Second Round Preview 3A-6A

Hokes Bluff center-fielder Josh Colvard and company have a big test this week with 2nd ranked Madison Academy.

 

Class 3A

 

Wellborn vs. Plainview

Fact:  Fifth straight 2nd round appearance for Plainview

 

After advancing to the semi-final round in 2007, where they lost to the Hokes Bluff Eagles, fans and coaches alike thought the Bears would be in for a rebuilding season in 2008.  After all, head coach Jeff Brooks lost 10 players off that team. 

 

Last week against Holy Pond, the Bears looked nothing like a team reloading.  They swept the 3rd ranked Broncos on the strength of a potent offense.  In the 2-game sweep, they scored 27 runs, thanks in large part to the long-ball.  In Game 1 alone, the Bears hit 4 bombs.

 

For Walter Wellborn, they aren’t quite used to playing in the second round.  Last week’s sweep of Glencoe in the opening round gave the Panthers their first playoff series win since [Oxford head coach] Wes Brooks’ first year with the Panthers in 2002.  Holding a record six games below .500 [11-17] Wellborn has found their stride at the perfect time.

 

Last weekend they got great pitching performances from Clint O'Bryan and Logan Waldrep, who went the distance on the mound for their teams. 

 

While this may be uncharted territory for the Panthers players, first year head coach Mike Bowers took Weaver the second round twice, before taking over the B-team at Wellborn.

 

Hokes Bluff vs. Madison Academy

Fact:  #1 vs. #2 in the state

 

This will probably be the most notable series to take place this weekend, as 5-time defending state champion Hokes Bluff will play host to 2nd ranked Madison Academy.

 

While everyone knows about Hokes Bluff’s prowess, one quick look at Madison Academy and you know the Mustangs mean business.  With a 25-11 record this season, they’ve played one of the toughest schedules in the state.  Losses to Hoover, Oxford, Prattville, Hartselle, Buckhorn and Clay-Chalkville aren’t anything to hang your head about. 

 

Stafford Booth, who blasted his 10th homerun of the season last weekend against Sylvania, leads the Mustang offense.  Meanwhile last year’s 8-game winner Kelby Deerman is back for his senior campaign with a 7-2 record on the mound.

 

Class 4A

 

Childersburg @ Elmore County

Fact:  Childersburg has had 5 players drafted by the MLB since 1967.

 

With one day left to play in the Elmore County area schedule, not many people would have expected the Panthers to still be playing today.  Trailing Brewbaker Tech in the game and area standings, the Panthers knocked in a 6th inning grand slam to earn the win [9-5].  In game two of the series, with Brew Tech needing just one win to clinch their first playoff berth, Elmore County scored 5 runs in the 6th inning to pull out the victory 6-1 and clinch the second seed in the area.

 

ECHS [15-12, 3-3] outlasted Opp last weekend taking 2 of 3 from the Bobcats [13-0, 5-12, 13-5].

This weekend, Elmore County will face off with a team in search of back-to-back state crowns, as opposed to their first playoff berth.

 

The Childersburg Tigers, winners of the Class 4A Area 7 title, went off on Tuscaloosa Central last weekend scoring 11 and 15 runs in their two games, both of which ended after 5 innings of play.  Hitting had been a struggle for the Tigers this season.  Meanwhile the team’s pitching has been anything but a struggle.  Starters Josh Podoris and Logan Holmes will be counted on for another strong performance against Elmore County.  

 

Saks vs. Brooks

Fact:  Brooks scored their 20th win of the season last week against Priceville

 

It’s no secret that the Saks offense has been the missing link for the Wildcats at times this season.  So you can imagine the feeling last weekend during their two-game sweep of Class 4A’s state runner-up in 2007, Oneonta.  The Wildcats peppered the Redskin pitching to the tune of 25 runs in 10 innings of work at the plate.

 

A well-formed Saks pitching rotation led by senior Dakoda Wells and freshman Jason Payne will face off with a top heavy line-up this weekend.  The Lions are paced by Nick Masonia, who belted his 14th homerun of the season last weekend against Priceville.  The rest of the order found its’ stride in the series plating 35 runs in two games.

 

Class 6A

 

Pell City @ Paul Bryant

Fact:  Paul Bryant ranked 9th in Class 6A

 

One week after knocking off Shades Valley in the opening round of the 2008 AHSAA playoffs, the Pell City Panthers now turn their attention to the team that was eliminated by Shades Valley in the 3rd round in 2007, Paul Bryant.

 

Pell City has caught fire of late surpassing the goals most outside the program had outlined.  Let by an outstanding and underrated group of seniors, Pell City has already clinched their first area crown since 1993 and won a post-season series.  For the Panthers, they’ve still got work to do.

 

Everyone has heard of Auburn signee Adam Purdy, but this team if far more than a one-man show.  The always impressive David Kendrick, as well as Bronson Honeycutt, Shane Waters and Jordan Alverson fill up the Panthers lineup with quality players.

 

This weekend, Pell City will face off with a gutsy Stampede ball-club.  Paul Bryant swept 6A powerhouse Tuscaloosa County to earn a berth into the post-season.  That sweep included a win over Brett Booth, one of the premiere junior pitchers in the state.  The Stampede has some good pitching of their own.  Senior left-hander Josh Wirnsberger [7-1 on the season], touted as savvy pitcher with excellent control, leads the way for Bryant.   

 

Chad Barnett

Editor

chad@highschoolgameday.com

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