Meadowview Christian (5-1) will host a Christian Football Association state semifinal football game Oct. 30 against Victory Christian.

Nothing the Trojans do Friday night against Conecuh Springs (1-5) will change that, but that doesn’t mean this week’s game isn’t among the most important of the year for Meadowview.

Head coach Lebo Jones said this week’s game gives the Trojans a chance to try out some new plays ahead of the school’s first playoff game since 2007.

“We’ve put in a few new plays this week to try to work on to see how they do against live action,” Jones said. “It’s hard to scrimmage when you’ve only got a few kids. We are going to put a few more pass plays in and try not to be so one-dimensional.”

Jones said the Trojans have only been throwing the ball seven or eight times a game this season. Part of that is because Meadowview hasn’t been challenged but in a couple of games, but Jones is confident the team will have to throw it more to win the state championship.

“We probably need to throw it more once we get to the playoffs because I know everybody is going to try to stop the run against us,” Jones said. “We are a real physical, run it down your throat team.”

Conecuh hasn’t had a lot of success this year, but provides its own set of challenges for Meadowview as well.

“They are small but they are real fast,” Jones said. “They’ve got a real good running back and they are a threat offensively. We shouldn’t have much trouble moving the ball on them but stopping them is going to be tough.”

Conecuh won its first game of the year against Brooklane but has lost its last five games.

The Trojans had a bye week last week and will be on a bye again next week. Meadowview was originally scheduled to take on Brooklane next week, but that game was moved to earlier this season.

Jones said having so much time off has given the Trojans time to heal up, but also has its downside too.

“It’s good and bad,” Jones said. “It’s good to get people healed up and rested up but we’ve had two bye weeks this year. Basically what we’ve done the bye week is have short practices and work on timing and work on our plays and work on conditioning.”

Friday’s game is set to kickoff at 7 p.m.

 

Morgan Academy (3-4, 2-2) vs. Fort Dale (4-3, 1-3)

Escambia Academy put the brakes on Morgan Academy’s two game winning streak last week and put the Senators in must-win mode this week against Fort Dale in a class AAA, region 2 game.

The Senators currently sit in fourth place in the region, but Fort Dale is one game back and in desperate need of a win. If Morgan can win its last two region games against Hooper and Fort Dale, the Senators will be safely in the postseason.

Like Morgan, Fort Dale is also coming off a blowout loss. The Eagles lost to Monroe Academy 34-3 last week, a defeat that ended a three-game winning streak.

All four of Morgan Academy’s losses this season came to teams ranked in the top 10 of the Alabama Sports Writers Association rankings.

 

Dallas County (5-2, 4-1) at Calera (5-2, 3-2)

Dallas County can clinch a playoff spot in two different ways Friday night — beat Calera or hope that Helena defeats Central Tuscaloosa.

The Hornets would obviously like to win their way in. A win over Calera Friday would also give the team a chance to play for the class 5A, region 4 championship over the next two weeks.

Dallas County comes in riding a four game winning streak where it has outscored its opponents 117-36. Twenty-two of the points allowed over those four weeks came against Sumter Central when the game was well in hand.

The Hornets are one of 12 teams in 5A that have yet to allow 100 points this season. Dallas County is surrendering just 13.2 points per game this season, but will be tested by a Calera team that has scored 30 or more points in five games.

Last season, Calera defeated Dallas County 43-18.

Keith (1-6, 1-4) at 

Isabella (1-6, 0-4)

Keith and Isabella are both hungry for a win heading into Friday night’s matchup in Maplesville.

The Bears have lost three straight games and haven’t won since Sept. 17. Although Keith’s defense has kept the team in games, the Bears’ offense hasn’t been consistent enough over the last month. Keith has scored only 32 points over its last three games.

Isabella has not won a game since Sept. 4 when the Mustangs defeated A.L. Johnson 40-34. Isabella has given up 35 points or more in five consecutive games.

 

Ellwood Christian (3-4, 0-3) at ACA (6-1, 4-1)

After a 3-0 start, Ellwood Christian has lost its last four games, but will look to get things back on track Friday at American Christian Academy.

The Eagles have scored only 30 total points in losses to Keith, Linden, Verbena and Maplesville over the last four weeks and have fallen to 0-3 in region play in the process.

Meanwhile, ACA enters Friday night’s contest on a roll. The Patriots have won five of their six games by 35 points or more.

 

Southside (2-5, 0-4) at 

Clarke County (2-5, 1-3)

Southside’s road tour continues Friday night when the Panthers travel to face Clarke County. The Panthers have played every game on the road since Aug. 29.

Both teams are unlikely to make the postseason in class 4A, region 1, but a win would keep the Panthers and Bulldogs in contention to finish their seasons at .500 or better.

Clarke County has won two of its last three games, including a 41-0 victory over Monroe County last week.

Southside comes in off of a 56-0 loss to No. 1 ranked UMS-Wright last week.

Clarke County won last season’s meeting 48-26.