Stakes high in Hartselle on Friday night
Athens, Tigers fighting
for playoff future

As if the local rivalry was not enough to bring a crowd to Hartselle High's J.P. Cain Stadium on Friday night, this week also kicks off a crucial three-week span for Hartselle and Athens that will decide who's in and who's out of the postseason in Class 5A, Region 8.

And for Hartselle (2-4 overall, 2-2 in the region) and Athens (2-4, 2-2), which have identical records, every game from here on out is critical.

"The loser this week is really behind the eightball," Hartselle coach Bob Godsey said.

Both teams still have J.O. Johnson, which is also in the running for a playoff berth, left to play in the region. Hartselle travels to play the Jaguars next week, while Athens hosts the Jags on Oct. 26.

"Everything will be decided over the next three weeks," Godsey said.

Athens coach Allen Creasy agreed with the significance this week holds for both teams and the impact it could have on the rest of the season.

"There's no question with the position that both of us have put ourselves in that a region win right now is a must," Creasy said.

"We both had higher expectations than what we've been able to achieve so far this season, but with a win this week, the sky is still the limit."

After brilliant postseason runs last year, Hartselle and Athens have fought similar battles this season and come in to this week's game almost identical in their cause.

The Tigers said goodbye to 21 seniors who were the heart of last year's success, while Athens graduated 17 off last season's state championship squad, including several multiple-year starters.

Even with the lack of experience, Creasy said both teams have been in position to win the majority of their games.

"Both teams are still within a touchdown or two of being one of the top teams in North Alabama," Creasy said.

Recent history fuels the rivalry's fire.

Hartselle beat Athens 35-31 in last year's regular season, giving the Tigers home-field advantage for the first round of the state playoffs. The two met again in the state quarterfinals where Athens took a 23-13 win en route to the state championship and ended Hartselle's season. Both teams beat the other on the road.

"I think us and Athens have gone through similar things this season, both young teams trying to find those two or three things that make a difference in a ballgame," Godsey said.

"That's what we're both going to be looking for."

Touchdown Club meets Friday: The Touchdown Club will hold its weekly Game Day Breakfast on Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. at Cracker Barrel on Beltline Road Southwest with former North Alabama and NFL player Ronald McKinnon as its guest speaker.

McKinnon, an Elba High graduate from South Alabama, was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals out of UNA, where he was a Harlon Hill Trophy winner and a part of three Division II National Championships. McKinnon played for the Cardinals from 1996-2004 and one season for the New Orleans Saints.

Also, Austin High head coach David Norwood will announce the players of the week. The players will be honored for last week's game against Bob
Jones.

All club members and
football fans are invited to attend.

Decatur hosts cross country meet: The Decatur High cross country teams will host the 22nd annual Decatur Invitational "Dew It on the Trails" meet Saturday at Point Mallard Park beginning at 9 a.m.

The event comes on the heels of North Alabama's biggest annual cross country meet, the Jesse Owens Cross Country Classic, which was Saturday in Oakville.

Several of the city's top runners will look to build on the success they had last weekend when they face some of the state's best.

Austin freshman Matthew Dunn was the top local in the highest division, finishing at 34th overall a week ago, while Austin senior Jennifer Dunn took third in the girls top division as the area's highest finisher.

For host Decatur, sophomore Sally Adams and senior Meg Adams were 10th and 24th respectively last week.

Around the state

Week heavy with top matchups: This week's slate of games features eight Top 10 matchups across the state's six classifications, including five that involve the No. 2-ranked teams with plenty of opportunity for shifts in power at the top.

In Class 6A, second-ranked Hoover (4-1) takes on ninth-ranked Vestavia Hills (5-1), and No. 5 Tuscaloosa County (6-0) tries to remain unbeaten against eighth-ranked Hueytown (6-0).

Class 5A second-ranked Russellville (6-0) hosts ninth-ranked Decatur (5-1), and in 4A, second-ranked Central-Tuscaloosa (6-0) takes on seventh-ranked Fayette (6-0).

In 3A, No. 2 Clay County (6-0) travels to play eighth-ranked Hokes Bluff (6-0), while 2A No. 2 Lanett (6-0) hosts No. 8 Loachapoka (6-0).

Class 1A's top matchups include fifth-ranked Donoho (6-0) and seventh-ranked Ragland (5-1).

Central-Tuscaloosa, McAdory lead state statistics: On paper, the state's top offense through six weeks of play is Class 4A No. 2 Central-Tuscaloosa.

The undefeated Falcons are averaging 53.7 points per
game.

The state's stingiest defense heading into this week is undefeated 5A No. 3 McAdory, allowing just 3.2 points per game this season.

Predicting the preps

Daily Sports Writer Brooke Milam predicts how area teams will fare in this week’s games:

Thursday’s game

Tharptown 28, Mount Hope 16 Friday’s games

Hartselle 14, Athens 13

Brooks 27, Lawrence County 17

Clements 20, Lauderdale County 14

East Lawrence 14, DAR 6

Decatur 21, Russellville 17

East Limestone 32, Ardmore 17

Colbert Heights 34, Elkmont 14

Falkville 16, Victory Christian 14

Austin 32, Hazel Green 10

Hazlewood 32, Vina 0

J.O. Johnson 28, Brewer 14

New Hope 20, Danville 14

Addison 24, Phil Campbell 7

Madison County 31, Priceville 14

R.A. Hubbard 22, Hackleburg 7

Speake 21, Shoals Christian 7

Tanner 26, Hatton 14

West Limestone 21, Lexington 14

West Morgan 24, Winston County 20

Last week: 14-6 (.700)

Season record: 75-33 (.690)