Computers had this exactly right if you discount the overtime. They can only predict dead even at the end of the 4th quarter, which this game was. But nobody could have thought it would have went down like it did. Guntersville led 21-7 with the ball and maybe 3 minutes left. Some of the Priceville fans had already left. Guntersville was starting to celebrate.
And then things drastically changed. Guntersville fumbles in the red zone. Priceville marches down the field and scores with a minute left. 2-point is no good. Guntersville leads 21-13. Priceville tries and onside kick and converts. 57 seconds left. Drive starts off rocky as they take a sack for a loss and have to convert a 4th and 1 with the clock running. Then they hit a deep pass for a touchdown. 21-19. This time the Bulldogs convert the 2-point try. Tie game with 5 seconds left.
In overtime Guntersville's offense is stuffed and they miss a field goal. Priceville moves the ball to the 2 but a holding call knocks them back. They pick a few yards back up on 3rd down and call on their kicker who gives them the win and the advancement to the second round. 24-21 Priceville.
On the start of the play of the Guntersville fumble I might have given Priceville a 2% chance to win the game. If even that much. All I asked for as a neutral fan was to get a good game and I got more than that. Seth Parker has got to be a nominee for 5A coach of the year for the turnaround he's had with this program.
I was actually watching that game and thought Guntersville had it in the bag. But not so fast. Great game and a great comeback by Priceville. The Power Ratings did their job on this one.
Admittedly I left my seat on Guntersville's final regulation drive. Stopped by the end zone near the gate thinking they'd score again. But then the fumble happened. Glad I stayed.
Bet some of the Bulldog fans who beat the traffic thought they were being ribbed when they got back home and checked their texts and social media.
Another prime example of it isn?t over till it is over. Awesome stuff from Priceville. I?m sure this is just the beginning to the absolute chaos we will witness in the playoffs this year and I am all for it!
Seth Parker's mother and my mother were really good friends back in high school at Hamilton, so I do have a bit of a soft spot for him and the job he has done this year is amazing. Still, I figured Guntersville had it when I looked down and saw 21-7 Guntersville late. Shows what I know.
I mentioned this the other day, but this Priceville win marks the first time a non-number one seed from Russellville's region (whether it be the Jasper/Hamilton/Corner/Dora/West Point/Lawrence County group from 2019-20 or the more recent Fairview/West Point/East Limestone/Priceville/Brewer/Ardmore/Lawrence County group) has won a first-round playoff game since 2017.
Between that and Russellville-Boaz, you could make a very compelling argument that the game of the night in Alabama for both Thursday and Friday were the 2-3 matchups between 5A Region 7 and 5A Region 8.
Priceville vs. Guntersville
Posted - 11/06/2025 : 22:25:22
1526 Posts
