PREP CAPSULES: Tallassee enjoys region title; Macon-East moves game with Evangel

Kicker Hunter Mullins had the game-winning field goal in Tallassee’s region-clinching win over Valley last week. (Photo contributed)

Staff Report
(Oct. 29, 2009)

The Tallassee Tigers heard the news they needed just before completion of their game with Valley last Friday.

News reached both sidelines that Eufaula had lost in an upset to Charles Henderson, giving the Tallassee-Valley winner the Class 5A, Region 2 championship.

Hunter Mullins proved to be the difference with his field goal in overtime to give the Tigers the 17-14 win and the first region title under Rodney Dollar.

"We played excellent defense and made things happened," Dollar said. "Our guys never lowered their heads and did what they needed to do."

The win gives the Tigers a first-round game at home but first, they face Holtville in a rare Thursday game at Hot O’Brien Stadium.

Capsule for Thursday’s game in the River Region.

Holtville at Tallassee, Hot O’Brien Stadium, 7 p.m.
Radio/TV: AM 1300; FM 106.9
Last Year: Tallassee 37, Holtville 13
Last Week: Holtville 37, Elmore Co 26; Tallassee 17, Valley 14 (OT)
2009 Records: Tallassee 7-2; Holtville 5-4
Key Stat: Davis Knapp blocked two field goals in Tallassee’s win over Valley, which gave the Tigers the region title.
Outlook: Tallassee has been on a roll for the second half of the season, winning key games including last week’s victory to win the region. Holtville won last week too but its forfeit turned out to be the turning point in their season. Without the reversal of the win over Opp, the Bulldogs would be the second seed in 4A, Region 2. Instead, they will be sitting home next week when the playoffs begin. That disappointment will not help this week.

Prediction: Tallassee 35, Holtville 14

Lee-Scott Academy at Lowndes Academy, 7 p.m.
Radio/TV: None
Last Year: Lee-Scott 24, Lowndes 14
Last Week: Fort Dale 35, Lee-Scott 10; Springwood 14, Lowndes 7
2009 Records: Lee-Scott 5-4; Lowndes 7-2
Key Stat: Lowndes Academy ranks third in the state (AISA) in scoring defense, giving up just 9.1 points per game.
Outlook: Lee-Scott could have clinched a home game in the first round of the playoffs with a win last week over Fort Dale, Instead, they finish third and will make a trip to Bessemer in two weeks. Lowndes also finished third in its region and would love to finish off the regular season with the upset.

Prediction: Lee-Scott 21, Lowndes Aca 14

Evangel Christian at Macon-East Montgomery, 7 p.m.
Radio/TV: None
Last Year: Macon-East 40, Evangel 6
Last Week: Pike Liberal 49, Macon-East 21; Edgewood 42, Evangel 20
2009 Records: Macon-East 7-2; Evangel 4-6
Key Stat: Quarterback Craig Granger was held to just 165 yards in total offense in the loss to Pike Liberal. The total was well below his average for the season.
Outlook: Macon-East had its chances in the loss to Pike Liberal. It gets the opportunity to work out a few kinks before the playoffs against Evangel, which will be at home when the second season begins next week.