a couple more will go towards deciding which teams will be in the playoffs.
Week 8 of the regular season has high octane games, a few that might not have been considered in that category but games like Russell County at Pike Road and St. James at Tallassee belong in the discussion.
Russell County has a chance to win a region title when it faces Pike Road on Friday. The Warriors have just one loss and it was outside the region. Pike Road has won all five region games and can all but clinch the title, which would be the fifth in the program’s history.
St. James and Tallassee meet with the idea that the winner may be the region champ but there are other teams involved in the equation. B.T. Washington is also among the leaders.
In AISA, Macon East faces Springwood in a key Class A contest. The winner has a great shot at a top seed in the classification.
Week 8
Games begin at 7 p.m. unless stated otherwise.
RUSSELL CO at PIKE ROAD (6A, R2)
Friday at Patriot Stadium
2024 Records: Russell Co (6-1, 4-0), Pike Road (5-3, 5-0)
Last week: PIke Road def. Stanhope Elmore, 35-17; Russell County did not play
Series: Pike Road 2-0
Last year: Pike Road, 63-27
Key Numbers: With a win Friday, Russell County can clinch its first region title since 1998.
The skinny: We talk a lot about parity in college football, but maybe it’s found its way to the high school ranks. Considering the Warriors’ fortunes, it’s not a bad comparison. Russell County has been bad, as in really bad. They have not had a winning season since 1998, also the last year they won a region title. They will make the playoffs for only fourth time in school history. They have ended losing streaks against almost everybody from the River Region. But it might be all for naught if the Warriors don’t win on Friday. They have put themselves in position to take the region and a win over Pike Road will take care of that, no matter what happens next week against Rehobeth. It’s doubtful this game was scheduled this late for playoff purposes but that’s what we have. Pike Road has shown consistency in being inconsistent all season. When the offense clicks, they are hard to beat. Unfortunately, that is followed up with plays on defense (or special teams) that end up costing them. They seem due for a complete game. Russell County might feel a little pressure this week, since none of these players were born the last time the Warriors were in this position. For some reason, it feels like Pike Road gets it done at home.
PREDICTION: Pike Road 32, Russell County 28
AUBURN at G.W. CARVER (7A-R2)
Friday at Cramton Bowl
2024 Records: Carver (5-2, 3-2); Auburn (7-0, 5-0)
Last week: Carver lost to Central-Phenix City, 17-14; Auburn def. Smiths Station, 70-6
Last Meeting: 2017, Auburn, 27-0
Series: Auburn leads, 11-6
Key Numbers: Auburn has scored no less than 38 points in all but one game this season. The Tigers average 48 points per game. Carver got 344 yards and three touchdowns passing last week from TJ Russell in a losing effort.
The skinny: What needed to happen for Carver and its second-half schedule hasn’t to this point. Anyone paying attention knew the Wolverines’ final five games would be difficult and so far, that has been the case. Carver has yet to win since the open week on Sept. 27. While that’s only two games, it has set the trend and it might hit the apex this week with who most say is the state’s best team. Auburn has few weaknesses. They seem to score at will and that includes with the backups. Keith Etheredge has built a powerhouse that will be hard to slow down. Carver may have the offensive firepower but it has been inconsistent, although they did almost enough last week to pull off the upset. This might be closer than the score comparisons look. Carver is due a special performance. But that’s wishing on a shooting star.
PREDICTION: Auburn, 42-28
ST. JAMES at TALLASSEE (4A-R3)
Friday at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium
2024 Records: STJ (5-3, 5-0), Tallassee (4-2, 4-1)
Last week: STJ def. Cleburne County, 55-33; Tallassee def. Handley, 33-22
Series: Tallassee 4-3
Last meeting: 2016, Tallassee - 42-14
Key Numbers: All but one of the meetings in this series were regional contest. The lone game in the playoffs came in the last meeting, a second-round game at St. James.
The skinny: If RRS gave an award for Coach of the Year, this year’s recipient might be Tallassee’s L.A. O’Neal, who has completely turned around the Tigers, from 1-9 to a current 4-2 record and in position of winning a region title. The fact is Tallassee could easily be undefeated had it not shot itself in the foot with turnovers in the two losses. But the learning curve seems to be going better than expected and Friday brings their lesson to a head against another team that had to find itself after the first three games of the season. All three of St. James’ losses came against Capital City Conference foes Trinity, Montgomery Academy and Catholic. No shame in any of those. But STJ is capable of winning this one, too. The quarterback, Chase Perry, has become a playmaker, being responsible for six touchdowns last week against Cleburne County. The Tigers have gotten solid quarterback play from Trent Morris, as well. If this one comes down to one thing, it might be turnovers, where Tallassee has improved in that category and St. James has been consistent most of the year. A key might be the fact that Tallassee hasn’t been home much. This will be the second game at the “Hot” and that might be a key. At least, it’s good enough for RRS.
PREDICTION: Tallassee, 25-24
KEY GAMES
Park Crossing at Wetumpka (6A R2) - The Indians got the win they needed last week for the playoffs. Now they get the worst team in the region and should take care of business. Wetumpka, 28-7.
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa at Prattville (7A R3) – The Lions learned they will get to return to Stanley-Jensen Stadium to play their final home game on Nov. 1. In the meantime any thought of a playoff bid comes down to winning out. They should get this one. Prattville, 28-14.
Trinity at Wicksburg (3A R2) – The shine may have come off Wicksburg after last week but Trinity would be wise not to take this one for granted. Wildcats win what becomes a tougher game than expected. Trinity, 27-21.
Marbury at Elmore County (5A R4) – Maybe one day, this can become a rivalry. But not at the moment…. Elmore County, 37-14.
Macon East at Springwood (1A R4) - Two teams that will be more than just a factor in who wins Class A. The Knights have been solid, got an unexpected break with a forfeit win. They go on the road and get a huge win. Springwood, 32-30.
THE REST
Enterprise over JAG, 45-12; Valley over Holtville, 26-23; Alabama Christian over Slocomb, 35-12; Catholic over Greenville, 55-0; Montgomery Academy over PCA, 35-11; Autauga Academy over Ellwood Christian, 45-7; Billingsley over Notasulga, 24-13; Edgewood Aca over Bessemer Aca, 25-18; Verbena over Autaugaville, 35-19; Abbeville Christian over Hooper Aca, 24-13; Evangel Christian over Cornerstone Christian, 29-13.
OPEN: P. Julian; Valiant Cross
RECORD: Last week 18-4; Season 111-39 (.740)