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TheMUBM
AHSFHS Moderator
704 Posts |
 Posted - 11/01/2021 : 21:09:50
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To be clear, when I say "Shoals Area" there are some teams that aren't considered "the Shoals" that I cover. I use our local paper here as the basis of the teams I use.
7A
Florence @ Thompson
I maintain that, on paper, Florence is the most talented team in 7A R4. For whatever reason they have never really put it together. With Wade Waldrep there I am more confident than I have been in a long time. They are very inconsistent and from what I heard the starting QB was knocked out of last weeks game against Gardendale and likely done. The Florence backup is pretty athletic but pretty much nullifies their passing game. Being 1-dimensional against Thompson is like playing Russian Roullette with a loaded gun. I know Thompson also has issues at QB, but they are so talented that I can't see that affecting them too much this week.
Prediction: Thompson 56 Florence 10
6A
Pinson Valley @ Muscle Shoals
Let me be clear, I haven't been more wrong about a team in the preseason than I was about Muscle Shoals. I thought they'd take a huge step back and here they are, second in the region with 1 loss to a fantastic Hartselle team. However, they have a very tough draw in the first round. We all know the recent history of Pinson Valley. Sure they've lost a lot of athletes over the last few years but they are still a very strong team and one of the most solid 3 seeds around. Look for the mild upset here.
Prediction: Pinson Valley 24 Muscle Shoals 17
5A
Lincoln @ Russellville
Let's be real, Russellville won a region that was decided before the first snap of the year. That is not to downgrade Russellville's accomplishments but it was never in doubt. They were head and shoulders above their region compatriots. I have always viewed John Ritter much like I did Bob Godsey at Brooks, if you have talent and resources but need the right coach? Back that Brinks truck up to Russellville and get this guy. That being said, this year I think they are paper tigers. Sure they can knock of a good Lincoln team, but how high is their ceiling? Ousted in the second round IMO. But for now..
Prediction: Russellville 35 Lincoln 21
4A
Dora @ Brooks
Everyone here knows I type with black and orange colored glasses. But let's be real, Brooks hasn't gotten out of the first round in a handful of years. This year could be the year. Sure I have said they haven't played a complete game this year, and I have said they are a bit undisciplined (they are), but they have tons of talent. Two things I like is that they have played a few mud games where their passing game was hampered massively but they still found a way to win and they've played some tight games down the stretch where they found a way to win. Dora is a very solid 4 seed, but if Brooks plays their game they should win going away. I can't see many 4A teams having an answer for Wood at receiver.
Prediction: Brooks 38 Dora 16
Central Florence @ Good Hope
Central started off redhot, upsetting defending region champs West Limestone (I called that, look back at this board!), but cooled off quick with 3 straight losses before defeating Deshler to end the season. Central has a litany of good running backs and the Palmer kid at QB is a legit weapon. I, admittedly, don't know a ton about Good Hope, but they lost to a tough team in our region (West Morgan) that didn't make the playoffs, and I still don't know how they beat Etowah. If you follow that area and can provide some insight, I'm all ears. I look for this to be a low-scoring game with Central grounding and pounding and outlasting Good Hope in what most would call a mild upset.
Prediction: Central Florence 16 Good Hope 7
Rogers @ Oneonta
Rogers started off on a bad foot, but righted the ship (no pun intended Pirates). First year coach Daniel Garrett with his bravado and his hometown charm has Greenhill believing for the first time in a handful of years. However, Oneonta definitely has the talent edge here and is going to be a tough out in any round. I know they lost big to Etowah but Etowah was my preseason pick to represent the North. Oneonta is legit. Rogers has to hope to slow the game down and have some breaks go their way.
Prediction: Oneonta 52 Rogers 21
3A
Vinemont @ Lauderdale County
Lauderdale County remains one of the most disciplined teams I have seen in years in high school football. They are never out of place on defense and execute their offense perfectly. In fact, I'd make the argument that for 85% of the game last week that they outplayed Brooks. If you don't like getting hit, don't play this team. I don't know if they have the explosiveness to go too far in the playoffs but Vinemont won't have a chance.
Prediction: Lauderdale County 49 Vinemont 7
JB Pennington @ Phil Campbell
Phil Campbell is another physical team that I wouldn't want to see. They may not be the most talented per se but you'll know that you played them at the end of the night. THey've lost 3 games this year by a combined total points of 15 points (including 7 to LCHS). The scary thing about Phil Campbell is that they are starting to believe. They are also accustomed to being in close games. Pennington will be a good challenge for them. Expect this to come down to the wire.
Prediction: Phil Campbel 14 Pennington 13
Colbert Heights @ Oakman
I have maintained my affinity for Taylor Leathers as the coach of Colbert Heights. I rarely remember Colbert Heights being relevant until he showed up there to coach. This year has been odd, Colbert Heights always plays well when I think they will play bad and vice versa. Oakman though has only lost two games, and one was to 4A Gordo with Oregon commit Tanner Bailey at Qb and they still didn't get blown out. Colbert Heights run ends here.
Prediction: Oakman 40 Colbert Heights 19
Clements @ Winfield
Clements, when their offense is clicking, can score in bunches. It is going to take bunches upon bunches to hang with this Winfield team. I have made no secret of my admiration for this Winfield team this year and this is just the first step to a State Title appearance.
Prediction: Winfield 64 Clements 18
2A
Sand Rock @ Mars Hill
I know we have all seen the vulnerabilities of Mars Hill this year, but with Hanson and Thompson, this team can still score at the drop of a hat. Everyone short-selling their stock on this team may want to hold on for a little while longer. I maintain Hanson is the best QB in this area and I believe he is just a sophomore (starting since 8th grade). Sand Rock is a very good 4 seed who pushed Spring Garden to the brink, but being that Mars Hill is a Christian private school...not today Satan...not today.
Prediction: Mars Hill 56 Sand Rock 28
Southeastern @ Lexington
I have been all-in on the Lexington bandwagon this year. It is awesome to see a team that has struggled for so many years be a real player. As someone who grew up in this area, like clockwork, every 6 or 7 years Lexington puts out a product that no one expects and they push the best teams in the area and beyond to the brink. I think that is this team. Southeastern's record is a little deceiving because they had to forfeit two wins. That being said, they are a relatively new program who lost to the top two teams in their region by a combined 86 points. Lexington's physical style isn't something that a lot of teams want to see. Unfortunately for Southeastern, they are going to see it.
Prediction: Lexington 28 Southeastern 7
Colbert County @ Cleveland
Colbert County, as always, has talent but they haven't put it all together this year and I don't see why that would change this week. I have watched many of their games and they keep running sweeps instead of using that huge offensive line to pound the ball down the field. Couple that with the fact that Cleveland hasn't lost on the field in their region (Spring Grden forfeit) and I just can't see Colbert County winning this. We all like to point to CCHS against Mars Hill as a marker of how good they could be, but keep in mind Mars Hill had over 500 yards of offense against them but made many mistakes. CCHS only chance here is to force Cleveland into the same type of mistakes.
Prediction: Cleveland 44 Colbert County 12
Hatton @ Spring Garden
Hatton has a huge offensive and defensive line that can cause problems for anyone. Unfortunately they lack the skill players to take them to the next level. Spring Garden has only lost 1 region game on the field to Cleveland, which was reversed due to a forfeit. But I think this is the year they come out of the North and avenge that loss to Cleveland. Regardless, this game shouldn't be competitive.
Prediction: Spring Garden 42 Hatton 8
1A
Meek @ RA Hubbard
Hubbard always has talent and can always be dangerous, but they haven't been the same since the consolidation with Hazelwood when a lot of Hazelwoods top stars showed up at Muscle Shoals (*wink*). They are slowly improving and hung with Decatur Heritage earlier this year for awhile. They are still a step or two away from really competing in 1A. Meek has been really solid this year, only getting blown out by a really good Hubbertville team and even stepping up a class to take on a tough Winston County team. I know Winston County didn't make the playoffs but if you have ever seen them play, you know it isn't a joy ride. This game will be close but in the end the strength of 1A R8 is exposed.
Prediction: Meek 26 RA Hubbard 21
Hackleburg @ Hubbertville
This game has already been played this year with Hubbertville winning big at Hackleburg by 27. Hackleburg has a proud program. I still remember the days of Donny Gosa as their bruising running back but they have been down a few years and still aren't ready to compete with the 1A North quality teams, but I think they will play better than the first meeting.
Prediction: Hubbertville 33 Hackleburg 12
Phillps @ Pickens County
Much respect to Phillips for making the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Your reward. Pickens County. As much as I am rooting for Phillips, Pickens County could name the score. Pickens County will get out to a huge lead and hopefully call the dogs off.
Prediction: Pickens County 66 Phillips 15
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Edited by - TheMUBM on 11/01/2021 21:29:54 |
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Shoals Area Playoff Games - 1st Round
