Week 0 football preview: Belgreen, Russellville, Tharptown kick off first
Belgreen at Shoals Christian
Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Flame Field (Florence, Ala.)
Series history: The last and only meeting between these two teams was August 23, 2024, last season’s opener, when Belgreen captured a 20-6 victory over the Flame. That win was historic for two reasons: It marked the first win in program history and the first win in BHS’ brand new football stadium.
What to expect: Shoals Christian has not had a good football team in nearly 15 years. I expect the Flame will be better than their 1-9 2024 season, but I also expect Belgreen to be better than 2-5 this year. This game’s on the road, but, as BHS head coach Jonathan Raper has said, the Bulldogs have one season of experience and plenty of returners from last year to rely on. Another two-score win for BHS wouldn’t surprise me at all—at least not like it did last year.
Next week: Belgreen will host Sumiton Christian at Sparks Stadium next Friday night. The Bulldogs lost that matchup last season 49-18.
Phil Campbell — BYE WEEK
Next week: Phil Campbell will open its 2025 campaign on the road at Class 4A Hamilton on Friday, August 29.
Red Bay — BYE WEEK
Next week: Red Bay will host the Lamar County Bulldogs to open its season next Friday.
Russellville at Deshler
Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Howard Chappell Stadium (Tuscumbia, Ala.)
Series history: The Russellville–Deshler rivalry is a long one that dates back to 1923, and the two teams have faced off every year since 1988. The Golden Tigers hold a slight 48-46-4 series lead and have won 16 of the last 20 meetings. The last matchup resulted in a 35-21 RHS home win.
What to expect: Offensively last season, the Golden Tigers relied heavily on the rush attack, especially early on in the season when there was still a quarterback competition going on. Whit Goodwin, now a sophomore, eventually won that battle and is coming into his second year with more experience and, presumably, a stronger and more accurate arm. Though there is still talent in the backfield, head coach Dustin Goodwin has said he’d like this team to throw it a little more than last year’s. This game will be a first look at how Russellville will operate this season and which players, at least early on, will be relied on most. Defensively, this game will be a nice opening test for a Golden Tiger defense that returns just a few starters from last season. Deshler always has a couple offensive skill players that can give the RHS defense some problems.
Next week: Russellville hosts Class 3A powerhouse Mars Hill, who won the 3A state title last season. The Golden Tigers have come close but have never beaten the Panthers, losing 28-14, 27-24, and 31-30 the last three years.
Tharptown vs. Danville
Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Tharptown Stadium
Series history: Tharptown has faced Danville just once; that was last season when the Wildcats walked away having been handed a 68-0 loss.
What to expect: These are two programs that, traditionally, haven’t been very good. Tharptown hasn’t had a winning season since 2007; Danville hasn’t had one since 2009. The biggest difference is size: Tharptown is 2A and Danville is 4A. It’s not a game I expect THS to win, but it is a game where Wildcat fans would hope to see their team keep it more competitive than the 68-point defeat last year.
Next week: Tharptown will travel to Waterloo for its first road game next Friday. The Wildcats lost that matchup 34-0 last season.
Vina — BYE WEEK
Next week: Vina will open its 2025 season on the road at Brindlee Mountain. The Red Devils picked up a 52-44 victory over the Mountain Lions in a 4OT thriller last year.