The Moody Blue Devils were shut out against the St. Clair County Saints in last week's game. Photo by Willie Strickland

Last Week:

Saint Clair Co. 20  Moody 0

Ragland 40 Donoho 26

Tallassee 36 Leeds 21

Oxford 32  Pell City 0

Corner 24  Springville 8

Cherokee Co. 49  Ashville 19

Week nine of this season’s high school football schedule will be one filled with teams from St. Clair County hosting seven games, with only the St. Clair County Saints going on the road in search for their seventh victory this season.

This Week: Pell City (5-3) vs. Fort Payne (4-4) – must win

Homecoming

A much-improved Fort Payne team comes to Pete Rich Stadium this week in desperate need for a win to secure the fourth playoff spot within their region. Pell City needs to bounce back from last week’s loss against Oxford and not allow complacency now that it has locked down a playoff berth of their own.

Fort Payne has an offensive attack that depends on a powerful one-two punch of running backs out of the backfield. The Wildcats have had great production out of their bruising and physical senior fullback (#22) JC Groat and his flashy counterpart in speedster junior halfback (#5) Junior Marquez. Fort Payne is so dependent on their running game that most of the defenses they have faced this season have been a cover-3 secondary with eight defenders stacking into the box and choking off running lanes. Expect the Panthers to follow that blueprint.

Defensively the Wildcats are much improved from last season. Veteran leadership on the first level is found in senior defensive tackle (#49) Jonathan Allen and senior defensive end (#33) Luke McElyea, who have stunted and disrupted many an offensive line this season. Pell City should find success if they can exploit the weak side of Fort Payne’s D-line and get its playmakers out in space between the hashes and the numbers.

Pell City is favored in this game, but Fort Payne’s need for a victory this week will make it a close battle through all four quarters. Two things to look for as keys to success is the turnover ratio as well as the Panthers ability to keep the Wildcats out of field goal range. Fort Payne’s kicker, Senior (#4) Evan McPherson is headed to Mississippi State next year, and has proven many times over the past three seasons that he can break opponents’ hearts with his accurate leg.

This Week: Moody (3-5) vs. Fairfield (3-5)

Moody’s final home game appears to be a very exciting matchup of two teams that bring a strength vs. strength element into Bill Morris Stadium. The Tigers are holding onto the slimmest of chances to find a way into the playoffs, and will bring its potent offense to take on Moody’s stingy defense.

Moody is well suited to battle against Fairfield’s fierce running attack. The Tigers feature a huge, physical offensive line led by senior (#50) Tyreik Griffin – A 6’6” 290 lb. tackle who leads a group that rips open holes for their talented fullback (#6) DJ Banks – a muscular ball handler who drives the ball downfield with brawny intensity. Fairfield’s quarterback (#15) Christian Smith, is a magnificent athlete who can make guys miss on designed runs when he is not making quick decisions and releasing the ball to a collection of skill players in Fairfield’s quick passing attack.

All season the Blue Devils have been a defense that prides itself as an impenetrable dam against the run, proven earlier this season when they controlled the line of scrimmage against run-first teams like John Carroll and Shelby County. Fairfield’s offense is a little more diverse, so Moody’s challenge will be Fairfield’s passing game. If Moody figures out how to constrict the field of play and force Fairfield to win with its ground game, expect a Friday night ‘battle royale’ featuring lots of big hits and fourth-and-short skirmishes.

This Week: St. Clair Co. (6-2) @ Wenonah (7-1) – for home field

St. Clair County travels to play Wenonah in a crucial game for both teams – winner earns a first round playoff home game come November whilst the loser has to travel.

Wenonah is exceptionally talented and balanced. The Dragons feature an offense with lightning fast skill players coupled with a hungry, head-hunting defense featuring some great athletes in the secondary. Wenonah’s prolific offense is led by senior (#3) Carlos Rodgers, who likes to spread the ball around with quick snap-and-release passes to a variety of athletes who are dangerous in space. Rodgers also has a strong arm that is very successful at finding targets down range. Wenonah’s biggest long play threat is senior wideout (#1) Anthony Hutson who has proven to be a great route runner and is dangerous on post and fade routes. The Dragons have used the pass to set up the run all season, so they will try to test the Saints’ cornerbacks with its perimeter passing game, spread the defense, and get running back (#4) Keontay Jones to run between the tackles.

The Dragons’ defense may give St. Clair County’s running backs an opportunity to control the game and reap rewards in yardage and clock management. Passing against Wenonah is a dangerous business – the Dragons have exceptional defensive backs featuring two dynamic safeties in Hutson and sophomore (#6) Xavier Stewart, and they have a great front four that confuse offensive lines and break down protection for the quarterback. Against the run, however, Wenonah has been exposed. The Saints’ relentless and diverse offensive attack will have a lot of opportunities to take what the Dragons’ give them. For the Saints to win, they need to handle a hostile crowd that is supporting a ranked opponent who have the desire to go deep into a playoff run. If St. Clair County can pull a victory out of this environment, there is no limit to how far the Saints can go on their own playoff run.

This Week: Springville (1-7) vs. Fairview (2-5)

If there is an opponent this season that Springville can handle and give the Tigers a much needed second victory this season, it is Fairview.

The Aggies have been depleted this season with injuries and a lack of depth on both sides of the ball. The Tigers defensive secondary will have to work hard to keep Fairview’s outstanding wide receiver duo of senior wide receiver (#3) Ethan Holland and junior (#17) Donte Dumas in check. Springville’s defense needs to blitz to force quick passes and limit these two receivers to under 150 yards of completions, which would force the Aggies’ coaching staff to depend on sophomore running back (#20) Tyvn Ellis to carry the ball. Ellis is talented and agile, but he is young and is prone to turning the ball over when he gets hit.

The only appropriate way to describe Fairview’s defense is that it is inconsistent. Most teams have had little trouble running on the Aggies this season. Their defensive captain is senior strong safety (#10) Scoot Bennet, who flies all over the field and is a very talented defender. The problem for Fairview is they only have one Bennet – and he can only be in so many places.

Fairview can be had with a ground game that is three yards and a cloud of dust. Springville needs to control the line of scrimmage and grind, grind, grind this week to give the hometown crowd what they paid tickets to see – a Tigers win in their final regional contest.

This Week: Leeds (7-2) vs. Munford (7-1)

Leeds’ final game of the season will be another test against one of the elite teams in 4A. Munford comes to town with only one loss on their record and a roster brimming with some of best players in their classification. The Green Wave is an elite program too – and its legacy of championship football will be tested at home this week. 

So far this year Leeds’ defense has not seen anyone like sophomore sensation (#2) Zay Britt, who is arguably the best skill player in the state from the Class of 2020. Britt has a habit of making coverage guys on special teams look silly with his barn-burner returns on both kickoffs and punts. He is also lethal on speed sweeps when playing offense – he has speed to burn and tends to leave opponents in the dust when he gets into space. Every defensive player in a green uniform needed to go to bed every night this week thinking ‘Stop #2, Stop #2, Stop #2’ before turning out the lights. Yes … Britt is that good.

Munford’s big star is not its only player on offense who can shine. Shifting over from wide receiver to quarterback this season is the mobile and dangerous senior (#10) Tanner Reeves, who is Munford’s diversionary running option who also happens to be a solid quarterback in the pocket. The Green Wave’s defense will be stretched by Britt and frustrated by Reeves, which sets up the power running of senior running back (#32) Carson Smith, who tends to roll over overextended defenses late in the game.

Defensively Munford are no slouches either. A strong front center is led by the intrepid middle linebacker senior (#7) Pernell Mitchell, and also features a superior cornerback in senior (#15) Christian O’Neal-Ousley. What is Leeds to do? A suggestion – get after Munford with a deep passing attack – their defensive safeties are small and vulnerable to the Green Wave’s passing attack. If Leeds play up tempo and gets to passing downfield, it will lead to a faceoff of great talent between these two powerhouse teams.

This Week: Ashville (3-5) vs. White Plains (0-8)

Ashville is in a perfect position to earn their fourth victory this season when they host winless White Plains this week. White Plains has surrendered the most points in 4A football this season (255) and has not been competitive all year. Cornutt and company totally outmatch and outclass the Wildcats in all phases of the game.

White Plains’ offense is running back by committee, with senior running backs (#19) Pat Harris and (#1) Charles Huey sharing duty with up-and-comer sophomore (#18) Jaden Harris. The Wildcats may have the numbers to keep their running backs fresh, but they are not very effective, and Ashville has the defense to contain this running attack. White Plains is not going to get away from its running game, so the Bulldogs D can pin their ears back and focus on plugging gaps and neutralizing the Wildcats’ one-dimensional attack.

Defensively White Plains is two years away from being effective, fielding a young and inexperienced group. There is a promising future for the big 300+ lb. defensive tackle sophomore Brody Austin and sophomore defensive end (#2) Ethan Bozarth, but the game on Friday will feature a porous Wildcats defense that Ashville should own. Ashville’s goal should be to knock White Plains out of the game before the halftime whistle.

This Week: Ragland (4-5) vs. Appalachian (3-6)

Comparing Ragland and Appalachian’s won-loss record, one would think this will be a great matchup of these rivals. The hard truth is that Ragland is a much better team than the Mountaineers.

Appalachian surrenders points by the bushel every week. . After nine games they have surrendered an astounding 318 points, whereas Ragland has the ability to hang 60 points on an opponent. If you are a fan of high-scoring affairs, this matchup is tailor-made for you.

Appalachian is a very young team offensively. A couple veterans like junior quarterback (#14) Japer Hutchens and wide receiver senior (#10) Andrew Whittington have provided the leadership to this year’s squad. Through the air most of Hutchens’ targets are talented freshmen, like (#10) Gabe Smith and fullback (#80) Alex Heard.

Appalachian’s young roster stands in stark contrast to the Purple Devils’ mix of seniors and young guys. Ragland is still searching for a playoff spot late in the season, and this game is too important for the Purple Devils to let Appalachian into the game. Look forward to watching Ragland run roughshod over their opponents’ defense this week.

This Week: Victory Christian (4-4) vs. Winterboro (4-4)

Victory Christian can secure a winning record this week against Winterboro in a game which is a play-in game for the playoffs for both 1A Region 4 teams. Win and you’re in.

The Bulldogs base offense is a zone-read out of shotgun with split backs featuring two excellent players carrying the ball. Winterboro’s premier runner is senior (#22) Nyjavion Brown, a big, athletic back with excellent vision who anticipates cuts and openings before most. Brown is coupled with another senior speedster in (#24) Kaleb Hale. This tandem have been mainstays in the Bulldogs offense since 2015. When they pass the Bulldogs like to go ace or empty in the backfield with four receivers to take advantage of the open field along the sidelines created by their running game. Winterboro’s best receiver is the sure-handed senior (#7) Omar Dobbins. This type of attack could be a real headache for Victory Christian’s defense, who have struggled against versatile offenses like Winterboro’s.

The Lions have enjoyed a three year stretch of the best football this program has ever played. It would be a fitting end to this three year run if they find a way to beat Winterboro at home and earn a berth in this year’s playoffs.