Prep football preview
Published 3:28 pm Friday, November 2, 2018
- Ragland Purple Devils have a close fight in the last game of the season against Spring Garden. Photo by Brady Bunt
Last Week’s scores
Pell City 40 Shades Valley 30
Leeds 23 Childersburg 8
St. Clair Co. 18 Springville 12
Anniston 42 Ashville 6
Mortimer Jordan 41 Moody 0
Talladega CC 20 Victory Christian 12
Spring Garden 29 Ragland 26
Ashville Bulldogs (1-8) vs. Vincent Yellow Jackets (3-6)
Ashville’s final home stand will be against an inconsistent but talented team in Vincent. The Yellow Jackets defense is anchored by a fantastic pair of defensive ends in (#7) senior Chris Hardie and (#51) junior JT Youngblood. One of the better safeties in the region is also a Vincent defensive strength with (#16) senior Zach Munoz. Ashville’s offense would be best suited if they are able to execute power and dive runs in the middle, along with crossing routes and dump screens to exploit Vincent’s defensive interior.
The Yellow Jackets offense is centered on a dynamic running attack with the speedy running of (#3) sophomore running back Tae McGregor and the power fullback (#20) Ryan Culliver, who together provide a physical and flashy backfield duo. Junior (#2) quarterback Dusty Davis is a good pocket passer, blessed with two game-breaking wide receivers in (#9) senior Robbie Albright and (#1) junior Malik Hamilton.
It would be very nice for Ashville to bookend their season with victories, and a victory over the Yellow Jackets will be difficult, but not impossible.
Leeds Green Wave (3-6) @ Pleasant Grove Spartans (7-2)
After a very satisfying victory last week Leeds ends its season with a very challenging game against a 5A playoff team that has made mincemeat out of opposing defenses since August.
The Spartans are all about their terrific running attack that has averaged nearly 300 yards per game this season. This attack is made up of junior running backs (#21) Tyler Christopher and (#23) Donovan Minter, who are each expected to gain over 1,000 yards this season.
The Spartans can diversify their attack by utilizing the talented wide receivers junior (#11) Xavier Hill and sophomore (#2) Christian Lewis. This diversity keeps defenses honest so that Christopher and Minter can further exploit a spread-out defense.
The Spartans are known for their time-grinding offense, but their defense has been a great help this season, led by the outstanding Junior outside linebacker Rodney Groce Jr.
Moody Blue Devils (1-8) vs. Talladega Tigers (4-5)
Moody holds a 4-2 advantage in this series. Talladega has run hot and cold all season, and the inconsistency is frustrating for their fans considering the talent they put on the field. The Tigers started the season on fire before suffering back-to-back losses against Lincoln and Midfield and have wavered back and forth all season.
The Tigers spread the ball out with a fast paced offense powered by three skill players that have interest from several FBS and FCS schools. Arguably their most exciting playmaker is senior wideout Chaztin Tanner, who is a deep ball threat as well as a seam buster that has split coverages all season and burned up man coverages. The other two weapons on Talladega’s offense are the bruising senior running back (#2) Jer’montez Cunningham, who runs angry – and quarterback (#3) Nigel Scales, who is the perfect weapon for Talladega’s RTO/Triple-option hybrid attack.
Talladega has more talent than Moody, but game film shows that the Blue Devils play with more discipline and consistency. Moody has a great opportunity of pulling off the upset in the final game of the year.
Pell City Panthers (3-6) @ Chelsea Hornets (2-7)
On offense Chelsea is all about grinding out the yards on the ground. Behind a huge offensive line led by junior tackle (#75) Chalres Parkinson is one of the best running backs in Chelsea’s region – senior (#31) Vick Lindsey, who has rushed for over 1200 yards this season. Lindsey is joined in the backfield with rising star sophomore (#1) Collier Blair, who has breakaway speed and an excellent cut back move that freezes linebackers in their tracks.
Pell City’s offensive attack must be aware of a pair of Hornet defensive ends that tend to control the edges (seniors Chris Knecht and Todd Justice). Speed sweeps and bubble screens may be hard to come by, but the Panthers’ rushing attack should take aim right down the middle, where Chelsea has shown some vulnerability.
No one would wish this season on Pell City, considering the difficulty their region posed this year. Having said that, the Panthers finishing the season with two wins would be a great morale boost that can carry into Spring practice.
St. Clair County Saints (2-7) vs. Shelby County Wildcats (2-7)
St. Clair County’s season has been a challenge of rebuilding from their spectacular 2017 campaign. It has come in small steps, but the Saints are a better team in November than they were in August. Last week’s victory over Springville showed the fans in Odenville that this team still has some fire at the end of the season.
The Saints might be catching the Wildcats at perfect time to register a third victory this season. After a demoralizing 0-4 start, Shelby County slipped during the second half of the season, having lost two of their last three games. The Wildcats have a well balanced triple-option attack, featuring two running backs (#6) senior Chase Franklin and (#4) Raheem Montgomery who are both capable of rushing for more than 100 yards each this week. The Saints should be wary of stacking the box to key on the run because Wildcats quarterback (#5) Chase Holliman is very effective at going over the top, proven last week with his three touchdowns through the air. Defensively the Wildcats are led by Franklin, who plays as an outside linebacker and seems to be all over each play.
Victory Christian Lions (3-6) @ Sumiton Christian Eagles (1-8)
Victory Christian comes into the final game of the year facing a bruised and batter Sumiton Christian team that has been harangued by injuries all season and have a one-win season to show for it.
The Eagles’ offense has risen and fallen on the performance of senior quarterback (#8) John Moon. This talented scrambler has had bursts of production this year, but his surrounding talent was left wanting due to injuries and a lack of depth. Moon has been getting help from running back Corbin Hicks (#9), but the passing attack has been hampered with a lack of receivers who can separate and hold on to passes.
Sumiton does have some big fellows on the line. Seniors OL/DT (#67) Nathan McAvoy and (#50) CJ Bunn have been the heart of the Eagles’ interior, and will outsize Victory Christian’s smaller front. Sumiton’s defense also features a rising star in sophomore linebacker (#3) Griffin Myers.
Victory Christian does have to go into a hostile environment for the final game, but can take advantage with its superior talent and Sumiton’s whittled roster. The Lions should be able to secure their fourth victory of the season.
Ragland Purple Devils (4-6)
End of season
Springville Tigers (3-7)
End of season