Southside certainly gained a lot of confidence last Friday night in their tight loss to Trinity Presbyterian. Not giving up a touchdown over four quarters of football to a ranked team tends to have that kind of effect on a team.

This week the Panthers will get their chance to see how much confidence plays a part in a real football game as they take on Stanhope Elmore.

Stanhope Elmore is coming off a big win over Talladega 41-10 last week, and I am sure they want to continue on that roll. So what this week’s game between Southside and Stanhope Elmore boils down to is that you have one team coming off a big moral victory, and you have another coming off a big victory period.

Well this week you can expect Southside to come out and play like they haven’t before. The big moral victory from last week should make the difference, and they should win if they can cut down on the costly mistakes.

Southside 21 Stanhope Elmore 7

Selma High at Phenix City

Selma High is coming off a late fourth quarter come from behind win last week against Carver, and Phenix City is coming off a 35-7 win over Enterprise. The question is, which one will keep up the winning streak this week?

Selma High is 2-1 going into this week, and both of their wins have been very close. The Saints have been able to hold on to the win at the last minute, or to come from behind and win the game. They are due for a real breakout-convincing win, but whether it comes this week remains to be seen.

The Saints are taking on a talented Phoenix City team, and whether they can put up a big win or not will be up to them. Selma High has all of the tools to be a very good football team, but they just haven’t been able to fire on all cylinders yet. A win is a win, but sooner or later these close wins will catch up with a team.

Well I am going to give the Saints the benefit of the doubt this week, and say this is the week that they put it all together.

Selma High 24 Phenix City 7

Dallas County vs. Keith

Dallas County continues to roll over just about anything that gets in their way, while Keith at 2-2 continues to struggle.

Last week, Keith dropped a region game against Luverne 35-12.

The worst thing was not the fact that they lost the game, but they lost three key players to injuries &045;&045; one of those for the rest of the year.

Dallas County defeated Livingston last week 48-6, and it looks like they are in control of their own destiny at this point.

When you can average 52 points a game and keep opponents from scoring on your first team defense, it makes it hard for the teams you are playing against to have a chance.

Don’t look for much to change this week, as the Hornets should sting the Bears without much trouble.

Dallas County 41 Keith 18

Meadowview Christian at Mobile Christian

The Trojans have had it rough this year. They have very little experience and are short on numbers, but they have played at least one half of good football in every game all year.

Now it may not happen this week, but sooner or later I expect the Trojans to be able to put everything together, and upset a team that is overlooking them this season.

Mobile Christian is coming off a 26-7 win last week against Patrician, and the fact that the Trojans are having to travel to Mobile to play the game doesn’t make things any easier for them.

There is one more thing that should play a factor in the game &045;&045; the weather. With all the rain that has been dumped on the ground over the last couple of days, and the rain that will probably be falling the night of the game the team with the stronger running game will probably come out on top.

The Trojans have been a running team all year, and if they can play a mistake-free game, they will have a better chance than anyone will give them.

This game should be closer than expected, but in the end the Trojans will probably fall a little short.

Meadowview Christian 13 Mobile Christian 18

Morgan Academy vs. Clarke Prep

Morgan Academy came up with their first lost last week against Macon East 18-6, but don’t look for this to happen again this week. Clarke Prep is coming off a big defeat against last year’s defending 3A State Champs Monroe Academy 21-0.

This should be the game that is the season turning point for the Senators.

Last week they realized that they are not invincible, and they don’t like the taste that the defeat left in their mouth.

This week you can look for the Senators come out, and be ready for anything that Clarke Prep has to throw at them.

Morgan will play the offensive side of the ball like they have all season up until last week, and their defense should be where it needs to be to win the game.

The Morgan Academy Senators should have little trouble disposing of Clarke Prep this week, and getting back in the driver’s seat for the rest of the season.

Morgan 27 Clarke Prep 6

Central Christian vs. Coosa Valley

What can anyone say about the Central Christian Warriors. They have came out and shocked just about everyone by going 4-0 so far. They defeated a much-improved MMI team last week, and they just didn’t squeak by them. They beat them convincingly, 41-18.

This week the Warriors take on a Coosa Valley team that is coming off a loss against Shelby 18-14, and Coosa Valley will be looking to get back to their winning ways.

Coosa Valley has put up some pretty good offensive number this year on their way to a 2-2 record.

This game should not be a piece of cake for either team, but in the end look for Coosa Valley to pull out the win (Remember I am not going to be the one who jinxes the streak).

Coosa Valley 28 Central Christian 21

Wilcox Academy at Patrician

This week you have two teams that are coming off loses and one of them will be back on track after Friday night.

Wilcox Academy has played good sound ball all year, and this week should not be any different.

They have had a good sound defense with Michael Riggs leading the way last week in the loss against Southern with 19 tackles, and a fumble recovery.

Look for the Wilcox Academy offense to step up and put points on the board, and the defense will step up and play like they have most of the year.

Wilcox Academy 21 Patrician 7

Francis Marion vs.

John Essex

Francis Marion is coming off a loss to Midfield last week 20-6, and they are looking for a win at home this week against John Essex.

John Essex had a bye week last week, but the week before they lost to Carrolton 12-0, and I am sure they are wanting to get back on the winning side of things as well.

Look for a hard-nosed running attack, and a good defensive performance from Francis Marion this week to help them edge John Essex in the long run.

Francis Marion 19 John Essex 13