Each week this season AHSFHS.org will post games of the week provided by our forum friends better known as the "Barber Shop Gurus". Welcome TheMUBM, Kodyaufan2 and Sloth Nationzz as they analyze games of their choice and even give us a prediction for each contest.

TheMUBM Week 12 Picks

Last Week:  2-2    Season Total:  28-16

Buckhorn (0-0) at  Hartselle (0-0)  at J.P. Cain Stadium Buckhorn   Hartselle 0-0 (0-0)  Record 0-0 (0-0) 6A-R4  Class/Region 5A-R7 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 62.8  Power Rating 80.2 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Hartselle as a 19 point favorite. Last Meeting:   The Hartselle Tigers defeated Buckhorn by a score of 33-7 in the first round of the playoffs on the road  on Fri., Nov. 7 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Hartselle and Buckhorn have met 6 times on the field.... Hartselle holds a 6-0 edge in the games played. Comments:    Buckhorn comes in as a 7-3 3 seed. They were soundly beaten by the top two teams in their region, Gadsden City and Fort Payne, but they do share three common opponents with Hartselle. Hartselle beat those two by an average of 31 to 11, while Buckhorn won by an average score of 21 to 15. The Bucks ended their regular season by knocking off lowly 7A Grissom, 45 to 26 their largest offensive output of the season. Sophomore Parker Turley threw for 4 TD passes in the effort.     Hartselle's only blemish is a 31 to 17 loss to Muscle Shoals. They finished the regular season with a 24 to 0 blanking of Mortimer Jordan. Carter Lee completed 74% of his passes in the outing for 135 yards.     Buckhorn has some really talented young players and has a pretty bright future, but this is a huge test. Hartselle is one of more consistent programs in all of 6A, heck maybe all of AHSAA. Hartselle is a difficult place to play and while Hartselle may be more known for their efficient offenses, this team is definitely defensive minded, giving up 8.9 ppg. I'm trying to find a way for Buckhorn to compete, but I don't see it.   Prediction:  Hartselle 42 Buckhorn 13

Jasper (0-0) at  Gadsden City (0-0)  at Titan Stadium Jasper   Gadsden City 0-0 (0-0)  Record 0-0 (0-0) 5A-R5  Class/Region 6A-R4 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 72.7  Power Rating 70.7 AHSFHS Power Ratings have the teams as even.

Last Meeting:   The Gadsden City Titans defeated Jasper by a score of 40-37 in the first round of the playoffs on the road  on Fri., Nov. 7 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Gadsden City and Jasper have met one time on the field.... Gadsden City holds a 1-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Jasper comes in 8-2 with their only losses being to perennial powers Muscle Shoals (19) and Hartselle (3). They finished off the season stepping down a class obliterating Lawrence County 49 to 7. The Vikings clawed out 210 yards rushing while Smothers and Coger account for 4 scores on the ground.

Gadsden City comes in 7-3 and having lost to the Trojans of Muscle Shoals as well (18). They finished the regular season by beating up on 4A Fultondale 42 to 0. Ty Sims does it all from the running back position, big rushing plays, screen passes and deep routes. He will have to be accounted for.

I think these teams are pretty evenly matched and I can see this game going either way. I am leaning toward Jasper just because they scored 15 on Muscle Shoals. I know 15 isn't a big number, but against that defense it is.

Prediction:  Jasper 42 Gadsden City 29

Glencoe (0-0) at  Winfield (0-0)  at Estes Hudson Stadium Glencoe   Winfield 0-0 (0-0)  Record 0-0 (0-0) 3A-R6  Class/Region 3A-R5 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 49.1  Power Rating 60.7 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Winfield as a 14 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Winfield Pirates defeated Glencoe by a score of 39-0 in the first round of the playoffs on the road  on Thu., Nov. 6 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Winfield and Glencoe have met 3 times on the field.... Winfield holds a 2-1 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Glencoe comes in 7-3 as a 3 seed, arguably playing in the toughest 3A North region. Their losses have been big though, losing by 37, 28 and 46 respectively. The Yellow Jackets sport a very solid running game behind two very good backs, Alex Hudson Jr and Bronner McMurray. They also utilize a very effective short passing game to open up the running game.

Winfield comes in 8-2 with the only blemishes being to 5A Corner by 14 and to region champ Gordo by 14. They were off last week, but sewed up 2nd in the region the previous week by dismantling a much improved Vinemont team 47 to 7. The Pirates have a very effective passing game with many dangerous targets but make no mistake about it, QB Blaine Bowen can hurt with his legs just as bad as his arm.

I don't know that I have ever picked a Winfield game correct. If I pick them to win, they lose. If I pick them to lose, they win. Maybe that curse will be broken this week for my sake and theirs, as I do not see Glencoe having the horses to keep up with Winfield's electric passing game.

Prediction:  Winfield 35 Glencoe 21

Fayetteville (0-0) at  Berry Fayette (0-0)  at Fred Webster Stadium Fayetteville   Berry Fayette 0-0 (0-0)  Record 0-0 (0-0) 1A-R6  Class/Region 1A-R5 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 38.2  Power Rating 30.7 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Fayetteville as a 6 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Berry Fayette Wildcats defeated Fayetteville by a score of 44-37 in the first round of the playoffs on the road  on Fri., Nov. 7 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Berry Fayette and Fayetteville have met one time on the field.... Berry Fayette holds a 1-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Fayetteville comes in at 8-2 and one of the more dangerous 3 seeds in 1A, having only lost to the powerhouse Wadley by 29 and to Winterboro by 7. They're currently riding a 6 game winning streak that culminating with a regular season ending victory of 41-0 over Brilliant, a game that saw Brenton Cantrell pick up a score through the air and on the ground.

Berry Fayette comes in with an identical record of 8-2 as the 2 seed from R5. The Wildcats boast a high powered offense, scoring 39 ppg. They ended their regular season by summarily dispatching Victory Christian 46 to 21. The Wildcats racked up 459 total yards in the win with Lake Norris leading the way with 196 yards on 17 carries.

Two teams that can put up a lot of points in a hurry. Fayetteville has some really quick backs who can do some real damage in the open field but I like Berry with Norris leading the way. He is a big physical back and those types of back always are tough at the 1A level where the numbers are low.

Prediction:  Berry 38 Fayetteville 33

kodyaufan2 Week 12 Picks

Last Week:  4-0    Season Total:  30-14

Marion County (0-0) at  Winterboro (0-0)  at Bulldog Stadium Marion County   Winterboro 0-0 (0-0)  Record 0-0 (0-0) 1A-R5  Class/Region 1A-R6 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 30.3  Power Rating 42.4 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Winterboro as a 14 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Marion County Red Raiders defeated Winterboro by a score of 36-22 in the first round of the playoffs on the road  on Fri., Nov. 7 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Winterboro and Marion County have met one time on the field.... Marion County holds a 1-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Comments: I'm not sure if many people will have this game circled in the first round, but this will be one of the tightest matchups of the First Round in my opinion. This is a tough draw for both teams to open the postseason.

Winterboro appears to be just a step or two behind the handful of elite teams in Class 1A, but they are still very capable of reaching the semifinals. They had a couple of close early wins over Fayetteville and 2A Vincent, but the only other team that has had anything for them was Wadley, who beat them pretty emphatically a couple weeks ago. They've got decent size up front, but their speed is what can really kill their opponents. They've got some guys who can absolutely fly in Sophomore RB Jamari Nicks and Junior WR Carter Castleberry. To beat them, you've got to be able to control the line of scrimmage and prevent the big plays.

Marion County's games are mostly high-scoring. They're averaging 40 points per game, but they allow 30 themselves. They've scored 40+ in four straight contests, and their only game being held under 28 points was a season-opening 22-14 loss to Sulligent, who made the Class 2A semifinals last season. It wasn't too long ago that this was one of the dominant programs in Class 1A, but they've only won two playoffs games since 2014.

I expect the scoreboard operator will earn their pay in this one, but Winterboro's defense will be the one to come up with the necessary stops to win the game.

Prediction:  Winterboro 48, Marion County 26

Wicksburg (0-0) at  Cottage Hill Christian (0-0)  at Kingdom Stadium Wicksburg   Cottage Hill Christian 0-0 (0-0)  Record 0-0 (0-0) 3A-R2  Class/Region A-R1 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 50.0  Power Rating 52.5 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Cottage Hill Christian as a 5 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Cottage Hill Christian Warriors defeated Wicksburg by a score of 41-8 in the first round of the playoffs on the road  on Fri., Nov. 7 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Cottage Hill Christian and Wicksburg have met one time on the field.... Cottage Hill Christian holds a 1-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Comments: I wouldn't be shocked if this becomes a pretty trendy upset pick in Class 3A. Cottage Hill has kind of snuck up on a lot of people this season despite being loaded with talent, while Wicksburg has 3 losses, all close games to some really solid teams.

Coming out of a loaded Region 1 in Class 3A is quite the accomplishment for Cottage Hill after finishing 2024 with a 3-7 record, but don't think for a second that the Warriors are done yet. They do have a few key senior, such as Running Back Kaden Nguyen and 4-Star Linebacker and Georgia commit Shadarius Toodle, but they've got plenty of young talent that could make this a team to be reckoned with over the next several years. At the top of the list has to be Sophomore Quarterback Shamar Toodle. He has completed over 70% of his passes for nearly 2,000 yards and 17 TDs and already holds multiple scholarship offers from major college football programs.

I wouldn't say anything about Wicksburg necessarily stands out in terms of things they're great at, but they also don't have many weaknesses. They've a very steady team that seems to know who they are. They are very run heavy, but they like to spread the ball around while doing it. Four players have at least 40 carries and 350+ yards on the season, and those same players have a combined 29 rushing TDs. They have struggled putting up points against the three best teams they've faced, but their defense has been good enough to keep them in each of those contests, so I doubt anyone will blow them out.

At the beginning I said this would be a trendy upset pick, and an upset could very well happen. But with a Cottage Hill defense that only allows 10 points per game, and a Wicksburg offense that has struggled against good teams, I have a hard time seeing Wicksburg put up enough points to take this one.

Prediction:  Cottage Hill 27, Wicksburg 14

Bibb County (0-0) at  Handley (0-0)  at Wright Field Bibb County   Handley 0-0 (0-0)  Record 0-0 (0-0) 3A-R3  Class/Region 3A-R4 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 60.7  Power Rating 72.6 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Handley as a 14 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Handley Tigers defeated Bibb County by a score of 40-7 in the first round of the playoffs on the road  on Thu., Nov. 6 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Handley and Bibb County have met 3 times on the field.... Handley holds a 3-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Comments: This is the third all-time matchup between these two perennial playoff teams. Bibb County has never beaten Handley, and they'll need to rebound from a tough end of the regular season if they're going to take them down this time.

It's been talked about on the podcast before, but Handley is always one of those teams that you don't get much information about for most of the season, but they always seem to wake up come November. After getting demolished by Central Clay County to open the season, most everyone had written this team off, but they're one of the hottest teams in the state right now. If history is any indication, they're usually a very run heavy team that beats teams up with their physicality.

Bibb County is an extremely dangerous 4-Seed, largely because for most of the season they seemed poised to be the 1-Seed from Region 4. A loss to Pleasant Grove in their final region game dropped them from being the 1-Seed all the way to the 4-seed, which is something we've seen happen to multiple teams this year across the state. Their three losses have all been to good teams by a combined 13 points.

The really difficult thing about this game is that Handley came from such a weak region that we don't really know how good they are compared to the other top teams in Class 4A. I think they can knock off an underachieving Bibb County team, but I'm not sure this is the year for a deep run from the Tigers.

Prediction:  Handley 42, Bibb County 35

Hoover (0-0) at  Central Phenix City (0-0)  at Garrett-Harrison Stadium Hoover   Central Phenix City 0-0 (0-0)  Record 0-0 (0-0) 6A-R3  Class/Region 6A-R2 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 89.6  Power Rating 102.1 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Hoover as a 15 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Central Phenix City Red Devils defeated Hoover by a score of 34-10 in the first round of the playoffs on the road  on Fri., Nov. 7 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Central Phenix City and Hoover have met 6 times on the field.... Hoover holds a 4-2 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Comments: This would be a matchup worthy of a semifinal or championship game most years, but we'll get it in the first round this year due to the AHSAA's reshuffling of the Class 7A playoff brackets.

The lone loss on the season for Central Phenix City was to IMG Academy, so about as good a loss as a high school team can have. They've dominated every team from Alabama they've faced, with their closest game being a 58-35 win over Carver Montgomery. Quarterback Bobby Coleman, one of the top Junior prospects in the state, has thrown for 2,200 yards and 26 TDs on the season. He spreads the ball around really well, as three different players have at least 6 receiving TDs. Their leading rusher is Junior Jayshaun Woodhouse, who has 1,220 yards and 15 TDs. Their defense may not be as good as it has been in previous seasons, but when they're scoring 40 a game it doesn't have to be.

Hoover started the season 1-3 and trailed Prattville 23-3 in the 2nd Quarter of their fifth game. At that point, their season seemed over before we'd even reached the halfway point. However, the Bucs recovered to deliver a resounding comeback to beat Prattville 48-23 as the first of five straight wins, including another win over Thompson, to keep their playoff streak alive. Junior QB Kaleb Freeman has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 15 TDs with another 7 TDs on the ground.

Hoover is 4-1 all-time against Central Phenix City, but the one loss came in the semifinals last year. Only twice since 2000 have the Bucs failed to reach at least the semifinals, and they've never lost earlier than the Quarterfinals in that time, so you better believe they'll be motivated to keep one of the state's greatest playoff records alive. I think they'll give Central their first real test of the season.

Prediction:  Central Phenix City 44, Hoover 34

Sloth Nationzz Week 12 Picks

Last Week:  2-2    Season Total:  28-16

Randolph County (0-0) at  Thorsby (0-0)  at Susan Bentley Field Randolph County   Thorsby 0-0 (0-0)  Record 0-0 (0-0) 2A-R4  Class/Region 2A-R3 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 53.2  Power Rating 53.7 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Thorsby as a 3 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Randolph County Tigers defeated Thorsby by a score of 51-40 in the first round of the playoffs on the road  on Thu., Nov. 6 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Thorsby and Randolph County have met one time on the field.... Randolph County holds a 1-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    What an interesting matchup we have in the first round of the AHSAA Playoffs. Randolph County can certainly score points, and quite a lot. That is thanks to Mo Winston carrying the Tigers offense.

Thorsby is having a phenomenal year. This is the most wins the Rebels have ever had in a season, and they have been playing football consistently since 1966, outside of a singular game that was played in 1937 if you would like to count that. However the Thorsby Rebels ran into the buzzsaw that is Southside Selma. Randolph County was in a tougher region than Throsby, no question about that.

I think this is a very unique matchup because I do not think anyone really knows how good either team is. I think that Mo Winston is good enough to carry the Tigers to a road victory and to march onward into the second round.

I just think when the chips are on the line, you lean on your star players. Mo Winston is a star and will carry Randolph County to a victory.

Prediction:  Randolph County 43 Thorsby 36

Hale County (0-0) at  Lee-Scott Academy (0-0)  at Judd Scott Field Hale County   Lee-Scott Academy 0-0 (0-0)  Record 0-0 (0-0) 3A-R3  Class/Region AA-R2 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 47.5  Power Rating 50.9 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Lee-Scott Academy as a 5 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Lee-Scott Academy Warriors defeated Hale County by a score of 42-14 in the first round of the playoffs on the road  on Fri., Nov. 7 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Lee-Scott Academy and Hale County have met one time on the field.... Lee-Scott Academy holds a 1-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Lee Scott has bounced back after what many considered a disappointing season last year with their first year of AHSAA ending without a playoff berth. Now they are hosting a playoff game in what we expected last season.

Hale County has enjoyed another successful season, but once again just like the first matchup I ask, how good is 3A Region 3? The top team looks good, besides that? Not so much. I do not know how close of a game this will be. I think the Warriors have played a much more difficult schedule and have done fairly well against that schedule.

Lee Scott is also a pretty good home team, and Hale County benefited from a weak region. I know the prediction says it will be close, but I am not seeing it, I think the Warriors roll in this one.

Prediction:  Lee Scott 42 Hale County 13

Bullock County (0-0) at  Oak Grove (0-0)  at Tiger Stadium Bullock County   Oak Grove 0-0 (0-0)  Record 0-0 (0-0) 3A-R2  Class/Region 4A-R5 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 47.0  Power Rating 62.9 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Oak Grove as a 18 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Bullock County Hornets defeated Oak Grove by a score of 21-7 in the first round of the playoffs on the road  on Fri., Nov. 7 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Oak Grove and Bullock County have met 2 times on the field.... Bullock County holds a 2-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Someone here is going to get a historic win. Neither of these teams have found much of, or for one said, quite literally any playoff success. Oak Grove has not won a playoff game since 2004 back when George Bush was president, and the AHSFHS website did not exist.

Bullock County has not won a playoff game ever. They have played in the AHSAA every year the playoffs have been around so This might be their best shot to finally get that ever elusive first win in the playoffs. They are a very good football team led by Ty Wallace.

Their main problem this season has been stopping the pass. Oak Grove runs the Wing T, and Bullock County has a massive defensive line, so this is a really bad matchup for Oak Grove. I think 18 points is way too high. I think this is a really close football game, and I think the Hornets get their first victory in playoff history.

I think it is a matchup problem for Oak Grove.

Prediction:  Bullock County 22 Oak Grove 18

North Sand Mountain (0-0) at  Lexington (0-0)  at McMeans Stadium North Sand Mountain   Lexington 0-0 (0-0)  Record 0-0 (0-0) 2A-R8  Class/Region 2A-R7 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 48.3  Power Rating 47.4 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Lexington as a 1 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Lexington Golden Bears defeated North Sand Mountain by a score of 52-23 in the first round of the playoffs on the road  on Thu., Nov. 6 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Lexington and North Sand Mountain have met 5 times on the field.... Lexington holds a 4-1 edge in the games played.

Comments:    North Sand Mountain is an underdog in this game? That is shocking. But let's talk about the turn around Lexington has made over the last few seasons. Back in 2019, Lexington turned in a second consecutive 1-9 season.

Since then, they have been getting better every year it seems like. North Sand Mountain, I do not think anyone was picking them to be what they have become. Losing to two great 2A teams, besides that they've been a force. They've won their most games in a season since 2020.

So this is where the matchup becomes interesting. They both have played difficult schedules, pretty evenly matched. However I am giving the lean to North Sand Mountain. I just think they are the better team plain and simple. I think they are a sneaky good three seed, for the podcast listeners you know I say that often, but North Sand Mountain can make some noise.

Give me a Bison victory.

Prediction:  North Sand Mountain 32 Lexington 20