CoachT.com
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
#1 Sweet Water (4A)#2 Thomasville
Sweet Water took down Thomasville last year. They continue to be one of the most powerful teams not only in classification 1A, but in the entire state. Thomasville looked bad in the preseason against a strong Leroy team, while Sweet Water looked impressive against two good teams, Maplesville and Brantley. All signs point to Sweet Water, which is why I am taking Thomasville.
Thomasville 27 Sweet Water 24
Billingsley @ #2 Maplesville
If this is the year that Maplesville finally overtakes Sweet Water, then they will need to start strong and keep that momentum going all season. Billingsley was a middle of the road team last season who was murdered by Maplesville. No reason to expect different this season.
Maplesville 37 Billingsley 7
R.A. Hubbard @ #3 Hazlewood
One of the best rivalries in all of north Alabama, the Chiefs and Golden Bears tie up once again in Town Creek. Hazlewood is replacing a lot of players on the semi-finals team last season and Hubbard is trying to bounce back from one of the most disappointing seaons they've had in recent memory.
Hazlewood 14 R.A. Hubbard 13
Luverne @ #4 Brantley
A decent rivalry that Brantley has owned as of late. Brantley looked good in the Sweet Water Jamboree and could be poised to take one of the top two spots in 1A from Sweet Water or Maplesville. Luverne is a decent team with playoff aspirations but are just a bit too outmatched here.
Brantley 24 Luverne 10
#5 Talladega County Central @ Ranburne
Last year's 1A North representative, TCC, moves to 1A south while attempting to remain competitive. Ranburne looks to build on a successful season last year, losing in the playoffs to a good Addison team and finishing with a 7-4 record.
TCC 23 Ranburne 17
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(4A)#10 Clarke County @ #1 Leroy
Clarke County comes off a nice run in 3A last year only to move up to 4A. Leroy looked impressive in the jamboree against Thomasville and wants to start the trek towards a 3-peat.
Leroy 35 Clarke County 14
Munford @ #2 Clay County
Clay County drops back down to 2A after dominating their region in 3A the last two years. Obviously you would think the teams from that region are very relieved. So relieved that they do what? Start the season off with Clay County. Munford should be improved and this will be a good test for them, but I still they're a small step behind Ashland.
Clay County 20 Munford 8
Aliceville @ #3 American Christian
American Christian looks to provide some good competition for Leroy in the south. Aliceville is quick and will be improved, plus their region is a little easier this season, which will give the team time to mature and become a threat, but they're not in that position yet.
ACA 48 Aliceville 20
#4 Fyffe @ Dade County, GA
Fyffe looks to return to the Super Six after a heartbreaking loss to Leroy that could've went either way. This should be a decent test for a Fyffe team that will be rebuilding to some degree. If they don't get too ahead of themselves, they should come out of this game fine.
Fyffe 28 Dade County 14
#5 Red Bay @ Lee Huntsville
Red Bay could be the favorite in the North this season. However they are dealing with the huge loss of all world running back and punter, Pablo Makepeace, who graduated last season. Also they will be up against a much improved region. Lee Huntsville, a much larger school, is a good test for Red Bay to gauge themselves early in the season. Lee, who always has athletes but rarely plays up to expectations, should be able to outlast Red Bay simply due to the numbers issue.
Lee-Huntsville 33 Red Bay 16
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Dora @ #1 Cordova
The Tim Simon show starts its drive towards a repeat against big rival Dora. Not many teams challenged Cordova last year. Dora didn't challenge many teams last year. Not a recipe for a good game, although I do expect Dora to be a little improved.
Cordova 54 Dora 7
Muscle Shoals @ #2 Colbert County
Colbert County will attempt to resolidify themselves as the team to beat in 3A North with the departure of Clay County back to 2A. Muscles Shoals, allbeit a bigger school, is still a considerable underdog. MSHS pulled the upset last season, and it left a sour taste in Colbert County's mouth and spoiled the debut of Cody Gross.
Colbert County 24 Muscle Shoals 9
#3 Pike County @ Carroll
Pike County faces its second 5A team in as many weeks. A tough loss to a much improved Charles Henderson team last week shouldn't derail this team. Carroll is a middle of the road team that has the chance to make this a game if things go right. They won't.
Pike County 30 Carroll 14
#4 T.R. Miller @ Escambia County
Miller comes off a subpar couple of years in 4A, by their standards, and instantly becomes a contender in 3A. Escambia County pulled a bit of an upset last year beating Miller 10-2, and are coming off a hard fought jamboree against Neal. This could easily go down to the wire.
Escambia County 13 T.R. Miller 10
#5 Leeds @ Oak Grove
Leeds is expected to step up and contend with Colbert County in the North. But make no mistake, Oak Grove is not a pushover, and going into the Grove and walking away with a win, won't be as easy a task as some may think.
Leeds 23 Oak Grove 7
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#1 Deshler @ (5A) #6 Russellville
After a great season last year, Deshler once again left the Super Six unsatisfied. They're definitely the front runner in 4A North this year with a defense that could be as good as any that's ever came through Tuscumbia. The graduation of Dominque King will hurt the offense, but fully expect players like Deion Belue to step up in his absence. Russellville starts 6th in our preseason poll. A team that's not accustomed to starting outside the top 5, will have a lot to prove to the naysayers out there. This is a good place to start.
Deshler 17 Russellville 6
Scottsboro @ #3 North Jackson
With Tana Patrick questionable, and a new coach, North Jackson definitely has a lot of questions to answer. Rival Scottsboro would love to start the season off knocking off the 4A power while they're vulnerable.
North Jackson 21 Scottsboro 20
(6A) #3 McGill-Toolen @ #4 UMS Wright
McGill Toolen needs to beat some true 6A powers before they're really mentioned in the same breath as the Hoovers and Prattvilles of the world. UMS-Wright drops back down to 4A to attempt to reassume it's place as the king of 4A. A win against a much larger McGill-Toolen would definitely send a message to the rest of 4A.
McGill-Toolen 38 UMS Wright 28
Boaz @ #5 Guntersville
Boaz improved all season long last year and gave Deshler fits in the playoffs. Now they look to improve on that success and compete in 5A. Two years removed from a championship and 1 year from a heartbreaking loss to Brooks in the playoffs last year, Guntersville returns without the leaders and playmakers Chazz Rogers and Josh Gunther. They'll have to find other outlets to power their high powered offense.
Boaz 20 Guntersville 17
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#1 Briarwood Christian @ (6A) #4 Vestavia Hills
Briarwood and St Pauls appear to be on another collision course in Birmingham. Vestavia Hills, one of the top teams in 6A doesn't need to take Briarwood lightly. I doubt they will.
Vestavia Hills 35 Briarwood Christian 31
#2 St.Paul's @ Fairhope
Another 5A vs 6A, but not quite as monumental as the first. St Paul's won last years game by 22. This season should be closer, but don't expect it to ever be in doubt.
St Paul's 39 Fairhope 27
Dothan @ #3 Eufaula
Two teams headed in opposite directions. Dothan is coming off a tough 1-9 season where they were rarely competitive. A lot of people think Eufaula is the team to beat in 5A. This will be over by half.
Eufaula 49 Dothan 7
#4 Central Tuscaloosa @ Carver Birmingham
Carvers lone win last season was by virtue of a Hoover forfeit. Central Tuscaloosa dominated 4A, and looks to be a legit contender in 5A.
Central Tuscaloosa 44 Carver 0
Greenville @ #5 Charles Henderson
This was a tightly contested battle last season that Charles Henderson was able to escape with a win 17 to 14. Greenville is looking for a bit of revenge while Charles Henderson hopes to build on the momentum of knocking off rival Pike County last week.
Charles Henderson 24 Greenville 21
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#1 Prattville @ St Xavier (OH)
Prattville is the two time defending 6A Champion and looks to make it three. I expect the offense to be down a little, due to starters lost, but the defense is arguably the best they've had during this run. I admittedly don't know a lot about St Xavier, but I know they're good. Prattville would have benefited greatly from playing Oxford in the Champions Challenge, but with that being canceled they're having to start fresh here.
Prattville 16 St Xavier 13
Gardendale @ #2 Hoover
Hoover mired in controversy last season, having to forfeit some games which ultimately led to a tougher playoff road. They also lost the posterboy for their program, Coach Rush Propst. With a new philosophy and a new coach, can they continue to be Hoover? Gardendale provides a decent early test, moving up from 5A to join arguably the most competitive region in the state.
Hoover 45 Gardendale 14
#8 Tuscaloosa County @ #5 Gadsden City
Quite possibly the top game in the state, featuring two teams from the state. Tuscaloosa County is a perenial contender, Gadsden City is trying to find their place in 6A after being formed just a handful of years ago. Gadsden City looked good, although a bit sloppy at times against Hoover in the preseason and also sport the Birmingham News number one player Super Senior Dre Kirkpatrick.
Gadsden City 35 Tuscaloosa County 21
Predictions: Week 1
1A
#1 Sweet Water (4A)#2 Thomasville
Sweet Water took down Thomasville last year. They continue to be one of the most powerful teams not only in classification 1A, but in the entire state. Thomasville looked bad in the preseason against a strong Leroy team, while Sweet Water looked impressive against two good teams, Maplesville and Brantley. All signs point to Sweet Water, which is why I am taking Thomasville.
Thomasville 27 Sweet Water 24
Billingsley @ #2 Maplesville
If this is the year that Maplesville finally overtakes Sweet Water, then they will need to start strong and keep that momentum going all season. Billingsley was a middle of the road team last season who was murdered by Maplesville. No reason to expect different this season.
Maplesville 37 Billingsley 7
R.A. Hubbard @ #3 Hazlewood
One of the best rivalries in all of north Alabama, the Chiefs and Golden Bears tie up once again in Town Creek. Hazlewood is replacing a lot of players on the semi-finals team last season and Hubbard is trying to bounce back from one of the most disappointing seaons they've had in recent memory.
Hazlewood 14 R.A. Hubbard 13
Luverne @ #4 Brantley
A decent rivalry that Brantley has owned as of late. Brantley looked good in the Sweet Water Jamboree and could be poised to take one of the top two spots in 1A from Sweet Water or Maplesville. Luverne is a decent team with playoff aspirations but are just a bit too outmatched here.
Brantley 24 Luverne 10
#5 Talladega County Central @ Ranburne
Last year's 1A North representative, TCC, moves to 1A south while attempting to remain competitive. Ranburne looks to build on a successful season last year, losing in the playoffs to a good Addison team and finishing with a 7-4 record.
TCC 23 Ranburne 17
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2A
(4A)#10 Clarke County @ #1 Leroy
Clarke County comes off a nice run in 3A last year only to move up to 4A. Leroy looked impressive in the jamboree against Thomasville and wants to start the trek towards a 3-peat.
Leroy 35 Clarke County 14
Munford @ #2 Clay County
Clay County drops back down to 2A after dominating their region in 3A the last two years. Obviously you would think the teams from that region are very relieved. So relieved that they do what? Start the season off with Clay County. Munford should be improved and this will be a good test for them, but I still they're a small step behind Ashland.
Clay County 20 Munford 8
Aliceville @ #3 American Christian
American Christian looks to provide some good competition for Leroy in the south. Aliceville is quick and will be improved, plus their region is a little easier this season, which will give the team time to mature and become a threat, but they're not in that position yet.
ACA 48 Aliceville 20
#4 Fyffe @ Dade County, GA
Fyffe looks to return to the Super Six after a heartbreaking loss to Leroy that could've went either way. This should be a decent test for a Fyffe team that will be rebuilding to some degree. If they don't get too ahead of themselves, they should come out of this game fine.
Fyffe 28 Dade County 14
#5 Red Bay @ Lee Huntsville
Red Bay could be the favorite in the North this season. However they are dealing with the huge loss of all world running back and punter, Pablo Makepeace, who graduated last season. Also they will be up against a much improved region. Lee Huntsville, a much larger school, is a good test for Red Bay to gauge themselves early in the season. Lee, who always has athletes but rarely plays up to expectations, should be able to outlast Red Bay simply due to the numbers issue.
Lee-Huntsville 33 Red Bay 16
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3A
Dora @ #1 Cordova
The Tim Simon show starts its drive towards a repeat against big rival Dora. Not many teams challenged Cordova last year. Dora didn't challenge many teams last year. Not a recipe for a good game, although I do expect Dora to be a little improved.
Cordova 54 Dora 7
Muscle Shoals @ #2 Colbert County
Colbert County will attempt to resolidify themselves as the team to beat in 3A North with the departure of Clay County back to 2A. Muscles Shoals, allbeit a bigger school, is still a considerable underdog. MSHS pulled the upset last season, and it left a sour taste in Colbert County's mouth and spoiled the debut of Cody Gross.
Colbert County 24 Muscle Shoals 9
#3 Pike County @ Carroll
Pike County faces its second 5A team in as many weeks. A tough loss to a much improved Charles Henderson team last week shouldn't derail this team. Carroll is a middle of the road team that has the chance to make this a game if things go right. They won't.
Pike County 30 Carroll 14
#4 T.R. Miller @ Escambia County
Miller comes off a subpar couple of years in 4A, by their standards, and instantly becomes a contender in 3A. Escambia County pulled a bit of an upset last year beating Miller 10-2, and are coming off a hard fought jamboree against Neal. This could easily go down to the wire.
Escambia County 13 T.R. Miller 10
#5 Leeds @ Oak Grove
Leeds is expected to step up and contend with Colbert County in the North. But make no mistake, Oak Grove is not a pushover, and going into the Grove and walking away with a win, won't be as easy a task as some may think.
Leeds 23 Oak Grove 7
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4A
#1 Deshler @ (5A) #6 Russellville
After a great season last year, Deshler once again left the Super Six unsatisfied. They're definitely the front runner in 4A North this year with a defense that could be as good as any that's ever came through Tuscumbia. The graduation of Dominque King will hurt the offense, but fully expect players like Deion Belue to step up in his absence. Russellville starts 6th in our preseason poll. A team that's not accustomed to starting outside the top 5, will have a lot to prove to the naysayers out there. This is a good place to start.
Deshler 17 Russellville 6
Scottsboro @ #3 North Jackson
With Tana Patrick questionable, and a new coach, North Jackson definitely has a lot of questions to answer. Rival Scottsboro would love to start the season off knocking off the 4A power while they're vulnerable.
North Jackson 21 Scottsboro 20
(6A) #3 McGill-Toolen @ #4 UMS Wright
McGill Toolen needs to beat some true 6A powers before they're really mentioned in the same breath as the Hoovers and Prattvilles of the world. UMS-Wright drops back down to 4A to attempt to reassume it's place as the king of 4A. A win against a much larger McGill-Toolen would definitely send a message to the rest of 4A.
McGill-Toolen 38 UMS Wright 28
Boaz @ #5 Guntersville
Boaz improved all season long last year and gave Deshler fits in the playoffs. Now they look to improve on that success and compete in 5A. Two years removed from a championship and 1 year from a heartbreaking loss to Brooks in the playoffs last year, Guntersville returns without the leaders and playmakers Chazz Rogers and Josh Gunther. They'll have to find other outlets to power their high powered offense.
Boaz 20 Guntersville 17
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5A
#1 Briarwood Christian @ (6A) #4 Vestavia Hills
Briarwood and St Pauls appear to be on another collision course in Birmingham. Vestavia Hills, one of the top teams in 6A doesn't need to take Briarwood lightly. I doubt they will.
Vestavia Hills 35 Briarwood Christian 31
#2 St.Paul's @ Fairhope
Another 5A vs 6A, but not quite as monumental as the first. St Paul's won last years game by 22. This season should be closer, but don't expect it to ever be in doubt.
St Paul's 39 Fairhope 27
Dothan @ #3 Eufaula
Two teams headed in opposite directions. Dothan is coming off a tough 1-9 season where they were rarely competitive. A lot of people think Eufaula is the team to beat in 5A. This will be over by half.
Eufaula 49 Dothan 7
#4 Central Tuscaloosa @ Carver Birmingham
Carvers lone win last season was by virtue of a Hoover forfeit. Central Tuscaloosa dominated 4A, and looks to be a legit contender in 5A.
Central Tuscaloosa 44 Carver 0
Greenville @ #5 Charles Henderson
This was a tightly contested battle last season that Charles Henderson was able to escape with a win 17 to 14. Greenville is looking for a bit of revenge while Charles Henderson hopes to build on the momentum of knocking off rival Pike County last week.
Charles Henderson 24 Greenville 21
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6A
#1 Prattville @ St Xavier (OH)
Prattville is the two time defending 6A Champion and looks to make it three. I expect the offense to be down a little, due to starters lost, but the defense is arguably the best they've had during this run. I admittedly don't know a lot about St Xavier, but I know they're good. Prattville would have benefited greatly from playing Oxford in the Champions Challenge, but with that being canceled they're having to start fresh here.
Prattville 16 St Xavier 13
Gardendale @ #2 Hoover
Hoover mired in controversy last season, having to forfeit some games which ultimately led to a tougher playoff road. They also lost the posterboy for their program, Coach Rush Propst. With a new philosophy and a new coach, can they continue to be Hoover? Gardendale provides a decent early test, moving up from 5A to join arguably the most competitive region in the state.
Hoover 45 Gardendale 14
#8 Tuscaloosa County @ #5 Gadsden City
Quite possibly the top game in the state, featuring two teams from the state. Tuscaloosa County is a perenial contender, Gadsden City is trying to find their place in 6A after being formed just a handful of years ago. Gadsden City looked good, although a bit sloppy at times against Hoover in the preseason and also sport the Birmingham News number one player Super Senior Dre Kirkpatrick.
Gadsden City 35 Tuscaloosa County 21
