Defensive lineman Nick Gentry's football career will continue past this Saturday.

But whatever awaits at the collegiate level, the Prattville senior won't forget his time as a Prattville Lion. It's a high school career that has seen the three-year starter develop into an All-State performer and a University of Alabama commitment.

"My four years here have been the greatest four years of my life," Gentry said. "Playing under these coaches and with these teammates, it's been a lot of fun. This has been like a big family. It's hit some of us this week, that this is our last week of practice. To tell you the truth, I don't want it to end, but I guess it has to."

Prattville (14-0) will close the season Saturday at Legion Field, looking for its first state title since 1984. The Lions face four-time defending 6A champion Hoover (13-1) at 3 p.m. The Bucs defeated Prattville 22-7 in the 2004 championship.

"It's probably like another home game to them, but it's a big game for us," Gentry said. "It's like a rematch for us (seniors). We really want to win this. We want to prove ourselves Saturday."

Individually, this season has seen the 6-foot-2, 265-pound Gentry turn in another dominating performance. Despite missing two full games and part of another with an injury, Gentry has recorded 49 tackles and 14.5 sacks.

But Gentry said the area he's tried to make the most progress in is leadership. Already one of the Lions' defensive leaders, the 2005 All-State performer's role increased even more when he verbally committed to Alabama this past August.

"I've tried to help teach the young guys how to step up," Gentry said. "We've had a lot of young players step in this year. We've got some guys that hadn't played before, like at linebacker, but they came in and they picked it up right away. Now, they're probably some of the best linebackers in the state.

"I look forward to seeing what some of these guys are going to do next year."

Prattville head coach Bill Clark said Gentry's play and leadership have intensified in the playoffs. Gentry has 14 tackles and 3.5 sacks in the postseason.

"I think in the playoffs, especially, Nick has come forward to take on the leadership role," Clark said. "He had a good regular season, but it's almost like he was waiting for the playoffs. When it gets to the win or you're done stage, he has really been great and made the plays you expect him to make."

Clark said having to miss the final two games of the regular season and part of the first round, "probably made him a little hungrier."

Gentry said the missed time did help motivate him for the playoffs.

"It's hard to watch guys playing, knowing you can't be on the field making plays too," Gentry said. "But overall, I think it helped me get ready for the playoffs. I stayed fresh and when I came back, I was ready to play."

It also gave Prattville an opportunity to develop more depth on the defensive line.

Already using an eight-man rotation for much of the season, the Lions got an opportunity to look at some other players.

"It gave some other guys a chance to step in and prove themselves," Gentry said. "They had to show their ability, that they could play, and they did. Since then, our rotation on the defensive line (has been even stronger)."