The last week of Pumpkin Month can mean only one thing; next week is the first week of November. True enough but in FNS (Friday Night Spotlight) terms it&8217;s week 9 of AHSAA play and week 10 of AISA.

This is the last week of regional play in 5A Region 3, something has got to give. McAdory stands alone in first with a 5-1 conference record. Tied for second with 4-2 records each is Bibb, Shelby, Chilton&Demopolis. Only the top four from each region will make the cut for the playoffs so as you can see, somebody&8217;s got to go.

The big game for the region will be in Centreville as Bibb hosts McAdory. A McAdory win sends the Choctaws off on their own &8216;football trail of tears&8217;. A Bibb win over &8216;Big Mac&8217; would not only send seismic shock waves thru the 5A universe but would create another quandary for the AHSAA &8216;suits&8217; as now they have gridlock in first place with 5 teams at 5-2 (assuming Shelby beats Wilcox, Chilton shows up at Dallas County and Demopolis takes Brookwood).

Brookwood at Demopolis

The Panthers have won more games (2) this season than they have in the last two seasons combined. Despite having two winless seasons in a row, interest was spiked with a new coach on the scene. 96 guys showed up at spring training to compete for positions. The Panthers started the season with 17 seniors on the roster. Their offensive line was their strength going into the 2006 season. The Panthers will have decent size on the line particularly on the right side. They will start 3 seniors in their group of down linemen.

Unfortunately these &8216;Coal Mining Cats&8217; have needed a GPS system to find the end zone. The past three weeks they have scored just 7 points in back to back losses to McAdory, Shelby and Wilcox. Their two wins were identical 17 zip shutouts over lowly Dallas County and 4A Oak Grove. Their coach, Ricky Bush, is familiar with Demopolis as he is the former head man at Dallas County and the last couple of seasons was an assistant coach at Northridge under Mike Smith.

Last year Coach Bush was overheard commenting on the Northridge sideline as Demop punished his boys 54-0 &8220;One of these days Goodwin is going to run out of talent and payback is hell&8221;.

He is right on all counts. One of these days Goodwin will run out of talent. It might not happen in mine or his lifetime, but yeah one of these days Goodwin will run out of talent. You are correct again, payback is hell.

Game night question: Is Demopolis distracted just enough by the homecoming festivities that B&8217;wood hangs on and makes a game of it?

Sweet Water at John Essex

The Bully Dawg Express is rolling now.

If there was any question about this team, the results of last weeks smack down over South Lamar should answer it. SWHS finishes up their regional home work with The Hornets in Saltwell.

The season for both schools could be boiled down to the results from last week. Sweet Water played a tough South Lamar team and won big earning the right to proclaim themselves &8216;The Big Dawgs of 1A Region 4&8217;; John Essex lost their homecoming to lowly Akron and got whipped like yard dogs. So, give me a pound dog.

Game night question: Will Sweet Water be as sharp this week or are they still coasting from the win last week and looking ahead to the resumption of the rivalry with American Christian?

WAP at Autauga

This will be the last night the WAP seniors will ever put on those jerseys. There is no post season for these guys, Autauga one on the other hand is playoff bound. The Eagles are the #1 team in A Region 2.

Autauga&8217;s only blemish on their record was an embarrassing 42-6 loss to Marengo three weeks ago. Game night question: Will the &8216;WAPsters&8217; be able to put together a two game win streak to close out their 2006 season?

Southern at Bessemer

The schedule makers at AISA Central certainly did not do the Cougars any favors by putting the Bessemer Rebels on their schedule.

Whether the schedulers knew it or not, they have put the two best teams in AISA together for the regular season finale&8217;. Southern plays on the AA level and Bessemer plays AAA, so there is no chance for these two to hook up in the playoffs. Just for the record,1st round for &8216;the privates&8217; begin next week (November 3), Southern host Springwood and Bessemer is at home to Clarke Prep.

Coach Bonds likes a challenge, he will have it tonight. Their own only common opponent, Tuscaloosa Academy, was used and abused by both: Southern 69-0 and Bessemer 45-12.

Game night question: Who is the toast of AISA?

Cottage Hill at Marengo Academy

To apply a lyrical quote from Stevie Winwood to MA, they are &8220;back in the high life again&8221;. Meaning the Longhorns are in the playoffs as the #4 seed from AA Region 1. Despite a close win against Jackson, the steers will be playing in November for the first time in several years. Their opponent tonight, the Cottage Hill Warriors from Mobile are playoff bound as well, they qualified for the AAA level.

Game night question: Can MA pull some of that old Linden magic out of the turf at venerable Linden field to ambush these blue and gold dudes from the port city?

If you are going to the DHS game, wear blue and take your radio. The game will be broadcast on 104.9 (Jack FM) in addition to 99.1. By the way, all the questions will be completely answered by about 9:45 tonight. The questions are answered on the field by the competitors. Play hard. Play for fun. Play to win.