PREP CAPSULES (Week 5): Off week for some, big games for others
STAFF REPORT
While this isn’t an official “open” week for the season (there actually is no such thing), a lot of teams are taking the “mid-season break” to heart and sitting it out on Friday.
No less than seven teams will be taking the Friday night off and begin preparing for the second half of the season.
The there are still major battles, even if some are of the non-regional variety.
The list includes an interesting matchup between Luverne and Montgomery Academy. The two teams have explosive offenses, which will test what are two of the better defenses in central Alabama. It’s not a region game but might tell a little about how good these two are.
Trinity and St. James renew their rivalry, one that dates back to 1977. The Wildcats have had the upper hand for most of that but St. James has won three of the last four meetings.
Possibly the most intriguing matchup may be a precursor to the AISA Class AAA championship game. Chambers Academy plays host to Lowndes Academy. The two teams are in opposite regions setting up what could be the first of two meetings this year.
Week 4 Top 5 Performances
GAGE DAVIS (Elmore County) - Passed for 298 yards and five touchdowns in a 33-6 win over Beauregard.
GUNNER GIBBS (Pike Road) - Was 14-of-18 passing for 166 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Julian.
MICHAH MERRITT (Alabama Christian) - Rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ win over PCA.
MAX VAUGHN (Trinity) - Recorded 11 tackles, including two for loss, and added 35 yards on three punt returns in the Wildcats win over Slocomb.
AYDEN NEWMAN (Hooper Academy) - Rushed for 160 yards on 19 carriess and added 186 yards and three touchdowns passing in the Colts first win of the season.
Week 5
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
PIKE ROAD (6A) at OPELIKA (7A)
Friday at Bulldog Stadium
2025 Records: Opelika (4-1), Pike Road (4-1)
Series: Opelika, 1-0
Last Season: Opelika, 31-20
Last week: Pike Road def. P. Julian, 543-0; Opelika def. Smiths Station, 42-6
Key Numbers: Pike Road has allowed six points in the last three games, all against Wetumpka.
The skinny: This is as good a mid-season matchup that we could have. A lot of talent will be on the field and both will receive a good test. Pike Road has been dominant in its last four games while Opelika has scored a total of 97 points in its last two games. The Bulldogs could be unbeaten had the ball bounced right a couple of times in the loss to Auburn. Pike Road might have the best player on the field in Jordan Holmes who continues to be electrifying on both sides of the ball. But one man doesn’t make a team and Opelika will have a little more as it protects its turf.
PREDICTION: Opelika, 28-24
WETUMPKA (6A) at EUFAULA (5A)
Friday at Tigers Stadium
2021 Records: Eufaula (4-1), Wetumpka (2-3)
Series: Wetumpka leads, 5-4
Last year: Wetumpka, 14-3
Last week: Wetumpka def. Rehobeth, 49-18; Eufaula def. Carroll , 52-14
Key Stats: Two former Troy University teammates face off in Wetumpka coach Bear Woods and Eufaula coach Jerrel Jernigan. Jernigan was a three-time All-Sun Belt player before being drafted in the NFL.
The skinny: A chance for Wetumpka to put two wins together and maintain a little momentum heading into the second half of the season. But the Tigers have been on target with one of the wins over Catholic two weeks ago. The Indians have struggled on offense but showed signs of coming out of their funk last week against Rehobeth. This will be a much more difficult test. Eufaula may be in a class below but they are capable of handing Wetumpka another loss. But give the edge to the Indians, if only slightly.
PREDICTION: Wetumpka, 23-20
TRINITY (3A) at ST. JAMES (4A)
Friday at Carlisle Field
2025 Records: TPS (4-1), STJ (1-4)
Series: Trinity leads, 35-14
Last season: Trinity, 28-7
Last week: Trinity def. Slocomb, 42-6, STJ def. Talladega, 31-14
Key Stat: STJ has won three of the last four meetings and 8 out of 10.
The skinny: it might not have been the biggest story, yet it might have been the most interesting. That is St. James changed its offense midseason. And it worked. The Wing-T is one of the most consistent to set up but can be difficult to make the right reads. It’s not an RPO but everybody has to do their job or one blowup will ruin the play. It’s not certain how far along this offense is for the Trojans but it might create better opportunities against a good defense in Trinity. By the way, the Wildcats have dealt with adjustments at quarterback. Land Sharpless seems to be settling in and that probably will be the difference.
PREDICTION: Trinity, 22-15
LUVERNE (2A) at MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (3A)
Friday at McLemore Field
2025 Records: Luverne (4-0), MA (5-0)
Series: Tied, 1-1
Last season: MA, 36-8
Last week: Luverne def. Zion Chapel, 64-6, MA def. Northside Methodist, 62-6
Key Stat: Neither one of these teams have allowed a double-digit score to an opponent. In Luverne’s case, the Tigers have allowed a total of 12 points.
The skinny: This is the game you have to wonder just how good a team like Luverne is. The Tigers have been so dominant, it almost seems unreal. Not only are they hard to score on, they have averaged more than 60 points per game offensively. We have to be reminded the Tigers are a Class 2A squad but has a chance to bring back the glory of the days of Glenn Daniel and Butch Norman. It’s been a while since this team played for a state title, 2018 under Scott Rials. But they may be headed for a showdown with Reeltown, the defending champion. Until then, a win over MA would be a good indicator. Alas, there’s too much talent on this Eagles’ team and the expectation is they will win a close, yet high-scoring affair on Friday.
PREDICTION: MA, 46-42
KEY GAMES
JAG (7A) vs. Julian (6A) – Formerly known as JD vs. Lee, this one has little potential to rival any of the former namesake games in the past. It’s a new rivalry and one that needs some adrenaline pumped into it. It won’t get any this year as the combined record is 1-8. .Julian, 22-12.
Smiths Station (7A) at Stanhope Elmore (6A) - The Mustangs have yet to lose on its new home turf. That streak continues. SE, 27-14.
Holtville (5A) at Maplesville (1A) - It’s rare to see a 1A squad beat a 5A but Maplesville is all that. MAPLESVILLE, 26-20.
Autauga Academy (1A) at Prattville Christian (3A) – This one has a similar feel as the one above but Autauga is only two classes from PCA.. AA, 35-21.
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.
Lowndes Academy (AAA/R2) at Chambers Academy (AAA/R1) - Might be the best matchup of the weekend. Lowndes has won 28 straight regular season games. That streak ends on Friday but the two may meet again in the AAA title game… CHAMBERS, 25-24
THE REST
Sipsey Valley over Marbury, 27-21; Billingsley over Isabella, 32-24; Edgewood over Crenshaw Christian, 28-21; Hooper over Lakeside, 21-0; Southern Aca over Valiant Cross, 20-15; Macon East over Snook, 56-32.
OPEN: Carver; Park Crossing; Prattville; Elmore County; Alabama Christian; Catholic; Tallassee
RECORD: Last week 15-4; Season 71-25 (.740)