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.

TheMUBM Week 14 Picks

Last Week:  3-1    Season Total:  36-16

(#6)  Hackleburg (11-1) at  (#7)  Lynn (11-1)  at Posey Field Hackleburg   Lynn 11-1 (7-0)  Record 11-1 (7-0) 1A-R7  Class/Region 1A-R5 #6  ASWA Ranking #7 56.0  Power Rating 47.2 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Hackleburg as a 7 point favorite. Last Meeting:   The Hackleburg Panthers defeated Lynn by a score of 33-13 in week 2 at Home  on Fri., Aug. 30 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Lynn and Hackleburg have met 34 times on the field.... Lynn holds a 18-16 edge in the games played. Comments:    Hackleburg comes in 11-1 and only having lost in a tough one to Hubbertville 28-22. Lynn themselves beat Hubbertvlle 33 to 28. But once again proving there is no transitive property of football, Hackleburg beat Lynn earlier in the season 33 to 13.     The Panthers made easy work of Winterboro last week in a game I think most of thought would be a lot closer. Jacquan Reeder, who has been a beast all year, had 226 all purpose yards and four td's (via run, catching a pass, interception return and kickoff return.) Winterboro did hurt themselves with 24 penalties for 220 yards, but you can't do that this deep in he playoffs.     Lynn, who is also 11-1, comes off a 28-12 win over Appalachian. They were able to move hte ball effectively through the air and on the ground. They'll need all they can get against a tough Hackleburg defense who is giving up just 8.6 points per game.     I think this rematch should be a lot closer. It will also be at Lynn as opposed to Hackleburg. Reeder is the best player on the field and I do not think Lynn will have an answer for him.   Prediction:  Hackleburg 28 Lynn 19

Anniston (7-5) at  (#4)  West Morgan (12-0)  at Rebels Stadium Anniston   West Morgan 7-5 (5-2)  Record 12-0 (8-0) 4A-R6  Class/Region 4A-R7 NR  ASWA Ranking #4 69.5  Power Rating 77.1 AHSFHS Power Ratings have West Morgan as a 10 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   This is the first meeting between the two teams.

Comments:    Anniston enters the game 7-5, but don't let the record fool you, Anniston is one of those teams who shows up in the playoffs, a la Pickens Co. and a few others. They have cruised through the first two rounds winning by an average score of 28.5 points. Good Hope could not get the Anniston backs on the ground. West Morgan has a tall order ahead of them.

Speaking of the Rebels. they're the only undefeated team left in 4A, as they come in 12-0 and off a 28-7 win over Madison Academy. The defense has been the lynch pin for West Morgan, allowing a measly 10.3 ppg and 3.5 ppg in the playoffs. MaCarri Johnson has done a nice job filling the void left by Fletcher and Mosley, running behind the huge offensive line that West Morgan has.

This could be a really tight game. Both teams are physical and like to run the ball. Anniston will lull you to sleep though and get behind the defense for a big pass, but West Morgan has been solid all year on defense. I think this one goes to the Rebels, but they sweat a little bit.

Prediction:  West Morgan 21 Anniston 10

(#5)  St. Michael (11-1) at  Fairfield (9-3)  at Clements Field St. Michael   Fairfield 11-1 (5-1)  Record 9-3 (4-3) 4A-R1  Class/Region 4A-R4 #5  ASWA Ranking NR 72.6  Power Rating 57.3 AHSFHS Power Ratings have St. Michael as a 13 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   This is the first meeting between the two teams.

Comments:    St Michael stands at an impressive 11-1 having traversed a pretty treacherous playoff gauntlet so far, knocking off perennial contenders Handley and Pleasant Grove. The Cardinals have scored a lot of points this year, but have also given up their fair share. Everyone talks about Rivers, and rightfully so, the kid is great, but don't overlook the RB #4. That kid is special too, he ran for multiple TD's against Pleasant Grove.

Fairfeld, the only 4 seed left in 4A comes in 9-3 and not playing like a 4 seed, just having slipped past Neal 23-22. Neal was unable to stop Justin Murray who rushed for 143 yards and a TD.

Both teams used pretty balanced attacks to win in the second round. With the talent on both teams, it is a big plus if you can do that and keep the defense honest. Now it just comes down to who will execute better. Fairfield gave up some big shots down the field to Oak Grove and that concerns me because Rivers is a great QB and you know they are going to take shots. For that reason alone, I like the Cardinals.

Prediction:  St. Michael 41 Fairfield 23

(#8)  Muscle Shoals (9-2) at  (#2)  Parker (11-1)  at Major Brown Memorial Stadium Muscle Shoals   Parker 9-2 (5-1)  Record 11-1 (6-0) 6A-R7  Class/Region 6A-R5 #8  ASWA Ranking #2 89.0  Power Rating 97.4 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Parker as a 10 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Muscle Shoals Trojans defeated Parker by a score of 31-6 in the second round of the playoffs on the road  on Fri., Nov. 11 during the 2022 football season. Series:   Parker and Muscle Shoals have met 2 times on the field.... Muscle Shoals holds a 2-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Muscle Shoals enters this game at 9-2 and a little bit of a surprise knocking off defending champion Clay Chalkville 31 to 21 in the second round. Hampton was the workhorse carrying the rock 25 times for 79 yards and a TD.

Parker, thought to the most talented team in 6A (maybe the State) by a lot of folks, comes in 11-1 with their only loss being to Carrollton Georgia. They handled a very good Mountain Brook team in the second round 28 to 7. Offord, the Ohio State commit, rushed for 3 TDs, while Terrence Gaines pace the Thundering Herd with 170 yards on 15 carries.

Both teams are very talented at running back and like to utilize the ground game. I am trying to find a reason to pick Muscle Shoals, but I just can't see it. Parker's defense is so fast, I just don't see anyone knocking them off unless they shoot themselves in the foot.

Prediction:  Parker 33 Muscle Shoals 17

kodyaufan2 Week 14 Picks

Last Week:  1-3    Season Total:  36-15

(#2)  Pisgah (11-1) at  (#6)  Tuscaloosa Academy (10-2)  at Knights Stadium Pisgah   Tuscaloosa Academy 11-1 (6-0)  Record 10-2 (5-1) 2A-R7  Class/Region 2A-R5 #2  ASWA Ranking #6 60.7  Power Rating 54.2 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Pisgah as a 5 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Pisgah Eagles defeated Tuscaloosa Academy by a score of 36-29 in the third round of the playoffs at Home  on Fri., Nov. 24 during the 2023 football season. Series:   Tuscaloosa Academy and Pisgah have met one time on the field.... Pisgah holds a 1-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    This is a rematch of last year's Quarterfinal, a great game ultimately won by Pisgah. Both teams rank in the top 10 in 2A in both scoring offense and scoring defense, so there's a bunch of ways this game could play out.

Tuscaloosa Academy started the season 7-0 before suffering back-to-back losses to Sulligent and Coosa Christian. They closed the regular season by squeaking out a 14-13 win over 3A Bayside Academy, so this is a battle-tested squad. QB Preston Lancaster leads the state with 3,388 passing yards with 41 TDs and just 3 INTs. Six different receivers have double-digit catches, led by Ellis Hamiter with 76 catches for 1,178 yards and 8 TDs, along with Kena Rego with 64 catches for 1,241 yards and 11 TDs. Sophomore Mark Norris also has 11 receiving TDs. The Knights are making their third straight Quarter-Final appearance and are looking to reach the semifinals for the first time as a member of the AHSAA.

Pisgah comes into this matchup averaging 43.7 points per game on offense, 3rd best in 2A. Like Tuscaloosa Academy, Pisgah is making their third straight Quarter-Final appearance, and they are hoping to make it to their third straight semifinal as well. The Eagles were the preseason #1 team in 2A and held that position until a narrow loss to Sylvania to end the regular season. They have an explosive offense and will lean on QB Luke Gilbert as they seek to reach their first state championship game since 2000. They don't typically throw the ball as much as Tuscaloosa Academy, but they are fully capable of adjusting their offense to fit whatever the matchup requires.

Last year this game was played in Pisgah and saw the Eagles jump out to an early lead, Tuscaloosa Academy clawed their way back into and made it a game late. I could see this game be low-scoring or just as easily turn into a shootout. It should be a great game either way.

Prediction:  Pisgah 23, Tuscaloosa Academy 21

(#5)  Fyffe (9-2) at  (#2)  Piedmont (12-0)  at Field of Champions Fyffe   Piedmont 9-2 (7-0)  Record 12-0 (8-0) 3A-R8  Class/Region 3A-R6 #5  ASWA Ranking #2 77.1  Power Rating 68.2 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Fyffe as a 7 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Fyffe Red Devils defeated Piedmont by a score of 14-6 in the semi-finals of the playoffs at Home  on Fri., Nov. 27 during the 2020 football season. Series:   Piedmont and Fyffe have met 3 times on the field.... Fyffe holds a 3-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    This is another dream matchup between two of the top programs in the state over the past decade-plus. Fyffe is 3-0 all-time against the Bulldogs, with the most recent matchup a 14-6 game in the 2020 Class 3A Semifinals.

After starting 1-5 in 2023, everyone thought Piedmont's dynasty was over, but the Bulldogs finished the season strong, even winning a playoff game before a 2nd Round exit to Lauderdale County. They avenged that loss last week, this time beating Lauderdale County 21-6. However, for possibly the first time this year, the offense struggled for much of the game. This was just the second time all season they were held under 30 points. They still managed to get some big scoring plays, a trademark of this team, with QB Cole Wilson connecting with WR Rollie Pinto for two scores, including a 97-yard TD in the 2nd half.

They may have a ''2'' in the loss column, but this is still the same Fyffe we're used to seeing. They're gonna grind you down with 4-5 yard runs and 8-minute Touchdown drives and there's very little you can do about it. Those two losses are the only times they've been held under 42 points all year. However, there have been some games this year where the Red Devils have struggled with turnovers, including two weeks ago against Ohatchee. It'll also be interesting to see how they fare against Piedmont's passing attack. Fyffe doesn't often face teams with this good of a passing attack, and they gave up 300 yards passing to Ohatchee.

There will be a true clash of styles in this one. Piedmont is almost entirely dependent on the passing game, while Fyffe is content never throwing a pass. Both offenses will have some success at what they do best, so the key will be finding success through alternate methods as well. I am skeptical of Piedmont's run game, but Fyffe always finds a way to complete one or two key passes. If they don't lose the turnover battle, I like Fyffe in a close one.

Prediction:  Fyffe 36, Piedmont 27

(#7)  Corner (11-1) at  (#9)  Leeds (10-2)  at Homer Smiles Field Corner   Leeds 11-1 (5-1)  Record 10-2 (5-1) 5A-R5  Class/Region 5A-R6 #7  ASWA Ranking #9 62.3  Power Rating 73.4 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Leeds as a 13 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Leeds Greenwave defeated Corner by a score of 42-13 in week 9 on the road  on Fri., Oct. 15 during the 2021 football season. Series:   Leeds and Corner have met 31 times on the field.... Leeds holds a 27-3 edge in the games played.

Comments:    This is a matchup that I'm not sure many people would've expected before the season started. Leeds being here probably isn't a shock-it's their 11th Quarterfinal appearance in the last 20 years-but this is the first time Corner has ever made it this far.

When Corner made the move up to 5A this year, not much was expected from them. I'm not sure many people even thought they'd make the playoffs in a region that included Ramsay and Briarwood, but they rode a 5-0 start to a region championship, their third in school history and first since 1987. They stumbled a bit in the second half of the season, with a blowout loss to Briarwood and several games that were closer than expected, but their offense is on a roll. Their two highest scoring outputs of the season have come in their two playoff games. You won't see them throw the ball much, but they usually don't need to do so. RB Spencer Unruh has close to 2,000 yards on the season, and last week he rushed for 355 yards on 42 carries with 5 TDs against Boaz.

Leeds hasn't reached the semifinals since 2015, but coming into the 2024 season a lot of people thought this could be the year they push for another state championship. The Green Wave have a pair of 3-Star players in OT Gavin Bowlin and QB Conner Nelson. This is a pretty unique offense in my opinion, as everything seems to be set up by the QB-run game. That seems to be out of preference rather than necessity, as Nelson can throw the ball with the best of them. He averages less than 100 pass yards per game, but he threw a perfectly placed deep ball over the middle for the winning score against Guntersville a couple weeks ago in a game where he had 153 yards. On the ground, Nelson has 196 carries on the season for 1,674 yards and 33 TDs according to MaxPreps. The Green Wave seem pretty vulnerable on defense, however. They seem to regularly give up 150+ yards on the ground to good teams. They just beat a run-heavy team in Fairview, but they'll have to do it again this week.

I honestly have no idea who will win this one. I think Corner's region has been exposed in the playoffs as a region with solid defenses but a lot of bad offenses, which is why they've had to outscore their opponents in the playoffs but didn't need to in the regular season. Leeds' defense has been consistent, it just isn't great. Both teams are actually pretty similar, so I expect a shootout that could go either way.

Prediction:  Leeds 42, Corner 35

Fort Payne (10-2) at  (#3)  Oxford (12-0)  at Lamar Field Fort Payne   Oxford 10-2 (6-0)  Record 12-0 (6-0) 6A-R8  Class/Region 6A-R6 NR  ASWA Ranking #3 77.1  Power Rating 95.2 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Oxford as a 20 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Oxford Yellow Jackets defeated Fort Payne by a score of 41-13 in week 10 on the road  on Fri., Oct. 22 during the 2021 football season. Series:   Oxford and Fort Payne have met 10 times on the field.... Oxford holds a 7-1 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Oxford was fully expected to be in this position before the season started, and the Yellow Jackets are no strangers to the pressure of the playoffs. This is only the second Quarterfinal appearance ever for Fort Payne, with the other coming in 2010.

There are a lot of great Quarterbacks in the state, but I don't think any of them are as college-ready as Oxford QB Mason Mims. He always seems to be in perfect command of the offense and is the top passer in 6A with nearly 3,000 yards and 28 TDs to just 3 INTs and completes over 70% of his passes. Jaylin Taylor leads all Yellow Jacket receivers with 71 catches for over 1,000 yards and 8 TDs, while Nick Richardson has another 11 receiving TDs. RB Caleb Wynn has over 1,000 yards on the ground and 21 TDs. 4-Star Junior LB Keenan Britt leads a defense that hasn't allowed more than 14 points in a game since September. Britt has 21 TFLs and 7 sacks on the season.

Fort Payne has a really good QB on their side as well in Dax Varnadore. The Senior has over 2,500 yards with 24 TDs and 4 INTs on the season. Lead back Carter Blalock gets the majority of the carries and has 10 TDs, but Carter Tinker and Kaiden Adams will also split some carries. WR Brannon Oliver is their top pass catcher with 62 receptions for 871 yards and 12 TDs, but six other Wildcats have caught touchdowns this year as well. Before the season, there was talk that this senior-laden squad could be the best team Fort Payne has ever had. They really struggled out of the gate with an 0-2 start, but they haven't lost since and find themselves with a chance to reach the semifinals for the first time in school history.

Fort Payne is going to be a massive underdog in this one, and for good reason. There's a reason Oxford went undefeated against a really tough schedule. But the Yellow Jackets better make sure they don't let Fort Payne hang around in this game, because the Wildcats have shown they know how to win close games in this postseason.

Prediction:  Oxford 35, Fort Payne 13

Sloth Nationzz Week 14 Picks

Last Week:  2-2    Season Total:  34-18

Bayside Academy (9-3) at  Southside Selma (10-2)  at Memorial Stadium Bayside Academy   Southside Selma 9-3 (5-1)  Record 10-2 (6-1) 3A-R1  Class/Region 3A-R3 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 55.3  Power Rating 61.9 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Southside Selma as a 9 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Bayside Academy Admirals defeated Southside Selma by a score of 37-36 in the first round of the playoffs on the road  on Fri., Nov. 5 during the 2021 football season. Series:   Southside Selma and Bayside Academy have met 3 times on the field.... Bayside Academy holds a 3-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Welcome to the third round Panthers! We're so glad you're here. The Southside Selma Panthers are on a historic run, winning ten straight games and knocking off Montgomery Academy last week in an upset win.

Now the Panthers have home field advantage with the team that knocked them out of the playoffs in 2021 in an epic battle in Selma.

Bayside is a very well coached team and have Miles Uter, the SMU Commit to lead the charge. I got to watch Southside Selma last week, and their two Auburn commits in Erick and Derick Smith really make this offense roll. If there is any long down situations, the ball goes to them, and rightfully so they are great playmakers. This should be a fun matchup.

My Prediction: I have the Panthers winning and continuing their Cinderella journey and I believe if they win, they'll host the semi-final game. Party on Selma!

Prediction:  Southside Selma 34 Bayside Academy 28

(#1)  Wadley (10-0) at  Berry Fayette (11-1)  at Fred Webster Stadium Wadley   Berry Fayette 10-0 (5-0)  Record 11-1 (6-1) 1A-R6  Class/Region 1A-R5 #1  ASWA Ranking NR 68.4  Power Rating 51.2 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Wadley as a 15 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   This is the first meeting between the two teams.

Comments:    Berry pulled off an upset against Spring Garden last week 6-0. Now I knew Berry could win, I just didn't expect it in that fashion.

Wadley once again hung half a hundred on an opponent. Now can lightning strike twice for Berry?

I mean they've had a great offense all year and showed their defense can play with the big dogs too.

My Prediction: I think Wadley's offense is too powerful and will win outright. Give me the Bulldogs to march on to the semi finals.

Prediction:  Wadley 55 Berry Fayette 42

Hueytown (9-3) at  Pike Road (9-3)  at Pike Road Stadium Hueytown   Pike Road 9-3 (6-0)  Record 9-3 (6-0) 6A-R4  Class/Region 6A-R2 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 75.8  Power Rating 83.4 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Pike Road as a 10 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   This is the first meeting between the two teams.

Comments:    The Patriots are finally playing up to the way we thought they would this whole season after a very impressive 44-6 victory over St. Paul's.

Hueytown has been overlooked by many people, but not after last weeks impressive victory over Spanish Fort. Hueytown's gotta make the drive down to Pike Road this week and I think we have a great matchup here of a team overlooked versus a team that has had to deal with high expectations.

My Prediction: I think Pike Road continues to roll and makes it to a second consecutive 6A state semi-final.

Prediction:  Pike Road 27 Hueytown 14

(#3)  Cottonwood (12-0) at  (#4)  Reeltown (11-1)  at Nix-Webster-ONeal Stadium Cottonwood   Reeltown 12-0 (7-0)  Record 11-1 (6-0) 2A-R2  Class/Region 2A-R4 #3  ASWA Ranking #4 66.0  Power Rating 70.1 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Reeltown as a 6 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Reeltown Rebels defeated Cottonwood by a score of 42-22 in the third round of the playoffs at Home  on Fri., Nov. 24 during the 2023 football season. Series:   Reeltown and Cottonwood have met 8 times on the field.... The teams have both won 4 games.

Comments:    Just like last year, Cottonwood and Reeltown will match up once again. Very similar to last year, except Cottonwood has really dominated everyone on their schedule. Reeltown has only one slip up, to undefeated 3A TR Miller in their first game of the season.

I think this is the best offense that Cottonwood has seen all year, and they played 6A Rehobeth. Reeltown will have to deal with an angry team that they put out of the playoffs last season, but the game is at Reeltown and in smaller classifications home field advantage is an underrated aspect. Will Cottonwood's defense be able to stop Reeltown?

Can Cottonwood score with Reeltown?

My Prediction: The more things change, the more things stay the same, give me the Rebels to win, close, it'll boil down to one play, and I have that play going to Reeltown.

Prediction:  Reeltown 28 Cottonwood 20