With two weeks remaining in region play, the stakes will be high when the members of the Alabama High School Activities Association Class 3A, Region 4 return to the gridiron Friday night.
Gordo, Aliceville, Greensboro, and Lamar County remain alive for the region championship. Three of the four is one win away from securing a playoff berth.
Lamar County (6-1, 3-1 region) will face the toughest task when it plays host to region leader Gordo (7-0, 4-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at George Bell Stadium in Vernon, Alabama.
“This region has some really good teams this season,” Lamar County coach Ken Adams said. “When you look at Gordo, you see a team that is solid in every phase of the game. Defensively, they have been outstanding. You look at their statistics and the way they play on Friday nights, you see a well-coached team that is really good at what they are trying to do.”
Gordo has secured a playoff berth. The Greenwave can sew up a share of the region crown and the region’s top seed by winning Friday night.
After allowing 33 points in its first two wins, Gordo has had things on lockdown of late. The Greenwave has allowed 30 points in its last five games. Gordo has allowed 31 points in its four region games.
Last Friday night, Gordo shut down Aliceville 24-3 win at home.
“We had some chances but we really couldn’t put anything together,” Aliceville coach Charles Moody said. “We were tied at 3 at halftime. In the second half, they hit us with a couple of big plays and we never recovered.”
Gordo had 229 yards in the victory. Collin Herring scored two touchdowns for Gordo. Tyler Davis led the defense with two interceptions. The junior free safety has 10 interceptions this season.
“They have a very good secondary,” Adams said. “They make it hard to throw the ball with success. We will have to run the ball well and make sure we are able to keep possession. Limiting mistakes will be important, too. But we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Lamar County (6-1, 3-1 region) could greatly enhance its chances to host in the playoffs by upsetting the region’s top team. Lamar County, which lost to Aliceville 12-7, will play next week at Greensboro (5-2, 3-1).
Gordo will play Hale County (2-5, 0-4) next Friday night.
Aliceville (7-1, 3-1) will try to nail down a playoff berth and potential first-round playoff game at 7 p.m. Friday at Greensboro. It will end its regular season next Friday at American Christian Academy (3-4, 2-3).
“Even though the loss to Gordo was disappointing, we still have everything in front of us,” Moody said. “We still have a chance to finish as the top seed with a little help. Either way, we control our own destiny to finish second, so we are focusing in on a very big game with Greensboro.”
Aliceville built a 3-0 lead against Gordo but couldn’t sustain the momentum. The loss snapped a season-opening seven-game win streak.
Senior Jeremy McMullen is closing on 1,000 yards rushing for the Yellow Jackets. McMullen had 175 yards in a victory against Greene County, but he found the going tough against Gordo.
McMullen has teamed with classmate Jaterrius Steele to form quite the 1-2 rushing punch. The Yellow Jackets have rushed for 1,529 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. Sophomore Santiago Taylor has thrown for 510 yards and eight touchdowns.
“The key to our season has been the growth of the offensive line,” Moody said. “We had some experience there, but we have also counted on some new guys. The unit has come together and played quite well.”
In other AHSAA action Friday night, Pickens County (5-2, 4-0 Class 2A, Region 4) can secure a share of the region championship and the region’s No. 1 seed by beating Vincent (4-3, 3-1) at home. South Lamar (3-4, 2-2 Class 1A, Region 6) can nail down a playoff berth by upsetting region leader Hubbertville (6-0, 5-0) at home. Sulligent (3-4, 3-1 Class 2A, Region 8) can secure a first-round playoff game at home by beating Phil Campbell (4-4, 3-2) at home.
In Alabama Independent School action, Pickens Academy (2-4, 0-2 Class AA, Region 2) will play host to Bessemer Academy (0-6, 0-3).
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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