Belgreen (2-1)
BYE
Last week: Belgreen put a damper on Tharptown’s homecoming game, knocking off the Wildcats 30-14. Landon Cox and Skyler Vickry had two rushing touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
Next week: The Bulldogs host Tanner at Sparks Stadium on September 20.
Phil Campbell (1-1, 1-0)
at Oakman (1-1, 0-0)
Date: Friday, September 13, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Hosea Collins Field
Last week: After trailing at home to region rival Vinemont in the first half, Phil Campbell came back to tie it up 14-14 at the end of regulation. The Bobcats then fought through multiple overtime periods, eventually outlasting the Eagles 44-42 after the hosts sealed it with a two-point conversion in the fourth overtime. Sophomore quarterback Hayston Scott had a hand in all four touchdowns in OT, passing for one and rushing for the other three.
What to watch: With their performance against 4A Hamilton and their resilient fight back effort to overcome Vinemont in overtime, the Bobcats have shown that they are a team with potential. A road region win at Oakman would only amplify the message Phil Campbell wants to send to everyone else—that they’re contenders.
Series history: Phil Campbell and Oakman have never met before.
Next week: The Bobcats continue region play and will host Winfield.
Red Bay (0-2, 0-0)
at Winston County (3-0, 1-0)
Date: Friday, September 13, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Malcolm Blake Stadium
Last week: Red Bay was one of the few teams in North Alabama not participating in region play last week, traveling to play the University Charter School where the Tigers were knocked off in a close one, 16-14.
What to watch: This is Red Bay’s region opener. A win over an undefeated Winston County would doubly get the Tigers headed back in the right direction and could be vital later on in the season when playoff berths are being decided.
Series history: Red Bay is 11-4-1 all-time against the Yellow Jackets. The Tigers last two meetings with Winston County came in the first round of the playoffs in 2018 and 2020; Red Bay won both, taking a 16-14 overtime victory in ‘18 and a 26-0 shutout victory in 2020.
Next week: Region play continues for the Tigers and they’ll stay on the road, traveling to Lexington.
Russellville (2-1, 1-0)
at East Limestone (0-2, 0-0)
Date: Friday, September 13, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Cavnar Stadium
Last week: The Golden Tigers opened up region play with an impressive performance on the road at Lawrence County. Behind a stingy, greedy defense and a stellar five touchdown performance from junior running back Cameron Phinizee, Russellville extended its region winning streak to 26 games, knocking off the Red Devils 42-20.
What to watch: This game will be the Golden Tigers’ third straight road contest. Will three consecutive weeks of traveling have any impact on Russellville’s play? A hostile Lawrence County environment didn’t seem to phase the Golden Tigers too much, but every road game presents its challenges. Also, with freshman quarterback Whit Goodwin seizing the starting job and getting a full game of reps under his belt last week, watch whether he will be given increased opportunities to pass the ball against the Indians and take some more of the workload off Phinizee. Goodwin finished with 96 yards passing last week.
Series history: The Golden Tigers are 12-2 all-time against the Indians. Russellville has won the last seven, winning those games by an average of 29 points. East Limestone’s two wins over Russellville came in the 2011 and 2014 seasons.
Next week: Russellville returns to Golden Tiger Stadium to host region opponent Ardmore after a three-game road stretch.
Tharptown (0-3, 0-0)
BYE
Last week: Tharptown and Belgreen met for the first time on the football field, the Bulldogs taking first blood, 30-14, in what could be a great rivalry for years to come.
Next week: Tharptown finally gets into its region schedule in what will be its toughest game to date. The Wildcats travel to Decatur Heritage, one of the top teams in Class 2A.
Vina (2-0, 1-0)
vs. Shoals Christian (0-3, 0-1)
Date: Friday, September 13, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Franklin-Hester Stadium
Last week: Vina continued building momentum and changing its perception with a solid 28-6 road win at Phillips in its region opener. The victory gave Vina its first 2-0 start to a season since 2016.
What to watch: Vina’s senior backfield trio of Trevor Baker, Cai Lawler, and Christian McCarley have been huge for the Red Devil offense so far this year. That’s not going to change against a struggling Shoals Christian team that has allowed an average of 42 points per game this season.
Series history: Vina and Shoals Christian have played every year since the series began back in 2002. The Red Devils are just 4-18 against the Flame with their last win in 2019, a 44-12 victory.
Next week: Vina travels to Cherokee in Class 1A Region 7 play.
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