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Game Overview

Saraland returns to the state finals for the 3rd consecutive year. The Spartans took home the title in 2022 with a comfortable win over Mountain Brook. Last year, their chances of a repeat were foiled when quarterback Kj Lacey was stopped just short of the goal line on the final play of the Championship game, sending Clay-Chalkville home with the 2023 title.

The stars will be out in this game. Just among the seniors, Saraland’s Antonio Coleman, a defensive lineman, is committed to Alabama, and wide receiver Dillon Alfred has committed to Ole Miss.

Parker has their own star in defensive back Na’eem Offord, who is currently committed to Ohio State, but fans at Auburn and Oregon are hoping to see a signing day flip. Defensive lineman Jourdin Crawford is committed to Alabama. Defensive back Timothy Merrit is committed to Miami and edge rusher Caleb Smith will be taking his talents to the University of Washington. That’s a lot of star power – and that’s only the seniors.

Like so many others in this year’s Super 7 Championship, this game will be a contrast in styles. Saraland led by Lacey, a senior committed to Texas, likes to put the ball in the air. It’s been a successful formula for the Spartans. Not only are they undefeated, but they haven’t trailed for a single second this season. Parker prefers to keep the ball on the ground. That’s worked well for the Thundering Herd. They come into the Championship game with a 12-1 record. Whatever method the two teams use, their offenses tend to run at about a 2-1 margin.

Preview: Saraland Spartans

You can’t talk about Saraland without talking about Kj Lacey. Despite missing three games this season, he is about 200 yards away from the state passing yardage record. This season, he has passed for over 2,800 yards and 38 touchdowns. He is one of five Saraland quarterbacks to throw at least one touchdown pass this season. Lacey is also the third leading rusher on the team, well behind junior Santae McWilliams, Jr. who rushed for over 1,200 yards and notched 18 touchdowns. Lacey is the Saraland running attack, but when he gets ready to throw the ball, Lacey has options. 

His favorite receiver is CD Gill. Gill pulled down 70 balls for over 1,200 yards and 20 touchdowns. Junior DeShawn Spencer had over 950 yards receiving along with 11 touchdowns. Seniors Dillon Alfred and Teran Senegal combined for 760 yards receiving and notched ten touchdowns.

Defensively, the Spartans are led by Antonio Coleman and fellow senior defensive lineman Damond Williams. Jaxon Roberts is a senior leader in the linebacker room, and senior defensive back Arterus Moffett is the leader in the defensive backfield.

“We play good defense,” Coach Jeff Kelly said. "Antonio is very disruptive on defense. Kj is the best player in the state and Santae is a four-year starter for us. We have a nucleus. This game will be a great offense verses a great defense. We will go as far as Kj takes us.”

Preview: Parker, The Thundering Herd

Parker led by Coach Frank Warren is shooting for their 1st State Championship in football. They are a run-first team with a mean defense. The run-first works for the Thundering Herd. They are averaging 35 points per game and giving up fewer than 10 per game.

“We are run heavy,” Coach Warren said, “but we can throw the ball.”

Parker is helping lead a football resurgence in the city of Birmingham. This season, the Thundering Herd had convincing wins over several metro-Birmingham schools that, not too long ago, chalked the Parker game up as an easy win.

This year, they took down Mountain Brook (twice), Gardendale, Mortimer Jordan, Hoover and Homewood.

“The Birmingham AD has invested in facilities at city schools. We are keeping kids in the city,” said Coach Warren. “Four out of seven city schools made the playoffs. We have better coaching now.”

The Parker defense has leaders who aren’t currently committed to Power 4 programs: senior defensive back Joseph Holt, junior defensive lineman Vodney Leveland and junior defensive back Johnny Moody. Loveland is a top recruit in the class of ’26.

On the offensive side of the ball, junior quarterback Dylan Reese passed for almost 1,500 yards, threw for 14 touchdowns and ran for another 3 scores. The Thundering Herd rushed for over 3,800 yards, and they were led by Terrence Gaines, who accounted for almost 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns. Na’eem Offord and fellow senior Timothy Merritt teamed up with juniors Isaiah Miles and Chancellor Sparks to grind out another 2,200 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Final Thoughts

If Parker can contain Lacey, the defense will prevail. If Lacey gets hot and the Spartan offense starts to hum, Parker may have to see just how well they can throw the ball to keep up with Lacey and the Spartans.

RELATED: 2A PREVIEW: Reeltown vs. Tuscaloosa Academy, 4A PREVIEW: Cherokee County vs. Jackson

APT's high school football previews give an overview of the Super 7 Championship teams. They include coach interviews, player stats and more. See all previews and view the full schedule here.