PREP CAPSULES (Week 8): A salute to Ron Ingram; Region titles up for grabs
STAFF REPORT
Before taking a look at this week’s top games, we take a moment to say “thank you” to longtime writer and director of communications for the AHSAA, Ron Ingram.
Ingram announced this week that he was retiring after 15 years of providing communications to the media and schools in the state. He began his work with the association in 2007 after spending three decades in the news media, mostly with The Birmingham News.
Ingram took care of credentials for the media whether it was for championship events or the regular season. He provided write ups for nearly every championship event during his time with the association.
Ingram has been a friend of high school athletics for the better part of six decades. His work will be missed.
As for this week’s matchups, several have major playoff implications, both for region titles and qualifiers.
The highlights include Pike Road’s trip to Seale to face Russell County for the Class 6A, Region 2 regular season title. Carver and Auburn face off in 7A for seedings with the winner in line for a No. 2 spot.
Alabama Christian, St. James and Tallassee are playing for a playoff bid.
Macon East faces Cornerstone Christian in a rematch of last year’s Class A championship game.
Week 7 Top 5 Performances
ERIC TOWNSEND and DJ WALTON (Prattville) - Townsend recorded two tackles including one for a loss plus an interception return for a touchdown and Walton had the fumble recovery in the end zone that proved to be the difference in the Lions’ key win over Hewitt-Trussville.
BRADEN GORDON (Montgomery Academy) - Ran for 77 yards and a touchdown on seven carries recorded five tackles, a sack and two quarterback pressures to lead the defense in the Eagles’ win over Slocomb.
CHARLIE SKIPPER (Wetmpka) - Completed 17 of 27 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns and also had for 37 yards on 10 carries in the Indians’ win over Julian.
BRANDON BOSWELL (Trinity) - Had 173 all-purpose yards including 68 yards receiving, 20 yards rushing and 85 yards plus two scores in the Wildcats’ win over Northside Methodist.
Week 8
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
G.W. CARVER at AUBURN (7A/R2)
Friday at Duck Samford Stadium
2025 Records: Carver (5-2, 4-1), Auburn (6-2, 4-1)
Series: Auburn leads, 12-6
Last Season: Auburn, 29-14
Last week: Auburn def. Smiths Station,38-0; Central-PC def. Carver, 58-35
Key Numbers: Since Keith Etheredge took over the Auburn program in 2021, the Tigers have just one season with a win total under 10 games. That was in 2023 and the win total was nine games… Carver QB Zion Crumpton has 16 touchdown passes on the season.
The skinny: It would be nice to say that Friday’s game in Auburn was for second place in the region. But Opelika may put a kink in those plans since Carver still has to face the Bulldogs in the final region game of the season. Yet, the Bulldogs play top seed Central-Phenix City on Friday which means a loss there does indeed set up a fight for the second seed in the region between the Tigers and Wolverines. No, it’s not that confusing and Carver can remove any doubt with a win against a team that has not had its usual dominant season as in the past three years. Auburn’s offense has sputtered at times, getting shut out two weeks ago by Central. The Wolverines proved it can score on anybody and even though it was in a losing effort, putting up 35 against the top team in the region is a good sign. Auburn’s best output was against JAG and Smiths Station, the two weakest teams in the region. If the Wolverines can create a high-scoring affair, it can outscore the Tigers. Another 35-point performance should do the trick.
PREDICTION: Carver, 35-28
PIKE ROAD at RUSSELL COUNTY (6A/R2)
Friday at Corbett-Mitchell Stadium, Seale
2021 Records: Pike Road (6-2, 5-0), Russell Co (7-0, 4-0)
Series: Pike Road leads, 3-0
Last year: Pike Road, 46-14
Last week: Pike Road def. Stanhope Elmore, 37-0; Russell County did not play
Key Stats: Russell County is enjoying its best regular season since 1998 when the Warriors finished 10-0. They would lose their first-round game to Bibb County in the Class 5A playoffs… Pike Road’s defense has pitched three shutouts this season, including Friday’s win over Stanhope Elmore.
The skinny: If you are into déjà vu, this one is for you. Last season the table was set for this showdown between the top defense in the River Region against one of the top passing attacks in central Alabama. The top defense won rather handily and clinched the region title. Both of those teams had lost a couple of games prior to the meeting, otherwise, this year has a similar look. Pike Road continues to dominate with a defense that held one of the top rushers in the area, Dee Barnes, well under his 180-yard average last Friday. It could be said Russell County quarterback Bryson Riggins is of a different cut, too, with 241 yards per game and 20 touchdowns to date. But Pike Road proved it could stop big-time passers in last year’s win. The biggest difference is the game will be at Seale, where the Warriors have lost just once in the last two seasons. But the old saying goes, “defense travels,” and there is no reason to think the Patriots can’t find enough to slow Riggins and Co. down.
PREDICTION: Pike Road, , 33-20
TALLASSEE at ST. JAMES (4A/R3)
Friday at Carlisle Field
2025 Records: Tallassee (3-4, 2-3), STJ (2-6, 2-3)
Series: Tallassee leads, 5-3
Last season: Tallassee, 31-21
Last week: Headland def. Tallassee, 45-14; St. James def. Cleburne Co, 14-7
Key Stat: Jaiden Gordon had five catches for 99 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers’ loss last week… St. James has scored a total of 106 points this season, an average of 13 points per game.
The skinny: At the beginning of the season, this game had the perception of a Tallassee win and using it to improve its playoff seeding. Seven (or eight) games later, this one is suddenly for a playoff spot. The Trojans, who began the year losing four straight, have just two victories but both are in the region, meaning they can earn a playoff spot with a win Friday and next week against Munford. The Trojans will not win any beauty contests but where it matters, they are making hay when they can. Tallassee has not found the magic it had last season, losing three of its last four games and in a couple of cases, dropping games in the final minute. It’s unsure if it could be said these teams are going in opposite directions but Tallassee has had a difficult time putting teams away in the second half. It opens up the opportunity for the Trojans, if they can stay close, to win late. They get the Tigers at home and that might be an advantage, but this one comes down to whether or not Tallassee can get off the mat and play like its capable. Here is a bet the Tigers get it done.
PREDICTION: Tallassee, 22-20
KEY GAMES
Prattville at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (7A/R3) - The Lions got the “must need” win a week ago against Hewitt-Trussville. Can they do it twice in a row? Why not…. PRATTVILLE, 34-30.
Rehobeth at Stanhope Elmore (6A/R2) – This is a must win for the Mustangs, who are looking for a trip to the playoff, a first since 2020. One more step taken… SE, 31-14.
Wetumpka at Park Crossing (6A/R2) - Another trip to Montgomery and Cramton Bowl for the Indians… and another win, setting up the showdown against the Mustangs next week. WETUMPKA, 35-6.
Elmore County at Marbury (5A/R4) - The last two weeks have produced two close losses to the region’s top two teams. Nothing is guaranteed for the winner in this one but it goes a long way towards a playoff bid. ELMORE COUNTY, 40-14.
Slocomb at Alabama Christian (3A/R2) – A win on Friday and ACA is playoff bound. A loss and the season ends in two weeks. ACA, 27-12.
Wicksburg at Trinity (3A/R2) -Winner all but sews up a second seed. Loser will, more than likely, be the third seed. (That’s assuming Montgomery Academy wins out). TRINITY, 23-16.
Notasulga at Billingsley (1A/R3) - Bears win and it secures their first playoff spot since 2021…. BILLINGSLEY, 23-21.
Cornerstone at Macon East (A) - Rematch of the state title game a year ago, won by Cornerstone. Macon East has been virtually unstoppable. So have the Chargers. Yet, revenge is sweet… ME, 55-41.
THE REST
Valley over Holtville, 28-16; Montgomery Academy over Prattville Christian, 38-20; Catholic over Greenville, 32-12; Autauga Academy over Ellwood Christian, 45-6; Enterprise over JAG, 48-13; Edgewood Aca over Monroe Aca, 35-34; Sparta Aca over Hooper Aca, 41-23; Lowndes Aca over Wilcox Aca, 39-14; Valiant Cross over Lakeside, 24-20.
OPEN: P. Julian; Evangel Christian
RECORD: Last week 18-3; Season 118-36 (.766)