Takeaways: Week 6

By Chad Barnett
East Alabama Sports Today

Munford: Midseason Form

The Munford Lions sent a shot across the bow last Friday night that rang throughout East Alabama. The Lions dispatched rival Lincoln 29-23 on the road with an impressive comeback performance. The win proved to everyone that they can still make a run in the post-Monteo Garrett era.

One of the biggest questions for any would-be contender this season was how Munford would replace all-everything quarterback Garrett, who has since moved on to the college gridiron. When I first saw Munford in Week One against Central of Clay County, the Lions struggled to find any offensive firepower despite having one of the best wide receivers on this side of the state. To put it simply, they couldn’t get him the ball.

First-year starting quarterback Brett Haynie was taking in his first action under center against the Volunteers; the senior took a few years off of football to concentrate on baseball. With the graduation of Garrett, Haynie was needed to fill the void. Against Central he struggled with rust and the offense did as well. I left Munford thinking the Lions would have to take a major step forward in order to be labeled a contender again.

Well, the Lions are officially ready for their close-up.

Haynie led his team with three of its four touchdowns highlighted by a 28-yard run on a 4th-and-1 to give the Lions their first lead of the night. He orchestrated drives with his arm as well connecting on two touchdown passes to standout receiver C.J. Chapman. The wideout hauled in touchdown passes of 42 and 10 yards.

“I’m just so proud of Brett,” Munford head coach Will Wagnon said following the win. “The best thing about it is how hard he’s worked to get to this point. He’s the leader of this team.”

Munford is now 4-2 on the season after losses to Leeds and Central of Clay in the first three weeks.

Piedmont: Don’t Sleep on ‘Em

The Piedmont Bulldogs hadn’t lost back-to-back games since 2006, the first season under the watch of head coach Steve Smith. That impressive streak came to an end last week. Coming off a loss to Glencoe the week before, the Bulldogs dropped their second straight when they fell to 4A No. 1 Leeds Thursday night.

And just like that, the feeling is Piedmont isn’t going to make another playoff run.

Let’s take a step back and realize what Piedmont is. The Bulldogs are still the best program in Calhoun County. From facilities to coaches and down through the wins, there isn’t another program close to what the Bulldogs have cooking within the county line.

Now let’s see what’s in front of them. They’ll get — with all due respect to PV – a breather this week against Pleasant Valley. The Raiders have shown glimpses this season but they shouldn’t be a tough test.

The following week, however, the Bulldogs travel to “The Hill” to take on Wellborn. The Panthers will be a stiffer test. Some may think Wellborn might be a favorite with a senior-laden squad.

A fourth region crown in five years isn’t going to happen. The Bulldogs might even be on the road in the first round of the playoffs depending on how the Wellborn game turns. But they can still be tough when the playoff lights go on.

Oxford: Mid-season Shocker

Just when you thought Oxford was down for the count, the Yellow Jackets got off the ropes and punched back.

The Jackets had lost three of their last four, including a demoralizing defeat to the comeback kids from Valley, but facing Class 7A Vestavia Hills last Friday night they shocked everyone with not only a win, but a runaway win 35-14.

Unfortunately the win wasn’t in region play where Oxford needs it. The Yellow Jackets are 1-2 in region action with three to play. In order to make the post-season they’ll need to be at their best down the stretch with Benjamin Russell, Pell City and Chelsea providing the opposition.

Chad Barnett covers high school football for the “Pigskin Roundup.” Read his impressions of the high school football week that was every week at East Alabama Sports Today.

Friday night’s games

Springville at Anniston
Mortimer Jordan at Alexandria
Donoho at Victory Christian
Cleburne County at Jacksonville
Jacksonville Christian at Gaylesville
Ohatchee at Weaver
Oxford at Benjamin Russell
Pleasant Valley at Piedmont
Crossville at Saks
Wellborn at Westbrook Christian
White Plains at Sardis

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