GAME OF THE WEEK

Class 5A, Region 8

Hartselle (4-1, 3-0) at Muscle Shoals (5-0, 3-0) Radio: FM-106.3 The skinny: Muscle Shoals rose to No. 1 for the third time in school history this week, the first time since 1989, while formerly top-ranked Hartselle dropped to fourth after its 19-game winning streak was snapped by 6A Decatur, 21-14, last week. ... Muscle Shoals' defense is allowing a state-best 1.8 ppg after allowing its first TD of the season in last week's 38-6 win against Dora. ... RB Jamarcus Nance is averaging 15 yards per carry and has six TD runs of at least 45 yards this season. ... Hartselle out-gained Decatur 364-206 in the loss. QB Deacon Aldridge totaled 191 yards on 20-of-31 passing and rushed for 77 yards on 20 carries.

CLASS 6A, REGION 8

James Clemens (0-5, 0-3) at Florence (2-3, 2-1) Radio: FM-93.9 The skinny: Florence is looking to rebound from its worst offensive performance of the season. The Falcons had five turnovers in a 35-7 loss at Oxford last week. QB Kendrick Doss was 10-for-23 passing for 92 yards with two INTs, and the Falcons managed 85 yards rushing. ... James Clemens is still searching for its first win as a program in its first year of competition, having been outscored 201-65 so far this season, including a 41-14 loss last week at East Limestone.

CLASS 5A, REGION 8

Cullman (4-1, 2-1) at Russellville (4-1, 2-1) Radio: AM-920 The skinny: Russellville has picked up momentum since its Week 2 loss to Muscle Shoals with three straight wins and faces its toughest game since. ... The Golden Tigers won 16-0 at Walker last week. LB Logan Ezzell had 11 tackles to lead a strong defensive performance, as Russellville held Walker to 85 yards of offense. ... RB Tyler Boyd rushed for 128 yards and a TD. He has 803 yards and eight TDs this season. ... Cullman beat 3A No. 9 Madison Academy 42-21 last week. QB Zac Crocker was 29-of-39 passing for 277 yards with five TD passes to three different receivers.

CLASS 4A, REGION 8

Rogers (2-3, 1-2) at Central (4-1, 3-0) The skinny: Central took one on the chin last week, losing 45-8 to 3A No. 5 Lauderdale County. The Wildcats fell into a 26-0 hole and struggled to move the ball, netting 162 of its 232 yards rushing came on three plays. ... Rogers saw QB/RB Austin Kerr return to form in last week's 28-27 OT win against Lexington, as he rushed for two TDs (2, 11) and passed for another (42).

Haleyville (4-1, 2-1) at Brooks (4-1, 3-0) The skinny: Brooks is looking to keep pace with Central atop the Region 8 standings, while Haleyville is trying to close the gap. ... Brooks lost 49-35 to Deshler last week, giving up 21 points in the fourth quarter. Brooks allowed 458 yards rushing. ... Haleyville's only loss came 35-23 against Central in Week 4. ... Haleyville QB Tanner Ivey was 14-of-23 passing for 227 passing yards and three TDs in 26-14 win at Winfield last week.

West Limestone (3-2, 1-2) at Wilson (3-2, 2-1) The skinny: West Limestone is riding a modest two-game winning streak while Wilson has won three in a row for the first time since 2006. ... Wildcats have beaten East Lawrence and Elkmont in consecutive weeks. ... Wilson's streak includes wins against Priceville, Rogers and Red Bay. ... Jason Futrell is Wilson's leading rusher and two weeks ago against Priceville he racked up 351 rushing yards. ... West Limestone has averaged 43 points per game in its three wins, but just 9.5 points in its two losses.

CLASS 3A, REGION 8

Colbert County (5-0) at Lauderdale County (4-1, 2-1) Radio: FM-97.3, AM-1240 The skinny: A win could go a ways for Lauderdale County in wrapping up one of the top two spots in the region. The 3A No. 5 Tigers have already played Madison Academy and Deshler, the Mustangs handing Lauderdale County its only loss. ... QB Samuel Grisham rushed for 198 yards on 13 carries with four TDs (3, 1, 47, 49) in 45-8 win at Central last week. ... Colbert County survived against Sheffield, 17-14, last week despite being out-gained 344-171. ... The Indians are ranked seventh in 3A but have yet to play Madison Academy or Deshler in region.

Deshler (2-3, 1-2) at West Morgan (1-4, 1-2) The skinny: After a tough start to the season against arguably one of the toughest schedules, Deshler found its offense in a 49-35 win over Class 4A Brooks a week ago. ... Terrance Byrd paced the Tigers with 250 yards and two TDs, while Juakeem Fuqua had 156 yards and three rushing TDs. He also had a 15-yard TD reception. ... West Morgan failed to generate much offense last week in a 28-7 loss to previously winless East Lawrence. ... Demetrius Warren was West Morgan's best performer in the loss, rushing for 125 yards on 25 carries.

CLASS 3A, REGION 7

Hamilton (5-0, 3-0) at Vinemont (4-2, 2-1) The skinny: Hamilton is ranked No. 4 in Class 3A in this week's prep poll. ... The Aggies got a test last week in holding off Gordo 21-14. ... Mitch Stults threw for three TDs in the win and now has 10 TD passes for the season. ... Garrett May leads Hamilton's ground game with 337 yards, while Stults has 293 yards rushing. ... Vinemont went 2-8 in 2011, but doubled that win total with a 21-0 victory over Brewer last week. ... Vinemont is led by running back Ty Jones, who ran for 204 yards on 29 carries in last week's victory over Brewer.

CLASS 2A, REGION 8

Red Bay (2-3, 2-1) at Sheffield (3-2. 3-0) The skinny: Both Red Bay and Sheffield are coming off tough non-region losses last week and look to regain some momentum in an important Class 2A, Region 8 clash. Sheffield is tied for first in the region with a 3-0 record while Red Bay is right behind at 2-1. Sheffield lost a tough 17-14 decision to Colbert County last week when the Bulldogs missed a 42-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs defense only gave up 171 total yards but gave up a special teams touchdown to the Indians. Red Bay turned the ball over four times and gained just 147 yards in a 20-7 loss to Wilson last week.

Lexington (2-3, 1-2) at Hatton (2-3, 2-1) The skinny: Important game in the playoff picture for both teams. ... Hatton is hitting the meat of its region schedule with remaining games against Tanner, Sheffield and Colbert Heights. ... Lexington closes the region schedule with games against Phil Campbell, Cherokee and Red Bay. ... Hatton failed to score in a 7-0 loss against Lawrence County last week. ... Lexington took Rogers to overtime before losing 28-27. ... Quarterback Brandon Putman ran for 138 yards in the loss for Lexington. ... Romie Senior led Hatton with 72 yards last week.

Colbert Heights (2-3, 1-2) at Tanner (5-0, 3-0) The skinny: Tanner has established itself as a Class 2A title contender. The Rattlers have allowed only three touchdowns this season but should be tested by Colbert Heights, which has a strong passing attack. ... Wildcats QB Cole Claunch threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns a week ago in a 34-32 loss to Hackleburg. ... Blake Fisher was his favorite target against Hackleburg with three touchdown catches. ... Hayden Stephens had a big game in last week's win against R.A. Hubbard, rushing for 143 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries.

Phil Campbell (1-4, 0-3) at Cherokee (2-3, 0-3) The skinny: Both Phil Campbell and Cherokee are looking for their first Class 2A, Region 8 victory. Cherokee is coming off a 48-40 non-region victory over Tharptown last week while Phil Campbell lost a shootout to Phillips 58-44. Phil Campbell's defense has been porous so far this season, giving up over 50 points per game in its four losses. That bodes well for Cherokee's offense, which ground out 435 rushing yards in its victory over Tharptown. Jeffrey Patrick led the Indians with 161 yards rushing on 12 carries and scored two touchdowns in last week's win.

CLASS 1A, REGION 8

R.A. Hubbard (2-3, 1-2) at Tharptown (2-3, 2-1) The skinny: R.A. Hubbard will be trying to snap a two-game losing streak when it travels to Tharptown. The Chiefs are coming off a 48-0 loss to Tanner as they hit the stretch run in a bid to make the playoffs. ... Tharptown is an improved team this season with standout quarterback Kelby Hallmark leading the way. ... Wildcats lost a 48-40 shootout to Cherokee a week ago. ... Hallmark threw two touchdown passes and ran for two while rallying Tharptown from a 35-13 halftime deficit. ... R.A. Hubbard was held to 64 yards and did not complete a pass against Tanner.

Hackleburg (4-1, 3-0) at Vina (0-5, 0-3) The skinny: Hackleburg stepped up in Class last week and claimed a 34-32 victory over Class 2A Colbert Heights. ... Corey Yocum blocked a 29-yard field goal attempt on the game's final play to give Hackleburg the win. ... QB Dylan Gallaway ran for 87 yards and threw for two scores in the win for the Panthers. ... The Red Devils are coming off a 45-14 loss to Brilliant. ... Michael Hester continued to be a bright spot for Vina, scoring on a 56-yard run against Brilliant. ... Hackleburg has won nine straight in the series.

Phillips (3-2, 2-1) at Waterloo (1-4, 0-3) The skinny: Phillips can put itself in good position for a playoff berth with a win tonight. ... Quarterback Rodney Camp accounted for 482 yards of offense and five touchdowns in last week's 58-44 victory over Phil Campbell. ... Austin Mitchell had a kickoff return for a touchdown and an interception for Phillips last week. ... Waterloo lost its fourth straight last week, falling 47-3 to Valley Head. ... Bobby Fox leads the Waterloo offense with 444 yards rushing this season. ... The all-time series is tied at nine wins each.

TENNESSEE

CLASS A, REGION 6

Loretto (5-2, 4-0) at Collinwood (4-2, 2-1) The skinny: Loretto is trying to maintain at least a share of first place in the region standings while Collinwood will try to snap a two-game losing skid. ... A win by the Mustangs would eclipse last season's win total. ... QB Matt Rosson ran for two touchdowns and passed for one last week in a 49-7 rout of Cornersville. ... Logan Montgomery and Peyton Risner were bright spots for Collinwood in a 51-18 loss. Montgomery ran for two touchdowns and Risner finished with 113 yards and one touchdown. ... Loretto beat Collinwood in 2011 to snap a six-game losing streak to the Trojans.

Wayne County (2-4, 1-2) at Cornersville (2-4, 1-2) The skinny: Wayne County looks for its first two-game winning streak after beating Columbia Academy 35-17 a week ago. ... Wildcats were helped by the return of Brandon Lowe to the lineup. Lowe, injured in the preseason, rushed for 146 yards on 17 carries. Jacob Bevis (181 yards) and Carson Kelly (106 yards) also eclipsed the 100-yard mark. ... Cornersville has allowed 130 points during its three-game losing streak.

CLASS AAA

Lawrence County (2-5, 0-4) at Franklin (4-3, 1-2) The skinny: Lawrence County seeks its first region win against a Franklin team that had its three-game winning streak snapped last week by Ravenwood. ... The Wildcats are coming off their best offensive performance this season as Jake Brewer and Elijah Gang combined for 294 rushing yards. ... Franklin won 53-0 in 2011. ... Lawrence County's Maurice Lockridge has four touchdowns in the past two games.