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By ZACHARY SEIFTER/ Staff Writer

The end of the 2021 season is here. After 10 weeks of action, teams are now preparing for their last regular season game.

Some will play beyond this week while others will pack it up and take a break before preparing for the 2022 season.

Four local teams have clinched playoff spots. Three others have either already played their last game of 2021 or will this week.

Here is a look at each team’s final regular season matchup.

 

Game of the week:

 

Thorsby (5-4) vs Billingsley (4-5)

 

In the only matchup this week to feature two local teams, Thorsby travels to Billingsley in a clash between two teams that have already locked up playoff berths.

Thorsby comes into this game riding a two-game losing streak. The Rebels lost back-to-back games against tough regional opponents in Luverne and Highland Home. However, Thorsby will look to get back in the win column this week and get some momentum going into the postseason.

On the other side is a Billingsley team that is hot right now. The Bears have surged in the second half of the season, winning three straight games after a 1-5 start to clinch a playoff berth.

During that three-game stretch, the Bears have been averaging over 48 points per game on offense while giving up an average of seven points per game on defense. They will look to keep it up and stay hot going into the playoffs.

 

Other games:

 

Maplesville (9-0) vs Montevallo (7-2)

 

Maplesville High School heads to Montevallo this week looking to cap off a perfect regular season.

The Red Devils have been nothing short of dominant this season, but standing in their way is a Montevallo team that has been excellent in 2021 as well, and is currently riding a five-game winning streak.

Maplesville has seen few tests as tough as this Bulldogs team in 2021. Montevallo has been strong on both sides of the ball. On offense, the Bulldogs have scored an average of over 36 points per game. Their offense has been even more impressive during the winning streak, as they have averaged 47.4 points per game in their last five games. On defense, Montevallo has given up an average of slightly over 20 points per game.

Maplesville’s defense will have the tough task of containing Montevallo’s high-powered offense. However, the Red Devils have been superb on defense this season, giving up just over eight points per game and posting four shutouts.

It will be fun to see which unit comes out on top in this matchup.

 

Isabella (7-2) vs Keith (7-1)

 

One week after clinching the regional title with a victory over Luverne, Isabella heads to Keith this week for a tough season finale.

The Mustangs have won seven games in a row following a 0-2 start to the season. They have been outstanding on both sides of the ball, and have gotten better each week.

Keith, meanwhile, has been equally as impressive this season. The Bears also won their regional championship, and their lone loss was to a tough Southside High School team in a non-regional matchup.

The Bears come into this game well-rested, as they won last week thanks to a forfeit by Shields High School.

Isabella will not be as rested, but the Mustangs are carrying a ton of momentum into the game after their victory over Luverne.

This game is not a regional matchup, and both teams have secured their spots in the playoffs, so the result of the game does not matter to each team’s championship aspirations.

However, look for both teams to play this game like it is their last, and try to take positive momentum into the postseason.

 

CCHS (2-7) vs Marbury (4-5)

 

Chilton County High School caps off its 2021 season with a home matchup against Marbury. The Tigers will try to break a four-game losing streak in this matchup.

Marbury comes into the game having clinched a postseason berth. The Bulldogs had a two-game winning streak broken last week by Demopolis in their last regional game of the season.

CCHS will try to get its offense going after a short stretch of disappointing performances. The Tigers have scored a total of 35 points in their last three games. This comes after a stretch in which the offense looked potent in a win over Shelby County and a loss to Helena. The Tigers offense will need to get back to the level they played at in those two games if they want to finish the season off with a victory.

On defense, CCHS has been decent for most of the season. The Tigers have given up an average of just over 25 points per game. The defense will need to show up for CCHS to go into the offseason with a victory.

 

Jemison (0-9) vs Elmore County (0-9)

 

Jemison comes into week 11 still in search of its first win of the season. This week, the Panthers will have a chance to get it as they face off against an Elmore County team still in search of its first win.

The 2021 season has been a struggle for both squads. Both have faced difficulties on both sides of the ball, and both will need to overcome those difficulties in order to win this game.

Jemison’s offense will be a key factor in this matchup. The Panthers have averaged under 11 points per game this season, and they face an Elmore County defense that has given up an average of 44 points per game this year.

On the other side of the ball, Jemison’s defense will need to hold up against the Elmore County offense. Elmore County has scored an average of just under 20 points per game this season. Jemison’s defense, meanwhile, has given up an average of 42 points per game.

JHS will host this matchup, and the Panthers hope that homefield advantage will help them get their first win.