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kodyaufan2
AHSFHS Moderator
287 Posts |
 Posted - 11/15/2022 : 11:20:39
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I'm going to do things a little different this week. I'm still going to give some commentary for each Game of the Week, but we're down to so few games that I'm going to give my picks for every game in every class.
7A: Thompson at Hoover
Well here we are, a year later, and still nothing has changed. Hoover and Thompson are still the class of 7A North, and they'll meet for the 6th straight year in the semifinals. Hoover won 9-0 four weeks ago, and neither team's defense has let up since then. Honestly, there's not much to write here. We've all come to expect this matchup for 12 months, and it's been scrutinized to death.
Picks: Hoover wins 13-7
Central-Phenix City wins 31-20
6A: Hartselle at Mountain Brook
I kind of called out the north Alabama teams a week ago for their lack of recent playoff success. Up to this point, they've answered the call. I'm a believer in Hartselle and Muscle Shoals now as contenders--but can either take the step from contender to favorite? A couple weeks ago I'd have said Hartselle had no shot against Mountain Brook, but I was very impressed by their ability to erase an early 14-0 deficit to Center Point. Over the last 44 minutes of the game, Hartselle outscored them 36-12. It'll be close at the half, but Mountain Brook will pull away in the second half.
Picks: Mountain Brook wins 30-17
Saraland wins 47-21
Theodore wins 20-7
Gardendale wins 40-30
5A: Leeds at Ramsay
I think the best game will be Faith at Gulf Shores, but I can probably provide a little more insight into Leeds since I've seen them play. Before we played them, I had heard that Leeds had returned to their power running game they were known for under Coach Etheridge, but I never really saw that. Most of their better runs came around the edge. The same goes for their passing game. They took a few deep shots, but most of the damage came from dinking and dunking the ball out in the flat and then out-athleting us. They won't be able to out-athlete Ramsay. The Rams will have playmakers all over the field, and Leeds isn't great at covering the deep ball. Leeds hasn't allowed more than 13 points in a game all year, but if the Ramsay passing attack is clicking, I think Leeds will struggle to stop them.
Picks: Ramsay wins 33-14
Faith Academy wins 20-14
UMS-Wright wins 35-9
Pleasant Grove wins 24-13
4A: Andalusia at Anniston
This is one matchup I know everyone was looking forward to before the regular season had even ended--The quarterfinal matchups between the Big 4 teams from 4A Regions 2 and 4. A big question for the entire second half of the season has been, how would Anniston match up with Montgomery Catholic? We get a better idea of that this week. There are a lot of similarities between these two teams stat-wise. I think key difference could be experience in close games. Andalusia hasn't really played any games that were close on into the second half. Anniston has played several, including last week against Booker T. Washington, when they were only up 22-20 in the 3rd quarter. If it's close late, I like Anniston's chances.
Picks: Anniston wins 34-26
Montgomery Catholic wins 42-26
Deshler wins 45-35
Cherokee County wins 47-21
3A: Geraldine at Sylvania
I'm glad to see this matchup in the quarterfinals, cause both of these teams have been flying under the radar for several years now. They spent the past two years in a region with Fyffe--although Geraldine ended Fyffe's national-leading win streak a year ago--and now they're both in a region with Piedmont. But both of these teams have been among the 10 best teams in 3A all year, and it's about time they got their due. Sylvania won their game in the regular season, but Geraldine, who has probably had the most difficult path to the quarterfinals of any team in any class, is playing their best ball right now. Both teams pulled off massive upsets over north Alabama private schools last week. THey're both very familiar with each other, having played over 60 times, but never in the playoffs. Somebody is going to break a decades-long semifinal drought.
Picks: Sylvania wins 30-15
St. James wins 27-13
Pike County wins 21-18
Piedmont wins 35-19
2A: Reeltown at B.B. Comer
B.B. Comer is out for redemption after losing a heart-breaker to eventual state champion Clarke County in the quarterfinals a year ago. This is where I thought the Tigers' season would come to an end, but after looking deeper into both teams, I think Comer has a shot to at least keep it close. Reeltown struggled to score on a Lanett team that Comer hung 45 on in the 1st round. B.B. Comer was really bad for a long time, so it's amazing to see how far they've come in just a few years. If they can keep putting themselves in these positions, they'll eventually win one, but I don't know that it'll be this year.
Picks: Reeltown wins 20-14
Highland Home wins 22-7
Fyffe wins 35-7
Aliceville wins 48-35
1A: Millry at Sweet Water
The up-and-comer against THE standard in 1A ball. The defending champs need just 1 more title to tie Hoover for most in state history at 12 (assuming the Bucs don't win another this year). But they'll face the team that I think is playing like the best in 1A right now. It seems like Millry has been able to beat almost everyone except Sweet Water the past several years--they haven't beaten the Bulldogs since 1990, their only win over them since 1964. Although it may have seemed like a down year for Sweet Water, they proved last week they are still the standard in 1A by beating title favorite Elba on the road. Millry has never made it to the semi-finals, but this is likely the best shot they've ever had at a title.
Picks: Millry wins 27-22
Leroy wins 34-31
Pickens County wins 47-20
Lynn wins 42-21 |
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GiglnTiger
AHSFHS Forum Superstar
427 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2022 : 08:44:00
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quote:
Originally posted by kodyaufan2
I'm going to do things a little different this week. I'm still going to give some commentary for each Game of the Week, but we're down to so few games that I'm going to give my picks for every game in every class.
4A: Andalusia at Anniston
This is one matchup I know everyone was looking forward to before the regular season had even ended--The quarterfinal matchups between the Big 4 teams from 4A Regions 2 and 4. A big question for the entire second half of the season has been, how would Anniston match up with Montgomery Catholic? We get a better idea of that this week. There are a lot of similarities between these two teams stat-wise. I think key difference could be experience in close games. Andalusia hasn't really played any games that were close on into the second half. Anniston has played several, including last week against Booker T. Washington, when they were only up 22-20 in the 3rd quarter. If it's close late, I like Anniston's chances.
Picks: Anniston wins 34-26
Montgomery Catholic wins 42-26
Deshler wins 45-35
Cherokee County wins 47-21
I was informed this morning that Jacksonville was in the red zone 7 times against CM. They had the opportunities offensively to make something happen. Handley boosts a better offense and stouter defense.
If that was the case, I?m feeling more confident in Handley winning. Don?t let the TRM Handley score throw you off. Handley had a few touchdowns from break out plays called back from penalties that was actually not a penalty at all.
I took CM to win it all, but I?m liking Handley even more this week.
Jeremy Wortham
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Randolph County Tigers
2003 Class 2A State Champions
2017 Class 3A State Runner-Ups, 1998 Class 3A State Runner-Ups,
1984 Class 3A State Runner-Ups, 1979 Class 2A State Runner-Ups |
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kodyaufan2
AHSFHS Moderator
287 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2022 : 10:20:54
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quote:
Originally posted by GiglnTiger
quote:
Originally posted by kodyaufan2
I'm going to do things a little different this week. I'm still going to give some commentary for each Game of the Week, but we're down to so few games that I'm going to give my picks for every game in every class.
4A: Andalusia at Anniston
This is one matchup I know everyone was looking forward to before the regular season had even ended--The quarterfinal matchups between the Big 4 teams from 4A Regions 2 and 4. A big question for the entire second half of the season has been, how would Anniston match up with Montgomery Catholic? We get a better idea of that this week. There are a lot of similarities between these two teams stat-wise. I think key difference could be experience in close games. Andalusia hasn't really played any games that were close on into the second half. Anniston has played several, including last week against Booker T. Washington, when they were only up 22-20 in the 3rd quarter. If it's close late, I like Anniston's chances.
Picks: Anniston wins 34-26
Montgomery Catholic wins 42-26
Deshler wins 45-35
Cherokee County wins 47-21
I was informed this morning that Jacksonville was in the red zone 7 times against CM. They had the opportunities offensively to make something happen. Handley boosts a better offense and stouter defense.
If that was the case, I?m feeling more confident in Handley winning. Don?t let the TRM Handley score throw you off. Handley had a few touchdowns from break out plays called back from penalties that was actually not a penalty at all.
I took CM to win it all, but I?m liking Handley even more this week.
Jeremy Wortham
_____________
Randolph County Tigers
2003 Class 2A State Champions
2017 Class 3A State Runner-Ups, 1998 Class 3A State Runner-Ups,
1984 Class 3A State Runner-Ups, 1979 Class 2A State Runner-Ups
Very interesting. I definitely think Catholic's defense was never challenged in the regular season, but I'd expect they're gonna at least score 30 on anyone they play. To beat them, you're gonna have to win a shootout. Handley did that early in the year against Jacksonville. The 32-7 loss to Anniston is what concerns, although now I think I remember hearing that Handley's RB, who is the best player on the team, was out that game. If that was the case, and he plays this week, then they have a great chance of being able to match Catholic's offense. |
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GiglnTiger
AHSFHS Forum Superstar
427 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2022 : 10:28:19
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quote:
Originally posted by kodyaufan2
quote:
Originally posted by GiglnTiger
quote:
Originally posted by kodyaufan2
I'm going to do things a little different this week. I'm still going to give some commentary for each Game of the Week, but we're down to so few games that I'm going to give my picks for every game in every class.
4A: Andalusia at Anniston
This is one matchup I know everyone was looking forward to before the regular season had even ended--The quarterfinal matchups between the Big 4 teams from 4A Regions 2 and 4. A big question for the entire second half of the season has been, how would Anniston match up with Montgomery Catholic? We get a better idea of that this week. There are a lot of similarities between these two teams stat-wise. I think key difference could be experience in close games. Andalusia hasn't really played any games that were close on into the second half. Anniston has played several, including last week against Booker T. Washington, when they were only up 22-20 in the 3rd quarter. If it's close late, I like Anniston's chances.
Picks: Anniston wins 34-26
Montgomery Catholic wins 42-26
Deshler wins 45-35
Cherokee County wins 47-21
I was informed this morning that Jacksonville was in the red zone 7 times against CM. They had the opportunities offensively to make something happen. Handley boosts a better offense and stouter defense.
If that was the case, I?m feeling more confident in Handley winning. Don?t let the TRM Handley score throw you off. Handley had a few touchdowns from break out plays called back from penalties that was actually not a penalty at all.
I took CM to win it all, but I?m liking Handley even more this week.
Jeremy Wortham
_____________
Randolph County Tigers
2003 Class 2A State Champions
2017 Class 3A State Runner-Ups, 1998 Class 3A State Runner-Ups,
1984 Class 3A State Runner-Ups, 1979 Class 2A State Runner-Ups
Very interesting. I definitely think Catholic's defense was never challenged in the regular season, but I'd expect they're gonna at least score 30 on anyone they play. To beat them, you're gonna have to win a shootout. Handley did that early in the year against Jacksonville. The 32-7 loss to Anniston is what concerns, although now I think I remember hearing that Handley's RB, who is the best player on the team, was out that game. If that was the case, and he plays this week, then they have a great chance of being able to match Catholic's offense.
That?s correct! Jay Haynes was out with a ankle injury for the Anniston game. He?s 100% healthy now.
Jeremy Wortham
_____________
Randolph County Tigers
2003 Class 2A State Champions
2017 Class 3A State Runner-Ups, 1998 Class 3A State Runner-Ups,
1984 Class 3A State Runner-Ups, 1979 Class 2A State Runner-Ups |
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kodyaufan2
AHSFHS Moderator
287 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2022 : 14:20:38
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quote:
Originally posted by GiglnTiger
quote:
Originally posted by kodyaufan2
quote:
Originally posted by GiglnTiger
quote:
Originally posted by kodyaufan2
I'm going to do things a little different this week. I'm still going to give some commentary for each Game of the Week, but we're down to so few games that I'm going to give my picks for every game in every class.
4A: Andalusia at Anniston
This is one matchup I know everyone was looking forward to before the regular season had even ended--The quarterfinal matchups between the Big 4 teams from 4A Regions 2 and 4. A big question for the entire second half of the season has been, how would Anniston match up with Montgomery Catholic? We get a better idea of that this week. There are a lot of similarities between these two teams stat-wise. I think key difference could be experience in close games. Andalusia hasn't really played any games that were close on into the second half. Anniston has played several, including last week against Booker T. Washington, when they were only up 22-20 in the 3rd quarter. If it's close late, I like Anniston's chances.
Picks: Anniston wins 34-26
Montgomery Catholic wins 42-26
Deshler wins 45-35
Cherokee County wins 47-21
I was informed this morning that Jacksonville was in the red zone 7 times against CM. They had the opportunities offensively to make something happen. Handley boosts a better offense and stouter defense.
If that was the case, I?m feeling more confident in Handley winning. Don?t let the TRM Handley score throw you off. Handley had a few touchdowns from break out plays called back from penalties that was actually not a penalty at all.
I took CM to win it all, but I?m liking Handley even more this week.
Jeremy Wortham
_____________
Randolph County Tigers
2003 Class 2A State Champions
2017 Class 3A State Runner-Ups, 1998 Class 3A State Runner-Ups,
1984 Class 3A State Runner-Ups, 1979 Class 2A State Runner-Ups
Very interesting. I definitely think Catholic's defense was never challenged in the regular season, but I'd expect they're gonna at least score 30 on anyone they play. To beat them, you're gonna have to win a shootout. Handley did that early in the year against Jacksonville. The 32-7 loss to Anniston is what concerns, although now I think I remember hearing that Handley's RB, who is the best player on the team, was out that game. If that was the case, and he plays this week, then they have a great chance of being able to match Catholic's offense.
That?s correct! Jay Haynes was out with a ankle injury for the Anniston game. He?s 100% healthy now.
Jeremy Wortham
_____________
Randolph County Tigers
2003 Class 2A State Champions
2017 Class 3A State Runner-Ups, 1998 Class 3A State Runner-Ups,
1984 Class 3A State Runner-Ups, 1979 Class 2A State Runner-Ups
In that case, I'd definitely call this a toss-up game. Just for the sake of continuity, I'll go Catholic to win 42-40. But it actually wouldn't surprise me if Handley dominates, though. Now I really want to see an Anniston-Handley rematch with both at full strength. |
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Quarterfinals Games of the Week
