DALTON MIDDLETON: My thoughts about each team five weeks in

We are five weeks into the 2022 high school football season, which means we are roughly halfway done with the regular season.

Most teams have played four of their 10 regular season games up to this point, with one bye week, but there are a few teams that have played all five weeks of the season.

Whether they’ve played four or five games this fall, I’ve been able to get a pretty good idea of how good each team in Elmore County is and what each team is about. Here’s what I learned about each team so far.

Wetumpka

Wetumpka is the real deal. Through five weeks, the Indians have a 4-1 record and they’re only loss came on a last-second touchdown to Pike Road, the defending 5A champs.

They are currently 2-1 in region play with three region games left, and it’s possible the Indians are sitting at 8-2 or 9-1 with a home playoff game come November. Are they legit contenders? That’s yet to be seen, but they’re good.

The always potent Wetumpka defense is allowing 16 points per game, and they’ve held three of their four opponents to 10 points or under. The offense, on the other hand, is averaging 32 points per game and has not been held under 24 points yet this year.

The Indians are rolling and they have an energy and swagger about them that can take them a long way.

Stanhope Elmore

Don’t look at Stanhope’s record. It does not tell the whole story.

The Mustangs are 1-3, but all three of their losses have been by one possession. They are a good team playing a really tough schedule, and it only gets tougher.

The Mustangs are 1-1 in region play, with a blowout win against

DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Russell County and a two-point loss to Montgomery Carver, which is undefeated this year.

There’s a really, really good chance that Stanhope can have a 3-3 or 4-2 region record at the end of the year and in a decent spot come playoffs. The Mustangs just have to learn to get over the hump of a close game. They have all the talent in the world, they just haven’t been able to run a close game into a win yet.

Holtville

Holtville’s team has proved it can score and play extremely well this season in two games, but the Bulldogs have also played pretty poorly in two games. They are 2-2 this season and while the talent is there to have a good season, they have to be more consistent.

In four weeks, they’ve gone blowout win, close loss, blowout win, and then close loss. If they want to be able to make a run in the playoffs, they will have to find some consistency over the next month.

Their next two region games are Jemison and Marbury. They should win both games, but they have to be consistent and play well to clinch that playoff spot. That means winning two games in a row, Bulldogs.

Elmore County

Elmore County has jumped out to a 3-1 record this year, and they’re solid. They’ve had the benefit of a fairly weaker schedule, but that along with a new coach has brought upon a sense of confidence in the Panthers.

You’re seeing that unfold as the Panthers blow out teams this year. They got a taste of humble pie against Central Clay County, but a loss early in the season is never a bad thing. Elmore County has the offensive weapons to score at will with Payton Stephenson, Garrett Allen, CJ Wilkes and Jabari Murphy.

If they rebound off this loss and start clicking, watch out for them. The Panthers will continue putting points up.

Tallassee

Tallassee is currently on a threegame losing streak and the Tigers are 0-2 in region play. The Tigers have some talent with players such as Tyler Ellis, Cade Everson, DJ Leonard and others, but they have to slow down on the penalties.

It seems every time the Tigers get a big play this year, it’s wiped out by a personal foul or an unnecessary hold. They have the talent to play smash mouth football like they usually do, but they just have to put it together quickly.

If they don’t, it can turn out to be a rough season really quick. Three must-win region games await the Tigers in the next month.

EDGEWOOD ACADEMY

Edgewood’s record, much like Stanhope’s, doesn’t need to be too focused on. The Wildcats are 1-3, but they have arguably the hardest schedule in AISA.

Their biggest issue is the run defense.

Edgewood has allowed over 300 yards on the ground in two of their four games this year. If they can clean up that, they have a chance to make a run. They’re currently 1-1 in region play, and they have Macon East and Hooper Academy left.

Hooper should be a win for the Wildcats, at least in my mind. Macon East, if the Wildcats play well, could go either way.

Stop the run, and your offense is strong enough to be able to score some points. The offense hasn’t been too consistent, but it is explosive and can put up points.

Local Sports Calendar

THURSDAY, SEPT. 22

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

Holtville at Elmore County

St. James at Wetumpka

Brewbaker Tech at Wetumpka Beauregard at Tallassee

FRIDAY, SEPT. 23

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Elmore County at St. Clair County

West Blocton at Holtville Prattville at Stanhope Elmore Tallassee at Chilton County Greenville at Wetumpka Fort Dale Academy at Edgewood Academy

MONDAY, SEPT. 26

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

Elmore County at Stanhope Elmore Edgewood Academy at Abbeville

TUESDAY, SEPT. 27

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

Elmore County at Benjamin Russell Wetumpka at Lanier Glenwood at Edgewood Academy Marbury at Holtville