While some schools around Alabama Independent School Association are positioning themselves to make a playoff run, Fort Dale Academy is now looking at improving its seeding in the playoffs.

The Eagles (4-1) clinched a spot in the upcoming Class AAA playoffs with a convincing 40-8 victory over rival Monroe Academy Friday night.

"It's all good and well that we've clinched a spot, but we've got to better our positioning in the playoffs," Fort Dale Academy coach James "Speed" Sampley said. "If we lose the rest of our area games then we're playing Bessemer (defending AAA champs) in the first round."

The Eagles have yet to get into the teeth of their schedule. Fort Dale still has dates with seventh-ranked Faith Academy next week, fourth-ranked Morgan Academy

and sixth-ranked Patrician to close out the regular season.

But the eighth-ranked Eagles won't have to worry about playoff seeding this Friday when they take on winless Lee-Scott.

The Warriors dropped to 0-5 on the season following a 36-7 thumping by Edgewood Academy.

The Auburn school is low on numbers this season. Coach Roddie Beck only had 18 players dress for Friday's game.

"I worry about every game we play whether its area or non-area," Sampley said. "They are catching us at a good time anyway because we are coming off our rival game, and this is our homecoming week."