PREP CAPSULES (Week 2): Trends are beginning to build, even this early in the season
STAFF REPORT
It’s early, but we are watching a few new trends after two weeks of the season…
A few new “winners” - Park Crossing and Hooper Academy are both 2-0 after suffering miserable seasons over the past four to five years. It’s way too early to start the idea of playoffs but it makes it more fun to watch when teams that have not won much over the years suddenly have something to celebrate.
The return of Prattville? - With Bobby Carr at the helm, the expectation was the Lions were going to get better but the offense has really been unstoppable in two games. Don’t expect a slowdown this week against Tuscaloosa County.
The MA Train - The Eagles were expected to be good and they have lived up to the billing. They have a solid group of athletes that can dominate on both sides of the ball. They are quickly becoming one of the favorites in the south part of the state in the Private A classification.
Is it Pike Road or Benjamin Russell… or somebody else like Wetumpka? - Class 5A Region 2 is solid at the top but will another team (Wetumpka) slip into the conversation? As region play opens, keep an eye on those three teams but don’t forget about Russell County, which lost its quarterback from last year but still has a lot of talent remaining.
Chances are we add another team or two to the list after this week.
Week 2
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
AUBURN at CARVER (6A R2)
Friday at Cramton Bowl
2026 Records: Auburn (1-1, 0-0), Carver (1-1, 0-0)
Series: Auburn leads, 13-6
Last year: Auburn won, 41-7
Last week: Auburn def Choctawhatchee, Fla., 31-21; Daphne def. Carver, 21-7
Key Notes: Heading into Friday’s contest, Auburn and Carver have played against one another as region foes four times. The Tigers have won three of four with Carver’s lone win coming in 2012. Auburn has won six straight in the series.
The skinny: About the time Auburn became a force in the region (and classification), Carver became a member of the highest classification, at least part of the time. When they’ve both been in 7A (or 6A), it hasn’t worked out too well for the Wolverines. Other than a playoff win in 2010 Auburn has dominated the series. Auburn’s massive growth in school attendance has certainly helped plus they have found stability in coaching with Keith Etheredge settling in now for five years. This particular Auburn squad may not have the quite the star quality as the last few teams but they are still blessed with plenty of talent and numbers. Carver is still trying to figure out a few things and breaking in a young quarterback. It doesn’t set up well for Carver but look for the Wolverines to put up a fight.
PREDICTION: Auburn, 27-23
PRATTVILLE CHRISTIAN at TRINITY (PRIVATE A R2)
Friday at Ragsdale-Boykin Field
2026 Records: PCA (2-0, 0-0), TPS (1-1, 0-0)
Last year: Trinity won, 21-12
Series: Trinity leads, 4-0
Last week: PCA def. Montevallo, 34-33; Reeltown def. Trinity, 21-0
Key Notes: PCA is 2-0 for the first time since it joined the AHSAA in 2012 and the first time to start the season undefeated since 2020 when it was still a member of the AISA… Trinity has faced the Panthers in each of the last four seasons, winning every game by an average margin of 30 points… Before last week, Trinity had not suffered a shutout loss since the 2019 Class 4A playoffs against Andalusia (first round, 24-0).
The skinny: It might be premature to say it, but it looks like the Panthers have turned the corner. Last week was a one-point win but considering they trailed by three touchdowns early and had to fight back to score the winning TD in the final minutes was impressive. To their good fortune, Montevallo missed the extra point after its last score and PCA made it. It’s also too early to talk about playoffs but obviously they are in a different position than they have been since… well, forever. They’ve never had a winning record as a member of the AHSAA and there is no guarantee they will this season but the Panthers have shown they are capable of winning a close game, which may pay off later. But Trinity should have too much firepower in this one. Yes, the Wildcats were shut out against Reeltown last week, but the Rebels are one of the favorites to win the 2A title in December. This will be close but Trinity prevails for its fifth-straight win in the series.
PREDICTION: Trinity, 28-20
ALABAMA CHRISTIAN at MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (PRIVATE A R2)
Friday at McLemore Field
2026 Records: ACA (1-1), MA (2-0)
Last year: MA won, 50-21
Series: MA leads, 35-8
Last week: ACA def. Georgiana, 41-0; MA def. Catholic, 39-26
Key Notes: Although the series is very lopsided, ACA has won three of the last five games going back to 2021… MA has totaled 73 points on offense in the first two games of the season. Ironically that’s the exact same amount in the two games to start the season in 2025.
The skinny: After a gritty performance in the opener, ACA was impressive in last week’s win over Georgiana. The 41-point victory was the largest since a blowout of Wicksburg in 2024 (64-19). But this Friday is a different animal. Montgomery Academy looks almost unbeatable thanks to an offense that has multiple weapons with a quarterback that can pick defenses apart. ACA is capable of pulling off the upset but the homestanding Eagles (MA) will not lose its region opener.
PREDICTION: Montgomery Academy, 44-34
KEY GAMES
Benjamin Russell at Park Crossing (5A R2) (Thursday) – Don’t look now but the Thunderbirds are 2-0. There was no letdown after breaking the 22-game losing streak two weeks ago. But here comes the biggest test since LA O’Neal has come to town. Ben Russell may be the favorite in the region (no offense, Pike Road) but that’s a long way from here. The T’Birds don’t have to win. Just don’t get blown out. Ben Russell , 42-24.
Percy Julian at Pike Road (5A R2) – The Phoenix figured out a way to pull out a win over Smiths Station while the Patriots were demolishing Hueytown. This is a mismatch but for reasons unknown it might be a little closer than you might think. Pike Road, 35-18.
Tuscaloosa County at Prattville (6A R3) - The Lions finally play a home game after two impressive road wins. The offense is cookin’ early and there is no reason to think Friday will be any different. Prattville, 50-20.
Rehobeth at Wetumpka (5A R2) – Like Prattville, the Indians are home for the first time this season. And like the Lions, they have been impressive in their first two games. Rehobeth is one of those teams that preseason predictions are hard to come by. But with the Indians’ start, you can take out some of the guesswork. Wetumpka, 30-17.
Elmore County at Marbury (5A R4) - The Panthers are working on a four-game winning streak and six out of eight (with a tie thrown in) over the Bulldogs. That streak continues. ECHS, 38-13.
Holtville at Tallassee (4A R4) – A series that dates back to 1930. Tallassee has been dominant winning all but four of the 36 meetings. This one is a high-scoring affair won by the Bulldogs. Holtville 35-34.
Edgewood Academy at Lowndes Academy (AA) – Last week, Gregg Baker got his first win as the Wildcats’ head coach. Lowndes opened the season a week ago with an impressive win. The Rebels win a close one. LA, 28-21.
THE REST
Central-Phenix City over JAG, 45-20; Russell County over Stanhope Elmore 32-27; Billingsley over Georgiana, 36-13; Pike Liberal over St. James, 27-15; Hooper Academy over Crenshaw Christian, 33-13; Southern Prep over Valiant Cross, 27-23; Macon East over Coosa Valley Christian, 45-29; Evangel Christian over Springwood, 40-12; Autauga Academy over Sparta Academy, 45-10.
OPEN: None
RECORD: Last week 17-3; Season 27-12 (.692)