Each week this season AHSFHS.org will post games of the week provided by our forum friends better known as the "Barber Shop Gurus". Welcome TheMUBM, Kodyaufan2 and Sloth Nationzz as they analyze games of their choice and even give us a prediction for each contest.

TheMUBM Week 1 Picks

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Sylvania (9-3) at  (#10)  North Jackson (8-3)  at R.D. Hicks Stadium Sylvania   North Jackson 9-3 (6-1)  Record 8-3 (7-1) 3A-R8  Class/Region 4A-R8 NR  ASWA Ranking #10 44.1  Power Rating 49.4 AHSFHS Power Ratings have North Jackson as a 7 point favorite. Last Meeting:   The North Jackson Chiefs defeated Sylvania by a score of 20-0 in week 1 on the road  on Fri., Aug. 22 during the 2025 football season. Series:   North Jackson and Sylvania have met 4 times on the field.... North Jackson holds a 4-0 edge in the games played. Comments:    Sylvania lost a nail biter last year to the higher-class North Jackson, at home, 14-6. This year the Rams find themselves traveling to the unfriendly confines of Stevenson Alabama under first year coach Brad Waldrop. Seth Ledford and Travis Owens return to lead a defense that gave up just 15 ppg last season. Aiden Parham was a vast majority of the Rams offense last year. Replacing his offensive production will be the biggest task facing Waldrop.     The Chiefs lost a couple of All-State players themselves with the graduation of RB Diego Holt and DL Draco Poole. QB Creed Richardson put together a solid Freshman campaign last year and now with another year under his belt should be even more dangerous. And with targets like WR Haven Massengile this could be a high-powered offense.     I feel Sylvania is going to have a hard time losing such a large part of their offense in Parham. The Chiefs losing Holt is tough as well, but they were far more balanced than SHS last season. I think Sylvania still has a solid team but North Jackson is on an upward trajectory with some really talented Sophomores and Juniors. At home, the Chiefs are just too much here.   Prediction:  North Jackson 29 Sylvania 7

Aliceville (5-6) at  Pickens County (4-7)  at G.S. Spruill Stadium Aliceville   Pickens County 5-6 (3-3)  Record 4-7 (4-3) 2A-R5  Class/Region 1A-R5 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 33.9  Power Rating 27.3 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Aliceville as a 5 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Aliceville Yellow Jackets defeated Pickens County by a score of 68-8 in week 1 on the road  on Fri., Aug. 22 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Pickens County and Aliceville have met 85 times on the field.... Aliceville holds a 43-41 edge in the games played.

Comments:    In a long-time rivalry that is about as even as you can get, Aliceville took home the win last year 21-13. Jamari Thomas has shown himself to be a reliable receiver who can find open spaces against the defense. He isn't the biggest kid but he has great hands and isn't afraid to catch the ball in traffic. Pooh Rice and T'Marion Sterling will anchor a strong defensive line that I can't see giving up too much on the ground.

6'2'' 273lb Nate Finch is a beast on both sides of the ball for Pickens Co, creating havoc for the offensive backfield while on defense and clearing lanes for his own backs while on offense. The main guy he will be opening lanes for is All-State performer QB/CB MJ Billups. Billups ability to make people miss in the open field is special. He will be a problem for any team.

This is such a great rivalry and the teams are generally pretty well matched. This year is no exception. With the game being in Reform, coupled with Billups ability to make plays in the open field, I am taking the Tornados in a close one.

Prediction:  Pickens Co 22 Aliceville 20

Southside Gadsden (6-5) at  (#8)  Guntersville (9-2)  at Chorba-Lee Stadium Southside Gadsden   Guntersville 6-5 (5-1)  Record 9-2 (5-1) 6A-R8  Class/Region 5A-R8 NR  ASWA Ranking #8 62.9  Power Rating 64.4 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Guntersville as a 4 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Guntersville Wildcats defeated Southside Gadsden by a score of 31-14 in week 1 on the road  on Fri., Aug. 22 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Guntersville and Southside Gadsden have met 14 times on the field.... Guntersville holds a 10-4 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Miles Holcomb returns to SS Gadsden after a 1-year absence to coach Tuscaloosa County. Holcomb posted an 18-15 record here in his last stint. He will look to Seniors like Joshua Peoples who hauled in 28 catches last year for over 400 yards and 6 tds. Ethan Sarratt is the presumptive starter under center. He had a pretty solid year last year, but will need a big game to compete with Guntersville.

The Wildcats took this game easily last year 35 to 13. This year they bring a lot of expectations with them with returning All-State HM K Brandon Manganaris, All-State second team OL Ricky Wisdom and the 47th top prospect in Alabama, according to 24/7 Sports, WR Dadrien Waller. Street Smith returns for his senior season to run the offense. This could be a really special year for Guntersville and all it starts with SS Gadsden.

I expect a big year out of Guntersville. SS Gadsden just doesn't have the horses to run with the Wildcats this year.

Prediction:  Guntersville 44 SS Gadsden 14

Decatur Heritage Christian (7-3) at  Sheffield (5-5)  at Walton R. Wright Stadium Decatur Heritage   Sheffield 7-3 (4-1)  Record 5-5 (3-4) 2A-R8  Class/Region 3A-R7 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 35.7  Power Rating 36.5 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Sheffield as a 3 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Sheffield Bulldogs defeated Decatur Heritage Christian by a score of 70-36 in week 1 on the road  on Fri., Aug. 22 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Sheffield and Decatur Heritage Christian have met 2 times on the field.... The teams have both won 1 game.

Comments:    In a game that Decatur Heritage won 42-22 last season, we see two teams that look different than they did last season. DHCA has first year coach Rich Dutton assuming the helm, but finds themselves without All-State performers Savarius Evans and Daniel Taylor Jr. who followed previous coach Nikita Stover to Hatton. As far as I know, All-State lineman Jonathan Bowling is still wearing the black and purple. The big challenge for DHCA is to find someway to replace the offensive production they lost.

Sheffield finds themselves in a similar situation as DHCA. New coach and arguably their most electric player Jeremiah Fletcher has transferred to Deshler. As far as I know, they still have Jaylen Gangar lining up in the backfield and he is a load himself. This is going to come down to which coach has his team adapted to their style and which team can replace very critical losses.

At this point, this game is a crap shoot. Both teams have lost some important players from last year through transfer. The players Sheffield had at media days are not even listed on their Hudl roster (got to remember, some teams do not update much.) Sheffield did become more offensively productive after changing to the spread last year, which they will look to keep implemented this season.

Sheffield lost their most explosive player, but DHCA did too and also lost a handful of other important playmakers. I like Sheffield, at home, getting a little revenge from last year. DHCA will have a lot of overcome but the playoffs are a definite possibility with their region.

Prediction:  Sheffield 34 DHCA 19

kodyaufan2 Week 1 Picks

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(#3)  Fyffe (9-3) at  (#4)  Maplesville (12-3)  at Red Devil Stadium Fyffe   Maplesville 9-3 (7-0)  Record 12-3 (7-0) 3A-R8  Class/Region 1A-R4 #3  ASWA Ranking #4 54.4  Power Rating 37.0 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Fyffe as a 15 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Maplesville Red Devils defeated Fyffe by a score of 35-6 in week 1 at Home  on Fri., Aug. 22 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Maplesville and Fyffe have met one time on the field.... Maplesville holds a 1-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Comments: This matchup came together over the offseason and will be part of this year's Kickoff Classic in Montgomery. Maplesville lost in the 1A state championship last season, while Fyffe lost to Piedmont in the 3A Quarterfinals.

Maplesville has been one of the elite programs of 1A for years, and came up just short of another state championship last season. They return most of their starters from that team and should be even better this year. Sophomore RB Nehemiah McCrary already has an offer from Alabama and is the state's top back in his class. Their high-pursuit defense exposed some of Elba's weaknesses as they shut down Alvin Henderson in the semifinals last year with multiple forced fumbles, but couldn't stop Wadley's rushing attack in the championship game. WR Aidan Abbott, DL Von Woods, and QB Pearce Yeargan are other players to watch.

A Quarterfinals appearance is a down year for Fyffe, so they'll be looking to bounce back with a championship in 2025. RB Logan Anderson has graduated, but Fyffe has a more-than-capable replacement in Ryder Gibson, who comes in with plenty of experience. The Red Devils also had a couple other big losses from All-State players in LB Simon Hicks and OL Tucker Wilks. We know there's really no such thing as a rebuilding year for Fyffe, but we will know a lot about this team early, as their first three games might be their toughest.

Maplesville took advantage of Elba's O-line deficiencies in the playoffs last year, but struggled against the much more disciplined scheme of Wadley. Fyffe is known for their disciplined rushing attack, which I think will give them the advantage as they search for Championship #8 under Paul Benefield.

Prediction:  Fyffe 35, Maplesville 14

Winterboro (8-3) at  (#7)  Vincent (9-3)  at Harold Garrett Stadium Winterboro   Vincent 8-3 (4-1)  Record 9-3 (4-2) 1A-R6  Class/Region 2A-R5 NR  ASWA Ranking #7 30.2  Power Rating 34.7 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Vincent as a 7 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Winterboro Bulldogs defeated Vincent by a score of 18-8 in week 1 on the road  on Fri., Aug. 22 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Vincent and Winterboro have met 43 times on the field.... Vincent holds a 26-15 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Comments: This one will be a great early measuring stick for both teams, as each have aspirations of playing deep into November. This was a low-scoring, defensive affair a year ago, and I don't expect much difference this year.

Although they mostly play out the shotgun with a lot of Spread concepts, the run game is the bread-and-butter of the Vincent attack. They have a great one-two punch in RBs Jayden Roberts and Wyatt Carlisle, and given the quality of play up front last season for the Yellow Jackets, those two should have plenty of holes to run through this season. They may not have the size of some of the other top teams in Class 2A, but they have a great offensive scheme that will help them open up that run game against anyone they play. This could be a dark horse team in the North.

Winterboro loses a couple of key players in QB Jhovi Cole and OL Kaden Ponder, but they return Junior RB Jamari Nicks, who is expected to be one of the top backs in 1A this year. They should have a massive O-line by 1A standards, so finding room to run shouldn't be a problem for Nicks. However, while they have a lot of size on the line, they could be a bit undersized at some skill positions. This was a solid defensive unit a year ago, allowing more than 20 points just twice.

This one will be much more physical than your typical Week 1 matchup and will tell us a lot about each team. Winterboro will get some explosive plays, but I like Vincent to get the win.

Prediction:  Vincent 22, Winterboro 12

Susan Moore (6-6) at  J.B. Pennington (6-4)  at W.R. Sutton Memorial Stadium Susan Moore   J.B. Pennington 6-6 (4-2)  Record 6-4 (4-4) 2A-R6  Class/Region 3A-R6 NR  ASWA Ranking NR 30.7  Power Rating 41.8 AHSFHS Power Ratings have J.B. Pennington as a 13 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The J.B. Pennington Tigers defeated Susan Moore by a score of 44-28 in week 1 on the road  on Fri., Aug. 22 during the 2025 football season. Series:   J.B. Pennington and Susan Moore have met 80 times on the field.... Susan Moore holds a 44-35 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Comments: This is a matchup I've been meaning to write about for a couple of years, but haven't gotten around to it until now. The 90th edition of the Battle for Blountsville sees J.B. Pennington riding a 5-game win streak in a series they've owned for the past decade. Last year's game was a 55-18 blowout, but I expect a much closer contest this time around.

I've heard some buzz around Susan Moore this year, and when you look at their QB Sam Garrison, it's not difficult to see why. Listed and 6'2'', 220 lbs, he rushed for 150 ypg and 18 TDs to go with 12 passing TDs as a Freshman last season. Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Bulldogs, but they still won a playoff game and will be looking for more this year.

J.B. Pennington was part of that crazy 5-way tie for places 3-6 in 3A Region 6 a season ago, ultimately missing the playoffs. The Tigers' defense struggled at times last year, giving up nearly 30 ppg, but that unit should be improved this year around LB Kaden Cantrell. Their offense was solid last season, averaging 34 ppg, but they'll have to replace some guys on that side of the ball. It's difficult to get a read on how the season will go for this team just because of how balanced 3A Region 6 is, but a playoff appearance is a realistic goal for this team.

J.B. Pennington won this one going away last year, but I expect Susan Moore to build off a great finish to 2024 and be much improved in 2025. I don't know that they'll have enough to win it, but I look for this to be a competitive matchup.

Prediction:  J.B. Pennington 44, Susan Moore 34

(#2)  Cherokee County (13-2) at  (#2)  Piedmont (13-1)  at Field of Champions Cherokee County   Piedmont 13-2 (7-0)  Record 13-1 (8-0) 4A-R6  Class/Region 3A-R6 #2  ASWA Ranking #2 61.3  Power Rating 55.3 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Cherokee County as a 4 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Piedmont Bulldogs defeated Cherokee County by a score of 24-8 in week 1 on the road  on Fri., Aug. 22 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Piedmont and Cherokee County have met 82 times on the field.... Piedmont holds a 40-39 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Comments: You can't get a tighter rivalry than this one, as the all-time series record is 39-39-2. Piedmont stopped a 2-game skid in the series last year, winning a back-and-forth instant classic 34-27.

Cherokee County won 13 straight games after losing this matchup a year ago, but they couldn't matchup with Jackson in the state championship game. The Warriors lose arguably their best player in 1st Team All-State player Tae Diamond. However, they return most of their line, which has been a strongpoint of this team for years. As long as they play to their usual standard at the line of scrimmage, don't expect much fall off for this team.

Year 2 of Jonathan Miller's tenure saw a return to form for Piedmont, as the Bulldogs started 13-0 before falling to eventual champs Mars Hill in the 3A Semifinals. They will have to break in a new QB, but the return of 1st Team All-State WR Rollie Pinto will help their new signal-caller. They had a very pass-heavy attack last season, so it'll be interesting to see if they stay with that formula in 2025. The defense was solid in 2024, allowing just 20 ppg, but they struggled with the ground-and-pound attack of Mars Hill. They'll face plenty of rushing attempts by the the Cherokee County offense.

This one should be a clash of styles, and it will quite possibly be the only game either team loses in the regular season. It could go either way, but I think home field could be the difference.

Prediction:  Piedmont 28, Cherokee County 21

Sloth Nationzz Week 1 Picks

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(#3)  Saraland (13-1) at  (#1)  Jackson (14-1)  at Legion Field Saraland   Jackson 13-1 (8-0)  Record 14-1 (6-0) 6A-R1  Class/Region 4A-R1 #3  ASWA Ranking #1 80.5  Power Rating 62.9 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Saraland as a 16 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Saraland Spartans defeated Jackson by a score of 17-6 in week 1 on the road  on Fri., Aug. 22 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Jackson and Saraland have met 6 times on the field.... Jackson holds a 4-2 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Last season we looked forward to this matchup all year and it lived up to the hype. Once again the same circumstances lay ahead. Neither needs to win, but both want to win this game badly. It's all about bragging rights. It seems that not many are really picking Saraland to win this game, which is a surprise as it was the opposite last season. But when you graduate as much as the Spartans did, it makes sense.

Jackson has developed a super team. Landon Duckworth is likely to lead the Aggies to another excellent season, and it all starts down in Jackson on Friday night for his senior season.

Here is my question, depth. Jackson is two classifications smaller than Saraland for a reason. Saraland will have more players. Jackson on the other hand, all their starters are excellent.

My Prediction: I think Jackson is going to win this game, and will likely continue to roll this season. Anything less than perfection would be a surprise for the Aggies. Give me Jackson to avenge last season's only loss.

Prediction:  Final Score Jackson 42 Saraland 27

Carver Montgomery (6-3) at  (#1)  Thompson (11-3)  at Warriors Stadium Carver Montgomery   Thompson 6-3 (4-3)  Record 11-3 (6-1) 7A-R2  Class/Region 7A-R3 NR  ASWA Ranking #1 68.3  Power Rating 85.7 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Thompson as a 19 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Thompson Warriors defeated Carver Montgomery by a score of 37-6 in week 1 on the road  on Thu., Aug. 21 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Thompson and Carver Montgomery have met 3 times on the field.... Thompson holds a 3-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Unlike the previous matchup, these two did not play one another last year. Thompson is the defending 7A champion, winning five of the last six 7A state titles. Mark Freeman has built a nationwide powerhouse there in Alabaster.

Carver Montgomery was the talk of the town last season, with a new coaching staff and star players. However, most players are now gone, and with the coaching staff also out the door, it has been much quieter for the Wolverines.

Trent Seaborn enters his junior season with two state championship rings as the starter, looking to add a third. Thompson's defense will likely take a step back from last season, but not enough to warrant worry.

My Prediction: I think Thompson will roll in this game, it'll be close, as Carver Montgomery has Zion Crumpton, a USF commit, and he can make plays, as he truly is an elite talent. But I think the Warriors will make a statement early in the season.

Prediction:  Final Score: Thompson 38, Carver Montgomery 19

Montgomery Academy (10-2) at  (#7)  Tallassee (9-3)  at J.E. Hot Obrien Stadium Montgomery Academy   Tallassee 10-2 (6-1)  Record 9-3 (6-1) 3A-R2  Class/Region 4A-R3 NR  ASWA Ranking #7 51.9  Power Rating 52.7 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Tallassee as a 3 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Montgomery Academy Eagles defeated Tallassee by a score of 59-3 in week 1 on the road  on Fri., Aug. 22 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Tallassee and Montgomery Academy have met 2 times on the field.... Montgomery Academy holds a 2-0 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Montgomery Academy had an excellent season last year, only to be stunned by a surging Southside Selma team in the second round of the playoffs. Montgomery Academy brings back an elite level player in Braden Gordon, alongside their starting quarterback Reid McBride. This is going to be a very talented team for the Eagles, and it helps they are down in Class 3A.

Tallassee had an outstanding season last year under Coach O'Neal, winning the region, and making an appearance in the third round. Tallassee graduated some good players, and I am still curious how their quarterback situation is going.

My Prediction: I think this Montgomery Academy team can make a run for the 3A state title, especially representing what is best described as a strange 3A South. Tallassee I think will still make a run for the region title, and they lost this game last year, and I think Montgomery Academy repeats in a win.

Prediction:  Final Score: Montgomery Academy 23, Tallassee 19

Benjamin Russell (5-6) at  (#8)  Opelika (9-3)  at Bulldog Stadium Benjamin Russell   Opelika 5-6 (4-2)  Record 9-3 (5-2) 6A-R3  Class/Region 7A-R2 NR  ASWA Ranking #8 69.7  Power Rating 79.2 AHSFHS Power Ratings have Opelika as a 12 point favorite.

Last Meeting:   The Opelika Bulldogs defeated Benjamin Russell by a score of 25-20 in week 1 on the road  on Fri., Aug. 22 during the 2025 football season. Series:   Opelika and Benjamin Russell have met 66 times on the field.... Opelika holds a 34-29 edge in the games played.

Comments:    Benjamin Russell is the talk of the town, just like Carver Montgomery was last season. However this is a super talented Wildcat squad with top 15 player in the country in Alabama commit wide receiver Cederian Morgan.

Alongside a top player in his own respective class, quarterback Kingston Preyear. Benjamin Russell has brought in a ton of talent, and a brand new coaching staff led by Kirk Johnson.

Opelika had a phenomenal season last year, finishing runner up in one of the hardest regions in the state. They truly had a season to remember. However Malik Autry has graduated and is playing at Auburn University now. A lot of seniors are gone from last year's squad, but it is in Opelika, which is one of the hardest places to play in the state. This will be a close game, and one to watch for.

My Prediction: When was the last time Kirk Johnson lost a regular season game? Oh, that's right, never! While I don't know if he can keep that incredible streak alive, I don't think it snaps Friday night, but it comes razor close. Give me the Wildcats to win to start the Kirk Johnson era off to a bang!

Prediction:  Final Score: Benjamin Russell 31 Opelika 29