Last week provided many surprises in prep playoff football with the Kingwood Lions losing in the first round and the Calera Eagles pulling off an upset win against Highland Home on the road.

Five Shelby County teams remain alive in the playoffs going into the second round with Chelsea and Calera playing at home and Shelby Academy, Oak Mountain and Briarwood all headed out on the road.

It seems strange, however, that despite holding a 9-2 overall record the Briarwood Lions must travel to B.C. Rain (7-4), located more than 200 miles and three hours away in Mobile. But the AHSAA’s playoff rules stipulate that in the second and third rounds of the postseason the team that traveled more in the prior round will hold homefield advantage.

In the end, however, the Lions are one of three county teams that I believe will will stay alive this week.

The Chelsea Hornets (9-2) welcome East Limestone (9-2) to Chelsea Field Friday night in the 4A second round. The Hornets dropped Moody last week, 14-6, in a rematch from last year’s postseason. East Limestone is coming off a victory over Lawrence County (6-4) in the first round.

– Shelby County Game of the Week Prediction: Chelsea 24, East Limestone 9.

The Calera Eagles (6-5) come home this Friday after a surprising win over favored Highland Home last week, 25-20. The Eagles host Leroy (10-1) in the second round.

– Prediction: Leroy 32, Calera 13.

The Oak Mountain Eagles (8-3) travel to Decatur (10-1) Friday night in the second round of the 6A playoffs after dispatching John Carroll in the first round, 27-7. Decatur knocked off Hewitt-Trussville (6-4) last week.

– Prediction: Decatur 21, Oak Mountain 10.

The Briarwood Lions feel like they deserve a home game in the second round, so as they travel to B.C. Rain in the second round of the 5A playoffs you can bet they’ll be fired up. B.C. defeated Wetumpka last Friday (6-4) to earn the home game.

– Prediction: Briarwood 45, B.C. Rain 13.

The Shelby Academy Raiders (10-1) got a scare in round one Friday night from Lakeside Academy. Look for the Raiders to bounce back strong as they travel to face Autauga (10-1) in the second round.

– Prediction: Shelby Academy 35, Autauga 10