West Alabama High School Football Preview: Regular Season Finale (Week 11)

The end of the 2016 regular season is here. For some teams, the final regular season game provides one last tune up before the playoffs. For many seniors that will not see postseason play, it marks the final football game in their high school careers.

Thompson (5-4) vs. #1 Hillcrest (9-0) (Thursday)

The top ranked Class 6A Hillcrest Patriots look to complete a perfect regular season as they finish the regular season with a road trip to Alabama against the Thompson Warriors out of Class 7A.

A Hillcrest win would clinch their second undefeated regular season since 2011 while a Thompson win would secure a winning season in an otherwise up-and-down season for the Warriors.

The Patriots dominated the Selma Saints in a 59-14 win in the region finale. Quarterback Cole Frederick led Hillcrest with four touchdown passes in last week’s win. Alabama commit Brian Robinson rushed for 136 yards on 12 carries in one half of play.

On the opposing sideline, Thompson hung around against Hoover thanks to a stingy defense. The Warriors trailed 3-0 at the half and 10-0 after three quarters, but four turnovers doomed their upset bid in a 20-0 loss to the Bucs. The loss also eliminated Thompson from reaching postseason play.

Besides the loss to Hoover, Thompson regions contests to Oak Mountain by two points and three-point decisions to Spain Park and Mountain Brook.

Tonight’s game will be the third matchup against a Class 7A opponent for Hillcrest.

Hillcrest leads the all-time series 4-3. This will be the first meeting since 2007. Airtime on 95.3 the Bear and the radioPup app is at 6:30.

Northridge (2-7) vs. Central (2-7) (Thursday)

While neither team will make the playoffs, bragging rights are on the line for the Northridge Jaguars and Central Falcons.

Northridge struggled offensively in a 38-17 loss in their last outing at McAdory. The Jaguars mustered minus-9 yards rushing and lost two fumbles last week. For the season, Northridge is averaging 18.1 points per game and has eclipsed 20 points in a game twice.

The Central Falcons had an opportunity to play their way into the Class 5A playoffs against Dallas County but fell 23-11 to Dallas County. Central found themselves in position to win the game until a late fourth quarter Dallas County touchdown closed the door on Central’s playoff hopes.

Similar to Northridge last week, Central struggled offensively gaining 77 yards in the second half while allowing 300 yards on defense in the final two quarters of play.

The two teams will meet for the first time since 2007 as Northridge leads the all-time series 3-2.

Tonight also marks the final high school football game for 18 seniors on the Northridge roster.

#10 Pickens County (7-2) vs. #2 Gordo (9-0) (Thursday)

In a battle of top ten teams, the Pickens County Tornados look to spoil a perfect regular season as they face the second ranked Gordo Green Wave.

The contest will feature two of the top offensive players in the region in Gordo signal caller Koy Chapman and Pickens County running back Caleb Bonner. Chapman added to a stellar senior season last week as he recorded five total touchdowns including four through the air in a 47-0 win over Green County. Bonner recorded a career night against Berry as he totaled 198 yards on 12 carries and six touchdowns.

The Green Wave also enter the game with the second ranked defense in Class 3A allowing 9.1 points per game.

Pickens County and Gordo face off for the 93^rd time in series history. Gordo leads the series 49-39-3.

Games around West Alabama

Thursday

Homewood vs. Paul Bryant

Holt vs. Brookwood

Holy Spirit vs. Northside

Carver (Birmingham) vs. Greensboro

Fayette County vs. Mortimer Jordan

Sulligent vs. South Lamar

Lamar County vs. Winfield

Autaugaville vs. R.C. Hatch