Last Week’s Scores

(6A) Pell City  19 (6A) Cullman  16  

(5A) Moody  35   (5A) Woodlawn  12

(5A) Springville  21  (5A) Hayden  20  

 (4A) Leeds  41   (4A) Holtville  12

(1A) Ragland  49  (1A) Victory Chr.  22  

(5A) Briarwood Chr.  31 (5A) Saint Clair Co.  6 

(4A) Jacksonville  38   (4A) Ashville  14

Source: Talismanred.com

 

This Week: Pell City (4-2) vs Albertville (4-2)

After a 43-0 shutout loss against Oxford on Sept. 22nd, the Aggies roared back and demolished Boaz 49-19 before going into their bye week prior to this week’s matchup at Pell City.

This week’s game is as big as it gets to determine important 6A Region 7 playoff seedings. This is a must win game for the Aggies, who started the season 1-2 within the region, whereas the Panthers have a chance to chalk up their fourth regional victory, guaranteeing a playoff berth before diving into the most difficult part of their schedule.

Albertville’s players, who haven’t played a game since September, will be rested up and ready to unleash its phenomenal offense, which is averaging over 30 points per game. They are a hard-running offense featuring college prospect (#33) Jacob Dendy, who has numerous 100+ yard performances in his career. Overall the Aggies offense is led by junior quarterback (#8) Tyler Comeau, who has the ability to roll out of the pocket and deliver devastatingly accurate passes downfield, as well as the ability to work within the pocket or tuck and run. Playing out of the spread, Comeau has a variety of targets, including wide receivers (#27) Jake Millican and (#4) Isaiah Pankey

Pell City’s defense is now considered a top-notch, game-changing outfit after their spectacular performance last week in the Panthers’ overtime victory over Cullman. That defense is going to have to show up again this week to stop an Albertville team desperate for a regional win.

 

 

This Week: Moody (3-3) @ Wenonah (5-1)

After registering his 100^th career victory, Moody High School head coach Jay Brown takes his team on the road this week to take on the Dragons who are ranked #5 in the ASWA 5A football poll and his entrenched right behind Briarwood Christian in second place within 5A Region 5. Wenonah is balanced – with a fast and consistent offense paired with a physical and a defense featuring some great athleticism in the secondary. Wenonah has a prolific offense led by senior (#3) Carlos Rodgers, who likes to spread the ball around with a short game and let his guys do what they do once they have the ball. Rodgers also has a great delivery and is a true vertical threat when he needs to be. Expect Carlos to work the ball to senior wideout (#1) Anthony Hutson who has proven to be an incredible playmaker downfield. The Dragons use the pass to set up the run, so they will try to spread out Moody’s defense and get running back (#4) Keontay Jones to exploit the middle.

The makeup of the Dragons’ defense may give Moody the opportunity for a close win. It is very difficult to pass on Wenonah – the Dragons have one of the best secondaries in 5A featuring two dynamic safeties in Hutson and sophomore (#6) Xavier Stewart, and they have a great front four that stunt with speed and get quarterbacks to make mistakes. Against the run, however, Wenonah has shown a vulnerability. Moody has proven this season that they can get their running game going and grind away at their opponent and the clock at the same time. The Blue Devils’ running game this week is key if they want to pull off the upset and grab a regional win.  

This Week: St. Clair Co. (4-2) vs. Fairfield (3-3)

After difficult back-to-back losses, The Saints’ can honestly look at their schedule and envision a sweep of their last four games. St. Clair County is still loaded with talented playmakers and huge interior linemen, and hosting a competitive Fairfield squad at this point of the season seems to be a good springboard into the second half of the season.

The Tigers are going to be coming into Odenville itching for a fight – Fairfield is 2-2 in regional play and need to win two of their last three regional games to earn a spot in the playoffs. One of those opponents is Wenonah, who is ranked 5^th in 5A.  The Tigers know they have to win this week for any reasonable chance to pull off a winning regional record. This game has the potential of being a very fierce battle.

St. Clair Co. once again has to stymie a punishing running attack. The Tigers feature a hefty o-line led by senior (#50) Tyreik Griffin – a 6’6” 290 lb. tackle who would look right at home on an SEC field. Running behind that line is fullback (#6) DJ Banks – a punishing tackle-breaker who looks like a grown man when opening up his own holes against previous opponents. Fairfield also features a quarterback that looks like he was selected from a Hollywood casting call – 6’4” quarterback (#15) Christian Smith, a seasoned veteran who has a great short and intermediate passing arm and a fast first step when he gets in trouble.

The Saints need their A-game at home this week. Fairfield is talented and matches up very well with St. Clair. This particular game will be won or lost by who controls the space between the tackles.

This Week: Springville (1-5) vs. John Carroll (2-4)

John Carroll’s visit to Springville comes after the Tigers tasted their first success this season knocking off Hayden in a close battle last week. John Carroll started the season with a lot of promise, checking off two W’s at the start of the season before falling into a four game funk.

Springville should duplicate the playbook Jackson-Olin and Moody used against the Cavaliers and focus on jamming up their running game. John Carroll boasts two excellent running backs in senior (#8) Demetrius Battle, a 220 pound power back who started out the season strong but has been nicked up here and there as of late and not playing at 100 percent. He is paired up with junior running back (#1) Jeremiah Fuller.

Springville’s offense has an opportunity this week to wreak some havoc at home. John Carroll’s defense has been exposed week after week as being a small and somewhat ineffective bunch. The Tigers should call plays that goes away from junior cornerback (#18) Sam Reed, who is one of the few game changers on the Cavaliers’ defense. Offensively the Tigers need to crank up their running game and go after the Cavaliers’ defensive edges. John Carroll does have a very good run stopper in middle linebacker (#2) Ransom Redman, but he does not receive a great deal of support. Springville needs to run, run, run and avoid costly turnovers.

This Week: Leeds (6-1) @ Childersburg (3-3)

Don’t let the record fool you – Childersburg has emerged as a surprisingly good team with the ability to slay some giants – ask 2016 state champion Hadley who lost at home against the Tigers last week. Leeds could have their hands full this week.

Leeds’ defense has to control Childersburg’s pocket because their attack centers around their amazing mobile senior quarterback (#1) Jelan Kidd, who is elusive, dynamic and experienced. Childersburg’s running game is read-option, and if Leeds’ defensive ends stay home look for junior running back (#41) Maurice Bennett and senior (#5) Kylan Bennett to go after the middle of the line. The Green Wave needs to be aware that Kidd has added a dimension since the last time they saw him. Kidd is great at moving out of the pocket and on designed runs, but last year on deep passes he tended to float his passes. Not so much this year. Kidd must have put a lot of work in during the offseason because his throwing is on a whole different level. Kidd’s go-to guy is senior wide receiver (#18) TK Kenebrew who can win the high ball battles with his 6’4” frame.

Defensively Childersburg has a terrific linebacking corps led by senior (#13) Jamarcus Tuck and junior (#54) Christian Guerrero. The Green Wave will face challenges in their running game this week, but Leeds should be fine because of their nuanced, balanced offense. Defensively Leeds should tell their defensive ends to get after Kidd and let their teammates worry about the interior running attack. If Kidd has a rough day, the Tigers have a rough day.

This Week: Ashville (2-4) @ Hokes Bluff (5-1)

Ashville goes on the road to play a Hokes Bluff squad that is playing like its hair is on fire. Six weeks in and they have outscored their opponents 201-117 with more than a few dominant performances. Hokes Bluff features a very deep roster that rotates fresh players in through all four quarters and has literally exhausted their opponents.

The Eagles’ offense mostly plays out of a Pro-I pre-snap and is led by senior quarterback Landon Johnson, a 6’3” 205 pound man-child who clearly stands out as the Eagles’ difference maker. He lines up behind a big, strong, aggressive offensive line. Hoke’s Bluff has turned out to be a high school version of the Wisconsin Badgers. Who knows what they are feeding their boys in Hokes Bluff, just know you’re lining up against size and brawn. Defensively the Eagles have taken a step back from last season, giving Ashville’s offense an opportunity to continue the scoring on this squad.

Hokes Bluff is who they have always been – a well-balanced team on both sides of the ball enjoying a three game winning streak and home-field advantage. Ashville’s offense needs to find space and get downfield often just to be in the game.

This Week: Ragland (2-5) vs. Winterboro (4-2)

The Jekyll and Hyde team of St. Clair County returns home after a thrilling performance against Victory Christian to face an opponent who has rolled up 195 points on the scoreboard with its high-octane offense. The Bulldogs’ base offense in shotgun with split backs. The running game for Winterboro is a powerful double fisted punch with running backs (#22) Nyjavion Brown and (#24) Kaleb Hale  – two junior backs who have shredded defenses throughout the season. When they pass the Bulldogs to go ace or empty in the backfield and isolate wide receiver (#7) Omar Dobbins on man-to-man coverage.

Ragland has the talent to run up the scoreboard with the Bulldogs. The big question is how will the Purple Devils’ defense cope with such a potent running attack. Look for a score in the 40s.  

This Week: Victory Christian (4-3) vs. Wadley (5-0)

After a difficult loss against rival Ragland last week, Victory Christian now turns its sights on a visiting Wadley squad that is the most dominant program in 1A football and is taking no prisoners along the way.

Wadley is a behemoth. Proof? 258 points scored this season in five games. (51 pts. per game). Wadley has surrendered 26 points in the same stretch (5 pts. per game). From 1A – 7A classifications in Alabama high school football, the only team that shows that type of dominance is Maplesville (currently #1 in 1A)

Every opponent Wadley has faced this year has to find a way to deal with a roster loaded with seniors, and specifically their explosive and relentless running attack. The Bulldogs roll in four quality running backs and slot backs (#10 Quae Drake WR 6’2″ 170lbs, #7 Coby Nunn FB 6’0″ 200lbs, #1 Trevor Cameron RB 5’7″  157lbs and #3 Kerrion Birdsong RB 5’9″ 140lb). Wadley grinds their opponents into a powder with punishing running and give their opponents very little time with the football. Senior quarterback (#12) Connor Fordham has developed a supportive passing attack to go along with Wadley’s relentless running game.

The Lions are facing a David vs. Goliath challenge. Victory Christian needs to make small goals. Keep the ball as much as possible on opening drive, take what Wadley gives, and try to get to the end of the first quarter within striking distance. Then repeat as often as possible.