Here are the predictions for 1A in 2001:
1. Maplesville-This team is locked, loaded, and ready to go. They have been to 3 straight final fours and came up short every time. This year that ends, I really thought they would represent the south last year so I was kinda shocked that they werent in Bham last year. They have the talent, coaching and the toughest schedule in 1A and possibly the toughest region as well. This team seems to me as the clear front runner to bring home the big blue trophy in early december.
2. Sumiton Christian-This was the states 2nd best team last year in my opinion. They honestly had the Hazlewood game won, but the Bears experience helped them to prevail to a 19-15 victory late in the game. Hazlewood lost too much off last years team to beat these guys again and I dont see anyone in the north better right now. Look for them to be in the Magic City.
3. Reeltown-This team really shocked me by not only making it to the title game last year, but by beating Maplesville TWICE, now that was impressive. This team should run into only ONE road block this season, Maplesville, the team they angered badly last season.
4. Courtland-This team was upset in the first round last season. They were'nt the best team in the state or even the north, but still they wre at worst a 3rd round team and should've made more of a run than what they did. This season they will remeber the troubles that they had in 2000 and make a run at the final four, but they will likely run into a road block in Sumiton Christian, but could pul an upset and be in Birmingham, I mean hey, they are Courtland!
5. Brantley-Always strong, always good, not exception this year. They went to Round 2 last season before running into powerful Maplesville and lost a heart-breaker 14-10. This year they could very likely galavant through the season 10-0 but I dont think they have what it takes to go 15-0.
6. Hazlewood-Hazlewood lost 10 of 11 starters on defense, they lost 9 of 11 starters on offense, this is the least talent they have had there in years, at least since 1987 and I dont think a title trip is in the cards for them. So you ask, why in the world are they ranked #6 on your list? #1 reason they are Hazlewood, #2 reason they are playing in the 1A north with only 4 really good teams, thats why!
7. Lynn-The fourth and last really good team in the north. They were overrated last year, yet still really good. Look for another 10-0 season, but when they play one of the 3 above mentioned northern teams, BYE BYE!
8. Carrollton-Very good last year, in fact at one point in the season ranked #1. They are usually a very strong contender and should be this year. They also ran into powerful Maplesville, in the third round, and lost 23-7,and it may take a team like Maplesville to end their season again, because these guys should be good.
9. Notasulga-Always good, always ranked, yet usually we find them exiting early from the play-offs, therefore we wont rank them high, but they do deserve to be ranked, so we gave them the #9 spot. So Notasulga if you feel you deserve higher, prove us wrong by going to the final four........or farther!
10. Ariton-I usually throw a Cinderella in my picks, so here they are for class 1A. They were a 2nd round team last year, before losing to eventual runner-up Reeltown. They started of slow but won 5 of their last 6 games, including a win over at the time highly ranked G.W. Long (who would've gotten the 10 spot had I not decided to put "Cinderella" in the mix). They have a good coach in Steve Laney and are trying to build a championship program down there, and this year, they take the first steps in that direction.
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