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For the third time in program history, Hamilton will venture into the storied confines of Lou Scales Stadium—affectionately known as Death Valley—to face Alexandria in the opening round of the Alabama Class 4A state playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and the Aggies are eager to rewrite the script after dropping both prior playoff meetings at the venue.
In 2003, Alexandria ended Hamilton's season with a 49-35 second-round victory. The following year, the Valley Cubs proved even more dominant, rolling to a 43-14 triumph in the third round. Now, over two decades later, the Aggies return with hopes that the third visit will yield a different outcome.
Not long ago, both programs were mired in struggles. Alexandria, once the gold standard in Class 4A, had lost its edge and hit rock bottom with a roster dominated by freshmen and sophomores. Hamilton, meanwhile, was rebuilding under a new coaching staff after a 1-9 campaign. Fast forward to Friday night, and the two teams enter the matchup with a combined 17-3 record and two of the most potent offenses in Class 4A.
For Alexandria, those young players have matured into juniors and seniors, now seasoned veterans capable of competing for a state championship. For Hamilton, the growing pains are a distant memory. This is what November football is all about.
How They Got Here
Alexandria Valley Cubs (9-1, 5-1) – Class 4A, Region 6 runner-up. Coming off a 10-2 season and a second-round playoff appearance in 2025, Alexandria entered 2026 with high expectations. The Valley Cubs won six of their first seven games by double digits and began the season ranked No. 5 in the Alabama Sports Writers Association's Class 4A poll, climbing as high as No. 2 before a late-season loss to Leeds. That Week 8 setback cost them a shot at their first region title since 2021. However, Alexandria responded emphatically, closing out the regular season with double-digit victories over Jacksonville and Handley to finish 9-1 for the second straight year.
Hamilton Aggies (8-2, 5-2) – Third place, Class 4A, Region 7. Hamilton entered 2026 fresh off an 11-1 season and a region championship, aiming for consecutive region titles for the first time since 2008-09. The Aggies raced to a 2-0 start with identical 49-8 victories over Sulligent and Ardmore before suffering a heartbreaking 35-33 loss to Deshler. They answered with four straight wins by an average margin of 33.5 points. Then came West Morgan, whose Week 8 loss derailed Hamilton's region title hopes and left the Aggies third in Region 7 behind Deshler and West Morgan. Hamilton rebounded with a 49-12 win over Lawrence County in Week 9 and a 72-20 demolition of Haleyville last week to cap an impressive regular season.
Players to Watch
Alexandria Valley Cubs
- J.J. Beason, Senior RB: Beason is coming off a 203-yard, two-touchdown performance against Handley last week. He also scored four touchdowns against Central of Clay County this season and piled up 296 yards and four scores in a home playoff game against Fayette County last November. When Alexandria needs to shorten a game, Beason is the man to do it.
- Cole Wheeler, Senior QB: A three-year starter, Wheeler directs a Valley Cubs offense averaging nearly 40 points per game.
- Jonathan Santos, Senior ATH: The second punch in Alexandria's backfield, Santos piled up 121 yards and two touchdowns in last week's 49-14 victory over Handley.
- Royce Trantham, Junior TE/DE: At 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, Trantham is one of the more physical players you'll see at the Class 4A level.
- Evan White, Senior WR/DB: A dynamic playmaker capable of making an impact on both sides of the ball, White could present serious matchup problems for Hamilton's secondary.
Hamilton Aggies
- Mason Holloway, Senior QB: One of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in Class 4A, Holloway is equally dangerous through the air and on the ground. As a passer, he threw for 358 yards and three touchdowns against West Morgan. Against Priceville, he completed 76.5% of his passes for 245 yards and two scores. But his legs can be just as dangerous: he rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown against Priceville and ran for 85 yards and two scores on just five carries against Lawrence County while adding two more touchdowns through the air.
- Hayden Lynch, Junior WR/DB: One of Hamilton's top defenders, Lynch averages 4.6 tackles per game and has recorded four sacks and seven quarterback hurries this season.
- Camden Robinson, Junior TE/LB: A disruptive presence on defense, Robinson averages 12.4 tackles per game and has recorded 8.5 sacks, 28 quarterback hurries and four forced fumbles.
- Christian Shipp, Senior WR: A legitimate No. 2 receiving option, Shipp averages 43.1 receiving yards per game and has caught four touchdown passes this season.
- Houston Tibbs, Senior WR: Holloway's top target and a big-play threat, Tibbs recorded 185 receiving yards and three touchdowns against West Morgan alone.
- Jet Weghorst, Junior RB: Weghorst leads Hamilton's rushing attack with 403 yards and eight touchdowns on 73 carries. He has also caught 14 passes for 138 yards and another score.
Keys to the Game
What Alexandria Must Do to Win
- Ground and Pound: Despite averaging 37.2 points per game, Alexandria doesn't need to turn this into a track meet. In Hamilton's two losses, Deshler rushed for 216 yards, while West Morgan gashed the Aggies' defense for 330. That plays perfectly into Alexandria's hands. With J.J. Beason and Jonathan Santos, the Valley Cubs boast one of the top backfields in Class 4A. Run the ball. Control the clock. Keep Mason Holloway and Hamilton's explosive offense on the sideline. On Friday night in Death Valley, Alexandria's best defense could be its offense.
- Death Valley: The Valley Cubs are 6-0 at home this season and have won 10 straight at Lou Scales Stadium dating back to last year. Alexandria hasn't lost a first-round home playoff game since St. Clair County claimed a 44-28 victory in 2012. Since then, the Valley Cubs have won five consecutive first-round home playoff games. Alexandria is 18-2 in such games since 1991. They call it Death Valley for a reason.
What Hamilton Must Do to Win
- Holloway Holds the Keys: A three-sport star at Hamilton, senior quarterback Mason Holloway has the ability to make plays with his arm and his legs. The Aggies need him to keep Alexandria's defense guessing. The Valley Cubs must respect Holloway's ability to run, but they can ill afford to let him settle into a rhythm in the pocket. If Holloway gets comfortable, he can make them pay.
- Camden Robinson vs. Alexandria's Ground-and-Pound Attack: Robinson anchors a Hamilton defense that has allowed 18.1 points per game this season. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Robinson is a two-way player who contributes at tight end and linebacker. But Friday night, his most important work could come on defense. Against Alexandria's powerful backfield, Hamilton needs Robinson to win at the point of attack, fill running lanes and prevent Beason and Santos from consistently reaching the second level. Getting Alexandria behind the chains, especially on early downs, could help keep the Valley Cubs from controlling the clock. Robinson is one of the best individual defenders Alexandria has faced all season. His ability to disrupt the running game could be critical to Hamilton's chances.
The Coaches
Todd Ginn – Alexandria
Career record: 69-32 in nine seasons. The oldest son of Alexandria coaching legend Larry Ginn, Todd Ginn took over the Valley Cubs in 2018. Since then, he has won two region championships and guided Alexandria to the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons.
Evan Shipp – Hamilton
Career record: 28-15 in four seasons. Shipp accepted his first head coaching position at Hamilton in 2023, inheriting a struggling program. The Aggies had finished 1-9 in 2022 and a combined 5-15 over the previous two seasons. Since taking over, Shipp has won a region championship and led Hamilton to the playoffs in three of his four seasons.
Prediction: Alexandria vs. Hamilton
The Valley Cubs' ground game is the best Hamilton has faced all season. Hamilton will score and keep things close longer than the home crowd would prefer. But an all-night grind from Alexandria's vaunted rushing attack eventually wears down a tired Aggies defense.
Final score prediction: Alexandria 38, Hamilton 27
Jay Pace is a veteran journalist who has covered high school, college and NFL football for more than 20 years. An accomplished and versatile writer, Pace boasts a unique style and powerful voice that resonates boldly with a football-crazed southern audience. Known for data-driven reporting and field-level insight, he delivers reliable and authoritative coverage across every level of the sport. In a career that has included stops in Alabama, Georgia, Texas and most recently, Tennessee, Pace is one of the sports' premiere voices for high school football. His work has been published in a number of newspapers and digital publications including The Anniston Star, CrimsonConfidential, Scout.com, and recently, OnDaMarcSports.com in addition to various regional outlets. He began contributing to High School On SI in 2025.