The #2 Minor Tigers have to get past their last hurdle to claim the Class 6A, Region 6 championship against the #8 Clay-Chalkville Cougars Friday night at Minor Stadium in Adamsville, Alabama. The Tigers haven't won their region since 2003, but a young and improving Clay-Chalkville stand in their way in a great region matchup between the two schools.
"Were playing a really good football team Friday night," says Tigers Head coach George Bates. "They have one of the best players in the country. Even though they don't have their quarterback from last year, they have a lot of experience at different positions on offense with a good young quarterback. This is still a very good football team. The last three times they have played us, they embarrassed us. I can't call this a rivalry game because we haven't beat them. They are still the class team in the region until someone knocks them off."
For Clay-Chalkville (6-2, 4-1) come into this game averaging 31.1 points per game on offense. The offense has some key weapons along with some experienced offensive line. Quarterback Willie Miller is getting better and better every week taking over the reigns from Ty Pigrome who has made the transition to Maryland. "He has done a great job but we have a ways to go with Willie," said Cougars Head coach Jerry Hood. "He has some natural talent, a tough and smart kid. Working on seeing all the coverage changes and pressure reads, but has great composure for a sophomore." For the season, Miller has completed 120-of-197 (61%) for 1,654 yards and 18 touchdowns with 144 yards on 65 carries & 2 touchdowns.
With all of the defenses double teaming wide receiver Nico Collins (offers from Alabama, Michigan & Georgia) mostly every game, the other Cougars need to make the big plays for Clay-Chalkville to get the big win. "Nico has found his way in the last two or three games that we have played," added Hood. "He knows that he is going to get doubled and move him around a lot. Were going to make it difficult for teams to double him. The other two receivers have to make catches and when they do we are very good and when they don't we are not very good."
On the season, Collins has 750 yards on 36 catches and seven touchdowns. The other two receivers that need to have solid games will be Roderick McCloud with 303 yards on 23 catches and three touchdowns and Terrill Cole with 322 yards on 26 catches and four touchdowns. Quentin Young has 610 yards on 78 carries for a 7.8 yard per carry average and seven touchdowns to lead the run game.
The run game has been pretty good for most of the season. Tackle Eddie Rox leads the offensive line. Tj Busby, Tay Merritt, Khylon Clayton and Xavier Wright leads a talented offensive line.
On defense for Clay-Chalkville, the Cougars start seven sophomores on that side of the ball. The Cougars give up 31.1 points per game. Last week against Carver-Birmingham the defense gave up 41 points and they need to improve this week against Minor. "Last week against Carver, we played great in the first half," said Hood. "We really struggled in the second half and that is just youth. We coach them and stay patient with them. We tell them something is going to go your way. They have take the ball away this year and I'm proud of them."
Some of the young players are sophomores defensive back Jaylin Mack, defensive lineman DJ Dale, defensive lineman LC Purifoy, linebacker Jackson Jones, and defensive back Andru Ransaw. Senior Keilend Clayton leads the defensive line. The front seven will need to put pressure on the Minor quarterback to keep the offensive weapons at bay.
The Minor Tigers (7-0, 4-0) average 52.1 points per game to lead the Class 6A in scoring. The Tigers have a lot of go to guys that they can turn to on offense. Minor has struggled on offense in the first quarter the last two games and will need to turn that around against the Cougars. JaCure' Jackson leads the Tigers offense. The senior quarterback has completed 87-of-154 passes for 2,012 yards with 26 touchdowns and six interceptions. Jackson is averaging 23.1 yards per completion. On the ground, Jackson has 309 yards on 53 carries and five touchdowns. That is 31 total touchdowns on the season for Jackson.
Jackson has a lot of options on offense. All-purpose kick returner, running back, and wide receiver Jaylon Adams has 4.3 speed that can break one at any time on the field. "Having a guy that can catch a short pass and turn it into an 80-yard touchdown play," said Hood. "Here is the danger, if Jaylon catches a two-yard pass, then it's like a kick return return and we better get to the football fast or it will turn out bad. They have four or five like that. They are a heavy senior class that is playing very well." Adams (offers from Illinois, Indiana, UAB, Troy) has 686 yards on 29 receptions and 11 touchdowns with 406 yards on 30 carries and eight touchdowns. The senior WR/RB is averaging 13.5 yards per carry and 23.7 yards per reception on the season.
Another weapon for the Tigers is DeLonte Evans. The junior receiver has 697 yards on 27 receptions for a 25.8 yard per catch average with 10 touchdowns. DeAndre Charleston has 190 yards on 23 carries and three touchdowns with 465 yards on 21 receptions and five touchdowns. Dominic Ellis has 302 yards on 48 carries and five touchdowns.
One of the newcomers to the run game has been the addition of Jeffery Lee. Lee has 78 yards on eight carries, 217 yards on nine catches and two touchdowns with a 60-yard TD on a punt return last week against Benjamin Russell. "He is our special teams caption the last four games and has done a great job for us," added Bates. "He is getting some featured looks on offense. He will do anything we need him to do. Some kids ask on helping but don't have the talent. Not the case with Jeffery. He has a great work ethic that wants to help the team."
Offensive lineman senior Greg Birdsong leads the way for the Tigers. Seniors Donvan Cash and Zion Bowens are solid lineman for the Tigers. The Minor offense run game averages 215 yards per game this season.
On defense, the Tigers only give up 14.0 points per game and do a great job of creating opportunities for the Tigers offense. "We really feed of each other," said Bates. "We want to give our offense as many opportunities to score as we can. We have a lot of hard workers on defense."
Corners Yul Gowdy and Justin Brown will have the task to keep Collins in check all night long. Gowdy sat out against Benjamin Russell last week but is ready to go against the Cougars. Gowdy has an interception on the season along with a kickoff return for a touchdown against Gardendale. "They both have to play with in the system," said Bates. "They are going to need to play with good technique. Both of them will step up to the challenge. They play real hard on defense."
Middle linebacker Kordell Britton leads the defense in tackles with 33 total tackles and two interceptions this season. Defensive end/outside linebacker Stacey Willis has 30 total tackles and three sacks this season.
On special teams for the Tigers, Minor has decided not to kick extra points after the first two games. "We only hit on 30 percent the first two games," said Bates. "So if we get 60 percent of our two point converstions then that will be good for us."
A lot of good matchups in this game. Look early to see how the Cougars defense tries to defend Adams. Most linebackers are having a hard time keeping up with his speed out of the back field on the short passes. Also, the Cougars defense has played well the first half of a game, but start giving up points in the fourth quarter. They will need to have a four quarter defensive game against Minor to win it. Also, the Minor secondary against the Cougars receivers are other matchup problems for the Tigers. Also, both defenses will need to keep an eye on Jackson and Miller so they just don't drop back and take off down the field.
