Power Rankings: Week 4

Upsets and improved play bring several changes in the rankings.  Some move up while others fall in the poll.  Four weeks into the season- here is where the local teams stand. 

1. Muscle Shoals Trojans

 Trojans overpower another opponent.  This time 63-7.  With some other teams on the poll looking vulnerable the Muscle Shoals hold atop the power rankings is stronger than ever; however, they face their toughest test to date next week with Florence.  Braly Stadium will tell us how good these Trojans really are. 

2. Deshler Tigers

This team continues to improve each week.  The youth of this program is growing up and making bigger contributions.  The defense is playing better and the offense continues to find new weapons.  This team is looking better all the time.  They pass Florence in the Power Rankings and move to #2 and are now 4-0 on the season. 

3.  Florence Falcons

Two consecutive losses drop the Falcons for the first time this season to #3 in the polls.  The defense that has been their strength all season gave up 30 points to a Huntsville High School team that was without their starting RB.  Don't expect Coach Briggs to allow them to stay down.  Although it isn't a region game, the matchup with Muscle Shoals carries alot of bragging rights for the Shoals area. 

4. Brooks Lions

The Lions offense has looked impressive all season long.  The teams ability to finally stop the Central offense made the difference Friday night.  This team is fast.  They are explosive.  They have steadily climbed in the power rankings and with their latest win have moved ahead of Russellville.  Should be interesting game with Lauderdale County next week.

5. Russellville Golden Tigers

A tough battle that came up short.  East Limestone was able to beat the Tigers 37 - 28.  Russellville has been able to score plenty, just couldn't get the stops needed to remain unbeaten in the region.  Next week Russellville will host Walker and take a break from region play.  They will need to beat Muscle Shoals later or get some help in order to play at home in the payoffs now. 

6. Rogers Pirates
The Pirates won another game, but this week the opponent did actually score on them!  For the first time in three weeks they gave up points.  Take away the first quarter of the first game and this team might be undefeated.  Next week a much improved Lexington will pay a visit to Greenhill.

7. Lauderdale County
These guys just wear people down.  For the second consecutive week the tigers fall behind 14 points only to come back and win going away.  This week they were down until late third quarter.  At this point the depth of the Tigers took its toll on Elkmont and the yards began to roll up.  Next week they will travel to Brooks.

8. Red Bay

These guys are good.  They continue to win and are looking better each game.  Some of the teams they have beaten have gone on and won impressively since the Tigers beat them.  They are in total control of their region.  Could be a special year for Coach Jeffreys and the fans in Red Bay.

9. Sheffield

Since their week one defeat the Bulldogs have looked more and more impressive each game.  This week they make their debut into the power rankings.  They have a solid running game and have began to shut people down on defense.  Next week they will play a team that has fallen out of the polls in Colbert Heights.  That game will show which one truly belongs here.

10. Central Wildcats

Barely staying in the top ten the Wildcats took a tough loss to Brooks and Deshler in successive weeks.  Although most teams would have trouble beating either of those teams, they will want to get back on track against 6A Butler of Huntsville. 

Game Preview: Muscle Shoals vs Lawrence County

Northwest Alabama is known for great football tradition.  It is as highly competitive a region as any other, if not the most competitive area of the entire state.  The Trojans are the number one ranked offense in this area.  They can score a lot of points from a variety of ways.  They are also the number one ranked defense.  They have limited opponents to less than 5 points per game on average.  This week the Lawrence County Red Devils come to town.  This has very little chance of going good for the Devils.  Maybe the Trojans look ahead to next weeks game with Florence.  Maybe they have a host of injuries this week in practice.  Maybe the AHSAA penalties shake them up mentally.  Barring any of these distractions the Trojans will win.  If they remember to stay focused and...well...show up - they will move to 4-0 on the year.  Don't count on this coaching staff to allow any distractions or looking ahead.  Advantage - overwhelmingly...Muscle Shoals.

Game of the Week: Brooks at Central

There are often big games with a lot riding on them at the close of a season.   But this is week four - yet somehow this game has HUGE playoff implications.  Both of these teams won their opening game against a smaller school.  Both teams lost to Dehsler.  Finally, both teams won handily against their other regional opponent.  Now... barring a major upset, Deshler is in control and on pace to win Region 8.  That means they will stay at home for the first round of the playoffs.  The second place team plays at home as well, while the third place team will have to travel.  A lot can happen through the course of the season, but given the way these teams have played thusfar this year, Brooks and Central are battling Friday night for what could very easily be home field advantage in the playoffs.  The winner of this game will be in great shape for second place while the loser will fall to third.  Brooks moved the ball well in every game this season, while Central has done a good job on defense in every game.  The match Friday night is a toss-up.  The team with the big play or the fewest turnovers will probably come away the winner.  Dont be surprised to see this go to overtime or be decided on a last drive of the game.  Neither team has much of an edge over the other.  Both are balanced and solid in all areas.  Given the extra speed of the Lions, we give the ever so slight edge to them.  Should be a fantastic game.  Advantage - in a close one - Brooks. 

Trojans average nearly 50 points per game!

During the first three weeks of the 2011 High School football season, there has been no shortage of point production from several teams in the area.  The Muscle Shoals Trojans not only average 47.7 points per game, but they are 10 points ahead of Colbert Heights, who comes in second with 37.7 PPG.  Can they keep up this pace?  We will have to wait and see.  Here is how the top ten stacks up:



  Team                                      Average Points Per Game
  1.  Muscle Shoals                                     47.7
  2.  Colbert Heights                                    37.7
  3.  R.A. Hubbard                                       35.7
  4.  Brooks                                                 33
  5.  Deshler                                               32.3
  6.  Red Bay                                             28.7
  7.  Shoals Christian                                  27.3
  8.  Central                                                 27
  9.  Wilson                                                26.3
10.  Russellville                                          25.3

Offense sells tickets, but DEFENSE...

wins championships!  We will have to wait and see if this holds true this year, but so far after the third week, these 10 schools have a combined record of 22 - 8.

  Team Defense                                      Pts/gm

  1.  Muscle Shoals                                   4.3
  2.  Hatton                                                7
  3.  Florence                                            7.7
  4.  Rogers                                             10.6
  5.  Sheffield                                          11.3
  6.  Deshler                                            13.3
  7.  R.A. Hubbard                                    14.7
  8.  Red Bay                                           15
  9.  Lauderdale County                             17.7
10.  Central                                              18.7

Passing Leaders

Most High School teams run more than they throw.  These schools have the most success at throwing the ball.  Through three games these are the teams that have throw for the most yardage per game and also the teams that have completed the highest percentage of their passes.

Team                              Yards per Game

1.  Colbert Heights                    241
2.  Brooks                                151
3.  Russellville                         125
4.  RA Hubbard                        115
5.  Sheffield                             112

Team                             Pass Completion %

1.  Colbert Heights                     62%
2.  Brooks                                 61%
3.  Russellville                           59%
4.  RA Hubbard                         58.3%
5.  Florence                               58%

Top 5 Rushing Teams: Offense & Defense

These are the Teams that are moving the ball on the ground
3 weeks into the 2011 season:

     Team                                        Avg Yds/ Gm
1.  Muscle Shoals                                  355
2.  Lauderdale County                             323
3.  Deshler                                             312
4.  R.A. Hubbard                                    282
5.  Sheffield                                           250

These are the Teams that are allowing the fewest rushing yards per game so far in 2011:

     Team                                        Avg Yds/Gm
1.  Red Bay                                          100
2.  Florence                                          107
3.  Lauderdale County                            111
4.  Muscle Shoals                                 114
5.  R.A. Hubbard                                   138

Players of the Week - Week 3

 This week had many players that made major contributions to their team.  It was difficult to single out anyone considering the number of outstanding performers.  43 yd field goals, long TD runs, special team TD's, and big rushing numbers.  In the end - it came down to those who played big when it seemed to matter the most.  Good games, good competition, and excellent performances.  Eveyone listed, whether it was the top three or honorable mention, had outstanding games this week.  Congratulations to all!

GOLD - Alex Woodard (Rogers) - Scored three TD's and made 3 interceptions including a late pick as Pirates win 29 - 0.  Alex contributed on both offense as well as defense in a tough region game.

SILVER -  Tyler Boyd (Russellville) - Great game against a good team in a close game - 101 yards rushing including the go ahead TD in a hard fought 17-14 win
BRONZE - LCHS Offensive Line - After falling down 14 - 0 the offense absolutely HAD to find a way to produce.  This line opened holes and made sure that anyone who ran the ball could get yardage.  500 yards of total offense with 471 on the ground in a 41 - 14 win. 

Honorable Mention
Dillon Gist (Muscle Shoals) - Trojan Fullback carries 8 times for 138 yds and 1 TD in 53 - 0 win
Devan Sullivan (Muscle Shoals) - Sophomore carries 13 times for 125 yds and 3 TD's in a win at Columbia
Florence Falcon Defense - Limited the high powered Bob Jones offense to 10 points and 185 total yards in a 10-7 loss
Deshler Tiger Defense - shutout a Central offense that came in averaging 40 ppg
Matt Senkbeil (Red Bay) - 91 yards on 9 carries and 2 TD's as Tigers defeat Colbert Heights 35 - 28.
Will Minor (Deshler) - 135 yards and 2 TD's on 14 carries as Deshler shuts out Central
Cole Claunch (Colbert Heights) - 8 of 21 passing for 183 yards and 4 touchdowns in a loss
Dallas Mitchell (Brooks) - 65 yd touchdown run to open the game against Ardmore
Jose Betencourt (Russellville) - kicker connected on a 43 yd FG as Tigers win by 3
Charles Jackson (Sheffield) - 138 yards on 10 carries and a TD as Bulldogs win 21-7
Matthew Boutwell (Sheffield) - 105 yards rushing on only 4 carries in a win
Jake Newton (LCHS) - 166 yards on 19 carries and 2 TD's in a win
Tyler Grigsby (Rogers) - 7 of 14 passing for 103 yards and 3 TD's as Rogers win on the road
Alex Woodard (Rogers) - Scored two TD's and an Interception as Pirates win 29 - 0
Andrew Davis (Lexington) - 31 carries and 104 yards as Lexington beats Sulligent 20-13
Jesse Naylor (Hatton) - Scored twice and ran 178 yards on 11 carries as Hatton wins
Jamie Dorroh (Phil Campbell) - 95 yd kickoff return for TD and an 85 yd TD run as Bobcats lose
Rogers Defense - 2nd straight shutout
Kendrick Doss (Florence) - 15 of 26 passing for 108 yards in a lose to Bob Jones