NJN Big Game: Fultondale vs Hanceville

Last week’s 46-7 thrashing of Tarrant was big for Fultondale, but this week is bigger.

The Wildcats open Class 3A, Region 6 play with a visit from Hanceville (1-1) on Friday night. According to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society, the two teams have not squared off since 1987 with the Bulldogs leading the short series 2-0.

For Fultondale (1-0) to stay in the win column it will likely stick with a running game that amassed nearly 400 yards on 56 attempts last Thursday. Derrick Moore led that charge with 123 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Jason Jones added 86 yards and another score.

Defensively, the Wildcats will need to locate Hanceville’s B.J. Smalls, who went for 215 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries last week in a 46-20 loss to Addison. His second score went for 70 yards late in the second quarter.

His travels could be harder this week, as Fultondale allowed only six first downs and 150 yards of total offense to Tarrant.

Corner vs Fairview

Class 5A, Region 6 play begins on Friday night at Corner Stadium.

The Yellow Jackets (2-0) welcome in Fairview (1-1), who is fresh off a 56-14 win over East Lawrence. Quarterback Ragan Ashley is a dual-threat concern for Corner’s defense. Ashley threw for 149 yards and ran for another 146 in the winning effort last week.

Running back Logan Brooks is the Aggies’ go-to guy on the ground. He ran with it 30 times for 156 yards and four scores last Friday, according to the Cullman Times.

A strong Yellow Jackets’ offense, led by quarterback Devne Daniel, will need careful ball security against Fairview, who forced six turnovers last week in its lopsided win.

However, Corner’s return specialist Eric Millwood could have big opportunities on a Bulldog coverage team that surrendered two touchdowns to East Lawrence.

Gardendale vs Pell City

With Gardendale floating on the proverbial Cloud 9, a tough Pell City team readies for a visit to Driver Stadium on Friday night.

The Panthers (1-0) disposed of Childersburg 56-7 to open the season, and will be upset minded when they arrive to Gardendale. The Rockets (2-0) are fresh off ending the state’s longest home winning streak at Muscle Shoals and pulling an upset over Class 7A No. 2 James Clemens.

Linebackers Steven Crowder and Andrew Freeman (combined for 38 tackles against James Clemens) will lead Gardendale’s defensive efforts against a strong Pell City rushing attack that eclipsed 200 yards in the first half last week. Chris Lynch and Marquis Posey are their primary ball carriers.

Like Corner, Gardendale must take care of the ball this week, as the Panthers claimed six turnovers in their road win.

Mortimer Jordan at Springville

Like other area programs, Class 5A No. 5 Mortimer Jordan puts flight to region play this Friday.

The Blue Devils (1-1) visit Region 6 foe Springville in what should be a strong start to league play for the boys in blue.

Springville (0-1) can expect a steady diet of Spencer Brown come game time. The Mortimer Jordan back has totaled 298 yards and seven touchdowns on 46 carries through the first two games of the season (against Class 4A No. 1 Cordova and Class 6A Pelham).

A young Blue Devils’ defense held strong last Friday in a 42-14 win over Pelham, and should resume their stingy play against a Springville offense that managed only seven points last week against Moody.

Pinson Valley at Minor

Pinson Valley has no time to squabble over last week’s 31-15 loss at Ramsay. There are bigger things ahead.

The Indians (1-1) open a brutal Class 6A, Region 6 slate this Friday at Minor (2-0). The Tigers, tabbed as the fastest team in the region by some coaches, have glided to a 2-0 start. They started 2016 with a 48-8 beating of Class 4A Greensboro before beating Central Carrolton 54-0 last week in Georgia.

Minor bested the Indians 26-16 last season at Willie Adams Stadium, and holds a 2-0 series lead, according to Alabama High School Football Historical Society.

Pinson Valley will need more production from a talented offense that has scored only 15 points in its first two games (a 15-8 win over McAdory and a 31-15 loss at Ramsay).

Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.