Super 6: Let the games begin

The Super Six state championship games will kickoff Thursday at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The AHSAA made the move from Birmingham's Legion Field for the 2009 games and will rotate to Auburn in 2010. The games are played on Thursday and Friday only this year with three games a day on the schedule. This is a look at the match-ups with key playmakers who should make a difference.

Thursday 11:00
Class 3A: Cordova (13-1) vs. Piedmont (12-2)

Ryan Smith
Cordova

Cordova is an offensive force who failed only three times this year to score less than 30 points. A blowout win over Luverne 34-7 in the semi-finals has the team confident going into the championship game. Their only loss of the season came from 5A Hartselle 22-13.

Kentucky commitment Ryan Smith, Scout.com three-star safety, stars at running back and will also start at cornerback. Junior quarterback Jake Howton has been hard to stop through the air and on the ground this season.

Piedmont was blown out in the first game of the season against Class 4A power Cherokee County, who is playing for the state title. They lost in overtime during the regular season to Leeds, but got revenge with a 13-7 win in the semi-finals.

Piedmont has several talented athletes including offensive guard and Southern Miss commitment Seth Reedy. Quarterback Chase Childers and running back Christian Cantrell pace the high-powered offense. Cornerback Tay Holloway, and 2011 defensive tackle Mikey Jackson are the stars on defense.

Class 1A: Brantley (13-1) vs. Hackleburg (14-0) (3:00)

Brantley lost one game during the regular season to 3A Luverne by one point. Luverne made it to the semi-finals. Only one team has been within single digits of Brantley all season. They dismantled a very talented Loachapoka team 41-14 in the semi-finals. Brantley lost Auburn signee Anthony Gulley from last year’s team, but haven’t missed a beat. They are led on offense by senior quarterback Chase Hall.

Hackleburg only had two games during the season within single digits and had a close semi-final against R.A. Hubbard 10-7. Junior quarterback Ryan Bullock has been a star for Hackleburg this season.

Brent Calloway
Russellville

Class 5A: Russellville (12-2) vs. Demopolis (11-3) (7:00)

The only close game Russellville had this season was in the playoffs, a 14-0 win against Muscle Shoals in the second round. Russellville is led by 2011 Alabama commitment Brent Calloway who stars on offense and outside linebacker.

Demopolis survived an overtime win in the first round against Shelby County, but pulled off a big upset against Spanish Fort in the semi-finals. Demopolis is led on offense by 2011 running back Demarcus James who has been attracting a lot of early attention. South Alabama commitment Marteze Jackson plays defensive end and outside linebacker.

Friday Games:

Class 4A: Cherokee County (14-0) vs. Jackson (13-1) (11:00)

Cherokee County entered the state playoffs as the top ranked team in Class 4A. They dominated all of their opponents including a 37-20 win over Deshler in the semi-finals. The Warriors are lead on offense by quarterback Coty Blanchard. Blanchard committed to the Mississippi State baseball program during the summer, but decided to decommit in hopes of an opportunity to play college football.

Desmond Brown
Cherokee County

Clemson commitment Desmond Brown has been a standout on both sides of the ball for the Warriors playing safety and running back. The offensive playmakers include Arkansas State commitment Gabriel Chambers at wide receiver and D.J. Fife at running back. Caleb Crane has been a force a middle linebacker for the defense.

Jackson had one blemish on their record earlier in the season with a loss to UMS-Wright. An anticipated rematch was expected in the semifinals, but UMS-Wright was upset by Handley. Jackson went on to knock Handley out of the playoffs for a spot in the championship game.

Jackson is loaded with athletes, and head coach Jeff Kelly will turn them loose in Friday’s game. They are led on offense by running back Damion Bracy. Laprintiss Morris is a dynamic playmaker who stars at cornerback and punt returner for the Aggies.

J.D. Williams
Clay County

Class 2A: Reeltown (13-1) vs. Clay County (13-1) (3:00)

Clay County’s only loss of the season came against Class 4A foe Lincoln 28-18. The defense has been stellar all season posting five shutouts. Reeltown has been impressive on the defensive side of the ball as well giving up a total of 32 points in four playoff games and pitched seven shutouts this year. Their only loss came during the first game of the regular season against Class 3A opponent Dadeville 24-21.

Reeltown will have to stop running back J.D. Williams to win the game. Williams is a terrific athlete and has an offer from Louisiana Tech.


Class 6A: Hoover (13-1) vs. Prattville (12-2) (7:00)

Maudrecus Humphrey
Hoover

This is a match-up the entire state has eagerly anticipated. Prattville has played in all but one state title game since 2003. They have won three in a row, two against Hoover. Hoover has been in the Super 6 every year since 2002 except in 2007. The Bucs won four in a row from 2002-2005, two wins against Prattville.

Prattville’s two losses this season came from out-of-state programs in Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) and North Gwinnett (Ga.). Hoover’s only loss came against arch-rival Vestavia 30-27. Hoover destroyed Gadsden City 35-0 in the semi-finals while Prattville squeaked by No. 1 Auburn 13-9.

The Hoover Bucs' offense has been explosive all year. Junior quarterback Ryan Carter is a dual-threat and will have a lot of eyes on him next year. He has plenty of playmakers including wide receivers Maudrecus Humphrey and Josh Magee. Both players have sprinter’s speed and can take it the distance from anywhere on the field.
The defense is very stout for the Buccaneers, and John Propst has played like an all-star all season. The West Virginia commitment is the pulse of the defense.

Nick Perry
Prattville

If Hoover wants to reclaim their throne they will have to stop the three time defending state champs. The Lions are led on offense by quarterback and LSU bound Sam Gibson. The future Tiger is a very talented athlete who is a game manager and can beat you with his legs. Corey Shelton is explosive catching the ball out of the backfield and a terrific punt/kick returner. Cornelius Fenderson has been a big play receiver in the offense.

The defense is where Prattville has made their name for years. Alabama commitment Nick Perry, Scout.com four-star safety, leads the secondary. South Alabama commitment Josh Stinson is explosive off the edge and Arkansas State commitment Quashaun Lee is a tough middle linebacker.