PREP CAPSULES (Week 8): A normal weekend of weather provides opportunity for best competition
STAFF REPORT
At press time, the weather for the weekend looks much better than the past two weeks.
That’s a win for every team scheduled to play on Thursday or Friday.
That also means several playoff spots are up for grabs as the penultimate weekend arrives for the regular season.
All eyes are on Alabaster as Prattville travels to Thompson for a battle for first place in Class 6A, Region 3. The winner all but clinches the regular season title.
Catholic is still very much in the hunt for the region title in Private AA, Region 2. A win over McGill-Toolen keeps those hopes alive.
Several teams are still in the hunt for a playoff bid as they enter Week 8 of the season.
Week 8
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise. Games times are subject to change without notice.
PRATTVILLE at THOMPSON
Friday at Warriors Stadium, Alabaster
2026 Records: Prattville (7-0, 5-0), Thompson (7-0, 5-0)
Series: Prattville leads, 9-6-1
Last year: Thompson won, 29-15
Last week: Prattville def. Oak Mountain, 35-10; Thompson def. Hewitt-Trussville, 47-17
Key Notes: Since being placed in the “Birmingham” region, Prattville has not beaten Thompson in two tries. Prior to that, the Lions enjoyed a six-game winning streak between 1968-2013.
The skinny: No one will argue that, at the moment, Thompson is the cream of the crop of high school football in. the state. Forget all the innuendo about recruiting and the like, this program is on top and has been for a while. Since 2020, only Hoover has multiple wins against the Warriors. Mark Freeman has led them to 132 victories, 32 wins in the playoffs and six state titles. Despite those numbers, they have enjoyed just one undefeated season in that stretch - 2020. The Warriors have lost at least two games in the last four seasons, albeit one of the losses in 2023 was in the state championship game. But Prattville fans know all about winning consistently. It’s just been a while since it happened. The last title, 2011, ended the stretch of success built by Bill Clark and continued with Jamey DuBose, and to some degree, Chad Anderson. Friday will signal whether or not the program is back to that status. Bobby Carr has built champions everywhere he has been. There is no reason to think he won’t do it at Prattville. This game will feature more talent than possibly any other game in the state during the regular season. No reason to think either team wilts under the pressure which usually means the game comes down to penalties and mistakes. Thompson has been in this type of game more recently than Prattville. It’s the only reason why the Warriors are the pick.
PREDICTION: Thompson, 35-30
ALABAMA CHRISTIAN at ST. JAMES (Private A R2)
Friday at Carlisle Field
2026 Records: STJ (3-5, 3-2), ACA (5-3, 2-2)
Series: St. James leads, 31-12
Last meeting: 2023, St. James won, 42-20
Last week: St. James def. Prattville Christian, 35-21; ACA def. Ft. Dale Aca., 32-7
Key Notes: During its current win streak, Alabama Christian is scoring 36 points per game. St. James has won nine of the last 10 meetings against the Eagles with the lone loss coming in 2020.
The skinny: ACA may be the most improved team among local private schools since the beginning of the season. At the start, the lack of experience was a cause for concern but that has gone the wayside of a solid running attack led by Micah Merritt. The success has the Eagles on the cusp of clinching a playoff berth. St. James has also shown improvement but has also dealt with a lag or two on offense. The Trojans were shut out by both Trinity and Montgomery Academy, which there is no shame in that, yet there have been other games that haven’t produced enough. But the Trojans have faced a tough stretch of games having lost three straight before beating PCA last week. Expect a close battle but the Eagles get the nod.
PREDICTION: ACA, 32-28
McGILL-TOOLEN at CATHOLIC (Private AA R1)
Friday at Knights Field
2026 Records: -McGill (6-1, 5-0); Catholic (5-3, 4-1)
Series: Catholic leads, 2-0
Last meeting: 2023, Catholic, 21-0
Last week: UMS-Wright def. Catholic, 33-27 (2 OT); McGill def. Glenwood, 38-14
Key Notes:
The skinny: So far, in the toughest stretch of games in the state, the Knights are 1-2 (counting the loss to Briarwood that was not a region game). Last week’s controversial loss (UMS-Wright was apparently awarded a touchdown when the catch was not made), should have them stirred up for the Yellowjackets. There is no doubt after the regular season, the Knights will be best prepared for the difficulties of the post season. But you’d like to have a win or two during the final stretch. Two games remain with this week and the season finale followed by the game against St. Michael (which their star quarterback, Gunner Rivers apparently back after an injury). There is still a chance to earn the region title by winning out. they get the job done this week.
PREDICTION: Catholic, 40-34
KEY GAMES
G.W. Carver at Central-Phenix City (6A R2) – The Wolverines got an unscheduled week off thanks to the weather. But it actually didn’t leave any extra time to prepare for the Red Devils. They would need it. C-PC, 35-24.
Stanhope Elmore at Park Crossing (5A R2) – The Thunderbirds need wins in the next two games to have a shot at a playoff berth. The winner of this one still has a shot, for that matter. Stanhope seems to have righted the ship. They get the slight nod. SE, 24-21.
Wetumpka at Pike Road (5A R2) - Can the Indians pull off an upset here? It’s doubtful but the Patriots may be licking their wounds after last week’s loss in Alex City. Still… PIKE ROAD, 35-20.
Holtville at Ch. Henderson (4A R4)- The Bulldogs can do everyone a favor (particularly Marbury) and pull off the upset over the Trojans. Alas... CH. HENDERSON, 27-21.
Trinity at Pike Liberal (PVT A R2) – Despite last week’s shut out, the Wildcats set up the showdown next week against Montgomery Academy for the region championship. TPS, 40-24.
Autauga Academy at Edgewood Academy (AA) - Edgewood suffered one of their worst losses in school history last week. It may not be as bad this week but Autauga should continue the Wildcats’ slide. AUTAUGA, 36-20.
Hooper Academy at Lowndes Academy (AA) - One of the fiercest rivalries in the River Region and for the first time in a while, the tables are turned with the Colts as the favorite. No reason to go against that…. HOOPER, 42-26.
THE REST
Russell Co over P. Julian (Thurs), 31-12; Enterprise over JAG, 40-14; Marbury over Greenville, 38-16; Elmore Co over Beauregard, 38-8; Valley over Tallassee, 27-14; Billingsley over Calhoun, 43-12; Montgomery Aca over Ft. Dale, 50-23; Crenshaw Christian over Valiant Cross, 23-14; Macon East over Escambia Aca, 37-23; Cornerstone Christian over Evangel Christian, 50-13.
OPEN: Prattville Christian
RECORD: Last week 11-7; Season 117-39 (.750)