On the gridiron
- Updated: August 11, 2022
Here is a look at what’s happening on the high school football front in and around Calhoun County for this week and Week Zero
By Kurt Duryea
Special to East Alabama Sports Today
It’s not too early to think about the end is it? Are we really that spoiled? We can’t wait for the high school football season to kickoff and yet we can’t help but wonder how it will end.
Some varsity teams will kick off their season on Aug. 18. Then, fast forward to first round playoff contests that begin Nov. 4. Everything culminates in Auburn with the state championships to be settled Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.
As far as Classes 1A through 6A are concerned, teams work through a five-week playoff format. On the first Friday in November, first round crosses in the South have Region 1 squads squaring off against Region 2 and Region 3 facing Region 4. In the north, we’ll see Region 5 versus Region 6 and Region 7 battling Region 8.
Here’s how the Calhoun County football programs are aligned in the 2022 AHSAA matrix and their potential opponents in the first round postseason cross.
1A, Region 5: Lynn, Brilliant, Holy Spirit Catholic, Hubbertville, South Lamar, Pickens County, Marion County, Sumiton
1A, Region 6: The Donoho School, Spring Garden, Ragland, Wadley, Winterboro, Talladega County Central, Victory Christian
2A, Region 5: Tuscaloosa Academy, Greene County, Lamar County, Sulligent, Aliceville, Cold Springs, Winston County
2A, Region 6: West End, Southeastern, Gaston, Cleveland, Pleasant Valley, Holly Pond, Locust Fort
3A, Region 3: Sumter County, Greensboro, Prattville Christian, Southside-Selma, Trinity Presbyterian, Alabama Christian, Saint James
3A, Region 4: Dadeville, Beulah, Weaver, Saks, Walter Wellborn, Childersburg, Randolph County
3A, Region 5: Winfield, Fayette County, Oakman, Gordo, Midfield, Tarrant, Carbon Hill
3A, Region 6: Geraldine, Ohatchee, Hokes Bluff, Piedmont, Westbrook Christian, Glencoe, Sylvania, Plainview
4A, Region 3: West Blocton, Holt, American Christian, Montevallo, Hale County, Bibb County, Dallas County, Sipsey Valley
4A, Region 4: Talladega, Handley, White Plains, Jacksonville, Anniston, Munford, Cleburne County
5A, Region 5: Jasper, Hayden, Pleasant Grove, Wenonah, Ramsay, John Carroll, G.W. Carver, Fairfield
5A, Region 6: Leeds, Southside-Gadsden, Lincoln, Saint Clair County, Alexandria, Moody, Springville
6A, Region 5: Mortimer Jordan, A.H. Parker, Minor, Gardendale, Mountain Brook, Woodlawn, Jackson-Olin
6A, Region 6: Shades Valley, Pinson Valley, Clay-Chalkville, Pell City, Oxford, Center Point, Huffman
While there are no Calhoun County schools In Class 7A it’s worth noting that the four-week postseason jaunt to Jordan-Hare opens with Region 1 taking on Region 2 and Region 3 challenging Region 4.
As far as girls flag football is concerned, Oxford and Anniston have declared for the 2022 season and are part of Area 15 along with Albertville. At seasons end, the Area 15 winner and runner-up begin tournament play against Area 16 which features Sparkman, Grissom, Colbert County, Bob Jones and Huntsville. Oxford reached the state semifinals in last year’s inaugural season.
Who will survive and bring a blue map trophy back to Calhoun County? Only time will tell and the clock is running.
Looking back at 2021, here’s how the Calhoun County schools fared in their then respective classifications (in alphabetical order):
Alexandria 5A, Region 6 (11-1) – The Valley Cubs lost in second round to Parker 41-34
Anniston 4A, Region 4 (5-5) – The Bulldogs lost in first round to St. James 28-26
Donoho 1A, Region 5 (2-7) – The Falcons did not make playoffs
Jacksonville 4A, Region 4 (7-4) – The Golden Eagles lost in second round to American Christian 49-35
Piedmont 3A, Region 5 (13-2) – The Bulldogs won the 3A title defeating Montgomery Academy 35-33
Ohatchee 3A, Region 5 (9-3) – The Indians lost in second round to Winfield 56-27
Oxford 6A, Region 7 (7-5) – The Yellow Jackets lost in second round to Pinson Valley 20-0
Saks 3A, Region 5 (12-2) – The Wildcats lost in state semifinal to Piedmont 52-44 OT
Walter Wellborn 3A, Region 5 (5-5) – The Panthers lost in round one to Fyffe 34-0
Weaver 3A, Region 5 (1-9) – The Bearcats did not make playoffs
White Plains 4A, Region 4 (3-7) – The Wildcats did not make playoffs
Kurt Duryea is the radio voice of Piedmont football on WCKA (810 AM, 94.3 FM, 97.1 FM) and a frequent contributor to East Alabama Sports Today.
Games
| THURSDAY JAMBOREES | Host School | Home Team | Visitor |
| 6:30 PM | Buckhorn | Buckhorn | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Cullman | Cullman | Arab |
| 5:00 PM | Daphne | Daphne | TBA |
| 6:00 PM | Foley | Foley | TBA |
| 6:00 PM | Fort Payne | Fort Payne | Chattooga (TN) |
| 6:00 PM | Gadsden City | Gadsden City | TBA |
| 6:00 PM | Gaylesville | Gaylesville | Douglas |
| 7:00 PM | Hamilton | Hamilton | Lamar County |
| 6:00 PM | Helena | Helena | Leeds |
| 6:00 PM | John Carroll Catholic | John Carroll Catholic | Cordova |
| 7:15 PM | John Carroll Catholic | Mortimer Jordan | Cordova |
| 8:15 PM | John Carroll Catholic | John Carroll Catholic | Mortimer Jordan |
| 7:00 PM | DAR | DAR | Scottsboro |
| 7:00 PM | McGill-Toolen Catholic | McGill-Toolen Catholic | TBA |
| 6:00 PM | Smiths Station | Smiths Station | Northside |
| 6:30 PM | Talladega | Talladega | Chelsea |
| 7:00 PM | Tuscaloosa County | Tuscaloosa County | Lee-Huntsville |
| 5:00 PM | UMS-Wright | UMS-Wright | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Waterloo | Waterloo | Lexington |
| 7:00 PM | Westminster Christian | Westminster Christian | Hazel Green |
| FRIDAY JAMBOREES | Host School | Home Team | Visitor |
| 7:00 PM | Alabama Christian | Alabama Christian | Madison Academy |
| 7:00 PM | Ardmore | Ardmore | Mae Jemison |
| 6:00 PM | Athens | Athens | St. Michael Catholic |
| 7:00 PM | Auburn | Auburn | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Austin | Austin | TBA |
| 2:30 PM | Baker | Baker | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Benjamin Russell | Benjamin Russell | Madison Academy |
| 7:00 PM | Bibb County | Bibb County | Isabella |
| 7:00 PM | Boaz | Boaz | Ashville |
| 7:00 PM | Brantley | Brantley | Ariton |
| 7:00 PM | Brindlee Mountain | Brindlee Mountain | St. John Paul II Catholic |
| 7:00 PM | Cherokee County | Cherokee County | Trion, GA |
| 7:00 PM | Corner | Corner | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Cottage Hill Christian | Cottage Hill Christian | Chickasaw |
| 5:00 PM | Decatur | Decatur | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Deshler | Deshler | Haleyville |
| 6:00 PM | East Limestone | East Limestone | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Fultondale | Fultondale | Hale County |
| 6:00 PM | Greenville, GA | Greenville, GA | Park Crossing |
| 7:00 PM | Guntersville | Guntersville | New Hope |
| 7:00 PM | Hackleburg | Hackleburg | Brilliant |
| 6:00 PM | Hartselle | Hartselle | TBA |
| 6:30 PM | Hatton | Hatton | Lawrence County |
| 7:00 PM | Highland Home | Highland Home | Pike Liberal Arts |
| 6:00 PM | J.B. Pennington | J.B. Pennington | Sardis |
| 7:00 PM | James Clemens | James Clemens | Oxford |
| 6:30 PM | Jasper | Jasper | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Locust Fork | Locust Fork | Oneonta |
| 7:00 PM | Luverne | Luverne | Linden |
| 7:00 PM | Madison County | Madison County | West Limestone |
| 7:00 PM | Murphy | Murphy | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Oak Mountain | Oak Mountain | Albertville |
| 7:00 PM | Opelika | Opelika | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Orange Beach | Orange Beach | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Paul W. Bryant | Paul W. Bryant | Bob Jones |
| 7:00 PM | Rogers | Rogers | Mars Hill Bible |
| 7:00 PM | Russell County | Russell County | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Spanish Fort | Spanish Fort | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Spring Garden | Spring Garden | Ohatchee |
| 7:00 PM | Spring Garden | Ranburne | Ohatchee |
| 7:00 PM | Spring Garden | Ranburne | Etowah |
| 7:00 PM | Spring Garden | Handley | Etowah |
| 7:00 PM | Sylacauga | Sylacauga | B.B. Comer |
| 7:00 PM | Sylvania | Sylvania | North Jackson |
| 7:00 PM | Talladega County Central | Talladega County Central | Woodville |
| 7:00 PM | Theodore | Theodore | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Vigor | Vigor | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | West End | West End | Vincent |
| 7:00 PM | West Point | West Point | Hayden |
| 7:00 PM | Winfield | Winfield | Sulligent |
| SATURDAY JAMBOREES | Host School | Home Team | Visitor |
| 7:00 PM | Shelby County | Shelby County | Beauregard |
| WEEK ZERO (Aug. 18) | Host | Class | Visitor |
| KICKOFF CLASSIC at CRAMTON BOWL | |||
| 7:00 PM | Helena | 5A | Chelsea |
| OTHER GAMES | |||
| 7:00 PM | Choctaw County | 1A | Linden |
| 7:00 PM | J.F. Shields | 1A | J.U. Blacksher |
| 7:00 PM | Spring Garden | 1A | Sand Rock |
| 7:00 PM | Coosa Christian | 1A | Geraldine |
| 7:00 PM | Thorsby | 2A | Jemison |
| 7:00 PM | Locust Fork | 2A | Appalachisn |
| 7:00 PM | Tanner | 2A | Lauderdale County |
| 7:00 PM | Northside Methodist | 3A | Houston County |
| 7:00 PM | Trinity Presbyterian | 3A | Booker T Washington |
| 7:00 PM | Colbert County | 3A | Brooks |
| 7:00 PM | Elkmont | 3A | Sheffield |
| 7:00 PM | Mars Hill Bible | 3A | Cullman |
| 7:00 PM | St. Michael Catholic | 4A | Gulf Shores |
| 7:00 PM | Andalusia | 4A | Opp |
| 7:00 PM | Cordova | 4A | Fayette County |
| 7:00 PM | Dora | 4A | Winfield |
| 7:00 PM | Ashville | 4A | St. Clair County |
| 7:00 PM | Etowah | 4A | Springville |
| 7:00 PM | Elmore County | 4A | Marbury |
| 7:00 PM | Tallassee | 5A | Reeltown |
| 7:00 PM | Woodlawn | 6A | Bessemer City |
| 7:00 PM | Columbia | 6A | Fairview |
| 7:00 PM | Smiths Station | 7A | LaGrange, GA |
| 7:00 PM | Vestavia Hills | 7A | Mountain Brook |
| 7:00 PM | Albertville | 7A | Arab |
| 7:00 PM | Bob Jones | 7A | Muscle Shoals |
| 7:00 PM | Sumiton Christian | 1A | Oak Grove |
| 7:00 PM | Slocomb | 4A | Cottonwood |
| 7:00 PM | Corner | 4A | Southeastern |
| 7:00 PM | Corner | 4A | Southeastern |
| 7:00 PM | East Lawrence | 4A | Lynn |
| 7:00 PM | Carver-Birmingham | 5A | Midfield |
| 7:00 PM | Alexandria | 5A | Hokes Bluff |
| 5:00 PM | Murphy | 6A | TBA |
| 7:00 PM | Alma Bryant | 7A | Faith Academy |
| WEEK ZERO (Aug. 19) | Host | Class | Visitor |
| KICKOFF CLASSIC at CRAMTON BOWL | |||
| 7:00 PM | Auburn | 7A | Hoover |
| OTHER GAMES | |||
| 7:00 PM | Millry | 1A | Citronelle |
| 7:00 PM | Georgiana | 1A | W.S, Neal |
| 7:00 PM | Kinston | 1A | Samson |
| 7:00 PM | Pleasant Home | 1A | A.L. Johnson |
| 7:00 PM | University Charter School | 1A | Hubbertville |
| 7:00 PM | Billingsley | 1A | Prattville Christian |
| 7:00 PM | R.C. Hatch | 1A | Autaugaville |
| 7:00 PM | South Lamar | 1A | Lamar County |
| 7:00 PM | Victory Christian | 1A | Woodland |
| 7:00 PM | Cedar Bluff | 1A | Winterboro |
| 7:00 PM | Gaylesville | 1A | West End |
| 7:00 PM | Cherokee | 1A | Brindlee Mountain |
| 7:00 PM | Hackleburg | 1A | Phil Campbell |
| 7:00 PM | Meek | 1A | Maplesville |
| 7:00 PM | Waterloo | 1A | Brilliant |
| 7:00 PM | Chickasaw | 2A | LeFlore Magnet |
| 7:00 PM | Washington County | 2A | Marengo |
| 7:00 PM | Ariton | 2A | Dale County |
| 7:00 PM | Goshen | 2A | Daleville |
| 7:00 PM | Horseshoe Bend | 2A | Wadley |
| 7:00 PM | Luverne | 2A | Brantley |
| 7:00 PM | Central, Coosa | 2A | Verbena |
| 7:00 PM | Vincent | 2A | Ragland |
| 7:00 PM | Aliceville | 2A | Pickens County |
| 7:00 PM | Cold Springs | 2A | Curry |
| 7:00 PM | Greene County | 2A | Greensboro |
| 7:00 PM | Tuscaloosa Academy | 2A | Holy Spirit Catholic |
| 7:00 PM | Winston County | 2A | Addison |
| 7:00 PM | Cleveland | 2A | Oneonta |
| 7:00 PM | Gaston | 2A | Asbury |
| 7:00 PM | North Sand Mtn | 2A | Valley Head |
| 7:00 PM | Section | 2A | Decatur Heritage Christian |
| 7:00 PM | Whitesburg Christian | 2A | Woodville |
| 7:00 PM | Hatton | 2A | Wilson |
| 7:00 PM | Red Bay | 2A | Hamilton |
| 7:00 PM | Tharptown | 2A | Shoals Christian School |
| 7:00 PM | Sulligent | 2A | Oakman |
| 7:00 PM | Pleasant Valley | 2A | Collinsville |
| 7:00 PM | Excel | 3A | B.C, Rain |
| 7:00 PM | Flomaton | 3A | St, Luke’s Episcopal |
| 7:00 PM | Hillcrest, Evergreen | 3A | T.R, Miller |
| 7:00 PM | Mobile Christian | 3A | Pike Liberal Arts |
| 7:00 PM | Ashford | 3A | Rehobeth |
| 7:00 PM | Houston Academy | 3A | Wicksburg |
| 7:00 PM | New Brockton | 3A | Elba |
| 7:00 PM | Providence Christian | 3A | Highland Home |
| 7:00 PM | Childersburg | 3A | Munford |
| 7:00 PM | Dadeville | 3A | B.B, Comer |
| 7:00 PM | Saks | 3A | Ohatchee |
| 7:00 PM | Walter Wellborn | 3A | Anniston |
| 7:00 PM | Weaver | 3A | Donoho |
| 7:00 PM | Gordo | 3A | Sipsey Valley |
| 7:00 PM | Tarrant | 3A | Talladega County Central |
| 7:00 PM | Madison Academy | 3A | Deshler |
| 7:00 PM | Vinemont | 3A | Falkville |
| 7:00 PM | Clements | 3A | Holly Pond |
| 7:00 PM | Colbert Heights | 3A | Lexington |
| 7:00 PM | Escambia County | 4A | Cottage Hill Christian |
| 7:00 PM | Bullock County | 4A | Keith |
| 7:00 PM | Geneva | 4A | Headland |
| 7:00 PM | Montgomery Academy | 4A | Saint James |
| 7:00 PM | Montgomery Catholic | 4A | McGill-Toolen Catholic |
| 7:00 PM | Bibb County | 4A | Chilton County |
| 7:00 PM | Hale County | 4A | Northside |
| 7:00 PM | Handley | 4A | Valley |
| 7:00 PM | Jacksonville | 4A | Boaz |
| 7:00 PM | White Plains | 4A | Ranburne |
| 7:00 PM | Haleyville | 4A | Rogers |
| 7:00 PM | West Limestone | 4A | Ardmore |
| 7:00 PM | West Morgan | 4A | Randolph School |
| 7:00 PM | Priceville | 4A | Plainview |
| 7:00 PM | St, John Paul II Catholic | 4A | Westbrook Christian |
| 7:00 PM | Westminster Christian | 4A | Lee-Huntsville |
| 7:00 PM | Elberta | 5A | Bayside Academy |
| 7:00 PM | Carroll | 5A | Dothan |
| 7:00 PM | Demopolis | 5A | American Christian |
| 7:00 PM | Holtville | 5A | Fultondale |
| 7:00 PM | Shelby County | 5A | West Blocton |
| 7:00 PM | Beauregard | 5A | Selma |
| 7:00 PM | Sylacauga | 5A | Benjamin Russell |
| 7:00 PM | Fairfield | 5A | A.H, Parker |
| 7:00 PM | Hayden | 5A | J.B, Pennington |
| 7:00 PM | Jasper | 5A | Center Point |
| 7:00 PM | Pleasant Grove | 5A | Paul W, Bryant |
| 7:00 PM | Ramsay | 5A | Hueytown |
| 7:00 PM | Lincoln | 5A | Talladega |
| 7:00 PM | Southside, Gadsden | 5A | Guntersville |
| 7:00 PM | Sardis | 5A | Kate Duncan Smith DAR |
| 7:00 PM | Scottsboro | 5A | Fort Payne |
| 7:00 PM | Douglas | 5A | Susan Moore |
| 7:00 PM | A.P, Brewer | 5A | Hanceville |
| 7:00 PM | Lawrence County | 5A | Danville |
| 7:00 PM | West Point | 5A | Good Hope |
| 7:00 PM | Mattie T. Blount | 6A | Vigor |
| 7:00 PM | St, Paul’s Episcopal | 6A | UMS-Wright |
| 7:00 PM | Theodore | 6A | Baker |
| 7:00 PM | Carver-Montgomrery | 6A | Pine Forest, FL |
| 7:00 PM | Stanhope Elmore | 6A | Shades Valley |
| 7:00 PM | Wetumpka | 6A | Jeff Davis |
| 7:00 PM | Homewood | 6A | John Carroll Catholic |
| 7:00 PM | Pelham | 6A | Jackson-Olin |
| 7:00 PM | Brookwood | 6A | Holt |
| 7:00 PM | Hillcrest, Tuscaloosa | 6A | Pike Road |
| 7:00 PM | Minor | 6A | Huffman -Magnet |
| 7:00 PM | Mortimer Jordan | 6A | Leeds |
| 7:00 PM | Clay-Chalkville | 6A | Briarwood Christian |
| 7:00 PM | Oxford | 6A | McAdory |
| 7:00 PM | Pell City | 6A | Moody |
| 7:00 PM | Hartselle | 6A | Austin |
| 7:00 PM | Buckhorn | 6A | Madison County |
| 7:00 PM | Gadsden City | 6A | Carrollton, GA |
| 7:00 PM | Hazel Green | 6A | Sparkman |
| 7:00 PM | Mae Jemison | 6A | Decatur |
| 7:00 PM | Daphne | 7A | Saraland |
| 7:00 PM | Fairhope | 7A | Spanish Fort |
| 7:00 PM | Mary G, Montgomery | 7A | Williamson |
| 8:00 PM | Central, Phenix City | 7A | Hewitt-Trussville |
| 7:00 PM | Enterprise | 7A | Bay, FL |
| 7:00 PM | Prattville | 7A | Foley |
| 7:00 PM | Oak Mountain | 7A | Northridge |
| 7:00 PM | Spain Park | 7A | Calera |
| 5:30 PM | Thompson | 7A | Buford, GA |
| 7:00 PM | Tuscaloosa County | 7A | Central , Tuscaloosa |
| 7:00 PM | Florence | 7A | Pinson Valley |
| 7:00 PM | Grissom | 7A | Russellville |
| 7:00 PM | James Clemens | 7A | Gardendale |
| 8:00 PM | Callaway, GA | GHSA | Opelika |
| 8:00 PM | Model, Rome GA | GHSA | Cherokee County |
| 8:00 PM | Mt, Zion, GA | GHSA | Cleburne County |
| 8:00 PM | Pataula Charter, GA | GHSA | Barbour County |
| AUG. 19 JAMBOREES | |||
| 7:00 PM | Leroy | 1A | Thomasville |
| 7:00 PM | Florala | 1A | Zion Chapel |
| 6:00 PM | Sweet Water | 1A | Clarke County |
| 7:00 PM | GW Long | 2A | McKenzie |
| 7:00 PM | Fayetteville | 2A | Randolph County |
| 7:00 PM | Pleasant Valley | 2A | Collinsville |
| 7:00 PM | Pisgah | 2A | Glencoe |
| 7:00 PM | Pike County | 3A | Charles Henderson |
| 7:00 PM | Straughn | 3A | Red Level |
| 7:00 PM | Beulah | 3A | Abbeville |
| 7:00 PM | Piedmont | 3A | Fyffe |
| 7:00 PM | Baldwin County | 6A | Davidson |
| 7:00 PM | Russell County | 6A | Southside, Selma |
| 8:00 PM | Russell County | 6A | Eufaula |
| 7:00 PM | Wayne County, MS | MHSAA | Jackson |
| WEEK ZERO (Aug. 20) | |||
| Time | Host | Class | Visitor |
| 4:00 PM | LaFayette | 2A | Loachapoka |
| 6:15 PM | Lanett | 2A | Notasulga |
| 7:00 PM | Ider | 2A | Crossville |
| 6:00 PM | Sidney Lanier | 6A | Lee-Montgomery |
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