Sports Editor

Here’s this week’s team previews for Friday night’s games.

Pike County at Lafayette

AHSAA Hall Power Ranking: Pike County (3A) 11, Lafayette (3A) 46

For the first time this season the Bulldogs (1-1) will play a game on the road. Road trips are something Wayne Grant’s team will have to get used to,

seeing that five of the next six games are away from Brundidge.

LHS’s Fighting Bulldogs are 0-2 this season, falling to powerhouse Tallassee 35-0 in the first game and last week to Montgomery Academy 24-13.

Lafayette is a basketball school, but that doesn’t mean they don’t possess talent on the football field Opelika’s Lemarcus Rowell is the name most people hear coming out of East Alabama, but the Fighting Bulldogs’ linebacker Terez Bailey (6-3, 235) could be the better player. Bailey runs 4.5 (40-yard dash) and had 25 tackles last week against Montgomery Academy. Bailey’s play has drawn comparison to former Auburn star Takeo Spikes and Chicago Bears’ linebacker Dick Butkus.

Offensively, the Fighting Bulldogs have been hurt by penalties and turnovers. LHS had five interceptions and one fumble against Montgomery Academy, which bodes well for Grant’s aggressive, turnover-hungry defense.

Besides Bailey, Lafayette is led on defense by defensive tackles Rod Finley (5-8, 245), Michael Todd (6-2, 235) and Corey Moss (6-1, 230).

The main thing for Pike County is not to be caught looking toward next week and another big regional game against Dadeville.

 

Meadowview at Pike Liberal Arts School

AISA Hall Power Rankings: Meadowview (3A) 2, PLAS (3A) 13

Coach DeWight Ward’s team returns to Troy with some much needed confidence after last Thursday night’s 40-7 win over Greenville Academy.

Meadowview, coached by former Goshen and Pike County head coach Tommy Wasden, is coming off of a heartbreaking 22-21 loss to Lowndes Academy. The Trojans’ offense was driving for a potential game winning score, when quarterback Chris Holbrook was picked off with six seconds remaining in the game.

But prior to that game Meadowview upset seventh ranked Glenwood 28-20, so there’s no doubt that Wasden’s team can play.

Holbrook has two-year’s experience starting under center and is joined in the backfield by senior fullback Chad Holbrook and tailback Mike Wallace. When Holbrook passes look for receiver Kevin Hamm (6-3, 170) and tight end Jay Gargus (6-0, 210) to be his main targets.

If there is one advantage the Trojans have on PLAS it’s in experience. Meadowview has 13 seniors on this year’s squad, compared to five for Pike.

 

Livingston at Charles Henderson

AHSAA Hall Power Rankings: Livingston (4A) 59, CHHS (5A) 7

For the second week in a row, the Charles Henderson Trojans will battle a Class 4A opponent.

However the matchup on Friday night, will be nothing like the battle the Trojans had last weekend against Opp. The Cougars are near the bottom, starting out this season with an 0-2 record, which includes a 43-0 loss last Friday night to Bibb County.

Look for CHHS to use their superior depth to wear down the Cougars early and walk away from Memorial Stadium with a 2-0 record.

 

Barbour County at No. 10 Goshen

AHSAA Hall Power Rankings: Barbour County (2A)58, Goshen (2A) 5

This one could get ugly.

Barbour County is under the direction of new head coach Tony Carter who will find out that the Eagles will treat him no better then the Jaguars two previous opponents.

On the basketball court, Barbour County (formerly Clayton and Louisville) and Goshen are equals. On the football field the competition is extremely one-sided in favor of GHS.

Coach Joe Thornton’s team will celebrate homecoming and a their new ASWA No. 10 ranking with a big, big regional victory.