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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

As the postseason rolls on, the stakes keep getting higher. For the Spain Park Jaguars, Thompson Warriors and Cornerstone Christian Chargers, that couldn’t be truer.

Spain Park can secure a fourth-round spot for the first time since 2015, when it reached the Class 7A state championship game.

As for Thompson, after getting past the top-ranked team in the state last week, it can secure its seventh-straight trip to the Super 7 with a win over Enterprise at home.

Cornerstone will finish out its season this week in Montgomery, but a win would secure a second-straight state championship for the football program after never previously winning a title on the gridiron.

To do that though, each team will have to get past difficult competition as the Jags will face the undefeated No. 1-ranked team in Class 6A in Saraland, the Warriors will host a dangerous Enterprise side and the Chargers will face a team that hung 62 points on them in the regular season.

Let’s dive in as I give my thoughts on each of the three matchups.

And yes, in case the entire city of Alabaster has not told you, I was not perfect last week. I’m happy with that.

 

Last Week’s Record: 2-2

Overall: 90-23

 

Spain Park (12-0) at Saraland (11-0) (Class 6A Quarterfinals, Game of the Week)

This is easily the most anticipated game in the state this week, and that’s not just because of Saraland. Sure, the Spartans have been nigh untouchable this season and entered the playoffs with an undefeated record and the No. 1 ranking from the media, but much of the excitement for this one is because of what Spain Park has done to this point. The Jags outpaced two very strong offenses in McGill-Toolen and Russell County in the opening two rounds, and while the defense has certainly bent, it has not broken yet this season. Saraland will be its biggest test with multiple strong receivers and an All-Star running back led by a future SEC slinger in KJ Lacey. I saw this offense take on Briarwood in-person last year, and while Ryan Williams won’t take the field, Lacey and his weapons are still a massive threat to any defense. I believe those recent tests will help the Jags keep pace in this one as the defense has been steadily building to this test while the Spartans outscored Chelsea and McAdory 91-17 in two playoff games that were never close. Both offenses will trade knockout blows early and often in this heavyweight clash, which nine times out of 10 means that whichever defense gets the most stops will win this. While I’ve never been one to doubt Spain Park’s tenacity and ability to rise to any challenge, this may be a step too far. From what I’ve seen of both teams this season, I believe Saraland has just a slight bit more explosiveness and a slightly better defense. Even though I’m picking the Spartans to win, the Jags will play one of 6A’s best closer than anyone else this season and make a name for themselves that they deserve to be here. Saraland 35, Spain Park 31.

 

Thompson (9-3) vs. Enterprise (8-4) (Class 7A Semifinals)

One of these days, we’ll go back and figure out Thompson’s record when Alec and I have picked against it in big games. It’s definitely very good though, and that’s a testament to how well Mark Freeman and his staff prepare the Warriors for big games and how the players buy in and rise to the challenge. That much was evident last week as Thompson’s defense had arguably its best game of the season, shutting down an Auburn offense scoring close to 50 points a game, while the offense controlled the line of scrimmage and made explosive plays reminiscent of the best attacking units this program has produced. I’ll admit I needed to see it to believe that this team can beat anyone in the state and win a state title. I saw it, and now I believe it. The Warriors should be prohibitive favorites to at least reach the state championship game because Enterprise has not proven it can hang with the best teams in the state. Their three in-state losses came in a 53-22 defeat to Auburn (which Thompson just beat convincingly), a 34-21 loss to Central-Phenix City and a 30-13 defeat to Opelika. The Wildcats have proven throughout the season that they can’t keep up with elite offenses and have yet to face a test as tough as the Warriors in the playoffs after beating Austin and Baker to start. This Warriors team is clicking on all gears and is the last team that anyone should want to face right now. The defense will show up as it always does and if the offense continues to stack big plays early, this will be over quickly. Thompson 42, Enterprise 14.

 

Cornerstone (11-0) vs. Macon-East (8-2) (AISA Class A Championship, at Cramton Bowl, Thursday)

The Chargers had two tough tests in the regular season: Evangel-Montgomery and Macon-East. They’ve gotten past the Lions once again after a mobile quarterback gave them some early troubles as Cornerstone recovered well on both ends of the field, getting consistent stops and finding ways for Zeke Adams to hit the open field. Now they will have to solve a Knights team that forced the Chargers to score a school record in points in an 88-62 win. That was far and away the worst defensive performance of this season, and you can absolutely bet that this team is motivated to prove they can stop this Macon-East offense that is averaging 50.7 points per game. That motivation will help Cornerstone continue its recent trend of success in rematches. After going to overtime with Springwood last year, the 2023 state title game was a blowout. After trailing on multiple occasions late to Evangel-Montgomery, this year’s semifinal meeting was effectively over before halftime. While I won’t venture to say this one will be a blowout, I believe that the Chargers will still improve off their last outing against the Knights and send off a historic senior class with a second state title in a row. Cornerstone 50, Macon-East 30.