GDW previews Week 9 of local football schedule:
Week 9 of local prep football is again full of important regional games.
Two teams are in the upcoming AHSAA playoffs. They are the Fairview Aggies and Good Hope Raiders.
Five other schools are still with a fighting chance.
Here is a look at the schedule for Week 9.
Sardis Lions (2-6) at Fairview Aggies (6-0):
Non regional game from Dafford Smith Stadium.
Fairview clinched the 5A, Region 7 title last week by romping over Priceville 48 to 21. The Aggies remain No. 5 in the 5A state poll.
Aggies lead the series 5 to 4. Last time was a Fairview 36 to 14 victory in 2021.
George Redding's Aggies play their next two games at home. After Sardis, East Limestone will visit to complete their regional schedule.
Cullman Bearcats (4-4) at Decatur (2-6):
Class 6A, Region 7 from Ogle Stadium.
Bearcats are 2-3 in region, Red Raiders 1-3.
Decatur leads series 35-19-2.
A Cullman victory is needed to be in the 6A playoffs for the 2nd straight year under Danny Stiff.
Decatur is under the direction of former Russellville coach John Ritter. Cullman got a 21 to 14 victory vs. the Red Raiders a season ago.
Game will be carried live on 98.3, Praise FM.
Good Hope Raiders (7-0) at Fayette Co (4-4):
Class 4A, Region 5 from Tucker Stadium.
Raiders are playoff bound after 28 to 6 win last week in Region 5 vs. Hamilton. Good Hope is 5 & 0 in the region and 4 & 0 on the road.
Fayette Co is two games behind the Raiders, 3 & 2 in the region. A win for Alan Scott's Raiders locks up a home game in the first round of the playoffs.
Good Hope's defense still on top in AHSAA by allowing 3.5 points a game.
Vinemont Eagles (6-2) at Oakman (4-3):
Class 3A, Region 5 from Hosea Collins Stadium.
Both are tied for 3rd place in the region at 3 wins & 2 losses.
Vinemont's 4 game winning streak was stopped by Gordo last week. Oakman lost to region leader Winfield.
Eagles are 3 & 1 in road games this season. Final road game for the Eagles in 2024.
Russellville (5-2) at West Point Warriors (2-5):
Class 5A, Region 7 from West Point Stadium.
With two consecutive victories in Region 7, the Warriors are still contending for a trip to the playoffs with new coach Kevin McCravy.
McCray is a former coordinator at Russellville. Russellville is trying to maintain 2nd in the region with a region record of 3 & 1.
Final home game for the Warriors, West Point is 1 & 3 as a home team.
Holly Pond Broncos (3-4) at Fyffe (5-2):
Class 3A, Region 8 from Paul Benefield Stadium.
Broncos have a stout challenge in facing a superior team up in Dekalb County.
Broncos earned a 44 to 0 road shutout victory last week at Asbury. Fyffe is currently 5 & 0 in the region with coach McDaniel's Broncos 2 & 3.
The game will be available on hollypondbroncos.com
Hanceville Bulldogs (1-6) at Winfield (7-1):
Class 3A, Region 5 from Winfield City Stadium.
Bulldogs meet the leader in Region 5. Winfield is 5 & 0 and has a 3 & 1 record on the home turf.
Levi Estes' Bulldogs out to end a 3 game losing streak. Hanceville is 1 & 3 on the road.
All games will be at 7:00 p.m.
Photo of Cullman RB Rex Chandler rushing for yardage vs. Hartselle on October 4.
Photo courtesy of Martha Needham.
