2011 Bests

4A-6A All-Prep Team
FIRST TEAM
QB - Kendrick Doss (Florence)
LB - Dylan Hogue (Central), Davian Eggleston (Florence), Ethan Felton, Zach Mize (Muscle Shoals)
RB - Will Minor (Deshler), Beniquez Brown (Florence), Dillon Gist (Muscle Shoals)
DL - Dee Liner (Muscle Shoals), Rock Slaughter (Muscle Shoals)
OL - John Broaddrick (Central), Jamarcus Ford (Deshler), Ben Thomas (Central), Julian Cole (Florence)
WR - JJ Green (Florence), Brandon Creasy (Deshler), BJ Bailey (Deshler)
DB - Kivon Coman (Florence), Jose Bentoncourt (Russellville), Levi Fell (Muscle Shoals)
Special Teams - Devan Sullivan (Muscle Shoals)

SECOND TEAM
QB - Skylar Beck (Brooks)
LB - Logan Ezell (Russellville), Wilson Cook (Wilson), Chandler Sartain (Muscle Shoals)
RB - Clint Prestage (Brooks), Daniel Hayes (Central), Tyler Boyd (Russellville)
DL/OL - Kaelan Bonds (Russellville), Chris Petty (Central), Josh Tillary (Russellville)
WR/DB - Jordan Gist (Russellville), Aaron McClusky (Brooks), Murphy Harrison (Central)

Best Rushing Attack - Muscle Shoals
Best Passing Attack - Florence Falcons
Most Balanced Offense - Brooks Lions
Best Rush Defense - Muscle Shoals
Best Pass Defense - Florence Falcons
Most Improved - Brooks Lions
Brightest Future - Deshler Tigers
Most Exciting Games - Florence/Muscle Shoals,
Central/West Limestone, Muscle Shoals/Chelsea, Brooks/Deshler, Central/Deshler, Florence/Bob Jones,

Round 1 Highlights

Here were some of the BESTS from Friday Night.....

Best Rushing Performance - Austin Kerr of Rogers goes for 274 yards against a very good Hamilton team
Best Rushing Team - LCHS has three runners with 2 TD's each for a total of 417 yards on the ground
Best Start to a game - Sheffield scoring three TD's in the 1st quarter
Best Finish to a game - Muscle Shoals outscores opponents 37-6 in the second half
Best Defensive game - LCHS holds opponents to 5 yds in 1st half and 6 total pts
Best Performance in a loss - Murphy Harrison rushes for 168 yards
Best Overcoming Injuries - Deshler wins 33-10 without Will Minor as Terrance Byrd rushes for 108 yds and 3 TD's
Best Secondary - Sheffield, Muscle Shoals, and Shoals Christian all coming away with 2 interceptions

Best Special Teams - Shoals Christian Devan Traglia with a 68 yards punt return for a TD
Best Ending - Red Bay holds on by recovering an onside kick late to win 28-26
Most Dominating Performance - LCHS both offensively and defensively winning 42-6
Most Impressive Class - Region 8 Class 3A as all 4 teams win.  LCHS, Sheffield at home and Rogers, Elkmont both on the road as Region 5 is eliminated.

Players of the Week - Playoffs Round 1

GOLD- Austin Kerr (Rogers) - 274 rushing yards and 3 TD's in a 35-21 win over Hamilton
SILVER -Matt Belue (Red Bay) rushed for 203 yards and 3 TD's as Tigers hold on to win 28-26
BRONZE - Tyler Jackson (Muscle Shoals) - 190 yards on 10 carries and 2 TD's in a come from behind win over Chelsea 51-27

HONORABLE MENTION
Samuel Grisham (LCHS) - 131 rushing yards on 7 carries with 2 TD's and 2-3 passing in leading the Tigers to a 42-42-6 victory
Hunter Danley (Sheffield) - connecting on TD passes of 16, 39, and 40 yards as he leads the Bulldogs to a 38-14 win
Chandler Russ (Shoals Christian) - 184 yds on the ground with TD's of 26, 34, and 48 yards
Terrance Byrd (Deshler) - 108 yards and 3 TD's on 18 carries in a 33-10 victory
Tyler Boyd (Russellville) - 126 yards rushing on 18 carries in a 30-7 loss to Center Point
Murphy Harrison (Central) - 168 yards on 12 carries in a 42-34 loss
Devan Traglia (Shoals Christian) - Caught a 38 and 43 yd TD pass and ran a 62 yd punt return for a TD
Vic Gilbert (LCHS) - led the Tiger defense with 10 tackles and led a defense that held opponents to 4 yards in the first half and 6 points for the game

More Playoff Previews

4A
Deshler Tigers vs Corner Yellow Jackets
Deshler brings all the tradition of a successful program to the game.  19 region championships since 1990. Although the team is considered to be relatively young, inexperienced is not really accurate at this point.  They have a full season under their belt.  Many of the players DO have experience and know all to well how to win in the playoffs.  They have won almost every game this year outscoring opponents on average 42 - 20.  Their lone loss was to 5A power Muscle Shoals last week.  Corner is 6-4 on the season and finished 4-3 in region play.  The Yellow Jackets have only 1 first round playoff victory in school history.  The Tigers have only lost in the first round of the playoffs five times in the schools history.  Dont' expect the sixth loss this week.  Advantage - Deshler Tigers by 20 +

Brooks Lions vs Dora Bulldogs
The Lions finish the season 8-2 with only 1 loss in region play.  They will host Dora who finishes the season 8-2 as well, however, they lost both games in region play to the #1 and #2 seeded teams Midfield and Fayette County.  Could be an interesting match-up as the Bulldogs are only allowing 10 points per game while the Brooks offense is averaging over 40 ppg.  Only once all season were the Lions held below 26 points and that was 19 against Deshler.  In 8 of the Bulldog games the opponents have been held to 10 or less points while giving up 20 and 33 in the two losses.  This is a good team, but so is Brooks.  The Lions are unpredictable on offense and difficult to stop.  They have plenty of speed and versatility.  Expect them to score 20+.  If the defense can slow Dora down and make a big play or two then the Lions could advance.  Look for this to be a very tough game.  Advantage - Brooks Lions by 2

Central Wildcats at Fayette County Tigers
Fayette County brings a 7-3 record into the game as they average 26 pts per game on offense and allow 23.  They lost to Midfield, 3A Gordo, and in OT to Oak Grove.  Coach Lance Tucker is in his first year at Fayette County after Coach Walden Tucker left with the most wins in Alabama Football coaching history last year.  Coach Woods is also in his first year at Central.  The Wildcats also finish at 7-3 losing to a 3A school (Sheffield) and 2 region opponents.  Central averages a bigger margin of victory as they score just over 35 ppg and allow just over 23.  The Wildcat rushing game is tough to stop.  They were held under 20 points only once all year (Deshler).  Being on the road is a bit tougher - two very evenly matched teams.  Look for the details to play a big part in this game.  Penalties and special teams.  Advantage - Central by 1.

2011 Rushing Leaders

 Closing out the season with back to back 200+ yard games
 Brown ends the season with the highest average and the
most total yards of any local runner
  .

100 yards rushing in a game is typically the milestone that indicates an especially successful night running the ball.  The following players averaged 100 yards per game for the entire season.  That is impressive.  That speaks well of the entire offense.  These players are the first to speak in praise of their lineman and others that block so the running is possible.  Congratulations on a wonderfully successful individual year statistically for each of these players and their blockers!










Player                       School                 Yards per Game

Grisham AND Jackson of LCHS  averaged over 100 ypg!

1.  Beniquez Brown    Florence                    136
2.  Chandler Russ       Shoals Christian        133
3.  Will Minor             Deshler                     124
4.  CJ Jackson             LCHS                       123
5.  Charles Jackson     Sheffield                   119
6.  Austin Kerr            Rogers                      118
7.  Samuel Grisham    LCHS                       101
8.  Daniel Hayes         Central                      100

Charles Jackson averaged an amazing 16 yards per carry!

Bulldogs Comeback!

Two very good high school football teams battled tonight for their last regular season game of the season.  Both are in the playoffs. Central went up 13-0 early in the 3rd quarter and looked to be in control when Charles Jackson got loose twice for a 75 and 20 yard TD runs to tie the score at 13 as the Wildcats blocked the extra point to keep it even.  Jametrius Smith scored to tie it at 20 and then made an interception to set up the winning score. Jackson this time from 35 yards out with 1:05 to play in the game as he finished with 189 yards rushing after the entire offense was held to 61 yards in the first half. What a come back.  What an exciting finish to a great regular season.

Click here to see all the pics from the game.

Top Scoring Offenses

Region play is over...the playoff brackets are set.  Teams have all played through the gauntlet of their region opponents.  This means the statistics are a bit more equitable.  With the exception of class differences the teams have all played through their schedule of similiar sized schools.  Each school have one last rivalry game left before some will continue through the playoffs while others will hang up the cleats.  These are the teams that are averaging better than 30 points per game.

School          Points per Game

1. Deshler                 45.6
2. Muscle Shoals       41.9
3. Shoals Christian     41.0
4. Brooks                  40.1
5. Central                  37.0
6. LCHS                   35.1
7. Red Bay                31.6
8. RA Hubbard         30.9
9. Colbert Heights     30.8
10. Rogers                30.1

Players of the Week: Week 9

Standout performances bound as region play comes to an end.  These plays stepped up big and performed well as each of their teams were able to win.

GOLD - Cole Claunch
(Colbert Heights) - 23 of 32 passing with 4 TD's and 295 yards as the Wildcats win a pivotal region game over Lexington 34-21.
SILVER - Skyler Beck (Brooks) - 312 yards of total offense. 184 passing yds with 128 more rushing and a TD as the Lions win 52-14.
BRONZE - Beniquez Brown (Florence) - rushed for 201 yards and led the team in tackles as the Falcons come from behind to defeat Hazel Green 27-21

HONORABLE MENTION
Will Bishop (Shoals Christian) - 18 of 32 for 186 yds and a TD in leading the Flame to the region title
Hank Thigpen (Rogers) - 119 rushing yards and 2 TD's on only 6 carries as Pirates win 41-22
Samuel Grisham (LCHS) - 98 yds and 3 TD's in a 41-0 win
Dylan Guthire (Waterloo) - rushes for 182 yds and a TD in a 62-34 win
Dee Liner (Muscle Shoals) - 13 tackles, 1 sack on a defense that allowed -18 rushing yds in a win
Charles Jackson (Sheffield) - 184 yds rushing with 2 TD's as the Bulldogs win 27-6
Will Minor (Deshler) - 95 yards and 4 TD's as the Tigers go undefeated beating Wilson
Daniel Hayes (Central) - 121 yards rushing with 2 TD's on only 10 carries as Wildcats win 33-18
CJ Jackson (LCHS) - 133 yards on the ground with a TD as the Tigers win easily
Terrance Byrd (Deshler) - 151 yards and 2 TD's on only 9 carries in a 62-35 win
Eric Yarborough (Sheffield) - 124 yards rushing and 2 TD's in a region win
Bradley Darby (Waterloo) - piles up 162 rushing yds and a TD in a region win
Chandler Russ (Shoals Christian) - 134 rushing yds and a TD in a huge region win over Addison

Power Rankings - Week 9

With few upsets or surprises most teams performed as expected.  Here is the Top 10 for the local teams after 9 weeks!

1. Muscle Shoals Trojans

In a game that definately fit the billing of a "trap" game....the Trojans needed a half before getting cranked up.  In the end they were just as dominate as always winning 48 - 26.  Giving up 26 points is uncharacteristic...might be just whats needed to get refocused before playoffs and a rival game with Deshler this week.

2. Deshler Tigers

Not just undefeated...these Tigers are almost untested.  No game has been really in doubt late.  This week they will travel to Muscle Shoals which has only one loss.  Although the game means nothing to playoff standings....it has a lot of bragging rights and pride at stake as these are the Top 2 teams around this season. 

3. Florence Falcons
The Falcons show the dominate defense that garnered so much attention earlier in the season.  They completely shut down the Hazel Green defense in the second half and allowed the offense to come back for the win.  Although not in the playoffs Week 10 will bring a matchup with 5A rival Russellville.

4. Lauderdale County Tigers

No one has been as impressive since their loss to Rogers.  Each week they have dominated opponents on offense without flash and are now beginning to shut down opposing offenses as well.  With another shutout this week as the Tigers improve to 8-1 and prepare to face 2A Region runner-up Lexington.

5. Red Bay Tigers

A perfect 9-0.  These Tigers continue to punish opponents as they were 35-7 winners over Cherokee.  For the non-region week 10 matchup they will face Marion County and then prepare to host a playoff game in Red Bay for the first round.

6. Brooks Lions

The Lions continue to be explosive on offense as they score 52 points while limiting East Lawrence to 14.  The Lions will host a playoff game for the first round.  Before that, they will travel to Clements for the last regular season game. 

7. Rogers Pirates

The Pirates stay at #7 as they route Danville 41-22.  The Pirates only have losses to Sheffield and Brooks this season.  In week 10 they will travel to 4A Wilson who has given a lot of teams trouble this season.  They will have to be sharp to escape with another win.

8. Sheffield Bulldogs
The Bulldogs beat West Morgan 27-6.  What a great season.  Week 10 will bring an exciting matchup between two ranked teams from different classes.  4A playoff bound Central will visit 3A Sheffield.  Should make for an interesting game.  A win should move them up in the polls .....for either team.

9. Russellville Golden Tigers

The offense stepped up into high gear...as did the defese. The Tigers were 54-6 winners over Columbia.  This team will be in the playoffs but must face Florence for week 10.  Tough matchup, but definately a great workout before the "2nd" season begins.

                           10. Central Wildcats

Wildacts beat Ardmore 33-18.  This offense has been tough for anyone to stop all season long.  A tough test awaits them in Sheffield next week.  Win or lose the Wildcats are playoff bound and will be on the road in round 1 but are capable of pulling the upset and advancing.

Rushing Leaders

The following are the top ten rushers per game so far this season. For those who may not have had the chance to see some of these runners in person - Sunday afternoon player is equated to the Friday night runner that has the most similar style or skill set.

Rank   Player    School          Yds/Game     NFL Comparision
1.  Will Minor      Deshler             141.9         Adrian Peterson
       - can do it all.  Has the ability to break tackles and then outrun the secondary.  Runs between tackles as well as getting the corner for big gains. A game changer.
2.  CJ Jackson     LCHS               141.6         Maurice Jones-Drew
       - power pack runner that hits the hole quick and explosively
3. Chandler Russ  Shoals Christian 132.8        Joseph Addai (from a few yrs ago)
       - on a team with the spread offense that requires teams to focus on the passing game....next thing you know he has killed you on the ground with 100+ every night
4.  Austin Kerr     Rogers               123.1       a younger Ladanian Tomlinson
      - runs, catches, even throws on occasion.  A touchdown machine that sees the ball in a lot of diffent places on the field.  Must be accounted for.
5.  Beniquez Brown  Florence         118.1      Darren McFadden
     - much bigger than the average running back but has tremendous speed as well.  Thought of as a power runner but often breaks long runs via "trucking" LB's then outruns smaller guys
6. Samuel Grisham   LCHS            103.8       Micheal Vick, Ronnie Brown
     - a QB that runs well...or a RB that lines up at QB.  Either way you look at it he is tough to stop and has had his share of impressive running games
7. Charles Jackson   Sheffield        99.4         Chris Johnson
     - often the most athletic player on the field and the fastest.  Chips away until he can break that long run.  A threat to score every time he touches it no matter what part of the field.
8.  Daniel Hayes       Central           98            Micheal Turner
      - the best runner on a running minded team.  Gets the tough yards and can be counted on each night to be the workhorse that keeps teams on their toes
9.  Clint Prestage      Brooks           92.5        Reggie Bush
     - fast and versatile.  Defense never knows where he will line up.  Is a threat from anywhere at any position from return, to receiver, to RB. 
10. Tyler Boyd        Russellville      89.8         Arian Foster
      - consistent runner with good speed that takes pressure off the passing game by keeping defenses honest.  Good speed and makes defenses play both run and pass or he beats them.

Blowout!

Want to see a good close game?  Don't go see these teams play!  If you want to see domination these are the teams to watch.  Some teams tout a high powered offense...others a stingy defense.  These teams combine both to produce the largest point differential in the area.  These teams usually win by the largest margins. 

Team                        Avg Margin of Victory
1. Muscle Shoals Trojans     34.6
2. Deshler Tigers                  27.2
3. Lauderdale County           22.4
4. Red Bay Tigers                 18
5. Shoals Christian                 17
6. Rogers Pirates                   15
7. Central Wildcats               13.5
8. Brooks Lions                    13

High Powered Offense

Here are the offenses that are scoring the most thru 8 games of the season:

1. Deshler                43.5
1. Shoals Christian   43.5

3. Muscle Shoals      41.1

4. Brooks                 38.6

5. Central                 37.5

6. LCHS                  34.4

7. Red Bay               31.1

8. Colbert Heights     30.4

 9. RA Hubbard         29.3

10. Rogers                  28.8



Region Standings for 5A and 4A

5A    Muscle Shoals has won their Region as have the Deshler Tigers.  But how do the rest of the teams shape up and who will they be playing? 

TEAM     Record    Rgn W/L  Rgn Game left
1.  Muscle Shoals    7-0       6-1     Lee-Huntsville
2. East Limestone    6-2       5-1    Athens
3. Athens                 4-4       4-2     East Limestone
4. Russellville          3-5       3-3     Columbia
4. J.O. Johnson        5-3       3-3     Lawrence Co.
The Trojans will be at home against the Region 5 4th place team.  This is according to the AHSAA and is different from years past.  This Region is the Birmingham area.  Currently fourth place is Shelby County and Pinson Valley.  They play each other Friday night.  Russellville needs to win and Hope Johnson loses.  If so they will be the #4 and will travel to Briarwood Christian. 

4A
4A has played a little less complicated barring any major upsets in Week 9.  Deshler will be at home against the Corner/Haleyville winner.  Brooks will be the #2 seed and will host Dora  while Central travels to Midfield.  Of course any major upsets in Region 5 could change that but dont expect any in this region.

Player of the Week: Week 8

Plenty of players had standout performances this week.  Lots of impressive stats.  Some stepped up best when their team needed them the most in big region games. 

GOLD - Clint Prestage (Brooks) - 9 carries for 210 yds rushing with 3 TD's as Brooks earns home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a 48-18 win over West Limestone.
SILVER - Cole Claunch (Colbert Heights) - threw for 226 yards and 2 TD's and led his team on a 99 yard drive in the final minute as he scored a rushing TD to come from behind and win 25-21
BRONZE - Will Bishop (Shoals Christian) 15 of 20 passing for 296 yards and 4 TD's in leading the Flame to a 60-24 victory

HONORABLE MENTION
CJ Jackson (LCHS) - 217 yards rushing with 4 TD's in a 54-0 region win
Chandler Russ (Shoals Christian) rushed for 216 yards in a region win over Phillips
Austin Long (Hatton) 253 yards and 2 TD's in a tough region loss to Colbert Heights 25-21
Peyton Davis (Lexington) leads Golden Bears with 120 rushing yards and 2 TD's in a win
Deion Bonton (Brooks) - 13 carries for 127 yards and a TD
Matt Belue (Red Bay) 140 rushing yards with three TD's as Tigers win 41-19
Charles Jackson (Sheffield) - 146 rushing yards and 2 TD's as they beat Rogers 17-6
Beniquez Brown (Florence) - 77 yd TD run on offense, 32 yd int return for TD on defense
Daniel hayes (Central) 125 yds on 16 carries with 3 TD's in a win over Wilson
Cody Stevens (Rogers) 5 catches for 103 yards in a region loss to Sheffield
Justin Cantrell (Deshler) 6 of 10 passing for 137 yds and 2 TD in a 61-13 win
Kendrick Doss (Florence) 200 total yards of offnese in leading his team to a 48-27 win over Grissom
Corey Scott (Lexington) caught two TD's and made 2 interceptions in a 41-28 win
Tyler Boyd (Russellville) - 17 carries for 121 yards and a TD in a homecoming win

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.

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

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.

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.