Week 6 is here — and the Mobile-Baldwin picture is starting to split into contenders and pretenders. A lot of football is still left, and several big local names are on the bye (Baker, Theodore, Mary G. Montgomery, Blount, Davidson). The rest of the area gets a loaded Friday. Catch it all on 105.5 WNSP.
Alma Bryant (1-4) at LeFlore (3-2)
Both sides are coming off a tough loss and need a bounce-back more than a highlight reel.
LeFlore dropped a 22-20 region scrap at Citronelle last week after earlier losses to Orange Beach (27-7). The Rattlers are still searching for a full-time answer at quarterback — it’s been a committee more than a coronation. Joseph “Deuce” Robinson has been the brightest skill-player spark, but the turnover issues at QB remain a problem. He’s at about 345 passing yards and 2 TDs on the year (24-of-48, 50%). What is settled is the defense: Kar’Moniy Gibbs has been a maniac. The 6-foot-3 Saraland transfer already had a three-sack, forced-fumble night in the opener and was at 19 tackles and 8 TFLs through the first two games. LeFlore’s front is physical enough to dictate this one if Bryant can’t stay on schedule.
Bryant is 1-4 after falling 16-6 to Mary G. Montgomery. The Hurricanes have to establish the run to have any chance, and that’s a tall order against this Rattler defense. Last week they managed just 82 rushing yards and 78 passing in the MGM loss. If the committee at QB for LeFlore stays sloppy, Bryant can hang around. If Gibbs and the front get home, this gets ugly for the visitors.
Who bounces back first? LeFlore at home, if the defense plays like it has most of the year.
Vigor (3-1) at Benjamin Russell (3-1)
The Wolfpack hit the road for a genuine measuring-stick game in Alexander City.
Vigor is 3-1 after a 42-8 win over Citronelle, a 47-3 beating of Mary G. Montgomery, and a 28-7 win at Blount — offset by a 21-13 loss at Orange Beach. Everybody already knows what this Vigor defense can do. The question Friday is whether the offense can get rolling against a program that does not lose often. A Wolfpack win would turn 4A Region 1 into even more of a bloodbath.
Benjamin Russell is 3-1 under Kirk Johnson, whose career mark sits around 70-5 — a win rate north of 90 percent. The Wildcats rolled Russell County 38-7 last week and Stanhope Elmore 35-9 before that. Kingston Preyear is the QB to watch; the roster also features skill pieces like Eric Young and Jeremiah Garner. This is not a trap. It’s a test.
If Vigor’s defense travels and the offense finds rhythm, the Wolfpack leave Alexander City with a statement. If not, Johnson’s machine keeps humming.
Saraland (3-1) at Pell City (2-3)
The Spartans leave region play for a big non-region road trip after getting back on track.
Saraland is 3-1 and coming off a 63-14 demolition of Baldwin County, one week after a 59-9 win over Theodore. The only blemish is the early upset loss to Gulf Shores (34-24). Oklahoma commit Jamison Roberts is the reason this offense looks like a problem every Friday. Against Baldwin County he accounted for six touchdowns — five passing, one rushing — and Larry Pettway hauled in three scores, including an 80-yard run. Roberts has been torching secondaries all season. Pell City has never played Saraland, so there’s no series history to lean on.
Pell City is 2-3 under first-year coach Jake Ganus. The Panthers just survived St. Clair County 36-35 in double overtime after a 43-24 win at Pinson Valley. Losses to Central-Phenix City (54-3) and Oxford (41-7) show the gap when the opponent can score in bunches. They’ll have to rattle Roberts or stack the box and dare Saraland to beat them a different way.
Expect Roberts to have a huge day unless Pell City’s front wins first down. Saraland is trying to keep the winning ways rolling after that Gulf Shores hiccup. A clean road win sets up the rest of Region 1 just fine.
WNSP Game of the Week: St. Michael (1-3) at Bayside Academy (4-0)
Private-school heavyweight meeting in Daphne, and the records don’t tell the whole story.
Bayside is rolling at 4-0 and has been scoring in bunches: 29-18 over Jackson, 49-7 at Bayshore Christian, 55-6 over St. Luke’s, and a 71-0 Homecoming wipeout of Northside Methodist. The Admirals have piled up 204 points and allowed 31. Barrett Trotter’s group is physical, fast, and playing with house money.
St. Michael is 1-3 after a 39-35 road win at St. Paul’s snapped a three-game skid (losses to Battle Ground Academy, UMS-Wright, and McGill-Toolen). Philip Rivers’ Cardinals have talent, but they’ve been in dogfights. Series history favors Bayside 4-2 all-time, but St. Michael has won the last two meetings, 41-10 last year and 31-10 in 2024.
This is the Admirals’ first real stress test of the season. If St. Michael’s skill players get going, it’s a shootout. If Bayside’s defense looks like it has the last four weeks, the Game of the Week stays at Freedom Field late.
Faith Academy (1-3) at Murphy (1-3/1-4)
Two one-win teams, two second-year rebuilds, and a chance for somebody to feel good heading into October.
Murphy snapped a long losing streak with a 33-6 win at Elberta, then got punched in the mouth 54-0 by Gulf Shores. The Panthers are looking for win No. 2 and a little breathing room before Spanish Fort and Saraland show up on the schedule. This is a program trying to climb back toward the glory days, and Friday is a winnable home date.
Faith Academy is 1-3 after a 35-7 win at Bay High and then a brutal stretch: 38-7 to Montgomery Catholic, 35-10 at UMS-Wright, and 38-0 to McGill-Toolen. The Rams need a clean night on both sides of the ball. Two second-year head coaches are trying to drag these programs forward. The team that protects the football and finishes drives probably leaves with the second win.
Week 6 is when the standings start to mean something. Contenders will look the part. Pretenders will get exposed. A lot of football left — but Friday night around Mobile and Baldwin is loaded.
Catch all the coverage right here on 105.5 WNSP.
