Clay-Chalkville files motion against AHSAA

Fox 6 in Birmingham reports that top-ranked Clay-Chalkville, which was stripped of nine wins because of the use of an ineligible player, has filed a motion against the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

According to the report, the Cougars are seeking relief from their recent punishment by Friday’s first round of the state playoffs.

The AHSAA denied an appeal by CCHS last Friday. The ruling improved Austin to Class 6A, Region 7 runner-up, meaning the Black Bears will host a first-round game Friday night.

Friday’s first-round playoff games

Class 6A
Vestavia Hills (6-4) at Austin (7-3)
Decatur (5-5) at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (10-0)

Class 5A
Pinson Valley (8-2) at East Limestone (7-3)
Boaz (5-5) at Hartselle (10-0)
Athens (4-6) at Briarwood Christian (9-1)

Class 4A
West Limestone (5-5) at Midfield (6-4)

Class 3A
Elkmont (6-4) at Hanceville (10-0)

Class 2A
Sand Rock (6-4) at Tanner (10-0)

Class 1A
Berry (9-1) at Addison (9-1)
R.A. Hubbard (7-3) at Marion County (9-1)

Follow me after the jump for statewide pairings:

And Austin’s first-round opponent will be …

… Vestavia Hills, which defeated Shades Valley 40-27 on Friday night to finish third in Class 6A, Region 6.

Vestavia Hills entered Week 10 tied with Spain Park and Pelham for third place in the region. Both Spain Park and Pelham lost their regular-season finales. Spain Park finished fourth and will travel in next week’s first round.

Austin improved to the second seed after the AHSAA ordered Clay-Chalkville forfeit all its wins for the use of an ineligible player.

Friday’s high school football scores

Addison 28, Lynn 0
Danville 34, Falkville 6
Decatur 23, Athens 3
Fort Payne 27, Elkmont 7
Hazel Green 37, East Limestone 7
Madison Academy 21, West Limestone 20
Priceville 44, Brewer 13
R.A. Hubbard 42, Lawrence County 14
Randolph 42, Decatur Heritage 14
Tanner 49, Ardmore 8

Next week’s first-round playoff games:
Class 6A
Decatur at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa
TBA at Austin
Class 5A
Athens at Briarwood
Boaz at Hartselle
Pinson Valley at East Limestone
Class 4A
W. Limestone at Midfield
Class 3A
Elkmont at Hanceville
Class 2A
Sand Rock at Tanner
Class 1A
Hubbertville at Addison
R.A. Hubbard at TBA

Kneejerk reactions: Decatur 23, Athens 3

In four football seasons with The Decatur Daily, I have never seen Decatur High play as poorly as the Red Raiders did in the first half Friday night.

But in this game, it’s all about how you finish, not how you start.

Decatur regrouped from a zero-point, three-turnover first half and scored four times in the final two quarters in a 23-3 win over inter-city rival Athens. Jordan Tibbs, Bejuan Clack and Na’Vante Williams scored TDs in the second half, and Jackson Walraven added a field goal for the Red Raiders.

Friday’s strong second-half could spark this team in next week’s opening round of the state playoffs, when Decatur travels to Class 6A No. 10 Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa. We’ll see.

Quick hits: Decatur 23, Athens 3

Decatur High's Josh Matthews ran nine times for 60 yards in Friday night's 23-3 win over Athens. (Decatur Daily photo by Brennen Smith)

Quickie recap: After trailing 3-0 at the half, Class 6A Decatur regrouped for four second-half scores in a 23-3 win against 5A Athens. The win snapped a two-game losing skid for the Red Raiders.

Statistical leaders: Peyton Littrell (Decatur), 5 catches, 96 yards; Josh Matthews (Decatur) 9 carries, 60 yards; Will Laughlin (Decatur) 10-14, 130 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs; Calvin Tolliver (Athens), 5 rushes, 50 yards.

Quotable: “We didn’t make one adjustment at halftime other than trying to adjust some attitudes. It wasn’t pretty in here (the locker room). We were in our own way. We were stopping ourselves with everything we were doing. Not to take anything away from them because they had a good plan and their kids played aggressively, but our guys had to just do what they were coached to do. That was the biggest thing.” — Decatur head coach Jere Adcock

Viewing guide: Athens at Decatur

Storylines for tonight’s game at Ogle Stadium:

• This game will serve as a final tune-up for both teams before the postseason arrives next week. Decatur finished fourth in Class 6A, Region 8, and Athens was the fourth qualifier in 5A, Region 8 after J.O. Johnson was ordered to forfeit all its wins.
• Both teams are coming off losses. Decatur has lost two straight against Hazel Green in Week 9 and Bob Jones last week. Athens lost to county rival East Limestone last week.
• Athens and Decatur renewed their rivalry last year, with Decatur winning 34-7 in the teams’ first game since 2007. Decatur leads the overall series 56-25-2.

Thursday’s high school football scores

Brooks 40, Clements 7
Hartselle 42, Austin 14
Hatton 27, East Lawrence 6
West Morgan 57, Vinemont 14

Kneejerk reactions: Hartselle 42, Austin 14

Did you see the post a couple of weeks ago about Hartselle taking care of business?

On Thursday night, it was T.C.B. all over again.

Masio Stover ran for 216 yards and two touchdowns in a big win over Austin on Thursday night. (Decatur Daily photo by Jeronimo Nisa)

Class 5A No. 2 Hartselle (I keep ranking the Tigers No. 1) outplayed Austin offensively, defensively and on special teams to finish the regular season undefeated.

The Tigers rushed for more than 400 yards with its leading rusher sidelined with a mild foot injury. Masio Stover stepped into the feature back role and responded well, rushing for 216 yards and two scores. The Tigers’ defense held high-scoring Austin to three touchdowns below its season average, and Hartselle parlayed a Black Bears special teams miscue into momentum and three second-quarter scores.

Simply put, this was the best I’ve seen Hartselle play this season. And possibly the worst I’ve seen Austin.

The Black Bears have lost three in a row — if you count the Week 8 decision against Clay Chalkville — entering next week’s opening round of the state playoffs. After Thursday night’s loss, Austin head coach Jeremy Perkins said his main concern is mending the psyche of his football team. At least the Black Bears have a week and one day to make that happen.

Quick hits: Hartselle 42, Austin 14

Quickie recap: Hartselle completed a 10-win, unbeaten regular season with a convincing win over Austin. The Tigers outplayed the visiting Black Bears offensively, defensively and on special teams to become the school’s third team to finish the regular season without a loss.

Statistical leaders: Masio Stover (Hartselle), 20 carries, 216 yards, 2 TDs; Malique Elliott (Austin), Eight receptions, 93 yards, one TD.

Quotable: “That’s tough to do. I don’t care what league you play in. It’s tough to win 10 games in a regular season. Just so much can happen, especially when you play a pretty tough schedule. It’s tough to get it right. You have to be a little lucky and work through some things. That’s what this team has done.” — Harstelle head coach Bob Godsey