Patriots host Lee in round one Friday

The Homewood Patriots open what they hope will be a deep run in the playoffs when they host Lee of Huntsville Friday at 7 p.m. at Waldrop Stadium.

The Patriots (8-2), runners-up in Class 6A, Region 5, actually tied Walker at 6-1 in the region, but Walker beat Homewood head-to-head to earn the top seed.

Lee finished third in Class 6A, Region 7. The Generals (6-4) finished strong, winning six of their last seven games. The only loss in that stretch was to Fort Payne, the region champ. Offense is the name of their game; they've scored 30 or more points in six of their 10 games and average 26 ppg. They have allowed 22 ppg.

The Patriots will count on their tough defense, and the running game with timely passing mixed in, to keep the Generals' offense off the field. That means big games from running back Derrick Underwood and quarterback Carson Griffis, and the defense headed by defensive end Griffin Gentry and his cohorts. The Patriots are averging 29 ppg on offense and allowing 14 ppg on defense.

Coach Ben Berguson is in his second year as Patriots head coach with a 17-5 record. He led the Pats to the second round of the playoffs last season.

Tony Woods is in his first year as Lee head coach.

The two schools have not played since 2001. Homewood has won all three previous meetings, all in the playoffs -- 38-14 in 1998, 27-12 in 2000 and 45-12 in 2001.

If the Patriots win Friday, they will travel to their next opponent regardless of who it is. They would meet the winner of Cullman at top-ranked Clay-Chalkville. Cullman would get the home game because they traveled this week. Clay-Chalkville would get the home game because it is on the lower line of the bracket. 

Tickets are $8.