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

Round 2 Previews

1A
Shoals Christian Flame vs Donoho Falcons

For the third time in school history the Flame advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs.  Shoals Christian also will be playing Donoho for the third time in school history.  The Flame beat the Falcons 50-20 in 2005.  Donoho advances for the 4th time in its 30+ years of football history.  The Flame enter the game via a 55-20 thrashing of Hubbertville.  Behind the passing of Will Bishop and the running of Chandler Russ the Flame offense has been difficult to stop.  Donoho  brings a 10-1 record into the game with their only loss being at the hands of Ragland by the score of 46-13.  The Falcons defense has only allowed more than 8 points in a game twice all year.  They are only allowing 9 points per game.  The Flame are 8-3 and will get to play at home again where they have not lost since week 1 to Lynn.  It should be a tough test for the Flame.  Similar to the Addison and Hackleburg games in which they came out on top.  Look for a similar result - Advantage Shoals Christian by 5. 

2A
Red Bay Tigers at Fultondale Wildcats
The Tigers will face a tough opponent on the road Friday Night.  Fultondale is averaging over over 47 points per game.  They won last week on the road as a #3 seed beating North Sand Mountain 26 - 21.  They also played Tanner closer than anyone else losing 24 - 7 which is by far the fewest points by Tanner all season.  Red Bay bounced back from a Week 10 loss to squeeze out a home win in round 1 28-26.  The Tigers will have a similar challenge this week on the road.  The Wildcats boast a strong defense as do the Tigers.  Red Bay has defeated some good teams this year like Sheffield, Colbert Heights, and Lexington.  If they can get that dominate running game in gear as it was for most of the season they may find themselves advancing to the quarterfinals for only the fifth time.  Fultondale is 0-3 in Round 2.  Look for it to go to 0-4 ...Advantage - Red Bay Tigers by 3. 

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

Shoals Christian Advances

Chandler Russ leads Flame into Round Two with over 200 yards rushing.  The Flame advance by winning 55-20 after being down 12-6 early.

Click here to see all 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.

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!

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

Region Champs

1A - 5A has a local team that will be hosting the first round of the playoffs and can lay claim to the Regional Championship for 2011.  Each team arrived by virtue of different paths. In 5A and 4A it was apparent early in the season that Muscle Shoals and Deshler were the creme of the crop.  It would not be easy - but they were favored and expected to win in most games.  For the Trojans the title was its first since 1988.  A great accomplishment for this group of players and coaches.  For the Deshler Tigers it was the third consecutive title and the 19th since 1988.  Very different attitudes towards the accomplishment.  In 3A, the Lauderdale County Tigers looked to be in a lot of trouble after losing to Rogers, but after beating Brooks and Sheffield they find themselves winning the 3-way tie breaker to win their first title since 2004.  Red Bay claims the 2A championship, its first since 2007 and in 1A it is Shoals Christian for the first time since the school started its football program in 2002.  Whereas some teams have known for a few weeks, and others had to decipher tie-breakers - the Flame of Shoals Christian did it in the most exciting way.  They played head to head last night for the title.  Coach Odems boys won on the road to seal the championship.   Each of these will be playing week after next at home against a #4 seed.  Each will be favored and might get to play football for a few more weeks!

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.

Title on the Line

Playing for a Regional Championship.  It's the scenario of which boys dream.  Some teams wrap it up early and it is almost anti-climatic when they actually win it officially.  Not the case for Shoals Christian.  Coach Patrick Odom and the Flame will have one Region game left.  It just so happens to be against the team in first place.  Addison.  The winner will be crowned the Region 8 Champions.  Addison enters the game undefeated at 8-0.  The Bulldogs are 17 times Region Champs, 3 times State Champs, and won last years game 34-17.  In fact the Flame have never defeated Addison.  SCA has never won a Region title.  There is a first for everything.  With Will Bishop and his plethora of capable receivers the offense is very balanced because the ground game led by Chandler Russ is solid.  If the defense can limit the Bulldog scoring it could allow for yet another exciting first in Shoals Christian football.  One game away...what more could a player ask for??

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



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

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

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

Profile: Chandler Russ - Shoals Christian

The Brotherhood.  Christians often refer to one another as "brothers and sisters".  It may take on a whole new concept at a small school  like Shoals Christian.  Chandler Russ, who is second in the area in rushing at 121.8 yards per game, has to give credit to his true brother, an offensive lineman that blocks for him.  "The biggest part in my success has been my linemen/tight-end, I run as hard and fast as I can and trust my teammates to go hard. The wide receivers also do a great job stalk blocking. We all go hard and thats why we've had success."  But like most 1A schools the roster is filled with players that play both ways.  "The toughest part is getting tired. I'm a kicker on special teams and play middle linebacker on defense so I dont get much time to rest. "  He gets help from another brother here.  His other younger brother is the outside linebacker.  Together the three of them have helped the Flame to a 4-2 record with a 3-1 region record that is currently got them in third place behind Hackleburg and Addison.  Hackleburg visits the Flame this Friday night. In referring to his Sophmore twin brothers Russ says "Its pretty cool to know they're out there with me for my last year". Its that brotherhood and closeness of the players that helps in many ways.  "My favorite part of playing for Shoals Christian is that it gives you opportunities. Everyone gets their chance to play and we are all best friends so its always a good time. Most all of us play every sport so we always play with the same guys all year around which gives us very good chemistry."  So far it seems to be working well...everything is going good in the Flame Family!

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