PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Fun awaits in Week 8 slate
Published 2:17 pm Thursday, October 17, 2019
- Addison's Caleb Crider (right) is pictured.
With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape.
There’s still much to be decided, though, and that’s certainly exciting if you’re a fan of prep football.
Week 8 offers several fun matchups for our local teams — so why not dive right in?
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, Region 7
Tharptown (1-5, 0-4) at Addison (6-2, 3-1): There’s no need to spend much time on this game.
The Bulldogs have as many victories this year (six) as the Wildcats have since the 2015 season.
On top of that, Addison is 3-0 all-time against Tharptown — boasting 44-0, 61-21 and 49-6 wins.
The Bulldogs roll on Friday night.
% My Pick: Addison
% People’s Pick: Addison (95 percent — 104 votes)
Class 2A, Region 5
Tarrant (2-4, 2-2) at Cold Springs (4-3, 3-1): It’s quite simple for the Eagles on Friday night.
A win or a Southeastern loss will put Cold Springs in the 2A playoffs for the first time since 2016.
In my opinion, the former option seems doable.
The Wildcats have been shutout four times this season, albeit against good teams.
It’ll be a tough game — most potential postseason-clinchers are — but I like the Eagles in this one.
% My Pick: Cold Springs
% People’s Pick: Cold Springs (90 percent — 106 votes)
Class 6A, Region 7
Hartselle (3-4, 2-2) at Cullman (3-5, 2-2): What a tremendous rivalry this has been over the years.
The Tigers lead the all-time series 48-45-4 but have dominated recently, winning five straight games against the Bearcats and nine of the past 10.
Cullman is seeking to change all that and snap a three-game losing streak on Friday night.
Hartselle, meanwhile, has won two straight contests, and its four losses this season have come against squads with a combined 26-3 record.
I can almost guarantee this one will be close.
I cannot, however, guarantee which team will win.
% My Pick: Hartselle
% People’s Pick: Hartselle (51 percent — 142 votes)
Class 4A, Region 7
Fairview (5-2, 4-1) at Randolph (2-5, 2-3): I like the Aggies in this one for several reasons.
1) The Raiders are allowing 32.4 points per game this season.
2) The Purple and Gold is averaging 34.0 points per game this season.
3) Fairview is 0-3 all-time against Randolph — and that’s due to change, isn’t it?
The Aggies are playing too well right now to slip up here.
% My Pick: Fairview
% People’s Pick: Fairview (97 percent — 109 votes)
Class 4A, Region 5
Curry (0-7, 0-4) at Good Hope (6-1, 3-1): Here’s another matchup that doesn’t need much analysis.
The Yellow Jackets have scored 104 points (14.9 per game) and allowed 276 points (39.4 per game) — both worst in the region — this season.
The No. 7 Raiders, meanwhile, are 4-0 all-time against Curry and will make that 5-0 on Friday night.
% My Pick: Good Hope
% People’s Pick: Good Hope (93 percent — 106 votes)
Class 3A, Region 5
Hanceville (3-4, 1-3) at Fultondale (6-1, 5-0): The Bulldogs are back in action against the Wildcats on Friday night with only one goal in mind.
Ending Fultondale’s run of 23 consecutive region victories.
It won’t be easy, though.
The Wildcats have allowed only 14.8 points per contest during their current six-game win streak and have outscored Hanceville 159-34 over the past three years.
% My Pick: Fultondale
% People’s Pick: Fultondale (92 percent — 102 votes)
Class 3A, Region 5
Vinemont (3-4, 2-2) at J.B. Pennington (2-5, 1-3): The Eagles are a win away from the 3A playoffs.
But they’ll have to contend with some not-so-kind history in order to get there.
Vinemont is 3-14 all-time against the Tigers, with its last win in the series coming in 2009.
I think, though, that will remedy itself on Friday night following a strong offensive effort from the Eagles.
Give me the Fighting Stephen Robinson’s in this one.
% My Pick: Vinemont
% People’s Pick: Vinemont (86 percent — 103 votes)
Class 5A, Region 7
Corner (4-3, 2-3) at West Point (3-4, 2-3): Here’s the best thing the Warriors can possibly do for themselves.
Just keep winning.
West Point controls its playoff destiny entering Friday night’s matchup against the Yellow Jackets.
Beat Corner and advancing to the postseason becomes much more likely.
Should be a good one.
The last three meetings between the two teams have been decided by eight or fewer points.
Let’s get the quarter out for this meeting.
% My Pick: West Point
% People’s Pick: Corner (51 percent — 142 votes)
% My Record: 46-16
% People’s Record: 45-16-1