SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2009 |
TO THE
YELLOW BRICK
T.R. Miller (9-1) Considered by many to be the best team in 3A, T.R. Miller slipped up just once, losing to Straughn 28-21 in week eight. That loss cost the Tigers a region title and may have refocused them towards the playoffs. T.R. Miller hosts Abbeville on Friday. Trinity (9-0) What’s not to like about an undefeated team? The Wildcats’ 27-10 win against Dadeville tells you how good this Trinity team is. Trinity hosts Aliceville on Friday.
EXPLANATION KEY YELLOW BRICK
YELLOW BRICK
Pickens County (9-1) With weapons like junior quarterback Deion Curry, who is a playmaker that is a threat to run or pass, and running back Dominique Jones, the Tornadoes spent the last half of the season ranked No. 1 before dropping the season finale to rival Gordo. Pickens County hosts Keith on Friday.
Teams that could have a surprise run and make it to the Super Six.
ROAD
ROCKY ROAD
Solid teams that have an uphill climb to the Super Six, but could get there.
CLASS 1A YELLOW BRICK
Sweet Water (9-1) Let’s be honest. There’s Sweet Water and then there is everyone else. And until someone in Class 1A beats the Bulldogs, it’s going to remain that way. Sweet Water has won four of the past five 1A state titles. Sweet Water hosts Providence Christian on Friday.
FILE PHOTO
FILE PHOTO
Clay County (10-0) It’s the second-straight year Clay County finished the regular season without a blemish. Another semifinals appearance looks like a strong possibility. Clay County hosts Geraldine on Friday.
Reeltown (9-1) Reeltown could meet Hale County in the second round with a quarterfinals contest against eight Pickens County of Fultondale. Reeltown knocked Pickens County out of the playoffs a season ago. Reeltowns hosts Vincent on Friday.
ROAD
Leeds (8-2) Leeds is the defending state champions and its only two losses came against higher classification schools. The Green Wave should be able to move through the North bracket and contend for another state title. Leeds hosts Sylvania on Friday.
Hale County (8-2) If the Wildcats want to play in Bryant-Denny Stadium, they must navigate their way through the first two rounds of the playoffs unscathed. If Hale County can beat St. Jude it will probably face Reeltown. Win there and the Wildcats would probably face a rematch with either Fultondale of Pickens County. Lamar Co. (10-0) The Bulldogs worked their way up from unranked to ranked sixth. A potential s e c o n d - ro u n d re match against Sulligent, which Lamar County won 21-20 on Sept. 17, could trip the Bulldogs. Win there and it’s a potential rematch against Winston County or the Bulldogs could play Lexington. A date with Clay County in the semifinals would be a great game. Lamar County hosts Red Bay on Friday.
Winfield (7-3) ROAD The Pirates face a traditional power in Colbert County in the first round. However, Colbert County is having a down year compared to its standards. If Winfield wins that game, a potential second-round contest with an unbeaten Madison Academy awaits. Winfield hosts Colbert County on Friday.
ROCKY ROAD
Gordo (6-4) The Greenwave comes in with their biggest win of the season in a 28-7 throttling of Pickens County. Injuries and inexperience have limited Gordo’s play at times this season, and the Greenwave must overcome those issues if they want to contend in the playoffs. Gordo hosts Montgomery Academy on Friday.
West Blocton (7-3) West Blocton faces a stern challenge in the first round against a Dadeville team that went 9-1 and is ranked No. 8. If the Tigers get past that game, they would probably meet Cordova, which beat the Tigers two weeks ago, in the second round. West Blocton plays at Dadeville on Friday.
Strong teams with a good shot at being in the Super Six if things go their way.
Leroy (8-2) Leroy has won four of the past five state titles and is a favorite to add another title to the trophy case this year. Leroy’s only losses were to 4A Jackson and a one-point defeat to Sweet Water to close the season. Leroy hosts New Brockton on Friday.
Aliceville’s Javaris Dancy
Cordova (9-1) Winner of the 2007 state championship, Cordova rolled through the regular season, tripping up only once to Class 5A Hartselle. The Blue Devils’ defense is much improved this season, allowing more than 20 points just twice. A potential second-round clash with Dadeville or West Blocton exists which would yield a potential game against Trinity in the quarterfinals. Cordova hosts Montevallo on Friday.
MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
Teams favored to reach the Super Six or teams with the easiest path to Tuscaloosa.
CLASS 2A
MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
9C
Road to the Super Six
The playoffs begin Friday with 16 teams in each classification playing for a spot in the Super Six Championship Series in Tuscaloosa. Here is a breakdown of the playoffs in Classes 3A, 2A and 1A.
CLASS 3A
THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS
FILE PHOTO
Lamar County’s Michael Bradford
ROCKY ROAD
Linden (10-0) If there is a team that can beat Sweet Water, it’s Linden. The Patriots have picked up right where they left off last season, when they faced Sweet Water in the semifinals and fell short. It’s a pretty safe bet to think the two schools will meet in the semifinals again this season. Linden hosts Wadley on Friday.
MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
Linden’s Kendarius Fritts
Brantely (9-1) Brantley’s only loss came the first week against Class 3A Luverne 2221. However, the Bulldogs will have to beat Sweet Water in the quarterfinals if they want a chance a state title. Brantley hosts Butler County Magnet on Friday.
Maplesville (9-1) Mapleville’s only loss was to a strong Linden squad. Standing between Maplesville and a trip to Tuscaloosa is a potential rematch against Linden in the quarterfinals. Maplesville hosts Talladea County-Central on Friday.
FILE PHOTO
ROAD
Berry’s Terrance Hollingsworth
Berry (9-1) The Wildcats lost just once all season in a Region 7 clash with Hackleburg. Berry has never been past the second round of the playoffs, and, if the Wildcats hope to make school history, they will need big performances from running back Tank Hollingsworth and wide receiver David Morrison. Berry hosts Phillips on Friday.
Sulligent (7-3) The Blue Devils made an appearance in last year’s Super Six title game. If they want another shot at the crown, they’re going to have to earn it by knocking off a combination of Tanner, Lamar County, Lexigton, Winston County or Clay County. Sulligent travels to Tanner on Friday.
ROCKY ROAD
FILE PHOTO FILE PHOTO
Sulligent’s Steven Stewart
West Blocton’s James Kelser
FILE PHOTO
Holy Spirit’s Isaiah Fonbah
Holy Spirit (5-5) Holy Spirit has the rockiest of roads to travel to get to Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Titans would need to start with a win at Loachapoka, followed by a win against a Maplesville team that beat Holy Spirit just two weeks ago. Holy Spirit plays at Loachapoka on Friday.