Photo by Savannah Schmidt
Hewitt-Trussville team breaks through the barrier in the Hewitt-Trussville vs Vestavia game at Thomspon Reynolds Stadium on Sept. 6, 2024.
Region play is back, with many teams playing crucial games this week.
Hewitt-Trussville (5-1) at Thompson (3-2)
- Date: Friday, Oct. 4
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Warrior Stadium – Thompson High
Last week: Hewitt-Trussville breezed past Pinson Valley 59-7; Thompson fell to Clay-Chalkville 14-13 in overtime.
What to watch: Hewitt-Trussville has a prime opportunity this week against Thompson. The Huskies have only notched one win over the Warriors in recent years, but have come close a couple other times. Hewitt will certainly view this game as a chance to stay in the region title race and will need to put together a complete game in order to capitalize on that opportunity.
Last meeting: Thompson beat Hewitt-Trussville 21-10 in the state semifinals on Nov. 24, 2023. Thompson holds an 11-6 edge in the all-time series and has won eight of the last nine.
Next week: Hewitt-Trussville hosts Prattville; Thompson travels to Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa.
Mountain Brook (4-2) at Clay-Chalkville (5-0)
- Date: Friday, Oct. 4
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Cougar Stadium
Last week: Mountain Brook held off Homewood 27-22; Clay-Chalkville edged Thompson 14-13 in overtime.
What to watch: This is a matchup for supremacy in Class 6A, Region 6. The Spartans and Cougars have met several times in the playoffs in recent years, but they are region foes for at least this year and next. Mountain Brook is one of the toughest teams to prepare for, according to Clay coach Stuart Floyd. Clay-Chalkville is coming off a Thompson win for the second straight year. Mountain Brook is coming off a win over Homewood and will test the Cougars’ stingy defense with a strong running game. Even in years the Cougars have been clear favorites, Mountain Brook has made life difficult.
Last meeting: Clay-Chalkville held off Mountain Brook 17-13 in the second round of the state playoffs on Nov. 17, 2023. Mountain Brook holds an 8-4 edge in the series, though.
Next week: Mountain Brook hosts Pinson Valley; Cay-Chalkville remains at home to play Huffman.
Briarwood (1-5) at Corner (5-0)
- Date: Friday, Oct. 4
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Corner High School
Last week: Briarwood beat Leeds 31-14; Corner beat Jacksonville 35-28.
What to watch: Briarwood is fresh off its first win of the year with some newfound momentum. The Lions will need every bit of that as they hit the road to face an unbeaten Corner squad with its playoff hopes on the line. Having a healthy Luke Reynolds back is a big deal, but a young Lions team as a whole is gaining experience and confidence with each passing game. An upset is not out of the question in this Class 5A, Region 5 matchup.
Last meeting: Briarwood beat Corner 40-15 on Oct. 29, 2021. Corner has won just once in nine previous meetings all time.
Next week: Briarwood heads back home to face John Carroll; Corner plays at Hayden.
Chelsea (5-0) vs. Chilton County (2-4)
- Date: Friday, Oct. 4
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Chelsea High School
Last week: Chelsea blew past Paul Bryant 49-12; Chilton County got past Brookwood 39-7.
What to watch: Chelsea is flying high so far this year, especially having won its last two games in much less dramatic fashion than the previous two. The Hornets are off to their best start since 2015 and have not been 6-0 since 2005. If the Hornets can avoid looking ahead to a showdown with Spain Park next week, they should be able to notch a win.
Last meeting: Chelsea knocked off Chilton County 25-13 on Oct. 20, 2017. Chelsea has won three straight meetings and leads the series 8-6.
Next week: Chelsea heads to Spain Park in a big region game; Chilton County travels to Calera.
Homewood (5-1) vs. Gardendale (4-2)
- Date: Friday, Oct. 4
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Waldrop Stadium
Last week: Homewood fell to Mountain Brook 27-22; Gardendale beat Central-Tuscaloosa 33-28.
What to watch: Homewood is fresh off its first loss, one against non-region foe Mountain Brook that gave the Patriots a true look into where they stand halfway through the year. Head coach Ben Berguson is hopeful those lessons from that contest will only help the Patriots move forward and back into region play this week. Gardendale has bounced back from a three-win season and is off to a strong start this year.
Last meeting: Gardendale knocked off Homewood 35-27 in the second round of the state playoffs on Nov. 12, 2021. Homewood holds an 8-3 edge in the series.
Next week: Homewood takes an open date; Gardendale hosts rival Mortimer Jordan.
Oak Mountain (3-2) at Hoover (4-2)
- Date: Friday, Oct. 4
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Hoover Met
Last week: Oak Mountain took an open date; Hoover fell to Parker 14-10.
What to watch: Hoover will look to bounce back from last week’s tough loss to Parker. Make no mistake, Parker is one of the best teams in the state and looked as such, as the Thundering Herd held Hoover to no offensive touchdowns and fewer than 100 total yards of offense. The Bucs will look to get back on track against an Oak Mountain team that has been much better this year than in recent years. Oak Mountain is certainly the underdog heading into this game, but will look to compete well against the upper echelon of Region 3.
Last meeting: Hoover blew out Oak Mountain 62-14 on Oct. 6, 2023. This series has been as one-sided as it gets, as Hoover has won all 22 meetings in the series.
Next week: Hoover travels to Tuscaloosa County; Oak Mountain hosts Vestavia Hills.
John Carroll (2-4) vs. Wenonah (4-1)
- Date: Friday, Oct. 4
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Pat Sullivan Field
Last week: John Carroll beat Montevallo 27-7; Wenonah knocked off Huffman 28-6.
What to watch: John Carroll got some things to feel good about last week, winning handedly over Montevallo. The Cavs jump back into region play this week against a Wenonah team that has been impressive so far. The Dragons’ only loss is a one-point defeat to unbeaten corner, and they boast a win over Briarwood. The task is a tall one for John Carroll, but certainly not impossible.
Last meeting: John Carroll knocked off Wenonah 49-35 on Oct. 27, 2023. The teams have split 12 previous meetings over the years.
Next week: John Carroll travels to Briarwood; Wenonah hosts Carver-Birmingham.
Spain Park (5-0) at Pelham (1-4)
- Date: Friday, Oct. 4
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Ned Bearden Stadium – Pelham High
Last week: Spain Park knocked off James Clemens 34-24; Pelham took its open date.
What to watch: Spain Park has now beaten three Class 7A teams in its first year as a 6A program again. The Jags rallied from a two-touchdown deficit last week to beat 7A James Clemens. Pelham dropped its first four games, but got in the win column for the first time two weeks ago in region play. The Jags are the heavy favorite in this one and should be able to improve to 6-0 on the year.
Last meeting: Spain Park shut out Pelham 39-0 on Nov. 2, 2023. Spain Park holds a 9-5 edge in the series.
Next week: Spain Park hosts Chelsea on Thursday; Pelham travels to Helena.
Vestavia Hills (1-4) at Prattville (4-1)
- Date: Friday, Oct. 4
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Wetumpka High School
Last week: Both teams took an open date.
What to watch: These two teams have opposite records that don’t tell the full story of what this matchup will be. Vestavia Hills’ first half has included four of the best teams in Class 7A. The Rebels did earn their first win against Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa few weeks ago, but now they face a Prattville team that was riding high after winning its first four. The Lions were brought back to Earth a little by Hoover, but this game will be a major factor in deciding a playoff berth out of Region 3.
Last meeting: This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
Next week: Vestavia Hills is on the road again at Oak Mountain; Prattville heads to Hewitt-Trussville.
Historical data courtesy of AHSFHS.org.
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The midseason reprieve from region play has arrived, with teams across the state playing non-region games or taking an open date. Here’s what we’ve got on tap for this week in games involving our Under the Lights teams.
Clay-Chalkville (4-0) at Thompson (3-1)
- Date: Friday, Sept. 20
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Warrior Stadium – Thompson High
Last week: Clay-Chalkville took an open date; Thompson got past Vestavia Hills 38-17.
What to watch: This was one of the best games of the year last year, as Clay-Chalkville took down Thompson with a major comeback, spearheaded by star quarterback Jaylen Mbakwe. The highlight of the night was a two-point conversion reception by offensive lineman Shaq McRoy that gave the Cougars a three-point lead late in the game. Both teams have shown the makings of being two of the state’s top teams once again, making this inter-class matchup an appealing one once again this fall.
Last meeting: Clay-Chalkville upset Thompson 36-33 in a nationally televised game on Sept. 28, 2023. Clay has won three of the four meetings between the two schools.
Next week: Clay-Chalkville hosts Mountain Brook in a key region game; Thompson remains home to play Hewitt-Trussville.
Hewitt-Trussville (4-1) at Pinson Valley (1-4)
- Date: Friday, Sept. 20
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Willie Adams Stadium – Pinson Valley High
Last week: Hewitt-Trussville beat Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 37-16; Pinson Valley fell to Shades Valley 25-19 in overtime.
What to watch: Hewitt-Trussville got back on track last week. The Huskies rebounded from their loss to Hoover by running away from Hillcrest in the second half. Hewitt will take a break from region play this week to play a longtime local foe in Pinson Valley, but the Indians have been in a tough stretch the last couple seasons. This should be an opportunity for the Huskies to experience some success ahead of a trip to Thompson next week.
Last meeting: Hewitt-Trussville beat Pinson Valley 49-27 on Aug. 20, 2021. The Huskies have dominated the series over the years, holding a 25-7 edge in the series. Hewitt has won nine straight.
Next week: Hewitt-Trussville travels to Thompson for a big region game; Pinson Valley takes an open date.
Homewood (5-0) at Mountain Brook (3-2)
- Date: Friday, Sept. 20
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Spartan Stadium
Last week: Homewood shut out Jackson-Olin 52-0; Mountain Brook fell to Oxford 29-28.
What to watch: The Under the Lights Game of the Week features longtime local rivals that haven’t played in a couple years. Homewood has dominated its first five games of the year, but this non-region game will be its biggest challenge to date. Mountain Brook will have to bounce back from a tough defeat in a game it was the better team for the majority of the action.
Last meeting: Mountain Brook blew past Homewood 49-14 on Oct. 14, 2021. The Spartans have won eight of the last nine in the series and holds a 20-15 overall edge.
Next week: Homewood returns to region play to host Gardendale; Mountain Brook heads to Clay-Chalkville for a region contest.
Briarwood (0-5) vs. Leeds (5-0)
- Date: Friday, Sept. 20
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Lions Pride Stadium
Last week: Briarwood fell to Wenonah 20-14; Leeds beat Jacksonville 42-13.
What to watch: This season has been nothing short of extremely challenging for Briarwood, which is 0-5 for the first time since 1992. The Lions have had their opportunities in multiple games, but haven’t been on the right side of things yet. A non-region game against a familiar foe certainly won’t be any easier. Leeds head coach Jerry Hood was on staff at Briarwood before taking over the Green Wave, and he has his program rolling at the moment.
Last meeting: This will be the first meeting between the two programs.
Next week: Briarwood resumes region play with a trip to Corner; Leeds hosts St. Clair County.
Chelsea (4-0) at Paul Bryant (0-4)
- Date: Friday, Sept. 20
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Paul Bryant High School
Last week: Chelsea ran away from Calera to win 56-28; Paul Bryant took an open date.
What to watch: Chelsea got a win last week that didn’t stress head coach Todd Cassity out through the final whistle, beating Calera in impressive fashion. The Hornets now take on a down-and-out Paul Bryant team that has struggled so far this fall. While the result will have no ultimate ramifications on their season, the Hornets would love to be 5-0 and feeling good heading into the back half of the schedule.
Last meeting: This will be the first meeting between the two programs.
Next week: Chelsea heads back home to play Chilton County; Paul Bryant travels to Bessemer City.
Hoover (4-1) vs. Parker (4-1)
- Date: Friday, Sept. 20
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Hoover Met
Last week: Hoover thumped Prattville 40-6; Parker fell to Carrollton (Ga.) 48-26 in a nationally televised contest.
What to watch: Hoover is certainly a team on the rise, having won three straight and started Class 7A, Region 3 play on a high note. The Bucs will get a stern test from another one of the top 6A teams in Parker after falling to Spain Park earlier in the season. Parker competed well against Carrollton last week, and the Thundering Herd have certainly loaded up their schedule this year.
Last meeting: Hoover beat Parker 45-19 on Sept. 14, 2001. The Bucs have won seven of 10 previous meetings in the series, which was contested every year from 1986 through 1993.
Next week: Hoover remains at home for the third straight game to host Oak Mountain; Parker hosts Jackson-Olin.
John Carroll (1-4) at Montevallo (1-3)
- Date: Friday, Sept. 20
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Montevallo High School
Last week: John Carroll fell to Ramsay 41-0; Montevallo took an open date.
What to watch: John Carroll ran into the best team in the region last week and fell to Ramsay. The Cavs will try to get back on the winning track this week against a non-region foe in a similar spot. Montevallo has struggled to get going this fall under Garrett Langer. The Montevallo program as a whole has been a strong one in recent years, but has moved from 3A up to 5A in the span of eight years.
Last meeting: John Carroll beat Montevallo 21-19 on Oct. 10, 1997. John Carroll holds a 4-2 edge in the series.
Next week: John Carroll heads back home to play Wenonah; Montevallo hosts Selma.
Spain Park (4-0) at James Clemens (4-0)
- Date: Friday, Sept. 20
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Madison City Schools Stadium
Last week: Spain Park knocked off Benjamin Russell 42-15; James Clemens got past Grissom.
What to watch: Even though it is not a region contest, this will be the third consecutive week with a stern test for the Jags, as they travel to take on an unbeaten Class 7A squad. The Jags have looked the part as one of the top teams in the state this year, having already beaten two 7A teams in Sparkman and Hoover to begin the year before two solid region wins.
Last meeting: James Clemens knocked off Spain Park 21-12 on Nov. 4, 2016 in the first round of the state playoffs. This will be the third meeting between the teams, but the first regular season contest.
Next week: Spain Park gets back into region play with a trip to Pelham; James Clemens travels to Florence.
Historical data courtesy of AHSFHS.org.
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