STAFF REPORT

It’s Halloween. It’s the end of the regular season. There is nothing to marry the two events other than the calendar.

But let’s have some fun.

It’s been a spooky year for some. For others, a graveyard smash (as in Monster Mash). But there is only one more dance until the second season arrives.

Almost everybody else knows their playoff fate. Some have the chance to scare off any ideas of entering the postseason on a downturn. Others, who have been told don’t have a ghost of a chance, will use the final week to get ready for 2026.

A few teams have completed their season with a few more having ended the season due to missing the playoffs.

All playoffs in AISA and AHSAA start next week, so enjoy the final week of the regular season. It should be a Thriller!

Week 9 Top 5 Performances

TRENT MORRIS (Tallassee) - Completed 14 of 17 passes for 194 yards, with two TDs in win over Talladega.

DEE BARNES (Stanhope Elmore) - Scored three times including the game winner to beat arch-rival Wetumpka. He finished with 236 yards rushing and added 31 yards in receptions.

REID McBRIDE (MONTGOMERY ACADEMY) - Passed for 206 yards and three touchdowns to lead MA past ACA.

TILLMAN CLEMENTS (Trinity) - Rushed for 134 yards and added a touchdown reception in the Wildcats’ win over Houston Academy.

GAGE DAVIS (Elmore County) -Passed for 184 yards and four touchdowns and added a run for a score in the Panthers’ win over Sylacauga.

Week 10 (End of Regular Season)

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

PIKE ROAD (6A/R2) at CHARLES HENDERSON (5A/R2)

Thursday at Trojan Stadium, Troy

2025 Records: Pike Road (7-2), Charles Henderson (5-4)
Series: Pike Road leads, 3-0
Last Season: Pike Road, 50-35
Last week: Pike Road did not play; Ch. Henderson def. Eufaula, 21-20
Next week: PIke Road vs. TBD (6A); Ch. Henderson at Vigor (5A)

Key Numbers: Pike Road won its third-straight region title and sixth in the last seven seasons.

The skinny: After playing for a state championship in 2022, the Trojans hit hard times the next couple of years which included a season where they forfeited their wins. They were on the way to missing the playoffs a third straight year when they found something to knock off Eufaula last week, helping Catholic in the process. But this version of Charles Henderson is still a long way from what it was several years ago. Pike Road, which had an unusual off week prior to this one, will use this game to sharpen the spikes and get ready for what they hope will be a championship run. They have to tools to get it done. Get out of this one healthy and let’s see what happens starting next week.

PREDICTION: Pike Road, 31-16

CATHOLIC (5A/R2) at VESTAVIA HILLS (7A/R3)

Thursday at Reynolds Stadium, Buddy Anderson Field

2025 Records: Catholic (6-3), VH (7-2)

Series: First meeting

Last week: Catholic def. Andalusia, 23-17 (OT); Vestavia Hills def. Hoover, 39-30
Next week: Catholic vs. Citronelle (5A); Vestavia at Auburn (7A)
Key Stats: Catholic has won seven straight region titles and eight out of nine after the win last week.

The skinny: This matchup is a product of rescheduling. Both teams needed a 10th game at the end of the season. In a way, it might be a good litmus test for the Knights, who have won six straight after losing three straight. Last week was a character builder and it should pay dividends in the post season. Vestavia clinched their playoff spot by defeating Hoover for only the second time since 2015. The Rebels are solid and should be a contender in the first round, yes, even against Auburn. It’s a tuneup that might help Catholic but not produce a win due to the depth and power of the Rebels. But next week counts more.

PREDICTION: Vestavia Hills, 28-17

TALLASSEE (4A/R3) at HOLTVILLE (5A/R4)

Thursday at Boykin-Chapman Field

2025 Records: Tallassee (5-4), Holtville (2-7)

Series: Tallassee leads, 31-4-1

Last season: Tallassee, 21-14

Last week: Tallassee def. Talladega, 35-0; Marbury def. Holtville, 21-14
Next Week: Tallassee at American Christian; Holtville season is completed

Key Stat: The Tallassee defense has given up a total of seven points in the last two games…. in its six-game losing streak, Holtville has held to 14 points or less and been shut out twice.

The skinny: In the grand scheme of things, Tallassee got done what it needed when all was said and done. There is a playoff bid is in the pocket as it plays its last game this week. No need to worry about American Christian at the moment but find the mojo that pushed them to a quarterfinal berth a year ago. It might be too much to ask after so many struggles but this team could easily have seven or eight wins if it had done the job late in a couple of games. Holtville got off to a good start but fell apart from the fourth game on to now. The offense has sputtered. The Bulldogs have also played a tougher schedule. Their season ends after this week. This series has been one sided and nothing says that should change. Tallassee wins.

PREDICTION: Tallassee, 20-14

KEY GAMES

P. Julian at Benjamin Russell (Thur) - The Wildcats are on an eight game winning streak heading into the playoffs. The Phoenix try to pull an upset to finish the season. The odds are not in their favor. BR, 35-.8

Demopolis at Wetumpka –Demopolis finished second in the region (5A/R3). Wetumpka finished fourth. What does that have to do with this game? Not much but typically a 6A team beats a 5A team. That’s the lone reason to pick the Indians. WETUMPKA, 23-20.

Maplesville at Alabama Christian - The Eagles knocked off the Red Devils last year. Maplesville is better this year… much better. MAPLESVILLE, 35-19.

Calera at Stanhope Elmore (Thurs) - Calera has hit hard times. The Mustangs get a tuneup before the playoffs. SE, 28-14.

Billingsley at McKenzie – McKenzie has a perfect season going. Bears don’t have enough to end that streak McKenzie, 32-16.

Escambia Academy at Macon East (A) - This game is for seeding, as in who is No. 1 in the bracket. Macon East gets it done. ME, 42-33.

THE REST

Carver at Saraland - CANCELLED; Prattville over JAG (Thur), 45-12; Greenville over Park Crossing, 23-21; Elmore County over Chilton County, 37-12; Marbury over Elberta, 23-15; Autauga Aca over Beulah, 28-14; Edgewood Aca over Valiant Cross, 20-13; Lowndes Aca over Hooper Aca, 45-12; Evangel Christian over Heritage Christian, 23-14.

OPEN: Montgomery Academy, G.W. Carver; Trinity

SEASON COMPLETED: St. James; Prattville Christian

RECORD: Last week 15-5; Season 150-44 (.773)

PREP CAPSULES (Week 10): Final week arrives with All Hallows Eve