By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Editor

Week 6 record: 6-0. Overall record: 37-9.

Last week wasn’t a tough week from a prediction standpoint. The closest game of the week was Pelham’s 14-point, 41-27 loss to Northridge. With the average score of the six AHSAA games in the county last week coming in at 44-10, the only thing to say is we’re 26-1 in the last three weeks and move on to see what Week 7 has in store. With a full slate of 11 games, this week features some of the biggest matchups in the county to date this year.

 

Oak Mountain vs. Hewitt-Trussville.

This is gut check time for Cris Bell’s squad. Over the last three weeks, the Oak Mountain defense has started to play like an elite-level unit. The Eagles have given up just 24 points in their last three games, 17 of which came against Hoover, and forced an impressive six turnovers in their shutout victory over Briarwood on Sept. 25. Hewitt-Trussville will pose a much, much bigger challenge for Oak Mountain than the Lions did however; with SEC talent in the Huskies backfield in running back and Ole Miss commit Jarrion Street coming to town. Fresh off a bye week and the sting of an overtime loss to Spain Park, Hewitt-Trussville will come ready to play. Oak Mountain, at 1-2 in the region, has its back against the wall to get into the playoffs, however, and gets a marquee win. Oak Mountain 28 – Hewitt-Trussville 21.

 

Spain Park at Hoover.

The smart money here is on Hoover. The smart money is always on Hoover. Not only has Hoover not lost to an in-state opponent since “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1” was the top grossing movie at the box office; it’s never lost to Spain Park. Ever. In 13 tries. Which makes this prediction all the more crazy. The Jaguars are going to knock off Hoover this Thursday at the Met. Oak Mountain and Mountain Brook have come close this year, and now Spain Park is going to get the job done, ending Hoover’s colossal win streak over in-state teams, but more importantly for Spain Park, the Jaguars get the program’s first-ever win over the Bucs in the process. Spain Park 24 – Hoover 21.

 

Thompson vs. Vestavia Hills

Vestavia is a good team this year, and brings a 4-1 record into Thompson this week, which is fresh off a bye after a disappointing big loss to Hoover. With a week off to focus, this is again the kind of game Mark Freeman was brought in to win, and the Warriors steal one at home late. Thompson 35 – Vestavia Hills 31.

 

Briarwood vs. Walker

Walker brings an unblemished record into Briarwood this Friday where the Lions are in real trouble. Fresh off a six turnover, zero point performance a week ago against Oak Mountain, it’s officially time to panic for Fred Yancey’s young team. But, for whatever reason, we’re picking Briarwood to pull this out at home. Call it intuition or a gut feeling or whatever, the Lions get the W this week. Briarwood 24 – Walker 17.

 

Chelsea vs. Opelika

Chelsea is very good football team that has scored over 40 points in every game of the season since Sept. 4. The Hornets face their toughest test to date in an Opelika team that upset the No. 3 team in 7A on Friday in Central-Phenix City. While Chelsea’s defense is a talented, veteran group, the Hornets have yet to see a quarterback the caliber of the Bulldogs’ Jake Bentley, who holds offers from 12 schools according to 247sports.com, including Auburn, Clemson and Miami (FL.). This Chelsea team will not implode down the stretch like it did a season ago, but the Hornets fall from the ranks of the unbeaten this week in a tough game at home. Opelika 31 – Chelsea 26.

 

Pelham vs. Hueytown

Hueytown knocked off 5A No. 2 and close rival Pleasant Grove on Sept. 25 thanks to a late-game interception, and is a blocked field goal away from winning its last three in a row. Pelham on the other hand continues to struggle. Until the Panthers prove they can win a game, they’re simply not a viable choice. Hueytown 26 – Pelham 12.

 

Calera vs. Wilcox Central.

Calera wins a billion to nothing if it wants. Another light week for the first team is in store against hapless, winless Wilcox Central. Calera ∞ – Wilcox Central 0.

 

Helena vs. Jemison.

Another game that will be close only as long as the teams are warming up. Jemison has scored 18 points all year and hasn’t gotten on the scoreboard at all since Sept. 4. Watt Parker’s squad should be just fine. Helena 42 – Jemison 0.

 

Shelby County vs. Beauregard.

This Shelby County team is better than its 2-4 record. The Wildcats run the ball hard and have physically capable runners as well as an offense that is tough to prepare for. Heath Childers is also hopeful that Aremee Calloway will rejoin the team on the field this Friday as well, which would be a big help to Jamarius Mayfield, who has been a one-man wrecking ball as of late out of the backfield. Beauregard however is a top-10 team in the state and has a tough middle linebacker in AJ Tate and a capable quarterback in Quay Wright that will help the Hornets get the road win. Beauregard 42 – Shelby County 28.

 

Montevallo at West Blocton

A month ago, this game was the one highlighted on Montevallo’s schedule as one of the two games the Bulldogs needed to win to prove they were legitimate. Now? Not so much. West Blocton has lost its last two games by a combined score of 103-28, including a 63-6 implosion last Friday against American Christian. Maybe this game will be close, but Montevallo hasn’t given up any points since Sept. 11 and seems to be in complete control, playing like a team full of confidence with nothing to lose. Montevallo stays perfect. Montevallo 45 – West Blocton 14.

 

Vincent vs. Thorsby.

Vincent hasn’t scored a single point since Sept. 4 and it is full-blown panic time for Jason Hill’s Yellow Jackets as they try and salvage potentially a single win from this season. It unfortunately won’t be this week as Thorsby comes to town. Thorsby 35 – Vincent 14.