Game of the Week

Tanner (6-0, 4-0) at Sheffield (3-3, 3-1)

Where: Walter R. Wright Stadium

What:Class 2A, Region 8

Last season: Tanner and Sheffield have never played.

The skinny: The top-ranked Rattlers continue to steamroll opponents, but Sheffield is only a game behind in the playoff race. Hayden Stephens rushed 165 yards and had four touchdowns on nine carries in a 69-13 win last week over Colbert Heights. Greg Maclin scored three touchdowns. The Rattlers’ defense held Colbert Heights to minus-19 rushing yards. The varsity has allowed one touchdown this season. ... Sheffield’s 21-14 loss to Red Bay last week was the Bulldogs’ first region loss. Quarterback Hunter Danley led the Bulldogs with a 70-yard touchdown run.

The Daily picks: Tanner 31, Sheffield 10

Austin (6-0, 4-0) at James Clemens (0-6, 0-4)

Where: Madison City Schools Stadium

What: Class 6A, Region 8 game

Radio: FM-94.7

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: Fourth-ranked Austin, which has emerged as the Region 8 frontrunner, is seeking its first 7-0 start since 1993. Austin’s defense is starting to play well. The unit has given up just one touchdown in the past two weeks. Running back Josh Walker leads an explosive Austin offense. He is averaging more than 120 yards per game. Playing its first season of varsity football, James Clemens has not won a game. The Jets have been outscored 243-95 through six games.

The Daily picks: Austin 55, James Clemens 10

Buckhorn (3-3, 2-2) at Decatur (3-3, 1-3)

Where: Ogle Stadium

What: Class 6A, Region 8 game

Radio: AM-1400

Last season: Decatur won 31-13

The skinny: In order to keep its postseason hopes alive, Decatur is in a must-win situation. The Red Raiders have to win their final three Region 8 games against Buckhorn, Sparkman and James Clemens to get into the playoffs. Rushing for 81 yards per game, running back Josh Matthews leads Decatur’s offense. Defense and special teams have been Decatur’s strength this season. Linebacker Trae Hayes leads the defense with 10.2 tackles per game. Running back Darian Brown leads Buckhorn’s offense. He rushed for 240 yards last week in a win against Sparkman. Decatur leads the series 4-0.

The Daily picks: Decatur 21, Buckhorn 14

Athens (1-5, 1-3) at Russellville (4-2, 2-2)

Where: Golden Tiger Stadium

What: Class 5A, Region 8 game

Last season: Russellville won 17-14

The skinny: Athens has been eliminated from postseason contention, but a win against would help take some of the gloom off what has been a disappointing season. Running back Derek Teague leads an Athens offense that has been dealing with key injuries since the start of the season. He rushed for one touchdown last week against East Limestone. Safety Johnnie Anderson and linebacker Bolton Patton lead an opportunistic Athens defense that has been good at forcing turnovers. Russellville running back Tyler Boyd has rushed for more than 900 yards this season. Russellville leads the series

18-7.

The Daily picks: Russellville 24, Athens 10

Hartselle (4-2, 3-1) at West Point (2-4, 1-3)

Where: Warrior Stadium

What: Class 5A, Region 8 game

Radio: FM-99.9

Last season: Hartselle won 44-10

The skinny: Hartselle is coming off back-to-back losses for the first time since 2009. Hartselle’s offense has played well in recent weeks. Quarterback Deacon Aldridge has passed for more than 400 yards in the past two games, while running back Blake Slayton and wide receiver Sidney Steele continue to make plays. West Point must find an answer against a Hartselle defense that is one of the best in the area. Running back Kristian Chappell leads a West Point offense that has struggled against the top teams in Region 8. Hartselle leads the series 4-0.

The Daily picks: Hartselle 42, West Point

10

Lawrence County (2-4, 0-4) at Cullman (5-1, 3-1)

Where: Oliver Woodard Stadium

What: Class 5A, Region 8 game

Radio: FM-98.3

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: Averaging 4.3 points per game, Lawrence County’s offense has struggled to build any momentum. The Red Devils have been outscored 213-26 this season. Gabe Vernon leads the Red Devils in rushing. Tenth-ranked Cullman is coming off an overtime win at Russellville. Cullman quarterback Zac Crocker has emerged as one of the top passers in Region 8. He is averaging more than 200 yards per game. Troy Forrest and Houston Turner have been steady playmakers for Cullman at receiver. Cullman leads the series 21-6, even though the two teams have not played since 1979.

The Daily picks: Cullman 49, Lawrence County 14

Pope John Paul II (1-4, 1-3) at Ardmore (4-2, 2-2)

Where: Cooper Field

What: Class 4A, Region 7 game

Last season: Did not play

The skinny: With games against Madison County and DAR on the horizon, this is a key Region 7 game for Ardmore’s playoff hopes. Tyler McCarley leads Ardmore’s running game, while Garrett Miller has played well at quarterback. Miller threw a touchdown pass in a loss last week to J.O. Johnson. Running back Brysan Merriweather leads Pope John Paul II’s offense. The Falcons have been eliminated from postseason contention.

The Daily picks: Ardmore 30, Pope John Paul II 14

Brooks (5-1, 4-0) at East Lawrence (2-4, 1-3)

Where: Eagle Stadium

What: Class 4A, Region 8 game

Last season: Brooks won 52-14

The skinny: Brooks has emerged as the frontrunner in Region 8. With Darius Bonton and Raekeal Beasley, the Lions have leaned on a balanced rushing attack to average 43.2 points per game. East Lawrence quarterback Terrence Deloney has been one of the area’s top offensive players. The option quarterback accounted for more than 400 yards last week in a comeback win at Priceville. He rushed for more than 300 yards. Brooks leads the series 17-3.

The Daily picks: Brooks 45, East Lawrence 21

Priceville (2-4, 0-4), Haleyville (4-2, 2-2)

Where: Memorial Stadium

What: Class 4A, Region 8 game

Last season: Priceville and Haleyville have never played.

The skinny: This is a key region game for Haleyville if the Lions want to stay in playoff contention. Both teams can score, but both could hold leads last week. Jason Self led Haleyville with 101 yards rushing and two touchdowns, but his Lions couldn’t hold on to a 14-0 first-quarter lead in a 27-20 loss to 5-1 Brooks. The Kaleb Barker-Nick Bell connection has become one to watch for the Bulldogs as the two hooked up for two scores in Priceville’s 42-35 loss to East Lawrence. Barker also had a third touchdown pass, but the Bulldogs couldn’t hold on to a 35-14 lead.

The Daily picks: Haleyville 35, Priceville 28

Rogers (3-3, 2-2) at West Limestone (3-3, 1-3)

Where: James Kennemer Stadium

What: Class 4A, Region 8 game

Last season: The two did not play.

The skinny: Both teams desperately need a win Friday to keep slim playoffs alive. Rogers quarterback Austin Kerr had 115 yards passing and two touchdown passes with 81 yards rushing in a 30-13 region win over Central. Senior Raleigh Killen led a Rogers defense with 18 tackles and a sack. West Limestone is coming off a 41-7 loss to Wilson in which the Wildcats gave up 373 yards rushing. West Limestone took an early 7-0 lead when Dylan Miller caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Caleb McConnell with 8:32 to go in the first quarter, but the Wildcats couldn’t keep pace in the loss. Rogers leads the series 16-5-1.

The Daily picks: Rogers 30, West Limestone 7

Elkmont (1-5, 1-3) at Clements (0-6, 0-4)

Where: Mt. Newman Stadium

What: Class 3A, Region 8

Last season: Elkmont won 45-14.

The skinny: Desperate describes both squads. Elkmont is coming off a 63-0 loss last week to powerhouse Madison Academy. Clements lost 45-7 to Westminster Christian. Jimmy Marsh’s 22-yard run in the third quarter was the Colts’ only highlight in the loss. Clements leads the all-time series 26-22.

The Daily picks: Elkmont 7, Clements 6

Cordova (0-6, 0-4) at Danville (3-3, 2-2)

Where: Smith-Owens Stadium

What: Class 3A, Region 7

Last season: Cordova and Danville have never played.

The skinny: The Hawks’ slim playoff remain alive in this key region game. Defense was huge in Danville’s 22-19 win last week over Good Hope as Tyler Jolley and D.J. Bates each had interceptions for touchdowns. Justin Morgan intercepted a late pass to seal the win. Cordova lost 31-16 to Winston County.

The Daily picks: Danville 21, Cordova 6

West Morgan (1-5, 1-3) at Lauderdale County (5-1, 3-1)

Where: Robert Earl Grisham Stadium

What: Class 3A, Region 8

Last season: Lauderdale County won 41-14

The skinny: Lauderdale County needs to keep winning as it battles to keep pace with undefeated Madison Academy in region play. West Morgan just needs a win. Demetrius Warren and Rodney Young led ground-heavy Rebels in the 55-21 loss to Deshler last week. The Rebels were ground-heavy with 329 rushing yards on 67 carries. Lauderdale County scored 36 consecutive points in a dominating 36-13 win over previously undefeated Colbert County. The Tiger defense held Colbert County to just 105 total yards and forced five turnovers. Quarterback Samuel Grisham accounted for 225 of the Tigers’ 376 rushing yards. Lauderdale County leads the all-time series

6-1.

The Daily picks: Lauderdale County 41, West Morgan 7.

Colbert Heights (1-5, 1-3) at Hatton (2-4, 2-2)

Where: Hatton Field

What: Class 2A, Region 8

Last season: Colbert Heights won 25-21

The skinny: Hatton needs a win to keep its slim playoff hopes remain alive. A 6-yard pass from Dakota Bishop to Nicholas Farley accounted for the Hornets’ only score last week’s 21-7 loss to Lexington. The Hornets turned the ball over three times, but the difference was two Lexington scores late in the third quarter. Colbert Heights found out just how good No. 1 Tanner is last week in a 69-13 loss. The Wildcats had -19 yards rushing in the loss. Colbert Heights leads all-time series 11-9.

The Daily picks: Hatton 14, Colbert Heights 13

Waterloo (1-5, 0-4) at Decatur Heritage (2-4, 1-3)

Where: Rebels Stadium in Trinity

What: Class 1A, Region 8

Last season: Decatur Heritage won 27-24

The skinny: Decatur Heritage is still in the hunt for that fourth-in-the-region playoff spot.

The Eagles’ missed several opportunities and were disappointed with 13-13 tie at half last week, but Shoals Christian then pulled way to a 36-13 win. Eagles’ Jordan Holland threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Sawyer Holland. Kyle Lasch has a 21-yard interception return for Decatur Heritage’s other score. Bradley Darby rushed for 132 yards and one touchdown and Bobby Fox had 109 yards and a score in the Cougars’ 55-22 loss to Phillips last week.

The Cougars gave up 316 yards and six touchdown through the air. Decatur Heritage leads all-time series 2-0.

The Daily picks: Decatur Heritage 27, Waterloo 26

Vina (0-6, 0-4) at R.A. Hubbard (3-3, 2-2)

Where: R.A. Hubbard Stadium

What: Class 1A, Region 8

Last season: R.A. Hubbard won 44-0.

The skinny: The Chiefs can stay in playoff hunt with a second straight win. R.A. Hubbard used a strong defense and the running of John Owens to defeat Tharptown 42-14 last week. Owens rushed for 156 yards on 14 carries and scored four touchdowns. The Red Devils can score from long distance but their defense couldn’t stop Hackleburg in the 47-19 loss last week.

Cody Renfrow had a 65-yard run and Andrew Hester added an 81-yard run for Vina. R.A. Hubbard leads the all-time series 7-0.

The Daily picks: R.A. Hubbard 35, Vina

26