What the numbers say
- Updated: August 29, 2016
Class 3A Region 5 emerges as toughest league in the state as all seven teams are undefeated through the first two weeks
By Brant Locklier and Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
The numbers are in and the case can be made for Class 3A Region 5 being, through the first two weeks of the season at least, the best of high school football in the state of Alabama.
Through the first two weeks of play the largely-Calhoun County region, which includes defending 3A champion Piedmont and a host of improved teams, is the only completely undefeated region in the state.
All seven teams are undefeated – 12-0. They are among 36 unbeaten teams in Northeast Alabama.
In the latest statewide poll, only top-ranked Piedmont has cracked the 3A top 10, but two teams were receiving votes. Five of the seven teams are expected to be in this week’s poll in some form when it is released Tuesday night.
Now the real fun begins, as region play starts and all these undefeated teams start knocking off each other in what is expected to be a year-long horserace for four playoff spots.
“I think our region is really tough, kind of like the SEC,” Ohatchee coach Scott Martin said. “They win a lot of dang games out of the SEC until they start beating up on each other, that’s what it reminds me of.
“We haven’t started playing each other yet. Once that happens this week there are going tobe some top of the hill and bottom of the hill guys. It’s kind of like getting into SEC play. It was kind of neat that everybody’s won all their games. I just think our region is pretty dang good.”
The reclassification shuffle left the region with only seven teams. Two of the teams it lost – Westbrook Christian and Ashville – were not playoff teams last year. The team it picked up, Randolph County, was a 2A state semifinalist last year.
Add to that the two lowest teams that remained – Ohatchee and Pleasant Valley – appear greatly improved, it’ll be a dogfight the rest of the year. PV and Ohatchee are both 2-0 for the first time since 2007.
“We’ve lifted the bottom end of the region,” Martin said. “Now it’s competitive from top to bottom.
“There’s no easy game in our region where you come out and say this game you’re not going to have to play your best to win. Every game you’re going to have to play pretty good to win or you’re not going to win. That’s what’s different maybe than years past.”
BRANT LOCKLIER RATINGS
Wadley (1-0) 155.00
Woodville (1-0) 153.00
Pell City (1-0) 149.00
Ohatchee (2-0) 143.50
Horseshoe Bend (1-0) 142.00
Spring Garden (1-0) 135.00
Randolph County (1-0) 135.00
Fyffe (1-0) 134.00
Alberville (2-0) 133.50
Scottsboro (1-0) 132.00
Lanett (2-0) 131.00
Weaver (2-0) 131.00
Ider (1-0) 131.00
Pleasant Valley (2-0) 129.00
Beauregard (1-0) 126.00
Guntersville (1-0) 123.00
Glencoe (2-0) 121.00
Jacksonville (2-0) 121.00
Gaylesville (1-0) 120.00
Buckhorn (1-0) 120.00
Lafayette (2-0) 119.50
Oxford (2-0) 116.50
Sparkman (1-0) 116.00
Hewitt-Trussville (2-0) 115.50
Tallassee (2-0) 115.00
Southside (2-0) 115.00
Leeds (2-0) 114.50
Winterboro (1-0) 114.00
Appalachian (2-0) 112.00
Ashville (1-0) 111.00
Piedmont (2-0) 110.50
Crossville (1-0) 107.00
Wellborn (1-0) 105.00
Sylacauga (2-0) 104.50
Elmore Co. (2-0) 104.00
Central Clay Co. (2-0) 103.50
NOTE: This is not a power poll. No attempt is made to make a difference between Class 1A and Class 7A. These ratings are based on purely how your team is doing on the field each week compared to the team’s they have faced.
Cover photo from Wellborn-Saks game by B.J. Franklin/GungHo Photos
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