Best of 2011

A - 3A All-Prep 2011
FIRST TEAM
QB - Cole Claunch (Colbert Heights), Will Bishop (SCA)
LB - Vic Gilbert (LCHS), Raleigh Killen (Rogers), Josh Ricks (Sheffield)
RB - Austin Kerr (Rogers), Chandler Russ (SCA), CJ Jackson (LCHS)
WR - Cody Stephens (Rogers), Devan Traglia (SCA), Bryson Smith (Colbert Heights
OL - Reid Newton (LCHS), Chase Fuller (Colbert Heights), Blake Harris (Rogers)
DL - Bradley Patterson (Red Bay), Briar Allen (Rogers), Brian Puckett (LCHS), Austin Belue (Red Bay)
Special Teams - Luke Gasque (Sheffield), Colby Spann (Colbert Heights), Tyler Grigsby (Rogers)


SECOND TEAM
QB - Samuel Grisham (LCHS), Hunter Danley (Sheffield)
LB - Daniel Wood (SCA), Hunter Childers (Red Bay), Zane Taylor (Rogers), DJ Simmons (LCHS)
RB - Charles Jackson (Sheffield), Matt Belue (Red Bay), Jake Newton (LCHS)
WR/DB - Edgar Bahena (Tharptown), DJ Sanders (Sheffield)
OL/DL - Tyler Smith (LCHS), Jamie Hartley (SCA), Ben Laster (Hatton)

Best Rushing Attack - Lauderdale County
Best Passing Attack - Colbert Heights
Most Balanced Offense - Shoals Christian
Stingiest Defense - Lauderdale County
Most Impressive Stretch of Games - Rogers Playoff Run; LCHS Week 3-10
Most Improved - Sheffield
Most Exciting Games: Sheffield/Rogers; Rogers/Piedmont, LCHS/Glencoe
Red Bay/Colbert Heights, Sheffield/Cordova

Colbert Heights Season Ends

Click here to see al the pics from the game.

Playoff Preview

1A

Region Champs will host Hubbertville in Round 1

Shoals Christian Flame vs Hubbertville Lions
The Flame enter the game as a #1 seed for the first time in the schools ten year football history.  The Lions are a #4 seed that finished the season 7-3 as did the Flame.  Difference is - Shoals Christian only lost 1 region game while the Lions were 4-3 in region play.  The teams are similiar in how they win.  They both boast a high scoring offense.  Hubbertville scoring 35.1 per game while the Flame score 38.5 per game.  Difference is, even though the Flame aren't known for stingy defense (25.3 ppg) the Lions give up 30 points per game.  The two teams have 3 common opponents.  Both schools lost to Lynn.  The Flame lost in the season opener 20-7 while the Lions lost at mid-season 42-13.  Both schools beat Vina and Phillips handily as the Flame win by a combined 65 points and the Lions win by a combined 56 points.  The two teams have never played each other. 
     The game could be closer than a typical #1 vs #4 matchup as the Lions are a good team.  Shoals Christians only region loss is the a #4 seed in RA Hubbard.  The balanced attack of run vs pass by the Flame will cause problems for the Lions struggling defense, coupled with  he home field advantage, it might be just the edge needed.  Look for Shoals Christian to win by getting more stops than the Lions.  Advantage - Shoals Christian by 11

2A 
Red Bay Tigers vs LaFayette Bulldogs
The Tigers were 2 quarters from a perfet 10-0 season.  They ended their year by being outscored in the last two quarters they played.  Not the way most want to end - however, sometimes that might be just the ending to spark a little extra hunger as the playoffs begin.  The Tigers have dominated on both offense and defense this season.  Outscoring opponents by a margin of over 16 ppg.  Although the Bulldogs are good they will probably get the same treatment as most everyone that has visited Red Bay...A good ole-fashion whoopin!  Advantage - Red Bay Tigers by 15

Wildcat offense is tough to stop

Colbert Heights Wildcats vs Woodland Bobcats
The #2 seeded Wildcats of Colbert Heights are less than 2 TD's from an undefeated season.  Both losses came to strong teams, Red Bay and 3A Sheffield.  They are an explosive offense averaging 31.3 ppg while limiting opponents to 18.3 ppg.  Woodland brings a 6-4 record to the game.  They score at the same pace as the Wildcats (32.6 ppg) but give up much more on defense (31.1 ppg).  They have never met and have no common opponents this year, however, the tradition of Woodland is strong.  They were in the State Championship game for 1A as recently as 2004 and 2006, and were Region Champs in 2007.  Problem for them is that this is 2011.  Colbert Heights has too many weapons.  It will not be easy - but in the end look for the Wildcats to advance to the 2nd round.  Advantage - Colbert Heights by 13

A good Lexington team might pull off the upset

Lexington Golden Bears at Reeltown Rebels
Reeltown holds all the tradition.  8 state championship game appearances with titles in 87, 01, and 09.  They are 22-6 in first round playoff games.  This is their first year NOT to win the region since 2007.  They are currently 7-3 while outscoring opponents on average 30.6 to 14.4.  One of their losses was to 4A undefeated Dadeville 21-13.  All that sounds like a monumental task for Lexington who sits at 5-5 and averages 23 ppg on both offense and defense.  A closer look reveals some cinks in the Rebel armour as well as some easilty overlooked details of the Golden Bears.  The Rebels lost two region games including one to #4 seed LaFayette 30-29.  They lost to region champ Lineville 34-14 just two weeks ago.  Lexington lost only 2 region games as well.  Both were to the teams seeded ahead of them and neither was a 20 point loss as was Reeltowns.  The other three were to 4A Central, 3A Rogers, and 3A Region Champs LCHS.  Last week they gave LCHS their toughest test of the year since the Rogers game.  Lexington may be the best 5-5 team you will find.  If they play defense like they did last week they might pull the upset.  These teams aren't as far apart as they might seem at first.  Possibly even a toss-up game.  Advantage - Since they are at home - Reeltown by 4.

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

Colbert Heights Earns The Right To Play at Home

Click HERE to see all the pics from the game.

The Big 3

It is an often used phrase. Currently the Celtics have it. Formerly it was Aikman, Irvin, and Emmit Smith of the Dallas Cowboys. The Big 3 never means a lack of respect for the other players on the team but is a compliment to players that make such an impact they cannot be ignored. Such is the case on Colbert Mountain. This Friday Night in Lexington the Colbert Heights Wildcats and the Lexington Golden Bears will square off in a battle for 2nd place. Winner stays home in round 1 of the playoffs while the loser will be on the road. The Wildcats bring their High School Version of the Big 3; Cole Claunch, Bryson Smith, and Colby Spann. Quarterback Cole Claunch says "for us, just like any team, its important...no team wants to play on the road in the first round of the playoffs." Claunch is a big reason the Wildcats have this opportunity yet is quick to defer attention to his teammates. "My receivers deserve all the credit. Thay make me look good." Claunch leads all local QB's in TD's with 22 and yards with nearly 1500 in only 8 games. But individual honors are not what he wants. Neither is it the goal of all-around player Colby Spann. Spann is just as likely to catch a TD as he is to score on defense or special teams. In fact he says "I would rather run a punt back for a TD because it changes the game, gets the crowd in the game and your players get hyped up". Smith, who just last week scored three TD's in the win over Lamar County is a dual threat as well. All three though are quick to defer attention to the entire team. "The best part is playing in the pride and tradition the guys before me established and playing under all these great coaches" says Claunch. This Big 3 understands it is a team game and wants to make sure the TEAM does the best it can on Friday Night. Spann says "We've been working really hard and are ready to play them...I can't wait! "Claunch adds "I think we are ready to make a run and we got the guys and the coaches to do it." If they are able to beat Lexington count on these guys playing a major role. 

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



Lockdown Defense

Some teams statistics look good early in the year due to a favorable early season schedule.  Other teams simply get better or worse as the year progresses.  This list is through all 8 games this season.  Each team has played enough games to give a good sampling of who does the best job of keeping the opponents off the scoreboard.

1.  6.6 ppg  Muscle Shoals Trojans - This team has 4 shutouts and has only given up more than a TD once all season long.  A total of 6 points have been scored on them in the last 3 weeks combined.    
 2.  12 ppg   Lauderdale County Tigers - The defense has tightened as the season has progressed.  The schedule is not easy yet they have only allowed 3 points in the past three weeks. 
3.  12.8 ppg  Sheffield Bulldogs - The Bulldogs have had two games won by goal line stands in the closing minutes.  Only twice all season has a team scored more than 14 pts.
4.  13.1 ppg  Red Bay Tigers - They have yet to shut a team out, but they are consistent.  The defense gives up less than 2 TD's and the offense always tops that - therefore a perfect 8-0!

5. 13.6 ppg  Rogers Pirates - After shutting out 3 of the first 5 opponents the defesne has been giving up a bit more.  However, even in the loss this week they only allowed 17 points.  Very solid.
6.  15.3 ppg  Hatton Hornets - Even though they were playing some strong offenses, no one scored more than 9 pts on them until Week 5.  Since then they haven't held anyone below 14. 
7.  16.3 ppg  Deshler Tigers - This defense is probably as good as it needs to be.  With a high scoring offense and most games over at halftime the points are often scored against 2nd teamers.  Starters don't give up many.
8. 16.6 ppg  RA Hubbard Chiefs - Feast or famine.  This D has given up as much as 42 pts but has also had shutouts and 6 and 8 point games as well.
9. 18.9 ppg  Florence Falcons - Not as stingy as they were early in the season.  This defense limited Bob Jones to 10 points but yielded 35 to Decatur.  Can be one of the best at times. 
10. 19.5 ppg Colbert Heights Wildcats - Not typically thought of as a defensive team because of the attention to the high-powered offense, but this past week the goal line stand allowed the offense to go win the game.

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

Players of the Week: Week 7

GOLD - Will Minor (Deshler) - Ran for 241 yards and 4 Touchdowns to remain undefeated as Tigers win 48-21.  Minor scored on runs of 4, 8, 19, and 47 yards.

Silver -Ethon Felton (Muscle Shoals) - Sophomore collected 14 tackles, 1 int, and 1 fumble recovery in leading a defensethat shutout Russellville 24 - 0.

Bronze - LCHS Offensive Line - Controlling the ball for 36 minutes against Sheffield defense and rushing for 295 yards regardless off how many defenders were put in the box

HONORABLE MENTION
Dillon Gist (Muscle Shoals) - 13 carries for 122 yards in a Muscle Shoals win over Russellville 24-0
Austin Kerr (Rogers) -3 TD's and 173 yards rushing and a 15 yard passing TD
Justin Scott (Central) - 198 yds passing and 3 TD's in a 55-18 win
Skyler Beck (Brooks) - 7 of 10 passing for 196 yds with 3 TDs
Craig Saint (Phil Campbell) - 132 yds and 2 TD's and threw a TD as the Bobcats win 37-23
Colby Spann (Colbert Heights) - 70 yd TD return off an interception that sparked a Wildcat win 33-28
Dee Liner (Muscle Shoals) - 11 tackles and a fumble recovery in holding Russellville to 186 total yds
Kendrick Doss (Florence) - 14-27 passing for 225 yards in a loss the Decatur
Jamie Dorrah (Phil Campbell) - Int return 55 yds for TD, rushed for TD, and a 70 yard kickoff return
Zach Anthony (Central) - Caught TD's of 15 and 47 yds with a rushing TD of 5 yds in a win
Chandler Russ (Shoals Christian) - 30 yd int return for TD and rushed for  a 51 yd TD in a 34-14 win
CJ Jackson (Lauderdale County) -122 yds and 2 touchdowns on 20 carries as LCHS defeats Sheffield
Tyler Grigsby (Rogers) - 8 of 12 for 187 yards passing with 1 TD in a 47-25 win
Daniel Hayes (Central) - 10 carries for 108 yards in a region win over East Lawrence

Bryson Smith (Colbert Heights) - Scored 3 TDs as the Wildcats win a region game with Lamar County

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.

Winning Big!

These are the teams that are winning by the largest margins.  These are the only local teams that are averaging a win by double digits.  The combined record of these teams is 36-6 with 4 of the six losses being to other teams on this list.  The other two losses were to teams a class larger (MSHS to Florence and Rogers to Brooks)




School                              Avg. Margin of Victory          Record            Lost to..
Muscle Shoals                                34.2                               5-1                 Florence
Deshler                                           23.8                               6-0                
Rogers                                            17.1                              5-1                 Brooks
Sheffield                                          14.5                              5-1                 Red Bay
Lauderdale County                          14.0                              5-1                 Rogers
Colbert Heights                                13.0                             3-2                 Red Bay, Sheffield
Red Bay                                          11.4                              6-0       

       

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

Top Scoring Offense and Defense

ScoringOffense School	Total pts	Avgpts
Muscle Shoals	228	45.6
Deshler	177	35.4
Brooks	173	34.6
Central	170	34
LCHS	158	31.6
Colbert Heights	155	31
Red Bay	147	29.4
Rogers	136	27.2
RA Hubbard	122	24.4
Russellville	121	24.2

Top Defenses

School	Total pts	Avg
Muscle Shoals	47	9.4
Hatton	48	9.6
Sheffield	54	10.8
Rogers	61	12.2
Red Bay	66	13.2
Deshler	68	13.6
Florence	75	15
LCHS	93	18.6
RA Hubbard	98	19.6
Colbert Heights	101	20.2

Mid Season All Stars

Five games into the season.  It is the halfway mark of the regular season.  In many sports there is an "all-star" break in which players with a great 1st half are rewarded and recognized for their outstanding play.  We will do the same.

A-3A

QB

Tyler Grigsby (Rogers) - High completion percentage.  Great decisions.  Can run.  Wins.  Easy choice...he has really done a great job guiding this offense, making all the right throws and runs as well.
Cole Claunch (Colbert Heights) - Excellent accuracy.  He throws well and has continued to do well even as teams completely prepare for the aerial attack.  Lots of yardage no matter who the competition.  Has had a very good start to the season. 


RB
Charles Jackson (Sheffield) - You can count on Jackson for a couple of scores, a long run, and 100+ yards seemingly every game.  The Bulldogs have not lost since his return from a game 1 absence.
Chandler Russ (Shoals Christian) - Hard to ignore back to back 200+ yard rushing games.

Offensive Line
Lauderdale County - These guys make running lanes for anyone.  At least three DIFFERENT runners have had 100 yard rushing games.  These guys have  multiple 400+ rushing nights.  Very solid. 
Red Bay - This line has simply pounded away at people.  Each game this season they have won the battle in the trenches.  This is why they are 5-0 on the season.

WR
Colby Spann (Colbert Heights) - An electric player that can score from anywhere.  Definitely a receiver that a defense has to put their best man on....and yet he still often breaks the long one.
Cody Stevens (Rogers) - Has had some very good games.  The passing game here helps keep defenses honest and Stevens is a big part of that. 

Defensive Line
Rogers - No one has had success running on the Pirates.  Linebackers Raleigh Killen and Zane Taylor stop anything the front doesn't.  Three shutouts in 5 weeks. 
Hatton - Even high powered offenses like RA Hubbard have trouble moving the ball on these guys.  They are extremely tough to run against.
Red Bay - Just as the offensive lines opens holes and wins games - this defensive line doesn't allow anyone to run.  They are the other reason the Tigers are undefeated.

Defensive Secondary

LCHS - Each week it seems this secondary makes big interceptions.  Even a team that throws as well as Brooks was unable to hurt this secondary.  Good athletes and a good scheme.
Sheffield - Bulldog defenders are only giving up 10 pts per game.  They intercepted an accurate passing Colbert Heights team 3 times in 1 game including a late 4th quarter pick to seal the win.
Rogers - Several players have multiple interception games.  You dont shut people out if your secondary is weak.  This one is strong. 

Both Ways/Special Teams
These are the "extras".  The guys who have played great but either at multiple positions or as special teams players.  Guys that you want on your team wherever they line up to play. 

Austin Kerr/Alex Woodard (Rogers) - Austin and Alex have both had games where they run for 100+ with multiple TD's and make interceptions.  Great first half to the season.
Jamie Dorrah/Craig Saint (Phil Campbell) - Both of these Bobcats have had tremendous games running, receiving, and on special teams. 
Jake Newton/Samuel Grisham (LCHS) - these two players have taken turns having exceptional games.  They are QB/RB's that are a big reason the Tigers are doing so well.

Watch Tomorrow for the 4A - 6A All-Stars

Player of the Week: Week 5

Coman recovers a fumble...again!

GOLD - Kivon Coman (Florence) - Not many times is a defensive player recognized and rewarded for his individual play.  Then again its not often a player forces three fumbles AND recovers them.  All three were on critical Trojan drives and were in the red zone as Florence defeats Muscle Shoals 27-22.



Grisham ran for 276 yards!



SILVER - Samuel Grisham (LCHS) -  Unbelievable numbers.  A night people often talk about for many years since it wasn't padding stats against a weak opponent.  These numbers were against a good Brooks Lions team.  276 rushing yards and 4 TD's in a 49 - 26 win.



Doss accounted for all 4 Falcon TD's







BRONZE - Kendrick Doss (Florence) - Quarterbacks jobs are to lead their team to win.  Some do this by simply managing the game.  Doss did better.  He took over the game.   4TD's and 262 total yards! 147 rushing yards and 3 TD runs combined with 11 of 18 passing for 115 yards and a TD in a 27-22 win.




HONORABLE MENTION
Will Minor (Deshler) - 117 yards rushing and 2 TD's in a 42-14 win over Colbert County
Zach Harris (Cherokee) - rushes for 111 yards in a loss to Shoals Christian
Will Bishop (Shoals Christian) - Throws for 127 yards and 3 TD's as the Flame win big
Daniel Hayes (Central) - 144 yards on 12 carries with 3 TD's in a win over Butler
Charles Jackson (Sheffield) - 108 yards on 12 carries with 2 TD's in a 19-14 win
Jake Montgomery (Muscle Shoals) - 113 yards and a TD on 10 carries in a loss to Florence
Evan McFall (Central) - 122 yards and 2 TD's on 11 carries in a 62 - 20 win
Austin Kerr (Rogers) - Scoring 2 TD's and 1 interception in the end zone to beat Lexington 28-0
Steven Wood (Red Bay) - 166 yards rushing in a win over rival Belmont, Miss. 26-7
Chandler Russ (Shoals Christian) - 219 yards on 18 carries in a 55-13 win
JJ Green (Florence) - caught 8 passes for 102 yards and a TD in a win at home against Muscle Shoals
LCHS Offensive Line - Helped several runners combine for 485 rushing yards in a 49-26 win at Brooks
Colby Spann (Colbert Heights) - Caught a receiving TD and returned a punt 85 yds for another TD in a loss

Top Scoring Defenses

These teams do not give up many points.  Through four weeks these teams are a combined  33 - 11 on the year.  The top 2 teams have not given up more than 9 points in any single game.  And each of them have played some relatively high scoring offenses.  Other teams are consistently getting better.  Lexington has given up less points each week.  Here are the Top 10:

School                            Pts per Game
1. Muscle Shoals                    5

2. Hatton                                7

3. Sheffield                             10

4. Florence                             13.3
5. Deshler                               13.5
6. RA Hubbard                       14
7. Red Bay                             14.8
8. Rogers                               15.3
9. Lauderdale County             16.8
10. Colbert Heights                20.5                    
10. Lexington                         20.5

Top Scoring Offenses

Some teams score alot - that means plenty of pushups!



 The following ten schools have the highest scoring average through 4 games this season. 

SCHOOL                          PTS per GAME

1.  Muscle Shoals                      51.5

2. Brooks                                  36.8

3. Colbert Heights                     35.3

4. Deshler                                  33.8

5. Red Bay                                30.3

6. RA Hubbard                         28.5

7. Lauderdale County                27.3

8. Central                                  27

8. Rogers                                  27

10. Russellville                           26

The Lions seem to have no problems putting big numbers on the board!

Players of the Week - Week 4

GOLD - Hunter Childers (Red Bay) - rushed for 198 yards on 8 carries, ran 2 TD's and threw for 1 more in 35-14 win over Lamar County

SILVER - Austin Kerr (Rogers) - 177 yards on 20 carries and 3 TD's in a 36-29 win.

Bronze - Chandler Russ (Shoals Christian) - 4 TD's on 241 yards on 14 carries as the Flame win 59-37

Honorable Mention
Tyler Grigsby (Rogers) - 7 of 10 passing for 157 yards and 2 TD's leading a come from behind victory
Skylar Beck (Brooks) - 9 of 12 passing for 152 yards and a TD in a win over Central
Kelby Hallmark (Tharptown) - Threw for 231 yards and 2 TD's in a loss
Devan Sullivan (Muscle Shoals) - 109 yards rushing on 6 carries and 3 TD's
Vic Gilbert (LCHS) - 10 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception in a region win
Edgar Bahena (Tharptown) - 7 receptions for 171 yards in a loss to Shoals Christian
Samuel Grisham (LCHS) 154 yards on 24 attempts in a win
Tyler Boyd (Russellville) - 115 yards on 17 carries in a loss to East Limestone
Bryson Smith (Colbert Heights) - rushed for 60 yds and a TD and caught for 97 yds and TD in a win 28-21
Justin Cantrell (Deshler) - QB throws for 142 yards on 6 of 7 passing and 3 TD's in 2nd quarter
Kendrick Doss (Florence) - completed 22 of 33 passes wiht 2 TD's and 216 yards in a loss
Cody Stevens (Rogers) - 6 receptions for 149 yards and a TD in a win
Peyton Davis (Lexington) - 108 yds rushing with three TD's in a region win
Murphy Harrison (Central) - 108 yds on 8 carries in a loss to Brooks
Cole Claunch (Colbert Heights) - led team from behind to win with 13 of 16 passing for 160 yds
CJ Jackson (LCHS) - sparked a come from behind win with 141 yards on 9 carries
Chris Roulette (Muscle Shoals) - 6 tackles, 1 blocked punt, and a fumble recovery inside the 1
Reagan Carpenter (Hatton) - 109 rushing yds and 136 passing yds in a win over Phil Campbell