STAFF REPORT

It might be too early to call this a “do or die” week for a few teams, but it might be a good idea to earn a win to keep playoff hopes alive in several scenarios.

Week 7 has plenty of top games but there are a couple that would not rate as high as others yet have bigger implications.

Prattville has lost its last two games, making this week’s test against Hewitt-Trussville vital for a chance to reach the post season. The Lions are currently 2-2 in Class 7A, Region 3 but the math may not work in their favor with a loss this week.

Catholic is in a little better situation and a win against Headland all but secures a bid. But a loss might end their run of nine consecutive trips to the playoffs.

The battle between Julian and Wetumpka on Thursday will go a long way towards deciding the playoff fate of both teams. Tallassee will all but clinch a spot with a win over Handley this week.

And despite a 1-6 record, St. James can reach the post season if it wins out in its last three region games (Cleburne County, Tallassee and Munford).

Week 5 Top 5 Performances

GUNNER GIBBS (Pike Road) - Went over the 1,000-yard mark in passing for the season against Park Crossing, He had four touchdown passes in the win.

CJ SANKEY (Catholic) - Completed 11 of 14 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns in the Knights’ win over Carroll-Ozark.

JEREMY HARDY (Lowndes Academy) - Rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns in the Rebels’ win over Valiant Cross.

CALEB MASSEY (Billingsley) - Has a two-game total of 36 tackles the last two weeks, including 11 last Friday against Ellwood Christian.

DEMONE PORTER (P. Julian) - Had a rare 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Phoenix win over Rehobeth.

Week 7

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

CENTRAL-PHENIX CITY at G.W. CARVER (7A/R2)

Friday at Cramton Bowl

2025 Records: Carver (5-1, 4-0), Central-PC (6-1, 4-0)
Series: Central leads, 11-5
Last Season: Central, 31-26
Last week: Central-PC def. Auburn,36-0; Carver def. Enterprise, 49-14

Key Numbers: Central hasn’t lost a game to a team from Montgomery since Carver beat the Red Devils in 2013. In that span, they are 27-0 including a couple of playoff wins.

The skinny: Dominance doesn’t seem to be a big enough word to describe where the Red Devils’ program is at this time. While everybody talks about what Hoover or Thompson has been over the years, Central has certainly had at least an equal run, if not longer than the two Birmingham-area powers. Consider that Central has played for six state championships since 2011, winning two and that’s the rub. Both Thompson and Hoover have combined for 10 in that same timeframe. In the south part of the state, the road to the Super 7 has gone through Phenix City for a while. The same is true again this season and at this point, it doesn’t look like there is a formidable foe to knock them off their perch. Carver will be the next to try this weekend. The Wolverines have already faced the favorite in the north in Thompson and held their own, at least for a half. They haven’t lost since and seem to be getting stronger each week. The offense has been blazing scoring an average of 48 points per game. It’s too early to tell where they rank among the upper echelon of the region. Difficult games await with the likes of Auburn and Opelika up next (and a season-ender against Saraland). The win over Enterprise probably cemented a playoff bid but a win either this week or next should mean a home game in the first round. Is it too much to ask that Carver pull what would be a shocking upset? It’s not out of the question but the Wolverines will need to play nearly perfect to pull it off. And that’s asking too much.

PREDICTION: Central-PC, 43-30

STANHOPE ELMORE at PIKE ROAD (6A/R2)

Friday at Patriots Stadium

2021 Records: Stanhope Elmore (4-2, 2-1), Pike Road (5-2, 4-0)

Series: Pike Road leads, 2-1

Last year: Pike Road, 35-17

Last game: Russell County def. Stanhope, 28-14; Pike Road def. Park Crossing, 54-7

Key Stats: Pike Road’s Jordan Holmes has 650 yards in total offense despite playing limited number of snaps. He has five touchdowns including three in the season opener against Prattville…. The Mustangs’ Dee Barnes has already surpassed 1,000 yards and scored 19 touchdowns this season.

The skinny: There will be plenty of star power in this matchup including Holmes and Barnes. Pike Road’s Miles Khatri and Braylin Outlaw are two of the top defensive players in the River Region. Stanhope quarterback Davis Foshee is nursing and injury and may not be available Friday, which hurts Stanhope’s chances. The Mustangs held their own against Russell County’s passing attack and will need more of the same against the Patriots. But Pike Road wins, setting up the showdown next week with Russell County for the region championship.

PREDICTION: Pike Road, , 30-17

CATHOLIC at HEADLAND (5A/R2)

Friday at Yarbrough Stadium

2025 Records: Catholic (3-3, 2-1), Headland (3-2, 1-2)

Series: Catholic leads, 4-1

Last season: Catholic, 63-0

Last week: Catholic def. Carroll , 42-0; Headland def. Greenville, 35-0

Key Stat: Catholic QB CJ Sankey threw for 153 yards and three TDs in the Knights’ win last week.

The skinny: Any other year, this game would get - maybe - a mention but the importance of this one has a reach into the post season. A Catholic win would almost clinch a playoff. berth (it’s been a while since we’ve said that about this program) while Headland needs a win to stay in the running. The Rams are not a juggernaut by any means, giving up an average of 38 points to the two top teams in the region (Andalusia and Eufaula). After dropping three in a row, Catholic has won a couple and seems to have turned the corner from their rough start. But consistency is the key and all of the changes the Knights have dealt with can be obliterated with a win this week. No reason to think they can’t get it.

PREDICTION: Catholic, 27-16

KEY GAMES

Wetumpka at Julian (6A/R2 - Thursday) – The winner all but clinches a playoff bid. Julian enjoyed their first win in a month last week. Wetumpka has proven to be up and down. This week, the Indians are up.. WETUMPKA, 25-19.

Hewitt-Trussville at Prattville (7A/R3) - Playoff hopes are quickly slipping away from the Lions. It doesn’t get any easier on Friday. Lions drop another one. HEWITT, 42-34.

Park Crossing at Rehobeth (6A/R2) - A legitimate chance for the Thunderbirds to break the losing streak. Alas, it doesn’t happen. REHOBETH, 23-12.

Valley at Elmore County (5A/R4) - The Panthers put up a good fight in the loss to Clay-Central. Now they must protect from a letdown against a pretty good squad in Valley. ELMORE COUNTY, 28-27.

Handley at Tallassee (4A/R3) – The Tigers finally found a way to win in the final minutes last week. They will need more of that this time. But Handley is the top team in the region. HANDLEY, 31-24.

St. James at Cleburne County (4A/R3) - Trojans are looking for their second win… they get it STJ, 20-16.

Autauga Academy at Verbena (1A/R3) - At 5-2, Verbena has quietly put together a solid season. The Generals have done the same. It’s tough to pick against the home team, but…. AA, 30-28

THE REST

Dothan over JAG, 37-6; Central-Clay Co over Holtville, 42-19; Sylacauga over Marbury, 25-21; Wicksburg over Alabama Christian, 29-23; Montgomery Academy over Slocomb, 35-13; Trinity over Northside Methodist, 30-14; Houston Academy over PCA, 24-14; Maplesville over Billingsley, 40-13; Edgewood over Hope Christian, 26-12; Abbeville Christian over Hooper, 37-13; Lowndes Academy over Morgan Academy, 35-14.

OPEN: Valiant Cross

RECORD: Last week 16-5; Season 100-33 (.752)

PREP CAPSULES (Week 7): Certain games might not decide region champs but may decide playoff bids