Welcome to our GameTracker on CoachesAid.com. This will be a regular Thursday feature previewing the top 10 high school sporting events of the weekend. All these games are Friday night at 7 CT unless noted (and include CoachesAid.com rankings):
The games you need to see.
Ramsey, N.J., Don Bosco Prep (1-0) at Prattville (3-1, No. 2 in 6A): The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU. Prattville sloshed past Wetumpka, 38-14, last week after being tied at 14 midway through the third quarter. The Lions’ 24-game home winning streak will be at stake when the Ironmen – ranked No. 4 in the USA Today Super 25 – come calling. Don Bosco opened the season on Sept. 12 by hosting De La Salle (then-No. 14 in the Super 25 and currently No. 24). The 30-6 loss was the Spartans' worst defeat in five years. Prattville is 1-2 against out-of-state teams during the past two seasons.
UMS-Wright (3-1, No. 4 in 4A) at Fairhope (4-0, No. 9 in 6A): UMS-Wright stayed in the 4A state mix last week by downing Clarke County, 45-17. Chris Dukes ran for 290 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries as the Bulldogs gained 369 yards on the ground on 41 attempts and didn't have a turnover. Fairhope stayed unbeaten with a 45-6 victory against Baldwin County. Fairhope quarterback Daryl Norris hit on 19 of 28 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Pirates.
Jackson (4-0) at Leroy (4-0, No. 2 in 2A): Leroy carries a 29-game win streak — the state’s longest — into this one. Leroy defeated Jackson 63-34 last season. The Bears have played four tight games this season, while Jackson has blown out all four opponents. Leroy coach Danny Powell is 46-3 in three-plus seasons as the Bears’ head coach. Leroy has scored 72 points this season, and Jackson’s defense has allowed only 33.
Cordova (4-0, No. 3 in 3A) at Hartselle (4-0, No. 4 in 5A): Cordova held its position in the rankings last week after downing Northside, 41-14. Ryan Smith rushed for 237 yards on eight carries and four touchdowns – all in the first half – for the Blue Devils. Hartselle ended Cordova’s 19-game winning streak in Week 5 last year. The Tigers upended Russellville, 27-13, last week – holding the Golden Tigers to just one touchdown in five red-zone trips.
Saint Paul’s Episcopal (3-1, No. 9 in 5A) at Russellville (3-1, No. 8 in 5A): Saint Paul’s had little trouble getting past LeFlore, 35-14, last week. Freshman sensation Jordan Huff scored three touchdowns and rambled for 229 yards on 23 carries for the Saints. Russellville’s offense nearly disappeared in a 27-13 loss to 5A No. 4 Hartselle last week. Golden Tigers QB Joey Howe was 12-for-28 for 155 yards and threw four interceptions in the loss.
Reeltown (3-1, No. 7 in 2A) at Loachapoka (4-0, No. 3 in 1A): Reeltown blanked Goshen, 34-0, last week. Loachapoka also had little trouble getting past Verbena, 45-0. Loachapoka has buzzed through its first three region opponents with a 149-8 scoring margin. Reeltown has done the same, outscoring its first three region opponents, 118-21. The Rebels average 309 yards on the ground this year. Loachapoka QB Patrick Moore has accounted for 983 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Randolph County (3-1) at Dadeville (3-1, No. 9 3A): Randolph County downed Ranburne, 43-36, behind a Hot List-worthy night by Dwayne Childs – he rushed for 389 yards and five touchdowns on 16 carries. Dadeville lost to No. 5 Trinity Presbyterian, 27-10, last week. Dadeville beat the Tigers, 35-0, last year, and the homestanding Tigers have won four of the past five.
Alabama School for the Deaf (4-0, No. 10 in 1A) at Victory Christian (3-1): ASD moved into the Top 10 for the first time this week after another shutout – this time a 42-0 blanking of the Florida School for the Deaf. RB Joshua Snow turned in a Hot List-worthy effort, rushing for 260 yards and five touchdowns on just seven carries. The Silent Warriors average 40 points per game and have not been scored upon since Week 2. Victory Christian lost for the first time last week, falling to Coosa Christian, 22-10.
Decatur (4-0, No. 8 in 6A) at Bob Jones (4-0): Decatur defeated Parker, 28-16, last week. Senior QB Ben Neill connected on 15 of 22 passes for 210 yards with touchdown throws of 8, 42 and 24 yards for the Red Raiders. Bob Jones had little trouble downing Grissom, 49-0, last week. Averaging 51 points a game, the Patriots have beaten Buckhorn, Hazel Green, Florence and Grissom by an average of 37.3 points.
Northridge (3-1) at Bibb County (4-0, No. 9 in 4A): Northridge continued its solid 2009 start with a 25-14 victory against Paul W. Bryant. The Jaguars’ Michael Bryant opened the game with an 84-yard kickoff return for a score. Bibb County trounced Calera, 48-7, last week. Jaquail Rutledge rushed for 263 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries to lead the Choctaws. CoachesAid.com will be at this game for complete coverage.
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