PREP CAPSULES (Week 10): Make up games, possible perfect seasons highlight final week
STAFF REPORT
The regular season comes down to a couple of key games this week with playoff implications.
While eight teams have completed the season, a couple more had it extended due to postponement of games from Hurricane Isaais back in mid October.
There are also a couple left with a few status symbols including a couple of teams - Prattville and Reeltown - looking for a perfect season.
Carver and Enterprise will play on Thursday with the game being held at 17 Springs in Millbrook. Carver needs a win to earn a third seed. A loss will create a three-way tie between the two teams and Opelika.
Autauga Academy and Valiant Cross also moved the game orginially scheduled for Oct. 9 to this weekend. It’s another that has playoff implications as far as seeding is concerned.
The playoffs officially begin next week for both the AISA and AHSAA.
Week 10
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise. Games times are subject to change without notice.
OPELIKA (6A) at PRATTVILLE (6A)
Thursday at Stanley-Jensen Stadium
2026 Records: Opelika (4-4, 4-3), Prattville (9-0, 7-0)
Series: Tied, 14-14
Last meeting: 2023, Opelika won, 38-13
Last week: Carver def. Opelika , 27-14'; Prattville def. Vestavia Hills, 13-0
Next: 1st Round (Nov. 6) Opelika vs.TBD; 2nd Round (Nov. 13) Prattville vs. Buckhorn or Spain Park
Key Notes: These two teams were briefly in the same region and that was the last time they met with the two splitting games in 2022-23. They have also met four times in the playoffs.
The skinny: This is a warm up for the post season. Opelika did not look like the team from the past that has been dominant in its loss to Carver last week. Prattville apparently had a hangover from the big win over Thompson the week before but got the job done to earn the first region title for the program since 2011. The Lions know they will have a week off before their playoffs begin on Nov. 13. Opelika will know its seeding by the time game time rolls around on Friday since Enterprise and Carver play on Thursday. But there is no doubt the Lions would like to finish off a perfect season, which would be the first since 2007.
PREDICTION: Prattville, 47-21
HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE (6A) at PIKE ROAD (5A)
Friday at Patriot Stadium
2026 Records: H-T (5-4, 4-3), Pike Road (7-2, 6-1)
Series: First meeting
Last week: Hewitt-Trussville def. Spain Park , 42-28; Pike Road def. Rehobeth, 39-0
Next: 6A 1st Round - H-T vs. Gadsden City; 5A 1st Round - Bessemer City at Pike Road
Key Notes: This is the first time in four seasons and second in the last eight that Pike Road has not won the region title.
The skinny: One might think the Patriots would prefer an easier warm up for the post season. Instead, they face off against one of the better offenses in the state. The Huskies average 36 points offensively but also give up close to 34 points per game. They have also played one of the toughest schedules in the state that includes 5A power Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa and 6A power Auburn in non-region play. Add the Patriots to the mix and it looks like Hewitt will be more than prepared for the second season. So will Pike Road, who pulls off a slight upset.
PREDICTION: Pike Road, 31-30
ELMORE COUNTY (4A) at REELTOWN (2A)
Friday at Nix-Webster-O’Neal Stadium
2026 Records: ECHS (6-3, 5-2), Reeltown (9-0, 7-0)
Series: Elmore County leads, 22-20
Last meeting: 2015 - Reeltown won, 53-42
Last week: ECHS def. Tallassee, 41-14; Reeltown def. Lanett, 50-6
Next: 4A 1st Round: Elmore Co at Williamson; 2A 1st Round: JU Blacksher at Reeltown
Key Notes: Elmore County has averaged more than 40 points offensively in its last three games. Reeltown is looking to finish with a perfect regular season record for the third time in the last four years.
The skinny: Reeltown clinched its fourth region title in the last five years with the impressive win last week. While the Rebels may not be scoring quite as much as in previous seasons (averaged 40 points last year to 36 this season), they are back to dominating opponents, allowing a total of 32 points all season. They have six shutouts to their credit and allowed six points in two other games. Dadeville is the lone team that pushed them, scoring 20 points back in September. The Panthers are looking to end the season on a high note. A win would give them a five-game winning streak heading into the playoffs. But this one is too much to bear. Reeltown should win and keep its record perfect.
PREDICTION: Reeltown, 31-8
KEY GAMES
Greenville (4A) at JAG (6A) (Thu) – Hurrah for the Jaguars, who will make the playoffs for the first time since the new name on. the school building. Nevermind the 2-7 record going in…. They complete the regular season with a nice victory. JAG, 34-24.
Enterprise at G.W. Carver (6A R2) (Thursday at 17 Springs, Millbrook) – Game is a make up from Oct. 9 due to a hurricane. It also has playoff implications. A Carver win gives the Wolverines a third seed and a home game in the first round of the 6A playoffs. A loss and they will finish 4th or 5th. They played their best game of the season in a win over Opelika last week. Can they do it twice in a row? Why not…. CARVER, 27-20.
Autauga Academy at Valiant Cross (AA R1) (Thurs) - Another game moved due to the hurricane earlier in the month. Valiant Cross earned a nice win last week and set up a decent spot in the playoffs. Autuaga has won three straight… make it four. AA, 36-16.
Marbury (4A) at Demopolis (4A) - Bulldogs enjoying their best finish in more than two decades. They finish off the regular season with a win. MARBURY, 26-14.
Prattville Christian (Private A R2) at Notasulga (1A) – First meeting between the two schools. The Panthers stopped a four-game losing streak last week and look to finish on a high note…Notasulga hasn’t won a game since August. PCA, 36-13.
Sylacauga (4A) at St. James (Private A R2) - Trojans polish off the final game of the regular season and turn their attention to a first-round matchup with Bayside Academy. STJ, 35-23.
THE REST
Blount over Percy Julian, 35-12; Park Crossing over Robertsdale (Thurs.), 28-21; Stanhope Elmore over Hueytown, 30-15; Orange Beach over Holtville, 29-21; Billingsley over Holy Spirit, 34-13; Montgomery Aca over St. Anne Pacelli (GA), 45-13; Lowndes Aca over Wilcox Aca, 42-12; Macon East over Miracle Aca, 60-14.
OPEN: Wetumpka (season completed); Tallassee (season completed); Alabama Christian (Next - at Mobile Christian); Catholic (Next - vs. St. Paul’s); Trinity (Next - vs. Cottage Hill); Edgewood Academy (Next - TBD); Hooper Academy (Next - TBD); Evangel Christian (Next - TBD)
RECORD: Last week 17-3; Season 150-47 (.761)