Week 4 of the high school football season brings a matchup nobody had circled in the preseason: two unbeaten Class 4A, Region 1 teams, one of them a program that did not exist six years ago.
Game of the Week: No. 9 Orange Beach (3-0) at LeFlore (3-0), 7 p.m. Friday
Raise your hand if you had this penciled in as a battle of 4A, Region 1 unbeatens.
The Makos come in off likely the biggest win in school history, a 21-19 victory over then-No. 2 Vigor. It is the first 3-0 start for Orange Beach since 2022. The program’s first varsity season was 2020.
“I think we have a pretty cohesive group of kids,” coach Wade Waldrop said. “I think they feed off each other well, respond really well to each other. That’s probably a little different than the last two years, and I guess you attribute that to the leaders on this team. We’ve been really good at responding when we have adversity.”
LeFlore is 3-0 for the first time since 2004. The Rattlers came from behind to beat Robertsdale 22-16 and Davidson 28-27 before shutting out Satsuma 38-0 last week.
“We are where we worked to be,” said first-year coach Jonathan Mitchell. “When we looked at our schedule this summer, we thought we had a chance to be here. Now, we have to make sure our guys stay humble and keep competing. We have to take care of our business, cut down on penalties and try to run the ball better.”
The Numbers
LeFlore senior quarterbacks John Carter and Joseph Robinson have combined for 554 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Ryion Austin is the top threat with 13 receptions for 341 yards and four scores. Robinson leads the team in rushing with 215 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. Senior Kar’moniy Gibbs leads in tackles with 26.
Orange Beach quarterback Tucker Wade has completed 84 percent of his passes for 266 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Verchaun Simms has three touchdown receptions. Junior tight end and defensive lineman Lee Steele is among the top football and basketball prospects in the state.
An 84 percent completion rate is the figure that jumps off the page. It suggests an offense built on high-probability throws and a quarterback protecting the football — which is a sensible formula for a young program winning close games.
What Each Coach Sees
“They are a well-coached team, and they’ve got some studs,” Mitchell said of Orange Beach. “No. 99 (DL/TE A’marie Trammell) is a stud. No. 0 (Steele) is a high-motor kid who does a lot of great stuff on film. It’s a big task for us. Our offensive line has a big job in front of them. I think our guys will be up to the task.”
“Their defensive front is very good. They have three really good players on the defensive line. The quarterback is very explosive. He can run, pass and has multiple receivers who can go get it,” Waldrop said. “You can look at them and see why they are 3-0. For us — going on the road — we were very clean when we went to Brewton a few weeks ago. That is a must again Friday night.”
“I’ve been around a lot of talented players and a lot of good teams. I think talent wise, our team has a very high ceiling,” Mitchell said. “I think it will come down to doing the little things well. Can we correct the penalties we’ve had? Can we stop the run? If we can do those things consistently, the sky is the limit.”
Five More Games to Watch
All games 7 p.m. Friday.
Baker (2-1) at No. 10 Daphne (2-1)
An early-season meeting between two teams that could contend for the 6A, Region 1 title. The Trojans rallied past Carver-Montgomery and Alma Bryant after losing their opener at rival Spanish Fort. Dontavis Young rushed for 171 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries last week against the Hurricanes. The Hornets have won two straight since losing their opener to 4A No. 1 Williamson, with Eric Scott’s team beating Theodore and Davidson. Baker plays its third straight road game in a stretch of four.
No. 10 Citronelle (2-0) at No. 4 Vigor (2-1)
Vigor tries to bounce back from just its third regular-season loss in three years, a 21-19 heartbreaker at Orange Beach that opened 4A, Region 1 play. The Wolves started the season with wins over Blount (28-7) and Mary G. Montgomery (47-3). Citronelle comes off a bye following wins at Jackson (22-13) and over Washington County (56-19). Vigor has won 19 of 23 all-time meetings, including the last four.
Fairhope (2-1) at Mary G. Montgomery (1-2)
A pivotal region game in recent years, this one is about momentum rather than standings: MGM’s games do not count in the 6A, Region 1 standings with the Vikings on AHSAA restrictive probation. MGM notched the first win of the Alex Page era last week, beating Robertsdale 28-14, with senior Kam Smith rushing for all four touchdowns. Caleb Ross’ Pirates have recovered from a season-opening loss at Niceville, Fla., beating Baldwin County and Foley. Nic Ronsisvalle rushed for 190 yards and three scores on 33 carries against the Lions. Safety Cooper Bell had nine tackles and two interceptions.
St. Michael (0-2) at No. 2 McGill-Toolen (2-1)
Coastal Alabama’s two Catholic schools meet for the first time since 2023. McGill won the first two meetings, 27-7 in 2022 and 35-31 in 2023. The Yellow Jackets beat St. Paul’s 34-24 last week for their first Double-A Private Region 1 win, with running back Ladarien Miller scoring three touchdowns and intercepting a pass for David Faulkner’s team. The Cardinals lost 17-13 to UMS-Wright in their first region game; running back Nygel Mitchell rushed for 236 yards and two touchdowns. N.C. State quarterback commit Gunner Rivers missed his first full game with a knee injury.
Theodore (2-1) at No. 3 Saraland (1-1)
Saraland had its 41-game home winning streak snapped in a 34-24 loss to Gulf Shores. Oklahoma quarterback commit Jamison Roberts completed 19 of 36 for 218 yards and three touchdowns in the loss. The Spartans have not lost two straight since opening 2021 with losses to Theodore (28-14) and Hewitt-Trussville (41-0). Randy Larson’s first Theodore team has ridden running back Kendrick Able, who rushed for 239 yards and three touchdowns last week against Baldwin County. Through three games, Able has 515 yards and seven scores on 76 carries.
Player to Watch: Ladd Powers, Bayside Academy
The senior tight end was nearly unstoppable last week against Bayshore Christian and could have another big night against St. Luke’s. For the season he has eight receptions for 162 yards and two touchdowns.
Under the Radar: Faith Academy (1-1) at No. 5 UMS-Wright (2-1), 7 p.m. Friday
Sam Williams’ Bulldogs are coming off consecutive dramatic wins over Mountain Brook and St. Michael, holding off the Cardinals 17-13 for their first Double-A Private Region 1 win. Faith is 0-1 in region play after a 38-7 loss to Montgomery Catholic.
Did You Know?
One lengthy losing streak ends this week when Elberta hosts Murphy in a 5A, Region 1 game.
The Warriors have lost 13 straight, their last win coming against Marbury on Nov. 1, 2024. Murphy’s streak is longer — 24 consecutive losses dating to a 34-20 win at Baldwin County on Oct. 20, 2023.
The two schools have never played one another. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Friday.
Week 4 Coastal Alabama Schedule
Thursday
- Foley at Alma Bryant
- Williamson at Pine Forest, Fla.
Friday
- Baker at Daphne
- Baldwin County at Spanish Fort
- Bayshore Christian at Providence Christian
- Bessemer Academy at Clarke Prep
- Blount at Gulf Shores
- Breakthrough Charter at Sweet Water
- Chickasaw at J.U. Blacksher
- Citronelle at Vigor
- Escambia Academy at Munroe, Fla. (8-man)
- Escambia County at Wilcox Central
- Fairhope at Mary G. Montgomery
- Faith Academy at UMS-Wright
- Fruitdale at Leroy
- Hillcrest-Evergreen at Luverne
- Jackson at Opp
- Marengo at Washington County
- McIntosh at Millry
- Murphy at Elberta
- Northside Methodist at Mobile Christian
- Orange Beach at LeFlore
- Patrician Academy at Jackson Academy
- Robertsdale at Davidson
- Satsuma at B.C. Rain
- Snook Christian at Cottage Hill
- Southern Choctaw at Choctaw County
- South Choctaw Academy at Monroe Academy
- St. Luke’s at Bayside Academy
- St. Michael at McGill-Toolen
- St. Paul’s at Glenwood
- Theodore at Saraland
- Thomasville at Monroe County
- T.R. Miller at Flomaton
- W.S. Neal at Excel