A look at each region’s playoff race

As we enter Week 8 of the high school football season, the playoff picture is starting to clear up for each team in Elmore County.

DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Just from the outside looking in, it looks like we may have a home game or two, while most teams make the playoffs. There may be one or two that don’t make it to the postseason, however.

There are a lot of scenarios left to be played with just four weeks of the regular season left. The point of this column is to give you all a better picture of what lies ahead for each team.

Hopefully we all have a better idea of what each team in Elmore County has the chance to do by the end of it.

Let’s start with Wetumpka, Stanhope Elmore, and the rest of AHSAA Class 6A, Region 2.

There are seven teams in Region 2. Carver Montgomery, Park Crossing, Pike Road, Russell County, Sidney Lanier, Stanhope, and Wetumpka.

Through three or four games each, there’s a decent understanding of how the region will end up. Stanhope Elmore currently has a 1-2 record, which is in fifth place and on the outside looking in.

Sidney Lanier is 2-1 right now and in fourth place. Stanhope and Lanier play this week. If Stanhope wins, the Mustangs will be in the fourth spot and will most likely be in the playoffs. The Mustangs need to win this weekend and win on Oct. 21 against Park Crossing.

If they can win those two games, they should be the No. 4 seed due to tiebreakers over the bottom three teams. If they lose either of those two games, it’s going to be a short season.

Wetumpka is currently in third place in the region standings with a 3-1 record. The Indians are behind Pike Road and Carver Montgomery, which are both 3-0.

Wetumpka plays Carver this Friday, which could very well determine which two teams are hosting a playoff game.

If Wetumpka wins this week, the Indians will be in a three-way tie for first place. If they lose, they’ll stay in third or fourth place and will have to wait and see what happens with Sidney Lanier.

Regardless, Wetumpka has won three region games already. They’ve basically locked in a playoff spot.

AHSAA Class 5A, Region 4

There are six teams in this region, including two area teams. Beauregard, Central Clay, Sylacauga, Valley, Elmore

Matchup

Continued from B1

Jackson State has outscored its four opponents 190-37 and only one game has been closer than 42 points.

Adams, who recorded over 250 tackles and 30 TFL during his junior and senior years at Wetumpka, has served a massive role for the Ala-

Ingram

Continued from B1

County, and Tallassee.

Beauregard and Central Clay are both 3-0. They’ve already clinched playoff spots. Elmore County, Tallassee, and Valley are all three tied for third place with a 1-2 record.

Elmore County has lost to Central Clay and lost to Tallassee. They play Beauregard this Friday in what needs to be a must-win. If the Panthers lose this week, next week’s game at Valley will likely be a play-in game with the winner making the playoffs.

Losing to Tallassee really hurt the Panthers’ chances.

On the other hand, Tallassee could be sitting in a decent spot despite the 1-2 record. The Tigers have lost to both Beauregard and Central Clay, the two region leaders.

Tallassee gave itself a head-to-head tiebreaker with the win over Elmore County last week. If the Tigers beat Valley this Friday at home, they’re in the playoffs.

If they lose, they’ll have to beat Sylacauga next week and await results from Elmore County and Valley on Oct. 14. Nothing too complicated. Tallassee is in a decent spot. Elmore County has to work a little more.

AHSAA Class 5A, Region 3

This is another six-team region with Holtville being joined by Demopolis, Jemison, Marbury, Selma, and Shelby County. The Bulldogs are currently tied for second in the region with a 2-1 record.

Holtville is in a good spot. The Bulldogs have already beaten Jemison and Shelby County, and really just need one more win to secure a playoff spot. They play at Marbury this week, who is 0-3 in region play.

If Holtville beats Marbury this weekend, they’re in the playoffs. It’s as simple as that this week.

AISA Class AA Region 1 bama State defense and currently leads the team in tackles.

There are only five teams in this region, so Edgewood Academy only has four region games. They four teams joining the Wildcats are Chambers Academy, Abbeville Christian, Hooper Academy and Macon-East Academy.

Edgewood is currently 1-1 and tied for third place. The Wildcats are playing Macon-East (1-0) this week and then Hooper Academy (0-2) next week.

Win one game, and you’re in the playoffs. The Hooper game seems like the easiest, as they’ve already lost to a team Edgewood beat 40-0. But you play the games.

Just beat Hooper and you’re good, Edgewood. If you lose to them, madness will begin.

Playoff races are fun, and every single team in our area has a chance to be in one. We may have one or two slip through the cracks, but every team is in control of its own destiny right now.

It’s as easy as just winning.

Adams has a team-high 41 tackles this year, 10 more than the next closest defensive player. He has 19 solo tackles and 22 assists, while also tallying 3.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

With Adams leading the team, the Hornets have held three opponents to 13 points or less. Only one team is earning his dues basically. He loves Faulkner and I don’t remember the last time we had a kid sign, so this is awesome.”

Ingram had two offers, and he chose Faulkner over a college in Mississippi. He got on the Faulkner radar via its recruiting coach, Matthew Tarpley.

Tarpley, as well as serving as the recruiting coach at Faulkner, is an assistant coach for the Tallassee high school program. He’s seen Ingram play for years at the high school level, and reached out to Ingram and told him he wanted Ingram to play at Faulkner.

So after staying in contact with coach Tarpley, Ingram decided he didn’t want to go anywhere else and committed.

“I’ve watched Faulkner play a few times and I real-

Capsules

Continued from B1

Marbury in three of the last four games between them.

NEXT UP: Holtville hosts Demopolis; Marbury hosts Shelby County.

VALLEY (3-3) AT TALLASSEE (3-4)

The Players

TALLASSEE:

QB Tyler Ellis has rushed for 582 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. … … RB Joshua Griffin rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns last week. RB DJ Leonard led the team in receiving last week while also rushing three times.

FOUR DOWNS

Tallassee beat Elmore County, 26-20, last week; Valley lost to Central Clay, 12-6.

Both teams are 1-2 in AHSAA Class 5A, Region 4 this year.

Valley beat Tallassee, 34-12, the last time they met in 2019.

Tallassee broke a four-game los- has cored over 24 points on them this year, and that was Chip Kelly and the UCLA Bruins. ly, really like their program,” Ingram said. “I like the way they build their attacks up from the defense and the energy that they play with is amazing. I really like the college. Faulkner felt like the place I wanted to be.”

The star linebacker has helped lead Alabama State to a 3-2 record this season with a 1-1 record in SWAC play. The Hornets have wins over Howard University, Miles, and conference opponent Texas Southern.

They’ve lost to Prairie View A&M and UCLA.

Building the attack from the defense is something that Ingram already succeeds at in high school. He plays in the center of the defense, so he is the one who starts the attacks and passes the ball to the midfielders.

His goal for his senior year is to get build up his touches, and to get faster at making his passes. With the speed of his passes increasing, he also wants to work on his pass accuracy.

Those skills, along with just his pure speed, makes Horn believe he can be great at the next level.

“He’s really, really fast for a center back,” Horn said. “He’s very tenacious and he plays with a lot of passion. That’s really what separates him from other players at the high school level.” ing streak with its win last week.

NEXT UP: Tallassee hosts Sylacauga; Valley hosts Elmore County.

MONTGOMERY CARVER (5-1) AT WETUMPKA (6-1)

The Players

WETUMPKA: QB Nate Rogers added another passing total to his season total last week; he also caught his first touchdown pass of his career. … WR Quashawn Wright caught a touchdown pass last week. … S/WR Dorion Jackson recorded seven tackles, one interception and two catches for 60 yards.

FOUR DOWNS

Wetumpka beat Stanhope Elmore, 21-16, last week; Carver lost to Catholic (La.), 42-36.

Wetumpka is 3-1 in AHSAA Class 6A, Region 2; Carver is 3-0.

Carver has scored 117 points in three region games this year.

Wetumpka has allowed only 31 points in its last three region games.

NEXT UP: Wetumpka has a bye week; Carver at Sidney Lanier.

EDGEWOOD ACADEMY (2-4)

At Macon East Academy

THE PLAYERS

(5-1)

QB Austin Champion has completed 44 of 93 passes for 790 yards and 8 touchdowns. … DL Wes Reeves recorded 10 total tackles last week. … ATH Bradley Boone has totaled 534 yards and five touchdowns this year.

FOUR DOWNS

Edgewood Academy lost to Banks Academy, 47-19, last week; Macon East beat Crenshaw Christian, 48-29.

Edgewood Academy is 1-1 in AISA Class 2A, Region 1; Macon East is 1-0.

Macon East Academy beat Edgewood, 35-19, last season.

Edgewood Academy has allowed over 300 rushing yards in three games this year.

NEXT UP: Edgewood Academy hosts Hooper; Macon East hosts Chambers Academy.

PUZZLES & HOROSCOPE

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Someone older or more experienced might rain on your parade today. Perhaps they will say or do something that affects your possessions or your wealth. They might withhold permission for something. On the upside, this might be a chance to learn from the experience of someone older or wiser. In either case, keep your eyes open. Tonight: Listen to others.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) This is a tough day to deal with bosses, parents, the police and VIPs. If you ask them for something, their response will be, “Talk to the hand.” You might be caught off guard. You might get busted for something you did. Tread carefully! (What happened to yesterday’s great vibes?) Tonight: Show respect.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Travel plans might be interrupted today. Or perhaps rules and regulations will become an obstacle for you when traveling or dealing with higher education, publishing, medicine or the law. Something will probably stop you in your tracks. Stay positive. Tonight: Pay attention.

CANCER (June 21-July 22)

Check banking and nancial matters, because something unexpected will occur today. You might suddenly have trouble accessing money or resources that you expected to get. Obstacles and problems are likely. Fortunately, a family member might help and come through for you. Tonight: Be helpful.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Although partners and close friends might throw cold water on your suggestions, ironically, you might be able to pull something together today. This is because you are convincing and persuasive. Nevertheless, an authority gure might catch you off guard. Caution. Don’t get rattled if someone tries to pull rank. Tonight: Cooperate. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Work-related issues with other countries or people from other cultures might encounter some speed bumps today. Something might be canceled or blocked. Supervisors might be on your case. Fortunately, on the whole, nancial matters are favored. Go with what works and be careful. Tonight: Follow rules. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Parents should be vigilant today because this might be an accident-prone day for your kids. Be aware of this. Meanwhile, social plans might suddenly change. Rules, regulations or obstacles might affect sports, social events and children. Check the facts and details beforehand. Tonight: Relax. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Stock the fridge, because something unusual might take place at home today. Surprise company might drop by or a parent or an older family member might make demands on your time. Prepare for the unexpected. (Food and drink always help.) Tonight: Be ready.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Pay attention to everything you say and do, because this is a mildly accident-prone day for you. Meanwhile, it’s easy to get caught up in a negative narrative, which creates worry. Don’t do this to yourself. Mark Twain said, “Some of the worst things in my life never even happened.” Tonight: Stay positive.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Keep an eye on your nances, because this is a tricky day for money. You might nd money; you might lose money. Likewise, do what you can to protect your belongings from loss, theft or damage. Be alert! (The world needs more lerts.)

Tonight: Observe.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today you feel more conservative and more low-key. Yet ironically, you also might feel rebellious, or something unexpected might happen. It’s denitely a mixed bag. Slow down and be aware of everything happening around you. If something unexpected occurs, don’t overreact. Take it easy. Tonight: Be open. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Today you might feel cut off from others, kinda lonely. Quite possibly, it is you who is choosing not to reach out to others. You might even want to hide. (It’s one of those days.) Perhaps something going on behind the scenes makes you feel unsure about something. Relax. Tonight: Enjoy solitude.

1968

Trucks, SUVs & Vans

Ford