CULLMAN, Ala. – Most local squads were on the road for region openers last week and this Friday night, most of our local teams will be back on their home fields. Hanceville and Arab will both have to hit the road for regional matchups against Dora and Scottsboro respectively but everyone else will be hosting their week three opponents.
(3-0) Cullman v. (1-2) Buckhorn
The Bearcats have gotten off to a great start in 2020. After taking down Grissom in the season opener, Cullman has toppled two of its biggest rivals in Jasper and Hartselle to start things 3-0. The ‘Cats defense made it through the first 11 quarters of the season without allowing a single point before Hartselle managed to get on the board in the fourth quarter last week and that unit will have to be ready for a new challenge Friday. Buckhorn is coming to town with a 1-2 record after falling to Madison County and Bob Jones on the road and bouncing back with a big win over Hazel Green last week. Cullman’s game plan of running the ball, controlling the clock and playing defense has worked so far this season and you should expect more of the same when the ‘Cats meet the Bucks Friday night.
(1-2) Arab at (0-2) Scottsboro
The Knights have endured a pair of tough losses after winning their season opener on the road over Albertville. Arab has been held to just nine and seven points in its last two losses against Guntersville and Fort Payne respectively and the Knights will have to find some offense to turn their momentum around going forward this fall. Scottsboro has started the season 0-2 after dropping games to Madison Academy and Oxford so they’ll be hungry for a win when Arab arrives Friday night. It’ll take strong performances in all phases for the Knights to keep the Wildcats in check and get back in the win column.
(0-2) West Point v. (2-1) Boaz
West Point is coming off a tight loss to the Lawrence County Red Devils last week and the Warriors are looking for their first win of the season with a talented Boaz squad coming to town this week. The Pirates have knocked off Hayden and Crossville so far this season and their only loss came at the hands of Madison County in overtime. Friday night’s matchup will be the region opener for West Point and a win over Boaz would be a great way to flip the early momentum of the season and get region play started on the right foot.
(2-1) Fairview v. (3-0) Douglas
The Aggies suffered their first loss of the season at Guntersville last week and they’ll be aiming to bounce back with a win this week when they host Douglas. The Eagles have been stellar defensively so far this season, allowing just 10 points per game. Until the trip to Guntersville last week, Fairview’s offense had been rolling but expect the Aggies to respond and find their footing against Douglas Friday night. A win over Douglas would be an important region victory for Fairview and keep the record above .500 with the midseason stretch right around the corner.
(3-0) Good Hope v. (2-1) Haleyville
The Raiders have had their way with West Morgan, West Point and Ashville to start the season 3-0 and they’ll aim to extend their win streak Friday night when Haleyville arrives at James W. Shabel Stadium. The Lions won their first two games of the season over Addison and St. John Paul II but picked up their first loss of the year 12-6 at Northside last week. Both Haleyville and Good Hope have been stout on the defensive end through the first three weeks of the season so expect a physical game between these two Friday night in which points will be at a premium.
(1-1) Hanceville at (2-0) Dora
Hanceville is coming off arguably its biggest win of the Cody McCain era last week after defeating Fultondale in Ray Talley Stadium 43-34, but the Bulldogs will have to refocus for a new challenge this week. Hanceville will be on the road this week for another big region showdown with the Bulldogs of Dora. Dora has started its season 2-0 after handling Cordova and Holt in the first two weeks and was off last week, giving them some more time to prepare for Hanceville’s arrival. Dora has only allowed 13 points all season so the Hanceville offense will be put to the test on the road Friday night.
(1-2) Vinemont v. (1-2) Carbon Hill
The Eagles are licking their wounds this week after falling to J.B. Pennington on the road this week, but they’ll have a chance to bounce back this week when Carbon Hill comes to town. The Bulldogs took their season opener at Curry 48-28 but have dropped back to back games against Cordova and Susan Moore since then. Vinemont has struggled to get points on the board since its season-opening victory over Hanceville but if the Eagles can put a solid performance together on both sides of the ball Friday night, they’ll have a good chance to even up their record and get back in the win column.
(1-2) Holly Pond v. (2-0) J.B. Pennington
Holly Pond is returning home after a tough loss at Oakman last week, but the Broncos will have to regroup and get ready for another challenge Friday night. J.B. Pennington is coming to town and the Tigers have hit the ground running in 2020. They’ve knocked off Vinemont and Oak Grove by a combined score of 88-6 to start the season 2-0 but this week will be their first matchup away from home. Holly Pond fell to J.B. Pennington 34-8 a season ago and this year with a new-look offense, the Broncos will be anxious to repay the favor.
(1-2) Addison v. (1-1) Midfield
Addison took a tough loss in overtime after a long road trip to Aliceville last week. Some calls made late in the game were certainly questioned by the Bulldogs, but they’ll have to shake off the loss and prepare to bounce back at home against Midfield Friday night. The Patriots have split a pair of close games with Wenonah and Lamar County to start the season 1-1 and they’ll be aiming to get back in the win column against Addison this week. The Bulldogs have picked things up on the offensive end after a tough opening night in week zero and it’ll take a great performance this week to finish in front of Midfield. This will be the first time Addison and the Patriots have ever met.
(0-3) Meek v. (0-2) South Lamar The Meek Tigers are still looking for their first win of the 2020 season and they’ll have another opportunity to capture when they host South Lamar Friday night. The Stallions topped Meek at home 62-0 last season but they’re off to an 0-2 start this fall and the Tigers are hungry for another shot at South Lamar. Meek has struggled to contain opposing offenses early in the season, but the Tigers have been able to put some points on the board, averaging just under 30 points per game this fall. A win against the Stallions Friday night would be a great first win for Meek and create a big boost of momentum going into the midseason stretch.
Copyright 2020 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
