— posted by Mike Cummings
Week 8 of the prep football season is two days away, which means playoff races are heating up across the state. Most teams finish their regional schedule with games this week and next before going out-of-region for a final tune-up before the playoffs. But you don’t have to wait that long to find out who’s in, who’s looking to get in, and who’s going to host playoff games this fall.
Without further ado, here’s the RCR Guide® to the Decatur area’s Class 5A-6A region races.
Class 6A, Region 7
1. Gadsden City 4-1
2. Hewitt-Trussville 4-1
3. Austin 3-2
3. Clay-Chalkville 3-2
3. Oxford 3-2
6. 3 teams tied at 1-4
The lowdown: Austin not only has a shot at making the playoffs, but also at hosting a first-round game. After beating Gadsden City at home last week, the Black Bears have region games left against Clay-Chalkville (3-2) and Pell City (1-4). Win both, get some help from either Gadsden City or Hewitt-Trussville, and Austin is hosting a first-round game. The winner of this week’s Austin-Clay-Chalkville tilt has the inside track to a playoff berth, but the loser won’t be out. Win both remaining games, and Austin is definitely in.
Class 6A, Region 8
1. Decatur 5-0
1. Bob Jones 5-0
3. Buckhorn 3-2
4. 3 teams tied at 2-3
The lowdown: This is clearly a two-horse race between Decatur and Bob Jones. The Red Raiders and Patriots will meet in Madison in Week 9 to determine the region championship. Both teams will host playoff games in the first round, since they both already beat Buckhorn and therefore hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bucks. Decatur or Bob Jones are probably the most likely first-round opponents for Austin.
Class 5A, Region 6
1. Hartselle 5-0
2. Walker 4-1
2. Cullman 4-1
4. Mortimer Jordan 3-2
5. Hayden 2-3
6. West Point and Brewer 1-4
8. Curry 0-5
The lowdown: Hartselle is definitely in, and Curry is definitely out — but it’s all jumbled after that. Walker and Cullman will almost surely reach the playoffs, and both still have a chance to win the region title. Walker faces West Point and Curry the next two weeks, so the Vikings will most likely finish 6-1, with their only loss to Hartselle. Cullman lost to Walker, but has a chance to force a three-way tie atop the region with a Week 9 trip to Hartselle. If the three-way tie occurs, it might come down to the AHSAA’s 11th tiebreaker, which deals with wins by non-region opponents (which would encourage losing in Week 10, if you think about it). Of course, if Hartselle beats Cullman, it wins the region title. Farther down the standings, Mortimer Jordan has the inside track on the fourth playoff berth.
Class 5A, Region 8
1. Russellville 5-0
2. Muscle Shoals 4-1
3. J.O. Johnson 3-2
3. Athens 3-2
3. Columbia 3-2
6. Lee and East Limestone 1-4
8. Lawrence County 0-5
The lowdown: Lawrence County is out, and East Limestone needs two wins and a lot of help to get in. Athens is tied for third place and, since it already lost to Muscle Shoals, will probably not host a playoff game. But the third seed is very possible. The Golden Eagles hold the head-to-head tie-breaker over Johnson, and they finish the season with Columbia and East Limestone. So their destiny is in their hands.
Cody Whitlock
Justin Graves
