PREP CAPSULES (Week 1): Too much made of first week results? Depends on who you ask
STAFF REPORT
In a microwave society, the world takes little time to form an opinion. The same is true for football fanatics who love to jump to conclusions after one game has been played.
True, there were a few things learned from the opening week. We can say that Pike Road looks solid, particularly on defense where the likes of Braylon Outlaw and Jordan Holmes put on a clinic.
From the same game, Prattville had its moments and was this close to tying a hard-fought game late.
Other teams such as Montgomery Academy, Billingsley and Percy Julian were impressive. A few more were just happy to celebrate a win.
Moving to the second week of the season (or Week 1, for some reason), we learn more, maybe a lot more about where teams are. What do we really know about Tallassee after a disappointing effort against MA? The jury is still out on the Tigers as well as others such as G.W. Carver, Holtville and St. James, all of which took losses but also can claim some sort of confidence.
Moving into the new week, a few more teams get underway such as Autauga Academy and Hooper Academy while several open the home season. Prattville gets to play in its new and improved Stanley-Jensen Stadium against rival Stanhope Elmore, which will christen its own new stadium next week.
Carver and Julian play the first city game of the season on Friday at Cramton Bowl.
A new RRS feature…
Week 0 Top 5 performances
JORDAN HOLMES (Pike Road) - had three interceptions with a Pick 6 plus nine receptions for 140 yards including the game winner in the fourth quarter in the Patriots 21-14 win over Prattville in the AHSAA Kickoff Classic.
REID McBRIDE (Montgomery Academy) - He passed for 268 yards on 14-of-20 passes and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ 59-3 win over Tallassee.
GUNNER GIBBS (Pike Road) - Passed for 222 yards and two scores on 20-of-30 passing to beat Prattville.
CALEB MASSEY (Billingsley) - Recorded 16 tackles and a sack in the 22-0 victory over Greensboro.
GAGE DAVIS (Elmore County) - Passed for 205 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Dadeville.
Week 1
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
ENTERPRISE (7A) at PIKE ROAD (6A)
Friday at Patriots Field
2025 Records: Pike Road (1-0), Enterprise (1-0)
Series: Enterprise, 1-0
Last Meeting: Last season, Enterprise, 24-6
Last week: Pike Road def. Prattville, 21-14; Enterprise def. Andalusia, 31-10
Key Numbers: Pike Road earned its first-ever win over a Class 7A team in school history last week. Enterprise has not lost to a Class 6A team since 2019 (Dothan).
The skinny: It might be too early to make the statement, but Pike Road established itself as a contender for a state title last week. No, it’s too early to tell how good Prattville might be (and considering its regional foes, we might not know when the season is completed), but the Patriots gave a strong performance in the win. Defensively, they looked the part. Offensively, there might still be work to do and Enterprise will be a good test to see where they are. Jordan Holmes put on a show on both sides of the ball. He will most certainly have the attention of the Wildcats. This game has a similar feel as last week for Pike Road in that the opponent has some of the same qualities. There is no reason to believe the outcome can’t be the same.
PREDICTION: Pike Road, 23-20
MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (3A) at ST. JAMES (4A)
Friday at Carlisle Field
2025 Records: MA (1-0 ), STJ (0-1)
Last year: MA won, 35-8
Series: MA leads, 29-21
Last week: MA def. Tallassee, 59-3; STJ lost to Catholic, 32-6
Key Numbers: MA piled up 452 yards of total offense in last week’s win over Tallassee… St. James held Catholic to just 46 yards rushing in the loss.
The skinny: It would be a miscalculation to judge either one of these teams based on the performance last Friday. True, MA was dominant in the win over Tallassee. Yes, that might be a sign of things to come. But everything went right in that game, something the Eagles would love to have each and every Friday. While St. James lost, it had good moments, sans the special teams play, which was the difference in the loss to Catholic. But the proof is on what we saw from the Eagles’ offense, which is potent and didn’t need to score 59 points to prove it. STJ’s defense was pretty stout and will make it more difficult on MA’s offense. But the Trojans might not have enough on the other side of the ball to keep up.
PREDICTION: MA, 31-19
TRINITY (3A) at REELTOWN (2A)
Friday at Nix-Webster-O’Neal Stadium
2021 Records: TPS (1-0), Reeltown (0-1)
Series: Reeltown leads, 5-3
Last year: Reeltown, 20-3
Last week: Trinity def. Holtville, 15-14; T.R. Miller def. Reeltown, 35-21
Key Stats: Reeltown’s win over Trinity last season broke a streak of seven straight losses to teams from Montgomery, dating back to 2013. The last win came against Montgomery Academy in 2012.
The skinny: Trinity found out on Friday the difficulties of overcoming injuries, particuarly at quarterback where the Wildcats lost theirs for the season. The Wildcats persevered and held off Holtville for a win but the task will be much tougher this week facing the Class 2A champs on the road. Reeltown also lost but to a larger class school and one with a lot of tradition in T.R. Miller. The Rebels will be hungry and ready to make the home folks happy. No reason to think they won’t oblige.
PREDICTION: Reeltown, 30-23
G.W. CARVER (7A) vs. P. JULIAN (6A)
Friday at Cramton Bowl
2025 Records: Carver (0-1), Julian (1-0)
Series: Tied, 1-1
Last season: Carver, 44-12
Last week: Thompson def. Carver, 37-6; Julian def. P. Bryant, 23-2
Key Stat: Julian held P. Bryant to a safety in last week’s win. It’s the lowest point total allowed since the name change two years ago… Carver hasn’t lost to a MPS school since Julian won in 2023.
The skinny: For a half, Carver looked like it might be a surprise team after a stalemate in the first half against Thompson (Zion Crumton’s 16-yard scamper tied the game at 6-6 before the end of the half). But that all changed in the first couple of minutes in the second half when Thompson QB Trent Seaborn went to work with a touchdown pass in the opening minutes. He added a run for a score as the Warriors pulled away. But Carver was facing one of the best teams in the nation, much less the state and can use that loss as a measuring stick. A few miles down the road, Julian was dominant in its win but like Carver, the opponent has to be taken into account. The Phoenix did what was expected, which is a good sign but Carver will be a different animal on Friday. Over the years, it doesn’t seem to matter where these two programs are in the pecking order. Carver has won in upsets while Julian (when it was known as R.E. Lee) has pulled a few of its own. It’s too early to tell about these two but Carver should have an advantage in size, speed and depth.
PREDICTION: Carver, 25-16
STANHOPE ELMORE (6A) at PRATTVILLE (7A)
Friday at Stanley-Jensen Stadium
2025 Records: SE (1-0), Prattville (0-1)
Series: Prattville leads, 33-11-1
Last season: Prattville, 34-13
Last week: Pike Road def. Prattville, 21-14; Stanhope def. Marbury, 28-6
Key Stat: The Mustangs have lost 12 straight to Prattville with one of the losses overturned due to a forfeit in 2016.
The skinny: This might be one of the hardest-hitting rivalries in the River Region. Unfortunately for the Mustangs, that hasn’t meant many wins. Not only has Prattville dominated this series, the scores have been lopsided most of the time. During the current winning streak, the average margin of victory has been 21 points. In the closest win in 2018, they needed a field goal in the final seconds to secure a three-point victory. Otherwise, it’s been easy for the Lions. It’s not due to coaching changes that Stanhope has endured this streak. Prattville has its share over that time frame, too. It is due to a talent disparity which has heavily leaned towards the 7A school. Unfortunately, it looks that way again as the bigger Lions’ offensive and defensive fronts should be the difference in yet another victory.
Prediction: Prattville 28-17
KEY GAMES
Elmore County (5A) at Tallassee (4A) – There is still lingering shock in Tallassee after last week’s debacle. It still doesn’t make much sense but it’s obvious there are holes to fill. ECHS had its own problems with Dadeville and will look for more defense against a team that is looking for its first TD of the season. It’s hard not to ignore the outcome of Week 0 but it will be much closer that some might expect. Elmore County, 30-27.
Park Crossing (6A) at Bullock Co (4A) – Reports are Bullock County is big and has speed again, the same things it had when it beat the T’Birds at Cramton Bowl last season. Park Crossing is looking to end its 14-game losing streak but it will have to wait at least one more week. Selma, 20-12.
Holtville (5A) at Shelby County (5A) – Holtville was this close to a win in the opener. Shelby County has been better lately. The Wildcats won this one last season by 17 points. This meeting will be closer but the outcome will be the same. Shelby County, 21-18.
Thorsby (2A) at Autauga Academy (1A) -The Generals play their season opener and should have enough to earn the win…. that’s based on being at home and the win a year ago against the Rebels. AA, 23-20.
Chelsea (6A) at Wetumpka (6A) - Chelsea enjoyed its first winning season in nine years in ‘24 and it included a playoff berth and a win over the Indians. This is another example of urban sprawl from the Birmingham area and it has benefited a program that was at one time everybody’s Homecoming opponent. Not anymore. Chelsea, 26-17.
Crenshaw Christian (AA) at Lowndes Academy (AAA) -Last week, the Rebels handed Speed Sampley his first win in his return to Lowndes. The Rebels have been dominant in the last four years but Crenshaw has been somewhat of a thorn in the Rebels’ side. But the Cougars have been down the last couple of seasons and there is no reason to expect an upset here.. Lowndes Aca, 35-14.
THE REST
Goshen over Alabama Christian, 27-12; Catholic over St. Clair County, 24-14; McKenzie over Prattville Christian, 24-20; Fayetteville over Billingsley, 23-22; Sparta Aca over Edgewood, 27-20; Morgan Aca over Hooper Aca, 31-16; Valiant Christian over Abbeville Christian, 27-24; Macon East over Evangel Christian, 40-25.
OPEN: JAG
RECORD: Last week 14-4; Season 14-4 (.778)