High school playoff predictions: Who will come out on top in Chattahoochee Valley?
Another year, another deep playoff run for Central-Phenix City.
The Red Devils are one win away from an Alabama 7A state title. They face Thompson on Dec. 4 in a rematch of last year’s state championship game, which Central won handily.
That’s just one of several big games that feature area schools this week. Callaway hosts Douglas County, Marion County hosts Lincoln County and Manchester travels to Irwin County.
Here’s what you should watch for in this week’s games, along with the L-E’s staff predictions.
Central 35, Thompson 17
Central hasn’t lost since its season opener and hasn’t played in a close game since Aug. 31 against Cedar Grove. The Red Devils are scoring in bunches and not allowing many points (they have outscored opponents 506-157 this season) and cruised to a sixth-straight region championship by beating Auburn on Oct. 25.
- When: 8 p.m. EST Wednesday, Dec. 4
- Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Ala.
- All-time series: Central leads 1-0
Callaway 28, Douglass 21
Another team that hasn’t lost since its season opener is Callaway. The Cavaliers cruised past Chattooga and FItzgerald in the GHSA 2A playoffs and now host Douglas County, which will likely serve as the Cavaliers’ toughest test since that season-opening loss to Opelika. The Cavaliers haven’t had issues scoring points this year, but the Astros boast a stout defense. This one could go either way, but we’re sticking with the home team.
- When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29
- Where: Callaway Stadium, LaGrange, Ga.
- All-time series: Callaway leads 3-0
Marion County 20, Lincoln County 17
In a close game between two evenly matched teams, the safe pick is to go with the home team with a talented quarterback. Luckily for Marion County, the Eagles check off that box. Trice McCannon continued his strong season by leading the Eagles over Schley County last week. Now, the Eagles host Lincoln with a spot in the GHSA 1A public semifinals on the line. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
- When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29
- Where: Marion County
- All-time series: n/a
Irwin County 35, Manchester 30
Manchester upset Johnson County on the road last week, and now face a tough challenge in undefeated Irwin County with a spot in the 1A public semifinals on the line. The Blue Devils boast impressive regular-season wins over Schley County, Marion County and Pacelli, and they haven’t lost a game since October 18. But this week’s matchup will likely be the toughest they’ve faced all season.
- When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29
- Where: Manchester
- All-time series: Manchester leads 1-0
This story was originally published November 27, 2019 at 2:56 PM.
