By By BRUCE HIXON, Sports editor
Even though four weeks still remain in the Alabama high school football regular season, all four of the Class 3A Region 1 playoff berths could be determined as early as Friday night.
T.R. Miller, Pike County, Straughn and W.S. Neal will clinch playoff berths if each wins this week. Based on the records of this week's matchups, there is a strong chance that will happen.
Three of the schools can clinch their playoff berths on their home turf. T.R. Miller (4-0 in region play and 6-0 overall) entertains Hayneville Central (2-3, 2-4), while W.S. Neal (3-1, 5-1) is home against Calhoun (0-5, 0-6). Pike County (4-0, 5-1) has a home date against Clarke County (1-3, 3-3). The only top four school with a road game this week is Straughn (3-1, 5-1), which visits Elba (0-4, 0-6).
While the playoff berths can be determined this week, the postseason seeding picture for Region 1 is much more complicated. All four schools can still claim the region championship with the right scenario.
One item has been pre-determined. Region 1 will be paired against Region 4 for the opening round of the playoffs, which start Nov. 7. Region 4 contains Aliceville, Francis Marion, Midfield, Northside, Oak Grove, Sumter County, Tarrant and West Blocton.
Meanwhile Region 2 will be paired against Region 3 in the opening round. Region 5 will play Region 8, while Region 6 will meet Region 7.