PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: A quick look at local Week 8 matchups

Published 2:26 pm Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Here’s what awaits football teams in The News Courier’s coverage area this week. 

 

For prep results, please visit www.enewscourier.com or The News Courier Facebook.

---

Coach Speak: “We are very similar teams in terms of region record and with how we are built physically. Two evenly matched teams, but they had a very tough, front-loaded schedule. Regardless of what our record against them has been in previous years, we know we still have a chance at making the playoffs. We still have three region games left, and even if it’s a small chance, we want to consistently build toward the playoffs.” — Ardmore’s Jonathan Snider

---

Game: Athens (5-1, 2-1) at Hartselle (5-2, 2-1)

Quick Hitter: Both teams — Athens downed Cullman 34-28 and Hartselle fell to Muscle Shoals 55-49 in two overtimes — are coming off hard-fought games last week. The Tigers have won 16 of the past 18 meetings, but the Golden Eagles’ two wins during that stretch have occurred recently (2019 and 2020).

---

Game: Clements (4-3, 1-2) at Elkmont (4-3, 2-2)

Quick Hitter: According to AHSFHS.org, Clements leads the all-time series 33-28 — both teams having registered 1,175 points in those 61 bouts. The Colts, though, have won seven straight against the Red Devils.

Coach Speak: “Elkmont’s a better football team than they have been in the past. Coach Bunio has done a great job with those guys in terms of getting them ready to play good football.” — Clements’ Michael Parker

“Any time you can win that many games in a row it feels good, but it puts a bullseye on your back. I got here in 2018, so we haven’t lost to them yet, and I don’t want to start losing to them now.” — Clements’ Michael Parker

“This is a region game for us, and if we win, we are in the playoffs. So, it’s going to be the biggest game of the year for us.” — Elkmont’s Chris Bunio

“I know that Elkmont football has struggled in recent years, including against Clements, but this is a different team and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead of us.” — Elkmont’s Chris Bunio

---

Game: East Limestone (0-6, 0-3) at Lawrence County (4-3, 3-1)

Quick Hitter: The Indians won last year’s meeting 54-13, which jump-started a 4-0 finish to the regular season. A victory by the Red Devils, however, would lock up a playoff spot for Lawrence County for the first time since 2020.

---

Game: James Clemens (5-2, 4-0) at Austin (5-2, 2-2)

Quick Hitter: The Jets are 3-1 in one-score games so far this season. The Black Bears, meanwhile, have allowed only 27 points — while scoring 143 — during their current three-game winning streak.

---

Game: Tanner (5-2, 4-0) at Lexington (4-2, 3-0)

Quick Hitter: The Ratters have outscored teams 211-43 during their current five-game win streak. The Golden Bears, however, have won two straight against Tanner.

Coach Speak: “I haven’t even really kept up with how much we’ve outscored our opponents, because I feel like if you play great defense you always have a chance to win. We’ve been playing great defense all season. We had one or two bad halves early in the season, but outside of that, we’ve been pretty solid defensively.” — Tanner’s Oscar Bonds 

---

Game: No. 5 West Morgan (6-0, 4-0) at West Limestone (5-2, 2-2)

Quick Hitter: The Wildcats have surrendered only 21 points during their current three-game winning streak. The Rebels, meanwhile, are averaging a state-best 55.8 points per game this season.

Coach Speak: “They’ve got the No. 1 offense in the state for a reason. They’ve got three or four skill guys that are as good as anybody in the region. It’s going to be a tough defensive challenge for our guys trying to limit their big plays, but we are going to give it our best shot. I don’t know if you can slow their offense down — you’ve just got to keep their guys off the field. Controlling the clock and avoiding turnovers is going to be big and they don’t get enough credit for being a really good team in all three phases.” — West Limestone’s Shelby Davis