Staff Report
(August 27, 2010)

Week 1 of the high school football season has arrived (with due respect to the handful of games played in the AISA last week.) In comes new regions, new classifications for some, and some interesting openers, particularly a few that feature teams playing for the first time.

The week ushers in new coaches at six different schools in the River Region. They include Joe Nettles (Billingsley), Mike Shatzer (Catholic), Vic Foxworth (East Memorial), James Strickland (Marbury), Angelo Wheeler (Sidney Lanier) and Wade Manora (St. Jude).

Each week, River Region Sports will break down the top matchups of the week and pick a winner in all games involving teams from the area.

Week 1

 Friday’s top matchups

Game of the Week 1
G.W. Carver at Opelika (7 p.m., Bulldogs Stadium)
Radio/TV: None
Last year: N/A
Last meeting: 2007 (Opelika, 29-12)
2010 Records: Carver 0-0; Opelika 0-0
2009 Records: Carver 10-2; Opelika 6-3
Key stat: Opelika rolled to 324 yards in last week’s Champions Challenge win over Greenville.
Outlook: Maybe the best matchup of the night, Carver returns to 6A action and into the fire against Opelika, which has enjoyed its week after a convincing performance against Greenville. Opelika looked solid but the Wolverines are a different animal (excuse the pun), thanks to plenty of weapons on offense in both the running and passing games. The key comes down to Carver’s ability to stop the run. There is plenty of beef up front for both squads. Carver has plenty of athleticism but Opelika is at home. That factor is just enough to win a close one.

Prediction: Opelika 27, Carver 25

Pleasant Grove (5A) at Robert E. Lee (7 p.m., Cramton Bowl)
Radio/TV: NETAL.com (click to watch)
Last year: N/A (never met)
2010 Records: Pleasant Grove 0-0; Lee 0-0
2009 Records: Pleasant Grove 6-5, Lee 4-7
Key stat: Pleasant Grove finished fourth in its region. The Spartans averaged 32 points per game offensively while Lee gave up less than 14 points per game.
Outlook: It seems like an odd pairing for an opener (the two schools have never met) but Lee is looking for something normal, i.e. a win to open the season, no matter whom it’s against. The Generals beat a solid 5A team in last week’s jamboree (St. Paul’s). It should do the same against the Spartans.

Prediction: Lee 16, Pleasant Grove 10

St. James at Trinity (7 p.m., Boykin Field)
TV/Radio: WLAX 100.9 FM
Last year: Trinity 30, St. James 12
2009 Records: Trinity 12-1; St. James 5-6
2010 Records: Trinity 0-0, St. James 0-0
Key stat: Quarterback Josh Watkins had 25 completions for 163 yards but no touchdowns in three quarters last week in the Champions Challenge.
Outlook: Trinity had some positive moments last week, even if the lopsided score against Jackson said otherwise. The Wildcats showed promise offensively despite having several newcomers. St. James is looking for redemption after a disappointing second half of the 2009 season. Always a good battle, this one goes to the Wildcats again.

Prediction: Trinity 24, St. James 17

Blount at Prattville (7 p.m., Stanley Jensen Stadium)
Radio: NETAL.com (click)/WMRK 107.9 FM
Last year: N/A (never met)
2009 Records: Blount 7-4; Prattville 10-3
2010 Records: Blount 0-0; Prattville 0-0
Key stat: Quarterback Justin Thomas passed for 167 yards and a TD and rushed for 57 yards and a score in the preseason win over Gadsden City.
Outlook: What did you say? Prattville is young and lacks experience? That might be a problem in a few weeks when it plays Carver. But not this week.

Prediction: Prattville 34, Blount 14

Also…
Alabama Christian at Elmore County – Two teams that were region rivals the last couple of years. Elmore County should improve from its 5-5 record from a year ago, but that begins next week. ACA, 25-19

Sidney Lanier at Enterprise – In what should be an emotional night, Enterprise opens its new stadium after the loss from the devastating tornado of three years ago. Wildcats win to spoil Angelo Wheeler’s debut. Enterprise, 28-19

Wetumpka at Greenville – The Tigers had its struggles against the run in the Champions Challenge. With Jamal Golden coming to town, that’s not a comforting thought. Wetumpka, 28-10

Stanhope Elmore at Thompson – The Mustangs will get a good test on the road, maybe too good. Thompson, 24-22.

Benjamin Russell at Tallassee – The new and improved Hot O’Brien Stadium debuts. It should be rocking after a Tallassee victory. Tallassee, 28-20

St. Jude at Montgomery Catholic – Two new coaches go head to head. Wade Manora and the Pirates should have a good season, but not a good start. Catholic, 24-21.

Monroe Academy at Macon-East Montgomery – Very important opener in the region for the Knights. Can the two-quarterback system work? It can, at least on this night. Macon-East, 18-12.

Also this week…
Dallas County over Billingsley, 21-19; Autaugaville over McKenzie, 19-17; Houston Academy over Montgomery Academy, 28-19; Autauga Academy over Coosa Valley, 18-15; Edgewood over Evangel, 43-23; Bessemer Academy over East Memorial, 31-23; Marengo Academy over Hooper, 28-20; Lowndes over Dixie Academy, 31-14; Prattville Christian over Kingwood, 28-26.

Last week 0-0; Season 0-0