Holly Pond’s Jeremiah Holmes (5) fights for the ball in the air with several J.B. Pennington Tigers defenders on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018. (Howard Cole for The Cullman Tribune)
CULLMAN – Several football teams across The Cullman Tribune’s coverage area are either playing for or preparing for the postseason this week and the matchups will all have playoff ramifications. The Addison Bulldogs and Good Hope Raiders will be looking to improve their positions in the standings before region play wraps up while Cold Springs, Vinemont and Holly Pond might as well be in playoff games already. Those three will play with a postseason berth on the line this Friday.
(7-2) Addison vs. (5-3) Hatton
The Bulldogs will play their final region game of the season at home this week with a chance to jump up into a tie for first place in the standings with Colbert County and Red Bay. Addison defeated the Patriots and fell to Colbert County earlier in the season, but Red Bay’s upset over Colbert County has left the door open for Addison to force a three-way tie for first with a win over Hatton this week. The Bulldogs looked sharp last week at Tharptown, but they’ll have to keep it up with a red-hot Hornets team coming to town. Hatton started the season 1-3 but has won four straight since then, outscoring its opponents 188-34 in that stretch. Addison can do a lot to help its playoff path with a win Friday night.
(7-1) Good Hope at (7-1) Fayette County
The Raiders will be on the road to face their toughest opponent on the schedule this week, Fayette County. The Tigers are currently sitting in first place in the region standings but Good Hope, having secure the third seed, could make a push for second with a big win on the road this week. If the Raiders win at Fayette County and Northside, which defeated Good Hope earlier this season, wins at Curry, Good Hope and Fayette County would have to settle the second seed via tiebreakers. Aside from playoff position, a win for the Raiders this week would be a huge momentum boost going into their final regular season game and the postseason.
(4-4) Cold Springs vs. (2-6) Sulligent
This will be the most important game of the season so far for the Cold Springs Eagles. They’ll host the Blue Devils in their final regional matchup with their playoff chances on the line. A win will keep those hopes alive, but a loss will officially eliminate the Eagles from contention. Cold Springs has now lost four straight after coming up just short on the road against Tarrant last week, but the Eagles are 3-1 at home this season. Southeastern and Sumiton Christian could cause some chaos in the region with upsets next week but regardless, Cold Springs will have to find a way to win on Friday to stay alive.
(5-3) Holly Pond vs. (2-6) Vinemont
This matchup is arguably the most interesting of the week, at least in terms of playoff ramifications. The Broncos can clinch the fourth seed with a win over the Eagles, but if Vinemont pulls off the road upset, things will get tricky in Region 5. An Eagles win paired with a Locust Fork win over Hanceville would send Holly Pond, Vinemont and Locust Fork into a three-way tie for the final playoff spot. The Broncos are coming off of a bye week, so they should be rested and focused for their biggest game of the season so far against a rival with a postseason berth on the line.
Other games this week:
(3-6) Cullman at (5-3) Fort Payne
(3-6) Meek at (4-4) Lynn
(3-5) Fairview at (0-9) Danville
(1-7) Hanceville at (3-6) Locust Fork
(2-6) West Point at (3-6) Hayden
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