Good weekend for Hartselle
By Staff
Justin Schuver, Sports Editor
(Commentary by staff writer Clif Knight)
Hartselle High School sports fans enjoyed a double measure of fun last week as they watched their football team and volleyball team pull off red letter victories in their march to the Class 5A state playoffs.
Hartselle’s Tigers grabbed sole possession of second place in their region with a spirited second half comeback win against the J. O. Johnson Jaguars at J. P. Cain Stadium. Both teams had identical records going into the game. Now all the Tigers have to do to sew up a second place region seeding and earn the right to host the first game in the playoffs is to take care of business against West Point on the road Friday night.
The Lady Tigers made a giant leap in their state volleyball championship run by knocking out three opponents, including 2005 nemesis Muscle Shoals, in the 3A Region D tournament in Fort Payne on Saturday. As a host team in sub-state play on Thursday, they’re matched up against District C fourth place finisher Pleasant Grove. A win will put them in the state finals. Go Tigers and Lady Tigers!
Here’s sports editor Justin Schuver’s weekly picks:
Hartselle Tigers (7-1, 6-1) at West Point Warriors (0-8, 0-6): The Tigers get a much needed rest after playing three of their last four games against ranked teams (all wins for Hartselle). West Point is experiencing a lot of growing pains after moving up from Class 4A this season…Tigers 49, Warriors 6.
Falkville Blue Devils (4-4, 3-3) at Cleveland Panthers (3-5, 3-3): It doesn’t get much simpler than this. The winner of this game goes to the playoffs and the loser stays home. On paper, this looks like a matchup of two nearly equal teams. I’m going to go with Falkville, as the Blue Devils win a battle to advance to the playoffs for the second straight season…Blue Devils 17, Panthers 14.
Hanceville Bulldogs (1-7, 0-6) at Danville Hawks (0-8, 0-7): It has been a long and trying year for the Hawks, but this year’s seniors won’t want to end their season without a win. Against current top-four region foes Sumiton Christian, Madison Academy, New Hope and Good Hope the Hawks were outscored 119-59. Against those same four opponents, Hanceville was outscored 145-34. The Hawks pick up their first win of the season…Hawks 28, Bulldogs 14.
East Lawrence Eagles (1-7, 1-5) at Priceville Bulldogs (4-4, 2-4): Although their playoff dreams were dashed after a one-point loss to Ardmore, the Bulldogs still have the opportunity to finish with a winning record and take momentum into next season. Against the hapless Eagles, they’ll get halfway to that winning mark…Bulldogs 38, Eagles 10.
Brewer Patriots (2-6, 1-5) at Decatur Red Raiders (3-5, 2-4): After starting the season 1-4, Decatur has hit its stride recently with two wins in their last three games. That’s bad news for the Patriots, who are still trying to pick up that elusive third win…Red Raiders 31, Patriots 10.
Florida International Golden Panthers (0-7) at Alabama Crimson Tide (5-3): I would make fun of Alabama’s non-conference schedule here, were it not for the fact my Irish still have games to play against all three service academies and North Carolina… With about half of FIU’s team suspended for their role in a brawl against Miami, even Alabama’s woeful offense should be able to put up a lot of points…Crimson Tide 49, Golden Panthers 7.
Auburn Tigers (7-1, 4-1 in SEC) at Ole Miss Rebels (2-6, 1-4): Coach Orgeron’s boys have one win in the SEC, while previous Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliffe has helped organize a tremendous turnaround at Tennessee as the Vols’ offensive coordinator. I wonder if the folks in Oxford might want to take a mulligan…Tigers 38, Rebels 10.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-1) vs. Navy Midshipmen (5-2): After seeing Notre Dame win by the skin of its teeth in South Bend last weekend, I’ve come to the realization that this team has a lot of holes. Luckily, those holes won’t matter much against a Navy team that has lost its starting quarterback for the rest of the season…Fighting Irish 38, Midshipmen 13.
