Belgreen (2-1)
vs. Tanner (0-4, 0-2)
Date: Friday, September 20, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Sparks Stadium
Last week: Belgreen was off. Prior to their bye week the Bulldogs traveled to Tharptown and beat the Wildcats 30-14 on their homecoming night.
What to watch: Belgreen is hosting a winless Tanner team that has scored just one touchdown through four games and has allowed an average of 55 points per game. Tanner has a solid history of success in football but is clearly having a very down year. Can Belgreen take advantage and grab a third win?
Series history: Belgreen and Tanner have never met.
Next week: BYE
Phil Campbell (1-2, 1-1)
vs. Winfield (3-1, 2-0)
Date: Friday, September 20, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Parrish Stadium
Last week: On the road at Oakman, in miserable conditions, the Bobcats were unable to get anything going offensively and were shutout 28-0.
What to watch: Can the Bobcats, a team with many veteran and experienced players, right the ship at home against a formidable region opponent. It’s a game that will have major playoff implications, and Phil Campbell will need a performance that reflects that.
Series history: Phil Campbell is 5-12 all-time vs. Winfield. Last season the Bobcats were shutout 52-0; they haven’t beaten the Pirates since 1997.
Next week: The Bobcats hit the road for a non-region contest against Hackleburg.
Red Bay (0-3, 0-1)
at Lexington (2-2, 1-1)
Date: Friday, September 20, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: McMeans Stadium
Last week: Red Bay was routed 51-8 in its region opener at Winston County.
What to watch: The Tigers really need a win, but it will, again, be a tough ask. Red Bay will travel to a Lexington team that is coming off a 55-0 trouncing of Tanner last week—the Tigers have scored 55 points total this season.
Series history: Lexington owns the series advantage 16-10 in this matchup. The Golden Bears beat the Tigers 33-22 last season; Red Bay’s last win over Lexington was in 2020.
Next week: Red Bay travels just across the border to play Belmont (MS) in a non-region contest.
Russellville (3-1, 2-0)
vs. Ardmore (3-1, 1-1)
Date: Friday, September 20, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Golden Tiger Stadium
Last week: Russellville went on the road in terrible weather conditions and dominated region rival East Limestone 52-6, scoring touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams.
What to watch: After three weeks on the road, this Friday’s game will indeed be a welcome Homecoming for the Golden Tigers. However, Russellville’s return to the friendly confines of Golden Tiger Stadium will be marked with a big chore. Over the last decade Russellville has dispatched the Tigers from Ardmore with relative ease, but this year Ardmore might prove to be a tougher out for the Golden Tigers. Ardmore has averaged 30 points per game this year and allowed just over 10 points per game, so statistically, on both sides of the ball, the two teams are pretty close to each other. Ardmore’s only loss was a 28-6 defeat last week to No. 5-ranked Fairview, a team many consider to be region favorites. The Golden Tigers don’t have any need to change what they’ve been doing so far, but they’ll need a performance similar to that against East Limestone to maintain the status quo against Ardmore this year.
Series history: Russellville is 8-1 all-time against Ardmore. The Golden Tigers lone loss in the series was way back in 1937, the very first time the two teams played.
Next week: BYE
Tharptown (0-3, 0-0)
at Decatur Heritage Christian (2-1, 1-0)
Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Rebels Stadium
Last week: BYE
What to watch: Both teams have had two weeks to prepare for each other, but Decatur Heritage, ranked No. 9 in Class 2A last week, is the clear favorite in this one. Tharptown has managed just two touchdowns through three games, while the Eagles have averaged 34. To have a shot Tharptown will have to play impeccable defense and shorten the game by maintaining possession and establishing a running attack. A few big breaks wouldn’t hurt, either.
Series history: Tharptown is 0-6 all time vs. Decatur Christian. The two sides last met in 2017 with the Eagles coming out on top 55-0.
Next week: Tharptown travels to Vina in a non-region matchup between Franklin County teams.
Vina (3-0, 2-0)
at Cherokee (2-2, 1-1)
Date: Friday, September 20, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: W.L. Harris Stadium
Last week: The Red Devils took care of business against a winless Shoals Christian team, beating the Flame 32-8 to start their season 3-0 for the first time since 1982. Seniors Christian McCarley and Cai Lawler had a hand in all four of Vina’s touchdowns in that game.
What to watch: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Red Devils’ running attack has proven extremely reliable and effective through the first three games, and the defense has been stout. The Devils will obviously want to continue that trend, but this week’s road challenge will prove a tougher one for Vina given the speed and athleticism of Cherokee, according to head coach Cody Renfrow. The key to a potential fourth win for Vina, according to Renfrow? Physicality.
Series history: Vina is 8-15-1 against Cherokee. The Indians shutout the Red Devils 46-0 last season. The visitors will look to break the losing streak and get their first victory over Cherokee since 2020.
Next week: The Red Devils host Tharptown in a non-region inter-Franklin County contest.
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