By Erik Harris, sports editor
The race to Bryant-Denny continues tonight, as the third round of the AHSAA state football playoff unfolds.
Only eight teams remain in classes 1A through 6A, while Class 7A has narrowed it down to the final four.
Locally, Pinson Valley and Clay-Chalkville square off against the two top-ranked Class 6A teams in the state tonight. For the third-ranked Indians (9-2), it’s a visit from No. 1 Oxford (11-1). For the sixth-ranked Cougars(11-1), it’s a trip to No. 2 Mountain Brook (11-1).
The winners of those two third-round games will collide next Friday in the state semifinals. The next stop would be Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa for the annual Super 7 championships.
See the complete statewide playoff schedule below.
Third-round Results
CLASS 4A
Gordo (12-1) 48, West Limestone (11-2) 13
Friday’s Pairings
CLASS 1A
Linden (12-0) at Sweet Water (8-2)
Maplesville (9-3) at Brantley (12-0)
Brilliant (7-5) at Berry (10-1)
Hubbertville (9-2) at Pickens County (9-3)
CLASS 2A
Isabella (11-1) at Abbeville (10-2)
Lanett (10-2) at Leroy (10-1)
North Sand Mountain (11-1) at Spring Garden (11-1)
Mars Hill Bible (10-2) at Aliceville (7-4)
CLASS 3A
Trinity Presbyterian (10-2) at Montgomery Academy (12-0)
Montgomery Catholic (10-2) at Thomasville (10-1)
Fyffe (12-0) at Ohatchee (11-1)
Saks (8-3) at Piedmont (11-1)
CLASS 4A
American Christian (12-0) at Alabama Christian (10-2)
Bibb County (10-2) at Handley (10-1)
Northside (10-2) at Etowah (9-2)
Gordo (12-1) 48, West Limestone (11-2) 13
CLASS 5A
UMS-Wright (8-4) at Faith Academy (11-1)
Central, Clay County (11-1) vs. St. Paul’s Episcopal 12-0)
Pleasant Grove (9-2) at Alexandria (11-1)
Russellville (10-2) at Ramsay (11-0)
CLASS 6A
Opelika (9-2) at Saraland (10-2)
Blount (8-4) at Spanish Fort (9-3)
Oxford (11-1) at Pinson Valley (9-2)
Clay-Chalkville (11-1) at Mountain Brook (11-1)
CLASS 7A
Semifinals
Central-Phenix City (8-4) at Auburn (10-1)
Hoover (11-1) at Thompson (12-0)