PREP CAPSULES: Playoff races not-so clear among River Region teams
STAFF REPORT
Here we go….
Last two weeks of region play will create a lot of scenarios for the playoffs. At the moment, several of the races are clear as mud.
As an example, Class 6A, Region 2 has a four-way tie for second place. Opelika already has the top spot after its win over Lee last Saturday.
But Lee, Carver, Eufaula and Park Crossing all sit under the Bulldogs and each with two region losses.
At least one of those will be removed this week with Lee facing Park Crossing. Carver will look to stay in the running with a win over arch-rival Lanier on Thursday.
Two regional titles will be decided with head-to-head battles in Class 3A. Thomasville and Montgomery Academy meet with winner-take-all status for Region 3.
Catholic and Trinity have the other one in Region 4.
Other teams such as Wetumpka and Stanhope Elmore are working their way up the chain and hoping to not stumble. Alabama Christian can clinch the region title – the first since the current system was set up in 2000 – with a win over Straughn.
R.E. LEE vs. PARK CROSSING
Class 6A Region 2
Friday at Cramton Bowl
2020 Records: Lee (4-3, 3-2), Park Crossing (4-3, 3-2)
Last year: Lee, 7-0
Series: Lee, 3-1 (loss was a forfeit in 2016)
Last week: Opelika def. Lee, 19-0; Park Crossing earned a forfeit win against Valley (1-0)
Key Numbers: Reggie Davis was held to his lowest output of the season against Opelika, rushing for 125 yards an no touchdowns.
The skinny: A couple of first for this meeting. It’s the first time this game has been a region contest. It’s also the first time it’s been at Cramton Bowl in its short history. The others were played to start the season at Alabama State. That has little or no bearing on who wins this game in 2020 but the fact that a playoff bid might be on he line certainly means something. Park Crossing’s lone win “on the field” came against Lanier two weeks ago. In the other games, they are giving up an average of 33 points (3 games). Lee isn’t exactly an offensive juggernaut but last week’s shutout loss to Opelika is not one to judge due to the wet weather. But the Generals have their problems in the passing game and if the Thunderbirds can somehow exploit that, they have a shot. Stopping Davis is the key and so far only Opelika has done that (with help of the weather). He’s the difference, again.
PREDICTION: Lee, 27-18
G.W. CARVER vs SIDNEY LANIER
Class 6A Region 2
Thursday at Cramton Bowl
2020 Records: Carver (4-3, 3-2), Lanier (3-4, 1-4)
Last year: Lanier, 14-13
Series: Lanier leads, 25-23
Last week: Carver lost to Eufaula, 38-21; Lanier def. Russell Co, 26-7
Key Numbers: Quarterback Marquarius Moore passed for 171 yards and two TDs, both to Sydney Franklin in last week’s loss. Lanier earned its highest points output of the season against Russell County.
The skinny: The cliché of throwing the record books out the window actually fits this rivalry. It seems as though the designated underdog has pulled off an upset more so than not the last few years. The case could be made for the last three wins for the Poets, who have spoiled Carver’s bid either to make the playoffs or, in the case of winning the region in 2018. How is this year any different? It comes down to how much offense can Lanier generate and it will need it with Carver having some potency in that category. Carver is also fighting for one of three remaining playoff spots and a loss would more or less eliminate that chance. The sense of urgency will be a key and how well the Wolverines handle it. Lanier, which is not officially eliminated from playoff contention, can be a spoiler and would love to take another bite out of Carver’s chances. But, not this time.
PREDICTION: Carver, 20-7
STANHOPE ELMORE at HELENA
Class 6A, Region 3
Thursday at Huskey Stadium
2020 Records: SE (4-3, 3-1), Helena (4-4, 3-2)
Last meeting: Never met
Last week: SE did not play; Helena def. Calera, 14-13
Key Numbers: Helena has played just five on-field games. Stanhope Elmore has yet to earn a win against a team with a winning record.
The skinny: Consider the Mustangs the mystery team in 2020. At times, they look unbeatable. Others, they don’t seem to have enough defense. And it’s been the defense that has failed at times. The loss to Pelham is the example that fits the argument where the Mustangs had success with the offense but couldn’t find the stops to win the game. This week’s game has the feeling of a similar nature. Helena does not have a potent offense but in some ways it’s hard to tell just how good (or not so good), the Huskies are. The struggles against an average Calera team last week might be telling, or it might be they were rusty after sitting for three weeks. Either way, Stanhope should win this one going away and clinch a playoff spot.
PREDICTION: Stanhope Elmore, 28-14
CATHOLIC AT TRINITY
Class 3A, Region 4
Friday at Ragsdale-Boykin Field
2020 Records: Catholic (6-2, 5-0), Trinity (6-1, 5-0)
Last year: Catholic, 26-13
Series: Trinity leads, 22-10
Last week: Catholic def. Childersburg, 42-0; Trinity earned a forfeit win over Dadeville (1-0)
Key Numbers: Catholic RB Jeremiah Cobb is 25 yards away from a 1,000-yard season. He had 160 last week in the win over Childersburg. Trinity has given up double-digits in scoring just twice all season.
The skinny: Last year’s game may have started a trend in this series. The two teams battled for the region championship with Catholic winning. Beforehand, the meeting rarely meant anything other than a win for Trinity, which dominated the series since the 1990s. As expected, this is a contrast in styles. Catholic is about scoring. Trinity is about stopping points. A good game to compare the two teams might be the loss each took against Montgomery Academy. MA scored 32 points against the Knights but it was Catholic turnovers that proved to be the downfall. For Trinity, it managed little or no offense in a low-scoring loss to the Eagles, but it was early in the season and new coach Granger Shook was breaking in the troops. In this new world of “basketball on grass” the Wildcats will have to find another level of offense to have a chance. They have gotten better as the season has progressed, but not enough to win what should be an exciting game.
PREDICTION: Catholic, 28-19
THOMASVILLE at MONTGOMERY ACADEMY
Class 3A, Region 3
Friday at McLemore Field
2020 Records: Thomasville (7-0, 4-0), MA (7-0, 4-0)
Last meeting: Never met
Last week: Thomasville def. Hale County, 45-20 ; MA def. Greensboro, 31-20
Key Numbers: Thomasville has won two state championships but none since 2010. MA hasn’t won a regional title since 2017.
The skinny: Dare we compare these two programs in the moment? Beyond the records (which are the same), can one claim a tougher schedule? MA did get the benefit of a forfeit so one less game for the Eagles. Thomasville averages 41 points per game offensively while MA is giving up 10 points defensively. Hard to compare scores since both have been about equal against like opponents. Tradition? Certainly Thomasville has done more over the years but lately, the Tigers haven’t lived up to the billing. Same is true for MA. You want longevity? Jack Hankins is in his 19th season as the Tigers coach having won 166 games. Robert Johnson has won 159 games but at six different schools. Hard to call but the Eagles are at home. That in itself may not be enough but it’s works here.
PREDICTION: Montgomery Academy, 26-20
KEY GAMES
Enterprise at Jeff Davis (7A/Region 2) (Cramton Bowl - Saturday) – Jeff Davis actually scored some points last week (18) but most came when the outcome was already decided. The Wildcats are in need of a win for a playoff spot. They get it. Enterprise, 34-15
Calera at Wetumpka (6A/Region 3) – Indians are able to clinch a playoff with a win… piece of cake. Wetumpka, 29-12.
Demopolis at Marbury (5A/Region 3) The Bulldogs have put two wins together, a third will be huge. But Demopolis is the class of the region. Too much to ask of an upset Demopolis, 32-21.
St. James at Ashford (4A/Region 2) – Trojans have the playoff spot wrapped up. This one guarantees a first-round home game. STJ, 34-13.
Straughn at Alabama Christian (4A/Region 2) – ACA is playing for its first region title since going to regions in 2000. They’ve been dominant for much of the season and there is no reason to think otherwise this week. ACA, 45-16.
Autauga Academy at Southern Academy (AA/Region 2) – Who knew this game would be for a playoff spot? But that’s what kind of season the Generals have endured. Tough to call but somehow they get it done. Autauga Aca, 21-20.
THE REST
Beauregard over Elmore Co., 34-21; Monroe County over Prattville Christian, 21-13; Loachapoka over Autaugaville, 31-23; Edgewood over Springwood, 33-19; Hooper Academy over Lee-Scott, 26-13; Lowndes Aca over Coosa Valley, 25-14; Pike Liberal over Valiant Cross (Sat.), 41-12.
BYE: Prattville; Pike Road; Holtville (forfeit from Tallassee); Tallassee (Forfeit to Holtville)
RECORD: Last week 15-4; Season 108-29 (.789)