Rogers vs Piedmont

Click here to see the pics from tonights game.

4A and 5A Previews

Deshler Tigers at Oneonta Redskins
Friday Night will match two similar teams.  Dehsler scores over 50 ppg while allowing 23.  Most every game they have been involved in, has been decided before the 4th quarter.  With a strong running game they have begun to show some balance with big pass plays as well.  They are 11-1 and in the third round...again....where they are 13-5 throughout history.  These Tigers have matured into a very good team this season.  Oneonta is 10-2 with some good history as well.They are scoring 47+ per game this season while only allowing 16.  They shutout West Limestone 35-0 last week to advance to round 3 for the 9th time where they are 4-5. The two schools only common opponent this season is Alexandria.  The Redskins lost to them by 1 point in week two while the Tigers won 59-19 last week.  Based on this expect Deshler to advance...again.

Muscle Shoals Trojans at Briarwood Christian Lions
The Lions are good.  They are 11-1. So is Muscle Shoals. Both teams beat Chelsea by double digits and both beat Athens by 20+. Briarwood lost to Vestavia Hills (6A team Florence beat in week 1) in mid -season as the only blemish on their record where MSHS lost to Florence.  The Lions are very strong offensively, scoring 43 ppg but not as powerful on defense as they have only 1 shutout all season and allow 21 ppg on average.  Muscle Shoals, on the other hand, scores even more (51 ppg) and allows much less (12 ppg).  If the Trojans can overcome the experience and size of Briarwood they could advance for the second time in school history to the state semi-finals.  The Lions are 8-4 in round 3 all time and have collected 5 state championships.  This is their 3rd consecutive region title.  History is on the Lions side; 2011 might be on the Trojans side though.  Great chance for the visiting team to pull the upset.

Reclassification

With 4 local teams firmly focused on the season at hand - most teams can now plan for next year.  Beginning in 2012 the Regions and Class of several local teams will be different.  Here is how it breaks down.

1A Region 8
Tharptown, Decatur Heritage Hubbard, Waterloo, Vina, Shoals Christian, Phillips, Hackleburg

2A Region 8
Hatton, Lexington, Colbert Heights, Sheffield, Tanner, Phil Campbell, Red Bay, Cherokee

3A Region 8
Clements, Colbert County, Deshler, Elkmont, West Morgan, Westminster Christian, Lauderdale County, Madison Academy

4A Region 8
West Limestone, Central, Wilson, Brooks, Priceville, Haleyville, Rogers, East Lawrence

5A Region 8
Hartselle, Muscle Shoals, Cullman, Athens, Russellville, West Point, Lawrence Co, East Limestone

6A Region 8
Sparkman, Bob Jones, Austin, Florence, Hazel Green, Buckhorn, James Clemens, Decatur

Summary of biggest local changes - Deshler to 3A, Sheffield to 2A, and Rogers to 4A

Rogers Pirates



Pirates will need big plays from the offense!

 Rogers Pirates vs
Piedmont Bulldogs
Hosting a playoff game is always exciting.  Hosting the 3rd round is even more special.  Hosting the #1 ranked team in the state for a trip to the Final 4 is exactly what will be happening in Greenhill, Alabama this Friday Night.  The Pirates bring a veteran squad into the game that is known for stingy defense but has quietly put up big numbers on offense lately.  They are averaging 35 ppg game while only allowing 16.  At 10-2 it has been a great season, but after such a dramatic win last week the Pirates are no doubt hungry for some more. Piedmont is for real.  They are scoring 44 ppg while only allowing 13.  The task is huge for Rogers, but last week the Sheffield Bulldogs played them well.  If Sheffield can compete - then Rogers should be able to as well, especially being at home.  Could be the perfect situation for an upset.

Lauderdale County Tigers

Lauderdale County at Madison Academy Mustangs
The Tigers made a comeback to remember Friday Night.  Down by double digits it didn't look good for advancing.  Then again, maybe this is just the Tigers year to win.  Behind a defense that wouldn't give late in the game and a couple of TD's by Grisham and of course another 100 yard game by Jackson - it turned in to another week of football.  The Tigers have advanced to play Madison Academy.  This is where it ended last year for the Tigers as they lost to the Mustangs 13-12.  This year the Mustangs started the season 0-2.  They have not lost since then.  They have struggled against some teams that are not considered powers, but have played extremely well at other times.  The Tigers were not as dominate as they have been in weeks past but won the game in spite of some mistakes.  These teams are facing off for the 6th time in 8 years.  Madison Academy has won the last 5 meetings.  Times are about to change.  The Mustangs are not as good as last year and the Tigers are even better.  Advantage - LCHS Tigers by 3.