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Photo by Shawn Bowles.
Hewitt-Trussville takes the field during a game between Hewitt-Trussville and Hoover on Friday, Nov 17, 2023, at Hewitt-Trussville Stadium in Trussville, AL. Photo by Shawn Bowles.
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Photo by James Nicholas.
Clay-Chalkville defensive lineman, Patrick Smith (45) and outside linebacker NaKarius Allen (13) look to the side line for the play call during a game between Mountain Brook and Clay-Chalkville High School’s on Friday, November 17th, 2023, at Clay-Chalkville High School, Jerry Hood Field, Cougar football Stadium in Clay AL. Photo by James Nicholas
The playing field has been dramatically reduced once again, but Hewitt-Trussville and Clay-Chalkville remain standing in the high school football playoffs. Hewitt is into the Class 7A semifinals, while Clay will be playing in the 6A quarterfinals this week.
Hewitt-Trussville (9-3) at Thompson (10-1)
- Date: Friday, Nov. 24
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Thompson High School
Last week: Hewitt-Trussville blew out Hoover 40-7; Thompson pulled away from Vestavia Hills 34-14.
What to watch: Last week’s win was a big one for Hewitt-Trussville. After six straight playoff trips that ended in the second round, the Huskies broke through into the semifinals with a win over Hoover. The Huskies are in the 7A semifinals for the first time and in the state semifinals for the first time since 1996. They will now have an opportunity to avenge a disappointing 40-14 loss to Thompson earlier this year. The Warriors have been playing at an elite level since a tight loss to Clay-Chalkville, and are playing like they are in fact the four-time defending state champions. In the last three meetings, Hewitt has only netted a combined 35 points, so a better offensive output will certainly be among the keys to victory. The Huskies also need to continue to play the type of defense that has allowed them to hold six opponents to 14 points or less.
Last meeting: Thompson routed Hewitt-Trussville 40-14 on Oct. 6, 2023. Thompson has won seven of the last eight meetings between the teams.
What’s next: The winner will face the winner between Central-Phenix City and Mary Montgomery in the Class 7A state championship game, set for Dec. 6 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Clay-Chalkville (11-0) at Muscle Shoals (11-0)
- Date: Friday, Nov. 24
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: James F. Moore Stadium
Last week: Clay-Chalkville hung on to beat Mountain Brook 17-13; Muscle Shoals pulled away from Fort Payne to win 41-10.
What to watch: This is one of two battles of unbeatens in the Class 6A quarterfinals, as Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa visits Saraland on the other half of the bracket. Clay’s playoff draw has been and will continue to be quite difficult. The Cougars beat a strong Mountain Brook team last week and will get another strong team this week. This is a Muscle Shoals team that has only played one close game all season, a double overtime victory over Hartselle in early October. The Trojans advanced to the semifinals last year, before Mountain Brook knocked them off. Stingy defense will be the key for Clay once again, as Thompson is the only team to score more than 14 points on the Cougars all season.
Last meeting: Clay-Chalkville defeated Muscle Shoals 35-14 on Nov. 14, 2014, in the second round of the state playoffs, in the only previous meeting.
What’s next: The winner gets the winner between Parker and Gadsden City next week in the semifinals.
Historical information courtesy of AHSFHS.org.
