Power Rankings: Week 8

Each week brings new upsetrs and shake - ups in the polls.  As the regular season winds down in the next 2 weeks - this is where the teams fall for Week 8.

1. Muscle Shoals Trojans

What was a fore gone conclusion by most weeks ago is now official.  The Trojans are the Region 8 Champions!  They earned it in concincing fashion with a huge win over J.O. Johnson.  The next weeks will allow fine tuning, an attempt to stay healthy, and prepare for the Playoffs.  Oh....and a rival game with Deshler in Week 10! 

2. Deshler Tigers

Just another day at work for Mothershed and the Tigers.  Deshler remains one of only 2 local undefeated teams.  They win another Region title.  The real question for Deshler is how far can they go in the playoffs?  They expect to win region titles - they want so much more. 

3. Florence Falcons
Coach Briggs said the playoffs have already begun for the Falcons.  Each win is a must.  They responded with an inspired performance in defeating Grissom 48 - 27 without senior safety Kivon Coman.  He will be back for the all-important game with Hazel Green.  Backs against the wall sometimes bring out the best.

4. Lauderdale County Tigers

As if a 54-0 win isn't impressive enough, the win last week over Sheffield becomes more impressive as the tiebreakers are now possibly in play.  LCHS learned from the defeat to Rogers and have not even had a close game since then.  They are playing unbelievable football right now.

5. Red Bay Tigers

Undefeated.  These Tigers along with Deshler remain the only local schools yet to taste defeat.  Don't look for Red Bay to do so for snytime soon.  They are solid offensively and defensively.  They are looking to try to be the most successful team in Red Bays history, and are on track to do so. This week will be at Cherokee.
6. Brooks Lions

The Lions wrap up home field in the first round of the playoffs in an impressive 48-18 win over West Limestone.  Talk about halftime adjustments!.  Going in down by 4 at the half the Lions outplayed the Wildcats to the tune of 34 - o for the second half.  Playing at home could make all the difference not to mention playing a 3rd place team from Region 5 as opposed to a winner or runner-up.

  7. Rogers Pirates

Although they lost a heartbreaker to the Bulldogs 17-6 the Pirates are still a very good team.  It is a shame one of these three (LCHS, Sheffield, Rogers) will be a #3 seed.  Sometimes a loss makes you better.  Look for the Pirates to respond well and bounce back even better.

8. Sheffield Bulldogs
To any Bulldog fan being ranked behind a team they just beat doesn't make sense.  The fact is - one of the three 3A teams has to be.  LCHS is ahead of Rogers although they lost to the Pirates.  Fact is - the Bulldogs are very good and responded in championship style after a loss.  They regrouped and resolved to be better.  Playoffs await all three.

9. Russellville Golden Tigers

The Tigers beat an athletic Lee of Huntsville team 24-7.  The offense has normally put points on the board.  This week the defense played well also.  The goals are not the same as usual in Russellville this year but with young players the future looks good.

10. Central Wildcats

Another key win for the Wildcats.  Beating rival Wilson 48-24 is fun.  Being in the playoffs is rewarding.  New coach, some new faces, but the same results as last year.  This team is tough to stop and seems to be able to win the close games as well.  Not a team that anyone wants to host for the playoffs.  Next week the Wildcats travel to Ardmore.

Bulldogs Shock the Pirates!

Click below for all the pics from the game...

https://picasaweb.google.com/108775974845844070883/RogersAtSheffield?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Florence Homecoming!

Click below for all the pics from the game...

https://picasaweb.google.com/108775974845844070883/GrissomAtFlorence?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Region Champs!

Click below for all the pics from the game...

https://picasaweb.google.com/108775974845844070883/JOJohnsonAtMuscleShoals?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Game Preview: Florence vs Grissom

Grissom is 1-6 on the season.  The Falcons are 4-3.  The Falcons have their backs against the wall in terms of playoff aspirations.  If they want in they have to win.  This Florence team has played great at times (Vestavia, Bob Jones, Muscle Shoals) and has also had some outings that seemed less than inspired.  Surely the Falcons will play with a sense of urgency and take care of business against Grissom.  Kendrick Doss, JJ Green, and Beniquez Brown have led the offense a long way from those first few games.  If the defense plays like it did early in the season then this might not even be close.  Braly stadium seems to bring out the best in the Falcons - Advantage - Florence.

Game Preview: Muscle Shoals vs J.O. Johnson

Trojan fans have had plenty to cheer this season!

The Trojans can score quickly with speed, or they can grind it out 4 or 5 yards at a time with long sustained drives.  Either way - teams have found them extremely difficult to stop or even slow them down.  Even Florence depended on turnovers more than actually stopping drives.  The Jaguars will have to score quite a few points to win.  Too bad for Johnson - the Trojans don't let teams score! They have allowed the 4th fewest points in the state of Alabama.  Not just 5A, the region, or locally.  Of all 400 someodd schools they rank 4th.  After a week or two one could argue competition or a small sample of games - but at this point the season is 3/4 over.  Last year this game ended 50-6 in favor of the Trojans.  JO Johnson is better this year - too bad for them the Trojans are too....and this time the game will be played in Muscle Shoals.  Advantage - a huge one - Muscle Shoals

Top Individual Rushers!

Will Minor of Deshler at nearly 150 per night!

Being able to effectively run the ball is a staple of almost any good high school football team.  Yes, there are exceptions, but for the most part, a good rushing game indicates several things.  Probably controlling the ball.  Time of possession.  It also indicates control of the line of scrimmage.  No matter who is in the backfield there must be a good line.  Therefore, when individual rushers are given credit - it should in essence be a credit to the entire offense.  The lineman block, the receivers block, everyone has a job.  These are the individuals that night in and night out have been the most effective.  These are the top rushers per game through seven games this season.

LCHS's Jackson and Grisham in the Top 5

Player                   School                Yds / Game  
1. Will Minor            Deshler                   147.9
2. Austin Kerr          Rogers                      129.5
3. CJ Jackson           LCHS                       122.7
4. Chandler Russ       Shoals Christian      120.9
5. Samuel Grisham    LCHS                     112.3
6. Beniquez Brown    Florence                 106.4
7. Daniel Hayes         Central                    94.1
8. Charles Jackson     Sheffield                 91.7
9. Dillon Gist              Muscle Shoals        87.9
10. Tyler Boyd           Russellville              85.3

Game Preview: Rogers vs Sheffield

Expect the Bulldogs to be determined to make a better showing than last week.  Losing like they did to a team that Rogers beat handily COULD make for an over-confident Pirate squad.  Don't count on it.  This Rogers team is Senior-heavy - which means leadership and experience.  Look for them to be anxious to seal the Region Title, home field advantage in Round 1 and host a #4 seed.  All should motivate the Pirates to play well.  The Bulldogs have their backs against the wall.  A win could force a 3-way tie for first.  Sometimes a loss motivates a team to play better. (See Rogers after Brooks=undefeated...see LCHS after Rogers=totally dominate).  Sheffield will be ready and will make things difficult on the Pirates.  In the end, the Rogers defense will not allow the Bulldogs to score enough to overcome the ability of Grigsby, Kerr & Company to put points up.  Advantage - Rogers.

Profile - Skylar Beck - Brooks Lions

Six Questions for Brooks QB Skylar Beck:
1) What has been the best part of Brooks football this year?
What we have accomplished together as a team in making this a great season. We have a close bunch of guys who have each other's backs on and off the field.

2) What is the toughest part of playing QB?
 I think the toughest part is the amount of pressure I feel at the beginning of a game. Knowing you're faced with a number of decisions, but the moment the ball is snapped I know I have to be the leader on the field and stay focused so we can achieve our goal.

3) What has been the key to your teams offensive success this year?
We have a lot of speed offensively. We have put together a game plan in the run game where we are able to hold our blocks longer and create holes for our backs to use their speed and quickness. The line does a good job giving me the time I need to find my receivers and make the throw.

4) What are some of your earliest memories of Brooks Football?
 The guys I started playing with at a young age who have become my best friends. We've played football together pretty much our whole lives. Through the years we have become brothers, and I know we can always count on each other.

5) Have you always played QB growing up
Yes, I have always played as a QB, since i was 5 years old.

6) Would you rather run for 40 or throw a perfect 40 yd TD?

I think I would rather throw a 40 yd TD because I think it's pretty awesome when I hook up with one of my receivers for a TD. I would rather see a QB throw a complete pass to a receiver and know that you can trust him to do his job. In the end, it doesn't really matter how we score as long as we do. Our team just basically continues to work hard, stay focused, and keep our mistakes to a minimum which I feel has been the success for our offense so far this season.

3A and 4A Region Standings

4A
Place   School   Overall    Region    Remaining Region Games
1        Deshler     7-0          5-0             Priceville, Wilson
2        Brooks      5-2          4-1             West Limestone, East Lawrence
3        Central      5-2          3-2             Wilson, Ardmore
3        W Limstn  4-3         3-2              Brooks, Priceville
5        Ardmore    3-4          2-3             East Lawrence, Central
6        E Lawrnc   1-6         1-4             Ardmore, Brooks
6        Priceville    2-5        1-4              Deshler, West Limestone
6        Wilson       1-6         1-4             Central, Deshler

Deshler would have to lose both remaining games not to win the region.  So count them in as a #1 seed.  Brooks can take second with a win over West as they hold the tie breaker edge over Central.  The Brooks/West Limestone game probably determines who gets to play at home in Round 1.  Deshler will probably host Corner, Haleyville, or Oak Grove, while whoever finishes fourth will travel most likely to Fayette County.  Currently the #2 and #3 seed would be playing Dora and Midfield.  With two weeks to play region games there is always the chance of upsets changing it all.

3A
Place   School      Overall   Region    Remaining Schedule
1       Rogers           6-1          5-0         Sheffield, Danville
2       Laud County  6-1          4-1         Danville, Colbert County
2       Sheffield         5-2          4-1         Rogers, West Morgan
4       Colbert Co     3-4          3-2        Elkmont, Laud. County
5       Elkmont         4-3           2-3        Colbert Co., Clements
6       West Morgan 2-5           1-4       Clements, Sheffield
6        Clements       1-6           1-4        West Morgan, Elkmont
8        Danville         1-6           0-5        Laud. County, Rogers

A win by Rogers this week over Sheffield would make for a simple 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.  If Sheffield were to win it will get very interesting.  Top two most likely host Cordova or Holly Pond while the 3rd and 4th would travel to Hamilton and Hanceville.

Region Standings and Remaining Games

Top 4 advance to the playoffs with the top 2 playing at home while places 3 and 4 travel.  1st place hosts Region 5 4th place, 2nd place in Region 8 hosts Region 5 third place, 3rd travels to Region 5 2nd ,while Region 8 4th travels to play the Region 5 winner. 

6A
Place     School    Overall   Region    Remaining Games
1        Bob Jones     7-0         5-0        Sparkman, Decatur
2        Decatur         4-3         4-1        Hazel Green, Bob Jones
3        Hazel Green  5-2         3-2        Decatur, Florence
3        Huntsville      4-3        3-2         Buckhorn Grissom
5        Florence        4-3         2-3        Grissom, Hazel Green
5        Buckhorn       3-4        2-3         Huntsville, Sparkman
7        Grissom          1-6       1-4          Florence, Huntsville
8        Sparkman       0-7        0-5         Bob Jones, Buckhorn

Florence sits currently in fifth but a win over Grissom and Hazel Green could end up having them in a tie with Hazel Green as far as record - but having won the head-to-head matchup the Falcons would be in as a #3 or #4 and be traveling to Hillcrest Tuscaloosa or Northridge.

5A
Place    School      Overall   Region        Remaining Games in Region
1       Muscle Shoals    6-1    5-0        JO Johnson, Lee-Huntsville
2       East Limestone   5-2    4-1        Lawrence County, Athens
3       Athens                 3-4    3-2        Columbia, East Limestone
4       JO Johnson          5-2    2-3        Muscle Shoals, Lawrence County
4       Russellville         2-5     2-3       Lee-Huntsville, Columbia
4       Lee-Huntsville     3-4    2-3       Russellville, Muscle Shoals
7       Lawrence County  3-4   1-4       East Limestone, JO Johnson
8       Columbia              2-5     0-5     Athens, Russellville

Muscle Shoals will mathmatically win with either a win or an East Limestone loss.  The Trojans will be favored heavily against both remaining opponents.  Russellville needs to beat Lee to gain the tiebreaker edge and then make sure to beat Columbia as well.  With JO Johnson playing Muscle Shoals you can almost count them another loss.  Golden Tigers will probably be in - but as a #4 seed traveling to a Region 5 winner.  Muscle Shoals probably hosts Shelby County or Pinson Valley while Russellville would travel to Briarwood Christian.  BUT - anything can change with major upsets.  These are most likely scenarios.

Power Rankings: Week 7

Polls are about NOW.  Who is the best NOW as well as who has proven themselves throughout the year.  As teams region positions take place several teams made big moves in the polls.

1. Muscle Shoals Trojans

Although the Falcons beat them in Florence, The Trojans seem to be getting better each week.  They are beating teams with a great running game and a lock-tight defense.  Regional title is 1 win away.  Hosting a playoff game in round 1 should be happening in week 11.  Life is good if you are a Muscle Shoals Trojan!

2. Deshler Tigers

7-0.  It seems no matter who comes to town - the Tigers find a way to step up to the challenge and win.  What started as a young team has gained experience now.  What was a team with questions about depth - has won handily on many occasions and allowed the 2nd team to get experience.  Week 10 against Muscle Shoals will be their biggest test. 

3.  Florence Falcons

The Falcons drop to 4-3 on the year.  They let a good opportunity to get into the playoffs pass by - now putting more pressure on them in the coming weeks to get into the postseason.  Yes - they beat Muscle Shoals - but some weeks this team looks unbelievably good - others, a little closer to slightly above average.  Need wins the next two weeks to be in.

4. Rogers Pirates

6 consecutive wins.  The Pirates defense has gained much of the attention - but Tyler Grigsby and Austin Kerr are starting to put plenty of points on the board.  This week will bring a big game with Sheffield.  A win gives them the region title. Again.  This experienced team shows no sign of letting up and will be fun to see how much noise they can make in the playoffs. 

5. Lauderdale County Tigers

What was suppose to be a good game between two solid teams turned into a route.  The Tigers ground game is punishing.  With Jake Newton, Samuel Grisham, and CJ Jackson - the defense never knows who they have to stop.  Seems like no one can stop any of them.  The offensive is blowing people off the line and winning the battle in the trenches.  They need Sheffield to beat Rogers and force a possible tie for the region title. 

6. Red Bay Tigers

Another week.  Another win.  The Tigers are now 7-0.  They can plan to host the first round of the playoffs.  The ground game of the Tigers is yet to be stopped. 

7.Brooks Lions
This offense continues to be explosive.  Six different players scored this week as they destroy Priceville.  This week they will host West Limestone with  playoff positioning on the line.  If the Lions can find a way to stop West on defense they could secure a home field advantage for round 1.
 

8. Russellville Golden Tigers

The Tigers may have lost to Muscle Shoals, but they competed with them better than most any team has all year.  The typically potent offense was shutout due in part to the number of turnovers.  This week they will host Lee of Huntsville

9. Central Wildcats
Running.  Wing T.  We all know the wildcats can do that.  This week they show some versatility in throwing the ball.  It went very well as the Wildcats score big points again.  This weeks game is region rival Wilson.  Rivals are rarely easy. 

10. Sheffield Bulldogs

After the first drive of the game the Bulldogs only had the ball for 6 minutes the rest of the game.  Hardly enough time for Hunter Danley, Yarbrough, and Jackson to go to work.  All can be forgotten of LCHS if they can beat Rogers this week.  Region title on the line.  If the defense that played in weeks 2 - 6 shows comes through it will be a good game.