Rogers Pirates



Pirates will need big plays from the offense!

 Rogers Pirates vs
Piedmont Bulldogs
Hosting a playoff game is always exciting.  Hosting the 3rd round is even more special.  Hosting the #1 ranked team in the state for a trip to the Final 4 is exactly what will be happening in Greenhill, Alabama this Friday Night.  The Pirates bring a veteran squad into the game that is known for stingy defense but has quietly put up big numbers on offense lately.  They are averaging 35 ppg game while only allowing 16.  At 10-2 it has been a great season, but after such a dramatic win last week the Pirates are no doubt hungry for some more. Piedmont is for real.  They are scoring 44 ppg while only allowing 13.  The task is huge for Rogers, but last week the Sheffield Bulldogs played them well.  If Sheffield can compete - then Rogers should be able to as well, especially being at home.  Could be the perfect situation for an upset.

Lauderdale County Tigers

Lauderdale County at Madison Academy Mustangs
The Tigers made a comeback to remember Friday Night.  Down by double digits it didn't look good for advancing.  Then again, maybe this is just the Tigers year to win.  Behind a defense that wouldn't give late in the game and a couple of TD's by Grisham and of course another 100 yard game by Jackson - it turned in to another week of football.  The Tigers have advanced to play Madison Academy.  This is where it ended last year for the Tigers as they lost to the Mustangs 13-12.  This year the Mustangs started the season 0-2.  They have not lost since then.  They have struggled against some teams that are not considered powers, but have played extremely well at other times.  The Tigers were not as dominate as they have been in weeks past but won the game in spite of some mistakes.  These teams are facing off for the 6th time in 8 years.  Madison Academy has won the last 5 meetings.  Times are about to change.  The Mustangs are not as good as last year and the Tigers are even better.  Advantage - LCHS Tigers by 3.

Shoals Christian vs Donoho

Click here to see the pics from the game.

Muscle Shoals vs Cullman

Click here to see all the pics from the game.

Deshler vs Alexandria

Click here for the pics from the game.

4A and 5A Playoff Previews

4A

A healthy Minor makes the difference!

Deshler Tigers vs Alexandria Valley Cubs
A 10-1 Deshler Tiger team will host the 2nd round of the playoffs Friday Night.  Maybe more important than being at home is the fact that the services of Will Minor should be available making the offense that averaged nearly 46 ppg that much more lethal once again.  Depth at RB was not a problem as Minor has more than capable substitutes but nothing can replace his senior experience.  Advancing this far in the playoffs is commonplace for the Tigers, but with this many young and new faces on the team it is quite a feat.  This team is good, but so is Alexandria.  The Valley cubs are 8-3 but have had trouble stopping teams on defense.  They score 38 ppg but are giving up over 31 ppg.  Even in last weeks win they allowed 41 points as the offense lit the scoreboard for 55.  The Tigers only allow 21 ppg.  The valley cubs expect to win as well.  They boast 3 state titles just like the Tigers.  Might be a high scoring contest but expect the Tigers to do more of it.  Advantage - Deshler Tigers by 3.

Dee Liner leads a solid defense!

5A
Muscle Shoals Trojans vs Cullman Bearcats
Wanna see some scoring? Make your way to Dennis Homan field Friday night and enjoy the fireworks.  These two teams scored a combined 109 points in their round 1 wins.  The Bearcats average 40 points but have allowed over 22 ppg.  They are 8-3 on the year losing to 6A Huntsville, undefeated Hartselle, and Fort Payne.  The Trojans will have their hands full.  Muscle Shoals averages an equally high 46.7 ppg but the difference is on defensive side.  The Trojans have allowed only 12 ppg.  Although the Trojans haven't experienced the playoff success of Cullman - the expectations are high.  They expect to advance.  Neither team is satisfied with being in Round 2.  Look for the home crowd to pull the home team through. if the defense plays as it did the first half of the season it might be easier - if not a battle.  Advantage - Muscle Shoals Trojans by 6

More Playoff Previews

3A
Lauderdale County Tigers vs Glencoe Yellow Jackets

Tiger defense punishes opponents!

The last time these two teams met many of the players parents weren't even in school yet.  Glencoe defeated LCHS 25-22 in 1973.  How much does that have to do with 2011.  None.  But the last six weeks have a lot to do with the outcome.  In the past six weeks the Tigers have given up a total of 9 points.  Three of the opponents were playoff teams.  During that span they have scored 221 points.  Can't imagine anyone statewide dominating teams like that over a similar period of time.  The Tigers defense is overpowering.  It is not just that they dont give up points....they dont allow yards either.  The offense is just as overpowering with three runners consistently closing in if not surpassing 100 yards each night.  The offensive line gets a push and the skilled players follow wisely.  Samuel Grisham makes great reads as to who needs the ball and is obviously more than capable of keeping it and hurting defenses himself.  So what about Glencoe?  They bring a 9-2 record into the game and they too have dominated opponents since October began.  No losses during that period and have limited the opposition to no more than 10 points in a gmae during that stretch.  They have outscored opponents on average by a score of 26-11 this season. But, it is doubtful that they have played anyone as strong as the Tigers since the game with Piedmont (which they lost 28-17).  Competing with Piedmont is a sign that they are for real; however, in the 1973 matchup the Yellow Jackets went on to win the state championship.  Who knows - this years winner may do the same.  Advantage - Lauderdale County Tigers by 4

Sheffield will need its runners to
 break free Friday Night!

Sheffield Bulldogs at Piedmont Bulldogs

The boys from Sheffield will face their toughest challenge to date this Friday Night.  The Bulldogs from Piedmont bring a perfect record into the game.  They score 40+ points per game and allow just over 11 points per game.  In 2009 this school won the state championship.  Several current players were part of that team.   The Piedmont community has not seen many losses inthe past few years and expectations are sky high.  They have been ranked #1 in the state since Week 3.  Rankings don't win games but only very high quality teams get ranked that high.  This team is not happy to be in the second round.  They expect another championship.  Sheffield is on their way up.  No doubt.  They are experiencing success like hasn't been seen in a decade in this community.  The Sheffield Bulldogs bring an incredibly talented and physical defense into the game as well as an electric running game.  It will make for a game that is probably tougher than either team has played all season.  It wold be great if Sheffield pulls the upset.  It could happen.  But if forced to make a pick one would have to say that the Advantage goes to Piedmont - but not by much. 

Rogers Pirates at Saks Wildcats

It is a long drive to Anniston, Alabama from Greenhill.  Don't count on any of the Pirates players or coaches minding too much.  Better to travel than be sitting at home.  After a tiebreaking 3rd place finish the Hamilton Aggies posed a tough challenge.  One 35-21 win later the Pirates have gained some of the swagger they had from earlier in the season.  This is a defense that has only allowed 15 ppg this season and has been able to put almost 35 ppg on the board.  This is an experienced team that is well coached.  The expectations are high in Greenhill and the Pirates might just get to play another week.  Saks is 1-3 in the last 4 games.  They limped into the playoffs on a 3 game losing skid.  The defense starting giving up points and the scoring was limited as they were completely shut out in week 10.  They too know about tiebreakers as they were in a three way tie for 2nd in the region.  They too lost out.  They ended up fourth but apparently got things back on track last week as they knocked off #1 seeded Sardis 34-14.  It will be a challenge - but if the Pirates play as they have many times this season they will survive - Advantage - Rogers Pirates by 2