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

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

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

Pictures from Lexington vs Hatton...

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

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.

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

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

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

Offense sells tickets, but DEFENSE...

wins championships!  We will have to wait and see if this holds true this year, but so far after the third week, these 10 schools have a combined record of 22 - 8.

  Team Defense                                      Pts/gm

  1.  Muscle Shoals                                   4.3
  2.  Hatton                                                7
  3.  Florence                                            7.7
  4.  Rogers                                             10.6
  5.  Sheffield                                          11.3
  6.  Deshler                                            13.3
  7.  R.A. Hubbard                                    14.7
  8.  Red Bay                                           15
  9.  Lauderdale County                             17.7
10.  Central                                              18.7

Players of the Week - Week 3

 This week had many players that made major contributions to their team.  It was difficult to single out anyone considering the number of outstanding performers.  43 yd field goals, long TD runs, special team TD's, and big rushing numbers.  In the end - it came down to those who played big when it seemed to matter the most.  Good games, good competition, and excellent performances.  Eveyone listed, whether it was the top three or honorable mention, had outstanding games this week.  Congratulations to all!

GOLD - Alex Woodard (Rogers) - Scored three TD's and made 3 interceptions including a late pick as Pirates win 29 - 0.  Alex contributed on both offense as well as defense in a tough region game.

SILVER -  Tyler Boyd (Russellville) - Great game against a good team in a close game - 101 yards rushing including the go ahead TD in a hard fought 17-14 win
BRONZE - LCHS Offensive Line - After falling down 14 - 0 the offense absolutely HAD to find a way to produce.  This line opened holes and made sure that anyone who ran the ball could get yardage.  500 yards of total offense with 471 on the ground in a 41 - 14 win. 

Honorable Mention
Dillon Gist (Muscle Shoals) - Trojan Fullback carries 8 times for 138 yds and 1 TD in 53 - 0 win
Devan Sullivan (Muscle Shoals) - Sophomore carries 13 times for 125 yds and 3 TD's in a win at Columbia
Florence Falcon Defense - Limited the high powered Bob Jones offense to 10 points and 185 total yards in a 10-7 loss
Deshler Tiger Defense - shutout a Central offense that came in averaging 40 ppg
Matt Senkbeil (Red Bay) - 91 yards on 9 carries and 2 TD's as Tigers defeat Colbert Heights 35 - 28.
Will Minor (Deshler) - 135 yards and 2 TD's on 14 carries as Deshler shuts out Central
Cole Claunch (Colbert Heights) - 8 of 21 passing for 183 yards and 4 touchdowns in a loss
Dallas Mitchell (Brooks) - 65 yd touchdown run to open the game against Ardmore
Jose Betencourt (Russellville) - kicker connected on a 43 yd FG as Tigers win by 3
Charles Jackson (Sheffield) - 138 yards on 10 carries and a TD as Bulldogs win 21-7
Matthew Boutwell (Sheffield) - 105 yards rushing on only 4 carries in a win
Jake Newton (LCHS) - 166 yards on 19 carries and 2 TD's in a win
Tyler Grigsby (Rogers) - 7 of 14 passing for 103 yards and 3 TD's as Rogers win on the road
Alex Woodard (Rogers) - Scored two TD's and an Interception as Pirates win 29 - 0
Andrew Davis (Lexington) - 31 carries and 104 yards as Lexington beats Sulligent 20-13
Jesse Naylor (Hatton) - Scored twice and ran 178 yards on 11 carries as Hatton wins
Jamie Dorroh (Phil Campbell) - 95 yd kickoff return for TD and an 85 yd TD run as Bobcats lose
Rogers Defense - 2nd straight shutout
Kendrick Doss (Florence) - 15 of 26 passing for 108 yards in a lose to Bob Jones

Team Defense

The following is a list of the stingiest defenses in the area.  If championships are really won by great defense - then these are the teams to watch out for!  Their combined records are 15 - 5 with 3 of those 5 losses being in head to head matchups with teams on the list.  Hatton is the anomaly, they have only given up 13 points total this season, yet are 0-2 due to scoring only 6 points.  So....If you love to see a good defensive battle - these are the teams to watch!

Fewest Points Allowed

Team                        points per game avg
1. Florence                        6.5
1. Muscle Shoals               6.5
3. Hatton                           7.5
4. Red Bay                        8.5
5. RA Hubbard                 10
6. Colbert Heights             13
6. Sheffield                        13
8. Rogers                          16
9. Central                          17.5
10. Laud. County              19.5

The Running Game

Running the football requires more than just a good running back.  Good blocking is a must.  A total team effort is required to be successful on the ground.  Although we realize that statistics don't always tell the whole story they do help recognize trends.  Below are both the leaders after Week 1 in running the ball on offense as well as the teams whose defense stopped the run the best.   

Offense                      Yards per Carry
1. Brooks Lions                      8.77
2. Lauderdale County             8.20
3. Central Wildcats                 8.06
4. Cherokee Indians               7.89

5. Muscle Shoals                    7.80

6. Russellville Tigers               6.67

7. Red Bay Tigers                  6.41
8. Florence Falcons                5.98
9. Deshler Tigers                    5.62
10. Tharptown                       5.29

Defense                       Yards/Carry Allowed
1. Lauderdale County                3.05

2. Red Bay Tigers                     3.07

3. Brooks Lions                        3.20

4. Florence Falcons                  3.27

5. Central Wildcats                   3.35

6. Phil Campbell                       3.55

7. Muscle Shoals                      4.35

8. RA Hubbard                        4.97

9. Hatton Hornets                     5.06

10. Cherokee Indians               5.46