Friday night’s game between Southside (1-3, 0-3) and Keith (3-1, 2-1) will feature two teams coming off entirely different results.

The Bears were fired up following a loss to area rival Ellwood Christian two weeks ago and lit up Holy Spirit last Friday, winning 50-0 in a game where the quarters were limited to six minutes in the second half.

Southside relied on a great special teams effort to stay in the game during last week’s 43-14 setback against W. S. Neal. The Panthers got an 80-yard punt return touchdown from Derrick Daniels and a great kickoff return by De’Quan Jones to set up their second score.

Both teams kind of know what ther other likes to do offensively, so the winner of Friday’s game is likely be the team that plays assignment football the best.

“Do your job. Don’t worry about nothing else. Do your job,” said Southside head coach Daniel Flowers, who says he has stressed assignment football to his team all week. “If you don’t do your job, we are going to get whooped.”

The Panthers have had trouble finishing drives over the last few weeks, being held scoreless in the second half against W. S. Neal and struggling to move the ball in a loss to Straughn.

“We had trouble scoring because we don’t finish drives. We are stopping ourselves,” Flowers said. “We get a drive going and get two or three first downs and then throw an interception. We have good yards, good yards, good yards and then a penalty will happen.”

Meanwhile, the Bears seemed to get back on track last week. Keith had 403 yards of total offense, with 11 different players receiving carries.  Bears quarterback Maurice Crumpton also had a big night, completing all four of his passes for touchdowns. Last season, Keith defeated Southside 43-6.

 

Ellwood Christian at A. L. Johnson

Coming off of a 25-0 loss to Autaugaville where their offense was completely shut down, Ellwood Christian (2-1, 2-2) hopes to bounce back this week when they travel to A.L. Johnson (3-1, 2-1).

Ellwood was held to 106 total yards in the game, one week after upsetting rival Keith in Orrville. A.L. Johnson is 3-1 on the season and is coming off a 36-22 victory over J. U. Blacksher last week. Last season A. L. Johnson defeated Ellwood Christian 14-13.

 

Dallas County at Francis Marion

The Hornets (1-3, 0-3) lost their third consecutive game last week to Handley 35-12, but hope to get back on track this week when they travel to Francis Marion (2-2, 1-2).

The Rams are on a two-game losing streak after falling to Oakman 54-6 and Hale County 33-14 the last two weeks. Last season Dallas County defeated Francis Marion 26-6.

 

Selma at Sidney Lanier

The Saints have had a roller coaster type season following wins with losses each week. Selma lost to Demopolis 35-12 last week so the Saints are hoping to continue their trend of following a loss with a win when they travel to Sidney Lanier (0-4, 0-2) Thursday night.

The Poets have yet to win this season and are coming off of a 52-26 loss to Auburn last week.

Sidney Lanier defeated Selma 38-21 last season.

 

Morgan Academy at Escambia Academy

Last week the Senators (2-2, 1-0) gave No. 2 Tuscaloosa — the defending state champions in AISA Class AAA — a big scare in a 45-36 defeat. Morgan Academy nearly rallied from a 35-7 hole to give themselves a chance late against the Knights.

Escambia Academy (3-2, 1-2) is coming off of a 35-3 victory over Sparta Academy last week. Last season, Escambia Academy defeated Morgan 34-6.

 

Meadowview Christian at Jackson Academy

After getting blown out in their first two games, Meadowview Christian (0-4, 0-2) has been competitive the last two weeks against Eastwood Christian and Chambers Academy.

Jackson Academy’s season has not been much better.

The Eagles are winless on the season and have been held to 14 points or less in three of their four contests. Last season, Jackson Academy defeated Meadowview Christian 14-12.