CULLMAN, Ala. – Good Hope will visit unbeaten Scottsboro with a region championship still within reach Friday, while newly ranked Cold Springs opens the area’s final regular-season football slate Thursday.
Cold Springs hosts Tanner on Thursday, Oct. 29. Friday, Oct. 30, sends Cullman to West Morgan, Good Hope to Scottsboro, Fairview to Cherokee County, Meek to Berry, Holly Pond to Falkville and Hanceville to Elkmont. All seven games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Cullman’s game at West Morgan has moved from Thursday to Friday, according to the school’s Facebook announcement.
Cold Springs entered the Class 2A rankings at No. 10 in Wednesday’s Alabama Sports Writers Association poll. Addison remains No. 2 in Class 1A, and Scottsboro holds the No. 2 position in Class 4A. Rankings throughout this preview reflect the Oct. 28 poll.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Tanner (4-5) at No. 10 Cold Springs (8-1)
Cold Springs will try to complete a nine-win regular season when it hosts Tanner at 7 p.m. in Bremen.
The Eagles enter their nonregion finale with three consecutive victories and the No. 2 playoff seed in Class 2A, Region 5 already secured. Thursday’s result will not change their region position or their home assignment for the first round Nov. 6.
Cold Springs finished region play at 6-1 after defeating Carbon Hill 56-6 last week. Eli Voce and Brandon Chasteen each scored twice, while defensive lineman Lathan Shuford returned a fumble for a touchdown. Cooper Johnson and Blake Phillips also scored.
Tanner enters after a 36-35 loss to J.B. Pennington, its third consecutive defeat. The Rattlers finished sixth in Class 2A, Region 7 at 2-5 and have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Eagles can finish the regular season 9-1 before turning their attention to the postseason.
Friday, Oct. 30
Good Hope (7-2) at No. 2 Scottsboro (9-0)
Good Hope’s 7 p.m. visit to Scottsboro carries the area’s most significant remaining region stakes.
Scottsboro leads Class 4A, Region 8 at 7-0. Good Hope and Cherokee County are both 6-1, leaving the Raiders with a path to the championship.
A Good Hope victory combined with a Fairview victory over Cherokee County would leave the Raiders and Scottsboro tied at 7-1. Good Hope would claim first place through the head-to-head tiebreaker.
If Good Hope and Cherokee County both win, Scottsboro, Good Hope and Cherokee County would finish tied at 7-1, requiring the AHSAA’s three-team tiebreaking procedure.
A Good Hope loss would leave the Raiders third because Cherokee County holds the head-to-head advantage.
The Raiders secured their playoff berth with last week’s 42-7 win over Hayden. Karson Hollis rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.
Parker Johnson ran for 64 yards and two scores while throwing touchdown passes to Ayden Young and Kayden Collins.
Ross Clark recorded two sacks. Collins added a sack and a blocked punt recovery, while Young intercepted a pass.
Scottsboro will also celebrate homecoming and senior night during Friday’s game.
Cullman (3-6) at West Morgan (6-3)
Cullman will close its season at 7 p.m. Friday at West Morgan High School in Trinity, seeking consecutive road victories after snapping a five-game losing streak last week.
The game was previously scheduled for Thursday but has moved to Friday.
The Bearcats defeated Jackson-Olin 42-13, producing their highest point total of the season. Cullman broke a 7-7 tie with 14 unanswered second-quarter points, led 21-7 at halftime and extended its advantage to 35-13 entering the fourth quarter.
The victory gave Cullman its first road win of the year and completed its Class 5A, Region 5 schedule at 2-5. The Bearcats had already been eliminated from playoff contention.
West Morgan enters with three consecutive victories and a postseason berth secured. The Rebels received seven votes outside the Class 4A top 10 in Wednesday’s ASWA poll.
For Cullman, the nonregion finale offers an opportunity to finish 4-6 and carry a two-game winning streak into the offseason.
Fairview (5-3) at Cherokee County (6-3)
Fairview will return from an open week to close its season at 7 p.m. Friday in Centre.
The Aggies are 4-3 in Class 4A, Region 8 and have been eliminated from playoff contention. Guntersville’s victory over Brewer last week secured a 5-3 region finish, and the Wildcats hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Fairview.
A victory would give the Aggies a 6-3 overall finish and a 5-3 region record. It also could influence the championship race by helping Good Hope if the Raiders defeat Scottsboro.
Cherokee County enters 6-1 in the region and remains in contention for a home playoff opener. The Warriors hold a 40-21 victory over Good Hope.
Fairview’s last game was a 41-6 victory over Crossville on Oct. 15. Conner Scott threw touchdown passes to Konnor Dunkin and Ayden Batz as the Aggies scored all 41 points in the opening quarter.
Joseph Harbison returned a fumble for a touchdown, and Fairview also scored on an interception return.
Friday’s game will be Fairview’s final opportunity to add a road victory after winning three of its four home games this season.
Meek (6-3) at Berry (4-5)
Meek will pursue its fifth consecutive victory when it visits Berry at 7 p.m. Friday in a nonregion finale.
The Tigers have secured the No. 3 playoff seed in Class 1A, Region 7 and will travel for the opening round Nov. 6. Friday’s result will not change that assignment.
Meek finished region play at 5-2 after defeating Red Bay 30-22 last week. The Tigers built a 16-0 first-quarter lead and carried a 22-14 advantage into halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, both teams added eight points in the fourth.
The victory followed region wins over Waterloo, Belgreen and Phillips. Another win would give Meek a 7-3 regular-season finish.
Berry enters after scoring a season-high 54 points in a 54-52 victory over Pickens County. The Wildcats completed their Class 1A, Region 5 schedule at 4-3.
Holly Pond (2-7) at Falkville (4-5)
Holly Pond will close its season at 7 p.m. Friday at Falkville, seeking its third victory of the year.
Both teams have completed region play and will finish their seasons with the nonregion matchup. Holly Pond finished 1-6 in Class 3A, Region 6, while Falkville finished fifth in Class 2A, Region 7 at 3-4.
The Broncos enter after a 43-12 loss to Etowah. Holly Pond trailed 22-6 at halftime before the Blue Devils added 14 unanswered third-quarter points. Both teams scored in the final period.
Falkville enters with consecutive losses and can finish at .500 with a victory. Holly Pond can close 3-7 with a win.
Hanceville (0-9) at Elkmont (1-8)
Hanceville will have one final opportunity to earn its first victory when it visits Elkmont at 7 p.m. Friday.
The Bulldogs completed Class 3A, Region 6 play at 0-7 after last week’s 62-0 loss to region champion Oneonta. The Redskins scored 35 first-quarter points and led 56-0 at halftime.
Elkmont also enters outside the playoff field. The Red Devils’ only victory came Sept. 25, when they defeated Danville 35-6.
Friday’s nonregion game will conclude the season for both teams. Hanceville is seeking a 1-9 finish, while Elkmont can finish 2-8.
Open dates and postseason preparation
Addison and Vinemont have completed their regular seasons and are open this week before beginning the playoffs Nov. 6.
No. 2 Addison finished 10-0 overall and 7-0 in Class 1A, Region 7 after defeating Hackleburg 33-7. The Bulldogs are the region champion and will host their first-round playoff game.
Vinemont finished 6-4 overall and 4-3 in Class 3A, Region 6. Its 12-7 victory over Susan Moore secured a seventh consecutive postseason appearance and the region’s No. 4 seed. The Eagles will travel to Central-Florence for the opening round.
West Point’s season concluded Oct. 23 with a 55-14 loss to Deshler. The Warriors finished 0-10 overall and 0-7 in Class 4A, Region 7.
