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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

We’re officially here: it’s the final week of the regular season, and Shelby County teams are looking to go out with a bang.

This will be the last time we see Oak Mountain, Calera, Chelsea and Montevallo this season before they head into their respective offseasons. A season-ending win always does wonders to build confidence after a difficult year, so expect all four teams to strive for victory once more.

Two of those teams will face off in our Game of the Week, otherwise known as the battle for the Greystone Chick-fil-A: Chelsea and Oak Mountain. Both teams are coming off hard-fought losses with their fates already decided, and neither team needs help getting up for this rivalry.

We’ll also see Montevallo and Vincent rekindle their county rivalry, which is one of the longest-running series in Shelby County. Their rematch of last year’s close game highlights a big slate of opportunities for playoff teams like Spain Park, Helena, Pelham, Shelby County, Cornerstone and Coosa Valley to get momentum ahead of the postseason.

One major note: all 11-man games plus Cornerstone at North River will take place on Thursday, Oct. 30 to give kids the Halloween night off. Evangel and Coosa Valley will still play on Friday night, the former in its first playoff game.

Let’s dive into our 11-game slate in this Week 11, but not before a look at the razor-tight staff predictions leaderboard.

 

Last Week’s Prediction Results:

Andrew Simonson: 9-2

Alec Etheredge: 10-1

Daniel Locke: 10-1

Dave Domescik: 9-2

Tyler Raley: 10-1

 

Prediction Standings after Week 10:

First: Alec Etheredge: 89-20

Second: Tyler Raley: 88-21

T-Third: Andrew Simonson and Daniel Locke: 87-22

Fifth: Dave Domescik: 82-27

 

Bye: Thompson

 

Chelsea (5-4) vs. Oak Mountain (3-6) (Game of the Week, Thursday)

Both teams are reeling after losses and could certainly use a positive result to finish out the season. However, neither team needs to look too far for an encouraging performance. Chelsea overcame a shorthanded roster to stand up to a Benjamin Russell team that some have as a state championship contender. Oak Mountain was just a two-point conversion shy of beating a high-powered Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa team on the road. That likely means we’re shaping up for an entertaining battle in a rivalry series that’s full of them. Chelsea’s offense will have its moments to establish a rhythm even if it’s without major options like Chase Malone or Morgan Barnes, but it’s the Hornets defense against the Oak Mountain offense that I’m looking at first. Chelsea’s defense has kept it in multiple close games against Pelham, Helena and Benjamin Russell that were tough tests on paper. The Eagles are coming in on a similar heater, so stopping them will be key. I’ve gone back and forth on this pick, but Oak Mountain’s ability to make plays against solid defenses will lift it to a tight win. Oak Mountain 24, Chelsea 21.

 

Alec’s Pick: Oak Mountain 28, Chelsea.

Daniel’s Pick: Oak Mountain 24, Chelsea 12.

Dave’s Pick: Chelsea 34, Oak Mountain 31.

Tyler’s Pick: Oak Mountain 28, Chelsea 24.

 

Briarwood (5-4) at McAdory (6-2) (Thursday)

The Lions are region champions for the first time since 2019, and their next test before a first-round visit from Leeds is one of the hottest offenses in Class 6A. The Jackets may be a No. 3 seed out of their region, but they’ve taken multiple strong teams to task throughout the season with explosive potential, and their only losses are to Hueytown and Bessemer City. That could put a lot on a defense that hasn’t quite been the same since losing Garrett Witherington for the year. It’ll take a complete performance by the defense to keep up and set up the Briarwood offense for success. The Lions should keep their offensive momentum rolling here, but I project another shootout like last year’s matchup and one that McAdory will get the edge in. McAdory 42, Briarwood 28.

 

Alec’s Pick: McAdory 28, Briarwood 21.

Daniel’s Pick: McAdory 20, Briarwood 14.

Dave’s Pick: McAdory 28, Briarwood 24.

Tyler’s Pick: McAdory 31, Briarwood 24.

 

Spain Park (7-2) vs. Gardendale (1-8) (Thursday)

Spain Park blasted through Chilton County in effectively one half of work as the two teams ran the clock in the second half of a 49-0 blowout. Given Gardendale’s lack of success this season, with its only win coming off a stripped victory from James Clemens, I fully expect something similar. It’s now about getting the right mix of momentum and rest heading into a difficult first-round matchup with McAdory, and I firmly believe Tim Vakakes will find that. Spain Park 42, Gardendale 7.

 

Alec’s Pick: Spain Park 42, Gardendale 7.

Daniel’s Pick: Spain Park 52, Gardendale 6.

Dave’s Pick: Spain Park 42, Gardendale 10.

Tyler’s Pick: Spain Park 49, Gardendale 7.

 

Pelham (4-5) at Fort Payne (8-1) (Thursday)

I’ll admit to counting out the Panthers last week against Leeds with a shorthanded roster, but they overcame the odds with a freshman quarterback in John John Hampton and an injured running back in Tristan Rutledge gutting out a fourth-and-1 to win. Those are the moments that will help this team compete in the playoffs and in the future, but this week brings a tough test as well. Fort Payne has just one loss on the year to Guntersville and has looked like a borderline top-10 team doing so. Pelham’s probably the more battle-tested of the two teams, but even though it just kept up with the Greenwave with a banged-up roster, this is a step above. Fort Payne 28, Pelham 14.

 

Alec’s Pick: Fort Payne 31, Pelham 21.

Daniel’s Pick: Fort Payne 31, Pelham 17.

Dave’s Pick: Fort Payne 42, Pelham 40.

Tyler’s Pick: Fort Payne 38, Pelham 20.

 

Calera (2-7) at Stanhope Elmore (6-3) (Thursday)

Calera could’ve rolled over so many times last week at Helena, but the offense kept fighting and making plays to keep the game within reach for so long. It’s a performance that the Eagles will certainly build on in the future. While last year’s game against Stanhope Elmore was razor-tight at home, the Mustangs have impressed against a difficult schedule this year. Their only losses are to Prattville, Russell County and Pike Road, all teams I ranked in the top 10 of Class 7A or 6A as recently as last week. Calera’s defense will need a strong game against an offense averaging 26.8 points per game, including 35 against Wetumpka last week. This will be an offensive shootout but like the last few weeks, that likely favors the hosts. Stanhope Elmore 38, Calera 24.

 

Alec’s Pick: Stanhope Elmore 35, Calera 28.

Daniel’s Pick: Stanhope Elmore 28, Calera 10.

Dave’s Pick: Stanhope Elmore 38, Calera 24.

Tyler’s Pick: Stanhope Elmore 24, Calera 21.

 

Montevallo (1-8) vs. Vincent (7-2) (Thursday)

In the past few weeks, these two teams have appeared to have very different approaches. Vincent has taken no prisoners over the course of its 7-2 season, only falling to top-six teams and turning potential trap games like last week against Greene County into a definitive statement. Montevallo entered last week with some momentum, but some offensive mistakes ultimately doomed them to fall behind against Jemison, a team I believe the Bulldogs were a little too confident about beating coming into the week. This is a great chance for a bounce-back result against a 2A Vincent team that only beat them 21-19 last year. However, this Jackets defense is the real deal and will attack Montevallo ferociously out of the gate. Even with a playoff matchup looming, I don’t expect the Jackets to take this game lightly because they haven’t shown any signs of doing so this season. The question is if the Bulldogs can do likewise and display the firepower to keep up with one of the hottest offenses in Class 2A. I like Vincent to continue its momentum with another win in one of the oldest rivalries in Shelby County. Vincent 27, Montevallo 14.

 

Alec’s Pick: Vincent 35, Montevallo 21.

Daniel’s Pick: Vincent 30, Montevallo 14.

Dave’s Pick: Vincent 49, Montevallo 21.

Tyler’s Pick: Vincent 45, Montevallo 10.

 

Shelby County (5-4) vs. East Limestone (1-8) (Thursday)

The Wildcats arguably have the weirdest finishing stretch of the season, taking a bye last week before facing a struggling East Limestone team. Their visitors from up north are winless in region play, haven’t scored more than 13 points in those region games and suffered a 43-7 loss at home to this Shelby County team a year ago. Everything is coming up Wildcats in this matchup. However, with a road trip looming against Valley to start the playoffs, that tells me that Zeb Ellison will want to attack this game and get a good, complete performance in before hitting the road. That nearly led to playoff success last year against a difficult Citronelle team, and a similar approach could pay dividends for a road upset. Shelby County 40, East Limestone 13.

 

Alec’s Pick: Shelby County 35, East Limestone 14.

Daniel’s Pick: Shelby County 31, East Limestone 6.

Dave’s Pick: Shelby County 42, East Limestone 3.

Tyler’s Pick: Shelby County 38, East Limestone 10.

 

Helena (5-4) vs. Tarrant (1-8) (Thursday)

This matchup makes little sense on paper until you remember that Helena needed somebody to fill its 10th game spot that was vacant last year and that former Huskies assistant Greg Appling is leading the Wildcats. Beyond that, this is as big of a mismatch as you’ll get. It’s one of the hottest teams in Class 6A against a one-win Class 4A team that’s giving up 34.4 points per game and counts three of its losses to Fairfield, Holt and Montevallo. Helena will race ahead, name its score and have a quick night at the office ahead of a trip to Bessemer City. The lone positive of this matchup for the Huskies is that it’ll give great opportunities for younger players to get live game reps, something that can only be a massive boon for a team with a roster filled with them. Helena 48, Tarrant 0.

 

Alec’s Pick: Helena 49, Tarrant 7.

Daniel’s Pick: Helena 56, Tarrant 12.

Dave’s Pick: Helena 63, Tarrant 0.

Tyler’s Pick: Helena 49, Tarrant 0.

 

Evangel (6-3) vs. Lighthouse (4-4) (ACSC Semifinals)

Evangel begins its playoff road this week against a Lighthouse squad that saw the second game of the Lightning’s five-game win streak that they enter the playoffs with. That was a decisive 50-14 win, and Evangel’s looked even sharper since. The Lightning have been playing their best football in the second half of the season with an eye on the playoffs to repeat as champions once again. Look for a quick start from the offense to pave the way for a title game appearance. Evangel 48, Lighthouse 8.

 

Alec’s Pick: Evangel 49, Lighthouse 12.

Daniel’s Pick: Evangel 50, Lighthouse 13.

Dave’s Pick: Evangel 49, Lighthouse 21.

Tyler’s Pick: Evangel 44, Lighthouse 14.

 

Cornerstone (7-2) at North River (1-9) (Thursday)

The Chargers had last week off due to a forfeit by Heritage Christian, and honestly, it was probably for the best. Cornerstone was heavily favored in that matchup, and now it effectively functioned as a second bye week following tough losses to Escambia and Macon-East. That helps reset the bodies going into Thursday matchups the rest of the way, including in this one.

North River’s lone win of the season is over that Heritage team, and it was by just two points. The Lightning are set to miss the playoffs after giving up at least 40 in each game and 60 points in six different games. That sets it up well for Cornerstone to race ahead to a dominant lead on the ground and regain some momentum going into the playoffs, where it’s locked into the No. 3 seed in Class A. Cornerstone 68, North River 6.

 

Alec’s Pick: Cornerstone 56, North River 12.

Daniel’s Pick: Cornerstone 56, North River 24.

Dave’s Pick: Cornerstone 70, North River 14.

Tyler’s Pick: Cornerstone 64, North River 6.

 

Coosa Valley (4-5) at Snook (4-5)

This is a crucial matchup for playoff seeding as the winner likely gets Cornerstone in the first round of the playoffs while the loser heads to whoever loses Friday’s Escambia vs. Macon-East game. It also represents a chance to finish at .500 for the regular season, which would be a huge achievement for Coosa Valley in particular. This one is a bit of a toss-up for me with how both teams are playing heading into this matchup. However, I really liked the way the Rebels offense took the fight to Macon-East last week and even led at halftime. Coosa Valley should carry that momentum into a lesser opponent this week and wrap up the No. 6 seed. Coosa Valley 42, Snook 34.

 

Alec’s Pick: Coosa Valley 41, Snook 36.

Daniel’s Pick: Coosa Valley 44, Snook 21.

Dave’s Pick: Coosa Valley 45, Snook 42.

Tyler’s Pick: Snook 36, Coosa Valley 32.