Prattville Lions Top Austin, Advance to Quarterfinals Third Straight Season
Prattville High School flag football defeated previously unbeaten Austin High School 7 to 6 in the second round of the Class 6A and 7A playoffs on November 17, advancing to the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season. The narrow win capped a week in which Prattville allowed only one touchdown in two playoff games and highlights growing local investment in youth sports and opportunities for female athletes.
Prattville secured a defensive victory on November 17, beating previously unbeaten Austin High School 7 to 6 in the second round of the Class 6A and 7A playoffs. The win sent the Lions into the quarterfinals, marking their third straight appearance in the Elite 8 and underscoring a sustained run of success for the program.
Prattville reached the second round after a dominant first round performance that ended with a 33 to 0 shutout of Hueytown. Over the two playoff games the Lions allowed only a single touchdown, a stout defensive showing that coaches credited to a gauntlet of tough regular season matchups that prepared the team for postseason intensity. Prattville entered the quarterfinals with 15 wins and 7 losses on the season.
Head Coach Mike Battle lauded the group effort and credited offseason work and adjustments after losing a key quarterback to graduation. Junior quarterback Abby Kelley stepped into the starting role and effectively distributed the ball in both the pass and run aspects of the offense, while the defense continued to be a consistent foundation for the team.
Prattville was scheduled to travel to face Spain Park in the quarterfinal on Tuesday at 6 00 p m, with the winner advancing to the Class 6A and 7A Final Four. Winning on the road against a strong opponent will be a test of depth and preparation for a program that has become a fixture in the late season brackets.
Beyond wins and losses this season has brought local momentum around youth athletic participation, particularly for girls and young women embracing flag football. Sustained success can increase community pride and encourage broader support for school sports programming, which in turn influences youth physical activity and mental health. It also raises questions about equitable resources for athletics across schools and the need for continued investment in safe play standards, coaching development, and access to facilities throughout Autauga County.
For Prattville fans the immediate focus is the quarterfinal road trip and the chance to push into the Final Four, while the larger community watches how a successful girls program can shape opportunities and health outcomes for local youth.
