PREP CAPSULES (Week 3): Prattville-Hoover brings back memories of past title games
STAFF REPORT
Last week, we mentioned a few trends that are being watched as the seasons heads to the halfway point. In a few cases, those trends could get derailed due to much tougher competition.
Such is the case with the Prattville Lions, which goes on the road to face Hoover this week. This game is a essential for high school football fans since the two have been paired in six state championship games. But they have been regional foes the last two years. This one has a playoff feeling.
In a rare battle of unbeatens, Russell County visits Wetumpka with first place in 5A, Region 2 on the line. Chances are both teams will make the post season but the winner of this one gets the higher seed.
Trinity looks to build off its win a week ago while Alabama Christian is looking for a turnaround. The two meet at Faulkner University this weekend.
Elmore County and Holtville have an important meeting in Class 4A, Region 4 while Tallassee needs a win to break a three game losing streak against maybe the hottest team in the region in Marbury.
Week 3
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise
PRATTVILLE at HOOVER (6A R3)
Friday at Hoover Met
2026 Records: Prattville (3-0, 1-0), Hoover (2-1, 0-1)
Series: Hoover leads, 7-3
Last year: Hoover won, 48-21
Last week: Prattville def. Tuscaloosa Co, 62-0; Hewitt-Trussville def. Hoover, 40-24
Key Notes: The Lions are averaging 60 points per game offensively while Hoover is averaging just under 20 points per game... Since the two teams met in the Class 7A state championship game in 2014, Hoover has won five straight in the series.
The skinny: Looking at the numbers for both teams, this has the feeling of a setup. Prattville has been dominant in each of the three games while Hoover has not scored many points and looked rudimentary in the loss to Hewitt last week. But here is the kicker…. Prattville has not fared well against the Bucs, even when they had the upper hand. The first six meetings were all championship bouts and the two teams split between 2004-2014. Since then, the Bucs have been superior. In the last four games Hoover won by an average of 25 points. Based on the outcome so far this season, it looks as if the tables have turned. But the only way to prove that is for Prattville to go on the road and win. With the explosive offense Bobby Carr has, there is no reason to think that can’t happen.
PREDICTION: Prattville, 40-21
RUSSELL COUNTY at WETUMPKA (5A R2)
Friday at Wetumpka Municipal Stadium
2026 Records: Russell Co (3-0, 1-0), Wetumpka (3-0, 1-0)
Last year: Russell Co won, 31-18
Series: Wetumpka leads, 11-5
Last week: Russell Co def. Stanhope Elmore, 44-30; Wetumpka def. Rehobeth, 32-6
Key Notes: Wetumpka is 3-0 for the first time since 2018. Russell Co is 3-0 for a second-straight year…After losing seven straight in the series, the Warriors have won two in a row.
The skinny: Both teams are out of the gate fast and scoring points. Wetumpka has scored an average 31 points while the Warriors are averaging 45 points offensively. You can make your assumptions if you base the success on the strength of the opponent but these two teams haven’t met when both are undefeated. It sets up for what may come down to defensive stops. The Warriors have a re-tooled offense but have not lost much steam thanks to quarterback Bryson Riggins, who is back for one more season in Seale. The Indians have been dominant but this one is a different animal. The Warriors have been able to move the ball on Wetumpka scoring 52 points the last two years. But this seems like a year the Indians may have an answer with an offense that can match Russell County’s ability to score. Avoid turnovers and they improve to 4-0 and 2-0 in region play.
PREDICTION: Wetumpka, 27-25
TRINITY at ALABAMA CHRISTIAN (PRIVATE A R2)
Friday at Mark Stallings Field, Faulkner Unv.
2026 Records: TPS (2-1, 1-0); ACA (1-2, 0-1)
Last year: Trinity won, 28-0
Series: TPS leads, 32-7
Last week: Montgomery Aca def. ACA , 56-7; Trinity def. PCA, 49-0
Key Notes: ACA is in the middle of an eight-game losing streak in the series, with two of the losses being shutouts and two more in which the Eagles scored just six points.
The skinny: How much will last week’s loss to Montgomery Academy affect ACA this week? Trinity went from being shut out two weeks ago to earning its own last week against Prattville Christian. There is not much to compare here. The Wildcats have the advantage in most categories but the Eagles can stay close if they are able to play keep away with the football. Otherwise, Trinity increases the winning streak to nine.
PREDICTION: Trinity, 35-20
KEY GAMES
G.W. Carver at Dothan (6A R2) – The Wolverines played down-for-down with Auburn last week and had chances to pull off the upset. But anytime a big play was needed, it was Auburn that made it. Dothan could be considered “sneaky” good with one of the top running backs in the region in Sirlathian Meadows. He will be the difference in a close game. Dothan, 30-28.
Percy Julian at Rehobeth (5A R2) – This is one of the games the Phoenix has a chance to win in region play. They make the most of the opportunity with a squeaker. Julian, 20-16.
Park Crossing at PIke Road (5A R2) - The Patriots will win but this one will look different than in previous meetings between the two programs. Pike Road, 27-18.
Houston Academy at Catholic (Private AA R1) - The Knights will not get too many nights off this season. And no, this isn’t one either but they get it done. Catholic, 35-24.
Elmore County at Holtville (5A R4) - The Bulldogs sent a jolt to the rest of the region with an impressive win last week. The Panthers need a turnaround after a stinker against Marbury. Bulldogs win in a track meet. Holtville, 42-38.
Marbury at Tallassee (4A R4) – Marbury is 3-0 for the first time since 2011. Tallassee is 0-3 for the first time since 2023. Those trends continue . Marbury 30-16.
Lowndes Academy at Crenshaw Christian (A A) –Rebels need a bounce back against a tough minded squad. They get it but barely… . LA, 28-21.
THE REST
Smiths Station over JAG, 28-23; Billingsley over Central-Hayneville, 40-14; Benjamin Russell over Stanhope Elmore, 35-13; Prattville Christian over Pike Liberal, 43-14; Autauga Academy over Abbeville Christian, 24-18; Edgewood over Southern Prep, 26-13; Chambers Aca over Hooper Aca, 43-24; Valiant Cross over Sparta Aca, 23-22; Macon East over Trinity Christian, 50-23; Evangel Christian over Heritage Christian, 28-21.
OPEN: Montgomery Academy
RECORD: Last week 15-4; Season 42-16 (.724)