Football playoffs round one preview: Three Franklin County teams remain as postseason kicks off
Phil Campbell (6-4) at Piedmont (10-0)
Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Field of Champions (Piedmont, Ala.)
Last time out: Phil Campbell bested county rival Red Bay 46-38 in an instant classic that ended on a Hail Mary heave by the Bobcats in the dying seconds of the game.
Series history: This is the first meeting between Phil Campbell and Piedmont.
What to expect: This will no doubt be a mighty tough test for the visiting Bobcats. Piedmont is undefeated, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A, and is the favorite to face off against Mars Hill for a spot in the state title game. The Bulldogs are averaging 50 points per game and are allowing just over eight points per game. There are no two ways about it: PCHS received the second-toughest draw out of any 3A team in the north. While the Bobcats have been playing well as of late and are no stranger to putting up points themselves, Phil Campbell will need to find a few more gears to pull off what would be one of the biggest first round road upsets in recent memory.
Next round: The winner of Phil Campbell–Piedmont will play the winner of Fyffe–Lauderdale County in the second round.
Red Bay (8-2) vs. Sand Rock (3-7)
Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Fred Bostick Jr. Stadium
Last time out: After mounting a furious comeback, the Tigers were eventually beaten by Phil Campbell 46-38 thanks to go-ahead touchdown with less than 10 seconds left in the game.
Series history: RBHS is 1-0 against Sand Rock. The Tigers beat the Wildcats 26-7 in a first round playoff game in 2007.
What to expect: Like Red Bay last season, Sand Rock snuck into the playoffs with the fourth and final seed from their region. Despite losing in a thriller last Friday, Red Bay should be geared up for a home playoff game—the first home playoff game since 2020. There are one or two injury concerns for RBHS, but the Tigers have been perfect at Fred Bostick Jr. Stadium this season and I expect that trend to continue this week against an inferior opponent regardless.
Next round: The winner of Red Bay–Sand Rock will play the winner of Southeastern–Sulligent on November 14.
Russellville (6-4) vs. Boaz (8-2)
Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Golden Tiger Stadium
Last time out: Russellville suffered a 28-12 road defeat at Class 6A Athens.
Series history: The Golden Tigers routed the Pirates 63-10 in their one previous meeting, a first round playoff contest at Golden Tiger Stadium in 2022.
What to expect: This one has all the makings of a great playoff contest. While Boaz’s record is better than Russellville’s, both teams’ losses have been to high-quality opponents. Other than the records, these two sides are almost indistinguishable from one another on paper: the offensive and defensive scoring numbers for both are strikingly similar, with RHS averaging 27.4 points per game to Boaz’s 27.0 and the Golden Tigers allowing 19.8 points per game to Boaz’s 19.2. Russellville’s home record this year is 4-1; Boaz’s road record is 4-1. And this is the eighth straight playoff appearance for both teams. Something’s got to give this Friday night.
Next round: The winner of Russellville–Boaz will play the winner of Briarwood–Leeds next Friday.