Jared Gravette: Picking Piedmont, Wellborn in critical Class 2A, Region 6 clashes
· Yahoo Sports
Now is the time to dig deep.
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The month of October will determine whether local teams reach the postseason or are left watching from home.
The final push begins Friday, so let’s get right to this week’s prep picks.
Clay Central (2-3, 1-1 Class 4A, Region 6) at Alexandria (5-0, 3-0): The last time these two teams met at Lou Scales Stadium, Alexandria quarterback Cole Wheeler and several other key contributors were merely freshmen. The Valley Cubs lost 48-13 that night on their way to a 1-9 season, but outcomes like that lit a fire under Wheeler and his young teammates.
Now, those Valley Cubs have grown up, and they’ll have a chance to show just how far they’ve come when they celebrate homecoming Friday. … Alexandria 41, Clay Central 14
Anniston (0-5, 0-3 Class 4A, Region 6) at Jacksonville (4-2, 0-0): Both Anniston and Jacksonville have dealt with plenty of adversity this season. The biggest difference between the two proud programs, however, is that Jacksonville has continued to find ways to win on the field.
Anniston is coming off a much-needed open week. The Bulldogs will look to build momentum toward 2027 over the season’s second half, but the Golden Eagles don’t want that to start on their home turf. … Jacksonville 28, Anniston 12
White Plains (2-3, 1-2 Class 3A, Region 4) at Weaver (1-5, 0-3): The combination of Cisco Nira and Junior Allen carried Weaver to its first win of the season last week, marking the first head coaching victory of Logan Brooks’ career.
At White Plains, senior leaders Hudson Ingalsbe, Crew Martin and Bryson Cheatwood are looking to leave a lasting legacy by helping the Wildcats earn the program’s first playoff berth in more than 40 years. They’ve helped White Plains win two straight, and maintaining that momentum will be crucial as the Wildcats enter a critical two-week stretch against Childersburg and Talladega that will likely determine their postseason fate. … White Plains 42, Weaver 21
Childersburg (5-0, 3-0 Class 3A, Region 4) at Cleburne County (5-0, 3-0): Childersburg has bounced back nicely after going 0-10 in head coach Matt Zedaker’s first year in charge of the program, but just how much better are the Tigers this season?
We’ll find out Friday when they travel to Heflin to face a revitalized Cleburne County program. Third-year head coach Vaughn Lee has a special talent at quarterback in sophomore Jaylen Baker and special athletes on the outside in wide receivers Lyric Ware and Cade Shubert.
Cleburne County can strike in the blink of an eye on offense, and its defense hasn’t allowed more than a touchdown in any game this season. Childersburg can prove its legitimacy by just hanging with Cleburne County for four quarters. … Cleburne County 49, Childersburg 14
Wellborn (6-0, 3-0 Class 2A, Region 6) at Ohatchee (4-2, 2-1): Wellborn has dominated in the trenches all season. The big boys up front have paved the way for an offense that’s averaging 51.2 points per game. Not even the 2019 Class 3A semifinal team, quarterbacked by now-assistant coach Jett Smith, put up numbers like these.
Since freshman Sawyer Beegle took over at quarterback, Ohatchee’s offense has found another gear, averaging 43 points per game over its last three outings. The Indians should be able to put points on the scoreboard, but can they keep up with Wellborn? … Wellborn 45, Ohatchee 31
Piedmont (5-1, 3-0 Class 2A, Region 6) at Pleasant Valley (5-1, 2-1): Piedmont has beaten Pleasant Valley 16 straight times and holds a 21-1 advantage in the all-time series, with the Raiders’ first and only win coming way back in 1995.
This is no ordinary Pleasant Valley team, however. The Raiders have a generational talent at quarterback in Virginia Tech commit Braxton Salster. If there was ever a year for Pleasant Valley to snap its long losing streak to Piedmont, this could be it — but the Bulldogs won’t make it easy. … Piedmont 27, Pleasant Valley 21
Saks (0-5, 0-3 Class 2A, Region 6) at Gaston (3-2, 1-2): Saks scored a season-high 18 points in last week’s loss to Weaver, but the Bearcats’ athleticism at the skill positions made the difference.
The Wildcats will face another explosive athlete this week in Gaston running back Zyien Dupree, who should be fresh with the Bulldogs coming off an open week. Expect Dupree to make his presence felt against Saks. The standout running back holds Power 4 offers from Iowa State, Pitt and SMU. … Gaston 48, Saks 19
Cedar Bluff (3-2, 1-1 Class 1A, Region 8) at Spring Garden (3-3, 3-0): Spring Garden has struggled in non-region play, but the Panthers have made easy work of their three region opponents.
If Spring Garden can beat either Cedar Bluff or Valley Head over the next two weeks, the Panthers will play for their seventh region championship in the last nine seasons when they travel to Woodville on Oct. 23. Why not get it done Friday in front of the home fans? … Spring Garden 49, Cedar Bluff 35
Tuscaloosa Academy (4-1, 2-0 Single A Private, Region 3) at Donoho (3-2, 2-1): Missed opportunities cost Donoho last week, ending the Falcons’ three-game winning streak in a non-region loss at Gaylesville.
Things won’t get any easier this week as the Falcons welcome Tuscaloosa Academy to Lentz Field. The Knights reached the Class 2A state quarterfinals last season and are far and away the most talented team Donoho will face this season. … Tuscaloosa Academy 56, Donoho 20
Hope Christian (4-3, 3-0 Single A Private, Region 3) at Holy Spirit Catholic (2-3, 1-2): In just its second season of varsity football and first as a member of the AHSAA, few people expected the Saints to be competing for a region title. But that’s exactly where they find themselves.
Holy Spirit Catholic shouldn’t stop the Saints’ march toward a potential region championship game against Tuscaloosa Academy on Oct. 23. … Hope Christian 34, Holy Spirit 6
Last week: 7-3
Season: 51-9