Bryant Horn

As the saying goes, “Christmas is the season of giving,” and that can be seen in the recent charity work by former Alabama lineman Jedrick Wills, Jr. Wills, now a core member of the playoff-hopeful Cleveland Browns made headlines across the country this week when he hosted his inaugural “Jedrick’s Winter Blast.”

After a roller coaster of a 2020 season, the AHSAA “Super Seven” has finally arrived. While the American Christian Patriots fell last week in the semifinals, the Tuscaloosa area still has two teams left, Gordo and Pickens County, with a chance for the legendary “blue map.”

After taking down the American Christian Patriots (13-1, 7-0) 34-13, the Handley Tigers (11-1, 6-0) have punched a ticket to the 4A State Championship game in Bryant-Denny Stadium next week.

Thursday night, the one-seeded Gordo Green Wave (11-1, 6-0) defeated the one-seeded West Limestone Wildcats (11-1, 7-0) 48-13 to advance to the semifinals of the 4A State Playoffs. Under the leadership of junior quarterback Tanner Bailey, the Gordo Green Wave scored seven total touchdowns.

With their 31-21 victory over the McGill-Toolen Yellow Jackets (7-3, 5-2) Friday night, the Hillcrest Patriots (9-2, 5-1) have secured a second-round matchup at No. 1 Opelika in the second round.

Now that the regular season has concluded, excitement is buzzing in the Druid City in preparation for the Super 7 State Championships that will take place at the beginning of December in Bryant-Denny Stadium. In a season that has seen unlikely upsets, high-scoring shootouts, and many forfeits due to COVID-19, six teams remain in contention for the state title.

Now that region play is over, many teams across west Alabama are preparing for the first round of the playoffs. With that being said, the final week of the regular season stands in the way. From games that can determine a 10-0 perfect season to an intense cross-county rivalry, these games might not be regional, but they are still just as important.

With their 26-7 Homecoming victory tonight, the Northridge Jaguars (7-2, 4-2) secured the third-seed out of Region 4 for the playoffs in two weeks. Though McAdory (4-5, 3-3) dropped a third-straight loss, the Yellow Jackets have still secured their own playoff spot and will be the fourth-seed.

As the end of the high school football season in Alabama approaches, schools are starting to get a better picture of what the playoffs will look like. With only two weeks of the regular season left, it’s anyone’s game in west Alabama.

Friday night, the American Christian Patriots (8-0, 6-0) dismantled the Dallas County Hornets (3-5, 3-3) 47-16. From start to finish, ACA dominated with over 330 total yards and seven total touchdowns. This eighth straight win secured ACA a third straight region title.