Column – Week 4 high school football preview

Muscle Shoals notched another Class 6A, Region 7 win with a 42-7 rout of Decatur last week.

The Trojans are now 3-1 overall and 2-0 in region play.

Next up is Cullman (2-2, 1-1). The Bearcats should prove a tougher opponent than the last two, but lately Muscle Shoals has had their number.

The Bearcats haven’t notched a win in the series since 2020, a 30-29 close call.

The Trojans won 34-14 last year and have a 12-8 advantage in the series all-time.

At any rate, a win here would likely clinch a playoff spot for Muscle Shoals thanks to the seven-team region.

Colbert County

The Indians faced arguably the two toughest region opponents on its schedule the last two weeks, including a 21-7 loss to Lauderdale County Sept. 13.

The loss puts CCHS at 1-3 overall and 0-2 in Class 3A, Region 7 play.

However, three of those four opponents are a combined 11-1 so far in 2024. Colbert County’s remaining region foes are 8-11 in that span.

That said, the road to the postseason is not an easy one. Next up is 3-1 Rogers, who dropped to 3A this season.

Those three wins came against teams that have yet to earn a win in 2024, as the Pirates are yet to play the strength of their schedule.

Colbert County hasn’t faced Rogers on the gridiron since 2011, the last time the Pirates were in Class 3A before now.

That game was a 41-6 loss for the Indians, but CCHS holds an all-time advantage at 22-4.

Each region game is crucial for the Indians now if they want to make the postseason.

Colbert Heights / Sheffield

Speaking of Class 3A, Region 7, the surprise this year in the county has been the Wildcats.

I see you, Colbert Heights. After going 1-9 in 2023, CHHS is currently 4-0 including a 23-6 victory over Elkmont on the road last week.

The next few weeks will feature several county rivalry games, including Colbert Heights hosting Sheffield Sept. 20, Colbert Heights at Colbert County on Oct. 4 and Colbert County at Deshler on Sept. 27.

The Wildcats and Bulldogs last face off on the gridiron in 2017, a 35-0 win for CHHS. However, Sheffield holds the all-time lead at 15-6.

The Wildcats are up this year, and the Bulldogs are 0-3, 0-2. Sheffield has played some of its tougher foes already, while Colbert Heights has its toughest games ahead.

Still, Colbert Heights has a solid chance to start a season 5-0 for the first time since 2007 against a Sheffield team that hasn’t put a point on the board since the season opener.

Conversely, a win here for the Bulldogs could help turn around the season with games against Waterloo and Elkmont on the horizon.

Cherokee

The Indians had a much better season last year, going 5-5 when the team hadn’t topped four wins in a season since 2017.

So far in 2024 Cherokee 2-2, including a 39-6 loss at home to Addison Sept. 13.

Most football coaches aren’t big on moral victories, but 39-6 is a far cry from 54-6, the outcome of last year’s game against Addison.

The Indians are 1-1 in Class 1A, Region 7 play, and next up are the Vina Red Devils.

Vina is having a resurgent season itself at 3-0 after going 1-8 last year.

That said, their wins have come against 0-4 Brindlee Mountain, 0-3 Phillips and 0-4 Shoals Christian.

Cherokee fell just one win shy of the postseason in 2023, and the main culprit was a loss to Shoals Christian.

The Flame seems to be a far cry from last year’s form, including a season-opening loss to Belgreen, who is fielding a football team for the first time in the lead up to joining the AHSAA.

Even Meek, who went 6-5 last season, only has a win over Phillips so far this year.

Cherokee has a clear path to the playoffs in 2024, and Vina, Phillips, Shoals Christian, Meek and Hackleburg are standing in the way.

Of those teams, only Hackleburg and Vina have winning records currently.

A win against Vina would be a big step for the Indians. Cherokee topped the Red Devils 46-0 last year and hold a 15-8-1 all-time advantage.