STAFF REPORT

Two weeks are left in the 2025 regular football season, only one of those weeks is part of region play.

That would be this week.

Although several playoff spots are set, a few more are up for grabs and a few more seedings are still up in the air entering Week 9.

Prattville is in an unusual situation being tied for second place with three other teams in Class 7A Region 3. A win at home over Thompson solves any issues in making the playoffs but a lost creates all sorts of possibilities.

G.W. Carver is in a somewhat similar situation. A playoff spot is secured but a third seed is up for grabs in Class 7A, Region 2. The Wolverines face Opelika.

ACA needs a win to get in. But their assignment is quite difficult, facing region champ Montgomery Academy.

The annual battle between Wetumpka and Stanhope Elmore has little more than seeding implications but it’s one of the bigger rivalries in the River Region for some time.

So, get set for some important games on Friday.

Week 8 Top 5 Performances

TRISTIN BLACKMON (Prattville) - Rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries. The final score was the game winner in overtime to beat Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa.

CALLAHAN MINOR (Prattville) - Had three tackles and a scoop-and-score fumble return for 35 yards in Prattville’s win over Hillcrest.

BRAYLON OUTLAW (Pike Road) - Scored four times including a 50-yard scamper in the first minute of the game to lead the Patriots to the win and region title over Russell County.

KYLE BOICE (Billingsley) - Rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown and completed 4 of 10 passes for 54 yards and three touchdowns.

TYLER PAYTON (Elmore County) - Scored on a 50-yard run on the first play of the game in the Panthers’ win over Marbury. He finished with 96 yards and two scores on just 10 carries.

Week 9

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

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

Friday at Bulldog Stadium

2025 Records: Carver (5-3, 4-2), Opelika (6-3, 3-3)
Series: Opelika leads, 17-4
Last Season: Carver, 44-35
Last week: Auburn def. Carver, ,41-7; Central-PC def. Opelika, 42-6

Key Numbers: Carver endured its worst offensive output since the season opener against Thompson, scoring seven points in the loss to Auburn.

The skinny: Last week was a case of Carver performing at its worst while Auburn had its best game of the season, at least that’s what it looks like on the surface. It took out any chance of a top-two seed and a home game in the first round of the 7A playoffs. The good news is a playoff bid is secure with or without a win on Friday. The winner will be the third seed in the region. The other development for the Wolverines is apparently (although not verified by RRS) Carver’s final regular-season game against Saraland has been cancelled, reasons are unknown, meaning this game will be Carver’s finale. Does that change the approach for this one? Probably not but Carver would like to finish with a bang and a win at Opelika would certainly suffice. Opelika has been spotty at best on defense, allowing 24 points per contest. That may be a good sign for Carver, if it can get its mojo back. But it goes back to where the Wolverines’ focus might be for this one. Let’s assume it’s in the right place.

PREDICTION: Carver, 28-27

THOMPSON at PRATTVILLE (7A/R3)

Friday at Stanley-Jensen Stadium

2021 Records: Thompson (6-3, 5-1), Prattville (5-3, 4-2)

Series: Pike Road leads, 3-0

Last year: Pike Road, 46-14

Last week: Hoover def. Thompson, 33-30; Prattville def. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, 38-31 (OT)

Key Stats: Thompson lost last week on a 55-yard field goal as time expired… The Lions won in OT on Tristan Blackmon’s third score of the game.

The skinny: With all of last week’s results, Class 7A, Region 3 is a mess. The playoff scenarios are too numerous to get into but for Prattville, a win would guarantee a spot, and, more than likely, a No. 2 seed. At the moment, four teams are tied with 4-2 records, trailing the Warriors, who are 5-1. Considering how the last couple of weeks have gone, that’s not out of the question against what most consider one of the favorites to win it all (again) in a few weeks. The quarterback change with Will McKay now taking the snaps has worked well. But will it be enough against Thompson, who actually has three losses in a season for the third time in four years. The Warriors have just one regional title in that timeframe and have not had an undefeated season since 2020. But Thompson knows how to win championships, earning a trophy in five of the last six seasons. They’ve proven to know how to win in clutch. This game meets that criteria so expect to see the best from the state’s best.

PREDICTION: Thompson, 35-25

STANHOPE ELMORE at WETUMPKA (6A/R2)

Friday at Wetumpka Municipal Stadium

2025 Records: SE (5-3, 3-2), Wetumpka (5-3, 3-2)

Series: Stanhope leads, 32-24

Last season: Wetumpka, 27-13

Last week: Stanhope def. Rehobeth, 47-26; Wetumpka def. Park Crossing, 41-6

Key Stat: The Mustangs’ Dee Barnes continues to impress with 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns this season… Charlie Skipper has thrown 20 passes for touchdowns for the Indians.

The skinny: With playoff spots wrapped up, all that is left is pride and seeding. In this one, pride is all that matters. The two programs have been going at it since 1970. The game has been involved in playoff bids before but this one doesn’t meet that criteria. There are similarities in the two teams, including records and who the two have defeated in region play. The good news for the Mustangs is quarterback Davis Foshee has returned from an injury to go along with the rushing attack of Dee Barnes. Charlie Skipper continues to improve at quarterback for the Indians. It might come down to which of the two has the better night. It’s a tough pick (and both do have a few wrinkles) so it comes down to the same obstacles as any game between rivals - turnovers. Both have endured their share. If there is one player who can be the difference, it would be Barnes. He gives Stanhope Elmore a slight edge.

PREDICTION: Stanhope Elmore, 25-23

KEY GAMES

Alabama Christian at Montgomery Academy (3A/R2) - ACA needs a win for a playoff spot, but that’s asking too much against Montgomery Academy. MA, 35-24.

Andalusia at Catholic (5A/R2) – This has been a showdown for the region title for the last several years. This one could be, too. Eufaula is also in the mix and with a Catholic win, there might be a three-way tie (Eufaula plays at Charles Henderson). Unfortunately, the Bulldogs have the upper hand this time and ends Catholic’s run of region titles at six. ANDALUSIA, 29-24.

Houston Academy at Trinity (3A/R2) - Trinity earns a second seed with a win. A loss and there may be a three-way tie with HA, Trinity and Wicksburg and the tiebreakers take over. The Wildcats remove any thoughts of that…. TRINITY, 26-20.

Julian vs. Park Crossing (6A/R2) - Park Crossing has a great chance to end its losing streak of 20 games. But Julian keeps it going with a close win. JULIAN, 23-12.

Notasulga at Autauga Academy (1A/R4) – Generals wrap up a No. 2 seed in the region. AA, 32-16.

Prattville Christian at Slocomb (3A/R2) - PCA closes out Shane Moye’s first season with a win.. PCA, 35-13.

THE REST

Central-Phenix City over JAG, 50-6; Elmore County over Sylacauga, 35-21; Holtville over Marbury, 23-21; St. James over Munford, 14-8; Tallassee over Talladega, 21-7; Billingsley over Keith, 32-12; Edgewood over Abbeville Christian, 23-22; Crenshaw Christian over Hooper Aca, 24-22; Banks Aca over Valiant Cross, 27-18; Macon East over Coosa Valley, 55-23; Escambia Aca over Evangel Christian, 45-19.

OPEN: Pike Road; Lowndes Academy

RECORD: Last week 17-3; Season 135-39 (.776)

PREP CAPSULES (Week 9): Last regional weekend leaves a few playoff spots up for grabs