HS Power Predictions

There is plenty on the line Friday night when the final 24 teams suit up for a chance to play at Bryant-Denny the following week for championships. The new location of the finals provides an opportunity for players to experience a taste of big time college football, not too mention the opportunity to play for the state title.

One can only imagine what it will feel like for these youngsters to step out on the field where the University of Alabama has played this season with BCS implications.

This week's games provide the opportunity to experience that dream, but one cannot look too far ahead. The business at hand is to win. Any thought otherwise is a mistake.

I probably say this every year, but to fail at this point is nothing to hang your head about. Even though the season will end for some, the accomplishments should be acknowledged. Congrats to all the Semi-Final participants.

The quarter-final picks took it on the chin going 17-7 (71%) which means 128-40 (76%) for the playoffs. The 4A predictions were spot on while going 2-2 in 1A and 2A brought the overall percentage down.

This week's matchups look good on paper, so hopefully the expectations will match the play of the field. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and don't forget to visit WWW.YRATINGS.COM for all the game details and ratings.

6A SEMI-FINAL GAMES

#1 PRATTVILLE (11-2) AT #2 AUBURN (13-0)

Something has got to give when Auburn's #1 offense (38.8 pts/game) and Prattville's #1 defense (9.8 pts/game) collide on Friday night. Prattville's #4 offense (34.6 pts/game) versus Auburn's #3 defense (11.2 pts/game) should provide an interesting match-up as well.

Strength of schedule is similar though Auburn's schedule is slightly tougher (#45 vs. #51). Prattville eased past Auburn in the ratings during the playoffs due to the Auburn's easy path to the semi's. This may come down to experience and Prattville knows what lies beyond this round.
PREDICTION: PRATTVILLE BY 3 POINTS

#3 HOOVER (12-1) AT #4 GADSDEN CITY (11-2)

Hoover's slow starting #6 offense (32.8 pts/game) matches up against Gadsden City's #4 defense (11.3 pts/game). The difference may be how well Hoover's #15 defense (15.2 pts/game) holds up against Gadsden City's #5 offense (33.2 pts/game). Hoover 's #11 schedule is much tougher than the Titan's #34 ranked schedule although the playoff matchups lean towards Gadsden City.

Homefield may come into play, but at this point in the season I'm not sure. This game is way too close to call 0.1 points separate the two, but the number must pick someone.
PREDICTION: HOOVER BY 1 POINT (in overtime)

5A SEMI-FINAL GAMES

#8 SPANISH FORT (11-2) AT DEMOPOLIS (10-3)

Spanish Fort's #10 offense (30.8 pts/game) should score against the #17 Demopolis' defense (16.7 pts/game). Whereas it might be tougher on the #11 Demopolis offense (30.2 pts/game) against Spanish Fort's #8 defense (12.1 pts/game).

The difference lies in the level of competition where Demopolis has played the third toughest schedule and Spanish Fort has played against the 40th toughest. Demopolis bumped off some big dogs in the early rounds while Spanish Fort has taken care of business too. Home field will provide the difference.
PREDICTION: DEMOPOLIS BY 3

#6 MCADORY (11-1) AT #7 RUSSELLVILLE (11-2)

McAdory's #9 offense (31.0 pts/game) must find a way into the end zone against Russellville's #1 defense (10.2 pts/game). The real battle may be between Russellville's #18 offense (27.7 pts/game) and McAdory's #10 defense (13.2 pts/game). Schedule strength is virtually equal (#25 vs. #26), but the playoff path for McAdory has been a steeper climb. This is another game where the teams are separated by less than a point - 0.4 actually.
PREDICTION: MCADORY BY 1 POINT

4A SEMI-FINAL GAMES

#1 HANDLEY (13-0) AT #4 JACKSON (12-1)

Jackson's high scoring #3 offense (40.1 pts/game) will meet a tough test against Handley's #1 defense (6.8 pts/game). Handley's #4 offense (39.5 pts/game) is not too shabby itself which means Jackson's #11 defense (15.3 pts/game) better be up for the task. Both teams have played tough schedule but the edge goes to Jackson 's #11 versus Handley at #23. Last round both team's pulled off huge wins and now they are one step away from playing for the big prize.
PREDICTION: HANDLEY BY 5 POINTS

#7 DESHLER (12-1) AT #2 CHEROKEE COUNTY (13-0)

Cherokee County's #1 offense (45.5 pts/game) must prove itself against Deshler's stingy #4 defense (11.0 pts/game). Deshler's #2 offense (41.6 pts/game) won't have it any easier against Cherokee County 's #6 defense (13.6 pts/game). Cherokee County 's #19 schedule it much tougher than Deshler's 47th ranked schedule. Cherokee's playoff competition appears to be tougher too.
PREDICTION: CHEROKEE COUNTY BY 8 POINTS

3A SEMI-FINAL GAMES

#2 PIEDMONT (11-2) AT #1 LEEDS (11-2)

The #5 defense of Leeds (10.9 pts/game) must slow down Piedmont's #9 offense (30.0 pts/game). While the most interesting matchup may be Leeds' #10 offense (28.4 pts/game) versus Piedmont's #11 defense (14.2 pts/game). Both teams play in the same region, so the schedule is basically the same - tough. The last time these two met it was a one-point win for Leeds so why would this time be any different.
PREDICTION: LEEDS BY 1 POINT

#3 CORDOVA (12-1) AT #8 LUVERNE (10-3)

Cordova's #3 offense (34.1 pts/game) should score against Luverne's #20 defense (17.4 pts/game). Luverne's #6 offense (33.0 pts/game) should do the same against Cordova's #13 defense (15.0 pts/game). Cordova's schedule ranks 18th while Luverne's is 34th. The only common opponent was Straughn where Cordova won (13-7) and Luverne lost (28-6).
PREDICTION: CORDOVA BY 7 POINTS

2A SEMI-FINAL GAMES

#6 LAMAR COUNTY (13-0) AT #2 CLAY COUNTY (12-1)

Lamar County's #1 offense (39.9 pts/game) versus Clay County's #4 defense (9.4 pts/game) should be a great battle. Clay County's #17 offense (27.9 pts/game) will have a battle on it's hands against Lamar County 's #10 defense (12.4 pts/game). There is a huge difference in schedule strength: Clay County 7th toughest, Lamar Co. 57th toughest. Home field could provide field goal difference.
PREDICTION: CLAY COUNTY BY 3 POINTS

#8 PICKENS COUNTY (12-1) AT #3 REELTOWN (12-1)

Reeltown's #1 defense (5.9 pts/game) and Pickens County's #7 defense (11.5 pts/game) could keep this a low-scoring game. But then there are the high scoring offenses. Pickens County is #2 (34.8 pts/game) and Reeltown at #5 (33.8 pts/game). They may have the final say about the outcome. Both schedules are on the weak side, so that shouldn't come into play. Reeltown played a slightly tougher playoff schedule up to this point.
PREDICTION: REELTOWN BY 3 POINTS

1A SEMI-FINAL GAMES

#6 HACKLEBURG (13-0) AT #2 R.A. HUBBARD (11-2)

Hackleburg's #5 offense (38.2 pts/game) will have a tough time against Hubbard's #2 defense (5.5 pts/game). Hubbard's #3 offense (39.8 pts/game) must matchup against Hackleburg's #8 defense (12.3 pts/game). Both teams have played tough competition, Hackleburg's #14 schedule versus Hubbard's #8 schedule. R.A. Hubbard has taken down much tougher competition on the way to the semi's.
PREDICTION: R.A.HUBBARD BY 7 POINTS

#9 LOACHAPOKA (11-1) AT #4 BRANTLEY (12-1)

Loachapoka's #15 offense (31.9 pts/game) will have it's hands full against Brantley's #6 defense (9.9 pts/game). Brantley's #4 offense (39.3 pts/game) will need some breaks against Loachapoka's #4 defense (7.9 pts/game). Brantley's schedule is slightly tougher #13 versus #25 while the playoff road leans heavily toward Loachapoka. In the end, too much Brantley at home.
PREDICTION: BRANTLEY BY 8 POINTS