FROM STAFF REPORTS

A 38-yard scramble by Briarwood Christian quarterback Barrett Trotter helped lift the Lions to a 17-14 upset of No. 2 Benjamin Russell on the road last season. This week, the BR Wildcats look to turn the tables and disrupt the Lions’ home opener. But Trotter, Briarwood’s most accurate quarterback in its history, will look to even the series between the two teams at 3-3 and once again lead the Lions to a 2-0 region start.

BREAKING IN NEW TURF

After a large region win at Bryant, Pelham looks to defend its Class 6A, Region 5 title with a 2-0 regional start when Northridge comes to town for Homecoming. The Panthers welcome the Jaguars as their first opponent on the new turf-covered Bobby Hayes Field.

TIRED OF CLOSE GAMES

The Thompson Warriors will look for an end to nail biters with Hillcrest coming to Simmons Field Friday. The question is who will be this week’s game changer. David Lucas’ interception return and Siddeeq Cooper’s kickoff return for touchdowns have helped keep the Warriors alive the past two weeks. Now they look to overcome the last second shortcoming for a home-field win.

THE BATTLE CONTINUES

Oak Mountain knows every week is a war in Class 6A, Region 6. After falling at home to the Vestavia Rebels, 35-21, Friday, the Eagles face a new battle as they host the Homewood Patriots. OMHS looks to cut back on mindless penalties and build on last week’s Drew McKnight -to- Michael Connell air show to counter the Patriots’ passing threat.

CITY SHOWDOWN

In a city divided by the Cahaba River, Hoover’s residents claim peace, pride and prosperity. However, Friday’s City Showdown at Regions Park between the Spain Park Jaguars and Hoover Bucs will be nowhere close to peaceful as Jag’s quarterback Cody Wells hopes to become the first Jaguar field commander to knock off the Bucs.

THRILL SEEKERS

Chelsea pulled out a 28-21 double-overtime thriller at John Carroll last season. Expect this game to be almost as close. The Hornets look to open up some holes for the county’s leading rusher, Garrett Salter, and quarterback Blake Yance, while hoping their secondary will shutdown the John Carroll passing game.

SHELBY COUNTY

Darion Sutton and Braten Dill look to bounce back into the win column when a tough Demopolis team comes to town. Both teams are hungry for their first Class 5A, Region 3 win after Demopolis fell to McAdory, 17-6, last week.

PLAYMAKER

Calera’s impact player, Kaderius Lacey, is a playmaker, scoring on two runs in the first quarter last week, which added up to 111 yards. One week before, it was two receptions for two touchdowns and 103 yards. Lacey will look to tack on at least two more scores and break the century mark again when Montgomery Catholic comes to town.

ONE, TWO, THREE

Montevallo looks to go 3-0 for the first time under head coach Jim King as it hits the road to Marbury. The Dawgs

look to build off their large win at home and rely heavily on quarterback Kevin Callender to lead them to an undefeated start in Class 3A, Region 3 play.

LOOKING FOR ENDURANCE

Vincent is in need of fresh legs in the fourth quarter as it looks to find its endurance when Cold Springs comes to town Friday. If the Yellow Jackets can avoid cramps, they may be able to muster up enough energy to sting the Eagles to echo last season’s 12-9 win.

HISTORY LESSON

The Coosa Valley Rebels hope history repeats itself Friday, while the Shelby Raiders look to regroup and continue their dominance over CVA. The Rebels’ only win over the Raiders in the past decade came in 1999 as a 28-0 shutout the year after Shelby won its first state title.

READY TO PLAY

Cornerstone Christian is ready to finally hit the football field, after an unexpected week off, when Wilcox comes to town.

MOVING FORWARD

Kingwood hopes to build off last week’s shutout at Shelby and mount together a strong win at home over region opponent Springwood

All games are Friday, 7 p.m.

football: briarwood

football: pelham

football: thompson

football: oak

football: spain

football: chelsea

football: shelco

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football: montevallo

football: vincent

football: coosa

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