The playoff picture is almost in focus.

Following wins by all four Crenshaw County schools, there is a good chance that each team could make the playoffs.

Fourth-ranked Luverne (7-1, 6-0), which secured a Class 2A playoff spot a couple of weeks ago, clinched its sixth consecutive region title following a 34-6 win over Lanett to claim the Region 3 championship.

Brantley continued its winning ways with a 46-0 shutout win over McKenzie. The third-ranked Bulldogs (8-0, 6-0) will finish either first or second in Class 1A, Region 2 pending the outcome of this week's regional contest against Ariton in the battle of the undefeated.

The Highland Home Squadron (3-5, 3-3) continues to refuel each week and has managed to pull out two consecutive region wins, putting them back in the hunt for a playoff spot. The Flying Squadrons' latest victim was G.W. Long, 21-15, which they won in come-from-behind fashion.

Crenshaw Christian improved to 5-3 overall and 5-2 in the area with a 34-14 road win over South Montgomery County Academy. The Cougars have guaranteed at least fourth spot in the playoffs.

Following the second consecutive perfect 4-0 week of predictions, this prognosticators' record improves to 25-5 or 83 percent.

This Friday night will be the regional makeup week for Alabama High School Athletic Association member schools. The fourth week of the high school football season was postponed statewide as a result of damage sustained from Hurricane Ivan.

Luverne will travel to Horseshoe Bend tomorrow night to play in its last region contest of the season. The Generals suffered a 54-8 loss to Marbury last week.

The Tigers have already done what they set out to do during the regular season, which was to win the region title in order to earn home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs against a fourth-seeded team.

After speaking with Head Coach Mike DuBose, he stated that he and his coaching staff would use this week's game to play a lot of younger players in preparation for the postseason. Talk about a wise decision.

The Tigers' first unit is sure to get some playing time early and shouldn't have a problem padding a lead for the younger bunch behind them.

Prestridge's Pick: Luverne.

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Brantley will face Ariton Friday night on the road in a game which will determine the Class 1A, Region 1 champion. Ariton slipped by Pleasant Home 8-0 last week.

The Bulldogs have shown strengths in all phases of the game this season, but will have to put all of that together in the next couple of weeks in order to make some noise in the playoffs. As for Ariton, BHS should be able to come away the victor as long as the Bulldogs' offense plays smart and doesn't commit any turnovers and the defense continues to step up.

Brantley destroyed Pleasant Home two weeks ago 71-26 and by the looks of it, Ariton

had some trouble with the Eagles. The Bulldogs should be able to claim another region title.

Prestridge's Pick: Brantley.

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B.B. Comer will be the final region opponent for Highland Home tomorrow night at home. Talk about being fortunate.

The Tigers are winless this season, which gives good reason to believe that the Squadron has a shot at a win, which would give them a 4-3 record in the region and could secure a spot for them in the Class 2A playoffs. B.B. Comer fell hard to Beulah last week, 55-16. Highland Home snuck past Beulah 28-27 in week two of the season.

The Squadron is going to have to play strong in the first half if it wants to take what wind is left out of B.B. Comer's sails. Getting on the scoreboard early should help prevent confusion and panic.

Costly turnovers will also have to be avoided.

Prestridge's Pick: Highland Home.

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Crenshaw Christian Academy will seek another area win this week against Chambers Academy at home. Two weeks ago, Chambers defeated South Montgomery County Academy 34-13.

Crenshaw will have to step it up on defense and stick to the running game to be successful. Chambers is not going to allow the Cougars to run the ball all night, so the coaching staff should mix in a few pass plays, reverses and add a little trickery.

Turnovers could be the deciding factor in this game.

This should be a close game and fans will definitely get their moneys worth.

Prestridge's Pick: CCA.

Adam Prestridge is editor of

The Luverne Journal. He can be reached at 334-335-3541 or by e-mail: adam.prestridge@luverne journal.com