Nearly all of our local teams now have a pair of games under their belt this season and are starting to work out some of their strengths and weaknesses. Most of them will be forced to travel this week to face another test in an unfriendly environment. Hanceville, West Point, Good Hope, Holly Pond, Vinemont and Fairview will all be on the road Friday night and all but one of them will be kicking off region play.
(1-1) Hanceville (3A Region 5) at (0-2) JB Pennington (3A Region 5)
After a thrilling win in week one and a tough loss in week two, the Hanceville Bulldogs are 1-1 and looking to get back in the win column this week when they head to Blountsville. The Tigers are coming off a pair of road losses to Jacksonville and Susan Moore so this home opener will be a critical one for them to start turning this season around.
Hanceville’s offense was kept out of the end zone against Fairview last week, with the Bulldogs only score coming on a 74-yard kick return by Brodie Malcom. JB Pennington’s offense was shutout last week as well, and the Tigers will be just as anxious to turn things around. Hanceville will have a chance to start region play 1-0 if it can bounce back offensively and continue to improve on the defensive side of the ball.
(1-1) West Point (5A Region 7) at (1-0) Hamilton (5A Region 7)
The Warriors kicked things off two weeks ago with a big win at Fairview but dropped a very tough matchup at Arab last week. West Point held a 35-14 lead in the third quarter but 35 unanswered points from the Knights led to a dramatic comeback and a heartbreaking loss for the Warriors. They’re now 1-1 after two games but have a chance to start region play 1-0 when they head out for their third straight road game.
The Warriors offense was explosive for most of the game Friday, led by quarterback Will Cochran who racked up five total touchdowns in the first three quarters, three through the air and two on the ground. Despite a fast start, West Point couldn’t maintain that production for four quarters and couldn’t keep pace with the Knights’ comeback effort. The Warriors defense will have to regroup and respond this week to get back on the winning side of things and start region play on the right foot.
(2-0) Good Hope (4A Region 5) at (0-2) Cordova (4A Region 5)
As the only two-win team in Cullman County, the Good Hope Raiders are riding high after toppling Carbon Hill and Priceville to start the season with region play beginning Friday night. Cordova is coming off a pair of losses to Hamilton and Dora and will be anxious to get collect its first win and knock off the Raiders. Good Hope’s defense was dominant in their week one win over Carbon Hill and in week two, the Raiders offense tacked on 41 points to hold off Priceville.
Expectations are high for Good Hope this fall and starting region play 1-0 will be a big step towards reaching those playoff aspirations. The running game was close to unstoppable for the Raiders a season ago and the offense has gotten off to a good start once again with Tanner Malin and Colton Bagwell running things in the backfield. If the Raiders defense can continue to play well and the ground game remains effective, Good Hope has a good chance to start region play with a win.
(0-2) Holly Pond (3A Region 5) at (1-0) Midfield (3A Region 5)
The Broncos have started things off with a pair of tough losses to New Hope and Ider but they have a chance to start region play with a win this week. The Patriots kicked their season off last week with a 22-0 win at Tarrant and defeated Holly Pond 36-30 a season ago.
The Broncos offense was held scoreless against Ider last week, with their only points coming a safety in the opening quarter. The running game is always the focus for Holly Pond’s offense and quarterback Kyler Chaney and his offensive line will have another tough test in front of them Friday night. If the Broncos can bounce back and settle in offensively and defensively, they’ll have a chance to get back in the win column and start region play with a road victory.
(1-0) Vinemont (3A Region 5) at (2-0) Westbrook Christian (2A Region 6)
The Vinemont Eagles are off to an exciting start to the season after a big win at Falkville last week but now, they’ll have an even tougher road test to take on this Friday. The Eagles will travel to play Westbrook Christian and the Warriors are coming off a pair of big wins, giving them a 2-0 start to the season.
Vinemont’s season opening victory came in large part due to a phenomenal rushing performance from Eagles running back Dallin Dinkle. Dinkle racked up 267 yards and four touchdowns in the win and if he can provide half of that again this week, it’ll be another great showing for the senior. With region play looming next week, this Friday’s trip to Rainbow City will be another great chance for Vinemont to establish its identity for the season.
(1-1) Fairview (4A Region 7) at (1-1) D.A.R (4A Region 7)
After falling to West Point in the season opener, the Fairview Aggies bounced back with a 41-6 win at Hanceville last week to move their record to 1-1. However, the Aggies will be away from home once again this week when they travel to face region foe D.A.R. The Patriots are 1-1 on the season as well and are coming off a 49-12 thrashing of Douglas.
Fairview fell to D.A.R 52-15 last season so the Aggies will be ready to see the Patriots again with a chance for revenge. Fairview collected nearly 200 yards on the ground against the Bulldogs last week and quarterback Parker Martin tossed a pair of touchdown passes. The Fairview defense also pitched a shutout with Hanceville’s only points coming on special teams. If the Aggies can duplicate a balanced performance on offense and stingy defense, they’ll have a great shot to start region play with a win.
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