Staff Report
(Nov. 6, 2009)

River Region Sports breaks down the "Super Six" games of the first round of the playoffs on Friday night with predictions of all games involving RRS teams plus a few bonus picks.

Friday’s Super 6

Stanhope Elmore at Central-Phenix City, Garrett-Harrison Stadium, 7 p.m.
Radio/TV: AM 1410
Last meeting: Sept. 25 – Central-PC 32, Stanhope 29
Last week: Jess Lanier 17, Stanhope 14; Central 20, Wetumpka 12
2009 Records: Stanhope 5-5; Central 9-1
Key Stat: Demarcus Milliner scored twice in the fourth quarter last week in the loss to Jess Lanier. Stanhope has just one win (1-5) on the road this season.
Outlook: If history is evidence of what is to come, the Mustangs are in trouble on Friday. Since joining 6A in 2006, Stanhope has never won a playoff game  and has lost four straight in postseason play. Central hasn’t been much better, losing three straight but they have the element of a win over the Mustangs in September. Fans have been waiting all season for Stanhope to put it together and beat a strong opponent. Friday could be its last chance. With Demarcus Milliner more involved in the offense, RRS is calling the upset.

Prediction: Stanhope Elmore 26, Central-PC 24

John Carroll at G.W. Carver, Cramton Bowl, 7 p.m.
Radio/TV: None
Last meeting: 2008 playoffs – Carver 53, J. Carroll 15
Last week: Carver 37, Sidney Lanier 12; J. Carroll 20, St. Clair Co 13
2009 Records: Carver 9-1; J. Carroll 7-3
Key Stat: With his performance against Lanier, quarterback Reggie Aaron surpassed 2,000 yards in passing for the second-straight year.
Outlook: Despite a few turnovers, the Wolverines are firing on all cylinders right now. Since losing to Greenville in the second game of the season, Carver has been on a mission to find the same moxy it had last season. Mission accomplished. Carver should roll on Friday, probably setting up a matchup with Briarwood.

Prediction: Carver 35, John Carroll 14

Enterprise at Wetumpka, Hohenburg Stadium, 7 p.m.
Radio/TV: AM 1250
Last meeting: 2008 playoffs – Wetumpka 26, Enterprise 16
Last week: Central-PC 20, Wetumpka 12; Enterprise 40, Jeff Davis 0
2009 Records: Wetumpka 6-4; Enterprise 7-3
Key Stat: Against teams with losing records, Enterprise is averaging 38 points per game offensively but has scored an average of just 20 points against opponents with winning records.
Outlook: The Indians’ struggles against opponents outside the region continued last week. Their lone victory outside Region 4 came against Pelham and they needed overtime to achieve that. Enterprise apparently lost their quarterback, Rhett Harrelson, to a shoulder injury last week but Tyler Warren filled in admirably against Jeff Davis. If Wetumpka can eliminate turnovers – its downfall in the loss to Prattville – it should win.

Prediction: Wetumpka 20, Enterprise 14

Gulf Shores at Tallassee, Hot O’Brien Stadium, 7 p.m.
Radio/TV: AM 1300/FM 106.5
Last meeting:  First meeting
Last week: Tallassee 41, Holtville 14; Gulf Shores 17, Bayside Aca 0
2009 Records: Tallassee 8-2; Gulf Shores 8-2
Key Stat: The combination of Quan Williams, Mike Smith and Trey Cochran-Gill have rushed for nearly 3,000 yards this season.
Outlook: Based on the record, Gulf Shores brings a stingy team to Tallassee on Friday. The Dolphins have allowed a total of 27 points in the last four games. But it’s doubtful any of those teams have the 1-2 punch that the Tigers’ running game possesses. With Williams and Smith, Tallassee will make it hard on most defenses. If Tallassee’s defense plays as it has in the last four weeks, good things await.

Prediction: Tallassee 34, Gulf Shores 20

Thomasville at Alabama Christian, Norton Field, 7 p.m.
Radio/TV: None
Last meeting: First meeting
Last week: ACA 55, Montg. Aca 27; Thomasville 24, Demopolis 13
2009 Records: ACA 7-3, Thomasville 9-1
Key Stat: Thomasville has returned two blocked punts for touchdowns this season.
Outlook: ACA is playing its best football in years, averaging 42 points offensively in its five-game winning streak. But none of their previous victims have the speed or size as Thomasville. In most seasons, the Tigers are a first or second seed, which gives a good indication of how strong Region 1 has been this year.  With the likes of Myles Mays and Jordan Creel, ACA has the skills players to make it interesting. But the Tigers have too much size.

Prediction: Thomasville 34, ACA 28

Macon-East at Morgan Academy, Senators Field, 7 p.m.
Radio/TV: None
Last meeting: 2007 – Macon-East 23, Morgan Aca 21
Last week: Macon-East 34, Evangel 6; Morgan Aca 42, Wilcox Aca 14
2009 Records: Macon-East 8-2; Morgan Aca 6-4
Key Stat: After suffering a three-game losing streak, Morgan Academy finished on a high note with a four-game winning streak.
Outlook: Tradition would give the 11-time state champion Senators the edge but those times are gone. Macon-East has been solid all season and should have enough offense to offset the Morgan Academy attack.

Prediction: Macon-East 28, Morgan Academy 18

Also…

Dothan at Prattville – Dothan is one of the most improved teams in the south half of the bracket, but not enough to beat the Lions. Prattville, 31-13.

R.E. Lee at Auburn – The top-ranked Tigers have the tools to win it all. But a roadblock awaits, just not this week. Auburn, 24-7.

St. James at UMS-Wright - The Trojans have exceeded expectations but the party ends this weekend. UMS-Wright, 31-14.

Aliceville at Trinity - The Wildcats have won three-straight first-round games. The streak continues… Trinity, 37-16

Other games…

St. Jude over Hale County, 28-27; Edgewood over Pickens Academy, 35-10; Southern Academy over Lowndes Academy, 29-24; Monroe Academy over Autauga Academy, 35-14; Crenshaw Academy over South Choctaw, 29-12; Pike Liberal over Marengo Aca, 34-20.

Last week (14-6) Season (128-53, .707)