STAFF REPORT

This week opens with schedule changes.

All four MPS schools were scheduled to be at home this week, creating a log jam at Cramton Bowl over the course of three days. But a late change moved JAG’s game to Auburn from its original date of Thursday and the game will now be played Friday.

That caused a chain reaction. The game between Pike Road and P. Julian moves to Thursday night leaving only one game on Saturday, Russell County and Park Crossing, at 11 a.m. Dothan and Carver are still slated to play on Friday.

As for other action, key games might have early implications on the playoff picture, yes, even in Week 4.

As an example, Prattville has a major battle against Hoover this week but one of these two teams might miss the playoffs with a loss Friday. That’s due to a difficult region.

Same for Alabama Christian and Prattville Christian. Both have a shot at a playoff bid but Friday’s game will go a long way to helping one of these two teams.

There will be other games in the next couple of weeks but at the moment those games have a pull on the post season.

Other games of note include G.W. Carver and Dothan battling at Cramton Bowl (which also has some playoff implications); Catholic attempts to end a two-game losing streak at Charles Henderson in Troy; St. James looks to earn its first win of the season against Talladega.

And, can Macon East do something that hasn’t been done since 1970? Read below to see what that might be.

Week 3 Top 5 performances

MILES KAHATRI (Pike Road) - Recorded 14 tackles and five for a loss in the win over Wetumpka.

CARVER DEFENSE - Held the Smiths Station offense to minus-51 yards in total offense..

DEE BARNES (Stanhope Elmore) - Had 235 yards rushing and four touchdowns in the win over Park Crossing.

NOLAN STEWART (Prattville Christian) - Passed for 186 yards and three touchdowns in PCA’s first win of the year.

GAGE DAVIS (Elmore County) - Passed for 221 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Holtville.

Week 4

All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise

DOTHAN at G.W. CARVER (7A/R2)

Friday at Cramton Bowl

2025 Records: Dothan (3-1, 1-1), Carver (3-1, 2-0)
Series: Tied, 1-1 (Does not include games played between 1978- 2018)
Last Season: Carver, 35-28
Last week: Central-Phenix City def. Dothan, 56-28; Carver def. Smiths Station, 47-0

Key Numbers: Carver’s defense held Smiths to minus-51 yards in total offense.

The skinny: There was attention on the Dothan Wolves until the beatdown they got against Central last week. Maybe it’s too premature to think that sent a message to the Wolverines, who’s defense has been inpenetrable the last couple of weeks. Since losing the opener to Thompson, they have allowed just 12 points in three games. Dothan should bring more offense to the fight on Friday but don’t expect too much against what has become a rugged bunch to score against.

PREDICTION: Carver, 24-13

HOOVER at PRATTVILLE (7A/R3)

Friday at Stanley-Jensen Stadium

2021 Records: Prattville (3-1, 2-0), Hoover (1-3, 0-2)

Series: Hoover leads, 6-3

Last year: Hoover, 40-6

Last week: Hewitt-Trussville def. Hoover, 17-14; Prattville def. Tuscaloosa Co , 49-7

Key Stats: This is the second time in three years Hoover has started a season with a 1-3 record. In 2023, the Bucs went 5-7 but still managed two wins in the playoffs… Prattville’s last win against Hoover came in the Class 6A championship game in 2011.

The skinny: This is the point of the season when games such as this might tell if a team will reach the playoffs. Prattville has completed the “easy” portion of the region schedule and now faces the teams it must beat to make the post season. The Lions may be catching Hoover at the right time. But Hoover’s 1-3 start may be a bit misleading considering all three losses were to robust programs. But the standard was set years ago for them - no one expects the record to be what it is at this point. Prattville has recovered from its season opener and showed plenty of promise, particularly on the offensive side of the ball averaging 40 points per game. Hoover will provide a much better test than the previous three games and will carry this one to the final minutes. But Prattville finds a way to end the modest losing streak in the series and get the early leg up on a playoff bid.

PREDICTION: Prattville, 28-27

ALABAMA CHRISTIAN at PRATTVILLE CHRISTIAN (3A/R2)

Friday at Panthers Field

2025 Records: PCA (1-3, 1-1), ACA (2-2, 1-1)

Series: ACA leads, 6-1

Last season: ACA, 35-0

Last week: Trinity def. ACA, 28-0, PCA def. Northside Methodist, 34-14

Key Stat: Shane Moye picked up his first win as the PCA coach last week…. ACA was held to 41 yards passing last week against Trinity.

The skinny: It might be premature and considering the struggles these two teams have faced early on, but the winner of this game is on track to a playoff bid. The schedule for both is favorable and don’t get too excited since that playoff bid would more than likely be the No. 4 seed. But the way these two have played so far, you would take it. PCA is still growing into the Moye way. Defensively, the Panthers have shown some improvement but will need more if they are to have any chance in upcoming games. ACA has been up and down on both sides of the ball, more down that up last week against another team trying to find itself in Trinity. This is not as much of a rivalry as one might have thought. A couple of programs connected to church of Christ faith but since PCA’s entry into the AHSAA, the Eagles have dominated. They have averaged 40 points per game in the last five meetings. But that number should not be expected this time. PCA keeps it close and wins late.

PREDICTION: PCA, 25-22

KEY GAMES

Russell County at Park Crossing (6A/R2 - Saturday) – If you don’t have anything to do on Saturday morning, take a trip downtown and watch Russell County QB Bryson Riggins, who has been terrorizing River Region teams for the last three years. He will do the same against the T’Birds but it will be the last time since he is a senior. RUSSELL COUNTY, 42-8.

Pike Road at P. Julian (6A/R2 - Thursday) - Patriots will win but will Julian figure out a way to score against the best defense in the River Region? To be determined… PIKE ROAD, 45-6.

Catholic at Charles Henderson (5A/R2) - This may not be a must win for playoff purposes for the Knights but it might be wise to start winning a few of these toss ups. CATHOLIC, 30-24.

Talladega at St. James (4A/R2) – The search for the Trojans’ first win ends this week. STJ, 28-22.

Tallassee at Bullock County (5A/R3) – Signs from last week say the Tigers are in trouble this week… in honor of Lee Corso, not so fast my friend. Tallassee gets a turnaround win. TALLASSEE, 20-17.

Maplesville at Autauga Academy (1A/R4) - The Generals have looked solid to open the season. But Maplesville might have its best team in a decade. MAPLESVILLE, 32-8.

Macon East at Southern Prep (8-Man) - When is the last time a team has scored 100 points in a game? The answer is 1970 (Keith HS). It might happen in this one… MACON, 90-12

THE REST

Auburn over JAG, 45-6; Wetumpka over Rehobeth, 23-20; Elmore County over Beauregard, 30-13; Valley over Marbury, 26-16; Trinity over Slocomb, 27-13; Montgomery Academy over Northside Methodist, 41-6; Bessemer Academy over Hooper Academy, 35-7; Lowndes Academy over Southern Academy, 35-27; Trinity Christian over Evangel, 50-35.

OPEN: Stanhope Elmore; Holtville; Billingsley; Edgewood Academy

RECORD: Last week 15-4; Season 56-21 (.727)

PREP CAPSULES (Week 4): Week opens with change in schedule with MPS teams