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 9 Picks

Last Week:  2-2    Season Total:  23-9

Lexington (5-6) at  Brooks (10-2)  at E.D. Redding Stadium Lexington   Brooks 5-6 (3-2)  Record 10-2 (6-2) 2A-R8  Class/Region 4A-R7 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 32.0  Power Rating 65.1 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Brooks as a 35 point favorite. Last Meeting:   The Brooks Lions defeated Lexington by a score of 45-6 in week 9 on the road  on Thu., Oct. 17 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Brooks and Lexington have met 30 times on the field.... Brooks holds a 24-6 edge in the games played. Comments:    Lexington comes into the game 4-3 and coming off a bye. Last time on the field saw them fall to a really good Winston Co team 32-6. Lexington is Lexington, they're gonna rely heavily on the run game and try to run clock. Andrew England is solid middle linebacker who could make a difference by disrupting Burrough from Brooks.     Brooks comes in 5-2 and on a 4 game winning streak topped off by a big win against Deshler last week 44-21. Burrough, the dual threat QB for Brooks, finished the Deshler game 15 of 21 for 186 yards and a TD while adding 129 yard on the ground.     Brooks should take care of business, but this is a big game. It is the first time since 2001 that these longtime county rivalries have met in a regular season contest. This is one of those games (and seems like we have one every week) where if one team can control the clock and limit big plays (Lexington) then it could be interesting late. But I just don't see it happening.   Prediction:  Brooks 49 Lexington 14

Central Florence (9-3) at  (#4)  West Morgan (12-0)  at Rebels Stadium Central Florence   West Morgan 9-3 (6-2)  Record 12-0 (8-0) 4A-R7  Class/Region 4A-R7 NR  ASWA Ranking #4 59.9  Power Rating 79.0 AHSFHS Power Ratings have West Morgan as a 21 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The West Morgan Rebels defeated Central Florence by a score of 52-26 in week 9 on the road  on Fri., Oct. 18 during the 2024 football season. Series:   West Morgan and Central Florence have met 5 times on the field.... West Morgan holds a 4-1 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Central comes in 6-1 and looking to host a playoff game and could make things interesting if they pull off the win here. This past week saw them dismantle East Lawrence 49-14. Central is led by a powerful grind-it-out rushing attack which features Evan Hanback and Hunter Palmer, which both hit pay dirt three times against East Lawrence.

West Morgan comes in 7-0, mirroring last years success, only this years team seems to be led by the defense while last years was the offense. Currently the Rebels are allowing just 7 ppg. That being said, Johnson at RB can take it o the house from anywhere, and Partlow to Tucker is a dangerous combo in the passing game.

This could be a whale of a game. Central's three yards and a cloud of dust vs that vaunted West Morgan defense. West Morgan has a little more speed on the edges, which could prove to be a big factor in this game, but if Central gets rolling, they are hard to stop.

Prediction:  West Morgan 24 Central 14

(#2)  Hoover (10-2) at  (#5)  Thompson (9-3)  at Warriors Stadium Hoover   Thompson 10-2 (7-0)  Record 9-3 (6-1) 7A-R3  Class/Region 7A-R3 #2  ASWA Ranking #5 89.9  Power Rating 93.4 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Thompson as a 6 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Hoover Buccaneers defeated Thompson by a score of 27-26 in week 9 on the road in overtime on Fri., Oct. 18 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Thompson and Hoover have met 34 times on the field.... Hoover holds a 25-9 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Hoover comes in 5-2 with their two losses being out of region and by a combined 6 points. They are coming off a thrashing of Tuscaloosa County by the score of 56-6. A game in which Hoover had two TDs called back for penalties, and saw the Bucs rack up 528 years of offense. Beason was 12-15 for 220 yards and three TDs and 73 yards on the ground. However, he did throw 2 picks.

Much like Hoover, Thompson also comes in 5-2 with the two losses being out of region and by a combined 2 points. The Warriors come in having handled Hillcrest to the tune of 45 to 20. Seaborn finished the game 30 of 42 for 403 yards with 4 TDs and 1 Int. Kimbrough accounted for 9 catches for 142 yards.

These teams seem so evenly matched where can you find a difference? It may come down to who makes the least amount of mistakes. If that is the case then I like Thompson. Not that Hoover is undisciplined but they had some major gaffes against a pretty mediocre Tuscaloosa County team.

Prediction:  Thompson 28 Hoover 21

(#6)  Clay-Chalkville (9-3) at  (#3)  Oxford (12-0)  at Lamar Field Clay-Chalkville   Oxford 9-3 (5-1)  Record 12-0 (6-0) 6A-R6  Class/Region 6A-R6 #6  ASWA Ranking #3 89.6  Power Rating 82.6 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Clay-Chalkville as a 5 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Oxford Yellow Jackets defeated Clay-Chalkville by a score of 21-10 in week 9 on the road in overtime on Fri., Oct. 18 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Oxford and Clay-Chalkville have met 20 times on the field.... Clay-Chalkville holds a 14-6 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Clay Chalkville rolls in undefeated at 7-0 including a 1 point win against 7A powerhouse Thompson. The defending 6A State Champs just dispatched Huffman 66-12. Xaveon Kindell averaged over 10 yards a carry in the game. Huffman couldn't get RB Joshua Woods on the ground as he accounted for 2 TDs, and Marlon Compton proved why he is dangerous on special teams, taking a punt to the house.

Oxford comes in 7-0 and off a bye week. Last time on the field saw them shut out Pell City 27-0. Oxford came away with two picks in the game as well as a couple of sacks. Mason Mims was Mason Mims per usual going 20 of 28 for 267 yards and three TDs.

The battle of top 5 6A teams will decide the region champion. Clay Chalkville is the more explosive team but you can't count out an offense led by Mason Mims. The big question here is can the Oxford receivers create separation against the speedy Clay secondary thus giving Mims a window in which to throw? I think they can, and I like the slight upset.

Prediction:  Oxford 27 Clay Chalkville 24

kodyaufan2 Week 9 Picks

Last Week:  4-0    Season Total:  24-7

Brantley (6-4) at  (#8)  McKenzie (10-2)  at Williams-Vickery Field Brantley   McKenzie 6-4 (4-3)  Record 10-2 (6-1) 1A-R2  Class/Region 1A-R2 NR  ASWA Ranking #8 34.4  Power Rating 41.5 AHSFHS Power Ratings have McKenzie as a 9 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The McKenzie Tigers defeated Brantley by a score of 52-44 in week 9 on the road in overtime on Fri., Oct. 18 during the 2024 football season. Series:   McKenzie and Brantley have met 60 times on the field.... Brantley holds a 39-19 edge in the games played.

Comments:    What a season it has been for the McKenzie Tigers. A preseason afterthought in Class 1A Region 2, they could control their own destiny to a region championship this time next week by knocking off Brantley and having Elba beat Georgiana. Brantley, following their upset loss to Florala last week, is in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 1996 with a loss.

McKenzie stole the hearts of the state back in Week 3 with their epic 80-78 win over Elba in multiple overtimes. QB Quay Jackson has led the way for the Tiger offense this season, and he had 9 total TDs in that Elba game, 6 passing and 3 rushing. Not many 1A teams have much of a passing game, but McKenzie has consistently found enough success throwing the ball to keep their offense balanced. They haven't been tested since playing Florala several weeks ago, and 3 fumbles nearly cost them that game.

For 28 consecutive seasons Brantley has made the playoffs, but they could be eliminated with a loss this week. Florala ran wild on the Bulldogs last week to the tune of 230 yards. McKenzie plays a similar style of offense to Florala in that the QB run will be a major part of their offense, so Brantley will have to find a way to shut that down this week. This offense opened the season averaging over 40 points per game through their first four games, but they haven't scored more than 22 in each of their last three games. It's difficult to imagine a playoff without Brantley, but this team has been trending in the wrong direction and will have to turn the corner quickly.

Everything seems to be favoring McKenzie leading into this game, but Brantley was an early-season state title favorite for a reason. I expect this to be a pretty high-scoring and potentially frenetic game, with each team being desperate in their own way.

Prediction:  McKenzie 42, Brantley 34

(#8)  North Jackson (8-3) at  Westminster Christian (6-5)  at Earl Van Dyke Stadium North Jackson   Westminster Christian 8-3 (7-1)  Record 6-5 (5-3) 4A-R8  Class/Region 4A-R8 #8  ASWA Ranking NR 56.1  Power Rating 47.0 AHSFHS Power Ratings have North Jackson as a 7 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The North Jackson Chiefs defeated Westminster Christian by a score of 52-10 in week 9 on the road in overtime on Fri., Oct. 18 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Westminster Christian and North Jackson have met 9 times on the field.... North Jackson holds a 6-3 edge in the games played.

Comments:    A home playoff game is likely on the line in this one, although Plainview and Madison Academy are still in the mix as well. North Jackson has a region title at stake as well, as a win would set up a huge matchup next week with Randolph.

Westminster hasn't experienced as big of a fall off as was expected after losing record-setting QB Brandon Musch to graduation. The passing attack has struggled some, but they've had a really good run game. They have a variety of contributors in the ground game, most notably RB #23 Evan McClure. The Wildcat defense has seen massive improvement this season, allowing less than 25 ppg, and they are coming off a game against Madison County in which they forced 5 turnovers. The last time they had a defense that allowed fewer than 30 ppt was 2019.

North Jackson has outperformed expectations for much of the season. I doubt anyone expected them to reach Week 9 with a chance at a region title, but here they are with a shot. The defense has been outstanding almost all season, but they struggled last week in 33-32 upset loss to Plainview. That was their first time allowing more than 14 points. The Chiefs moved the ball up and down the field all night on offense and even won the turnover battle, but Plainview just made a few more plays when it counted. Look out for LB Jaquez Poole, as the senior is near the top of the state with 11 sacks on the year.

The biggest issue I saw with North Jackson's defense last week was an inability to contain the QB in the passing game. They let several missed sack opportunities turn into big throws down the field. I don't see Westminster's downfield passing game posing that kind of threat.

Prediction:  North Jackson 28, Westminster 14

(#8)  Williamson (10-2) at  (#5)  Vigor (11-1)  at Prichard Stadium Williamson   Vigor 10-2 (6-1)  Record 11-1 (7-0) 5A-R1  Class/Region 5A-R1 #8  ASWA Ranking #5 71.3  Power Rating 80.2 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Vigor as a 11 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Vigor Wolves defeated Williamson by a score of 19-2 in week 9 on the road in overtime on Fri., Oct. 18 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Vigor and Williamson have met 35 times on the field.... Vigor holds a 26-9 edge in the games played.

Comments:    I have had this game circled on the calendar for several weeks now, and I'm so excited it's finally here. These two teams come undefeated and outscoring their opponents 593-83 across 15 total games. These defenses just flat-out fly around the field, and the pressure to play well is only magnified with a region title on the line.

After missing the playoffs last season despite winning 8 games on the field, a forfeit loss dropped the Wolves to 7-3, which was enough to miss the playoffs. This team has been out for blood all season as they seek redemption. The only team to reach double-digits on Vigor this season is UMS-Wright with 14 points. Sophomore edge rusher Jabarrius Garror is simply unfair, and there's a reason Alabama has already come calling. When you throw in an offense that can pretty much score whenever they feel like it and you've got the recipe for a juggernaut. QB Sammy Dunn and RB Carlos Benjamin are a nightmare duo for any defense to face.

Williamson has shutout half of their opponents this season, and like Vigor, they've only allowed double-digits once, in a 28-26 OT win over Citronelle. They've allowed just 17 points across the rest of their games. They have a 4-Star Sophomore LB in Ellis McGaskin, but Safety Taijh Overton and LBs Keyante Pettaway and Yusef Clark will also play at the next level. But let's not overlook this offense, especially the offensive line. They have three guys up front in Carde Smith, Robert McMillian, and Eric Williams that hold scholarship offers from power conference schools. Incredibly, Williamson hasn't won a playoff game since 2007, so the Lions will be eager to set themselves up for postseason success.

The matchup to watch will be the Williamson O-line versus the Vigor D-line. We could even watch two 4-Star prospects go head-to-head in Carde Smith and Jabarrius Garror. Ultimately, I Vigor has been a little more consistent offensively this year, so I would probably trust them more to sustain some drives. Either way there's a good chance one of these teams is playing for the state championship in December.

Prediction:  Vigor 26, Williamson 14

Southside Gadsden (6-5) at  Gadsden City (6-4)  at Titan Stadium Southside Gadsden   Gadsden City 6-5 (5-1)  Record 6-4 (4-2) 6A-R8  Class/Region 6A-R8 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 61.4  Power Rating 75.3 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Gadsden City as a 16 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Southside Gadsden Panthers defeated Gadsden City by a score of 30-23 in week 9 on the road in overtime on Fri., Oct. 18 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Gadsden City and Southside Gadsden have met one time on the field.... Southside Gadsden holds a 1-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    I said that Vigor vs Williamson game had been circled on my for several weeks, but 33,000 people in Gadsden, Alabama have had this game circled for about 9 months now. 2004 was the final meeting between Gadsden and Emma Sansom in one of the state's fiercest rivalries, as the two schools merged with Litchfield after the 2005-06 school year to form Gadsden City High School. It has taken 18 years to get here, but The City of Champions finally has a new rivalry game.

Gadsden City has one of the state's top QBs in Junior Kai Franklin with 1,450 yards and 15 TDs to just 2 interceptions on the season. His play style reminds me of former LSU and current Washington QB Jayden Daniels. He's a pocket passer first, but his ability to extend plays with his legs is torture for opposing defenses. Whenever he has to extend a play, you can bet the ball is going to find its way to WR Kerrell Yow. RB T.J. Worthy has 12 TDs on the season, giving the Titans a variety of ways to attack the defense. Their best player on defense is 4-Star Junior DB Zyan Gibson, but this secondary got lit up last week by Fort Payne, giving up 4 TDs through the air.

Southside started the season off slow at 1-3, but they've hit their stride with three straight wins. Ethan Sarratt has played QB for most of the season, but 2023 starter Jordan Bryan returned to that role last week, so that's something to monitor. With Bryan under center, the Panthers' offense is very run-heavy, but with Sarratt it is much more balanced. Regardless of who lines up under center, they'll split carries between three or four different players. Keep an eye on the line of scrimmage as the Panthers have a couple of 3-Star seniors in OL Jamin Brown and DL McCade Wright.

I love that the first meeting between these schools will be a region game, which raises the stakes. I haven't even mentioned that the winner of this one gets a home playoff game, while the loser will be on the road. However, to the fans of either side, I have a feeling that's gonna be secondary to being able to say they won the first ever matchup between the two on the football field.

Prediction:  Gadsden City 24, Southside 14

Sloth Nationzz Week 9 Picks

Last Week:  4-0    Season Total:  22-10

(#4)  Central Phenix City (9-2) at  (#6)  Opelika (9-3)  at Bulldog Stadium Central Phenix City   Opelika 9-2 (5-2)  Record 9-3 (5-2) 7A-R2  Class/Region 7A-R2 #4  ASWA Ranking #6 89.5  Power Rating 88.3 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Central Phenix City as a 1 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Opelika Bulldogs defeated Central Phenix City by a score of 23-14 in week 9 on the road in overtime on Fri., Oct. 18 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Opelika and Central Phenix City have met 82 times on the field.... Central Phenix City holds a 48-34 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Two rivals clashing for the rights to likely host a playoff game in the first round. Central Phenix City did not have their best performance last week against Carver Montgomery.

Opelika seems to be getting better every week. I honestly think this is a really interesting matchup. I think Opelika is a very physical team that can get you into a preverbally rock fight.

Central is built to win those types of games. I think Opelika can win if they force turnovers on an excellent Central Phenix City offense.

My Prediction: I think Opelika is excellent this season, and will be a hard out when it comes playoff time. But for now give me the Red Devils.

Prediction:  Central Phenix City 31 Opelika 24

Helena (6-4) at  Chelsea (6-5)  at Chelsea High School Football Stadium Helena   Chelsea 6-4 (5-1)  Record 6-5 (3-3) 6A-R3  Class/Region 6A-R3 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 78.5  Power Rating 68.5 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Helena as a 8 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Helena Huskies defeated Chelsea by a score of 38-28 in week 9 on the road in overtime on Fri., Oct. 18 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Chelsea and Helena have met 11 times on the field.... Helena holds a 6-5 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Helena is having another great season which feels normal for them. Chelsea is having a historically great season for the Hornets.

The Hornets have long struggled and this season it feels like they are starting to get things clicking.

Whichever team wins this game feels like they can put themselves into a great position to host a playoff game.

My Prediction: I saw Chelsea play Spain Park last week. The Jaguars are an elite team, but Chelsea's offense really struggled to pass the ball at all. If Helena stops the run, I think they can wear down an excellent Chelsea defense. Give me the Huskies in a low scoring game.

Prediction:  Helena 21 Chelsea 7

Locust Fork (8-3) at  Walter Wellborn (5-4)  at The Hill Locust Fork   Walter Wellborn 8-3 (6-2)  Record 5-4 (4-4) 3A-R6  Class/Region 3A-R6 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 37.2  Power Rating 47.4 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Walter Wellborn as a 12 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Locust Fork Hornets defeated Walter Wellborn by a score of 37-36 in week 9 on the road in overtime on Fri., Oct. 18 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Walter Wellborn and Locust Fork have met 2 times on the field.... The teams have both won 1 game.

Comments:    The Walter Wellborn Panthers have quietly been putting together back to back really good seasons.

No one really talks about them, Coach Smith just has those guys ready to play football every week.

Locust Fork and Billy Adams have struggled since losing star QB Dino Embry, and it makes sense he was an all state level player. The Hornets have struggled, and the Panthers lost to Ohatchee last week which was also surprising. I think this will be an interesting contest.

My Prediction: I think Walter Wellborn rebounds well, while Locust Fork looks to find a way back on track this season.

Prediction:  Walter Wellborn 28 Locust Fork 13

Orange Beach (5-5) at  Mobile Christian (3-7)  at Harrison Field Orange Beach   Mobile Christian 5-5 (3-3)  Record 3-7 (3-3) 4A-R1  Class/Region 4A-R1 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 54.5  Power Rating 51.7 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Orange Beach as a 1 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Mobile Christian Leopards defeated Orange Beach by a score of 35-21 in week 9 on the road in overtime on Fri., Oct. 18 during the 2024 football season. Series:   Mobile Christian and Orange Beach have met 2 times on the field.... Mobile Christian holds a 2-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    A tale of two tapes between these two teams this year. one was expected to continue it's success at the top of it's level, the other was expected to be a basement dweller in the classification.

The script has been flipped on both, the Makos making noise, and the Leopards stumbling through the season. Orange Beach has really made strides and looks to make the playoffs this season which is really impressive considering they won one game last year.

Mobile Christian is looking at traveling in the first round for the first time in a long time, but no one said being in 4A was going to be easy. The Leopards are likely looking at traveling to either Tallassee or Saint James, which would be fun considering the Leopards and the Trojans have seen each other in the past two playoffs in class 3A with both games being in Mobile.

My Prediction: I think the Makos are the better team and Coach Waldrop has done a great job and gets the win. Give me the Makos by a touchdown.

Prediction:  Orange Beach 21 Mobile Christian 14