By Joshua Huff, sports editor
CENTER POINT – After spending the past three weeks on the road, Center Point can finally enjoy a rare Friday off as the Eagles sit out the final week of the regular season following a tough, 12-19, loss to Class 5A, Region 5 opponent Central Clay County.
As self-described road warriors, the Eagles played five out of their final six games on the road. In that span, the Eagles went 4-2 with losses to Sylacauga and Central Clay County (both playoff teams).
A victory of the Volunteers last week would have propelled Center Point to the top of the region, however, the loss sent the Eagles plummeting to fourth in the region with an unofficial matchup at Etowah. Had Center Point defeated Central Clay County, the Eagles would be hosting a home game against a 4-6 Boaz squad that did not win consecutive games once this season.
Instead, the Eagles are set to travel to face a dangerous Etowah team that will enter the contest 9-1 with its lone loss coming at the hands of Pell City, 6-45. That Pell City loss came against a Panthers team that currently sits 2-7 and winless in Class 6A, Region 6. Since Pell City’s victory over Etowah, the Panthers have lost three consecutive games and have scored a combined total of three points.
So, how did a hapless Pell City program defeat the previously undefeated Blue Devils: balance and control.
Pell City recorded 377 yards of total offense in the victory. The Panthers had 264 rushing yards and 113 passing yards. Before the Blue Devils could even catch their breath, the Panthers had jumped out to a 28-6 lead. In the end, Etowah coughed up three turnovers and quarterback Brady Troup was limited to 9-of-21 passing for 83 yards.
That Etowah offense, which returned to form in the three games following that loss, now collides with a Center Point defense that ranks second in Region 5 for least points allowed through seven region games (92). The Eagles have allowed just 16 points per game overall this season.
Etowah has averaged 37 points per game this season in a region that will send a sub .500 team into the playoffs. Overall, the combined record of all the Blue Devil’s opponents this season sits at a paltry 40-60. Center Point has had a rougher road to traverse this season: the Eagles’ opponents combined record is 55-40.
“I know we have a dang good football team,” Center Point head coach George Bates said. “We’ll get ready for our first-round opponent.”
Center Point has defeated one Class 6A opponent this season: a 22-21 victory over Homewood.
