Region titles, playoff spots on the line for Baldwin County teams in Week 10

Class 4A Region 1 postseason picture set to be determined in final week of region play

By Cole McNanna
Sports Editor
cole@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 10/19/22

Although there is still one week of the regular season left after this week’s contests, many teams will be playing their final region games in Week 10, signaling a last call for those at the …

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Region titles, playoff spots on the line for Baldwin County teams in Week 10

Class 4A Region 1 postseason picture set to be determined in final week of region play

Posted

Although there is still one week of the regular season left after this week’s contests, many teams will be playing their final region games in Week 10, signaling a last call for those at the bottom of playoff pictures.

In Class 7A, Foley needs to beat Daphne to stake claim to the regular season title and in Class 4A, the St. Michael Cardinals need to take down the regular-season champion T.R. Miller Tigers to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Elsewhere, Spanish Fort and Gulf Shores are into the playoffs in Class 6A and 5A, respectively, while Baldwin County and Robertsdale, as well as Elberta, have all been eliminated from the playoffs.

Also in 7A, Fairhope has punched its ticket to the postseason and in the Alabama Independent School Association, Snook Christian has been eliminated from its playoff picture.

The last week of region play for many is shaping up to be an exciting one, follow along on social media (@GCMSportsAL) for sideline updates but until then, here are a few of the biggest games with playoff implications on this week’s docket.

Daphne Trojans (3-5, 3-2) at Foley Lions (5-3, 4-1), Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.

With a win, Foley would lock in the regular season region crown and dampen Daphne’s playoff hopes with a 5-1 mark in Region 1 where the Lions’ lone loss in the group came to Baker.

However, if the Hornets fall to second-place Fairhope, Daphne owns the tiebreaker with Baker after its 25-14 win Sept. 16.

Foley has scored at least 21 points in each of its last four contests and owns a 2-1 record at home with a lone loss to Class 6A No. 1 Saraland.

In the all-time series between the Lions and Trojans, which dates back to 1992 in the Alabama High School Football Historical Society’s database, Daphne leads 20-6 and currently owns a nine-game win streak that includes a 2010 playoff win.

Foley’s last win over the Trojans in 2007 snapped another nine-game win streak at the time.

St. Michael Cardinals (5-4, 4-2) at T.R. Miller Tigers (7-1, 6-0), Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.

After St. Michael’s region-opening loss to Bayside Academy, the Cardinals won their next four games within Class 4A Region 1 with at least 40 points on the board but ran into the teeth of the Jackson Aggie defense, which hadn’t allowed more than 32 points to any opponent, and recorded only six points.

Now, St. Michael needs to beat T.R. Miller, the team that scored 32 points against Jackson and the regular-season region champion, to remain inside the playoff picture. A loss would leave the Cardinals with an identical 4-3 region record with Bayside Academy, which owns the tiebreaker with a 17-14 victory.

The Tiger defense has been similarly stout this season and only allowed Class 5A No. 1 UMS-Wright to score 34 points in their lone regular-season loss. T.R. Miller has also won both of its meetings with St. Michael.

The Cardinals’ 49 points in their last two region wins tied a program record for most points scored in a single game.

Gulf Shores Dolphins (7-1, 5-1) at Vigor Wolves (5-3, 4-3), Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.

For the first time in program history, Gulf Shores is off to a 7-1 start to the season and could officially clinch a playoff berth with a win over Vigor this week.

The Dolphins on are a four-game win streak where they’ve scored at least 35 points in each contest and will be coming off an open week following a 49-3 win over Elberta.

Gulf Shores still has to play B.C. Rain within Class 5A Region 1 next week and first-place UMS-Wright – with third-place Faith Academy and fourth-place Williamson still to play – has yet to officially claim its regular season crown despite an undefeated record in the group.

With a win this week, the Dolphins would move one win away from matching the program’s previous season-best win total from 2009 when they earned their first postseason victory.

Satsuma Gators (1-7, 1-5) at Bayside Academy Admirals (5-3, 3-3), Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.

Bayside Academy head coach Phil Lazenby is on the verge of 200 career wins after last week’s 66-48 win over Escambia County – which set a program record for most points in a single game – notched No. 199.

Last week’s win also snapped a three-game losing streak and kept the Admirals within the playoff picture.

Although Bayside Academy owns a 1-2 record at home, the lone win came over St. Michael which may end up determining the last playoff spot in Class 4A Region 1.

Other Week 10 matchups

Sparta Academy Warriors (0-8, 0-3) at Snook Christian Academy Eagles (0-8, 0-3), Thursday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m.

All-time series: Sparta Academy leads 2-1.

B.C. Rain Red Raiders at Elberta Warriors, Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.

All-time series: Tied 1-1.

Baker Hornets at Fairhope Pirates, Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.

All-time series: Fairhope leads 20-0-2

Trend: The Pirates have scored at least 25 points in all but one of their last 15 wins.

Escambia County Blue Devils at Orange Beach Makos, Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.

All-time series: 0-0, teams’ first meeting.

MGM Vikings at Robertsdale Golden Bears, Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.

All-time series: Tied 4-4.

Trend: MGM has won the last two via shutout.

Murphy Panthers at Spanish Fort Toros, Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.

All-time series: 0-0, teams’ first meeting.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Saints at Baldwin County Tigers, Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.

All-time series: St. Paul’s leads 2-0.