Football look ahead

The playoff picture going into the final region week of the season is pretty clear, with a few seeding questions still to be resolved. Russellville is in. They have to beat Fairview this week for the top seed. Red Bay is in. They have to beat Hatton this week to earn a three seed instead of a four seed. Phil Campbell is in a three-way tie for the fourth spot in their region. If they win this week, they are likely in the playoffs. Tharptown and Vina are out.

Phil Campbell (3-5) hosts Clements (5-4) – Phil Campbell won a must-win game at Colbert Heights Friday night to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. It was the Bobcats’ first region win. Phil Campbell will host Clements this week. The Colts are in the same position as the Bobcats, fighting for a playoff spot. Clements was on a four-game winning streak before losing last week to Colbert County 55-13. Phil Cambpell won this game last year 44-32.

Red Bay (5-3) hosts Hatton (6-2) – Red Bay and Hatton face off this week to determine who will be the third and fourth seed in Class 2A Region 8. On paper, both teams look very similar. The Tigers are scoring 32.5 points per game against region competition and giving up 24.75. The Hornets are scoring 27 points per game and giving up 22. Red Bay should have the advantage with the game being on their home turf. The Tigers lost last year 38-22.

Russellville (7-1) hosts Fairview (8-0) – Fairview will pose the biggest test to the Russellville Golden Tigers since their close loss to Mars Hill at midseason. Both teams are undefeated in region play and fighting for the top seed in Class 5A Region 8. Both teams appear very similar on paper with Fairview looking to be slightly stronger offensively but Russellville slightly stronger defensively. The Golden Tigers are averaging 37 points per game in region play while giving up 8.8. Fairview is scoring 50 points per game and giving up 9.4. Russellville won this game easily last year 41-14 at Fairview. This year it’s on Russellville’s turf.

Tharptown (1-7) hosts Falkville (3-5) – Falkville won their first three games of the season, but they have been on a slide ever since, losing five straight. Tharptown lost to Sheffield last week. The Wildcats lost this game last year 55-14.

Vina (0-7) at Hackleburg (7-1) – Hackleburg’s only loss of the season was their season opener at Phil Campbell. The Panthers have rolled off seven straight wins with the only close win to regional opponent Addison 32-28. Hackleburg won their last three games against Waterloo, Phillips and Shoals Chrisitan by a combined score of 121-7. Vina lost this game last year 44-6.