John Perry
Surprise! We’ve got a rivalry rematch at the Hoover Met on Friday night.
The Vestavia Rebels, peaking at the right time, knocked off favored Bob Jones of Madison 28-17 in Huntsville to advance to the second round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 7A playoffs.
The Rebels, who finished as the fourth-seed in Region 3, stunned the Region 4 champion Patriots, jumping out to a 28-3 lead.
Now, they will face archrival Hoover, an easy 38-7 winner over Buckhorn. On Oct. 16, the Rebels knocked off the Bucs 20-13. That game seemed to provide impetus for both teams. Hoover has won three straight since then, scoring 38 points in each game. The Rebels’ win over Hoover win began a four-game winning streak.
Both teams are 9-2. The winner will face the winner of the Spain Park-James Clemens game in the semifinals. If the Jaguars win, they would host that game. If James Clemens wins, the Jets would host Hoover but travel to Vestavia.
If the Jags win, it’d be another rivalry rematch for either Vestavia or Hoover, both of whom lost to the region champ – shut out in consecutive weeks, as a matter of fact.
Game time at the Met is 7 p.m. Tickets are $8. They are also available through PrepTix.
Here is this week’s complete playoff schedule. Last week’s scores follow.
AHSAA 50th Annual State Football Playoffs
Second Round Pairings
CLASS 1A
Georgiana (10-1) at Billingsley (6-5)
Maplesville (9-1) at Marengo (7-4)
Linden (8-2) at Notasulga (9-2)
Brantley (9-2) at Verbena (8-3)
Victory Christian (8-2) at Berry (9-2)
Spring Garden (8-3) at Decatur Heritage (10-1)
Hackleburg (10-1) at Cedar Bluff (10-1)
South Lamar (7-4) at Wadley (9-1)
CLASS 2A
Mobile Christian (10-1) at G.W. Long (10-0)
Fayetteville (9-2) at Flomaton (9-2)
Pickens County (8-3) at Elba (10-1)
Providence Christian (8-2) at Washington County (9-2)
Ranburne (9-1) at Tanner (11-0)
Fyffe (9-1) at Red Bay (11-0)
Sulligent (8-3) at Cleveland (11-0)
Falkville (9-2) at Randolph County (11-0)
CLASS 3A
Bayside Academy (8-3) at Daleville (10-1)
Gordo (11-0) at Opp (8-3)
American Christian (10-1) at Hillcrest-Evergreen (6-5)
