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 7 Picks

Last Week:  2-2    Season Total:  17-7

Lexington (5-6) at  (#5)  Winston County (12-1)  at Malcolm Blake Stadium Lexington   Winston County 5-6 (3-2)  Record 12-1 (5-0) 2A-R8  Class/Region 2A-R8 NR  ASWA Ranking #5 32.3  Power Rating 54.6 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Winston County as a 24 point favorite. Last Meeting:   The Winston County Yellow Jackets defeated Lexington by a score of 32-6 in week 7 on the road  on Fri., Oct. 4 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Winston County and Lexington have met 4 times on the field.... Winston County holds a 4-0 edge in the games played. Comments:    Lexington comes in 4-2 and on a 3 game win streak. Brody Killen is coming off a 180 yard rushing performance against Wilson last week. Lexington could make this an interesting region should they pull off the upset here, Right now it appears Decatur Heritage and Winston County are on a collision course.     Winston County continues to roll, moving to 6-0 after a 46-0 beatdown of Curry last week. Chris Clemons had another big night for the Free State of Winston with 186 yards on just 6 carries. They are now giving up under 6 points a game.     This can be a game if Lexington can be balanced. They are not going to just be able to line up and run smash mouth against this WCHS team. I think the Bulldogs continue to roll and roll big.   Prediction:  Winston Co 43 Lexington 13

Locust Fork (8-3) at  (#2)  Piedmont (13-1)  at Field of Champions Locust Fork   Piedmont 8-3 (6-2)  Record 13-1 (8-0) 3A-R6  Class/Region 3A-R6 NR  ASWA Ranking #2 48.8  Power Rating 62.6 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Piedmont as a 16 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Piedmont Bulldogs defeated Locust Fork by a score of 61-14 in week 7 on the road  on Fri., Oct. 4 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Piedmont and Locust Fork have met one time on the field.... Piedmont holds a 1-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Locust Fork comes in rolling at 5-0, but having had three straight competitive games that saw them win by 10, 4 and by 7. Everyone knows Locust Fork ends and begins with Dino Embry. Make no mistake about it, the is the catalyst of this offensive machine. While he is virtually untackleable at times and can break off a 70 yard run in the blink of an eye, don't sleep on his arm talent. He and Levi White have formed a dangerous combo in the air attack.

Piedmont is Piedmont. The Bulldogs come in 5-0, which includes an impressive victory over ranked 4A Cherokee County. Cole Wilson threw for 311 yards and 5 TDS against BB Comer this past week. Bethel is a big threat at the WR position and Rollie Pinto is an elusive back who can burn you on a run or on special teams.

This will be a fun one. Dino is the most electric player on the field, but Piedmont is the more complete team. Piedmont will have to get a couple of big stops to slow down LFHS offense, but if they do that, then I think it bodes well for their chances.

Prediction:  Piedmont 38 Locust Fork 28

Dora (6-5) at  Haleyville (4-6)  at Memorial Stadium/Bubba Scott Field Dora   Haleyville 6-5 (6-1)  Record 4-6 (2-5) 4A-R5  Class/Region 4A-R5 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 43.0  Power Rating 44.3 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Haleyville as a 3 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Dora Bulldogs defeated Haleyville by a score of 42-28 in week 7 on the road  on Fri., Oct. 4 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Haleyville and Dora have met 22 times on the field.... Haleyville holds a 11-10 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Dora, who I felt really underperformed last year, is surprising me this year by overperforming. Sure they are just 3-3, but they have lost to teams that I think we all expected them to lose to and sit 3-0 in region. In the film from Jasper, a couple different guys lined up at QB, so I am not sure the status there, but #11 Jayden Griffin was a hoss. He has good speed and also wasn't afraid to lower his head.

Haleyville comes in swiftly moving in the wrong direction. They started 3-0 but have since dropped 3 straight games and are in danger of really handicapping their playoff chances. #22 RB is a solid runner who will give anyone trouble, but I like the play of #14 the QB, seems to make some good decisions and put the ball where it needs to be.

Haleyville really struggled with the QB runs from Moulton, and the Dora QB's looked quite a bit faster than the LCHS QB. Haleyville does have a really good passing game that opens things up for #22 but it should be noted, Dora had at least 4 INTs against Jasper. This game just doesn't seem like a good matchup for Haleyville.

Prediction:  Dora 35 Haleyville 20

(#6)  Hackleburg (12-2) at  Vina (6-4)  at Franklin-Hester Stadium Hackleburg   Vina 12-2 (7-0)  Record 6-4 (3-4) 1A-R7  Class/Region 1A-R7 #6  ASWA Ranking NR 46.5  Power Rating 19.5 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Hackleburg as a 25 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Hackleburg Panthers defeated Vina by a score of 46-0 in week 7 on the road  on Thu., Oct. 3 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Vina and Hackleburg have met 72 times on the field.... Hackleburg holds a 60-9 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Hackleburg enters the contest at 5-0 and looking to be a real player in 1A North. The defense led by LB Noah Tubb has given up just over 9 points a game. The closest margin of victory they have had this year is 16 points.

Vina, surprisingly comes in 4-1 but those wins come against teams with a combined 1-20 record. Could the Red Devils shock people and make the playoffs? Seems to be a pretty big uphill battle after the big loss to Cherokee and with Hackleburg, Meek and Addison looming, the future looks bleak.

Just at first glance, this looks like a good matchup 5-0 vs 4-1, but digging deeper, that isn't the case. Vina has been a feel good story thus far, but the Cherokee game kind of put things into perspective. Football is a funny game and sometimes with a little confidence a few things going right, a game can be competitive that wasn't expected to be. Unfortunately, that isn't the case here. Vina hasn't faced a player like QB Blaise Vickery this year and they may not the rest of the year. With his running ability and his connection with WR, Jaquan Reeder, he is simply dangerous.

Prediction:  Hackleburg 52 Vina 13

kodyaufan2 Week 7 Picks

Last Week:  3-0    Season Total:  18-5

(#7)  Lynn (11-2) at  Berry Fayette (11-2)  at Fred Webster Stadium Lynn   Berry Fayette 11-2 (7-0)  Record 11-2 (6-1) 1A-R5  Class/Region 1A-R5 #7  ASWA Ranking NR 36.4  Power Rating 43.5 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Berry Fayette as a 9 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Lynn Bears defeated Berry Fayette by a score of 28-26 in week 7 on the road  on Fri., Oct. 4 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Berry Fayette and Lynn have met 44 times on the field.... Lynn holds a 24-20 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Class 1A Region 6 was always expected to be very competitive, with Lynn and Pickens County as the favorites. Berry was expected to challenge for a playoff spot, but they've well exceeded those expectations. Both teams have some tough games beyond this week, but the winner of this one is in firm control of the region.

Berry hasn't made the playoffs since a semifinal run in 2020, but the return of Danny Raines, who coached the Wildcats from 2003-2016, to the sidelines for this season has Berry in position to win their first region title since that semifinal run. They will lean on RB Ayden Lake Norris, who has 80 carries for 751 yards and 15 TDs this year according to MaxPreps. QB Ace Norris has been very efficient, completing 76% of his passes for 9 TDs and just 1 interception. This offense has been held under 50 points just once all season.

The biggest question for Lynn this season was how they could replace the 53 total TDs scored by 1st-team All-State ATH Cale Tittle in 2023. As expected, the offense isn't as explosive as a season ago, but the defense has answered the call in a big way, securing a 6-0 victory over 1A giant Pickens County a few weeks ago. RB #21 John Paul Burkett is a strong runner who can wear a defense out over the course of the game.

Our computers show Berry as the favorite in this one, so I guess I can't call them winning an upset at this point, although in the pre-season it certainly would have been. This one is tough to predict because neither team has played a common opponent yet. Lynn is a good team and I expect them to win the rest of their games, but I think Berry's offense will be a little too much.

Prediction:  Berry Fayette 37, Lynn 29

(#1)  Jackson (14-1) at  (#5)  St. Michael (12-2)  at Volanta Park Jackson   St. Michael 14-1 (6-0)  Record 12-2 (5-1) 4A-R1  Class/Region 4A-R1 #1  ASWA Ranking #5 78.2  Power Rating 64.0 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Jackson as a 12 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Jackson Aggies defeated St. Michael by a score of 49-28 in the semi-finals of the playoffs at Home  on Fri., Nov. 29 during the 2024 football season. Series:   St. Michael and Jackson have met 6 times on the field.... Jackson holds a 5-1 edge in the games played.

Comments:    We should probably refrain from declaring this a de facto region championship game with Orange Beach sitting undefeated in region play as well, but the expectation all season has been that these were the top two teams in 4A Region 1. With two high-high-scoring offenses, this should be a fun one to watch.

St. Michael QB Gunner Rivers is well behind where he was last season at this point when it comes to stats. In 5 games, he's completed 92 of 137 passes for 1,362 yards and 14 TDs. Last season he threw for over 3,000 yards and 29 TDs on 362 passes in 11 games. However, this doesn't mean his play has dropped off. It shows that St. Michael has a much better team across the board and doesn't need their young QB to put the team on his back. An improved rushing attack for the Cardinals has also helped out the defense. Last season they allowed almost 30 points per game, but they've allowed just 15 per game this season.

I've watched several Jackson games this year, and every time I see them the same thought crosses my mind, ''How on earth is any 4A team going to beat them?'' Junior QB Landon Duckworth is one of the nation's top QBs in his class. He's completing 60% of his passes for 1,200 yards and 13 TDs, along with 3 rushing TDs. RB EJ Crowell is a human highlight reel and will have his pick of colleges when the time comes. WR Keeyun Chapman is another playmaker on this offense, and it always takes multiple guys to bring him down. The defense is led by Safety Jamarrion Gordon. Crowell, Chapman, and Gordon are all currently committed to play for Gus Malzahn down at UCF.

No matter the result of this one, St. Michael will be a team to contend with in the playoffs. However, Jackson is just on another level. Only a couple of teams in 4A will have a legitimate chance of beating them this year.

Prediction:  Jackson 42, St. Michael 21

(#3)  Fairview (10-1) at  Russellville (7-4)  at Tigers Stadium Fairview   Russellville 10-1 (6-0)  Record 7-4 (5-1) 5A-R7  Class/Region 5A-R7 #3  ASWA Ranking NR 69.6  Power Rating 73.9 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Russellville as a 6 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Fairview Aggies defeated Russellville by a score of 50-49 in week 7 on the road  on Fri., Oct. 4 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Russellville and Fairview have met 4 times on the field.... The teams have both won 2 games.

Comments:    This one, we can confidently say, is for a region championship. Russellville is hoping to make it five straight region titles, while it would be just the fifth ever for Fairview.

Russellville comes into this one with a lone loss to Mars Hill on the season. RB Cameron Phinizee is 2nd in the state in rushing yards this season according to MaxPreps, with 1,385 yards and 15 TDs on 127 carries. His 10.9 yards per carry is well above the 8.9 he posted last season when he ran for 2,300 yards. Mark the junior down as a potential Mr. Football candidate if the Tigers make a state championship run, something they haven't done since 1968.

The Fairview Aggies got their stiffest test of the season so far in their last contest, a 28-25 region win over Lawrence County. Explosive runs were the name of the game for this offense, as they have been all year. I believe I counted four runs of 40+ yards in that game, and they finished with 322 yards on the ground to go with 146 through the air. They've rushed for over 300 yards in every game this season. They do make some mistakes, though, as two fumbles kept the game closer than it probably should have been. This offense has also thrown for 150 yard twice this season. Russellville was susceptible through the air in their own matchup with Lawrence County, so Fairview could see some opportunities there.

The best region test both teams have faced so far is Lawrence County, whom Russellville beat 42-13. While Fairview's game was much closer in the end, they led 21-0 in the first half. Both teams have outstanding rushing attacks that probably won't be stopped much, so the winner will likely be whoever can make one or two opportune plays through the air.

Prediction:  Russellville 35, Fairview 27

(#1)  Auburn (10-1) at  (#4)  Central Phenix City (10-3)  at Garrett-Harrison Stadium Auburn   Central Phenix City 10-1 (7-0)  Record 10-3 (5-2) 7A-R2  Class/Region 7A-R2 #1  ASWA Ranking #4 91.2  Power Rating 92.1 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Central Phenix City as a 3 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Auburn Tigers defeated Central Phenix City by a score of 38-33 in week 7 on the road  on Fri., Oct. 4 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Central Phenix City and Auburn have met 65 times on the field.... Central Phenix City holds a 44-18 edge in the games played.

Comments:    You could make an argument that this has become the premier regular season matchup in the state of Alabama over the past few years. One of the two has reached the state championship game every year since 2015. And with the new 7A playoff format, there's a chance they could meet again in the state championship game.

Central QB Andrew Alford is one of the most efficient passers in the state. He attempts fewer than 20 passes a game, and yet he has nearly 1,000 yards and 15 TDs without a single interception. Tristan Williams leads the team in rushing with 557 yards and 8 TDs and has been explosive for much of the season, while 4-Star WR Daylyn Upshaw, a Miami commit, is their leading receiver with 21 catches and 10 TDs. Defensive linemen Tristan Lyles and Makes Green will look to disrupt the Auburn offense, and CB Monterrius Echols and Safety Max Johnson lead the defensive secondary.

The only team that has shown any signs of slowing down the Auburn offense this year is Opelika; the Tigers have scored at least 47 points in every other game. QB Jackson Kilgore has thrown for over 900 yards with 7 TDs in his four games. Junior RB Omar Mabson has 850 yards and 15 TDs on the ground. LB Alex Gamston leads the defense with 3 interceptions on the year. The Tigers have lost 5 of the last 6 games in this series, with each of those losses by double digits.

Auburn has been challenged just once all season, but Opelika always plays them close. Central has surprisingly played a couple of close games recently against Dothan and Enterprise, with Dothan coming within one yard of pulling the upset. Central has had Auburn's number recently, but this seems to be Auburn's best team in a few years. This will probably be one of those matchups where one team wins in the regular season, and the other wins in the playoffs.

Prediction:  Auburn 35, Central Phenix City 28

Sloth Nationzz Week 7 Picks

Last Week:  3-1    Season Total:  15-9

(#1)  Auburn (10-1) at  (#4)  Central Phenix City (10-3)  at Garrett-Harrison Stadium Auburn   Central Phenix City 10-1 (7-0)  Record 10-3 (5-2) 7A-R2  Class/Region 7A-R2 #1  ASWA Ranking #4 91.2  Power Rating 92.1 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Central Phenix City as a 3 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Auburn Tigers defeated Central Phenix City by a score of 38-33 in week 7 on the road  on Fri., Oct. 4 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Central Phenix City and Auburn have met 65 times on the field.... Central Phenix City holds a 44-18 edge in the games played.

Comments:    We have made it to what will likely be the battle that will decide Region 2. A battle for the ages. It has been well anticipated for weeks now, heck even months as these two teams look forward to this game every year. The Tigers have looked unstoppable for most of the year outside of a close rivalry game against Opelika.

Central Phenix City has looked great outside of two close games with Dothan and Enterprise. These games are always razor close.

They both are equally talented, equally well coached. Auburn and Central Phenix City have played many games against one another and seem to always find a way to play one another in November, and I think with the new playoff format I think these two will see one another in the title game.

My Prediction: I don't know who will win in December, but as of today, I am picking the Auburn Tigers. I think they are playing their best football right now... which could favor the Red Devils in December. But for now give me Auburn in another classic.

Prediction:  Auburn 21 Central Phenix City 17

(#6)  Tuscaloosa Academy (12-3) at  (#10)  Vincent (9-3)  at Harold Garrett Stadium Tuscaloosa Academy   Vincent 12-3 (5-1)  Record 9-3 (4-2) 2A-R5  Class/Region 2A-R5 #6  ASWA Ranking #10 57.4  Power Rating 45.6 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Tuscaloosa Academy as a 10 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Tuscaloosa Academy Knights defeated Vincent by a score of 35-21 in week 7 on the road  on Fri., Oct. 4 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Vincent and Tuscaloosa Academy have met one time on the field.... Tuscaloosa Academy holds a 1-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Tuscaloosa Academy has it's first test in it's own classification as the Knights have rolled competition in upper, and lower classifications. Vincent is having another great season under Coach Weatherford. Whoever wins this game will likely win the region.

Tuscaloosa Academy does have Preston Lancaster and he is the ultimate dual threat. Do I think it will be close? absolutely, I just think Lancaster is the ultimate X factor in this matchup.

My Prediction: I think Tuscaloosa Academy gets tested and has to claw their way to a victory.

Prediction:  Tuscaloosa Academy 28 Vincent 21

Randolph County (7-4) at  (#7)  Glenwood School (9-1)  at The Swamp Randolph County   Glenwood School 7-4 (4-2)  Record 9-1 (6-0) 3A-R4  Class/Region 3A-R4 NR  ASWA Ranking #7 60.6  Power Rating 55.6 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Randolph County as a 3 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Glenwood School Gators defeated Randolph County by a score of 68-40 in week 7 on the road  on Fri., Oct. 4 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Glenwood School and Randolph County have met one time on the field.... Glenwood School holds a 1-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Randolph County already has defeated one former AISA school this season, now will turn their attention to their last remaining one, and possibly the best one left in Glenwood. Glenwood has been rolling teams as well, and I don't think many people expected that when they first joined.

This game will decide who wins the region title. Randolph County has not won a region title since 2015 and Glenwood would be making some type of history for winning a region title in their first year of AHSAA football. Granted they were very good in AISA, they have just been much better than many thought.

Now who will win? It will be close and I think Randolph County will try to impose their will onto the Gators. Glenwood will try to score fast and make it into a track meet and make Randolph County get out of the wishbone.

My Prediction: Give me the Tigers to win the region crown.

Prediction:  Randolph County 34 Glenwood 28

Trinity (8-4) at  (#9)  Montgomery Academy (10-2)  at McLemore Field Trinity   Montgomery Academy 8-4 (5-2)  Record 10-2 (6-1) 3A-R2  Class/Region 3A-R2 NR  ASWA Ranking #9 58.4  Power Rating 53.3 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Trinity as a 3 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Montgomery Academy Eagles defeated Trinity by a score of 28-27 in week 7 on the road in overtime on Fri., Oct. 4 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Montgomery Academy and Trinity have met 49 times on the field.... Trinity holds a 27-22 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Another game, another likely region championship game. Makes me feel like a broken record. These two have a long history. For those unaware in Montgomery these schools are probably about a five minute drive from one another.

Trinity has looked great outside of a loss to Reeltown who has also looked great. Montgomery Academy has had a similar story but with a slip up to Wicksburg that I don't think many saw coming.

Winner of this game will get a region crown and for Montgomery Academy they have been waiting to get back down to 3A for two years when they were sent to 4A due to reclassification. Trinity is thriving in 3A and almost went down to 2A if you look at the numbers. Winner of this game sets themselves up greatly to have a long playoff run.

My Prediction: Montgomery Academy's DJ Vinson is the X factor in this game and gets the Eagles a region title.

Prediction:  Montgomery Academy 21 Trinity 14