Player of the Week: Week 10

he season ends with some outstanding individual performances.  Some players see their season come to a close while others hope to extend it a few more weeks in the playoffs.  Here were the best performances of the week:

GOLD - Beniquez Brown (Florence) - 211 yards rushing on only 15 carries for a 14.6 yards per carry average with 4 TD's as the Falcons win 35 - 18 over Russellville.
SILVER - Charles Jackson (Sheffield) - 189 yards rushing on 12 carries including 3 TD's in a come from behind victory over Central.  He had TD runs of 75, 20, and 35 yards.
BRONZE - Matt Belue (Red Bay) - rushed for 260 yards and 2 TD's on 28 carries as the Tigers lose for the first time all season

HONORABLE MENTION
Cody Stephens (Rogers) - 107 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a Pirate win
Austin Gooch (Cherokee) - 137 yards on 11 carries in a 29-14 win
Austin Long (Hatton) - 170 yards on 17 carries as Hornets win 27-6
Austin Kerr (Rogers) - 109 rushing yards with 2 TD's on 11 carries in a 35-0 shutout
Zachary Harris (Cherokee) - 107 receiving with 3 TD's in an Indian victory
Lauderdale County defense - Another shutout 21-0 over Lexington and scored the 1st halfs only TD
Kendrick Doss (Florence) - rushed for 139 yards and a TD in a win
Ethon Felton (Muscle Shoals) - led the defense with 13 tackles in a win over Deshler
Sydney Robinson (Colbert County) - 139 rushing yds and a TD in a loss to Colbert Heights

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

With three only three region games remaining, the coming weeks will determine the fate of most local teams playoff hopes and positions. 


6A
Florence is currently in a 4 way tie for third place.  Fortunately for the Falcons they play the 2nd place team this weekend.  A win over Decatur would tie them for second place with an edge over Decatur because they would have won the head to head match up.  Being second means playing a first round playoff game at home. 

5A
Muscle Shoals is in total control.  With East Limestone in second but having lost to the Trojans head to head Muscle Shoals would have to lose 2 of the next 3 games in order to be passed at the top. The bigger question is will Russellville get in.  The golden Tigers are in a 4 way tie for 3rd.  With Muscle Shoals this week it will take some very good play the next three weeks for it to work out well for Russellville.

4A
Deshler is on top.  Again.  With a win this week over West they could seal the deal.  A loss would tie them with West and Brooks at 3-1.  Wilson needs to win out.  Central and Brooks appear on track to be in the playoffs but are still battling for home field advantage in Round 1.  Brooks has the advantage with the win over Central head to head but still has to play West Limestone. 

3A
Big games await.  Rogers and Sheffield sit undefeated in region play; however, Rogers has already defeated LCHS.  Sheffield travels to LCHS this week.  Should LCHS win and then Rogers lose to Sheffield it could get very interesting.  Either the next 2 weeks will clear it all up or make it all tied up.  These 3 are fighting for home field advantage while Colbert County is fighting to make the playoffs.  They are currently in 4th.

2A
Red Bay is 4-0 in the region and has already won head to head with second place Colbert Heights, Lamar County, and Lexington.  Red Bay's remaining region opponents are 3-15.  Looks good for the Tigers.  Second place and home field advantage in round 1 is up for grabs.  Colbert Heights and Lexington are both 3-1 and will play in week 9.  Might be a deciding game for both teams. Hatton is currently fifth but gets to play Lexington and Lamar County in the coming weeks.  Wins over these could put them in the playoffs.

1A
Two teams are 4-0.  Shoals Christian is 3-1 with Phillips while RA Hubbard is 2-2.  The Flame control their destiny as two of the three teams ahead of them remain in the weeks ahead - wins put them in the playoffs....possibly even at home. Losses and it could be much more complicated for both RA Hubbard and Shoals Christian.

Player of the Week: Week 6

Plenty of outstanding performances as most local teams won easily.  Here are the best of the best!

GOLD - Beniquez Brown (Florence) - Brown stepped up when the team needed him the most. 22 carries for 132 yards, a receiving TD, a kickoff return 85 yards for a TD for a total of 4 TD's along with his typical big play on defense as he forced a fumble and recovered it himself.

SILVER - Clint Prestage (Brooks) - Prestage got the Lions going after a slow start to the tune of 183 yards rushing with four TD's as well as a 64 yard reception for a TD in a 48-21 win at Wilson.

BRONZE - Cole Claunch (Colbert Heights) - 10 of 12 passing for 248 yards with 4 TD's in only one half of play as Wildcats win 40-6

HONORABLE MENTION
Will Minor (Deshler) - 8 carries 127 yards and 4 TD's in a blowout
Hank Thigpen (Rogers) - Caught a TD pass then ran a 65 yard TD off an interception as Pirates win
Ricardo Carter (Deshler) - Interception return 68 yards for a TD in a win over East Lawrence.
Hunter Haney (LCHS) - recorded a fumble recovery and an interception in the Tigers shutout of Clements
Zach Mize (Muscle Shoals) - 2 interceptions and 5 tackles as the Trojans defeat Athens 24-0.
Sydney Robinson (Colbert County) - 108 rushing yards and a TD on 23 carries in a loss to Rogers
Braxton Gilbert (Central) - makes an interception with seconds to play at the 4 yard line to preserve a WIldcat victory.
Austin Kerr (Rogers) - Scored 3 TD's on 85 yards as Pirates win 41-6
Dillon Gist (Muscle Shoals) - carried 18 times for 127 yards in a win over Athens.
John Greer (Lexington) - leads the Golden Bears with 113 yards rushing and a TD in a 50-21 win
Hunter Danley (Sheffield) - 120 passing yards and 40 rushing yards in leading the Bulldogs to a regional win
Vic Gilbert (LCHS) - led the Tigers with 18 tackles as they win 28-0.
Chandler Russ (Shoals Christian) - 4 TD's and 95 yards rushing as the Flame win another region game
Craig Saint (Phil Campbell) - 198 all purpose yards with 3 TD's in a loss
Chandler Sartain (Muscle Shoals) - 6 tackles and an interception as defense allows only 73 total yards
CJ Jackson (LCHS) - 2 TD's and 132 yards rushing on 16 carries as Tigers win

Bulldogs are Back!

There was a day when football at Sheffield was big.  It was relavent.  The Bulldogs were in the hunt for and made noise in the playoffs.  After losing the opener to Red Bay, a smaller 2A school, people weren't sure what to expect from Sheffield this season.  Well, after beating Colbert County last night 21 - 0 they find themselves in control of their own destiny.  The Bulldogs sit atop the Region 8 standings at 2-0 with Rogers.  Coach Hufstedler has to be pleased with that.  Last night Sheffield was able to run the ball for 349 yards.  Charles Jackson gained 138 on 10 carries, while Matthew Boutwell ran for 105 on only 4 carries, while Eric Yarbrough ran for 97.  Boutwell scored a 43 yard TD, Jackson a 49 yarder, and QB Hunter Danley connected with JD Smith for a TD as well.  last year the Bulldogs lost at home 18 - 7 - so in order to go into Leighton and turn the tables was something Coach Hufstedler said was special.  Next week the Clements Colts will come to Sheffield in another Region 8 game.  As for now...looks like the Bulldogs are back. 

Players of the Week - Week 2

Gold - Beniquez Brown (Florence) - 180 yards rushing, 2 TD on 20 carries, returned an interception 38 yds for another TD in 34 - 6 win over Buckhorn
Silver - Rogers Defense - Shut out the LCHS Tigers and never allowed them past their 41 yard line until under 2 minutes to play.  Won 23 - 0.  Only gave up 145 total yards and made 4 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery.
Bronze - Will Minor (Deshler) -  213 yards on 13 carries with 2 TD in 35 - 19 win over Brooks

Honorable Mention
Florence Secondary - picking off 4 of the Buckhorn 15 passes. 
Terrance Byrd (Deshler) 141 yds on 15 carries with 2 TD in win over Brooks
Alex Woodard (Rogers) - 94 yards rushing on 10 carries in 23 - 0 win.
Clint Prestage (Brooks) - 107 yards recieving on 9 catches, 6 carries for 41 yards in loss to Deshler
Sheffield Defense - shutout Danville and allowed only 65 total yards in a victory
Skylar Beck (Brooks) - 18 of 26 passing for 237 yards and had a 54 yrd rushing TD
Dee Liner (Muscle Shoals) - 7 tackles, 2 sacks, 47 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in a win
Colby Spann (Colbert Heights) - 98 yd interception return for TD, 95 yd kickoff return for TD, and a rushing TD in a 47 - 20 win at Phil Campbell
Zack Mize (Muscle Shoals) - 8 tackles, 2 sacks and led a defense that only allowed 123 total yards in beating East Limestone
Jake Roberson (Cherokee) - 7 of 9 passing for 107 yards, threw and rushed for a TD in a loss
Floyd Jones (RA Hubbard) - 140 yds rushing on 2 carries, threw for a TD, ran for two in big win
Charles Jackson (Sheffield) - punt return TD, two rushing TD with 93 yards in 40-0 win
Camari Green (Colbert County) - 70 yd TD run and 80 yd interception return as Indians win 20-12
Daniel Hayes (Central) - 114 yards on 8 carries and a TD along with a 19 yd recieving TD in lopsided win
Tyler Boyd (Russellville) - 111 yards and 4 TD on 14 carries
Dylan Marlar (Colbert Heights) - 2 interceptions for the Wildcats secondary that picked off 6 on the night in a win
Chris Montgomery (Muscle Shoals) - 109 yds rushing on 6 carries in win over East Limestone
Craig Saint (Phil Campbell) - 2 TD's, 6 catches for 156 yards, and 76 yds rushing in a loss

Trojans Trounce Indians!

There was a day when the Colbert County - Muscle Shoals game was over at halftime.  But in times past it was the Indians in control.  The Indians have won 34 of the 45 meetings between the schools. Not the past two years though.  For the second straight year Muscle Shoals rolls up an impressive first half en route to a victory.  48 first half points for the Trojans led to a  48 - 7 final.  Couldn't ask for a much better start to the season.  Coach Basdens Boys did nothing to change the #1 Power Ranking for the Shoals Area.  They looked impressive.

Muscle Shoals fans had plenty to cheer about

Trojans punch the Indians!

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!?

Finally!  The LOOONG boring wait between seasons has come to a close.  High School football is underway.  With teams across the state beginning on Friday night a few local teams decided to get a head start.  We are glad because it allows us all to catch a couple of extra games and keeps us from waiting any longer.  Brooks Lions will host the Rogers Pirates tonight at 7 pm.  The Muscle Shoals Trojans will host the Indians from Colbert County.  Both games are cross classification with the larger school hosting the smaller school.  Brooks and Muscle Shoals are not only larger schools playing at home, but both are returning teams that should be tough to beat.  Look for season opening wins for the Lions and the Trojans!

Teams with the most/least familiar faces

Some coaches always complain of being young and inexperienced...some teams actually ARE.  Other teams have a wealth of returning talent.  Although the measure of talent is not necessarily in whether one starts or not - it is a good indicator of how much experience one might have.  Below are some of the teams that have the most as well as the teams with the least returning players/starters or upperclassmen.

Interesting comparisions
Brooks returns 9 starters on offense  /   Deshler returns 4 starters in all
Muscle Shoals returns 9 offensive starters  /   Russellville lost 10 defensive starters
Lauderdale County returns 15 starters  /  Tharptown only has 18 players in all
Rogers returns 18 starters  /  Lexington and Wilson combine for 14 returning starters
RA Hubbard has 8 returning starters on defense /  Colbert County only has 10 upperclassmen
                                                                        /  Waterloo has 3 seniors, 25 players 7 - 12