PREP CAPSULES (PLAYOFFS Wk 1): New format gives hope to teams, byes for others
STAFF REPORT
It would take incredibly long to explain all of the nuances of the state football playoffs in both the AHSAA and AISA.
But all you need to know is there are teams in both that have no wins, one or two wins that will be playing this week.
It’s another shot at inclusion, when it’s actually an opportunity for both associations to earn a little more money at the gate.
That means we get to see the likes of Westminster (1-9), Lee-Scott Academy (2-8), JAG (3-7), Robertsdale (2-8), and in the AISA version, Heritage Christian (2-8), get one more chance to take the field while awarding a few teams an easy entry to the next round.
St. John Paul (0-10) saved us the trouble by bowing out of the playoffs citing numerous injuries that left their already depleted roster in a shambles. No doubt a hefty fine will be assessed.
Even Hoover, which has reached the postseason every year since 1999, got a reprieve with the new 6A playoff bracket and lives another day in what otherwise would have ended their season as a 2-5 team in region play.
But there are some interesting matchups in the first week. Start with Citronelle (8-2) at Marbury (9-1), which will attempt to win its first home playoff game since 2007. But they also have one of the most difficult draws of any team in the first round.
Catholic’s last win came a month ago against St. Paul’s, which is the Knights’ first-round opponent. They won that game by 24 points but this one could be much closer.
Alabama Christian has a chance to keep its six-game winning streak alive with a win at Mobile Christian.
And if you are wondering why JAG is playing its first-ever playoff game, thank the new Class 6A bracket which gives the top two seeds a week off and adds two teams to the lower half of the bracket. That also means Prattville will play its first playoff game next week.
Playoffs - First round
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise. Games times are subject to change without notice.
ROBERTSDALE at G.W. CARVER (6A)
Friday at Cramton Bowl
2026 Records: Robertsdale (2-8), Carver (6-4)
Series: First meeting
Last week: Carver def. Enterprise , 48-14; Robertsdale def. Park Crossing, 29-10
Next: Winner plays at Daphne in 2nd Round, Nov. 13
Key Notes: Before last week, Robertsdale had never played a game at Cramton Bowl. They play for a second consecutive week at the bowl on Friday. This is the first time since 2004 the Golden Bears have reached the playoffs. Carver has not won a playoff game since 2017.
The skinny: It would have been almost impossible for the Carver Wolverines to NOT make the playoffs this year, considering the new playoff format. But they did one better, winning three of their last four games including what may have been their most impressive performances against Opelika and Enterprise to close out the season and take the third seed. They scored 27 points against Opelika, which gave Region 3 champ Prattville all it could handle last week (Yes, there is the idea of the Lions having clinched the region but no need to go there). No, Carver seems to be clicking at the right time. They face Robertsdale, which celebrated the second win of the season last Friday. Those victories were eight weeks apart. While the Bears handled a depleted Park Crossing team, it’s doubtful they can pull the stunt twice on the same field.
PREDICTION: Carver, 31-14
BESSEMER CITY at PIKE ROAD (5A)
Friday at Patriot Stadium
2026 Records: Bessemer (7-3, 3rd seed), Pike Road (7-3, 2nd seed)
Series: Pike Road leads 2-0
Last year: PIke Road, 28-6 (2nd Round 6A playoffs)
Last week: Hewitt-Trussville def. PIke Road , 21-14; Bessemer def. Chelsea, 47-7
Next: Winner faces either Homewood or Theodore in the 2nd Round
Key Notes: This is the third straight year these two teams have met in the playoffs. Pike Road’s three losses in regular season are the most since 2024 and only the second time in the Granger Shook era.
The skinny: In the two previous wins, PIke Road allowed a total of 13 points to the Purple Tigers. But this version of the Tigers seem to have more of a punch offensively, averaging 33 points per game. They were within two points of knocking off the favorite to win the 6A title, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (at least based on ASWA rankings). But historically, Pike Road has been unbeatable in the first round of the playoffs having lost just once in the round and that was the first year of existence (2008). There have been a couple of close calls but usually the Patriots have had little resistance in the first round. This one might be a little tighter than the previous games but Pike Road should prevail.
PREDICTION: Pike Road, 27-20
ST. PAUL’S at CATHOLIC (AA PRIVATE)
Friday at Knights Field
2026 Records: St. Paul’s (4-6, 5th seed), Catholic (5-5, 4th seed)
Series: Tied 1-1
Last meeting: Oct. 1 - Catholic won, 31-7
Last week: Spanish Fort def. St. Paul’s, 25-14; Catholic did not play
Next: Winner faces either UMS-Wright or Houston Academy in the quarterfinals, Nov. 13
Key Notes: Catholic’s three-game losing streak at the end of the season is the first since 2013 when the Knights lost the last nine games of the season… Catholic has not lost a first-round playoff game since 2016.
The skinny: Catholic’s late-season rollercoaster ride didn’t end they way it wanted, losing to the top three teams in the region. The Knights enter the postseason nursing several injuries and will face a team that happens to be the last one they defeated in the regular season. They’ve been close in the final three games including a two-overtime game to UMS and on a last-second field goal to McGill-Toolen. One has to wonder if there’s anything left in the tank. Here’s guessing there is and while this one will not be the comfortable win as the previous game, it’s still a win.
PREDICTION: Catholic, 24-17
ALABAMA CHRISTIAN at MOBILE CHRISTIAN (A PRIVATE)
Friday at Harrison Field
2026 Records: ACA (7-3, 5th seed), Mobile Christian (8-2, 4th seed)
Series: Tied, 2-2
Last meeting: 1981 - ACA won, 7-6
Last week: Mobile Christian and ACA did not play
Next: Winner plays either Providence Christian or Montgomery Academy in the quarterfinal round
Key Notes: In the four games between the two teams, ACA has scored a total of 13 points in the two victories while Mobile Christian has averaged 25 points in margin of victory. None of the games have been post season.
The skinny: Alabama Christian seems to be one of the hotter teams in the River Region having won six straight games to finish the season. The Eagles have averaged 38 points offensively in the win streak and the defense has recorded a shutout, plus in two games giving up just seven points. But a different animal is waiting in Mobile in the Leopards, who have also been solid, having lost just once in its last eight games and that was to the region champ, Bayside Academy. But ACA has plenty of confidence going in and that might be enough to pull off what would be an upset in this case. Why not…
PREDICTION: ACA, 33-30
KEY GAMES
(6A) JAG (3-7) at Foley (6-4) – Despite the record, JAG finds itself in the post season for the first time in the program’s short history, thanks to the new bracket. The Jaguars played much better down the stretch, winning their last two games. Foley is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Neither of these two proved to be a playoff contender otherwise. Foley is at home and gets the nod. FOLEY, 24-14.
(5A) Stanhope Elmore (5-5) at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (9-0) – The Mustangs went undefeated in the second half of the season after going winless in the first half. The biggest win came against their arch rival Wetumpka, which put them in the playoffs. Unfortunately they get the top seed in the bracket in the first round. Hillcrest is averaging 52 points per game offensively. Not a good matchup for Stanhope. HILLCREST, 47-16.
(4A) Elmore County (6-4) at Williamson (7-1) - Williamson has recorded five shutouts and held another team to a touchdown in the eight games. The lone loss came against the region champ, Vigor, which managed just 12 points in the win. While the Panthers won four of their last five, they didn’t face anybody with this type of defense. WILLIAMSON, 24-7.
(4A) Citronelle (8-2) at Marbury (9-1) - First time in the playoffs for the Bulldogs since 2023, but not exactly a gimme in the first round. If a win happens it would break a seven-game losing streak in the playoffs, dating back to 2008. That streak gets broken. MARBURY, 26-20.
(1A) Billingsley (6-4) at McIntosh (5-5) - This is a matter of which team played the better schedule. On the surface, that would be the Bears, whose lone loss in the second half of the season was to Maplesville. Give them the edge in. this one. BILLINGSLEY, 30-20.
(Private A) St. James (3-7) at Bayside Academy (8-2) – The Trojans limped down the back half of the schedule, losing five of six. Bayside is not exactly a cure and should end STJ’s difficult season. BAYSIDE, 42-17.
(Private A) Cottage Hill (8-2) at Trinity (7-3) - The Wildcats almost pulled off the upset of Montgomery Academy two weeks ago. Did they leave enough in the emotional tank for the first round of the playoffs? Yes, but barely. TPS, 27-21.
(Private A) Providence Christian (5-5) at Montgomery Academy (10-0) - The Eagles breezed through the season undefeated, a first since they reached the semifinals in 2020. They are the favorites to reach the championship from the South portion of the bracket. But first things first… MA, 45-12.
(AISA AAA) Hooper Academy (8-2) at Patrician (10-0) - It has been an incredible season for the Colts, who have their best record in 29 years. Alas, they draw the favorite to win it all in the first round.. PATRICIAN, 35-28.
(AISA AAA) Southern (6-3) at Autauga Academy (7-2) -Autauga scored 40 or more points in every game in October. No reason to think that streak ends this week. Generals advance. AA, 48-14.
(AISA AA) Clarke Prep (4-7) at Edgewood (5-5) - Edgewood struggled in the second half of the season, losing the last five while scoring a total of 21 points. Not a great way to end the season… CLARKE, 25-15.
(AISA AA) Valiant Cross (3-6) at Morgan Academy (6-4) - The Warriors went 2-1 in the last three games and the Senators went 1-2 but against much tougher competition. MORGAN, 27-20.
(AISA AA) Bessemer Academy (5-5) at Lowndes Academy (5-5) - It’s the time of year the Rebels usually shine. It hasn’t been the season they wanted but they extend it at least one more week LOWNDES, 23-20.
(AISA A) Trinity Christian (4-6) at Macon-East (6-4) - Can Glynn Lott go out as a champion in his final season at the helm for the Knights? They need three wins to make it happen. They get the first one on Friday. M-E, 49-21.
(AISA A) Evangel Christian (4-4) at Coosa Valley Christian (6-4) - Coosa Valley won a close one between these two a couple of weeks ago. No reason to think this one would be any different. COOSA VALLEY, 49-35.
THE REST
(2A) Reeltown over JU Blacksher, 42-0; Luverne over Ranburne, 43-13; Aliceville over Highland Home, 24-21; (3A) Bullock Co over Corner, 35-18; Pleasant Grove over BT Washington, 40-21; (4A) Orange Beach over Ch. Henderson, 35-18; Andalusia over Sipsey Valley, 25-13; (5A) Benjamin Russell over Central-Tusc., 37-13; McAdory over Russell County, 28-21; (6A) Opelika over Alma Bryant, 24-21; Baker over Enterprise, 20-15; (Private) American Christian over Westminster, 45-11; St. Michael over Glenwood, 30-27; Madison Aca over Lee-Scott, 38-23; (AISA) South Choctaw over Abbeville Christian, 35-13; Escambia Aca over Springwood, 33-24; Monroe Aca over Southern Prep, 29-16.
BYE: Prattville (plays winner of Buckhorn/Spain Park, Nov. 13)
Season Completed: Wetumpka; Tallassee; Holtville; Prattville Christian
RECORD: Last week 14-3; Season 154-50 (.755)