Playoff Preview- This Week’s Biggest Matchups Across the State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have officially made it to the postseason! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we're previewing some of the biggest first-round matchups across the state. These games are going to be electric, so let's go ahead and get started. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>HEWITT TRUSSVILLE VS. OPELIKA</em></strong></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've got a HUGE 7A matchup between Hewitt Trussville and Opelika this Friday. I can't wait to see these two teams compete. Trussville and Opelika have both had two of the best defenses in the state this season; they're both terrific in the secondary and have consistently gotten after the quarterback. Offensively, Trussville has a seriously well-rounded group that can beat you in the air and on the ground. Opelika is just as good at airing it out; they have a talented offensive line and explosive pass catchers outside that could give Trussville some trouble. This will be one to watch this week, I'm excited. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401099' first='Dylan' last='Cope'] (WR) Hewitt Trussville</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>De'Narrius Crawford (DB) Hewitt Trussville</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='657147' first='Braiden' last='Howard'] (DB) Opelika</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1621649' first='Dre' last='Vann'] (WR) Opelika</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>BENJAMIN RUSSELL VS. CENTRAL TUSCALOOSA</em></strong></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We might see 100 points scored in this one. I've been amazed by both Benjamin Russell and Central Tuscaloosa's offenses this season. Sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='1354216' first='Kingston' last='Preyear'] has continued to develop and dominate teams across the 6A. Preyear and WRs [player_tooltip player_id='401085' first='Cederian' last='Morgan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='401077' first='BJ' last='Bedgood'] have played lights out all season long and could bring a ton of issues to Central defensively. Central has been just as good at putting up points. [player_tooltip player_id='1879596' first='Anthony' last='Dixon'] has emerged as a star player for them on the ground, and [player_tooltip player_id='1610192' first='Tra'Von' last='Hall'] has found a ton of different ways to produce as well. Time of possession will be a huge piece of this game; both of these teams can score at will. I'm excited to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1879596' first='Anthony' last='Dixon'] (RB) Central</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610192' first='Tra'Von' last='Hall'] (WR) Central</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1354216' first='Kingston' last='Preyear'] (QB) Benjamin Russell</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401085' first='Cederian' last='Morgan'] (WR) Benjamin Russell</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>PARKER VS. OXFORD</em></strong></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've got another huge game in the 6A between Parker and Oxford. Parker has been unstoppable on offense this season. Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='212087' first='Dylan' last='Reese'] has put together an unbelievable season this fall, dismantling secondaries all across the state. On top of that, Parker has been able to run the ball really well with [player_tooltip player_id='401086' first='Chancellor' last='Sparks'], making them a well-balanced attack that Oxford will have to prepare for. Oxford has also been really impressive offensively. Sophomore QB [player_tooltip player_id='452238' first='Maddox' last='Mims'] has been able to take some big steps this season, [player_tooltip player_id='1507896' first='Jay'lin' last='Taylor'] has continued to dominate out wide, and [player_tooltip player_id='401081' first='Caleb' last='Wynn'] continues to find success on the ground. We've got a great game in store for us here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212087' first='Dylan' last='Reese'] (QB) Parker</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401086' first='Chancellor' last='Sparks'] (RB) Parker</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1507896' first='Jay'lin' last='Taylor'] (WR) Oxford</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401081' first='Caleb' last='Wynn'] (RB) Oxford</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->