PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Week 5 slate offers out-of-region matchups

Published 4:30 pm Wednesday, September 25, 2019

It’s time for our local football squads to take a break.

Well, a break from region action, to be more precise.

Six teams — Addison, Cold Springs, Cullman, Hanceville, Holly Pond and Vinemont — will take part in non-region tilts this Friday night, while three teams — Fairview, Good Hope and West Point — will attempt to make the most of bye weeks.

It’s a light Week 5 slate, but it’s filled with exciting matchups.

Before we begin, though, remember to cast your vote in “The People’s Pick,” a series of Twitter polls posted on my timeline (@winfreyjake) each and every Monday afternoon.

Class 2A Addison (3-2) at Class 3A Vinemont (2-2): This has the makings of a terrific matchup.

Four of the last five games in the series — all since 2014 — have been decided by nine points or fewer.

However, the Bulldogs have won 10 of the previous 11 meetings, including last year’s clash (38-12).

The Eagles’ lone victory during that stretch came at home back in 2017.

Can Vinemont recapture that magic this Friday night? Perhaps.

But something is telling me to side with the road squad this time around.

% My Pick: Addison

% People’s Pick: Addison (83 percent — 113 votes)

Class 1A Appalachian (4-1) at Class 2A Cold Springs (3-2): The Eagles put up a dynamite fight last week in a close loss versus Class 2A No. 8 Aliceville.

They’ll need another strong performance this Friday night to get past coach Jon Cooper’s squad.

The visiting Eagles opened the season with four straight wins before falling to Woodville in Week 4 and are averaging 36.4 points per contest.

Appalachian, which took down Cold Springs 35-34 in 2018, will provide a formidable challenge this year as well — though I have a feeling the home team will have the right answers.

Ayden Alexander has a big game, and coach Rod Elliott and Co. pick up the victory.

% My Pick: Cold Springs

% People’s Pick: Appalachian (62 percent — 123 votes)

Class 6A Hueytown (4-0) at Class 6A Cullman (3-2): The Bearcats will welcome Roydell Williams and the No. 4 Golden Gophers into Oliver Woodard Stadium this Friday night.

Cullman, which has won three consecutive clashes, will have its hands full with Williams, a four-star running back committed to Alabama.

He rushed for 300-plus yards and four touchdowns in last year’s 42-7 victory over the Bearcats.

Cullman’s defense, however, has allowed just 24 points in its past three games, and Jaylen Hughey and Jayden Sullins offer a potent rushing attack for the home team.

The Golden Gophers own wins against Homewood, Helena, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa and Brookwood.

% My Pick: Hueytown

% People’s Pick: Hueytown (76 percent — 137 votes)

Class 3A Hanceville (2-3) at Class 4A Curry (0-4): The Bulldogs will look to snap a two-game skid when they hit the road this Friday night.

The winless Yellow Jackets, on the other hand, are in search of anything positive.

Curry, which has lost eight straight dating back to last season, has allowed at least 32 points in each of its four losses so far in 2019.

Hanceville, meanwhile, has plenty of playmakers and is 2-1 away from home.

Let’s call it 3-1.

% My Pick: Hanceville

% People’s Pick: Hanceville (83 percent — 112 votes)

Class 3A Holly Pond (1-4) at Class 4A Danville (2-3): The Broncos will try to repeat last season’s performance against the Hawks — a 28-6 victory — this Friday night.

Holly Pond, coming off a loss to Fultondale, is looking for its fourth straight victory in the series.

Danville, meanwhile, has been up and down this season.

The last four for the Hawks — a 29-point loss, a 13-point win, a 27-point win and a 28-point loss.

Not sure what to make of this one. 

Let’s flip a quarter.

% My Pick: Danville

% People’s Pick: Danville (65 percent — 141 votes)

% My Record: 29-12

% People’s Record: 28-12-1