Each week this season AHSFHS.org will post games of the week provided by our forum friends better known as the "Barber Shop Gurus". Welcome TheMUBM, Kodyaufan2 and Sloth Nationzz as they analyze games of their choice and even give us a prediction for each contest.

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Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Week 5	Week 6	Week 7	Week 8	Week 9	Week 10	Week 11

TheMUBM Week 2 Games

Last Week:  4-3    Season Total:  4-3

(#2)  Parker (14-1) at  Ramsay (8-4)  at Lawson Field Parker   Ramsay 14-1 (6-0)  Record 8-4 (5-1) 6A-R5  Class/Region 5A-R5 #2  ASWA Ranking NR 75.3  Power Rating 72.7 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Parker as a 1 point favorite. Last Meeting:   The Parker Thundering Herd defeated Ramsay by a score of 41-12 in week 1 at Home  on Thu., Aug. 22 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Ramsay and Parker have met 17 times on the field.... Ramsay holds a 9-8 edge in the games played. Comments:    This game has become a big rivalry and a measuring stick for both teams. Ramsay started slow against Hueytown but was able to stave off some offensive mounts from the Gophers. They will need that defense to come through again. Parker is no joke. Ramsay had trouble getting outside the tackles even with their all state running back Ashton Ashford. QB Reese was in the backfield all night and Ramsay will need more of that against Parker.     Parker decimated Fairfield, but how good is Fairfield? I found it hard to find a lot on this game. But what I did see was the Parker QB, Muhammad, threw some nice passes but often threw short passes and let his receivers make plays in space. Will it work as well against Ramsay? Probably not, but it's still something to keep an eye on.     Both teams have a lot of talent, QB Reese, Ashton Ashford, Jeremiah Beaman, Jourdin Crawford, Naheem Offerd, Malik Muhammed, etc. At the end of the day I think Parker will be able to exploit the holes in Ramsay's defense.   Prediction:  Parker 42 Ramsay 21

Huntsville (5-5) at  (#3)  Oxford (13-1)  at Lamar Field Huntsville   Oxford 5-5 (2-5)  Record 13-1 (6-0) 7A-R4  Class/Region 6A-R6 NR  ASWA Ranking #3 69.0  Power Rating 69.2 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Oxford as a 2 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Oxford Yellow Jackets defeated Huntsville by a score of 35-6 in week 2 on the road  on Fri., Sep. 1 during the 2023 football season. Series:   Oxford and Huntsville have met 6 times on the field.... Oxford holds a 6-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    I had picked Huntsville to win 7A R4 largely based on their returning seniors and their performance against Hartselle in the spring. But after watching Austin play, they may be fighting for second. Huntsville has a good offense with Huck Hensley returning at receiver.

Huntsville will be behind the proverbial 8-ball as Oxford already has a game under their belt. Huntsville will have to find an answer to the Mims to Richardson connection out of the slot position.

I think this will be one of the better games in north Alabama and I wouldn't be surprised either way it goes. But for now, I am taking Oxford.

Prediction:  Oxford 24 Huntsville 17

Alexandria (8-4) at  Jacksonville (6-5)  at Golden Eagle Stadium Alexandria   Jacksonville 8-4 (5-2)  Record 6-5 (3-3) 4A-R6  Class/Region 5A-R6 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 51.5  Power Rating 58.1 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Jacksonville as a 9 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Jacksonville Golden Eagles defeated Alexandria by a score of 49-21 in week 2 at Home  on Fri., Aug. 30 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Jacksonville and Alexandria have met 88 times on the field.... Alexandria holds a 53-31 edge in the games played.

Comments:    For the second week in a row, the once heralded cubs will meet a 4A team and another darn good one at that. They can't let another slow start hamper them. Cherokee County jumped out to a 34-0 lead by halftime before building a 48-0 lead before Alexandria ever sniffed the end zone. Aiden Christopher did manage to average 7 yards per carry from the backfield, but with only 9 carries that only amounted to 56 yards and 1 TD.

It appears Alexandria made a lot of mental errors early in the game, no doubt aided by the talent of Cherokee County. But that doesn't bode well for this week as Jacksonville proved to be an opportunistic defense last week in forcing 5 turnovers against Boaz and subsequently racking up 500+ yards of offense.

The combination of Troy commit Jim Ogle to Ky'dric Fisher will prove a tough one for Alexandria to stop. Ogle threw 3 TDs in the game while collecting 185 through the air. Xzavier English ran 15 times for 196 yards. I find it hard to believe that Alexandria will look so unprepared against this week and I expect them to play much tougher. I believe Jacksonville will control the game, but a late touchdown or two from Alexandria may make this one respectable.

Prediction:  Jacksonville 40 Alexandria 27

Lexington (5-6) at  (#2)  Pisgah (11-2)  at Sam Kenimer Stadium Lexington   Pisgah 5-6 (3-2)  Record 11-2 (6-0) 2A-R8  Class/Region 2A-R7 NR  ASWA Ranking #2 37.8  Power Rating 38.4 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Pisgah as a 3 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Pisgah Eagles defeated Lexington by a score of 42-27 in week 2 on the road  on Fri., Sep. 1 during the 2023 football season. Series:   Pisgah and Lexington have met 2 times on the field.... Pisgah holds a 2-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    One of the better regular season games last year that saw Pisgah eek out a 29-28 victory. I know Pisgah had a pretty decent amount of seniors last year and Lexington lost some really big contributors in Lard and Word.

Lexington is under the tutelage of first year coach Blake Killen after Jason Lard's retirement. Pisgah will be playing their first game of the year after losing a very successful senior class. Without even taking the field yet, you know Pisgah has some kids to watch, namely WR Luke Gilbert and DL JD Martin. Lexington will counter with QB Braden Allen and RB Wyatt Prado. Also don't overlook RB Byron Lane who ran for 165 and 3 TD's against Colbert Heights.

Allen isn't a big kid but he is a physical runner from the QB position and can move the chains, Prado is nice counter as his quickness allows him to get outside the tackles. Much like last year when Pisgah rode into Lexington, Alabama and spoiled the home teams night with a 1 point victory, I think it happens in reverse this time.

Prediction:  Lexington 23 Pisgah 22

kodyaufan2 Week 2 Games

Last Week:  1-2    Season Total:  1-2

Anniston (7-6) at  Andalusia (7-5)  at Memorial Stadium Anniston   Andalusia 7-6 (5-2)  Record 7-5 (5-1) 4A-R6  Class/Region 5A-R2 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 54.1  Power Rating 67.2 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Andalusia as a 15 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Andalusia Bulldogs defeated Anniston by a score of 39-0 in week 2 on the road  on Fri., Sep. 1 during the 2023 football season. Series:   Andalusia and Anniston have met 2 times on the field.... Andalusia holds a 2-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    These two teams met in the 4A Quarterfinals last season. That game saw Anniston blow a 21 point 4th quarter lead to lose 35-28 to the eventual state champions.

The star for Andalusia is their Mr. Football candidate in RB J'Marion Burnette, an Auburn commit. At 6'1 227 lbs, he's a big, bruising runner who isn't afraid of contact. He's also deceptively fast, with enough speed to get around the edge and burst through holes in the defense. Don't sleep on QB Jack Lathrop either. The Andalusia QB threw for almost 2,300 yards a year ago with 30 TDs. Lathrop plays with firm command of the offense, and with help from a strong O-line, he doesn't take many sacks.

Anniston has a pretty good RB in their own right in Malachi Taylor, who ran for 1,350 yards and 24 TDs on 150 carries last season. He's another strong runner and has great vision for finding and hitting the hole. Anniston's top player is another Auburn commit in Jayden Lewis. He'll play DB on the Plains, but he does a little bit of everything for Anniston. He accounted for four of their five TDs in their 38-22 win over Wellborn this past week, including a punt return for a score. This will still be a really good team, but the loss of a few players, like Grayshaun Swain, who transferred to Mae Jemison with last year's coach Rico White, could be difficult to overcome.

While Anniston struggled at times with Walter Wellborn, Andalusia had no such struggle in Week 1, knocking off long-time rival Opp 42-8. Taylor and Lewis could keep Anniston in the game for a while, but stopping Burnette and Lathrop will prove too tall a task.

Prediction:  Andalusia 42, Anniston 14

(#3)  Cherokee County (13-2) at  (#2)  Piedmont (13-1)  at Field of Champions Cherokee County   Piedmont 13-2 (7-0)  Record 13-1 (8-0) 4A-R6  Class/Region 3A-R6 #3  ASWA Ranking #2 65.6  Power Rating 51.0 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Cherokee County as a 13 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Piedmont Bulldogs defeated Cherokee County by a score of 34-27 in week 1 at Home  on Fri., Aug. 23 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Piedmont and Cherokee County have met 81 times on the field.... The teams have both won 39 games.

Comments:    It's by all accounts a transition year for Piedmont, but why should that mean it can't still be a championship season? Take what you will from it, but their 14-14 tie with Fyffe in a Jamboree game last week suggests there won't be much drop off. Cherokee County came up short in last year's 4A state title game, but they've returned pretty much their entire team.

Piedmont certainly has some questions coming into the season. The loss of record-setting QB Jack Hayes and long-time coach Steve Smith will certainly be felt early on, but we've seen Piedmont reload time and time again. New coach Jonathan Miller had a lot of success at Saks, but the expectations at Piedmont are exponentially higher. Two key pieces returning for the bulldogs are WR Ishmael Bethel and DL Chance Murphy. Bethel is lightning-quick and a threat to score anytime he gets the ball. Murphy was 1st team all-state last year in 3A.

The star player for Cherokee County is two-way player Jacob Cornejo, who ran for 2,590 yards and 33 TDs on a ridiculous 287 carries last year with 132 tackles on defense. He's a true work-horse back. But the real engine behind this Warriors team is a tremendous line play. Two all-state players return on O-line in Landon Ransum and Zach Gaylor along with one on D-line in Tae Diamond. The Warriors knocked off Alexandria 48-14 to open their 2023 season.

This might be one of the more underrated rivalries in the state, with the all-time series tied 38-38-3. Cherokee County stunned Piedmont 21-14 last season to snap a 10-game losing streak to the Bulldogs. If you like small-town football, it doesn't get any better than this.

Prediction:  Cherokee County 27, Piedmont 21

Marion County (5-5) at  (#7)  Lynn (11-2)  at Posey Field Marion County   Lynn 5-5 (3-4)  Record 11-2 (7-0) 1A-R5  Class/Region 1A-R5 NR  ASWA Ranking #7 27.4  Power Rating 28.9 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Lynn as a 4 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Lynn Bears defeated Marion County by a score of 48-8 in week 8 on the road  on Fri., Oct. 11 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Lynn and Marion County have met 34 times on the field.... Marion County holds a 18-16 edge in the games played.

Comments:    While most of the teams in the state get one more week to work out the kinks before Region play, the 9-team 1A Region 5 opens play this week. This is also the season opener for both of these teams.

Lynn had a breakout season last year, upsetting Pickens Co. in OT to win the region title then making a deep playoff run before ultimately losing to Coosa Christian in the Quarterfinals. QB Cale Tittle was a big reason for that success. He accounted for over 3,000 yards and nearly 40 TDs last season. He will be joined by receiver Logan Meadows and Cole Kelly. Kelly is listed as a TE on Hudl, but he played mostly RB a season ago, rushing for 1,147 yards with 13 TDs. Kelly is a physical player who can also contribute as a receiver and a blocker. Rumor has it that multiple players from Meek's high-scoring 2022 team have transferred to Lynn, so we'll have to wait and see how they can contribute.

Marion County was a good team in their own right last year, also reaching the Quarterfinals before losing to Pickens County for the second time. QB Joe Aldridge is back to lead the Marion County offense. He accounted for over 2,200 yards and 35 TDs last season and is a solid decision-maker with an accurate deep ball. He will hope to remain in synch with WR Tye Madison, who caught 31 passes for over 700 yards and 10 TDs as a Sophomore last season. The Marion County defense, led by Riley Smith, held Lynn to one of their lowest point totals of the season a year ago.

Region 5 is easily the toughest in 1A, as there are legitimately 6-7 playoff-caliber teams. It is of vital importance that each of these teams get off to a good start if they hope to win the region crown. Lynn won this game 31-14 a year ago.

Prediction:  Lynn 44, Marion Co. 20

Sloth Nationzz Week 2 Games

Last Week:  4-0    Season Total:  4-0

Hillcrest Tuscaloosa (6-4) at  Pike Road (10-4)  at Pike Road Stadium Hillcrest Tuscaloosa   Pike Road 6-4 (3-4)  Record 10-4 (6-0) 7A-R3  Class/Region 6A-R2 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 73.5  Power Rating 66.2 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Hillcrest Tuscaloosa as a 5 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Hillcrest Tuscaloosa Patriots defeated Pike Road by a score of 30-6 in week 2 on the road  on Fri., Sep. 1 during the 2023 football season. Series:   Pike Road and Hillcrest Tuscaloosa have met 2 times on the field.... Hillcrest Tuscaloosa holds a 2-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Two of 6A's best programs get to face one another early in the season, very rare to see that happen. Last week both of these two play out of state competition, and while Pike Road fell to Atlanta power Marist, that should not discourage them. The battle of Patriot's will take place in Pike Road. When these two faced one another last year, it was an epic battle, but the Patriots from Tuscaloosa came away with the victory.

Hillcrest is looking toward getting into 6A title contention, while Pike Road is looking to bounce back from a tough loss last week. I think this will be an awesome game, full of top level talent. I think Pike Road will get it back together in time for region play, but will fall to 0-2 to start the season.

I believe the Patriots from Tuscaloosa will take home the victory for a second straight year.

Prediction:  Hillcrest Tuscaloosa 31 Pike Road 29

(#6)  Gordo (10-2) at  (#9)  Bibb County (8-4)  at Choctaw Stadium Gordo   Bibb County 10-2 (6-1)  Record 8-4 (5-2) 3A-R5  Class/Region 4A-R4 #6  ASWA Ranking #9 55.6  Power Rating 57.4 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Bibb County as a 4 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Gordo Green Wave defeated Bibb County by a score of 36-35 in week 2 at Home in overtime on Fri., Aug. 30 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Bibb County and Gordo have met 24 times on the field.... Bibb County holds a 12-11 edge in the games played.

Comments:    What a matchup we have here. Two of the best programs in their respective classifications get to face off this Friday. Both got a victory last week over higher classification foes.

Bibb County had a great victory over a surging Chilton County program. Gordo was able to soundly defeat Sipsey Valley. This feels like potentially two moving trains going right toward one another, and something's gotta give. I believe Bibb County will get the win over Gordo for a second straight year.

Gordo will bounce back and get ready for the rest of their season, while Bibb County will get ready for region play, where they will try to win their first region title since 2019.

Prediction:  Bibb County 35 Gordo 23

Southside Selma (11-3) at  Selma (4-5)  at Memorial Stadium Southside Selma   Selma 11-3 (6-1)  Record 4-5 (2-4) 3A-R3  Class/Region 5A-R3 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 38.6  Power Rating 52.8 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Selma as a 16 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Selma Saints defeated Southside Selma by a score of 44-8 in week 2 at Home in overtime on Fri., Aug. 30 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Selma and Southside Selma have met 42 times on the field.... Selma holds a 33-9 edge in the games played.

Comments:    We love our small town rivalries and these two definitely have a rivalry. The Saints vs the Panthers, while Selma has been able handle Southside Selma more times than not, the Panthers of Southside have won two out of the last three meetings vs Selma.

Southside Selma has a talented junior who is being recruited by many big name programs named Derick Smith. Selma last week fell to Beauregard 29-6 in Cramton Bowl.

I think this will be a close game, however I think the 3A Southside Selma will knock off their 5A foe.

Prediction:  Southside Selma 36 Selma 34

Barbour County (1-8) at  Calhoun (3-7)  at Samuel Bruce Stadium Barbour County   Calhoun 1-8 (1-5)  Record 3-7 (2-4) 2A-R3  Class/Region 2A-R3 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 16.7  Power Rating 9.9 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Barbour County as a 5 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Calhoun Tigers defeated Barbour County by a score of 46-0 in week 8 at Home in overtime on Fri., Oct. 11 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Calhoun and Barbour County have met 5 times on the field.... Barbour County holds a 3-2 edge in the games played.

Comments:    You may be wondering, why is this one of the games, well I will tell you why. These two programs have struggled for a very long time, they both have had their own long losing streaks. When they played last season, Calhoun was able to get a 26-8 victory over the Jaguars.

This was the first time the Tigers won a game played on the field since 2014. Barbour County has not won a game on the field since 2013. They did get a forfeit victory in 2021 to snap one of the longest losing streaks in history. So why does this game matter? While we hope both teams are able to get wins this season, the sad reality is it is unlikely for either program to get a victory, outside of this game.

However, one team has to win. Which is why this game is so interesting. It means a lot to these two schools, and I am happy they play one another. I think Calhoun will get the victory, and get back to back season opening victories for the first time since 1995-1996. Give me the Tigers to defeat the Jaguars!

Prediction:  Calhoun 24 Barbour County 18