Postseason Round 2: Three Must Watch Matchups This Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have some huge postseason matchups ahead this week!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're diving in and previewing some of our most anticipated games across the state. These teams are stacked and are sure to have exciting Friday nights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure you watch out for these games! We have a FUN week ahead, folks!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>AUBURN (10-2) v. OPELIKA (9-3)</strong></span></em></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Awesome enough, we get to watch this rivalry matchup again this year, but this time, it will have even higher stakes than before. Opelika will look to redeem itself after suffering a tight 17-10 loss to Auburn earlier this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Auburn's passing attack has created a ton of problems for opposing defenses this season. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1068557' first='Cason' last='Myers'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='2047489' first='Antonio' last='Welch'] have developed great chemistry together, consistently connecting for huge passes all around the field. On top of that, they have a talented defense with playmakers like LB [player_tooltip player_id='1637180' first='Aiden' last='Parker'] and DB [player_tooltip player_id='1622130' first='Brandon' last='McGhee'] leading the way. They have a really well-rounded roster and are greatly coached- it'll be a tough matchup for Opelika. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Opelika has taken off this season. They have a well-balanced offensive approach with talented players like OL [player_tooltip player_id='366554' first='Darius' last='Whitlow'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='1621649' first='Dre' last='Vann'] helping them produce a ton in the passing game. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='657147' first='Braiden' last='Howard'] has broken out as one of the top corners in the state, locking up and making game-changing plays against some of the most talented receivers in the state. We've got a battle on our hands this week, I'm excited to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's who to look out for:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1068557' first='Cason' last='Myers']<br>WR [player_tooltip player_id='2047489' first='Antonio' last='Welch']<br>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1622130' first='Brandon' last='McGhee']</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>DB [player_tooltip player_id='657147' first='Braiden' last='Howard']<br>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1621649' first='Dre' last='Vann']<br>OL [player_tooltip player_id='366554' first='Darius' last='Whitlow']</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>THOMPSON (9-3) v. CENTRAL (11-1)</em></span></strong></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thompson has one of the top passing attacks in the state, with [player_tooltip player_id='216690' first='Trent' last='Seaborn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1621006' first='Dedrick' last='Kimbrough'] connecting for several explosive plays this season. Defensively, they have a dominant DL and secondary that have gone up against some of the top teams in the nation and found plenty of success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central is one of the state's most complete teams. QB Bobby Coleman has broken out as one of the top passers in the state, RB [player_tooltip player_id='1895328' first='Jayshaun' last='Woodhouse'] has been electric on the ground, especially over the second half of the year, and EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='212200' first='Tristan' last='Lyles'] has been completely unstoppable as a pass rusher. It'll be really difficult for Thompson to slow them down; they just have so many talented players at every position. These teams both have big tasks ahead this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's who to look out for this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='216690' first='Trent' last='Seaborn']<br>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1621006' first='Dedrick' last='Kimbrough']<br>EDGE/DL [player_tooltip player_id='646290' first='Cam' last='Pritchett']</strong></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>QB Bobby Coleman<br>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1895328' first='Jayshaun' last='Woodhouse']</strong><br><strong>EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='212200' first='Tristan' last='Lyles']</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">MUSCLE SHOALS (11-0) v. MOUNTAIN BROOK (9-3)</span></strong></em></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Muscle Shoals has had an unreal season this fall and is coming off a huge win over Parker in the first round. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1651353' first='Kade' last='Clemmons'] has taken his play to another level this season, finding and completing passes to WRs all over the field. Defensively, Shoals can play with the best of them. EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1352636' first='Kamhariyan' last='Johnson'] and DB [player_tooltip player_id='1603657' first='Keivay' last='Foster'] have made life incredibly difficult for opposing offenses this season, finding ways to make game-changing plays almost every snap. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mountain Brook is a dominant run-the-ball team that can hurt you on the ground as well as anyone. QB [player_tooltip player_id='544933' first='Cayden' last='Hofbauer'] and RB [player_tooltip player_id='1514872' first='Stuart' last='Andrews'] constantly keep defenses on their toes with their rushing ability. It's really tough to slow down Mountain Brook's offense, they're a really physical group that's unafraid of running through your chest. Muscle Shoals will have to find a way to slow them down in the trenches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's who to look out for this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1651353' first='Kade' last='Clemmons']<br>EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1352636' first='Kamhariyan' last='Johnson']<br>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1603657' first='Keivay' last='Foster']</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id='544933' first='Cayden' last='Hofbauer']<br>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1514872' first='Stuart' last='Andrews']<br></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->