Game Notes for Week 8
No. 2 Hartselle at Mortimer Jordan
Series: Hartselle leads 2-1
Last meeting: Hartselle won 48-7 in 2010
Three 100-yard rushers: Hartselle had three 100-yard rushers last week against Curry on homecoming. Blake Slayton led the Tigers with 162 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries. Masio Stover had 105 yards with two touchdowns also on eight carries. D’Andre Mack had 105 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries. Mack had the longest run of the night, going 88 yards for a score late in the fourth quarter. In all, Hartselle amassed 440 yards on the ground.
Defense moves up in rankings: Hartselle’s defense is now ranked second overall in scoring defense for AHSAA teams. The Tigers are allowing an average of 5.9 points per game. They are second to Linden, which is allowing just 3.3 points per game. Linden (6.0), Muscle Shoals (6.7) and Fyffe (6.9) round out the top 5 in scoring defense. In scoring differential, Hartselle ranks 13th with an average margin of victory of 33.9 points.
Unsettled QB situation: Mortimer Jordan could be down to its third string quarterback depending on the status of its backup quarterback Devin Hodges, who went down with a leg injury last week. Starting quarterback Orion Recke was injured against Walker in the second game of the season. With Hodges at the helm for the last five games, the Blue Devils have still managed to score at least 20 points in every game. If Hodges isn’t available, Jordan could be relying a lot on its running game.
Hayden at Brewer
Last meeting: Hayden won 44-28
Road gets a little easier: After a brutal seven-week stretch, Brewer begins a stretch of games against teams that have struggled this season. Hayden is just 2-5 after beating West Point last week. West Point is just 1-6. Priceville is a much improved team, but only has a 2-5 record now.
Common opponents: Hayden and Brewer have both lost to the four common opponents on its schedule: Hartselle, Cullman, Curry and Walker. Hayden was outscored by these teams by a combined score of 166-28 while Brewer was outscored 197-32. However, both had a home game against Curry. Hayden lost by one point while Brewer lost by 30.
Deshler at Priceville
Last meeting: Deshler 74-0 in 2010
Tough road to end region play: Priceville probably plays the toughest three-game stretch of any team in Class 4A. It began last week with a loss to Brooks. Now they play Deshler and will then face West Limestone next week.
Priceville offense still scores on Brooks: Priceville probably showed its biggest sign of improvement last week, While the Bulldogs’ defense gave up points to Brooks, Priceville still managed to score much more than they have against Brooks last year. In 2010, Brooks won 55-6 compared to a 40-21 win this year. Priceville is still scoring 27 points per game. We’ll really find out just how much the Bulldogs have improved in tonight’s game at Deshler.
Lauderdale County at Danville
Last meeting: Lauderdale County won 35-14 in 2010
Offensive struggles continue: After putting 41 on Priceville in Week 5, the Hawks have scored just 26 the past two weeks. That’s still better than what Danville’s offense did in the first four games, when they only scored 14 points total. The per game average is now up to 11.6 per game.
Common opponents: In the four common opponents between Danville and Lauderdale County, the Hawks are 0-4 while the Tigers are 4-0.
Brindlee Mountain at Falkville
Last meeting: Brindlee Mountain 28-7 in 2010
Something’s gotta give Part II: Both Brindlee Mountain and Falkville are both 1-6 on the season. Brindlee Mountain has scored just 71 points while Falkville has only scored 45 points.
Homecoming at Falkville: It’s homecoming tonight at Falkville. There’s a reunion planned for the Class of 1981.
