STAFF REPORT

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the last full month of the regular season. It doesn’t seem that long ago heat timeouts were in necessary.

The heat is (somewhat) still with us but the games have more meaning as we edge towards the end.

There are a few games that have those implications. Actually, most have a playoff tint to them.

Start with the battle between Montgomery Academy and Trinity, two old foes who have shown improvement all season. Both have just one loss with MA losing in a slugfest last week to Luverne (2A). The winner should have a leg up on the top spot in 3A, Region 2.

G.W. Carver travels to Enterprise for an important Class 7A, Region 2 game. While the winner is not assured a playoff spot, it can go along way to geining one.

Prattville needs a win at Vestavia Hills while Stanhope Elmore looks to keep its winning streak alive at Russell County.

Week 5 Top 5 Performances

CHARLIE SKIPPER (Wetumpka) - Passed for 374 yards and three touchdowns in the Indians’ win over Eufaula.

REID McBRIDE (Montgomery Academy) - Had 244 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort to Luverne.

MILES KHATRI (Pike Road) - Recorded 14 tackles with two TFLs in the loss to Opelika.

MJ SMITH (JAG) - Had 108 yards passing and 126 yards rushing with two TDs in the Jaguars’ first win of the season.

DEE BARNES (Stanhope Elmore) - Rushed for 255 yards and five TDs in the Mustangs’ win over Smiths Station.

Week 6

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

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

Friday at Wildcats Stadium

2025 Records: Carver (4-1, 3-0), Enterprise (2-3, 0-3)
Series: Enterprise, 21-1
Last Season: Enterprise, 17-14
Last game: (Sept. 19) Central-PC def. Enterprise, 53-24; Carver def. Dothan, 50-28

Key Numbers: Carver’s lone win in the series came in 1995 with Alonzo Pickett at the helm.

The skinny: Carver players and coaches still talk about last year’s loss when the Wolverines had a chance to score late with the ball inside the Enterprise 3-yard line but couldn’t punch it in. Enterprise would go on to win the fourth and final spot in the playoffs. The situation has a familiar feel this season. But to compare scores against a common opponent, Dothan, Carver should be a favorite since the Wolverines won that matchup by three touchdowns while Enterprise lost to the Wolves by a whopping 41 points back in early September. The Wildcats seemingly have not recovered, losing all of their region games. But the opponents have something to do with that. They have faced the upper tier of the region in Auburn and Central. Carver’s hopes may depend on quarterback Zion Crumpton has been all-state material in each of Carver’s wins. It may be a hostile environment but he is enough for the Wolverines to earn a close win.

PREDICTION: Carver, 29-28

PRATTVILLE at VESTAVIA HILLS (7A/R3)

Friday at Buddy Anderson Field

2021 Records: Prattville (3-2, 2-1), Vestavia (3-2, 1-2)

Series: Vestavia leads, 1-0

Last year: Vestavia, 49-14

Last game: (Sept. 19) Hoover def. Prattville, 48-23; Thompson def. Vestavia, 35-3

Key Stats: Both teams are averaging almost the same amount of points with Vestavia scoring a total of 150 points while Prattville has scored a total of 156.

The skinny: At the moment, Prattville stands alone with a 2-1 record in the region but have yet to face Thompson or Hewitt-Trussville. The Rebels have faced both plus have an impressive win over Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa. That would make this a must-win situation for the Lions, who missed out last year due to a loss in this game. A first of four contests that will decide Prattville fate, can they answer Round 1? A shaky yes.

PREDICTION: Prattville, , 28-24

MONTGOMERY ACADEMY at TRINITY (3A/R3)

Friday at McLemore Field

2025 Records: TPS (5-1,3-0), MA (4-1, 3-0)

Series: Trinity leads, 27-22

Last season: MA, 28-27 (OT)

Last week: Luverne def. MA, 48-45; Trinity def. St. James, 34-28

Key Stat: For the first time in school history, Montgomery Academy scored 45 points in a game but lost last week.

The skinny: Trinity and Montgomery Academy have played 21 times when in the same region and the Wildcats own a slight advantage with 11 wins. Last year’s game came down to a missed extra point in overtime that gave the Eagles a win. You might say these two teams are coming from a different angle. MA has been solid and that includes last week’s loss to Luverne, which might be the best team in Class 2A. Trinity has dealt with injuries but has battled to have a 4-1 record and a perfect 3-0 in the region. MA should score so the question looms… can Trinity keep up? Considering the circumstances, no. MA outscores them for the win.

PREDICTION: MA, 30-25

KEY GAMES

Pike Road at Park Crossing (6A/R2 - Thursday) – Not much to say about this one, other than Pike Road wins… easily. PIKE ROAD, 49-0.

Elmore County at Central-Clay County (5A/R4) - The Panthers have shown improvement since their loss to Tallassee in Week 2. But this is where the win streak ends. CLAY-CENTRAL, 34-24.

Rehobeth at P. Julian (6A/R2) - The Phoenix are in a free fall. But here is Rehobeth to the rescue…. JULIAN, 20-16.

Stanhope Elmore at Russell County (6A/R2) - The Mustangs can make a statement with a win. Unfortunately, it’s not going to come. RUSSELL COUNTY, 36-24.

St. James at BT Washington (4A/R3) – Can the Trojans put themselves in position to make the playoffs? A win here would go a long way. In a close one… STJ, 28-27.

Cleburne County at Tallassee (4A/R3) - Homecoming for the Tigers and it couldn’t come at a better time. Tigers break a two-game losing streak. TALLASSEE, 24-18.

Alabama Christian at Houston Academy (3A/R3) - More than likely, a battle for third place in the region. ACA has been too inconsistent to expect a win here. HA, 28-21

THE REST

JAG over Smiths Station, 23-21; Holtville over Beauregard, 34-14; Catholic over Carroll-Ozark, 35-15; Wicksburg over PCA, 38-21; Autauga Academy over Keith, 45-12; Billingsley over Ellwood Christian, 50-13; Banks Aca over Edgewood, 21-20; Hooper Academy over Jackson Academy, 24-15; Lowndes Academy over Valiant Cross, 45-7; Macon East over Trinity Christian, 60-13; Cornerstone Christian over Evangel Christian, 55-23.

OPEN: Wetumpka; Marbury

RECORD: Last week 13-3; Season 84-28 (.750)

PREP CAPSULES (Week 6): October begins with bevy of playoff-impact games