Five Games to Watch in Week 1
#1 THOMPSON vs. CLAY-CHALKVILLE
No. 1 vs. No. 1. The top-ranked teams in 6A and 5A meet Thursday night in Alabaster in a matchup that has become one of the state’s best. Clay-Chalkville has won three straight over Thompson, while each of the last four meetings has been decided by four points or fewer.
Both teams enter 1-0 after impressive opening-week wins. Thompson defeated Central-Phenix City 41-14 behind Alabama commit Trent Seaborn’s 335 yards and four touchdowns through the air. Clay-Chalkville went into Georgia and defeated Creekside 29-20, with new QB1 CJ Eldridge accounting for 324 total yards and four touchdowns in his first start of the season.
KEY MATCHUP: Clay’s pass rush vs. Seaborn. The Cougars recorded four sacks and 12 tackles for loss against Creekside, while Seaborn enters Thursday coming off a four-touchdown, zero-interception performance.
#2 HILLCREST-TUSCALOOSA vs. HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE
Both teams enter Week 1 at 1-0 after impressive opening performances. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa rolled past Tuscaloosa County 64-0, setting program records for both points scored and margin of victory. Hewitt-Trussville answered with a 56-42 road win over Auburn behind a huge night from sophomore QB Jack Floyd, who accounted for 502 total yards and seven touchdowns.
While the Hewitt offense stole the headlines, the Huskies also forced four turnovers. Harrison Malone returned an interception 52 yards for a touchdown, while Kahlil Braswell added two interceptions of his own.
Hillcrest now heads to Trussville looking for its first win in the series after Hewitt shut out the Patriots 24-0 a season ago.
KEY MATCHUP: Hillcrest’s defense vs. Jack Floyd. The Patriots are coming off a shutout and feature an experienced defense led by Alabama commit Jeremiah Beverly, but they’ll have their hands full with a Hewitt offense that just put up 56 points and 574 yards against Auburn.
#3 VESTAVIA HILLS vs. BENJAMIN RUSSELL
Vestavia Hills enters Week 1 at 1-0 after a 32-14 win over Parker, while Benjamin Russell will make its season debut after its opener against Mae Jemison was postponed due to a power outage at Alabama A&M.
The Rebels were led by senior signal caller Charlie Taaffe, who accounted for 285 total yards and all four Vestavia touchdowns against Parker. Benjamin Russell counters with Alabama commit Kingston Preyear, who threw for more than 3,000 yards and 34 touchdowns as a sophomore last season.
This will be the first meeting between the two programs since 1997, when Benjamin Russell won 45-42.
KEY MATCHUP: Benjamin Russell’s defense vs. Vestavia’s multiple-look offense. The Rebels throw a lot at a defense with different formations, personnel and looks, forcing opponents to stay disciplined and adjust throughout the night. With Taaffe’s ability to hurt teams both through the air and on the ground, Benjamin Russell will be tested early in its first full game action of the season.
#4 JACKSONVILLE vs. OXFORD
Jacksonville and Oxford both enter Week 1 at 1-0 after impressive performances in their season openers. Jacksonville went on the road and defeated Piedmont 34-8, while Oxford rolled past Gadsden City 56-28 after jumping out to a 42-7 halftime lead.
Jacksonville QB Cross Land threw for 216 yards and three touchdowns, with MarQuaVious McNeal hauling in all three scores and finishing with 112 receiving yards. Oxford was equally dangerous offensively behind QB Maddox Mims and a big night from Josh Dupree, who rushed for 163 yards in the win.
The longtime Calhoun County matchup returns for the first time since 2023, when Oxford defeated Jacksonville 36-7.
KEY MATCHUP: Jacksonville’s defense vs. Oxford’s rushing attack. The Golden Eagles held Piedmont scoreless through three quarters in their opener, but now face an Oxford offense that just put 56 points on the board. Dupree averaged more than 12 yards per carry against Gadsden City, making Jacksonville’s ability to slow down the run a major key Friday night.
#5 JASPER vs. FLORENCE
For the first time ever, Jasper and Florence will meet on the football field. Both teams enter Week 1 at 1-0 after starting the season with impressive road victories.
Jasper opened the year with a 28-14 win over 6A Huntsville and now hits the road for the second straight week. The Vikings are led offensively by standout RB Zion Coger, who gives Jasper a major threat out of the backfield. Florence made a statement of its own, shutting out Pinson Valley 45-0 in its season opener. The Falcons enter 2026 in 5A after competing in 7A a season ago.
With both programs looking to build on strong starts, Friday night’s first-ever meeting gives each an early opportunity to make a statement in 5A.
KEY MATCHUP: Zion Coger vs. Florence’s defense. Jasper will look to establish its rushing attack behind Coger, but he’ll face a Falcons defense that enters Friday night without allowing a point this season.
