CULLMAN COUNTY – As far as the scoreboard is concerned, there were no close games on Friday in The Cullman Tribune’s coverage area.
West Point played the closest by margin, falling by 22 points to Mortimer Jordan 42-20 when the Blue Devils scored twice in the fourth quarter to put the game away.
Addison left the field at halftime with rival Meek tied at 14-14. The Bulldogs gave up a late touchdown in the half, then returned to the gridiron and demolished the Tigers 50-14 to wrap up the 1A, Region 7 championship.
Cold Springs punched its ticket to the 2A playoffs in a 57-20 romp of Winston County. This was the last game for the Eagles at Cranford Stricklin Stadium in the regular season.
A playoff berth was claimed by J.B. Pennington at Vinemont 41-0; Holly Pond toppled Hanceville 40-16 to celebrate five wins in a season for the first time since 2011.
Fairview gained a homecoming victory by the final of 42-14 against Curry, playing at West Point Stadium.
Good Hope was defeated by Haleyville 56-21 in a 4A, Region 6 assignment in Winston County.
The margin of victory on Friday was an average of 31.8 points. Large leads at halftime were collected by J.B. Pennington (27), Haleyville (35), Fairview (20) and Holly Pond (20).
West Point was down 21-12 to Mortimer Jordan at the half, Addison and Meek tied at 14-14 with Cold Springs holding on to a 23-14 lead with Winston County at intermission.
Cold Springs' victory is the fifth in a row for the Eagles, the longest of the county teams, ensuring their third straight trip to the playoffs, which will take place in November at a site to be determined,
Now comes a stretch run with three straight games on the road for Rod Elliott's Eagles. They play at regional co-leader Tanner next Friday, then No. 3 seed Cleveland in two weeks.
Holly Pond has its first five-win season for Mike Bates, beating a Cullman County school for the second time since the end of the 2015 season and gaining momentum in trying to punch a berth to the 3A playoffs from Region 6.
The Broncos are in fourth place in the region at 2-2 with a game next Thursday at Fultondale and a game on the 21st at home vs. Vinemont.
West Point’s bitter loss knocked the Warriors out of contention for s first round 5A playoff game. The Warriors look to defeat Curry Oct. 21 at West Point Stadium to wrap up third place in the region.
Next week the Warriors are outside of regional play as they host Good Hope. It will be the first meeting between the two since 2011.
Addison has taken care of business with a 5-0 regional record and gone 8-0 for the season. The No. 4 ranked Bulldogs close out 1A, Region 7 next Friday at R.A. Hubbard in Lawrence County.
Fairview is officially alive in 5A, Region 6. The Aggies will try to upset Hayden next Friday in Blount County. The Wildcats are tied for the lead at 4-0 in the region with Mortimer Jordan. Their meeting on Oct. 21 will determine the regional champion.
Cullman was off for the first Friday in October. The Bearcats' coaching staff scouted Southside-Gadsden's 42-7 win at Brewer that evening. The Bearcats host Southside next Friday and end 6A, Region 7 play on the 21st at Brewer.
Cullman, Albertville and Southside are all 2-2. Albertville dropped into a tie with the 'Cats and Panthers after losing Friday to Pell City 29-23. Pell City is 3-1, trailing leader Oxford who is 5-0 in the region.
Vinemont will be trying to get a victory in 3A, Region 6 after the shutout loss to J.B. Pennington. The Eagles host Susan Moore, who got drilled 6214 by Fultondale in week eight.
Four straight losses by Hanceville have turned the Bulldogs' momentum into a period of struggle. Locust Fork visits the Bulldogs next Friday with the Hornets trying to stay on the heels of J.B. Pennington, hoping the Tigers lose to Susan Moore on the 21st.
Locust Fork is 3-1 in the region, looking to battle Hanceville and end regional play the week after with a game against Fultondale.
The playoff atmosphere has taken command of the games and will do so for the next two weeks as teams in the AHSAA conclude the regional part of their regular season schedule.
All games will kick off at 7 p.m.
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