The Alabama High School Athletic Association state football playoffs are just around the corner.
With that in mind, WEIS manager Jerry Baker, news director Tony Hathcock and I had an informal meeting to discuss our plans Tuesday morning for the upcoming postseason.
Four of our coverage area teams have already clinched their playoff spots, with one more expected to punch their ticket following Friday night’s action. It’s just a matter of where they’ll all be playing.
As best I could, I laid out all of the scenarios for Jerry and Tony, but you know what they say about the best laid plans.
If my record picking games this season has been any indication, those plans should remain firmly in place. I’m 41-10 overall this season, including a 5-1 mark last week.
Here’s thinking Jerry and Tony won’t be asking ‘What In the World Is Shannon Fagan Thinking?’ following Friday night’s results.
Gaylesville (3-5, 1-4) at Woodville (6-2, 4-1)
After getting eliminated from playoff contention with last week’s loss to Ragland, the Trojans have little left to play for other than trying to finish the season at .500.
Gaylesville won this game last year behind a record-setting rushing performance by Alex Baty, but this is a much-improved Panther team. Their only losses have been on the road to North Sand Mountain and Appalachian. I like Woodville to remain unbeaten at home.
The pick: Woodville.
Piedmont (8-0, 6-0) at Wellborn (5-2, 5-1)
Piedmont has a lot at stake in this battle on The Hill, including another region championship and stay on track for the school’s sixth undefeated regular season since 1990. That should provide Piedmont all the motivation it needs to come away with a win from The Hill.
The pick: Piedmont.
Holly Pond (4-4, 3-3) at Collinsville (6-2, 4-2)
The Broncos have lost three of their last four games, and they’ve never beaten Collinsville. The Panthers are 3-0 against the Broncos, including last year’s 56-32 victory.
I look for the Panthers to secure the third playoff spot from Class 3A, Region 8 behind a big night from Mason McAteer and his receivers.
The pick: Collinsville.
Cherokee County (5-3, 3-2) at Ashville (6-2, 4-2)
Last week’s Alexandria loss was a punch to the gut for the Warriors, but I expect them to respond well on the road against a solid Ashville team. They’ve never lost to the Bulldogs in 11 meetings, and I look for that streak to stay intact.
The pick: Cherokee County.
Sand Rock (2-6, 2-3) at Gaston (1-7, 0-5)
Alec Ashley was slinging the football all over the field last week against Cedar Bluff. He threw for 462 yards and eight touchdowns and almost set a couple of state records in the process.
The Bulldog defenders better be on their toes, but even if they are, I still expect Sand Rock to clinch the final playoff spot from Class 2A, Region 7 in the Foothills Tractor Game of the Week.
The pick: Sand Rock.
