As we approach the last three weeks of the 2017 season, the region races in the upper classes still have some big games left. Some teams are getting hot at the right time and it could make for some great games in the next few weeks. Here is a look at the region races in classes 5A-7A.
Class 5A
Region 1- All year St. Paul’s looked to be the best team. Vigor lost their first three games but has gradually improved to the point that they dominated Jackson 33-0 last week. The two play this week, with the winner taking the title. Citronelle can still capture second if they win out over Williamson and Jackson and St. Paul’s beats Vigor. Jackson looks to be the other playoff team. A win over Citronelle could make them the third seed. Make sense?
Region 2- Carroll of Ozark is the champion, rolling to a 7-0 regular season mark. A good Eufaula team is likely second and could easily finish 8-2. Charles Henderson is likely third with Greenvile the fourth seed. Rehobeth is still in the mix but must beat Charles Henderson or Greenville to sneak in.
Region 3- Demopolis has been dominate with only Calera giving them a close game. Calera must beat Marbury to claim second. Marbury, Central Tuscaloosa and Dallas County are battling to claim the other two spots.
Region 4- Last year’s state champion Beauregard will win the region title. Sylacauga and Clay Central look to battle for second this week. If Clay loses, they will have to beat Talledega the following week to take the third seed. If they win, Clay gets second with Sylacauga third and Talledega fourth.
Region 5- Briarwood Christian has had a strong season and looks to be the champion of Region 5. Wenonah and St. Clair County play next week for second and third. Pleasant Grove will more than likely finish fourth.
Region 6- Mortimer Jordan and Hayden meet next week with the region championship possibly on the line if Hayden beats Fairview who is winless in the region this week. Chances are MJ ends up first and Hayden second. Curry, West Point, Springville and Corner are still battling for third and fourth.
Region 7- Etowah is getting hot and will more than likely end up with the #1 seed. Alexandria and Guntersville play this week for second place. The loser will surely end up third. Crossville’s early season win over Scottsboro likely gets them the fourth seed if the two tie.
Region 8- Mae Jemison will be champion. Brooks and East Limestone are fighting it out for 2nd and 3rd. The Lawrence County- Lee Huntsville winner looks to be the fourth team in the playoffs.
Class 6A
Region 1- Spanish Fort is headed to the region championship. The Toro offense is clicking, having scored at least 42 points in the last five games. Daphne is in the drivers seat for second place. Their region schedule is marred only by the early season 8-7 loss to Spanish Fort. A three way tie for third place between a much improved Baldwin County team, Blount and Saraland is possible.
Region 2- A huge game between Park Crossing (7-1) and Sidney Lanier (7-0) for the region championship happens this week. Carver should end up third and Stanhope Elmore will probably roll in for fourth place.
Region 3- This race is really just beginning. Wetumpka (8-0) has had a super year but must beat Benjamin Russell (6-1) and always tough Opelika (5-2) to win the region title. Opelika could still end up in a three way tie for the top spot.I f Pelham beats Opelika, they could slide into the third spot ahead of the Bulldogs.
Region 4- Hillcrest Tuscaloosa will be champion here with McAdory looking like the second place team. The Paul Bryant-Bessemer City game this week looks to determine third and fourth place.
Region 5- If Shades Valley can knock off Homewood and beat John Carroll next week, the Mounties could win their first region championship since 1999. Homewood’s super defense has them undefeated. A Shades Valley loss to Homewood this week could create a three way tie with Ramsay and Jackson Olin for second place. Tiebreakers here we come.
Region 6- If Pinson Valley can continue their winning ways and beat Gardendale, they will win the region crown. Clay Chalkville is probably second and is good enough to make a strong playoff run. Gardendale probably takes third and Carver Birmingham fourth.
Region 7- Oxford is 8-0 but Pell City (5-2) has not lost a region game. They play Friday night with the winner taking the region championship. Pell City has played five close games, winning four of them. They still have a tough Fort Payne team to play next week. A Pell City loss to Oxford and Fort Payne next week could lead to a three way tie for second between Pell City, Fort Payne and Cullman.
Region 8- The Austin-Muscle Shoals game this week pits two good teams. Austin (7-0) and Muscle Shoals (6-1) should be a great game. The loser probably takes second place. Florence, Hazel Green, Hartselle and Athens will duke it out for third and fourth.
Class 7A
Region 1- Fairhope (5-0, 6-1) and McGill Toolen (5-0, 7-0) appear to be headed on a collision course the very last week of the regular season. Five teams fight for third and fourth in this region, but expect Davidson and its strong defense to get a playoff spot. Foley, Murphy, Alma Bryant and Theodore are all still mathematically alive.
Region 2- Central of Phenix City has been ranked #1 since early in the season. The Red Devils seemed destined for first place. A good Auburn team will be second and Lee Montgomery will probably end up third. Anything could happen, but the smart money says that the winner of the Jeff Davis-Prattville match up this week will probably take the last playoff spot.
Region 3- Undefeated Thompson and once beaten Hoover will decide the region championship next week in one of the biggest regular season games of the year. Common sense says that this could just be act one. Mountain Brook (5-2) looks like they may take third and a good Spain Park team (4-3) should be the fourth seed.
Region 4- Hewitt Trussville (7-0) fought off a scare from Sparkman last week and looks to remain undefeated and win the region crown. Bob Jones will be second and the winner of this week’s Sparkman-Gadsden City contest takes third and looks like the loser probably gets the fourth spot.
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