A pair of undefeated records and first place in Class 1A, Region 4 of the Alabama High School Activities Association will be on the line Friday night when the Pickens County High School football team travels to Maplesville.
Each team enters the seventh weekend of the regular season 6-0 and 4-0 in region play.
Elsewhere in the coverage area Friday night, Aliceville will play host to Hale County in Class 3A, Region 4, Lamar County will visit Colbert Heights in Class 2A, Region 8, Sulligent will visit Red Bay in Class 2A, Region 8, and South Lamar will play host to Lynn in Class 1A, Region 5.
Each game begins at 7 p.m.
Pickens County (6-0, 4-0) at Maplesville (6-0, 4-0)
One of the state’s best offensive teams will meet one of the state’s best defensive teams.
Pickens County ranks fifth in the state, averaging 49.3 points per game. Maplesville ranks second in the state in total defense, allowing only 3.7 points per game.
“This is going to be one of those types of games,” Pickens County coach Patrick Plott said. “I think this is the biggest game we have played all season.”
After allowing 42 points in its season-opening win against American Christian, Pickens County has allowed 33 points in its past five games. A week ago, Pickens County blew past region rival Autaugaville 54-14. De’Marko Hall scored five touchdowns. He scored on receptions of 30, 70, and 55 yards and added a 60-yard run and 70-yard fumble return. The senior has 24 scores, four shy of tying the school record.
Pickens County had three defensive touchdowns in the game, as Nick Stewart added a 40-yard interception return and Lajuan Doss had a 45-yard fumble return.
“Since week one, we have made several adjustments on defense and we moved some people around,” Plott said. “We have worked hard, and they have done a good job each week getting prepared to play. We played very well last week. We are getting better and better each week, and we hope that continues.”
Maplesville has only allowed 22 points this season. It essentially has posted four straight shutouts in wins against Holy Spirit, Shades Mountain, Billingsley, and Essex. A safety is the only blemish in that span, as the Red Devils have outscored the opposition 186-2.
“Maplesville is a very good team on both sides of the ball,” Plott said. “They have not allowed much of anything on defense. On offense, they can score at will with some really big, athletic players.
“I think we are very similar teams. I feel like they do the same things we try to do on offense. We both take what the defense gives us, whether that is running the ball or passing the ball. On defense, we both have a lot of guys who fly around and make big plays.”
Hale County (3-3, 1-2) at Aliceville (2-4, 2-1)
The Yellow Jackets will try to bounce back from their first region loss of the season last week when they play Friday at Memorial Stadium.
After back-to-back wins to open region play, Aliceville dropped a 27-6 decision at Gordo. It currently is third in region behind Greensboro (4-0) and Gordo (3-0). Those three teams are the only ones with winning records in league play. The top four teams advance to the postseason, while the top two teams will play home games in the opening round.
“This is a very important game,” Aliceville coach Charles Moody said. “We need to get a win and get our confidence back up. Football is all about confidence. If you think you can, then most likely you can. We have dropped three in a row, and we just need a win.
“In all three of those games, turnovers were the difference. Usually, it is one or two plays that turn a game around.”
Against Gordo, Aliceville committed one turnover but generated only 133 yards of offense. Jeremy McMullen’s 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter accounted for the Yellow Jackets’ points.
“Turnovers have been a problem,” Moody said. “Even though we only had one last week, it was a pivotal one. We are moving the ball and fumbled at the 30-yard line. I thought he was down, but the officials did not see it that way and we lost the ball. That turned the game around.
“Gordo did a great job controlling the football. They pretty much had the ball the entire first half. We have to cut down on turnovers and create more turnovers.”
Hale County opened the season with three straight wins but has lost its past three decisions. It has been outscored 82-20 in losses to Gordo and Greensboro.
“They have a lot of athletes,” Moody said. “In the game against Gordo, they played great in the first quarter (and) fumbled a punt, and that opened the flood gates. One mistake can cause the whole game to become a blowout, and that is what happened that night. The same thing happened against Greensboro. A few mistakes changed the game and they could not slow them down.”
Aliceville wide receiver DeMario Lanier leads the team with eight touchdowns. Quarterback Christopher Crowell has thrown for 1,316 yards. While the offensive numbers are nice, the Yellow Jackets are more concerned with posting a few more wins.
“No player on my football team has ever played a playoff game at home,” Moody said. “That opportunity is very much alive for us. Once we get everything clicking again and get back on track, we will be fine. I told our team today about the 1998 Courtland team that started 3-6 and finished 8-6 and won the state championship. It can be done. It’s not how you start, but how you finish.”
Lamar County (4-2, 3-1) at Colbert Heights (4-2, 3-1)
Lamar County will meet Colbert Heights in a battle for second place in Class 2A, Region 8. The top four teams advance to the postseason. That group includes Red Bay (4-0 region), Lamar County (3-1), Lexington (3-1), and Colbert Heights (3-1).
Lamar County lost to Red Bay 35-14. It will play host to Lexington next Friday night.
“We are tied for second place with four games to go,” Lamar County coach Ken Adams said. “We can do with that what we want. It is in our hands. We can go out on the field and control our own destiny and not have to have someone else do that for us. This time of year, that is what you want. Each week now prepares us for the playoffs. It is exciting for the kids.”
Last week, Lamar County posted another defensive masterpiece in a 6-3 win at Sulligent. The Bulldogs allowed only a first-quarter field goal. Lemetrice Williams scored on a 10-yard run in the second quarter for Lamar County.
“It is always tough (to respond after a rivalry win),” Adams said. “South Lamar and Sulligent mean a lot around here. Those are some of the hardest games to play. When you play those teams, you don’t have to get the kids up because everyone is so keyed up. We have to have them keep their focus on what is important.
“It was good to get that week over. As a big a game as it is, it helped us get one step closer to the playoffs, which is what this week is as well. We have to be ready this week, no matter what happened last week. We won, so we feel better about ourselves, but this week is important, too.”
Colbert Heights is coming off a 40-6 region win against Cherokee. This is the last of three straight home games for the Wildcats.
“They really spread you out,” Adams said. “They have a good football team and are well coached. They run a lot of screens. They use the whole field, so we have to defend the entire field. That is tough because they do a good job with the screens.
“On offense, we have to get better at what we are doing. The key to this week is to keep the football and keep them off the field. We not only need long drives, but we have to score. A long drive with no points does us no good against a team like this.”
Sulligent (1-5, 1-3) at Red Bay (6-0, 4-0)
Things don’t get any easier this week for Sulligent.
After a hard-fought 6-3 loss to region rival Lamar County last week, Sulligent will hit the road to face region leader Red Bay.
“They are a real good football team,” Sulligent coach Scott Marchant said. “They have several outstanding players and are very well-coached. They don’t make a lot of mistakes. They do not hurt themselves and they don’t give the ball or game away. On the other hand, they do a real good job of forcing mistakes and taking advantage of your mistakes. It’s going to be a tough ballgame.”
Despite its current four-game losing streak, the Blue Devils still have a chance at the postseason. However, it will take improved play against Red Bay and region rivals Cherokee and Phil Campbell.
“We are concerned about our progress,” Marchant said. “We try and get better each and every day, both individually and collectively. We want to be the best team we can be. We want to get better every day. In spite of all of the close losses, we try and not let that be a hindrance to us. It should not have a bearing on our future, unless we let it.
“I feel like we have overcome a lot of adversity this season. We have not caught many breaks. We have had a lot of injuries. We are slowly gaining experience. I feel like if we keep plugging and stay after it and work hard, these games will pay off for us. … We are learning valuable lessons the hard way.”
Red Bay won at region rival Hatton 23-14 last week. Unlike other region leaders, Red Bay has played close games. Its average margin of victory in league play is 13.5 points per game.
Lynn (6-0, 4-0) at South Lamar (0-6, 0-4)
The Stallions return home to face their second premier opponent in as many weeks.
Last Friday, South Lamar lost to Berry 66-8 in a Class 1A, Region 5 game. Region 5 rivals Marion County, Lynn, and Berry are a combined 17-1.
“We are working through a difficult stretch,” South Lamar coach Josh Harper said. “The kids have continued to work hard and kept a positive attitude. I appreciate the hard work and the effort they are giving.”
Hank Parker scored the lone touchdown last week for the Stallions. South Lamar had dropped back-to-back decisions by less than a touchdown before running into the Berry buzzsaw a week ago.
Pickens Academy (1-6, 0-4) is open
The Pirates enjoy their only open date of the season.
Pickens Academy will close the season with games against Lakeside (home), Bessemer (away), and Marengo (home). Lakeside will be the final Alabama Independent Schools Association Class 2A, Region 1 game of the season.
Pickens Academy has dropped six of its last seven games, including a 34-21 home loss to region rival Evangel last Friday night. With a victory against Lakeside and some help, Pickens Academy still could qualify for the playoffs.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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