CAN’T-MISS GAMES

Aug. 20 – Red Bay hosts Hamilton

The Heath Childers era doesn’t get a honeymoon start. Childers’ Red Bay Tigers open up versus the Hamilton Aggies, a team the Tigers have never beat; well, technically last year was a win for Red Bay, but it was a COVID forfeit game. The last time these two teams actually met on the gridiron was in 1983. Hamilton is 17-0 against the Tigers.

Aug. 20 – Tharptown at Shoals Christian

The Tharptown Wildcats need to get their season off to a good start. Tharptown has struggled to get wins in region play, making non-region contests more critical. The Wildcats open their season in Florence at Shoals Christian. Tharptown is 4-8 historically against the Flame, but the Wildcats have won the Past four meetings. Tharptown beat Shoals this past year 48-14.

Aug. 27 – Russellville hosts Deshler

Russellville and Deshler have met 94 times in this old rivalry, and the series is tied, 45-45-4. RHS won in 2018, needing double-overtime, and in 2019 by a 27-21 score in one overtime. The 2020 game went to Russellville because of a pandemic forfeit by Deshler.

Sept. 3 Vina at Shoals Christian

Shoals Christian is another early critical win for a county team. Vina meets the Flame in Week Two. The Red Devils are 4-15 historically against the Flame. This past year Vina lost to Shoals 20-8, but the year before the Red Devils beat the Flame 44-12.

Sept. 17 – Tharptown at Red Bay

Tharptown and Red Bay has been one of the biggest mismatches in region play in recent years. The Tigers have outscored the Wildcats 402-35, and this past year they won 53-0. Tharptown is 0-7 against Red Bay. In 2020 the senior-laden Tigers got off to a rough start against the Wildcats, but Red Bay lost 19 seniors. Does this give the Wildcats a chance to get their first region win in Class 2A? Time will tell.

Sept. 24 – Red Bay hosts Belmont

Red Bay and Belmont is a classic mid-season rivalry game that brings big crowds for both schools. Red Bay has the edge in the state-line series, 33-21-1. Lately Red Bay has dominated this rivalry, winning eight of the past nine games. The Tigers won the past two meetings against the Cardinals 22-13 and 43-16.

Sept. 24 – Phil Campbell hosts Haleyville

Phil Campbell and Haleyville is a rivalry that rekindled this past year. The Bobcats and the Lions played each other consecutively from 1984-2007, with Phil Campbell winning seven of those games. Three of those wins came in the Bobcats’ last run of dominant teams in 1999, 2000 and 2001. The Bobcats lost to the Lions this past year 38-21.

Oct. 28 – Phil Campbell hosts Hackleburg

Phil Campbell versus Hackleburg is one of the longest-running rivalries in the area. In 2020 COVID ended a 73-year run of consecutive games that dated back to 1946. The Bobcats are 35-49-1 against the Panthers.

Oct. 29 – Vina at Tharptown

This intercounty rivalry has closed out the season for the Past few years. It has been a good game for both teams to end the season after grueling region opponents. Both teams want to go out on top. It has been a balanced rivalry, with Vina winning six of eight games; Tharptown, however, has had the edge recently, winning the past three in a row 47-0, 13-0 and 10-0.

Oct. 29 – Russellville at Madison Academy

These two schools with rich athletic histories have never met on the football field. This past season’s game was canceled because of COVID-19. Russellville fans are familiar with MA head coach Bob Godsey from his many years in the same role at Hartselle High School.

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