Fultondale linebacker Ja’Len Sims carries the ball in Wildcats Stadium. 

Mortimer Jordan vs. Dora

The Blue Devils haven’t lost a first-round playoff game since 2013, and according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society, have never lost such a game inside the comfort of their home stadium.

I don’t expect that to change this Friday when No. 4-seed Dora (5-5) comes to Jimmie Trotter Stadium. The Bulldogs lost their last two regular season games (41-26 Russellville, 27-19 Fayette County) and boast a 2-3 road record on the year.

Dora’s last win came on Oct. 19 against Hayden by a final of 17-14. Mortimer Jordan (9-1) beat the Wildcats 41-0 on Sept. 28.

I’ve got the seventh-ranked Blue Devils cruising to their tenth win of the season, earning them a date with the winner of East Limestone-Boaz in the second round.

Fultondale vs. Plainview

For the eighth straight season, Fultondale will suit up for play in the state playoffs and for the third time in as many years, the Wildcats will play host in the opening round.

No. 6 Fultondale (8-1) has rattled off eight consecutive wins after a Week 1 loss to Class 1A No. 3 Maplesville. Meanwhile, 4-seed Plainview has limped into the postseason with a record of 3-7.

The Bears have scored 14 points or less eight times this season and average 13 points per game. Fultondale has scored no less than 16 points in each of its nine outings and averages 32 points per game.

I like the Wildcats in this 1-4 matchup. With a win, the Class 3A, Region 5 champions would advance to face the winner of Colbert Heights-Saks in Round 2.

Pinson Valley vs. Albertville

Pinson Valley needs five more wins to finish what it started.

The top-ranked Indians (8-1) hope to defend their Class 6A state championship, and it all starts this Friday night in the first round of the playoffs opposite Albertville, the No. 4 seed coming out of Region 8.

The Aggies (6-4) have suffered losses to Fort Payne, Cullman, Hazel Green and Mae Jemison this season, but bring two straight wins into the postseason. However, neither opponent (Sardis, Guntersville) simulates Pinson Valley in the least.

Senior quarterback Bo Nix enters the contest with 8,845 yards passing and 108 touchdowns. Expect him to pad that total with a few first-half TDs before he exits to the sideline with a comfortable lead in hand.

With a win, Pinson Valley would get the winner of Muscle Shoals-Minor next week.

Gardendale at Fort Payne

Being the No. 4-seed coming out of Class 6A, Region 6, Gardendale (5-5) must visit Region 8 champion Fort Payne (6-4) this week in the first round.

The Rockets have three common opponents with the Wildcats this season: Pell City, Mae Jemison and Hazel Green. Gardendale beat all three of those opponents. Fort Payne beat Mae Jemison and Hazel Green, but lost to Pell City 21-17.

In total, the margin of victory in those three games favors Gardendale by 68 points.

The Rockets have played four teams that are currently ranked in the Alabama Sports Writers Association poll, including Class 6A No. 1 Pinson Valley and No. 4 Clay-Chalkville, and I believe that has prepared them for the tone of the playoffs.

Gardendale pulls the 1-4 upset, y’all. Next up: the winner of Homewood-Athens. 

Corner at Clay-Central

Corner has qualified for the Class 5A playoffs in head coach Jon Clements’ first season on the job, lassoing the 3-seed out of Region 7. That pairs the Yellow Jackets (6-4) with Region 5 runner-up Clay-Central (7-3) in the opening round Friday night.

The Vols love to run the football and junior Quentin Knight is their preferred weapon of choice. Knight ran for 120 yards and four touchdowns last week in a 45-7 win over Handley. He ate up 137 yards rushing to go with two scores during a 32-27 loss at Mortimer Jordan on Oct. 5.

Corner has struggled at times to stop the run this season, making this a tough first-round draw for the Jackets. I’ve got Clements bringing his first season to an end Friday night, but not without a fight. The winner of Madison Academy-Alexandria comes next.