Here are my Top 10 predictions for 3A:
1. Phil Campbell-I know there are a lot of you out there that dont think these guys are for real, but they've been to the 3rd round two straight years and only lost four guys from last years team. They have one of the states best QB's returning in Brett Borden, he may not be the best, but he is certainly good. I tell why this team will win it. 3A is going to have kind of a down year and not only is Brett Borden one of the states best QB's, but he is the states best leader and his troops rally around him. He is a proven winner, he proved that to me last year in the West Morgan game.
2. Washington County-These guys were the team to come closest to Aliceville last year, they only lost 49-40 and could've won barring a couple of key mistakes. I think this year will be they're year to go to the title game. Last year they had a Cinderella season last year turning a 1999,1-9 campaign into a 11-3 Final Four run.
3. Aliceville-This is a town blessed with rich talent, but the loss of the states all-time leading rusher and Coach Wade Streeter will be the only thing keeping them from a repeat in 2001.
4. Colbert County-They were in the title game last year, they are ALWAYS in the running for a title. Their 6 titles and 11 title appearances is second only to Hazlewood. They may have gotten blown out last season by Aliceville in the title game 50-7, but lets not forget that they were in Birmingham and will are set on getting back.
5. Litchfield-Final Four last season, one play away from a title game appearance should make them hungry to get to Birmingham in 2001. I dont feel that they will accomplish this goal but they should give it a darn fine run!
6. Springville-These guys are always good, they usually manage to get upset in the play-offs every year, it will probably happen again this year, but nonetheless they are one of the 10 best 3A teams.
7. Luverne-This could be the sleeper team in 3A this year. They hung around in the top 10 for most of last season and could do so again. They have a great tradition and a knack for winning when play-off time comes calling, they could make things very interesting in the south.
8. W.S. Neal-They are usually a strong program but the past couple of years they have found the going tough. They were in the semi-finals just a few years ago, followed by an 0-10 season, but be ready this year they take the steps to returning to the team that they once were.
9. Dadeville-This is possibly one of the most underrated teams in the state. They quietly went to the 3rd round last year, if you teams take them lightly this season, they could do more than that.
10. Plainview-OK Im going to be honest, this is probably the most overrated team in the state. They play a cupcake schedule, they dont have much speed and when they face semi-tough competition in the play-offs they make an exit. Dont get me wrong this is a good team, always is and will be again, you dont win 100+ games in a decade and not be, but again like always they will win 8 or more regular season games, win that typically easy first round play-off game and at the first sight of real competition be gone. A typical Plainview season. Sorry guys for the brutal honesty, but sometimes the truth hurts. |
