PREP CAPSULES (PLAYOFFS Wk 2): Upsets in the making for the next round?
STAFF REPORT
The first round of both the AHSAA and AISA playoffs were rather harsh on the River Region. Eleven teams were eliminated and while eight remain, the task gets tougher.
There were very few upsets last week but a few teams from the area will need one this week to advance.
Start with G.W. Carver, which plays a team that beat them earlier in the season in Daphne. But the Wolverines looked solid at the end of the season and seem to be primed to pull the upset.
Marbury is in the second round for the first time in a while and faces a perennial playoff team in Eufaula. The Tigers will be a tough out but Marbury has been up to the challenge for most of the season.
In Class 1A, Billingsley faces a team in University Charter out of Livingston which lost just once. But the Bears have faced a difficult schedule, which should help them on Friday.
Could we see the end of a legendary career on Thursday? Glynn Lott leads Macon East against Escambia Academy in the AISA Class A semifinals. A loss ends the run for Lott, who has been at the helm for more than 30 years.
Playoffs - Second round (Semi-finals - AISA)
All games begin at 7 p.m. unless noted otherwise. Games times are subject to change without notice.
G.W. CARVER at DAPHNE (6A)
Friday at Jubilee Stadium
2026 Records: Daphne (7-3), Carver (7-4)
Series: Tied, 2-2
Last meeting: Aug. 28 - Daphne, 21-7
Last week: Carver def. Robertsdale , 47-25; Daphne had a bye
Next: Winner plays winner of Prattville and Spain Park
Key Notes: When the two teams met in August (in Daphne), Carver held Daphne to 88 yards rushing but gave up 200 yards in the air in the loss…. Carver has won four of its last five games by an average margin of 23 points. Daphne lost two of its last three games.
The skinny: How different are these two teams since the last meeting? Certainly, we find out Friday but there is little doubt the Wolverines are playing its best football of the season. The offense is certainly clicking on all cylinders and there is no reason to think that will stop this week. Daphne is traditionally solid on defense and proved the point back in August holding the Wolverines to a single touchdown. Daphne’s lone loss in region play came in the ninth week of the season, giving up the go-ahead touchdown in the final minute. All of that doesn’t say, necessarily, where these two teams are but if trends mean anything and the old adage of beating a team twice in a season is difficult, it makes a lean to Carver winning and advancing. Let’s go with that.
PREDICTION: Carver, 24-21
PIKE ROAD at HOMEWOOD (5A)
Friday at Waldrip Stadium
2026 Records: Homewood (10-1), Pike Road (8-3)
Series: Tied, 1-1
Last meeting: PIke Road, 10-9 (1st Round 6A playoffs)
Last week: Pike Road def. Bessemer City , 28-17; Homewood def. Theodore, 36-14
Next: Winner faces either Gulf Shores or McAdory in the quarterfinals
Key Notes: Pike Road’s 11-point win last week was the smallest margin of victory this season. Homewood has won nine straight games dating back to the third week of the season.
The skinny: It’s the time of the year when we begin to compare schedules and see just who beat who to get to this point of the season. Homewood has the better record between these two but Pike Road has played a tougher non-region schedule. Homewood may have been in a little better region (top to bottom) but Pike Road has played stronger teams at the top of its region. Homewood has not lost since the second game and that was against non-region opponent Briarwood, which is one of the favorites to win the Private AA state title. It sets up for what should be a fight to the finish but the Pike Road Patriots may be better prepared after a tougher schedule. Hang on to the football and they should advance.
PREDICTION: Pike Road, 21-16
SPAIN PARK at PRATTVILLE (6A)
Friday at Stanley-Jensen Stadium
2026 Records: Spain Park (4-6, 5th seed), Prattville (10-0)
Series: Tied 2-2
Last meeting: Oct. 2 - Prattville won, 35-28
Last week: Spain Park def. Buckhorn, 38-28; Prattville had a bye
Next: Winner faces either Carver or Daphne in the quarterfinals, Nov. 20
Key Notes: Prattville has not reached the second round since 2019 and hasn’t won a second-round game since 2014 when it reached the Class 7A title game
The skinny: Getting a week off this time of year is a big deal. Teams are beat up and having rest makes a difference. It also can take the edge off but in Prattville’s case, they didn’t look the part of a champion in the last two games, which were wins over Vestavia Hills and Opelika. Those are two good teams that may not be in the same category as the Lions but certainly good enough to pull the upset (and both are still alive this week). Prattville and Spain Park played a close game earlier this season with the Lions winning. It’s another chance for a team to get revenge but Prattville is the superior team and should advance.
PREDICTION: Prattville, 35-14
MOBILE CHRISTIAN at MONTGOMERY ACADEMY (A PRIVATE)
Friday at McLemore Field
2026 Records: MA (11-0), Mobile Christian (9-2)
Series: Tied, 1-1
Last meeting: 2011 - MA won, 31-27
Last week: Mobile Christian def. Alabama Christian, 31-12; MA def. Providence Christian, 50-6
Next: Winner plays either Cottage Hill Christian or Bayside Academy Nov. 20
Key Notes: The current run by the Eagles mirrors what they did back in 2020 when they ran the table up to the semfinals, where they lost to rival Catholic, who MA had beaten in the regular season.
The skinny: Mobile Christian sent a message last week with their impressive win over ACA but so did Montgomery Academy. This year’s team features several players who saw last year’s run come to a premature end. That is, most likely, feeding the fire for a title. This game will be closer than one might expect but the Eagles are still one of the most talented teams in the state. They move on.
PREDICTION: MA, 30-17
KEY GAMES
(4A) Marbury (10-1) at Eufaula (8-3) – Marbury looks to continue its magical run with a difficult road game against a traditional power. The Tigers have not enjoyed as much success in the last two years but reached the semifinals in 2023. That is a lot more than what Marbury has enjoyed. The Bulldogs have not reached the second round since 2007. But this team is different. The Dogs have allowed a total of 13 points in the last two games. They will need another performance like that this week. Alas, go with playoff experience. EUFAULA, 20-14.
(1A) University Charter (10-1) at Billingsley (7-4)– Billingsley won its first playoff game in 11 years last week. They get what could be termed a new comer from the western part of the state. The Trailblazers enjoyed a relatively weak region to build a solid record. Like last week, that should favor the Bears, who are at home. They move to the third round. BILLINGSLEY, 16-13.
(AISA AAA) Autauga Academy (8-2) at Patrician Academy (11-0) - Patrician is the odds-on favorite to win it all. The Generals have been solid in the second half of the season, having won five straight. They put a scare into the Saints but can’t quite get it done. PATRICIAN, 28-27.
(AISA A) Macon East Academy (8-4) at Escambia Academy (9-2) (Thursday) - With a loss, the career of the most tenured coach in the River Region comes to an end. Glynn Lott has spent three decades as the coach of the Knights. Certainly, the team would love to keep it going and reach the championship game one more time. But Escambia is too strong and should bring a close to the legend’s career. ESCAMBIA, 44-30.
THE REST
(6A) Central-Phenix City over Baker, 46-14; Auburn over Foley, 23-22; Fairhope over Opelika, 32-23; Gulf Shores over McAdory, 43-21; Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa over Saraland, 23-20; Spanish Fort over Benjamin Russell, 25-21; (4A) Vigor over Selma, 23-12; Williamson over Northside, 19-0; Sipsey Valley over Orange Beach, 28-23; (3A) T.R. Miller over Bibb Co, 25-15; Pleasant Grove over Jackson, 33-21; (2A) Reeltown over Ariton, 45-13; Luverne over Isabella, 31-16; Aliceville over Dadeville, 27-20; (1A) McKenzie over Kinston, 35-12; Brantley over Leroy, 26-21; Maplesville over Elba, 40-13; (Private) McGill-Toolen over Glenwood, 34-21; American Christian over Lee-Scott, 45-12; Mars Hill over Tuscaloosa Academy, 37-32; (AISA) Banks Aca over South Choctaw, 27-23; Monroe Aca over Clarke Prep, 35-18; Morgan Academy over Bessemer Aca, 35-26; Cornerstone Christian over Coosa Valley Christian, 50-34.
Season Completed: Wetumpka; Tallassee; Holtville; Prattville Christian; Catholic; St. James; Trinity; JAG; Alabama Christian; Stanhope Elmore; Elmore County; Hooper Academy; Lowndes Academy; Evangel Christian; Valiant Cross
RECORD: Last week 29-5; Season 183-55 (.768)