Playoffs Under the Lights: Bucs and Jags host playoff games

It’s playoff time. Now the five-week run to the national championship begins. Most teams hope to advance a round or two, while few have any real ambition to advance deep into the playoffs. Here’s a look at some of the first round matchups.

Spain Park (10-0) vs. McGill-Toolen (6-4)

• Date: Friday, November 8th
• Time: 7 p.m
• Location: Jaguar Stadium

Last week: Spain Park defeated Gardendale 35-12; McGill-Toolen defeated Baldwin County 41-14.

What you should see: Spain Park made program history last week with a convincing win over Gardendale, completing a 10-0 regular season. Now the records will be reset as the playoffs begin and the Jags will get a visit from McGill-Toolen in the opening round. If the Jags play like they have all season, they are very capable of making the playoffs.

Last meeting: McGill-Toolen defeated Spain Park 14-12 in the Class 7A state championship game on Dec. 2, 2015. It is the only previous meeting between the teams.

What’s next?: The winner receives the winner between Russell County and Northridge in the second round.

Hoover (8-2) vs. Fairhope (5-5)

• Date: Thursday, November 7th
• Time: 7 p.m
• Location: Hoover Met

Last week: Both teams had open dates.

What you should see: Hoover has hit form in the final weeks of the regular season, best evidenced by its wins over rivals Thompson and Vestavia Hills. The Bucs had an open date last week, which should benefit them as they host Fairhope in the first round of the playoffs. Hoover comes into this game as a big favorite. This week’s game was postponed until Thursday due to impending weather issues later this week.

Last meeting: This will be the first meeting between the programs.

What’s next?: The winner receives the winner between Opelika and Florence in the second round.

Mountain Brook (7-3) at Southside-Gadsden (6-4)

• Date: Friday, November 8th
• Time: 7 p.m
• Location: Barney Hood Stadium – Southside High

Last week: Mountain Brook has accepted an open appointment; Southside lost to Pell City 45-7.

What you should see: Mountain Brook will play its first Friday game in over a month and travel to Southside for the first round of the playoffs. The Spartans played their three toughest opponents in the middle of the season in front of three inferior opponents to round out the regular season. Are the Spartans ready to ramp up the intensity? Southside had a strong season, but a tough loss to Pell City last week raises some questions.

Last meeting: Mountain Brook defeated Southside-Gadsden 63-0 in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs on November 5, 2021. Mountain Brook has an 8-3 lead in the series.

What’s next?: The winner receives the winner between Parker and Cullman in the second round.

Vestavia Hills (5-5) vs. Mary G. Montgomery (9-1)

• Date: Thursday, November 7th
• Time: 7 p.m
• Location: Grider Stadium – Mary G. Montgomery High

Last week: Vestavia Hills defeated Clay-Chalkville 28-14; MGM accepted an open appointment.

What you should see: Vestavia Hills heads into the postseason with an impressive win over defending Class 6A state champion Clay-Chalkville. The win gave the Rebels a 5-5 record against one of the toughest schedules in the state this fall. Are the rebels healthy enough and is there enough left in the tank to go south and surprise a fearsome enemy? This week’s game was postponed until Thursday due to impending weather issues later this week.

Last meeting: This will be the first meeting between the programs.

What’s next?: The winner receives the winner between James Clemens and Central-Phenix City in the second round.

Hewitt-Trussville (8-2) at Baker (8-2)

• Date: Friday, November 8th
• Time: 7 p.m
• Location: Hornet Field – Baker High

Last week: Hewitt-Trussville accepted an open appointment; Baker defeated Vigor 10-9.

What you should see: Hewitt-Trussville faces Baker, who is coached by former Huskies offensive coordinator Juan Johnson. Who has the upper hand in this scenario? Time will tell. Hewitt-Trussville played extremely well late in the season and its defense is the best of head coach Josh Floyd’s tenure.

Last meeting: This will be the first meeting between the programs.

What’s next?: The winner receives the winner between Austin and Enterprise in the second round.

Clay-Chalkville (8-2) vs. Gadsden City (6-3)

• Date: Friday, November 8th
• Time: 7 p.m
• Location: Cougar Stadium

Last week: Clay-Chalkville lost to Vestavia Hills 28-14; Gadsden City accepted an open appointment.

What you should see: Clay Chalkville head coach Stuart Floyd had some pointed words for his team after last week’s loss to Vestavia Hills, questioning whether his team had the “heart” needed to be successful in the playoffs. That will be put to the test in the opening round of the playoffs as the Cougars host a solid Gadsden City team. Clay was surprisingly eliminated in the opening round of the 2022 playoffs before winning the state championship last fall.

Last meeting: Clay-Chalkville defeated Gadsden City 31-21 on November 1, 2019. Gadsden City holds a 6-4 lead in the series, but Clay has won three of its last four games.

What’s next?: The winner receives the winner between Muscle Shoals and Mortimer Jordan in the second round.

Homewood (8-2) vs. Athens (8-2)

• Date: Friday, November 8th
• Time: 7 p.m
• Location: Waldrop Stadium

Last week: Homewood defeated James Clemens 24-10; Athens defeated Russellville 45-23.

What you should see: Homewood is coming off an impressive win last week against Class 7A playoff team James Clemens. The Patriots will host an Athens team with an identical record, but Homewood appears to be the better team on paper given his resume. Homewood hopes to get starting quarterback Will Myers back this week, but backup quarterback Kaleb Carson has performed impressively in his place over the last two and a half games.

Last meeting: Homewood defeated Athens 34-31 in the first round of the state playoffs on November 6, 2020. The Patriots have won all three previous meetings, all of which came in the playoffs.

What’s next?: The winner receives the winner between Fort Payne and Pell City in the second round.

Chelsea (6:4) at Saraland (9:0)

• Date: Thursday, November 7th
• Time: 7 p.m
• Location: Spartan Stadium – Saraland High

Last week: Chelsea lost to Oak Mountain 16-14; Saraland accepted an open appointment.

What you should see: Chelsea enters the playoffs with four straight losses and makes a long trip south to play one of the strongest teams in Class 6A. The Hornets will have to pull out all the stops to make this a game, but head coach Todd Cassity said his team is ready for the challenge. This week’s game was postponed until Thursday due to impending weather issues later this week.

Last meeting: This will be the first meeting between the teams.

What’s next?: The winner receives the winner between McAdory and Wetumpka in the second round.

Historical data courtesy of AHSFHS.org.

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