Three Dallas County schools are in position to reach the state football playoffs.

Selma High, Southside and Dallas County all carry 3-1 Region records into week 8 of the prep football season on the road Friday night. Victories will all but clinch postseason berths. The AHSAA state playoffs start on Nov. 8.

Southside at Montgomery Academy: The Panthers (4-2 overall, 3-1 Region 3, Class 3A) are coming off their best performance in years, spanking Prattville Christian Academy 58-14 on Homecoming last week. 

Southside coach Charles Moody expects a tough contest in Montgomery.

“This is a big game for both teams,” Moody said. “This will be a meaningful game in a hostile environment. We need to be disciplined and physical. We need to come out ready and play fast. They will do a lot of things offensively and defensively. We have to be alert and line up right to their different sets. I’m excited for our guys to be part of something like that. It’s an experience every athlete deserves.”

Dallas County at West Blocton: The Hornets (3-3, 3-1 Region 3, Class 4A) travel to Bibb County for a showdown against West Blocton. A win puts Dallas County in position to earn a second seed and host a first-round playoff game.

Hornets coach Heath LeVert isn’t looking ahead, putting his focus on stopping West Blocton’s double wing offense.

“West Blocton is a well-coached, disciplined team that’s in great shape,” LeVert said. “The double wing offense they run is very difficult to stop. We will have to play responsibility football to be successful. We will also have to limit our mistakes and control the line of scrimmage on offense in order to move the football.”

Selma at Stanhope-Elmore: The Saints (4-2, 3-1 Region 3, Class 6A) will be in position to win the Region or finish second with a victory in Millbrook.

Running back Amarion Mollette and wide receiver Nicholas Parnell have both emerged as big-play offensive weapons for the Saints. Mollette scored a team-high three touchdowns against Calera.

“A huge region game for us,” Saints coach Willie Gandy said. “A win this week will really put us in the spot. It will be a tough game for us. I think defensively we have to play lights out to get this win.”

Bessemer Academy at Morgan Academy: Morgan Academy (3-4, 0-2) plays its final regular-season home contest against eighth-ranked Bessemer Academy. The Senators need a win to stay in the AISA state playoff chase, while a loss all but eliminates them from the postseason.

“A tough one, Bessemer has been the gold standard in 3A football for our association going on the better part of a decade now,” Senators coach Josh Thacker said. “Assignment football and solid special teams play will be critical for us.”

Southern Academy at Meadowview Christian School: The Trojans (0-5, 0-2) close their four-game home stretch at Wadsen Field. MCS faces a Southern Academy (4-1, 0-1) team led by linebacker Brian Osburn.

Ellwood Christian Academy at A.L. Johnson: ECA (0-5, 0-4 Region 3, Class 1A) and Johnson (0-4, 0-2) meet in a battle of winless teams in Thomaston.  ECA coach Ray Blanks praised the Eagles’ effort against Maplesville, holding the Red Devils to 48 points with only 12 players.

Keith has an open date.