Last week’s results 

(4A) Ashville 33 (1A) Ragland  32    

(4A) Leeds 45 (5A) Cleburne Co.  28    

(5A) Moody  23   (5A) Springville  7 

(6A) Pell City 56 (4A) Childersburg 26    

(5A) Saint Clair Co. 52   (5A) Lincoln 49 

(1A) Victory Chr.  47   (0A) AS Deaf 0 

This Week 

Ashville (1-0) vs. Anniston (0-1) 

Ashville’s opening victory against Ragland gives the Bulldog faithful some optimism going into a home game against Anniston. Anniston quarterback Savion Bethune returned to the lineup last week for their opener after a season ending injury sidelined their star for the 2016 season. Bethune was inconsistent in his debut, scoring the sole touchdown for the team last week, but throwing two interceptions and stalling the Bulldogs offense against a very strong defensive effort put up by Sylacauga last week, who handed Anniston a 17-6 defeat. Ashville’s defense will be able to put eight men in a box against Anniston’s pro-set I-formation and key on Bethune and junior running back (#32) Tywon Spidell. If the running game of Anniston is contained, Ashville’s secondary should capitalize on Anniston’s shaky passing game, especially if Bethune is pressured in the pocket. 

Anniston’s 4-3 defense is a formidable opponent. Led by strong safety (#4) Darren Parker and linebacker (#22) Amory Dudley, the Anniston defense will not allow Ashville to score as freely as they did last week. Look for a tough, low-scoring first half. If Anniston continues to have ball control issues this week, Ashville can go 2-0 if they can capitalize on those opportunities. 

Leeds (2-0) @ Elmore County (0-1) 

Leeds has the perfect opportunity to unleash their offensive weapons against an Elmore County defense that has been thrashed two weeks in a row by Montgomery Academy and ACA, surrendering 91 points over the past two games. 

The Panthers have moved (#1) Terrence Head from wide receiver to quarterback this season. It appears that the Elmore coaching staff is trying to implement a spread offense w/ elements of read-option with a dynamic backfield of Head, who is a 6’3” tall, fast and graceful athlete, supplemented by junior running back (#13) Donovan Jones, the power house running back for the Panthers, and (#4) D.J. Patrick who works against the edges of his opponents and tries to exploit defending cornerbacks. There is some firepower in that backfield, but the Green Wave’s defense is very good at bottling up and choking that type of attack. 

The Panthers run a 3-4 defense with many of their star players like Head and free safety (#9) Shakwan Bickley playing both ways. Elmore County does boast a few outstanding players defensively, like middle linebacker (#55) Hayden Bass, but there are noticeable shortcomings on the defensive line. Expect the Green Wave’s explosive and deep offense to exploit the Panthers defense and rack up some points for their third win of the season. 

Moody (1-0) vs. Briarwood (1-0) 

Moody’s defense proved last week that it can swarm all over a read-option attack. The Blue Devils also knows how to throttle a quick-pass game. Two impressive touchdown passes by Moody also showed that they have the ability to stretch the field sideline-to-sideline as well as over the top with their passing game. 

That is exactly the description of Briarwood’s team as well. Ranked #2 in 5A football by the Alabama Sports Writers Association weekly poll, head coach Fred Yancey has put together a 4-3 base defense that upended Chelsea last week – a 6A opponent who had gone into last week with a three game winning streak over the Lions before they got smothered by Briarwood’s stifling defense, managing to score only one fourth quarter score last week. Moody’s biggest challenge offensively will be the boys up front. Briarwood dominated the interior gaps last week and will look to do it again when they come to Moody. 

Offensively the Lions have debuted a precise passer in quarterback Michael Hiers who will be joined in the backfield by junior running back (#9) J.R. Tran Reno, a dangerous runner who has also blown up defenses as a passing running back out of Wildcat. Mixing up the offensive attack will be Heirs’ go-to playmaker in receiver (#5) Carson Eddy, who caught two touchdowns in Briarwood’s opening game. 

Moody has a major challenge in their regional debut. Briarwood has already built what Moody is currently building (on both sides of the ball). The Blue Devils need to be firing on all cylinders this Friday and make their own luck. Yancey-coached teams don’t give their opponents much, and Moody will need to do the same – protect the ball and take the opportunities offered. 

Pell City (1-0) vs. Gardendale (0-2) 

Don’t let the record fool you – The Gardendale Rockets competed at a very high level and remained competitive against perennial powerhouses Muscle Shoals and James Clemens. Pell City’s high-octane offensive performance that was displayed last week will be of great use against Gardendale, who have shown that they are vulnerable to a strong running offense.  

Offensively Gardendale has shown that it has the ability to spring a big play on their opponents. Friday will be a return of the Crowder brothers (Senior quarterback Michael and the heir apparent – freshman William), who have been a Gardendale mainstay over the past six years. Crowder has three outstanding running and receiving threats at his fingertips. Senior wideout (#6) Conner Howell has consistently been a big-play receiving threat, Senior athlete (#5) Stephen Lancaster is capable of breaking off long runs and receiver (#2) Omari Hood is an effective offensive weapon and very dangerous returner on special teams. 

The Rockets defense lines up in a base 3-4 package with a secondary that likes to roll down and play bump man-to-man. Pell City’s tackles and tight ends will have to deal with outside linebackers (#19) Austin Gooch and (#4) Jonah Wright (#9), who love to inch forward and show an outside blitz before snap. A couple of well-planned hot routes behind them on blitzes and bubble screens when they bail could neutralize those two guys for most of the game. Panther fans should expect another high scoring game. Gardendale faded in the fourth quarter in the previous two games – that is where Pell City may have an opportunity to exploit the Rockets.  

Ragland (0-1) @ Talladega County Central  (0-1)          

Talladega County Central started the season with a solid display during the first half against county rival Talladega before the Tigers deep roster overcame TCC late. The Fighting Tigers most dangerous weapon returns after being knocked out of commission last year. Quarterback Darrell Maple showed off his running abilities last week with four head-turning bursts of more than 10 yards. Joining Maple in the backfield is senior running back (#22) Kylen Cross – a 230 pound battering ram who will wear down 1A defenses who cannot cycle in fresh bodies. Ragland will have to gameplan for a balanced offensive attack provided by Maple’s arm and Cross’ legs.  

The Purple Devils offense was able to produce against a sizable Ashville defense last week. The Fighting Tigers will be another big defense to overcome – Led by senior middle linebacker (#99) Devilyn Keller, TCC’s 21 man roster features eight players who weigh in at over 210 pounds. That is a lot of mass to move – and Ragland will have to find a way around, through or over that mass to secure their first regional victory. 

Springville (0-1) @ Mortimer Jordan (1-1)          

Springville’s defense has just come off of a county rivalry game and are now heading into a dragon’s den of offensive firepower against Mortimer Jordan. The Blue Devils are poised to jump into the top 10 in 5A football this week, and they may be looking to make a statement against the Tigers. Mortimer Jordan’s offense is led by sophomore quarterback (#10) Kourtlan Marsh, an extraordinarily gifted athlete who has run or passed for three – 60+ yard touchdowns in the Blue Devils’ first two games. Marsh also has a stable of explosive running backs, including senior (#42) Jacob Harris and sophomore (#22) Garrett Helm. 

Attempting to temper Mortimer Jordan’s offense will be a challenge. Defensively, the Blue Devils are young – only a scattering of seniors like (#71) Jacob Kennedy and (#33) Anthony Harris on the defensive line are found in this year’s squad. Other opponents this year have taken advantage of this inexperience and jumped out to quick leads against the Blue Devils. The challenge for the Tigers will be to get Mortimer Jordan’s offense off the field, who will be able to grind out yards and minutes while their opponents’ offense cools their heels on the bench. Springville will need sustained drives. They cannot permit themselves a three-and-out in their first drive this week.  

St. Clair County (1-0) vs. Shelby County (1-0) 

This week’s game in Odenville may very well be a matchup in which we wait to see what perseveres – the Saints’ high-powered offense or Shelby County’s defense – which is tough-as-nails against the run but a big question about how it can stop a passing attack. 

Last week showed all of the football fans in the area that St. Clair’s offense is a formidable force this season, ringing up 51 points punctuated by a spectacular aerial assault in their victory over Lincoln last week. The Wildcats will not be near as porous on defense that Lincoln proved to be. Shelby County took apart Holt’s offense in the home opener, seizing a six touchdown lead before Holt could respond.  

The Saints’ defense will face an offense that has a very effective (and bruising) running attack. The Wildcats were able to rotate a young group of fresh running backs into their backfield and 315 rushing yards last week against Holt. The Saints defense will have to pay attention to freshman running back (#2) Tyrese Goodman, who led the Tigers running attack with 80 yards last week.  Joining Goodman in the backfield are seniors (#9) Austin Lucas and (#24) Trent Sullivan. Shelby County quarterback Chadwyn Russ is not known for passing the ball, but if the Saints defense crowds the line, he can pull the trigger for a big pass play, like he did last week when he connected with James Oliver for a deep touchdown pass. 

The combination of home field, an opponent with an effective yet one-dimensional offensive attack and an untested secondary positions St. Clair County as the favorite in this game.    

Victory Christian (1-0) @ Donoho (1-0) 

The boys at Victory Christian will be facing the coach who brought them out of the 1A cellar and propelled them into a playoff-caliber team. Coach Mark Sanders is now leading Donoho, and this week’s matchup will be a reunion with his old team. The Falcons have an abundant of talent on their 40-man roster, and are looking to establish themselves as one of the top-tier teams in their classification. Donoho suffered a setback to those plans last week, losing 18-3 to Horseshoe Bend and sending the coaching staff into the film room to find a way to wind up the Donoho offense. Last season Donoho could run the ball, and this season they have the depth in roster to wear down the Lions in the second half. The question to be asked is who will be doing that running? 

The Falcons lost Garrett Steed to graduation. His younger siblings Blake and Grant are on the team, but can the older Blake step in and continue the family legacy? Can Coach Sanders revitalize Donoho’s running game? He has the numbers – but does he have the talent? 

Defensively, the Lions will be facing an established defense, led by outside linebacker (#4) Tej Patel, who is very aggressive and possesses great technique. Harrison Cheatwood’s backside pocket coverage needs to be aware of Patel – to the point that on passing plays a running back may want to spy and mirror the leader of Donoho’s defense.