Last Week:

(6A) Pell City 31   (6A) Brewer 29 

(5A) Saint Clair Co.  34   (5A) Woodlawn 14    

(4A) Leeds 22   (4A) Handley 20 

(5A) Pleasant Grove 16   (5A) Moody 0 

(5A) Curry 20 (5A) Springville 7    

(4A) Saks 48   (4A) Ashville 13    

(1A) Talladega Co. Central 54   (1A) Victory Chr.  42 

(1A) Wadley 56  (1A) Ragland 6    

This Week: Pell City (3-1) @ Anniston (1-3)  

Pell City comes off of a huge win last week over Brewer and hits the road for a non-regional matchup against Anniston, who have been competitive with all of the teams they played this year despite the 1-3 record. The Bulldogs’ offense is built around quarterback Savion Bethune, who moves the ball with his legs as well as his arm. In third down situations, Bethune has been under pressure all season, which is great news for Pell City’s blitzing defense. The Panthers’ defensive game plan will likely be to stack the 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, Pell City’s safeties should be alert for play-action, especially if Bethune is pressured in the pocket. Last week Bethune completed a 70 yard touchdown to Nathaniel O’Neal, which shows that the Anniston quarterback has improved from the beginning of the season and poses a vertical threat. 

Anniston’s 4-3 defense has performed consistently this year, admittedly against less talented teams than Pell City. Led by strong safety (#4) Darren Parker and linebacker (#22) Amory Dudley, the Anniston defense will likely keep their team in the game through the first half. Look for the Panthers to leverage their physicality and wear down Anniston. The Bulldogs are prone to penalties and turnovers. Pell City will capitalize on those opportunities and stretch out a lead late in the game. 

This Week: Springville (0-4) vs. Shelby County (2-2) (107-137) 

This week’s game in Springville will feature an opponent with a Jekyll and Hyde defense – having given up 50+ points twice this season. Shelby County has a beefy front defensively, which has been effective at limiting the run, but its secondary has proven to be vulnerable against the pass, which is not one of Springville’s strong suits. 

Springville’s defense will face an offense whose punishing running attack was exposed last week against Wenonah. The Wildcats are able to rotate a young group of fresh running backs into their backfield, but injuries up front revealed a vulnerable offensive line that can be exploited on the edge. Springville’s defense will have to go up against a bunch of effective running backs, from junior (#16) Nevada Wages, freshman running back (#2) Tyrese Goodman, along with seniors (#9) Austin Lucas and (#24) Trent Sullivan. Shelby County quarterback Chadwyn Russ is not known for passing the ball, but if Springville’s defense packs the box, he is known to roll out and go for the deep pass. 

Springville will once more face a big struggle at home to get their first win. Both teams had one common opponent this year – Moody. The Blue Devils took care of business against Springville but couldn’t against the Wildcats. Common sense shows that Shelby County comes into Springville with an edge.  

This Week: St. Clair Co. (4-0) vs. Saks (4-0)  

Except for Pell City, every team in the News-Aegis reading area are at home this week. All things being fair, it is the matchup between #10 St. Clair County and undefeated 4A Saks that should have high school football fans talking and buying tickets.  

Saks seems determined to make a run deep into the playoffs. Last week they showed local fans how good they can be when they shredded Ashville 48-13, and they have outscored their opponents 154-54 so far this season. The Wildcats continue to dominate their opponents offensively, averaging nearly 40 points per game, while fielding a defense that has proven to be a vast improvement over last year’s team. The Saints defensive coaching staff have their hands full this week. Saks operates a very well-balanced offense, led by dual threat quarterback Senior (#2) LaDerrick Bell, who operates a high-octane zone/read offense.  

The Wildcats have a big and impressive offensive line led by Senior right guard/ defensive end (#55) Jordan Brooks, a 285-pound athlete who gashes defenses for Bell and his two go-to running backs – (#3) junior Johnathon Cobb (#8) senior Will Fletcher. This will be strength against strength, with the Saints defensive front being a difference maker for the team so far this year. The Saints’ second level and secondary will have to contend with a solid Saks passing attack. Bell thrives with the quick game – spreading the field horizontally with bubble screens to his backs or hitch and slant routes to wide receiver (#4) Brent Clark. 

Once more the Saints will have a battle on their hands. St Clair County has become a smash-mouth, resilient squad that has Coach Matt Glover’s signature. The Wildcats will line up defensively in a 5-3 formation with defensive ends lingering on the outside to either blitz or fall back into zone coverage. St. Clair needs to stick to its recipe of balanced running and quick game to allow its athletes to find a way. Both squads are blessed with loads of talent. This should be another 4th quarter nail-biter in Odenville. 

This Week: Moody (1-3) vs. John Carroll (2-2)  

John Carroll Coach Logan “Cola” Colafrancesco returns to Moody for the first time since he left his Offensive Coordinator gig and took over the reins of the Cavaliers last year. John Carroll is a much improved team and will be a formidable homecoming opponent for the Blue Devils. The Cavaliers stunned Hueytown 23-21 on week two, and they bring a very robust running game, likely its best one-two punch out of the backfield in more than a decade. Look for the majority of snaps to be handed to senior (#8) Demetrius Battle, a 220-pound battering ram who has been catching the attention of a few college scouts. He is paired up with junior running back (#1) Jeremiah Fuller.  

If Moody is to keep the home fans happy, they need to take advantage of John Carroll’s smallish defense that is surrendering nearly four touchdowns per game. If the Blue Devils ramp up their passing game, they should keep it away from junior cornerback (#18) Sam Reed, who may be the best athlete on the Cavaliers’ defense. Offensively the Blue Devils should be able to exploit the ‘C’ gaps of the Cavs’ defense, provided they keep a hat on John Carroll’s outstanding middle linebacker (#2) Ransom Redman. 

This Week: Leeds (5–0) vs. Piedmont (4–1) 

Another superb matchup this week will be this clash of 4A’s top-ranked Leeds facing off against 3A’s #2 team Piedmont. Piedmont remains undefeated in regional play, having won an electrifying comeback on the road against #7 Randolph County.  

Piedmont’s offense features a very strong front line that will work to open running lanes for quarterback (#10) Cardavion Myers and senior running back (#2) Lee Stanley, who combined for nearly 400 rushing yards and six touchdowns last week. Supporting this dynamic duo on the ground are some big-sized backs. Juniors (#20) Layton New and (#21) Logan Smith tip the scales at nearly 200 pounds and will provide a relentless and punishing running attack. To keep the Green Wave’s defense honest, the Bulldogs have just enough of a passing game to keep opponents from stacking the box. Myers favorite target is senior wideout (#6) Darien Bossie. 

Defensively Piedmont is a load up front. The Bulldogs are led in the trenches by 310 pound Logan Beadles. These two teams matchup so well that fans can look for a game that will be much closer and hard-fought than last season’s game.  

This Week: Ashville (2-2) vs. Ohatchee (4-1) 

Ashville hosts the high-caliber running attack of 3A Ohatchee, who have developed a strong running attack after the graduation last year of superstar quarterback Taylor Eubanks.  

The Indians’ go-to guy this season is sophomore running back (#7) Dominique Thomas, who ran for nearly 200 yards last week against 5th ranked Weaver. The season began with junior running back (#2) Jesse Sellers handling most of the running responsibilities. Last week the speedy Sellers suffered a leg injury, which puts even more focus on Thomas.  

Ashville’s challenge this week is to stop Thomas. The Bulldogs can surrender the occasional pass or quarterback keeper; it will be a titanic struggle if the Indians establish long, exhaustive drives by Thomas. When Ohatchee is on offense, Ashville needs to get to him quick and not allow him to build any momentum.

This Week: Ragland (1-4) vs. Tarrant (3-1)  

Tarrant, who are undefeated in their region, have gotten away from their typical three-yards-cloud-of-dust offense and have spread out the ball with a zone-read attack with a wide variety of receiver sets and presnap formations to get defensive coaches to scratch their heads.  

Leading this attack is quarterback (#1) Coryell Taylor, a fast, strong tackle-breaker who has a fine arm and a collection of receivers that will frustrate a secondary. Ragland’s defense will be facing a dynamic playmaker who will run on them or find his favorite targets downfield in senior wide receiver (#4) Emery Bryant and sophomore (#8) DeArrius King. The Purple Devils will just have to face the music on Friday and do their best against what may be the best offense they will go up against this season. 

This Week: Victory Christian (3-2) vs. Coosa Christian (2-3)  

Victory Christian’s high powered attack faces an opponent that has surrendered 123 points in the past two games. Coosa Christian’s defense has been disintegrating, which is good news for Victory Christian’s offense and its ability to secure the Lions’ fourth win this season.  

The Conquerors are simply outmatched this week. They do have a few good athletes like quarterback (#7) Caiden Lipscomb, who will be protected by some solid linemen in (#65) Chase Burger and (#60) Noah Davidson. The Lions should open up their playbook early and pounce on the Conquerors porous defense. The Lions need to secure a playoff spot and taking care of Coosa is a big step in that direction.