|
kodyaufan2
AHSFHS Moderator
273 Posts |
 Posted - 11/26/2021 : 08:12:19
|
Since we only have 12 games this week, I'm going to go ahead and make picks for all of them.
6A:
Hillcrest Tuscaloosa at Hueytown
Not many people would have predicted Hillcrest to make it this far, but even so, this is a game they can win. They nearly beat Hueytown in the regular season, and were the only team to hold them to under 40 points. Neither school has ever made it to a state championship game.
Pick: Hueytown wins 41-35
Clay-Chalkville at Mountain Brook
One of the state's best offenses against one of the top defenses. Mountain Brook ended Clay's season a year ago in the quarterfinals, so they'll be looking to avenge that loss. The winner will likely be the favorite in the state championship game next week.
Pick: Clay-Chalkville wins 27-22
5A:
Andalusia at Pike Road
Pike Road is making their first semifinal appearance as a relatively new program. Andalusia, fresh off the huge upset of UMS-Wright, gave Pike Road their toughest game of the year so far, taking a 14-7 lead into the 4th quarter in their regular season matchup.
Pick: Pike Road wins 42-28
Fairview at Pleasant Grove
Fairview is having their best season in school history, making their first trip to the semifinals, but now they have to face the team that has been the favorite all year in 5A. Pleasant Grove has been so close so many times. Is this finally the year they win it all?
Pick: Pleasant Grove wins 31-20
4A:
Jackson at Vigor
These teams have split their 8 all-time meetings, with Vigor winning 39-13 earlier this season, but this is the first time they've met in the playoffs. Jackson has been playing really well lately, but this one may be too much for them.
Pick: Vigor wins 36-14
Oneonta at Madison Academy
These are two proud programs with long histories of winning championships. They also happen to be two of the hottest teams in the state, with each team's loss coming early in the season. They have one common opponent, Good Hope, who Oneonta blew out while Madison Academy struggled with them last week. This is one of the most interesting matchups of the week in my opinion.
Pick: Madison Academy wins 24-21
3A:
Montgomery Academy at Montgomery Catholic
For the second year in a row, these two rivals matchup in the semifinals. A year ago, Catholic avenged a regular season loss by advancing to the state championship game. This year it's Montgomery Academy who finds themselves in that position, but they'll face an uphill battle after losing 42-0 in the regular season.
Pick: Montgomery Catholic wins 35-7
Piedmont at Saks
Saks has to be seen as the underdog here despite winning their region, because they lost to Piedmont 28-12 in the regular season. Piedmont knocked them out of the playoffs in the quarterfinals a year ago. This could be a program-defining game for Saks.
Pick: Piedmont wins 28-26
2A:
Highland Home at Clarke County
What a turnaround this has been for Highland Home after starting the season 2-5. This could be the classic case of a team with a lot of potential getting hot at the right time and making a run to a championship. There are two interesting things about this game to me. The first is that both teams have been tested throughout the season. They've both played multiple one-score games. But the most interesting thing is that neither school has ever made it to the state championship game.
Pick: Clarke County wins 27-14
Mars Hill at Cleveland
This is my game of the week across all classes. I picked Cleveland to make it to Birmingham at the start of the playoffs, so this is no surprise. They were the only team to beat Spring Garden on the field in the regular season, but had to forfeit that win. Mars Hill had looked vulnerable all year, but went out and dominated Spring Garden last week, so they have likely reclaimed their spots as the favorites.
Pick: Cleveland wins 40-34
1A:
Sweet Water at Brantley
Two of the most storied programs in the state face off this week for their 9th playoff matchup all-time. As surprising as this is, Brantley has only ever beaten Sweet Water once. This is also the only matchup this week between two unbeaten teams.
Pick: Sweet Water wins 34-26
Wadley at Pickens County
This is familiar territory for Pickens County, making their 6th straight semifinal appearance. Wadley, despite 6 previous semifinal appearances, has never been able to get over the hump and reach the state championship game. They had two common opponents in Winterboro and Hubbertville, with both teams winning by almost the exact same margins. This should be a good one.
Pick: Pickens County wins 38-32 |
|
Semifinal Picks
