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By Lew Gilliland

The Selma Times-Journal

Morgan Academy has fallen on some tough times over the last month.

The Senators have lost three of their last four ballgames, including a 38-25 setback at Valiant Cross Academy last week.

“I know it’s disappointing,” Morgan Academy coach Danny Raines said. “We all put a lot into it. There’s nothing like sports. You’re going to have a winner or loser every time out. And we don’t have any easy teams on our schedule. We’re just going to do the best we can to come out on the good end of the stick this time.”

The good news for Raines and Company is the horizon is brimming with possibility. The Senators (3-3, 1-1) are facing a run of three straight AAA, Region 3 games, starting with Friday night’s visit from Bessemer Academy (1-4,1-1), so the Senators remain in the thick of the race for a playoff spot.

Raines said Friday’s challenge is good for his team’s focus as it works to move forward after a tough month.

“We have a huge region game this weekend,” he said. “It’s good that we have the big game coming up, that really helps.

Raines said Bessemer Academy is a good team that likes to throw the football.

He said the Rebels throw it about 60 percent of the time but are capable of running the ball as well. The coach also pointed out Bessemer defeated the same Monroe Academy team that beat Morgan 12-9 on Sept.10 by a 26-8 margin Sept. 3.

“We’ve got to take care of the football and limit our mistakes,” Raines said. “Those two things will do us a world of good.”

Raines said his team will continue working to tighten up its defense.

The Senators struggled to stop Valiant Cross quarterback Antavious Jackson last week, giving up 333 yards and four touchdowns on 13 carries to the speedy signal-caller.

Jackson picked up many of those yards on plays that saw him break to the outside.

“We had worked on that before and will continue to because I’m sure we’ll see more of that,” Raines said.

Dallas County at Holt: Some good news for Dallas County: last week’s 48-0 victory over Sumter Central kept the Hornets (2-4, 2-2) in the hunt for a playoff berth in Class 4A, Region 3. The Hornets are tied with Holt and Montevallo for the region’s final playoff spot.

Even better news for Dallas County: the Hornets have games remaining with both Holt and Montevallo, beginning this week at Holt, meaning Dallas County still controls its playoff fate. Holt (2-4, 2-2) lost 49-0 to American Christian last week.

Selma- Central Tuscaloosa: After losing four of their first give games, the Saints have won two in a row and are eying a big finish in 5A, Region 3 after last week’s 32-7 victory over Jemison. The Saints (3-4, 2-1) close the regular season with three straight region games, beginning with Friday’s visit from Central Tuscaloosa.

The Falcons (2-4, 1-2) are coming off a 22-14 loss to Shelby County. Their lone region win came Sept. 17 over Marbury 25-7.

Snook Christian-. Meadowview Christian:

Could this be the week the Trojans get back in the win column after their losing streak reached 37 two weeks ago? It certainly looks possible, with Meadowview (0-6, 0-2 A, Region 2) having enjoyed a bye last week, giving it a chance to heal bumps and bruises and rest legs, and with Snook bringing an eight-game losing streak that dates back to last year to town.

Snook’s last win was 22-18 over Meadowview last Oct. 9. The Eagles (0-6, 0-2) fell 53-0 to Wilcox Academy last week.

Southside at Monroe County: Southside (5-1, 3-1) remains firmly in the hunt for a home game to open the postseason. The Panthers are second in 3A, Region 3, one-half game behind co-leaders Montgomery Academy and Thomasville, both of which are 3-0 in the region. The Panthers won their third straight game last week, downing Prattville Christian 36-7.

Monroe County (1-5, 0-3) has lost five straight since opening the season with a 28-0 win over J.F. Shields. The Tigers fell to Hale County 47-6 last week.

Keith gets break: The Bears (6-1, 4-0 1A, Region 3) are idle this week and will play at Ellwood Christian on Oct. 15. Keith defeated Central Hayneville 35-8 last week and clinching the Region title over Central Hayneville (3-1, 2-1) and Linden (2-3, 2-1). The Bears defeated both of those squads.