PREP CAPSULES (Week 3): Streaks and celebrations highlight previous week of action
STAFF REPORT
Every week there seems to be something to celebrate.
This week, it’s the end of a losing streak at Marbury.
The Bulldogs knocked off Beauregard last Friday to end a 14-game losing streak that dated back to 2023. The next goal is a trip to the playoffs. Ironically, despite a 2-8 record in 2023, the Bulldogs reached the playoffs losing to Charles Henderson in the first round.
Several teams celebrated their first win in region play last week while Stanhope Elmore enjoyed a win in the new 17 Springs facility.
Montgomery Academy, Lowndes Academy and Macon East are the lone undefeated teams in the River Region. The Eagles were impressive in a road win at Houston Academy while the Rebels won easily over Ft. Dale Academy.
The Knights blitzed North River Christian, 82-0, the most points ever scored by a Macon East team. The Knights are averaging 69 points per game and have given up a total of 12 points in three games.
The Week 3 docket has several key matchups including Trinity facing Alabama Christian, Pike Road at Wetumpka, Carver playing host to Smiths Station at Cramton Bowl and Elmore County renewing its rivalry with Holtville.
Week 2 Top 5 performances
TRISTON BLACKMON (Prattville) - Rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s win over Oak Mountain.
REID McBRIDE (Montgomery Academy) - Completed 9-of-15 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns as the Eagles beat Houston Academy 48-7. He also rushed for 80 yards and a score on five carries.
DEE BARNES (Stanhope Elmore) - Rushed for five touchdowns, finishing with 159 yards in total yards in the win over Julian.
JASHON MARSHALL (Holtville) - His 95-yard kickoff return proved to be the difference in the Bulldogs’ win over Sylacauga.
JEREMY HARDY (Lowndes Academy) - Rushed for 320 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries in the win over Ft. Dale Academy.
Week 3
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
PIKE ROAD at WETUMPKA (6A/R2)
Friday at Wetumpka Municipal Stadium
2025 Records: Pike Road (2-1, 1-0), Wetumpka (1-2, 0-1)
Series: Pike Road, 4-2
Last Season: Pike Road, 17-12
Last week: Russell County def. Wetumpka, 31-18; Pike Road def. Rehobeth, 63-0
Key Numbers: A late-fourth quarter Pick 6 sealed the deal in Wetumpka’s loss last week… As a team, Pike Road rushed for 417 yards with Mike (fomerly known as Ja’Michael) Jones rushing for 153 yards.
The skinny: These are two teams heading in opposite directions, at least it seems so. Wetumpka has struggled after what looked like an impressive win in the opener against Beauregard. Since then, the Indian defense has given up a total of 71 points. The offense was unable to keep up with Russell County’s arial attack, allowing 203 yards and a touchdown from Bryson Riggins. The Patriots had the hiccup against 7A Enterprise but scored at will in the win over Rehobeth. These two played in a slugfest last year but unless the Indians find a way to slow down Jones and company, this one will be one sided.
PREDICTION: Pike Road, 30-16
ELMORE COUNTY at HOLTVILLE (5A/R4)
Friday at Boykin-Chapman Field
2021 Records: Elmore Co (2-1, 1-0), Holtville (2-1, 1-0)
Series: Elmore Co leads, 45-26-5
Last year: Elmore Co, 28-9
Last week: Elmore Co def. Carroll, 36-20; Holtville def. Sylacauga , 34-31
Key Stats: Eli Thames rushed for 121 yards and three touchdowns for the Panthers last week… Daishaun Zeigler was the key to the Bulldogs’ win over Sylacauga with 138 yards rushing and two scores.
The skinny: The 77th meeting between these two programs may be one of the better ones in quite a while. The series has been a bit one sided with the Panthers having won nearly every game since 2010. The only interruption of the streak came when Holtville won three straight between 2019-21. There have been few close calls that included an overtime thriller in 2018, won by the Panthers. This one sets up to be a high-scoring affair. The quarterbacks, Gage Davis of ECHS and Jacob Burgess of Holtville, have been consistent for the most part in the first three games. Both also have solid rushing attacks. Ziegler may be the difference in this one along with the home field advantage.
PREDICTION: Holtville, 34-30
TRINITY at ALABAMA CHRISTIAN (3A/R2)
Friday at John Mark Stallings Field at Hilyer Stadium (Faulkner Unv.)
2025 Records: TPS (2-1, 1-0), ACA (2-1, 1-0)
Series: Trinity leads, 31-7
Last season: Trinity, 41-19
Last week: Trinity def. Prattville Christian, 21-12; ACA def. Northside Methodist, 45-8
Key Stat: The Trinity defense held PCA to less than 100 yards of offense in the win last Friday… ACA QB Christian Snipes threw for two TDs in the Eagles’ win last Friday.
The skinny: The Eagles are looking for their first win against Trinity in eight years. This is about as one sided a series in the River Region has been. But Trinity is not the same at this stage of the game. The win last week against PCA was gritty but not pretty. ACA has been finding out what it has on offense the last couple of games but seems to be working out kinks. The Wildcats are figuring out ways to win. Mistakes, or lack of, will decide this one. Eagles, in a slight upset, get the nod.
PREDICTION: ACA, 21-20
KEY GAMES
Smiths Station at G.W. Carver (7A/R2) – Since the loss to Thompson, the Wolverines have been taking care of business. No reason to expect that to stop this week. CARVER, 35-13.
Prattville at Tuscaloosa County (7A/R3) - Lions take their second regional test but the fun begins next week. Prattville, 31-14.
Catholic at Pensacola Catholic (Fla.) - This game was a filler last year after the Knights struggled to find enough games to finish out the schedule. They won a tough battle last year. But will they end a two-game losing streak? Doesn’t look like it. Pensacola, 24-22.
St. James at Handley (4A/R2) – The Trojans are battling but can’t find the win column, scoring just 27 points total in three games. Handley won’t make it better. Handley, 26-12.
P. Julian at Russell County (6A/R2) – It’s no surprise this looks like a mismatch. But the favorite may not be who you expect. Warriors win with ease. Russell County, 42-16.
Park Crossing at Stanhope Elmore (6A/R2) - The Mustangs enjoyed a victory in their new stadium last week. No. 2 should be just as easy. Stanhope Elmore, 35-8.
B.T. Washington at Tallassee (4A/R3) - The Tigers have rebounded nicely after the blowout loss to start the season. It continues this week…. Tallassee,40-18
THE REST
Opelika over JAG, 35-12; Clay Co.-Central over Marbury, 40-14; Montgomery Academy over Wicksburg, 27-13; Prattville Christian over Northside Methodist,, 24-14; Verbena over Billingsley, 28-27; Edgewood over Hooper Aca, 27-13; Lowndes Aca over Clarke Prep, 34-14; Bessemer Aca over Valiant Cross, 33-16; Snook Aca over Evangel, 36-14
OPEN: Autauga Academy; Macon East
RECORD: Last week 14-7; Season 41-17 (.706)