The outstanding region matchups between high school teams are the highlight of every week. We take a look at five of the most intriguing games coming up.
*With all due respect to Hewitt-Trussville, the Class 7A Region 3 title seems to permanently reside at Hoover or Thompson. On Friday night, Hewitt-Trussville can take a huge step toward possibly changing that narrative when the Huskies play host to Hoover. That’s the No. 5 (Hewitt-Trussville) and 6 ranked Class 7A teams in the state.
Hewitt-Trussville (3-1 overall, 2-0 Region 3) is explosive on offense behind QB Peyton Floyd and a host of talented skill position players. Hoover (3-1, 2-0 Region 3) is capable of moving the ball with quarterback Brewer Smith and running backs Ahamari Williams, Kamal Amerson and Lamarion McCammon leading the way.
But this one could very well hinge on a pair of darn good defenses. Linebackers Bradley Shaw and Kaleb Jackson are top-notch linebackers for a loaded Hoover defense that is pretty good at scoring points on its own. Hewitt-Trussville gave up 37 points in the opening loss to Phenix City Central but has allowed just 38 points in the next three games. Defensive lineman Hunter Osborne is an Alabama commitment.
Motivation Monday! Wasn't the prettiest but a W is always beautiful! Let's get ready for another one this week! 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/VJEJUvBaN0
— Hoover Bucs Football (@BucsFootball) September 12, 2022
*Two of the better stories in North Alabama get together on the same field Friday night in a Class 6A non-region game when Hazel Green (3-1, 2-0 Region 8) visits Decatur (4-0, 2-0 Region 7). Both pulled out amazing wins last week with Decatur beating Cullman, 39-36, in triple overtime and Hazel Green storming back to beat Buckhorn, 49-42.
Hazel Green head coach Charlie Wilburn began his tenure at the school with a 77-9 loss to Sparkman in the opener. Since then, though, the Trojans knocked off Grissom, Huntsville Lee and Buckhorn. He’s turning around a program that hasn’t had a winning record since finishing 6-4 in 2016 and has only one region title in program history.
Decatur, which has a proud tradition, is 4-0 for the first time since 2010. Decatur has won 12 of the 14 meetings with Hazel Green.
*The first ever meeting between Andalusia and Montgomery Academy should be a doozy. Montgomery Academy, last season’s 3A champion, plays host to Andalusia in Class 4 Region 2 play. Entering this week’s games, Montgomery Catholic, Andalusia and Montgomery are each 2-0 in Region 2 play.
Andalusia has blitzed its first four opponents behind quarterback Jack Lathrop, running back J’Marion Burnette, a 6-foot-1, 230-pound junior with Alabama and Auburn offers, and a strong defense. The Bulldogs outscored their first four opponents, 170-47.
Montgomery Academy lost its opener to St. James but responded with three consecutive victories. J’Shawn Cooper, a 6-foot, 230-pound bruiser at running back and outside linebacker and quarterback/punter Carson Springer were all-state players last season.
*Orange Beach looks to take another step in its young history. The Makos, who are in the third year of football as a program, play host to T.R. Miller with both teams trying to keep pace at the top of Class 4A Region 1 standings. T.R. Miller began playing football in 1926.
Orange Beach is led by veteran coach Jamey DuBose. Quarterback Cash Turner is talented, and UAB commit Christopher Pearson is a playmaker in all three phases.
T.R. Miller’s lone loss this season came to UMS-Wright. Two of T.R. Miller’s victories have come by three points or less, so they know how to win close games. Sophomore Myles Turner is a standout running back.
*Center Point is 4-0 and receiving votes for the Class 6A Top 10. The Eagles outscored their first four opponents 191-61, and the smallest winning margin came in a 32-6 win over Huffman.
That’s the good news. The bad news is the combined records of the first four opponents is 4-12 and Class 2A Aliceville has three of those wins. The last two opponents – Huffman and Pell City – are still searching for a first win.
Up next is a much different challenge. Clay-Chalkville received all 20 votes in Class 6A Top 10 voting and was 76 points ahead of No. 2 Mountain Brook in the poll. The Cougars, who play host to Center Point, allowed 20 points in the first four games with 12 of those coming in a two-point win over Pinson Valley last Friday.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email steve.irvine@1819news.com.
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