Rarely does a non-conference game mean as much as Friday night’s matchup between Shelby County and Chelsea.

The Hornets have locked up their region title, but coach Watt Parker’s team is still thirsty for a win over a larger team such as the Wildcats.

Shelby County, however, has alot more than just bragging rights riding on this game. The Wildcats must win if they want a chance to make an appearance in this year’s playoffs. A three-way tie in the &8216;Cats division for the fourth and final playoff spot has left the non-region games as the deciding factor for who’s in or out.

– Shelby County Game of the Week Prediction: Shelby County 24, Chelsea 17.

The Montevallo Bulldogs and Vincent Yellow Jackets take the field for a Thursday night game this week as the &8216;Dogs try to play spoiler against a Jackets team that is looking to claim its share of a region title.

The Jackets are coming off a rivalry win over Calera in week nine while the Bulldogs took down Oak Grove last Friday.

– Prediction: Montevallo 31, Vincent 13.

Coosa Valley travels to Kingwood this week in a game that could get ugly fast.

The Rebels have won only one game in 2005 while Kingwood is coming off a 63-47 win over Evangel that saw Lions’ quarterback Andrew Pearce throw for eight touchdowns and run for another.

– Prediction: Kingwood 52, Coosa Valley 0.

The Calera Eagles travel to face Fultondale this week as they try to recover from a heartbreaking loss to Vincent in their homecoming game last week. The Eagles have clinched a playoff spot but still have a lot of kinks to work out before the postseason arrives.

– Prediction: Calera 21, Fultondale 6.

Briarwood Christian travels to Huntsville this week to face Lee High School in a non-region matchup. The Lions have sealed up the No. 2 spot in their region behind Homewood and are looking to polish off their play before they make another run at the 5A state title.

– Prediction: Briarwood 42, Lee-HSV 16.

E.B. Erwin comes to Oak Mountain this week as the Eagles prepare for the start of the 6A playoffs, seeded second in Region 6 behind Hoover.

The Eagles were plagued by turnovers and miscues

in their loss to the Bucs last week, something head coach Jerry Hood said he hopes to correct against Erwin.

– Prediction: Oak Mountain 27, E.B. Erwin 7.

The Pelham Panther host Clay-Chalkville this week in a non-region matchup between two Class 6A powerhouses. Clay-Chalkville sits atop Class 6A, Region 7 with a 7-2 record.

The Panthers are riding high this week coming of a playoff-clinching win at Spain Park.

– Prediction: Pelham 14, Clay-Chalkville 6.

The Spain Park Jaguars travel to face Dothan (3-6) this week in their final game of the season.

The Jags’ suffered a disapointing loss to Pelham last week that kept them out of the Class 6A playoffs. Look for Spain Park to finish stong this year as they begin building for the 2006 season.

– Prediction: Spain Park 38, Dothan 3.

Jemison comes to Thompson this week for the Warriors’ homecoming game and final match of the season.

It’s been a difficult road for the team from Alabaster, which was originally touted to be a big force in Class 6A, Region 6 this season.

Thompson has managed only two wins this season and suffered an 0-7 streak in their region games.

But the Warriors are coming off a much-needed win at Satsuma and need to use this Friday’s game as a stepping stone for next year.

– Prediction: Thompson 16, Jemison 8.

The Cornerstone Christian Chargers are still in search for an AISA playoff berth despite a 53-0 loss to Shelby Academy in week nine.

The Raiders have welcomed back the play of senior Ty Youngblood in the past few games, but the stand-out quarterback/receiver is still recovering from a leg injury.

– Prediction: Cornerstone 42, Central 21.

The Shelby Academy Raiders will look to finish with a 9-1 record this week as they host West Alabama.

The Raiders have had little trouble with opponents this year, dropping only one game to defending AISA champion Southern Academy.

– Prediction: Shelby Academy 45, West Alabama 0