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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

As the calendar winds closer and closer to November, it’s time to decide some playoff spots.

Multiple teams across Shelby County can clinch their places in the postseason in Week 9, and they’ll have competitive matchups on hand this week. In addition, Thompson and Evangel can wrap up their respective regular-season championships with wins, securing crucial home-field advantage.

Our top two matchups this week have both playoff and personal stakes as Thompson and Hoover renew their longtime rivalry that always brings chaos and Helena and Calera face off in a county battle that could decide the two teams who advance to the postseason.

Let’s dive into our 11-game slate for the second-to-last week of region play, but not before a quick check-in with our staff prediction standings.

 

Last Week’s Prediction Results:

Andrew Simonson: 8-3

Alec Etheredge: 9-2

Daniel Locke: 9-2

Dave Domescik: 8-3

Tyler Raley: 8-3

 

Prediction Standings after Week 8:

T-First: Alec Etheredge, Daniel Locke and Tyler Raley: 69-18

Fourth: Andrew Simonson: 68-19

Fifth: Dave Domescik: 64-23

 

Bye: Briarwood

 

Thompson (6-2, 5-0 Region 3) at Hoover (5-3, 3-2 Region 3) (Game of the Week)

It’s one of the biggest rivalries in the entire state, and for good reason. No matter how dominant Thompson has been in a given year, regular-season meetings with Hoover tend to be a stumbling block. The Bucs have won three of the last four regular-season matchups despite the Warriors leading the series 9-5 since 2017 including playoffs meetings. Don’t expect Thompson to take this game lightly, nor should they. Hoover’s offense has been as explosive as any in the state with Jonah Winston and Jeremiah Tabb helping them score 33.3 points per game in the air. This will be the biggest regional test for the Warriors defense. However, the Bucs have been somewhat susceptible on defense, leading to slow starts against Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa and Parker. That leads me to believe the game will be won on the edges and by the more consistent team. I lean toward Thompson in both aspects. The Warriors secondary of Damonte Tabb and Micah Fleming have excelled in space this season, and Trent Seaborn has been consistently accurate with throws at all levels. It could be wild on the road in the Met, but I like Thompson to wrap up region gold. Thompson 24, Hoover 14.

 

Alec’s Pick: Thompson 35, Hoover 21.

Daniel’s Pick: Thompson 47, Hoover 38.

Dave’s Pick: Thompson 35, Hoover 21.

Tyler’s Pick: Thompson 28, Hoover 24.

 

Helena (2-5, 2-2 Region 3) vs. Chelsea (5-2, 2-2 Region 3)

Playoff-wise, this is easily the biggest matchup of the week. If Pelham falls at Benjamin Russell, this likely becomes an elimination game, and that could prove costly for Chelsea if it loses since Helena and Pelham would hold head-to-head tiebreakers. That means it will be crucial for the Hornets to establish the run game, Chase Malone or not, against the Huskies. Pelham got the ground game to work against Helena early, and that could be the key to success again if Chelsea gains chunk yards and first downs on the ground to open up the game for Logan Strunk. As for the Huskies, they appear to have more paths to victory thanks to Dom Santiago’s explosive play on the ground and Caleb Soreano’s steady and accurate arm under center. They’ll need a fast start to avoid falling in an early hole like they have the last few weeks, but last week felt like a big step forward after a brutally hard road schedule. With two solid offenses, defense will likely decide this one, and Helena’s ability to make plays in space with guys like Jonathan Roberto should make the difference in a close one. Helena 21, Chelsea 14.

 

Alec’s Pick: Helena 21, Chelsea 20.

Daniel’s Pick: Chelsea 27, Helena 17.

Dave’s Pick: Chelsea 28, Helena 24.

Tyler’s Pick: Helena 31, Chelsea 21.

 

Vincent (5-2, 3-1 Region 5) at Isabella (4-4, 2-2 Region 5)

Vincent remains in the driver’s seat for one of the prime spots in the region, but a loss to Isabella and a Sulligent win over Tuscaloosa Academy on Friday could throw an industrial-sized wrench into the equation. That puts even more emphasis on a road trip to a team that many hyped coming into the season but one that’s been just average this season, scoring 23.3 points per game this season and giving up 24.3. That includes both a loss to Greene County and a win over likely region champion Tuscaloosa Academy. Especially if Landon Archer has to start for a second-straight week, establishing the run and getting stops will be extremely crucial. With all due respect to Archer’s admirable performance that was very like Lane Mims early in his career, this team’s road to success is on the ground and with Jayden Roberts. Get him over 100 yards and a couple of scores and watch the offense open up around him. The defense also has another opportunity for a statement, and if they get the three-and-outs and short drives that have driven their wins this season, it should go in their favor. It will be tough on the road, but the Jackets’ defensive prowess will keep them in any game in Class 2A. It’s just all about capitalizing. Vincent 28, Isabella 14.

 

Alec’s Pick: Vincent 24, Isabella 21.

Daniel’s Pick: Vincent 30, Isabella 20.

Dave’s Pick: Vincent 21, Isabella 17.

Tyler’s Pick: Vincent 38, Isabella 28.

 

Oak Mountain (3-4, 1-4 Region 3) vs. Hewitt-Trussville (6-2, 3-2 Region 3)

Turnovers were the killer of the day for both teams last week, Oak Mountain in a shutout loss at Vestavia Hills, and surprisingly, Hewitt on the road at Prattville. An interception and lost ball in the end zone proved the difference in a loss that threw the Class 7A, Region 3 race wide open with four teams (Vestavia, Hewitt, Hoover, Prattville) tied at 3-2 and racing for three spots. The Eagles aren’t in that race as the offense hasn’t been able to get over the line and into the end zone to take advantage of the windows that the defense opens up. If Oak Mountain wants to get a win here, it will boil down to exploiting the Huskies run defense, which gave up 120 yards to the Lions’ top back last week. Marty Myricks can easily get to that number behind a solid line, but it’s all about getting into the end zone without the Eagles turning the ball beforehand. Hewitt is a dangerous offensive team on any day with Jack Floyd and Dylan Cope, but mix some added motivation into the mix and it could be a very lethal combo come Friday night should Oak Mountain’s errors persist. Hewitt-Trussville 45, Oak Mountain 7.

 

Alec’s Pick: Hewitt-Trussville 38, Oak Mountain 10.

Daniel’s Pick: Hewitt-Trussville 41, Oak Mountain 13.

Dave’s Pick: Hewitt-Trussville 42, Oak Mountain 21.

Tyler’s Pick: Hewitt-Trussville 49, Oak Mountain 14.

 

Calera (2-5, 1-3 Region 3) vs. Spain Park (5-2, 3-1 Region 3)

Both teams head into this matchup with heads full of momentum, but the circumstances are much different. Spain Park outscored James Clemens, Pelham and Chelsea by a combined 114-21 after a one-point loss to Benjamin Russell. Calera ended its 0-5 start with wins over Brookwood and Chilton County, who are a combined 2-12 outside of playing each other. That’s no diss to the Eagles as wins are wins, especially when Jordan Henderson rushes for north of 200 yards, but Spain Park is the more battle-tested team coming into this, and that could play a big factor. The Eagles’ biggest key to contending here is to start fast, as a lack of which was the lone critique from their last two wins. We arguably haven’t seen Calera play a complete game yet this season, and that’s scary given the potential we’ve seen. Spain Park has been very consistent on the offensive end, and I expect Brock Bradley to have a great opportunity to do so here again to help lock up a home playoff game. Spain Park 42, Calera 21.

 

Alec’s Pick: Spain Park 42, Calera 14.

Daniel’s Pick: Spain Park 38, Calera 10.

Dave’s Pick: Spain Park 28, Calera 7.

Tyler’s Pick: Spain Park 49, Calera 20.

 

Pelham (3-4, 3-2 Region 3) at Benjamin Russell (6-1, 4-0 Region 3)

It’s the last chance for Pelham to create separation in region play as it will host non-region Leeds next week, but this week’s opportunity is arguably the worst opponent at the worst time. Benjamin Russell comes into this matchup as one of the top offensive teams in Class 6A with plenty of weapons to cause problems for the Panthers defense. Add in a week of rest from a bye and that concern only multiplies. That said, Pelham should have a good chance if it establishes the ground game with Tristan Rutledge. The Wildcats aren’t as effective at defending the run, relatively speaking, and that was what worked well against Helena in the first half. Do that, avoid mistakes and pick your spots against the secondary, and Pelham could pull the upset. However, Benjamin Russell is too strong and well-rested and will likely wrap up the region title here. There’s no shame in losing here, even if it could prove costly to the Panthers’ playoff chances. Benjamin Russell 35, Pelham 14.

 

Alec’s Pick: Benjamin Russell 35, Pelham 14.

Daniel’s Pick: Benjamin Russell 27, Pelham 20.

Dave’s Pick: Benjamin Russell 28, Pelham 14.

Tyler’s Pick: Benjamin Russell 42, Pelham 17.

 

Shelby County (4-4, 3-2 Region 3) vs. Selma (2-5, 1-3 Region 3)

The Wildcats are basically locked in at the No. 3 seed and are playing some of their best offensive football going into their lightest stretch of the schedule. Shelby County racked up 340 yards of total offense against Montevallo with about as even of a split as we’ve seen from this team in years. That bodes well going into the playoffs, but the defense will have to improve to increase their chances of stealing a game or two on the road in November. These next two weeks against Selma and North Sand Mountain provide great chances to do just that, especially this week as the Saints are scoring just 18 points per game and allow 36.4 an outing. With the momentum that this offense has, I expect Shelby County to ride the run game for another victory, but look for the defense to try for a statement win here. Shelby County 35, Selma 7.

 

Alec’s Pick: Shelby County 35, Selma 21.

Daniel’s Pick: Shelby County 48, Selma 20.

Dave’s Pick: Shelby County 35, Selma 14.

Tyler’s Pick: Shelby County 38, Selma 7.

 

Montevallo (1-6, 0-4 Region 3) at Sipsey Valley (4-4, 1-3 Region 3)

The Bulldogs had plenty of highs and lows in their rivalry loss to Shelby County. While the defense continued its struggles, the offense posted its best performance of the season at 21 points. That largely came on the ground as sophomore Jaedyn Rutledge went for just north of 100 yards and a couple of scores. Mix in productive nights from Jordyn McCary and Caleb Meriweather, and you’ve got the start of a solid offensive identity. However, they’ll have to take a long road trip to Sipsey Valley and face a Bears team that doesn’t have the most firepower in the world but is very competitive and picks their spots well. Mix in the fact that they’re in a three-way race for the final playoff spot against Selma and Jemison, and that will likely give the hosts the added motivation to get this done. Sipsey Valley 27, Montevallo 14.

 

Alec’s Pick: Sipsey Valley 38, Montevallo 20.

Daniel’s Pick: Sipsey Valley 35, Montevallo 8.

Dave’s Pick: Sipsey Valley 28, Montevallo 21.

Tyler’s Pick: Sipsey Valley 27, Montevallo 14.

 

Evangel (4-3, 3-0 ACSC) at East Central (3-4, 2-1 ACSC)

Evangel was supposed to face one of its toughest tests of the season last week. They passed it with flying colors, downing national No. 3 Southern Christian to put the Lightning in the driver’s seat for home-field advantage in the conference playoffs. East Central is struggling to gain momentum and has lopsided losses to Southern Christian and the Chattanooga Patriots on its resume, two teams that Evangel handily beat. The Lightning defense should come out and set the tone to seal a perfect ACSC run, which would be a massive testament to this team’s growth during a hard non-conference slate. Evangel 44, East Central 8.

 

Alec’s Pick: Evangel 49, East Central 16.

Daniel’s Pick: Evangel 42, East Central 38.

Dave’s Pick: Evangel 56, East Central 28.

Tyler’s Pick: Evangel 44, East Central 14.

 

Cornerstone (6-1) vs. Macon-East (7-0)

The Chargers fell from the ranks of the unbeatens last week after falling behind the ball and never quite making up the difference on the road. The challenges only continue now as they welcome the other undefeated team in Class A for a state championship rematch. The Patriots have taken strides since last year and are scoring 60.7 points per game and giving up just 8.3 an outing in return. Cornerstone’s offense can be high-powered on the ground and control time of possession as a result, making those two units more similar, but the defensive differences are more apparent. The Chargers have been able to get away with giving up north of 20 points a game against the weaker portion of their schedule, but doing so against the cream of the crop like East Central will be the key to competing for a championship. I expect Cornerstone to be more competitive here at home now that it has a tough test in its rearview mirror, but East Central has the talent and momentum on its side. Macon-East 43, Cornerstone 18.

 

Alec’s Pick: Macon-East 42, Cornerstone 35.

Daniel’s Pick: Cornerstone 56, Macon-East 24.

Dave’s Pick: Macon-East 63, Cornerstone 49.

Tyler’s Pick: Cornerstone 30, Macon-East 22.

 

Coosa Valley (3-4) vs. North River (1-7)

The Rebels have largely gotten through their biggest tests and have an excellent chance to finish the season at .500 going into the playoffs. That includes this week’s game against North River, which has struggled once again this season while scoring 9.0 points per game and allowing 59.3 a game on the defensive side. It’s a great opportunity for Coosa Valley’s offense to really open up and let it fly while showcasing its greatest strengths. Look for the Rebels to walk away with another big victory in a series that they’ve dominated recently. Coosa Valley 55, North River 12.

 

Alec’s Pick: Coosa Valley 35, North River 13.

Daniel’s Pick: Coosa Valley 56, North River 7.

Dave’s Pick: Coosa Valley 35, North River 14.

Tyler’s Pick: Coosa Valley 38, North River 12.