West Alabama High School Football Preview: Week 9

While college football reaches the halfway point of the season, high school football teams around Alabama are coming down the home stretch of the regular season.

Some teams are looking to punch their ticket into postseason play while others are trying to improve their playoff positioning.

#2 Hillcrest (7-0) vs. Brookwood (3-4)

The second ranked Hillcrest Patriots close the home portion of the regular season against the Brookwood Panthers on senior night.

Hillcrest enjoyed a week off after pummeling Paul Bryant and Tuscaloosa County by combined scores of 95-7 over the previous two games. Quarterback Cole Frederick comes into this week as one of the most efficient signal callers in Alabama high school football. Frederick has completed over 72 percent of his passes, tossed 15 touchdowns and has not thrown an interception.

Brookwood saw three rushers eclipse 100 yards rushing in a 37-26 region victory over Selma last week. Senior Kaliq Snelson led the Panthers with 142 yards on 18 carries including three rushing touchdowns. Brookwood fell behind 26-15 at halftime but outscored Selma 22-0 in the second half for their first region win of the season.

A Hillcrest win would clinch a region championship for the Patriots and eliminate Brookwood from playoff contention. The Patriots lead the all-time series 14-2 and have not lost to the Panthers since 1991. Airtime on 95.3 the Bear and the radioPup app is at 6:30 PM.

#9 Spain Park (5-2) vs. Tuscaloosa County (2-6)

The Tuscaloosa County Wildcats were knocked out of playoff contention last week on senior night with a 38-18 defeat to Oak Mountain. TCHS makes two straight trips to the Birmingham metro area to finish the season beginning with tonight’s game at Spain Park.

The Wildcats led 12-3 at the half against Oak Mountain only to get pummeled 35-6 in the final 24 minutes of the game. Despite the loss, running back Bo Evans rushed for 140 yards and tallied all three of Tuscaloosa County’s touchdowns with two on the ground and one in the air.

Spain Park picked up a key region win last week by edging Thompson 17-14. Spain Park gave up three interceptions and a blocked punt but responded defensively with their biggest play of the season by senior defensive back Damarius Farmer. With Thompson leading 14-7, Farmer intercepted a pass and returned it 96 yards for a touchdown to tie the game.

Tonight marks senior night and the final regular season home game for Spain Park. A win would clinch a spot in the Class 7A playoffs for the Jaguars. Spain Park has won three of the four meetings all-time against Tuscaloosa County. Airtime on Tide 102.9 and the radioPup app is at 6:45.

#2 Gordo (7-0) vs. #3 Montevallo (7-0)

In one of the top high school contests across Alabama, Gordo and Montevallo battle for the region championship in Class 3A Region 4.

Despite getting only four first downs on offense in last week’s game at American Christian, Gordo scratched and clawed their way to a 21-14 win thanks to a 46-yard fumble return touchdown in the first quarter and a game-clinching 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Essie Davis. The Green Wave defense recovered three ACA fumbles in the win.

Montevallo also escaped last week with a 23-21 win at home over Oakman. Montevallo has allowed 20.7 points per game while Gordo has produced one of the best scoring defenses in Class 3A surrendering an average of 8.7 points per game.

Gordo and Montevallo have met two previous times with the Green Wave winning in both 2010 and 2011.

Games around West Alabama (All start times are at 7 PM)

Bessemer City vs. Paul Bryant

Marbury vs. Central

Northside vs. Holt

Hale County vs. Sipsey Valley

Spring Garden vs. Holy Spirit

West Blocton vs. Bibb County

Enterprise vs. Demopolis

Oak Grove vs. Greensboro

Aliceville vs. Greene County

Pickens County vs. Hubbertville