Last Week: Pell City 29, Albertville 23

This Week: Pell City (5-2) vs. Oxford (8-0)

Region 7’s top two teams meet at Pell City this week where the third-ranked Yellow Jackets look to win their ninth straight game to remain undefeated. Oxford head coach, Ryan Herring has a roster loaded with talent that will be playing on Saturdays after high school. Defensively it starts with their base nickel package with three down linemen. Their linebacking corps is menacing, led by inside linebacker Kenney Britt, who has received offers from over 30 FBS programs. Britt leads a defense that is hands down the biggest and strongest in the region.

On the offensive side, the Yellow Jackets have a dynamic duo in the backfield with their leading rusher, Tye Smith-Lindsey and Jack Peavey, who ran for more than 100 yards against Fort Payne last week. Lindsey missed last week’s game due to an ankle injury, but the Panthers’ should expect to see him back this Friday and have Peavey splitting out to the wide receiver position this week. The Yellow Jackets also have another excellent receiver in senior Jakolbe McClendon.

Last Week: Wenonah 20, Moody 7

Saint Clair Co. 19, Fairfield 53

This Week: Moody (2-5) @ St. Clair Co. (1-6)

Both the Blue Devils and the Saints come into their rivalry game with a very interesting contrast. Moody’s defense has been very strong over the past three weeks, including a great performance against a very explosive Wenonah offense last week. The Blue Devils defense has a very solid core of Ethan Mills and Bubba Green playing linebacker, with the very athletic and football-smart Caleb Sciro at safety. Moody also has two effective pocket disruptors in defensive ends Chase Kelly and Ethan Jeff.

The Saints do have an edge in offensive yardage and points scored compared to Moody. Senior Justin May has proven to be a reliably effective running back and run-option quarterback, sharing that position with 6’3” Jayce Fisher. The Saints can also spread the field with a couple of talented wide receivers in sophomore Ja’Varrius Johnson and junior Grayson Beatty.

This game will likely be played hard for all four quarters, with the first team to score 20 points probably emerging as the winner. Which team will that be? These teams match up so well, who knows?

Last Week: John Carroll, 40 Springville 7

This Week: Springville (1-6) vs. Corner (5-3)

Springville welcomes in a regional opponent in a desperate fight for a playoff spot and who possess a playmaking offense that is scoring nearly 30 points per game this season. The Tigers’ defense will need to find a way to shut down Corner’s best athlete in #1 senior, Devne Daniel, who plays quarterback, running back and wide receiver in Corner’s scheme. The Yellow Jackets have a big, solid offensive line led by senior tackle Trent Blake, a 280-pound behemoth, and junior guard Ethan Creel. Springville should also be wary of Corner’s speedy senior wide receiver in number 10 Kainen Jewell; but if the Tigers can take away the playmaking abilities of Daniel, they will have taken away 70 percent of Corner’s offense.

Defensively the Yellowjackets have shown some vulnerabilities, but it is not in their linebackers. Middle linebacker junior Trent Shedd (number 18) and senior Chase Goodwin (number 9) are run stoppers. Jordan Byrd needs his offensive line to get to the second level and take these guys out if Springville wants to get Byrd his carries.

Last Week: Leeds 56, Childersburg 22

This Week: Leeds (6-2) vs. Tallassee (5-3)

Tallassee head football coach Mike Battles, Jr. is leading a team that was able to bounce back with a convincing victory last week against Holtville to halt a three game skid. Tallassee is one of those good, consistent teams that’s yet to reach the elite status of Leeds, but it would behoove the Greenwave to take this regional matchup very seriously.

One look at game film will tell you that the Tigers are rock solid on the line – on both sides. Tallassee’s offensive line is big and strong, led by the experienced senior guard, Jake Baker. The Tigers like to give many different looks out of the backfield – direct snapping to running quarterback Casey Baynes or running back/wide receiver Demarkion Ferguson, or putting Baynes into the I-formation and playing a more conventional pro-set offense with quarterback Jake Burton taking snaps. Leeds must not allow this misdirection offense confuse them – just maintain outside leverage and keep everything in front of the Greenwave’s defense. Leeds has given up more than 20 points in each of its last three games, and a strong defensive performance against the Tigers this week would be very beneficial mentally for Leeds going into the playoffs in a few weeks.

Last Week: Hokes Bluff 37, Ashville 6

This Week: Ashville (2-5) vs. Cherokee Co. (6-2)

This game is the tale of two teams headed in two different directions. The Bulldogs are looking to right the ship after having lost five straight, while the Warriors of Cherokee Co. are enjoying a six game winning streak and are undefeated in Region 5.

Ashville’s offense needs to be prepared for a shootout this week because the Warriors have been lighting up the scoreboard since August. It will fall on the shoulders of Ashville linebacker, Arnold Gutierrez to find a way to coordinate the Bulldogs defense to contain one of Cherokee County’s most effective weapons is junior quarterback, Tyren Dupree, who scored three touchdowns and gained 260 yards on the ground and through the air last week against White Plains. Dupree loves to run the ball, but also has experienced targets like senior tight end, Terry Stephens, and senior all-purpose player, Jacob Graves. Joining Graves in the backfield is sophomore, Austin Pruett – a young guy on the rise.

Last Week: Ragland 32, Winterboro 14

This Week: Ragland (5-3) vs. Donoho (2-5)

Ragland will have to lock down a playoff spot this week with a home win against Donoho, who are reeling, having lost four of their last five games. Ragland’s powerful offense led by Jadon Killings should have a field day against the Falcons, who have surrendered over 250 points this season. Donoho does have some offensive firepower of their own. Senior Garrett Steed has proven to be an extremely effective runner with several 100+ yard/multiple touchdown games this season. Steed is one of those special players you find at the 1A level who can do everything in all three aspects of the game. Steed is joined in the backfield by Mitchell Baker and John Hutto, who will give the Purple Devils multiple looks and multiple targets, which may prove difficult until Ragland’s defense gets its bearings.

Ragland’s offensive line and lead blockers out of the backfield would be wise to key in on outside linebacker, Tej Patel, who is very aggressive and possesses great technique to blow through o-lines and get into backfields before a play develops.

Last Week: Victory Chr. 7, Wadley 62

This Week: Victory Christian – open.