West Alabama High School Football Preview: Week 2

As week two approaches for area high school football teams, some teams will begin their 2016 season while others will look to make improvements from opening game performances last week.

Around west Alabama this week, Tuscaloosa County looks to build on last week win, Hillcrest returns home from a dominating week one win, a pair of top 10 teams from Pickens County go head to head in a rivalry tilt and Paul Bryant heads to Mobile to face a powerhouse program from central Florida.

Tuscaloosa County (7A) vs. Northridge (6A)

For the second straight week, Tuscaloosa County takes on a team from the Tuscaloosa area as the Northridge Jaguars rolls in for the Wildcats’ home opener. The Wildcats tasted victory a week ago with a 38-21 wire-to-wire win over Paul Bryant High School. Last week, TCHS quarterback Sam Cooper scored three touchdowns in the win. Last season, Northridge defeated Tuscaloosa County 24-14. Northridge struggled offensively in a 31-6 season opening loss at home to Theodore. Tuscaloosa County leads the all-time series 10-2. The Wildcats have a 6-0 record against Northridge at home. Kickoff is at 7 PM with airtime on Tide 102.9 at 6:45.

#4 Hillcrest (6A) vs. Oak Mountain (7A)

No. 4 Hillcrest rolled into 2016 with an impressive 42-7 win over Demopolis last Thursday from the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. The Patriots open their home schedule tonight against the Oak Mountain Eagles. While Brian Robinson scored two rushing touchdowns, Cole Frederick highlighted last week’s dominating effort with 204 total yards and four total touchdowns in the win. Oak Mountain lost their first game of the season last week 49-33 to Chelsea. Oak Mountain suffered heavy losses on both sides of the ball including the loss of a three-year starter at quarterback. Hillcrest has won three of four games in the series over Oak Mountain. Kickoff is at 7 PM with airtime on sister station 95.3 the Bear at 6:30.

#2 Gordo (3A) vs. #10 Aliceville (2A)

In what could be one of the best matchups in west Alabama this week, the second ranked Gordo Green Wave and the tenth ranked Aliceville Yellow Jackets. Gordo started their season last week with a 21-6 win over Fayette County while Aliceville begins the 2016 season tonight. Green Wave signal caller Koy Chapman sliced Fayette County’s defense last week completing 15 of 19 passes for 169 yards including two touchdown passes. Gordo has a 35-26-2 all-time series including a nine-game winning streak over Aliceville.

Paul Bryant (6A) vs. Plant City HS (Tampa) (Saturday in Mobile)

After a disappointing loss to Tuscaloosa County last week, the Paul Bryant Stampede face a tall task Saturday evening with a neutral site contest at Mobile’s Ladd Peebles Stadium against Florida powerhouse Plant City High School. The game is part of the Mobile Bay Gridiron Challenge. Plant has taken home four straight state championships. Kickoff from Mobile Saturday is at 6 PM.

Other Games around West Alabama

Jackson Olin 38 Central 7 (Thursday)

Holt vs. Shelby County

Brookwood vs. Oak Grove

American Christian vs. Sipsey Valley

Winfield vs. Hale County

Demopolis vs. Greensboro

Thorsby vs. Pickens County

Sumter Central vs. Sidney Lanier

Montevallo vs. West Blocton

Brooks vs. Fayette County

R.C. Hatch vs. Greene County