Fultondale vs. Midfield

It’s an impressive streak Fultondale currently rides and it could be in danger this Friday night on Wildcats Field.

A 33-12 win at Vinemont last Friday marked the Wildcats’ 16th straight region victory—a trend which dates back to Oct. 22, 2015. Midfield handed Fultondale a 33-14 league loss that night in Birmingham and now, nearly three years later, looks to put the Wildcats back in the region loss column for the first time since.

From 2016-17, Fultondale tied off in Class 3A, Region 6, winning two league championships, while Midfield took harbour in Class 3A, Region 4. The two have reunited in Region 5 for this and next season.

Fultondale’s region rampage has seen the Wildcats outscore opponents 755-132 since the begging of the 2016 season. None of those 16 victories have come by fewer than two touchdowns.

This week, however, presents a much tougher challenge, as Midfield (5-0, 3-0) will bus over an offense which scores 40 points per game. The Patriots hung 70 on Hanceville last week in region play.

The Midfield defense has been equally tough, holding opponents to 16.6 points per contest this season.

Fultondale starting quarterback Jayson Jones did not appear in the statistics provided by the team last week, suggesting his absence from a 33-12 win over Vinemont. Javon Davis took his place in the huddle, accounting for 153 yards passing, one touchdown and two interceptions.

With or without Jones on the field, Fultondale has a tough test ahead. I say the streak lives on, depending on Jones’ availability.

Corner at Hayden

Corner is going to finish the season strong and that surge continues this week with a trip to Region 7 rival Hayden (2-5, 1-3) on the schedule.

The Wildcats have struggled in 2018 with four losses coming by a difference of 14 points or more, three of which exceeding 25 points. Eighth-ranked Mortimer Jordan took them by a final of 41-0 on Sept. 28 before they bounced back for their second win of the season last Friday at Hamilton.

It’s been a steady upward trend for Corner (3-3, 2-2) in Jon Clements’ first year as coach. The Jackets ran out to a 1-3 start, but have recovered with consecutive wins over Hamilton and Dora by a combined score of 86-7—not bad for freshman quarterback Colin Daniel’s first two career starts.

Corner travels with confidence this Friday and comes back with its third straight win.

Mortimer Jordan at Munford

It certainly won’t be the toughest test on Mortimer Jordan’s schedule, but Munford (2-5, 2-2) has found its way over the last few weeks.

The Lions, despite their 0-4 start, have won two of their last three with the only loss coming by a single point at Lincoln on Sept. 28. They wedged that outcome between a 45-14 win over Springville and a 21-7 victory at Moody last week.

Mumford scores at a rate of 16.7 points per game while averaging 23.4 points allowed per game.

Coming off an emotional win over Clay-Central last Friday, No. 8 Mortimer Jordan has every opportunity to sleepwalk through this one and if that happens, there might be a battle brewing in Munford Stadium.

But Jordan wins. This game has been moved to Thursday, Oct. 11. 

Pinson Valley at Huffman

Hoover feels pretty good about going to Spain Park and Vigor likes its chances at Faith Academy but, perhaps no team in the state will be a bigger favorite on Oct. 12 than Pinson Valley.

Alabama plays Missouri a day later on Oct. 13, if you’re into the whole college football thing.

Against a schedule resembling that of a Stephen King novel, Huffman has struggled to a 1-6 record. Lately, the Vikings have fallen to the likes of Hewitt-Trussville and Oxford (both highly ranked in their respective classifications). The lone win came on Oct. 21 at Pell City, 28-14.

Second-ranked Pinson Valley (5-1, 4-0) continues its quest for another blue map on the road this week. No upset in sight. Not here. Not now.