Football look ahead

Now at the end of the regular football season, three teams will continue for at least another week.

Russellville secured the top spot in their region and will host a first round playoff game. Red Bay will be the fourth seed in their region and travel in the first round of the playoffs. Phil Campbell has all but earned a playoff bid as a four seed in the playoff because of a tie breaker rule. Tharptown and Vina will play their final games on Friday night.

Phil Campbell (4-5) hosts Red Bay (5-4) – Phil Campbell is coming off a big win over Clements to effectively put the Bobcats in the Class 3A playoffs as a four seed. Red Bay is coming off a loss to Hatton that put them as a fourth seed in the Class 2A playoffs. Both teams appear evenly matched. Phil Campbell won last year in double overtime 30-24.

Russellville (8-1) at Athens (7-2) – The Golden Tigers go on the road this week against Class 6A Athens who only has lost two games this season – to Muscle Shoals and Hartselle. The Eagles and Russellville have played one common opponent – East Limestone. Both teams won that game with Athens having a slightly better outcome. Russellville lost last year 32-31.

Tharptown (1-8) at Whitesburg Christian (1-8) – Tharptown and Whitesburg Christian come into their final game with pride on the line. Both teams have one win this season. Tharptown beat Phillips the second game of the year. Whitesburg lost the first eight games of the season before pulling out a win last week against Sand Rock 38-22. Whitesburg has scored 131 points this year and has given up 338. Tharptown lost last year 49-7.

Vina (0-8) at Waterloo (0-8) – Vina and Waterloo both go into their final game without a win. Waterloo has been shutout five times, and Vina has been shutout four times. The Cougars have scored 68 points and have given up 399 points. The Red Devils have scored 44 points and given up 351 points. Vina lost last year 46-8.