By Staff
Hartselle and Danville still need some help to make playoffs
Justin Schuver, Hartselle Enquirer
After holding off Oakman for a 7-0 victory Friday night, the Falkville Blue Devils thought they had a good chance to make the playoffs.
When Cold Springs squeaked by Cleveland 35-34 later that night, Falkville knew it had made the playoffs.
The Blue Devils, who did not win a game in 2004 and who have not been to the postseason since 1998, have clinched at least the No. 4 seed in Class 2A, Region 7. Hartselle and Danville are not as lucky, with their playoff fates in the control of other teams. In order for the Tigers to make the postseason, they must defeat Brewer Friday and Athens must defeat Walker. For Danville to make the playoffs, they must defeat No. 3 Winfield and Vinemont must defeat Winston County.
The Blue Devils have guaranteed themselves a spot based on their 28-14 win over Priceville on Oct. 7. If Falkville loses Friday and Priceville wins, both will finish the season with 3-4 region records, but the Blue Devils would advance based on their victory in head-to-head competition.
Cordova (6-0 in Region 7), Lamar County (6-0) and Holly Pond (4-2) fill out the remaining three berths. Falkville plays Holly Pond Friday night and a Blue Devils victory would give them the No. 3 seed and move the Broncos to No. 4.
Regardless of whether the Blue Devils finish No. 3 or No. 4, they will have to go on the road for their first-round playoff game.
Hartselle (3-3 in Region 8) has to hope that Athens (5-1) can defeat Walker (4-2) and the Tigers can take care of business at home against Brewer (0-6). A Walker loss combined with a Hartselle victory would leave both teams with 4-3 region records, but Hartselle would advance based on its 14-0 victory over the Vikings Sept. 16.
Russellville (6-0), Athens and Cullman (4-2) would then fill out the remaining spots. Cullman defeated Hartselle last Friday, so the Bearcats own the tiebreaker over the Tigers. Therefore, Hartselle can only make the playoffs as the No. 4 seed.
Danville (3-3 in Region 7) has perhaps the most difficult road to the playoffs of any team in the state. The Hawks have to defeat No. 3 and undefeated Winfield (6-0) on the road, and even that might not be enough to guarantee a spot.
Danville also needs Vinemont (4-2) to defeat Winston County (3-3). A Vinemont victory coupled with a Danville win would leave Danville with a 4-3 record and Winston County with a 3-4 record, giving the Hawks the No. 4 seed.
If Winston County defeats Vinemont, they hold the tiebreaker over Danville and would take the No. 4 seed regardless of whether the Hawks upset Winfield. Good Hope is also 3-3 in Region 7, but Danville holds the tiebreaker over them.
Winfield (6-0), Sulligent (4-2) and Vinemont (holds tiebreakers over both Danville and Good Hope) are guaranteed the other three postseason berths.
Priceville and Brewer are eliminated from playoff contention.