Poll teams on collision course

By EASportsToday.com
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Updated: September 16, 2014

By East Alabama Sports Today

The countdown clock has been on since the opening kickoff of the season, but as the weeks prolong and the teams moves closer together in the polls it seems to be counting down faster.

Saks and Jacksonville don’t meet until Oct. 24, but they continue on their collision course as they move closer in the Class 4A poll. This week, they pull in at No. 3 and No. 5 respectively.

It matches Jacksonville’s highest poll ranking in school history. The Golden Eagles were No. 5 in 3A the third week of the 1981 season.

While it’s more than a month before that Saks-Jacksonville showdown, Piedmont doesn’t have to wait that long for a game with a huge impact. In fact, the Bulldogs have two monumental poll games the next two weeks.

Currently No. 3 in Class 3A, Piedmont travels to No. 5 Glencoe Friday. Next Thursday, the Bulldogs entertain Leeds – the top-ranked team in Class 4A.

Donoho is the county’s only other ranked team. The Falcons’ three straight shutouts have landed them a No. 7 ranking in Class 1A. Maplesville, the only other team in the state that hasn’t allowed a point, is No. 2 in the classification.

That’s how hard it is to climb in the poll, especially to No. 1. Only two Calhoun County teams have held that lofty No. 1 position in the last 20 years – Piedmont and Alexandria. This year, Saks has been behind Leeds and UMS-Wright, while Piedmont has locked behind Madison Academy and T.R. Miller.

“I don’t think Donoho is getting its due,” said Brandon Miller, the Anniston Star prep writer who votes in the poll. “Saks at 3 looks real good, but Saks is going to have to have a win like Piedmont last year. The team that really has a chance to do it is Piedmont, because if Piedmont beats Leeds that will be a statement. I think the only way it happens is if Piedmont beat Leeds.”

Wellborn is the only other county team getting consideration. The Panthers, who picked up their first win of the season last week, received votes in the 3A poll.

In another game of note, Oxford hosts No. 4 Opelika in a 6A region game.

WHEN NO. 1?

The last time a Calhoun County high school football team was ranked No. 1

Team Last No. 1

Anniston Preseason 1995 (6A)
Alexandria Final 2006 (4A)
Donoho Never
Jacksonville Never
JCA Never ranked
Ohatchee Sept. 12, 1961 (B)
Oxford Sept. 9, 1994 (5A)
Piedmont Final 2012 (3A)
Pleasant Val. Never
Saks Nov. 13, 1968 (3A)
Weaver Never
Wellborn Oct. 17, 1989 (5A)
White Plains Never

ASWA Poll

Class 7A
1. Bob Jones (26) (3-0) 349
2. Hoover (4) (2-2) 283
3. Fairhope (1) (4-0) 242
4. Central-Phenix City (4-0) 224
5. Gadsden City (4-0) 195
6. Prattville (3-0) 114
7. Foley (3-1) 107
8. Spain Park (3-1) 81
9. Vestavia Hills (2-1) 60
10. Tuscaloosa Co. (3-0) 52
Others receiving votes: Baker (4-0) 51, Buckhorn (3-0) 5, McGill-Toolen (1-2) 4.

Class 6A
1. Spanish Fort (28) (4-0) 362
2. Clay-Chalkville (2) (4-0) 283
3. Shades Valley (1) (4-0) 246
4. Opelika (3-0) 216
5. Carver-Montgomery (3-0) 190
6. Florence (2-1) 144
7. Daphne (2-1) 108
8. Saraland (3-0) 101
9. Blount (2-1) 45
10. Muscle Shoals (2-1) 31
Others receiving votes: Hartselle (3-0) 22, Decatur (3-1) 10, McAdory (3-0) 4, Chelsea (3-0) 2, Wetumpka (4-0) 2, Dothan (2-1) 1.

Class 5A
1. St. Paul’s (31) (4-0) 372
2. Guntersville (3-0) 252
3. Jackson (2-1) 226
4. Mortimer Jordan (3-0) 213
5. Russellville (3-0) 175
6. Central-Clay Co. (2-2) 96
7. Vigor (1-2) 84
8. Ramsay (3-0) 82
9. Parker (3-0)70
10. East Limestone (3-0) 67
Others receiving votes: Beauregard (2-0) 37, West Point (3-0) 32, Sylacauga (3-1) 11, Helena (3-0) 10, Tallassee (3-1) 7, Greenville (2-1) 6, Carver-Birmingham (2-1) 4, Charles Henderson (1-2) 4, Demopolis (2-1) 4, Fairfield (3-0) 4, Calera (2-1) 3, J.O. Johnson (1-2) 2, Lincoln (2-1) 2, Talladega (1-2) 2, Dora (2-2) 1, Pleasant Grove (1-2) 1.

Class 4A
1. Leeds (31) (4-0) 372
2. UMS-Wright (3-0) 279
3. Saks (3-0) 240
4. Thomasville (4-0) 224
5. Jacksonville (4-0) 141
6. Straughn (2-1) 133
7. Fayette Co. (3-1) 106
8. Oneonta (2-1) 80
9. St. James (3-0) 77
10. Haleyville (3-1) 36
Others receiving votes: Wilson (4-0) 22, Deshler (2-1) 16, Ashford (4-0) 15, Locust Fork (4-0) 10, Hamilton (3-1) 6, Munford (2-2) 4, Bibb Co. (2-2) 3, Dadeville (1-2) 3.

Class 3A
1. Madison Acad. (21) (3-1) 340
2. T.R. Miller (10) (4-0) 304
3. Piedmont (3-0) 246
4. Dale Co. (4-0) 226
5. Glencoe (3-0) 180
6. Gordo (3-0) 141
7. Lauderdale Co. (3-1) 106
8. Colbert Co. (2-1) 69
9. Pike Co. (2-1) 55
10. Montgomery Acad. (3-0) 43
Others receiving votes: Lexington (4-0) 16, Aliceville (4-0) 14, Oakman (3-0) 12, Geraldine (2-1) 5, Greensboro (3-0) 3, Bayside Acad. (2-1) 2, Fultondale (3-1) 2, Wellborn (1-2) 2, Sand Rock (3-0) 1.

Class 2A
1. Fyffe (21) (3-0) 339
2. Washington Co. (3) (3-0) 281
3. Tanner (7) (3-1) 276
4. G.W. Long (3-0) 205
5. Sweet Water (2-1) 183
6. Reeltown (3-0) 143
7. Pickens Co. (3-1) 112
8. Geneva Co. (3-0) 79
9. Ranburne (3-0) 56
10. Lanett (2-2) 35
Others receiving votes: Addison (2-2) 13, Leroy (3-0) 12, Elba (3-0) 10, Red Bay (3-1) 8, Falkville (2-1) 7, Collinsville (3-0) 4, Southern Choctaw (2-1) 2, Ider (2-1) 1, Sulligent (1-3) 1.

Class 1A
1. Brantley (22) (3-0) 344
2. Maplesville (9) (3-0) 304
3. Hubbertville (4-0) 243
4. Linden (1-1) 210
5. Ragland (3-0) 194
6. A.L. Johnson (2-1) 120
7. Donoho (3-0) 104
8. Georgiana (3-1) 81
9. McKenzie (3-0) 75
10. Spring Garden (3-0) 39
Others receiving votes: Millry (3-0) 22, Berry (3-1) 10, Hackleburg (2-2) 6, Phillips (3-1) 6, Isabella (2-0) 5, Woodville (3-0) 3, J.U. Blacksher (3-0) 1.

AISA
1. Edgewood Acad. (30) (3-0) 369
2. Restoration (3-0) 269
3. Bessemer Acad. (3-0) 250
4. Monroe Acad. (1) (4-0) 227
5. Escambia Acad. (3-0) 183
6. Marengo Acad. (1-1) 141
7. S. Choctaw Acad. (3-0) 106
8. Wilcox Acad. (2-1) 71
9. Autauga Acad. (2-1) 67
10. Abbeville Chr. (4-0) 48
Others receiving votes: Clarke Prep (1-1) 10, Tuscaloosa Acad. (2-1) 8, Sparta Acad. (3-0) 6, Lakeside (3-0) 5, Lee-Scott (2-1) 5, Patrician Acad. (2-1) 1, Pike Liberal (3-1) 1.

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