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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

Remember last season when we had multiple teams need non-region tiebreakers and Alec practically had an evidence board to sort through clinching scenarios?

Well, we don’t have that this year. Every team in Shelby County has either clinched a playoff spot or been mathematically eliminated, and just two teams are playing for playoff seeding.

Those teams are the Chelsea Hornets and Cornerstone Christian Chargers, who find themselves matched up with the very teams they are battling for their seeds: Benjamin Russell and Macon-East, respectively.

Obviously, those matchups will be the biggest of our 11-game Week 10 slate, but from top-to-bottom, it will be a big chance for teams to make their final statements as many close out region play.

For some, it will be a chance to gain momentum ahead of the playoffs. For others, it will represent a way to end an otherwise disappointing year on a high note.

For me though, it’s another chance to continue my red-hot predictions form as I’m now 30-2 in the last three weeks. Let’s dive in to this week’s matchups.

 

Last Week’s Record: 10-1

Overall: 65-15

Teams on Bye: Shelby County, Evangel

 

Chelsea (6-2) at Benjamin Russell (4-4) (Game of the Week)

This is our lone 11-man game with playoff stakes this week, but the stakes are big. Just like Chelsea volleyball in its area championship match last week, the Hornets football team has one goal this week: avoid playing Saraland. The No. 1 team in Class 6A is who awaits the loser of this game as they will drop to No. 4 in the region while the winner gets the No. 3 seed. Chelsea’s place in the playoffs is secure after its 6-0 start, but back-to-back losses mean that the team needs to turn around its negative momentum quickly before the postseason arrives with bigger challenges. However, this team has had multiple positives to take away from their losses in the past two weeks, including the fight they showed in the second half last week against Helena. That mental resilience will go a long way next month, and it’s one of the reasons I believe they are favored against an inconsistent Benjamin Russell team that in its past two games has let Spain Park drop 55 on them and shut out Pelham. Their offense is about as inconsistent as well, scoring 55-plus in two games but also scoring under 15 in three games. With the Hornets, you typically know what you’re going to get, and that includes a balanced offense with Chase Stracener in the run game and CJ Durbin as a receiver and a stout pass defense. The secondary is where I believe this game will be won or lost. If Chelsea approaches the Wildcats’ dynamic duo of Alijah Johnson and Cedarian Morgan the same way they did Brock Bradley and Corey Barber against Spain Park, it will take out Benjamin Russell’s most lethal weapon and open the door for more success from there. Chelsea 35, Benjamin Russell 21.

 

Thompson (6-3) vs. Prattville (4-4)

The Warriors have the rare distinction of losing three games in a season all in overtime and all by one point. While special teams certainly played a role in all three losses, what’s most concerning to me is Thompson’s offense against elite defenses. Last week in particular, there were multiple spots where the Warriors couldn’t capitalize off a short field. This team needs to be consistent on that side of the ball if they want to compete for a state championship. That can start this week against Prattville, a team giving up 33.6 points per game on defense. Just like against Hillcrest a couple of weeks ago, I believe that this will be another game where Trent Seaborn can find a wide variety of playmakers in space and make the big plays we’ve come to expect from this offense. Whether that performance will translate against teams like Auburn High (who they’ll likely face in the second round) remains to be seen, but for now, expect a big bounce-back night as the Warriors close the regular season on a high note. Thompson 42, Prattville 14.

 

Oak Mountain (3-5) vs. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (5-4)

The Eagles haven’t recaptured their early season form in recent weeks, and last week’s 63-0 loss to Hewitt-Trussville put this team’s struggles on full display. They’ll have a chance to bounce back this week at home, but they will need to bring their A-game against a Hillcrest team that has won three of its last four and has a day of extra rest after a 53-28 drubbing of Prattville last Thursday. Oak Mountain’s defense has given up at least 20 in each game this season, which isn’t something you want going up against a Patriots offense averaging 29.4 points per game. The positive? The Eagles can tangle in a shootout, as seen by their narrow loss to Prattville. If the offense looks like it did earlier in the season against Prattville, Tuscaloosa County and Briarwood, this could be a chance to get another victory to close out region play. However, this team needs to prove it to me right now that they can still play their best football down the stretch. And if Shane McComb’s bunch takes this as bulletin board material to go out and win, I’m totally fine with that. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 42, Oak Mountain 28.

 

Calera (3-5) vs. Helena (5-3)

This one’s a sneaky candidate for our most entertaining game of the week simply because of the two offenses that will be on display. On one side, you have a Helena offense that is absolutely clicking on all cylinders right now with a typically bruising run game led by two backs who can go for 100-plus yards on any given night and a quarterback in Nate Ferguson who is getting better at making big plays by the week. On the other hand, there’s Calera’s passing attack, led by one of the top passing yards leaders in the state in AJ Johnson thanks to the effortless way he finds receivers, even if there’s a bit of a trade-off with frequent turnovers. As is typically the case in offensive firefights like this one, I turn to the defenses to see who will make the biggest difference, and there’s a stark contrast here. The Huskies defense has greatly improved from their three losses to Spain Park, Moody and Oxford (three of the best teams in the state) and can get consistent stops while exploiting opportunities for turnovers. Calera’s, meanwhile, is giving up 37.3 points per game. That means that while the Eagles will likely hang around for a while, Helena will pull away off its ability to consistently finish drives with points. Helena 48, Calera 21.

 

Spain Park (8-0) at Chilton County (2-6)

First off, a big congratulations to the Jags for wrapping up their first region championship since 2015. This program has taken big strides since Tim Vakakes arrived and it’s showing with a No. 1 seed in the playoffs. One of those big leaps forward has been in their mentality and motivation, and that’s something I believe will show this week. Yes, there are no playoff stakes to play for and this is a Chilton County team that has struggled mightily. However, there is still an undefeated record to play for this week and then next week at Gardendale. With the way that Spain Park is playing on both sides of the ball, giving up seven or less in three straight and scoring at least 28 a night, this team can absolutely exert its will over this one and put it away quickly. That could let this first team earn valuable rest and avoid injury heading into the postseason while still keeping the momentum rolling. If the Jags approach this week like that, expect big things. Spain Park 42, Chilton County 7.

 

Pelham (1-7) at Leeds (7-2)

The Panthers are officially done with region play and are in desperate need of some confidence after three straight losses since their bye week. These are the types of games where the young players can fight for their roles in this team going forward, and I expect them to come out and play until the very end this week and next against Fort Payne. Now though, they will face a Leeds team that has excelled at the 5A level once again this year, scoring an average of 37.4 per game and boasting an underrated defense that’s surrendering 23.9 points per game. I expect the Greenwave to have another big offensive day against a Pelham defense that hasn’t been strong this season, but regardless, the Panthers offense will need to have a bounce-back night if they want to at least keep pace. After failing to score on offense in back-to-back games and scoring just nine points in their last three outings combined, that will be a tough task. Leeds 35, Pelham 7.

 

Briarwood (3-5) at Hayden (2-7)

It’s such a shame that the Lions won’t be heading to the playoffs after playing like one of the best teams in Class 5A in the past three games. Briarwood’s playoff hopes officially ended when Corner narrowly topped John Carroll last week, but the Lions still have a lot of pride to play for as they aim to end the regular season on a five-game winning streak. I believe they’ll be motivated to finish strong and have a great opportunity against a struggling Hayden offense that has scored eight or less in seven of their nine games this season and only topped 16 points once. The defense has remained consistently good and only gotten better in the past few weeks, and with a bye week to rest up, expect this unit to set the tone once again. That will let Luke Reynolds and the offense have another banner day to wrap up region play and head into next week’s home finale against McAdory on a high note. Briarwood 42, Hayden 7.

 

Montevallo (1-7) at Jemison (0-8)

With two struggling teams looking for their first win in region play, one team needs to step up. This week, I believe that team could be the Montevallo Bulldogs. The offense is trending in the right direction after scoring 16 and 27 in their last two games (with that second total boosted by a last-second kick return touchdown), and Montevallo will have a great chance to capitalize on a Jemison defense giving up 40 or more in over half of their games. The Bulldogs defense has been vulnerable at times too, allowing an average of 31.1 points per game, but I believe this could be one of those games where the unit gets a chance to shine a little bit more and recapture what made them so successful in the past. The last thing that I believe tips this one to Montevallo is the fact that its players do know how to play winning football, even if much of it came last year. Jemison hasn’t won a game in its past 17 tries. While this will be the Panthers’ best shot at getting Rishard Davis’ first win, I believe the Bulldogs will avoid finishing last and go into next week’s finale at Vincent with a bit of momentum. Montevallo 21, Jemison 14.

 

Vincent (7-1) at Greene County (4-4)

This week’s (checks notes) two-hour road trip for a region game is just one of many challenges the Jackets are facing down the stretch. They had to deal with some problems of their own making last week against a very game and motivated Isabella team, but they walked away with the victory. They’ll need to draw from that experience here against a Greene County team that needs to win to save its season. Vincent technically doesn’t have anything to play for after locking up a two-seed and a date with North Sand Mountain in the first round, but if they learned anything from last week, they can’t take any opponent lightly. The good news for Vincent is that the Tigers haven’t been consistent and have lost three of their last four games while allowing an average of 26.5 points per game. While the Jackets offense may still be a bit banged up going into this one, I saw enough out of Lane Mims and Aiden Gasaway last week with the team’s 49 points that I have confidence in them to capitalize on their chances to make plays and grab a hold of this game. I also think the defense will have a bounce-back game and help keep this one from becoming a firefight like it has the potential to be. Vincent 35, Greene County 14.

 

Cornerstone (8-0) at Macon-East (6-1)

We thought this would be the battle of the unbeatens this week, but Macon East’s 85-54 loss to Springwood took out one half of the equation. Cornerstone nearly stubbed its toe on Evangel-Montgomery last week, but the Chargers battled through their first adversity in a while to get the victory. Drawing from that experience will be crucial if they want to end the season back in Montgomery at the Cramton Bowl for the state title. This is a high-powered Macon East team that will definitely challenge the Cornerstone defense, but last week proved that both sides of the ball can step up to a challenge when called upon. This game may be another test of the Chargers’ character, but if last week’s quiz has many of the same questions that they’ll face this week, I expect them to pass and earn a perfect grade for the regular season. Cornerstone 48, Macon East 35.

 

Coosa Valley (1-7) at Meadowview Christian (2-6)

The Rebels accomplished a key milestone last week as they took the field for the first time after forfeiting two games. While they came out on the losing side of a matchup with Lakeside, they’ll have a great chance to turn things around in their final game of the season against Meadowview Christian. The Trojans had struggled mightily on defense, giving up 48 or more in all six on their losses this season. That said, Coosa Valley has mirrored Meadowview at times this season, which could make this a close one as the Rebels search for their second win of the year. For this one, I look back to Coosa Valley’s lone win over the season where it set a school record for points on a very suspect North River defense. I don’t think they’ll repeat those numbers this week, but this offense can take advantage of a bad defense, and I believe that will happen this week and end a difficult year for the Rebels on a high note. Coosa Valley 40, Meadowview Christian 26.