West Alabama High School Football Preview: Week 6

As the high school season approaches the halfway point, a number of teams are gearing up for a run at the playoffs.

Week six marks a respite from region play but some significant rivalry games will take place in Tuscaloosa tonight.

Hillcrest (5-0) vs. Tuscaloosa County (2-3)

A pair of former Class 6A rivals face off at Hillcrest High School. The Patriots are enjoying on of their best starts in school history while Tuscaloosa County is looking to steady the ship after dropping three straight region games to Thompson, Huffman and Hoover. Hillcrest enters tonight’s rivalry game as the fourth best scoring team in Class 6A averaging 40.8 points per game. Conversely, TCHS has managed just 8 points per game in their last three losses. In addition to a huge rivalry game, it is homecoming week for Hillcrest. Tuscaloosa County leads the series 15-5 but Hillcrest has won two straight over TCHS. Kickoff is at 7 PM with airtime on Tide 102.9 and the radioPup app at 6:45.

Paul Bryant (2-3) vs. Central (0-5)

Still in search of a victory this season, the Central Falcons have an opportunity to get in the victory in a big way as cross-town rival Paul Bryant makes the journey to the campus on 15^th Street. The Falcons have shown improvement over the last two weeks scoring 22 points at Calera two weeks ago and recording a season-high 27 points in a region loss last week to Jemison. The Paul Bryant Stampede exhibited their best all-around performance of the season last week in a 45-7 thrashing of Selma. Paul Bryant leads the all-time series 7-5 including a 13-12 victory last season.

American Christian (3-2) vs. Holt (0-4)

Separated by four miles, the American Christian Patriots and Holt Ironmen take the field tonight in a non-region matchup. The Patriots are playing their best football of the season with decisive region wins against Greene County and Carbon Hill over the last two weeks. The 2016 season has been a monumental struggle for the Ironmen as they have failed to win a game while surrendering 52 points per game. Particularly troubling for Holt, they allowed a season high 56 points last week to Hale County who entered last week’s game winless. ACA has won all four of the previous meetings in the series.

Games around West Alabama (All start times are at 7 PM.)

Walker vs. Northridge

Sipsey Valley vs. Gordo

Brookwood vs. Northside

Holy Spirit vs. Isabella

Hale County vs. Fultondale

Bibb County vs. Montevallo

Verbena vs. West Blocton

Hubbertville vs. Hackleburg

Aliceville vs. Pickens County

Fayette County vs. Cullman

Berry vs. Lamar County